Before the Blue Mill Tavern or the Grange Hall, it was a speakeasy at one point in its life. This historical building took its name from the little curved street, known as Commerce Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, hence Commerce Restaurant.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of speakeasy is prohibition and the 1920’s—a major time in American history. During which, significant social changes were taking place: the Great Crash, Babe Ruth, the Jazz Age, the flappers, Lindbergh, and Hemmingway. It was a time for rebellion and reaction and when “Made in America” was strong. A time when change was taking place.
And that is what the owners, Tony Zazula and Harold Moore of Commerce, did. They transformed that space into a sophisticated yet elegant dining place. Walk in and you will be impressed with the interior and the décor. The interior is masterfully restored by a few artisans by installing an original antique Brunswick bar circa 1941, hand-crafted sconces, subway tiling in the bar area, marble mosaic columns in the dining room, and the original terrazzo floors. The seating includes booths restored by a carpenter, who does theatrical movie sets with chestnut leather and tables with handmade black walnut wood tops. Recently, two new murals by David Joel in a style reminiscent of Diego Rivera were added to the dining room. They depict the tale of two sisters, “A Common Ground for Sisters, whose father bought them the adjoining townhouses across the street from Commerce, with a common garden connecting the two properties, hoping to bring the feuding sisters together.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of speakeasy is prohibition and the 1920’s—a major time in American history. During which, significant social changes were taking place: the Great Crash, Babe Ruth, the Jazz Age, the flappers, Lindbergh, and Hemmingway. It was a time for rebellion and reaction and when “Made in America” was strong. A time when change was taking place.
And that is what the owners, Tony Zazula and Harold Moore of Commerce, did. They transformed that space into a sophisticated yet elegant dining place. Walk in and you will be impressed with the interior and the décor. The interior is masterfully restored by a few artisans by installing an original antique Brunswick bar circa 1941, hand-crafted sconces, subway tiling in the bar area, marble mosaic columns in the dining room, and the original terrazzo floors. The seating includes booths restored by a carpenter, who does theatrical movie sets with chestnut leather and tables with handmade black walnut wood tops. Recently, two new murals by David Joel in a style reminiscent of Diego Rivera were added to the dining room. They depict the tale of two sisters, “A Common Ground for Sisters, whose father bought them the adjoining townhouses across the street from Commerce, with a common garden connecting the two properties, hoping to bring the feuding sisters together.
