PHOTO BY BRUCE KAYTON

The East Village

Here’s a little-known fact: the East Village doesn’t exist; it’s actually the Lower East Side. The name came about this way: In 1956, the Third Avenue elevated train tracks were taken down, and in 1961 the expensive Stewart House went up on Tenth Street between Broadway and Fourth Avenue. The real estate industry saw they could sell and rent apartments more easily by calling the area east of Greenwich Village “the East Village.”

It was marketed to those frozen out of Greenwich Village, and its closeness to Wall Street was emphasized. However, the area has always served as a landing place for immigrants, and the battle continues; will the neighborhood turn into a Yuppie haven, or remain working-class? The riots at Tompkins Square Park in recent years, and the exodus of mom-and-pop stores due to rent increases, are signs of the battle.

Hundreds of years ago when an enemy’s army was approaching, you knew you were in trouble. Nowadays, its the quiche places and Starbucks Coffee outlets that signal a war on the neighborhood. The Union Square area, known historically as a home for unions, has been transformed also, as large suburban stores and luxury condominiums have moved in.