By Ed Gold.
Borough President C. Virginia Fields, other elected officials and community leaders joined forces last week to dedicate a “Pat La Frieda Lane” at the corner of Washington and Leroy Sts. in honor of a family that has maintained a business in Greenwich Village since 1912.
Fields read from a proclamation issued to the La Frieda family for “their distinguished role in upholding the Greenwich Village tradition of neighborliness.”
Councilmember Christine Quinn and Assemblymember Deborah Glick added voices of praise before an outdoor crowd of 300 that had gathered between Washington and Greenwich Sts.
Quinn noted that the La Frieda Meat Co. had resisted repeated blandishments to sell to developers and leave the area. The company has remained in the Village through two world wars and the Great Depression, providing employment today for about 70 persons.
Glick mentioned conspicuous community work by family members, noting that in the current generation Lisa La Frieda, the firm’s treasurer, was a vice chairperson at Community Board 2, chairperson of C.B. 2’s Sidewalks Committee, active at St. Veronica’s Church and a member of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.
Also addressing the gathering were Jim Smith, C.B.2 chairperson, who served as master of ceremonies, and Arthur Strickler, C.B. 2 executive director.
Accepting the proclamation on behalf of her family, Lisa La Frieda noted that four successive “Pat’s” had headed the company. The first, who ran a market in Gansevoort, had raised vegetables and distributed them free to needy people in the community.
Other dignitaries attending included state Senator Tom Duane and Deputy Inspector Kevin Fitzgerald, who was accompanied by a large contingent from the Sixth Precinct. A host of proud La Friedas were also on hand.
It was clear, at least for this celebration, that the food situation had improved greatly in 90 years. The cuisine included souvlaki, chicken kebab, sausage and peppers and grilled chicken, with a great variety of ice creams and Italian cookies for dessert, washed down by a wide range of soft drinks. Lisa La Frieda said 600 sandwiches were served and 600 of the company’s T-shirts given away.
Ed Gold
