As Temperatures Drop, Neighborhood Bars and Restaurants Struggle

“Owning a bar in a fucking pandemic sucks– to be as succinct as possible,” says Abby Ehmann, 61.

For four years, Ehmann has been operating Lucky on B, an East Village establishment she describes as a “dive bar for grownups.” The narrow, old-timey space has dollar bills pasted on the ceiling— an old port bar tradition— and a jukebox that plays tunes from defunct downtown bars. Lucky on B has become a place where writers, musicians, retirees and other creatives congregate for conversation and a draft beer or a vodka soda with lime. But after eight slow months with low returns and constant stress, Ehmann is preparing to close down the bar…

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