Early Addition: Goodbye to NYC's worst burger
June 14, 2023, 10:38 a.m.
Because we can't experience Salt Bae's burger anymore, here are your early links: Queens' hot rental market, tick education in Staten Island and Pride Month woes.

It's Wednesday in New York City and we'll now have to wait until 2031 to see "Avatar 5." That's among the summer blockbusters, including a new Star Wars movie, that Disney said will be delayed, without giving a reason. By the time the world gets the fifth installment of the "Avatar" series, it might look a lot different, too, since director James Cameron said he may not head it. In 2031, he'll be 77.
Here's what else is happening:
- It survived COVID-19 but it just couldn’t survive the bad reviews. Salt Bae Burger, once named "the worst restaurant in NYC right now" has officially closed.
- Competition is hot for apartments in Queens right now. A StreetEasy report found the average listing in the borough getting 133% more inquiries in May than at the same time in 2019.
- One of the oldest butcher shops in the city, Staubitz Market, is facing bankruptcy and where else do people in a crisis turn but to GoFundMe? There, the shop is attempting to raise $150,000.
- Companies seem to be too scared to show their Pride Month support this year, according to some LGBTQ+ influencers who say they’ve really felt the financial ripple effects of a tense political environment.
- Starbucks workers are also feeling the stress around Pride this month as the company’s union claims many stores aren’t allowed to decorate in celebration.
- “What makes ticks tick” is the core of a new a new tick education program piloted by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at a Staten Island elementary school.
- Could Whoopi Goldberg be a good replacement for Pat Sajak as host of "Wheel of Fortune"? She wants to give it a try.
- Sometimes the in-person amenities offered by an employer aren’t worth a hectic commute. That’s probably why office spaces close to Grand Central Station are leasing a lot faster than other parts of the city.
- And finally, that's one way to get down:
So cute puppy 🥰🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/nAIAfu1eqW
— puppies video (@puppies_video) June 13, 2023