Zhen Wei Fang Gets Going at Former Congee Bowery Space
For the second time in as many years, the folks behind Congee Bowery are switching it up. Yet keeping it in the family.
You’ll recall that Congee Bowery transitioned to Hot Pot Village in the summer of 2017. Now, just over a year later, a grand opening celebration is underway for Zhen Wei Fang. The restaurant at 207 Bowery is parallel with its predecessor, and has been serving since last month.
Principals behind the concept – Ricky Liang and Wei Chen – purchased the assets from the prior owners, and obtained approval from Community Board 3 this month for a full liquor license. Liang operates the Allen Hotel (at Broome Street) and is the son of Congee Village owner Peter Liang.
The Congee Village one-two punch began in 1996 with the sprawling location at 100 Allen Street. Lou Holtzman’s Eastside Sound recording studio had operated for decades on what would later become the mezzanine level of the restaurant; Holtzman moved the business to Forsyth Street in 2000. The Bowery restaurant followed in 2005.
Recent Stories
Black Seed Bagels will Reopen on Elizabeth Street Next Month
One month after an early-morning fire ripped through the original Black Seed Bagels in Little Italy, the business is on the mend. And might reopen sooner than initially expected. As in next month. On March 7, a fire sparked on-premise and knocked out the whole bagel operation. Firefighters were successful in extinguishing the blaze and […]
Tsaôcaa & Bào Bubble Tea Spot Opens on Ludlow Street
Three months after the Thai ice creamery, Juicy Spot, faded from Ludlow Street, another snack shop is now operational. This time, the M.O. is all things bubble tea. Tsaôcaa & Bào recently opened at 109 Ludlow, just north of Delancey Street. It describes itself as a bubble tea business that “strives for ultimate freshness and […]
Time is Short for the Longtime Subway Florist of 14th Street
With the rebranded L train “slowdown” one day away, time is slim for the longtime subway florist on 14th Street. Our roving photographer – Lower East Side native Robert Carmona – caught up with the subterranean peddler last month to learn the latest. Periklis Tsoumas, who has been at the 1st Avenue and 14th Street […]
Report: Tenement Museum Workers Unionize
The front-facing staff of the Tenement Museum, after many failed attempts throughout the years, have finally agreed to unionize. A vote was held last week in which all education, retail, and visitor services employees mobilized to join Local 2110 UAW (United Auto Workers). The measure passed by a 96% margin. The vote was spurred by […]
Sunshine Cinema Signage Carted Away
Sunshine, sunset, swiftly goes the demolition. Indeed, no sooner did the sidewalk bridge appear at 141 East Houston Street than workers deposed the Sunshine Cinema neon lettering. We’re told that a van carted the signage away yesterday. Co-owner-developer East End Capital did not return our request about the fate of the letters. Meanwhile, the demolition […]
