Watch The Sturgeon Queens

The Sturgeon Queens is a documentary movie released in 2014 that chronicles the history of the iconic Russ & Daughters' appetizing store, located in New York City's Lower East Side. The movie is directed by Julie Cohen and features interviews with a diverse cast, including past and present owners, family members, and loyal customers of the store.

The film begins with the first-generation owners, Joel Russ and later, his daughters Hattie, Anne, and Ida, who all worked in the store together. Anne Russ Federman, the matriarch of the family, shares some personal stories of their humble beginnings and how they began as a pushcart operation in 1907, selling herring on the street. Sturgeon, whitefish, cod, lox, caviar, bagels, bialys, and other traditional Jewish foods gradually were added to the store's inventory over the years. The Russes' pushcart eventually morphed into a tiny storefront in the early 1920s, and the business then moved to a more prominent location on East Houston Street.

Throughout the movie, the audience sees an amazing collection of archival photographs and footage that helped tell the story of how the Russ family grew their business through several decades. Anne Russ Federman, who worked at the store from the 1930s until 1978, shares that when she was young, the appetizing store was the preferred place for all the Jewish immigrants in the area. They were a popular stopover for people who were traveling downtown to work, as they could quickly grab a snack on the go.

We also see how the Russ family had managed their business during difficult times. During the depression, they still thrived, thanks to their loyal customers. With the rise of anti-Semitism and Jewish stereotypes in the 1930s, they saw a decline in their sales, but they still managed to persevere. In the 1960s, when the Russes moved their shop to its current location on Houston Street, the Lower East Side saw a significant amount of changes, including new waves of immigrants and gentrification, which created new challenges and opportunities for the family business.

The movie also showcases the key people who helped make Russ & Daughters what it is today, including Herman Vargas the Bakery Man, who has been making the bread for the appetizing store for over thirty years. There are also interviews with present employees, including the fourth-generation family members - Niki Russ Furman and Mark Russ Federman.

The Sturgeon Queens is not just about the history of Russ & Daughters but also about the larger story of the Jewish immigrants' journey in the United States. The film shows how the place became an anchor in the community by providing a lifeline of traditional Jewish foods that people could rely on. It was a place where people could gather and celebrate. The movie's narrative explores the different generations of customers who have become loyal followers of Russ & Daughters.

One of the highlights of the movie was the appearance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had been a loyal customer of the store for a very long time. She shares her stories of how she would stop by the store and buy some lox and cream cheese after attending a concert at the local synagogue. The audience sees her enjoy one of her favorite dishes - a whitefish salad sandwich - at the store.

Mario Batali, who is also part of the documentary, is shown visiting the store and trying out some of the traditional Jewish foods, such as pickled herring, smoked salmon, and whitefish salad. He talks about how Russ & Daughters has been a New York institution and a vital part of the city's culinary scene.

Overall, The Sturgeon Queens is a heartwarming documentary that beautifully captures the history of Russ & Daughters and the cultural heritage of Jewish immigrants in the Lower East Side of New York City. The audience gets an intimate look at the history of the store and the people who helped shape it into what it is today. The movie will surely leave you craving for some traditional Jewish appetizing food and make you appreciate the importance of family-owned businesses in our communities.

The Sturgeon Queens is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.