Good morning everyone. Last night I went to a Greek restaurant in my neighborhood that I’d walked by a thousand times but never went into. It opened in 2009, and the owner proudly told us that he just signed another 15-year lease. It’s called Athena, and because it was our first time there, they also gave us blue shots of ouzo and caramel rum bread pudding after dinner. But I have a feeling they might do that for regulars too.
If you’re around tomorrow night, I’m moderating a Q+A with
and after a screening of their movie, Or Something, at 8pm.Today’s letter includes: Erewhon’s first location outside of Los Angeles, Substack’s equivalent of Davos is happening next week, an investigative report about how Selena Gomez’s mother turned their mental health brand into a living hell for employees (and the reason why I’ll be going to a magazine store today), and more legacy media joining Substack.
📱 Have a story you think I should look into? Text the anonymous Feed Me Hotline: (646) 494-3916 📱
The first Erewhon is opening in New York City. Big news for fans of $20 celebrity-sponsored adaptogen smoothies: In May of 2024, Ronnie Fieg (the founder of Kith) filed an application with the city of New York to open a members club/padel club on the roof and ninth floor of 120 Leroy Street. His partners in the project were the Cayre family’s Midtown Equities and Café Mogador’s owners. According to a story in The Real Deal from earlier this year (which also detailed local residents’ furious objection to the plans), the project had $7mm invested, and one of the architects said that construction was about halfway finished in March, aiming for completion late 2025.
The Cayres’ involvement in New York’s private clubs is noteworthy: their company Midtown Equities bought the building occupied by Soho House in the Meatpacking District in 2012. The group has a 30% stake in Casa Cipriani. And they spearheaded the development of Chez Margaux alongside Jean‑Georges Vongerichten.
“Next to the cold plunge are seven letters: EREWHON.”