The First Village Awardees — Where Are They Now?
Each year, Village Preservation honors and celebrates the invaluable people, places, and organizations that make our neighborhoods some of the most interesting and exceptional in the city.
In 1991, Village Preservation (then GVSHP) held our first Village Awards ceremony at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Mariomo of New York University at 24 West 12th Street. This event became an annual tradition, and every year since, we have honored the special people, businesses, organizations, and places that make our neighborhoods special. Register here to join us in recognizing the class of 2026 on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Cooper Union.
Our first six awardees were a great mix of local favorites, and many are still serving the neighborhood. Who were these first awardees, and where are they now?
Jefferson Market Garden
The 1991 awards recognized the 20th anniversary of the beautiful garden located at 6th and Greenwich Avenues that was built on the former site of the Women’s House of Detention. Now celebrating its 55th year, the Jefferson Market Garden remains a verdant oasis for the community. The 1991 garden is a far cry from the mature garden of today, with its towering trees and new iron fence, which looks like it could date back well over 100 years, but was only added in 1998 (with a little help from Village Preservation and the Brooke Astor Foundation).
Paul Egita
Paul Egita was a building superintendent on West 12th Street for almost 50 years. He moved to West 12th Street between Hudson and Washington Streets in 1941 and began looking after 18 properties and local eldery residents that needed help. In 1991, he was honored for helping to create and maintain a neighborhood on his block. He is believed to have passed away in 2005 at age 90.
First Presbyterian Church Restoration
The First Presbyterian Church has served the community from its historic property at 48 Fifth Avenue between West 11th and 12th Streets since 1846. In 1991, it had recently started a three-year, $2.5 million restoration project. The project included hiring a building conservation expert to not only direct the project, but to train Church staff on how to maintain the historic building into the future. In the 35 years since, the church has continued to thrive and serve the community.
Mercer-Houston Dog Run
In 1991, Mercer-Houston Dog Run Association was celebrating its 10th year. It is now celebrating 45 years! This private, membership-based nonprofit organization is a community of dog lovers and neighbors who work together to provide a safe, clean, community environment for dogs to exercise and play.
Florent Morellet and Restaurant Florent
Florence Mollet operated Florent at 69 Gansevoort Street from 1985 to 2008, a period of enormous change in the Meatpacking District. In 1991, he was honored for “creating a civilized atmosphere, fostering a diversity of patron and menu, and for a special joie de vivere.“
In 2003, we had the area landmarked as part of the Gansevoort Market Historic District and in March, 2026, we successfully opposed a proposal to add an addition to the property, which would have overpowered the distinctive Art Moderne facade.
Three Lives & Company Bookstore
In our 1991 awards report, we noted, “Three Lives & Company has been described as a pocket of civility in the city; a cozy neighborhood bookstore that is also the center of New York’s literary life.” While the bookstore industry has largely been devastated since 1991, we are thrilled that Three Lives & Company remains in the same historic 1831 property on the corner of Waverly and West 10th Street, where it has served the neighborhood since 1978. Read more about Three Lives & Company here.