Meet the Real Stars of Times Square!

Plus! Tell Me About Your T-Shirt!! Coffee Adventure Fund Update!!!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Issue #170 of CAFÉ ANNE!

I generally steer clear of writing about politics, but wow! Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral primary. One of the many things I love about NYC is that it never fails to surprise me, so this just makes me love the city more. I also loved this tweet from NYC hedge fund billionaire Daniel Loeb the morning after the election: “It’s officially hot commie summer”!

In other news, several readers suggested I replace my usual logo with the “CAFÉ ANNE” graffiti mural from last week’s story, so here you go! The classic look shall return next week.

Also in the last issue, I noted I was curious to try the $28 pour-over at the new WatchHouse Café in the Chrysler Building, and requested contributions to fund the adventure. Thanks to your generosity, I’ll be heading there tomorrow—and have more than enough $$$ to take my “friend” Aharon as well. Many thanks to readers Kevin R., James S., Anne P., David H., Lisa W., Rich I., Mariah W., Michelle B., Steve R., Xeni F. and Meredith K. S. for chipping in. Expect the full report next week!

And, of course, huge, hyper-caffeinated shoutouts to our newest paid subscribers TP Lowe, Miranda L., Frank D., Tamas N. and Gerard M. That’s enough $$$ for nine more pour-overs!

I am very excited for this week’s issue, of course. We’ve got a new “Tell Me About Your T-Shirt,” and a look at six brave New Yorkers who work in Times Square. Please enjoy.

Regards!

Anne

The following are advertisements from CAFÉ ANNE sponsors.

---

STORIES FROM THE BODY
Your body remembers more than your brain does. In this free 5-day challenge (July 7–11), you’ll write five vivid, very personal stories and maybe even figure out where your memoir begins. Online. Weirdly satisfying. Possibly life-changing. But hey, no pressure.

NYC’S AFFORDABLE SHOE

Three NYC friends are bringing a classic sneaker design to NYC. Flexible. Comfortable. $19.99 with free shipping. Minimalist shoes that are light with flexible soles are a joy to wear and run in. Now available in “Bronx” and “Queens” versions too. Shop at Skippies.

Interested in advertising your product/service or promoting your own newsletter in the next issue of CAFÉ ANNE? Click here for details.

FASHION CORNER

Tell Me About Your T-Shirt!

This is the second in a new series in which I stop New Yorkers on the street to learn the story behind their tee. I recently spotted Guy on Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights, proudly sporting a t-shirt name-checking his favorite grammar and spelling guide.

I love your t-shirt! Why are you wearing this?

I’m a copy editor. It’s a bit of joke. It’s kind of humorous—that there’s copy-editing merch.

Where’d you get it?

The Chicago Manual of Style website.

Oh my God! That’s so funny! So they have a little gift store. Do you get many comments on this shirt?

Some people. Mostly people who work in publishing.

How long have you had it?

Whenever they put out the 18th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. So probably earlier this year. When I went on for that, I noticed they had merch.

I use AP style for my blog. Why do you use Chicago?

That’s just the book publishing standard. Everyone uses that.

How does the 18th edition compare with the others?

They updated a couple things which I’m happy with. Their rules on parenthetical actions are a little better, and match what I was already doing.

Parenthetical actions. I have no idea what that is, but thank you!

Reader, I looked it up. A parenthetical action is a script element used to specify how a character delivers a line of dialogue [nods slowly].

And then I checked out the merch store. You can also buy a Chicago Manual of Style skateboard [tears up with joy]. Are you reading this, Santa?

STREET TALK

Meet the Real Stars of Times Square!

Illustration by Lucy Stafford

I've long wanted to do a story about the brave locals who work in Times Square—it looks like such a nightmare! And last week presented a great opportunity. I figured the 101-degree weather would drive most of the tourists away, giving workers time to talk.

I was right! I chose five workers at random (plus one Naked Cowboy) and had a fun chat with each. Alas, the story is missing an Elmo—it was way too hot for anyone to perform on the street inside a giant plastic head and furry suit.

These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity. Please enjoy!

