Coming Soon: Russ & Daughters To Anchor Building 77’s Brooklyn Navy Yard Food Court

Last summer, we reported that Building 77 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard would be transformed — on its ground floors, at least — into a public food court and community space. Now we know what the anchor restaurant will be: Russ & Daughters.

The Lower East Side favorite known for its signature smoked fish, caviar, traditional bagels, bialys, and baked goods, Russ & Daughters is run by fourth-generation owners Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper. The business was founded over a century ago, in 1914.

The century-old business’s first Brooklyn outpost will be a least of 14,000 square feet for a food manufacturing center, plus a retail space and bagel sandwich shop. There will also be public baking classes. Over 30 employees are expected to be hired.

Russ Federman stated that after being “part of the fabric of New York for 102 years, we hope to be around for at least as many more. The opportunity to continue our growth — within the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a 200 year old force of industry and development in New York — is not only incredibly exciting, it’s a natural fit.”

“When we visited [the site] for the first time, we were amazed by the spectacular and vast space,” added Russ Tupper. “Building 77 will open up this previously hidden gem to the public. The excitement that will be generated from the intersection of food production and enjoyment in Building 77 will help solidify the Navy Yard’s place as a vibrant and unique location in New York to work and visit.”

For his part, Navy Yard President/CEO David Ehrenberg described Russ & Daughters as harbingers of “a bustling ecosystem at Building 77 [that] will also help attract and support a next generation of food entrepreneurs.”

Small food manufacturing and retail businesses have been gravitating towards Brooklyn for years now. With Building 77’s anchor tenant set, now smaller entrepreneurs are being courted.

BNYDC also announced that it is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the remaining ground floor space at Building 77. BNYDC is especially focused on leasing to smaller food manufacturing and retail companies, with a strong preference for local and Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses that are looking for smaller manufacturing spaces (1,000 – 3,000 sq feet).

Businesses interested in learning more about space on the ground floor of Building 77 can review the just released Request for Expressions of Interest.

Building 77’s renovation is slated to be completed by the end of this year, so the restaurant will likely also be open by then in time for the new year.