Nick Mathers Bringing Ruby’s to Little Giant Space on Orchard

Seven-year-old Orchard Street anchor Little Giant died a sudden death at the end of December. Since then, the space remained overwhelmingly quiet. The proverbial ghost town. Or so we thought.

For months, requisite brown paper hijacked the windows of 85 Orchard Street while the storefront vestibule swayed at the mercy of the elements. But this perceived dormancy was simply a mirage. Indeed, despite first appearances, interior remodeling was, and still is afoot inside this valuable corner real estate. Fresh DOB permits taped behind the security gates reveal some big news for this neck of the Lower East Side. A taste of Aussie rules.

According to the official paperwork filed with the city last week, it appears Aussie chef Nick Mathers is bringing his popular Ruby’s concept to the southwest corner of Orchard and Broome (i.e. “Ruby’s Orchard LLC”). Its presence on the block would be the second location of the popular cafe, which was first spawned on Mulberry Street almost a decade ago.

The other Mathers…the Real Slim Shady.