Jomil, Security Guard, 3 Times Square

When I walked by Jomil, a yellow-vested security officer guarding one of the area's biggest office towers, he flashed me a huge smile.

You're so friendly!

I'm the black Mr. Rogers—the friendliest guy in Times Square! Yes I am. It's nice to meet you.

What are your hours?

Three-to-eleven. It's nice. But anything after eight, nine o'clock, you see a lot of craziness. Fights, shootings, you know. There was a shooting on 44th on Sunday, two weeks ago.

What's a good day on the job for you?

A holiday! You get time-and-a-half, you get double pay. A bad day is when you get psychos, crazy people, drug addicts, gang members who fight over the marijuana trade and everything else.

How do you handle that stuff?

Me? Go inside and call 911!

Hahaha! So you're kind of a lookout.

We're here to observe and report.

Are you entertained?

Well, right now, by you!

But I'm wondering if it all gets kind of old.

No. Getting to know everyone else who works here is very entertaining. You can make the day go by fast.

How much does a security guard make in Times Square?

Depends on the company, but $20, $22. Are you thinking of becoming a security guard?

You never know!

I hear you! So when I go on vacation, I'll just hand you my yellow vest.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Trying to remove the homeless who are sleeping in front of the building, and food cart workers. I tell them to move, be nice about it.

How do you feel about that?

I love what I do. I can communicate with a lot of people. If you can't get along with people, this job is not for you.

Neidgee, souvenir shop sales clerk

Neidgee just graduated from Queens College with a degree in psychology and is originally from Haiti. She's been working at I ♥️ NY Gifts for nearly three years.

How did you get this job?

I was walking along, from place-to-place, asking if they were hiring.

So you wanted to work in Times Square!

I did. New York is the city that never sleeps and I wanted to be in the middle of the excitement. I enjoy it. Every time I say I need to quit, I find myself pulled back in.

What’s the best part of the job?

It's all the people that I work with, my coworkers. We are all from different countries—Albania, Mexico, Ecuador, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Very caring, nurturing people. I'm not gonna say that for all of them, but very good people!

What's the most you've ever seen a tourist spend at once?

The most was recently—$2000.

What?!?!

Yes! Souvenirs, $2000. Sweaters, Yankees hats, key chains, mugs.

Were they drunk?

I said the same thing!

The Naked Cowboy, Street Performer

I've interviewed the Naked Cowboy several times over the years, including this piece about his bonkers morning routine. He sings and plays guitar in his underwear, often accompanied by his wife Patricia, the Naked Cowgirl.

For people who aren't familiar, can you explain your job and what you do?

I am the Naked Cowboy! My name is Robert Burke, and over 30 years ago I devised a plan to be the most celebrated entertainer of all time—the richest, most famous man on Earth, the happiest, healthiest, wealthiest, most beautiful man in the world, and someone who would experience exponential growth of my name, brand and net worth at all times. I'd create an archetype that would impact, influence and motivate, inspire every living soul on the face of the earth, living or dead. I would walk the earth, the most brilliant man on the earth, best built, most incredible shape, all the rest of it—a socially conscientious person who literally connects the entire world through this archetype that's known on every continent. And I could go on all day about myself...

That's a good synopsis.

You want the long answer?

What are you making out here on a typical day?

A couple hundred dollars. But I don't ask for money. Literally, they have to beg me to take it. It's not about $1 for each picture. I ask for nothing and make it clear I want nothing—in complete opposition to every other asshole out here who's robbing every single person they can. So you have the dichotomy of the riff-raff—struggling, fighting, taking money—and this glorious guy who just comes in, does it all for free and makes more money than all of them.

Is there anyone else working in Times Square that you admire?

The Naked Cowgirl!

David, panhandler and animal trainer

David and his dog, Dr. Holiday, were sitting in front of a gelato shop, surrounded by shopping bags and a small, colorful sign that said "Donations Matter. Food, Drink and Anything Else." A New York native, David sleeps on the streets.

How many hours are you typically out here?

A few hours—three a day, max. I don't like sitting for too long! Some people can make up to $150 a full day sitting here. But I just collect $25, $30 and I'm good for the day. That's enough to buy extra snacks for myself, and real food for my dog. He doesn't like dog food. He likes any kind of meat. We go to the Bronx because it's cheaper. It's $15 for a ten-piece bucket of chicken compared to $30 here.

You panhandle in Times Square so you can go up to the Bronx and buy a bucket of fried chicken for your dog.

The other night we went up to Kennedy Chicken on 174th Street. The guy gave me a whole bucket of chicken for $5.

What kind of food do people give you here?

We get everything. Carmine’s, Cain's, the Hard Rock Café. If I'm hungry for Burger King, I sit in front of the Burger King. Last week I said, “We're going to sit here until we get two cheeseburgers, one for me and one for you." And we did!

Are tourists from any particular country more generous than others?

Very! France and Germany have been really good to us.

What sorts of jobs have you had?

I managed a gas station for a year. I've worked on Wall Street. I used to call the doctors and do their investments for them.

You worked in a boiler room!

And I got my first job doing concrete when I was 16 years old.

Are you done working jobs now? Have you had it?

No, I'm thinking about Wall Street again. My other goal is to do a prayer vigil, for anything that you love. Oregon did one eight years ago. The whole state of Oregon lit candles. I hope to take that nationwide.

Wow! What are you going to call it?

For The Love!

Well, when that happens, I'll know it's you!

Pavel, Alex and Daria, ticket sellers

All three are students from Bulgaria, here for the summer on temporary work visas. They buzz around the square, selling theater tickets on the spot for Last Minute Center Broadway, mainly targeting tourists who don't want to wait in the long line at the TKTS booth.

So how does this work?

Alex: We look for people interested in theater tickets and try to find the best seats and prices for them.

Daria: We are not scammers!

How did you get this job?

Alex: We found it five months before we got here. We have a sponsor that finds jobs that are New York City-specific.

What's it like compared to what you expected?

Alex: The first day is fun and adventurous. After that you get anxiety for home. And after that we really like it—and don't want to go home!

Pavel: I wanted to improve my sales skills. So far it's been good—I think I'm improving.

Daria: I wanted to improve my English.

Pavel: It's exciting. Every day you are in the center of the world. Times Square! So you meet all kinds of people. It's crazy!

Alex: Every day is a different day—we don't know what will happen. We watched a movie with Brad Pitt!

Pavel: We won tickets for the premiere of F1 and sat a couple of rows below Brad Pitt. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, was there!

How do you get people to stop and buy tickets?

Alex: I try to smile and give them as much information as I can about all the shows we have. That's the most important thing—just to be confident.

Have you ever been to a Broadway show?

Alex: No, we've only been here two weeks. That's the problem!

Chocolate Shop Barista

I spotted this fellow through the window of the Max Brenner chocolate shop, making cappuccinos. I didn't need to ask many questions—he just started talking. He asked me not to include his name or photo.

So I'm curious—

Times Square is for tourists! When you come to work, you get off the train, you have to walk three blocks to get to your job, you have to—[makes wild pushing and shoving gestures]—you try to pass: “Come on! I got to get to work!” They are verrrry happy, the tourists outside, looking up at the buildings.

It's like the United Nations. You speak with people all around the world, every day. You have to try to understand what they want in many different languages. I think that I now can say “thank you” in 18, 20 languages. I like that.

Only the Americans seem to give tips. I might make $20 in tips. Some don't even say thank you. Some don't even say hello. Very rude! Depending on the culture.

People come in and ask me directions. Don't they have Google Maps? Use Google Maps! Use the apps! "Where is this? Where is that? Where is X place?" Come on! Google! Google!

If you don't bring your lunch to Times Square, you're going to go broke. Everything's too expensive. You forget your lunch, it's a big problem.

What's the cheapest lunch in Times Square?

Pizza. Two cheese slices and one can for $5, on 50th Street. But I try to eat healthy, so I feel guilty every time I do it.

New York is like a bad girlfriend. You know that you have to leave her, but she's so good!!!

CAFÉ ANNE is a free weekly newsletter created by Brooklyn journalist Anne Kadet. Subscribe to get the latest issue every Monday.