Crab Legs & ChaturangaS 🦀
BASE CAMP this way ➡️
Driving my three year old daughter to pre-school at the other end of the island this morning, the familiar black and yellow signs beckoned. “BASE CAMP” they read, pointing to the giant parking lot of Seafood City. I saw the familiar Haddads movie trucks peeking over the fence, the honeywagon in the corner, its sly bathroom doors reading Desi and Lucy.
Today, City Island played host to an elite squad known at the Special Victims Unit.
My career for the past twenty (million?) years has been working a variety of roles in the costume department for films, television, and theatre. From multi-million dollars Hollywood film sets to tiny black box theaters in Bushwick, I’m “in the business”. I’ve never had the chance to work on SVU, but I once got kinda close to Christopher Maloney when he crossed the street in front of me (🔥).
The job that first brought me to City Island was Boardwalk Empire. As an additional costumer, I would join the crew on big days when there were a lot of background (also known as “extras”) that needed to go through the works in the morning before going to set. My job was the help them get dressed in their 1920s prohibition era costumes. Depending on the scene, that could mean flapper dresses, garters, garter belts & other underpinnings, stockings, shoes, jewelry, and headpieces, or tuxedos with bowties and cummerbunds, starched collars, undershirts, sock garters, socks, shoes, tie pins, cufflinks, and the like. The clothes were decidedly more complicated than the hoodies and leggings we sport today and women sometimes needed two assistants to shimmy into the delicate beaded gowns. Readying the background actors takes ages, and our call time as costumers is often in the wee hours of the morning.
In the dim, pre-dawn hours of my first venture to City Island, I programmed the address sent to me the night before into my (TomTom!) gps. It slid around the dashboard on its little weighted sandbag directing me up the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, on to 95 North, through a wooded forrest pass, and over a short bridge. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven to set in the dark - bleary eyed and half awake, only to search for my car at the end of the day with no recollection of where I parked as my surroundings are unrecognizable in the light.
I made my way to holding (where we get the background actors ready) at Scavello’s - a giant defunct gathering hall perfect for a wedding scene in a 1970s mob movie. I recall luscious red velvet swags and heavy gold fringe on every surface. I had no idea that in a few years I would be routinely ordering my family’s Sunday pizza and broccoli rabe from that restaurant, now beautifully renovated and back in business.
By the time the actors were dressed and ready, the sun was peeking over the horizon. City Island unveiled itself in the sunshine - a mile and a half long village, charming and unassuming, like nothing I had ever seen in my then thirteen years in New York City. Victorian and pre-war homes lined the streets, beautiful old churches (we shot in one), mom & pop businesses and empty storefronts dotted the main drag.
An encounter with a local woman, multiple children in tow and laden with towels, toys and pool noodles, revealed the island's secret – a beach on almost every block. City Island, with its quaint allure and welcoming community, spoke to my soul. Moooooove here, it whispered, toasted garlic bread on its breath. NOTE: You can also read this story in the NYT‘s triennial Discover-City-Island article, where they totally blew up my sport as a divorcée lol.
Fast forward, and City Island isn't just a filming location; it's my home. I found a Victorian house of my own, a treasure described on its one-sheet as an “Island gem”. A stroll to the beach at the end of my block or a journey across the bridge to Orchard Beach, the island became a refuge for our growing family during Covid. In a time that felt ominously similar to beginning of a zombie movie, (save my mostly-pretend concern about the possibility of reanimation our neighbors on Hart Island) I was so grateful to be able to sit on my porch or walk around outside with relatively little worry.
I 💗 living on weird and wonderful City Island. While after “only” eight years here, I’m still very much a Mussel Sucker (aka transplant - still can’t put my finger on the affectionate-to-disparaging ratio of this nickname 🤔), at least my child is a certified Clam Digger (native born City Islander). Every day here I discover something beautiful or strange, and continue falling in love with the islanders that I’m getting to know better with each passing season. City Island has a truly magical vibe – the sea, the sand, the salty air – it's a sanctuary within New York City’s chaos. Originally home to the Siwanoy band of Lenape Indians, the island was settled by Europeans in 1654. Oystermen, farmers, shipbuilders, sailmakers, vacationers, and fried seafood lovers have all made their mark on the island, only somewhat cheekily known as the “Martha’s Vineyard of The Bronx”. No Kennedys here, but it’s cute and quaint and eccentric as all get out. Walking down the avenue though, I can't help but notice the potential behind the vacant storefronts.
Small businesses, like the renovated Scavello's, contribute to the heartbeat of City Island, creating a unique atmosphere that sets this neighborhood apart. I joke that to cash in on the island’s reputation as a seafood destination, our slogan will be, “Come for the crab legs, stay for the Chaturanga!” We’ve got a boatload of eateries, from fancy seafood joints (mostly for impressing out-of-towners) to local haunts. Archie’s Tap & Table (still known to my kids as “Carmella’s” after their favorite waitress who hasn’t worked there in a good two years), Lickety Split, City Island Pizza Company, The Black Whale, Clipper Coffee – you get the drift. The City Island Diner is where you go for that classic burger and fries fix, and The Snug is our spot after dark… on the occasion that we actually get a sitter… and our friends can get a sitter on the same night.
Adding to the island's charm are its diverse art spaces, such as City Island Gallery, Mary Colby Studio Gallery, Kaleidoscope Gallery, Imagine That!, and my future neighbor, Focal Point Gallery (hi, Ron 👋 ). The creative scene extends to theater groups and the intimate Cinema on the Sound, a small independent movie house. Dan’s Parents’ House, a vintage toy store, is hands down one of the coolest shops I’ve ever been in. Nostalgia reigns supreme for Gen-Xers and Millennials looking to share their love of Cabbage Patch Dolls or Ninja Turtles with their own kids.
Our island oozes character. The streets are lined with maritime nostalgia, and the community's warmth is palpable. Despite the amazing small businesses that already grace the island's streets, there are still a noticeable number of empty storefronts eagerly awaiting a spark of new life and creativity. Setting up shop here isn't just about opening another store; it's about becoming part of the island's narrative, infusing it with life, and turning one of these empty spaces into a bustling hub of activity. Let's not just fill a space; let's contribute to the island's lively, welcoming spirit.
With opening The Pearl on the horizon, I'm working on transforming a former antique shop into a shared community space. At the heart of The Pearl is the belief that wellness is a communal journey. We're not just about workouts; we're about forging connections, creating a tribe that celebrates victories and supports each other through challenges. It aims to be a place where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated. We believe in a come-as-you-are mentality, where individuals of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds feel empowered to move, explore, and embrace their unique wellness journey.
City Island, with its friendly faces and artsy spirit, has given us so much more than cinematic backdrops. As the owner of The Pearl, I'm excited to contribute my own chapter to the island's story. So, here's to City Island – the real star of the show 💫
My girl on our block’s beach 💕