West Village Mayor

Visual Projects

Overview

This running project follows Happy David, crowned "mayor" of the West Village in New York City. Happy's personal advocacy to help out long-time small businesses in the West Village began with her relationship with CASA Magazines, the city's stalwart for art, design, fashion, and print culture. As a new transplant to the city 15 years ago, Happy began visiting CASA Magazines as encouraged by her sister. Happy would then sit on the floor of CASA at nights after work, consuming culture by way of magazines. Since then, Happy has helped CASA Magazines and its neighbours through highs and lows, holding their hands through digitization, the pandemic, Kickstarters, rent problems, and more.

Writing

Andrea Ang

Photography

Andrea Ang

Gus and Marina, owners of Le Bonbonniere in the West Village, are running a Kickstarter campaign to battle increasing rent prices in the spot they've been at for 30 years. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Marina of Le Bonbonniere is a constant in and around the neighbourhood. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Gus and Marina of Le Bonbonniere with Happy David, unofficial "mayor" of the West Village, and New York Nico, film director and content creator. Together, the team have worked side by side to keep heritage small businesses in the West Village alive. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Marina of Le Bonbonniere, along with friends, launched t-shirts and other merchandise to help them get past the pandemic. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Happy David, the so-called "mayor" of the West Village, regularly makes the rounds, checking in on shop owners. Here she visits sandwich shop Bonsignor, where proprietor Danny Romero shares the stress of new parenthood. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

West Village businesses supporting each other. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Ali of Casa Magazines, the beloved newsstand and purveyor of print culture. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Ali of Casa Magazines, coming out of a backroom. This backroom is now connected to their newly launched annex, Casa Next Door, a bookshop serving coffee and light bites. With Casa Next Door, the team also hopes to provide a space for community events; their first was the book launch of New York Nico last October. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Ali of Casa Magazines. The magazine shop was recently acquired by Hemal Sheth of ICONIC Magazines, but Ali stays on as an energetic member of the West Village community. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Operating since 1994, Casa Magazines finds a stable home in the hands of Hemal Sheth. Ali's partner Mohammed has now retired to Wisconsin. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍

Ali of Casa Magazines. Photographed by Andrea Ang

‍