Henrietta Hudson is now the longest-standing bar for queer women in the country. In 1991, businesswoman Minnie Rivera approached Cannistraci and asked if she'd like to transform the Hudson Street watering hole into a lesbian bar. Hired there as a bartender at 22 years old, she befriended Storme De Larverie, then 65, who was the bouncer and protected patrons from the gay bashings that were so prevalent at that time in New York City. Lisa Cannistraci remembers 438 Hudson Street in 1985 when it housed the original Cubby Hole. Here's a look at how two New York City bar owners are hoping to survive. Our in-depth feature profiled case studies from across the country. EDGE spoke with LGBTQ bar owners, nightlife entrepreneurs and elected officials who are determined to weather a storm that doesn't appear to be passing any time soon.
