New York has lost a bunch of history over the past 20 years but the sad news about Life Cafe is a particularly tough one.
Just nine months after losing their East Village location due to greedy landlords, now the owners must close their doors in Bushwick for the same reason. Kathy and her husband David John will not seek to open up again in another area as they plan on semi-retiring.
I frequented Life Cafe on 10th and B in the 80’s and the only reason I ever find myself in Bushwick is if I’m craving Life’s scrambled tofu for brunch. Always preferred the less cramped 10th Street space.
It should be noted that both locations opened in those neighborhoods pre-gentrification. Kathy was a pioneer on the business scene when others wouldn’t take risks in those areas.
The risk paid off both times. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Thank you for bringing us Life, Kathy. You will be missed.
2 Comments
FYI Kathy’s current husband is John Sunderland (they married in the garden of Life Cafe East Village in 2006). Kathy and her first husband, David were divorced in 1985.
Ah, thanks for the correction John. I changed the post. I traced the cause of my confusion. The Life website history states that David moved on to other things in 1985 but never spelled out the divorce for bozos like me. Sorry about that!