The Old Lower East Side

Our film, Fight for Survival is about the struggle of businesses in the Lower East Side adjusting to socioeconomic changes. We interviewed long-time business owners, like El Castillo Restaurant and Katz Diner. This topic is a very important issue in society because it has to do more with economic status in New York and how people are forced to deal with it in different ways.


I'm interested in this subject because I feel like this topic should go without being heard. It doesn't connect to me personally because as a teen I don't really have to deal with money problems, but I know when I get older, I'm going to have to handle the socioeconomic changes that come about.


Is Lower East Side endangered?
Who is affected by gentrification in the Lower East Side?
How has the level of clientel changed in businesses throughout time in the LES?