Russ and Daughters’ new Brooklyn superstore Image by Kelli Anderson/Jen Snow for Russ & Daughters

Russ and Daughters might already have a Forward Food Award-winning cafe, and a miniature location at the Jewish Museum, but owners Josh Russ Tupper and Niki Russ Federman aren’t resting on their laurels. They’ve decided to emigrate out of the confines of Manhattan, where every foot is worth a premium, and into Brooklyn, where certain areas still remain empty, waiting for history to make its mark. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of those places, with Russ and Daughters’ new superstore filling an 18,000 square foot void.

But as Russ and Daughters grows, it must fight the urge to automate processes, to cut corners, to cook faster and easier and cheaper. As Tupper and Federman told Grubstreet, “We have a certain obligation to three generations of the family.”

“You lose something immediate: look, feel, haimishness,” said Tupper, about the prospect of franchising and expanding.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The message is clear: Russ and Daughters might be getting bigger, but the service is just as personalized, and all the food will still be made on hand (and visible through an enormous glass wall) by dedicated employees, serving the appetizing food that made it famous.

In 2017, the eminent Katz’s Deli emigrated to Brooklyn, to the Dekalb Market Hall, and earlier this year Shelsky’s Bagels expanded to Park Slope. If only Barney Greengrass could be compelled to cross the Williamsburg Bridge.

Shira Feder is a writer. She’s at [email protected] and @shirafeder

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount