Get to Know Grand: Grand Morelos

Get to know Grand Morelos! Grand Morelos is a Mexican Diner that’s been at 727 Grand Street since 1996. Grand Morelos was at first a Greek restaurant, until Co-owner Raul Gonzalez stepped in to bring flavors from Morelos, Mexico to the neighborhood. Serving traditional Mexican food alongside American diner classics, Raul’s key to success is by “keeping every customer happy”. From chilaquiles to cheeseburgers, Grand Morelos has been serving up delicious meals on Grand Street for 28 years. Raul Gonzalez caught up with us to talk about his time on Grand Street and what Grand Morelos has to offer:

Produced by the Grand Street BID in partnership with OWLEY Studios.

Get to Know Grand: Nieves Latin Dance Studio

Get to know Nieves Latin Dance Studio! Nieves Latin Dance Studio has been on 670 Grand Street since 2012. Owner Wil Nieves has been teaching salsa for over 12 years, and has studied music theory for even longer. The studio is open to people of all experience levels, from beginner to expert. Nieves Latin Dance Studio isn’t just a place to dance - it’s a place to make friends, meet new people, and build community. Beginners can swing by the studio at anytime for a free trial. Get to know Nieves Latin Dance Studio and pickup a few salsa moves in the process:

Produced by the Grand Street BID in partnership with OWLEY Studios.

Get to Know Grand : UXMA Williamsburg

Get to know UXMA Williamsburg! United Xtreme Martials Arts is a Tae Kwan Doe Gym that’s been at 653 Grand Street for over 17 years. Led by Masters Olga and Fabricio Rodriguez, UXMA teaches students of all ages; with their youngest student being 2 and oldest 69! UXMA focuses on teaching its students more than just fighting techniques - students learn about discipline, respect, and what it means to be apart of a community. Get to know UXMA and the wonderful people that make up this cornerstone of our community:

Produced by the Grand Street BID in partnership with OWLEY Studio.

Get to Know Grand: La Chacra

Get to know La Chacra! La Chacra is a Peruvian restaurant that’s been on 613 Grand Street since 2020. Owner, Ricky, opened the original restaurant in Bath Beach in 2011. La Chacra offers traditional Peruvian dishes, inspired by a mix of Peruvian street food and home-cooking. All of the spices are imported from Peru, a fact Ricky takes pride in. Ricky wants his customers to “feel like they are in Peru” with every aspect of La Chacra; from offering dishes like Ceviche and Anticuchos, to the Incan craftsmanship adorning the walls. Ricky himself built out most of the bar’s interior from the ground up, from the kitchen to the bar.

La Chacra is a family run restaurant, with Ricky’s son and wife doing their part in supporting the business. When their original location burned down in 2012, the entire family came together to build it back up. Opening a restaurant had been a dream Ricky inherited from his father, who comes from a lineage of farmers back in Peru. La Chacra translates to “The Farm” in Spanish, a callback to Ricky’s family’s history of farming. Originally from Peru, Ricky came to New York at 19 years old. He worked in construction initially, transitioning to the restaurant industry and then eventually opening his own restaurant.

Swing by La Chacra on 613 Grand Street to try their delicious Peruvian cuisine and finish your meal with some Helado de Lucuma!

Get To Know Grand: Groomers & Pomade

Get to know Groomers and Pomade! Groomers and Pomade has been on 796 Grand Street since 2018, but they’re not the first barbershop to call 796 a home; A barbershop used to exist in the same location in the 1940s! The same tile floors from the 40’s are still installed, and are part of what drew owner Nando Velez to open here. An avid collector of vintage barber shop memorabilia, it was a perfect match. Vintage combs, chairs, barber poles, and other memorabilia fill the shop with a unique old-fashioned yet modern vibe.

Vintage barber chairs and a pole

Nando has been collecting vintage barbershop chairs, poles, and other items for as long as he can remember. He often takes trips to Upstate NY, in search of new finds. His passion for vintage barber memorabilia is apparent all throughout the shop; Chairs from 1888 sit atop the second floor of the shop, next to a restored barber pole from the 60’s. Nando ripped the walls and ceiling out when he opened up, revealing exposed brick. Every aspect of the shop’s aesthetic contributes to an old-fashioned, yet modern vibe.

A barbershop on 796 Grand Street, 1940

Nando takes his craft as a barber as seriously as he does his shop’s appearance, saying he “Sees barbering as a career, not a side hustle.” And it shows in their work; Groomers and Pomade offers many premium services on top of cutting hair, including lather shaves, essential oils (eucalyptus is his favorite), and much more. Visit Nando or one of the other four barbers at Groomers and Pomade for your next haircut.

Get To Know Grand: Cedeno Driving School

Welcome to the first installment of a new series, Get to Know Grand! Stories in this series will focus on businesses that have been on Grand Street for a long time. Our aim is to highlight foundational stakeholders and community members who makeup the fabric of our neighborhood. Get to know Cedeno Driving School, on 775 Grand Street!

Founded in 1999, Cedeno Driving School on 775 Grand Street has been providing the community with driving lessons and tax assistance for over 23 years. Marcia Cedeno, founder and owner, began working on Grand Street in 1994 at an accounting office a couple doors down. She decided to open her own business, getting a driving instructor license in the process. Starting out with no employees and a single car, Marcia was determined to make sure her business was successful. She at first handled everything on her own, having to make customers wait on her outside of the office as she taught driving lessons. A couple years down the line, her brother joined her, with her nephews and family friends tagging along as well. Now, Marcia is joined by 11 of her family members and family friends, including her son Chris who she’s teaching how to run the office. Each of them contribute in different ways; some as driving instructors, others with income tax.

Marcia has decorated the office with various items her and her family have collected over the years. Her son Chris’s coin collection of all fifty states, a traffic light her husband found and installed, art painted by her nephews, and various other driving related signs. Cedeno Driving School’s family oriented roots can be felt just by taking a look around the office. Stop by Cedeno Driving School for your driving school and tax related needs!

Marcia (left), Chris (right), and the rest of the Cedeno Family.