Sometimes, a guy can’t seem to catch a break. In July of 2019, Scott Nathanson was ready to call it quits. His 20-year-old Italian restaurant Scotti’s was hemorrhaging money thanks to year-long road work that closed the I-90 exit at East 185th Street. After going public with his announcement on Facebook, the restaurant was inundated with enough support from loyal customers that Nathanson was able to weather the storm.

Of course, little did he know that a more destructive tempest was just around the bend. Covid was another blow for Scotti’s, which pivoted to takeout like every other restaurant that was able to do so. But then came the lengthy Water Pollution Control project that tore up the street. Next came the Streetscape Improvement Project, which isn’t slated to be completed for another six months.