For most, the Staten Island Ferry is part of the daily commute (for those who live on the borough) or a much-needed respite from a busy Manhattan-based vacation (for the visitor). Now, the Staten Island Ferry’s terminal is also the site of a much-praised outdoor farmer’s market. The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal Greenmarket in Lower Manhattan, open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., offers a bevy of farm-made goods, from Wilklow Orchards’ ciders and pies to Remsburger Maple Farm’s maple syrup and honey.
“This isn’t one of our busiest markets, but it’s good enough for us to keep coming back,” said Mike Hyler, a 29-year-old worker for Wilklow Orchards. “There is a really good mix of tourists throughout the day and mainly commuters in the evening.”
We spent a recent afternoon sussing out the Greenmarket crowd.

“I absolutely love this market. I stop here a lot as I go to my ferry because the apples are delicious, so fresh, and it is just in the perfect location. Nobody should miss it.” Denise Martin-Cook, 58, health account representative, New York.

“I get my apple cider here two times a week. I love this place. The cider is really good. It’s healthy and convenient—I never have to go out of my way for a good jug of this stuff.” Ken Lawrence, 43, banker, New York.

“I was just about to take advantage of the free ferry and I saw this random market set up. I’m hoping it gets Americans to eat healthier. It looks nice.” Mary Webbs, 53, housewife, Sydney, Australia.

“I’m here on vacation—I was about to take the ferry, and then I recognized this farmer’s market right away. They have loads of them back in Australia set up on the side of roads. I mean it pretty much looks the same, but ours are much bigger. This location looks good because tourists stop here all the time, and most of them know of these kinds of markets from where ever they’re from. Also, who wouldn’t want to eat fresh fruit on a boat?” Dean Nadzielski, 24, Advertising, Australia.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, one of my favorite days of the year, an Irish blessing for you: May the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may your teenagers stay busy, may the road rise up to meet you and may you always find parking when you reach your destination. As usual, if you see any new retailers or spot changes to a longtime friend, please email me at tre@downtownny.com and I’ll check them out.
Openings
7eventytwo
72 Warren St. (betw. W. Broadway & Greenwich St.),7eventytwo.org
Teenagers are known for a few things, and boredom is one of them. The Church Street School for Music and Art is taking that untapped energy and channeling it into creative endeavors that promise to enrich and enliven teens’ free hours. 7eventytwo is a drug- and alcohol-free zone that offers a variety of activities that promote learning and creative
expression in a fun, safe environment.

Events include battles of the bands, film screenings, figure drawing and open-studio Saturdays. Workshops provide instruction on everything from digital cameras and music video production to fiber sculpture.

Woodrow’s
43 Murray St. (betw. W. Broadway & Church Sts.), woodrowsnyc.com
Glenn Garmont has got a good thing going. He and his wife Erin, who own Woodrow’s, are exactly where they want to be: in the middle of a neighborhood poised for growth with a bar whose popularity is already exceeding their hopes. “We haven’t been open even two weeks and things are better than expected,” Garmont said.

Woodrow’s fills a void in the area for a casual, homey watering hole that offers great food without being too expensive. The owners have completed extensive renovations on the space to include a downstairs whiskey bar with comfortable couches and decorative touches that make you feel like you’ve come home—except nicer and with the option of your own personal bartender.

Come for an after-work drink or make it your home for St. Patrick’s Day; on offer is an Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, Irish bacon, eggs and toast, or enjoy an entrée like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Guinness beef stew or a corned beef sandwich.

Europan Diner Café
125 Fulton St. (betw. Nassau & Williams Sts.), europandiner.com
Europan has several locations throughout the city, but now we only have to travel to Fulton to get a taste of variety on a budget. The selection here is huge, but don’t be daunted by all your choices. To ease navigation, the choices at Europan Diner Café are split into several (OK, more than several) categories: egg platters, omelet options, breads and bagels, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian wraps, regular wraps, paninis, sauté dishes, risotto dishes, “quesadilla corner” and cakes, pies and pastries.

If those choices aren’t enough, a few other options are available, such as shakes, smoothies and gourmet coffees.

Quik Park
95 Wall St. (betw. Water & Front Sts.), www.quikparkgarages.com
Finding a parking space in Lower Manhattan—really, in any part of the city—can be a quest even Odysseus would find challenging. This lot is open 24 hours a day and conveniently located at Wall and Water, within easy walking distance of the South Street
Seaport, Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park and the shopping and commercial centers around Wall Street.

Anne Frank Center USA
44 Park Pl. (at Church St.), annefrank.com
The museum honoring one of the most recognizable and influential Holocaust victims, Anne Frank, officially opened its doors and held an opening celebration March 15. The center promotes a message of tolerance and respect and uses Anne Frank’s diary and life to share her legacy with the world.
Closings
Icon Parking, 95 Wall St.
Digi Prints Inc. 176 Broadway
The Bread Factory Café, 125 Fulton St.
Sunny’s Deli, 11 Park Pl.