Mark Russ Federman

Fun read, if a bit repetitive. Federman is at his best when telling stories about the Russ family and the customers they serve, though there are complaints about various members of both groups (some good-humored, some not). There's also a little too much overlap between the chapter about the history of the store and the one devoted to the history of the neighborhood, and he does quite a bit of kvelling about the success of Russ & Daughters. He is however mostly humble about himself, relating various times where he objected to a new menu item or business idea, only to be proven wrong. It's this humor and warmth that ultimately makes the book worth reading, particularly for fans of Jewish and/or kosher-style food.… (más)

This book was purchased by my husband who enjoyed it and gave it to me. Federman links the detailed family history of the family-owned and -run Russ and Daughters to the past and present of New York's Lower East Side. One doesn't go without the other.

It all started in the early 20th Century with Federman's grand-father, Joel Russ, his push-cart and the oppressive poverty of the Lower East Side. And continues with the hard-life stories played out by thousands of immigrant families: those successful enough with their push-carts bought store-fronts. These men and women poured their life-blood, sacrificed their time, energy and money into these businesses so they could provide the basics of life to their families.

And then little by little, if the back-breaking business was successful they started dreaming, hoping and insisting that their children do better. Many moved out of the teeming, intolerable tenements relocating to the West Side, or to the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens. Joel Russ did move his family out but had to return during the depression or face losing the store. Eventually they were able to move forward.

Federman describes his grandfather as the classic patriarch characteristic of that generation. Joel expected his daughters to work in the store after school and on weekends; not caring about their social lives, and not paying them. But Joel was also progressive and controversial naming the store Russ and Daughters. Once Ida, Hattie and Anne married Joel expected their husbands to work at the store and they did. The store provided the family with a living and it was therefore sacrosanct.

Federman explains how the business was not simply handed over to the next generation but sold to them. Joel resisted making changes to Russ and Daughters but each subsequent generation modified the stock, style, and business practices to reflect the changing times, neighborhood and increase their customer-base. Currently, the store is owned and run by Federman's daughter and nephew.

A wonderful, very New York story of how hard-work does pay filled with family tales, anecdotes about demanding customers, the impact of changes in the neighborhood, and the pulling power of the store on different family members including Federman himself.

Good read but could be shorter.… (más)