Update Required
Sorry in order to watch the video you need the latest version of the
free flash plug in.
CLICK HERE to download it and then refresh this page.
Around 1905, Joel Russ emigrated from Poland to New York’s Lower East Side and began selling herring from a pushcart, one of some 25,000 pushcart peddlers working the crowded Jewish ghetto. Joel was successful enough to open his own modest storefront in 1914. He married and had three daughters who started working in the store as children. As the girls grew into beautiful teenagers, they proved a big asset to his “appetizers” store; customers chose Russ’s shop over dozens of competitors because they enjoyed flirting with the lovely girls who pulled herring from the barrels.
In a remarkably forward thinking move for his day, Joel Russ named the girls partners, and passed the business on to them when he died. One of the daughters in turn passed Russ & Daughters Appetizers to her son, who is now in the process of passing it to his daughter and his nephew. The store is still located on the Lower East Side, and still very successful (they’ve branched out to sell lox and cream cheese, caviar and other delicacies). We interviewed three generations of the family who told us the story of their family and their store in sparkling detail.
16 |
|
Peter Knobler Says: |
June 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
My father took me to Russ & Daughters when I was a little boy in the 1940s. I’ve been going ever since. One of the great days in my life was the first time I took my son there. Another was this year when he told me he took a bunch of his out-of-town NYU roommates to the store as a guide to what’s really good in New York. Some good things! I went last week. The neighborhood is nothing like it was but Russ & Daughters seems pretty much unchanged, and it still has the best whitefish in the city, maybe the world.
|
15 |
|
Sonja Boatman Says: |
May 4th, 2008 at 3:39 pm |
New York born & raised, I moved away after 38 years. Living in south central Pennsylvania is wonderful EXCEPT for the food. When I discovered Russ & Daughters in April, 2006 I knew I would have to return to the store every trip I made back home. In fact, I was just there last week & stocked up on the WONDERFUL Nova & Sable I miss so much! Now I can order online & have it shipped!
|
14 |
|
Aimee Says: |
April 30th, 2008 at 4:44 pm |
Such a beautiful store and selections. The moment you enter the door, and step upon the floor of white and black tiles, one sees so many delights, and can feel the love, devotion and committment made to this establishment by generations of this family and their extended members. There is of course an added excitement to the whole experience- the joy of tasting a sample from the varieties of excellent smoked salmons offered. I myself am so glad that Russ and Daughters Appetizers is right here in New York’s Lower East Side. Aimee- New York City
|
13 |
|
Michael Shor Says: |
April 24th, 2008 at 9:38 am |
this seemed to be a free commercial for Russ and Daughters.
What about the other great Jewish food stores in NYC
This smells of corruption.
|
12 |
|
mort kramer m.d. Says: |
April 9th, 2008 at 9:04 am |
I was lucky enuf to see The Jews of New York onBaltimore TV
It was GREAT can’t wait to visit you in NY
|
|
|
