Urbanite

New York City added 4,700 retail jobs in the first quarter of 2013, according to a report by Eastern Consolidated.

The retail and restaurant industries added 87,000 jobs combined since 2009.

The report acknowledges that sales volume fell significantly so far this year, but it attributes that to the fact that people have less to spend after the 2012 tax filing season.

“Sales volume...

New York City's unemployment rate ticked down to 8.4% last month, marking a four-year low in the number of jobless residents.

State data for April released Thursday showed that New York City added 36,500 private- and public-sector jobs from March to April, causing the unemployment rate to drop from 8.9% in March.

Meanwhile, New York City added 82,000 private sector jobs in the 12-month...

The city's public advocate unveiled an immigration reform plan Thursday that he said gives hardworking transplants in the Big Apple a chance at living the American dream.

Bill de Blasio, a mayoral candidate, joined several state and city elected officials and made a legislative request for bills that would help all immigrants living in the city, including one that would create a citywide ID...

Straphangers will be able to hitch a ride to the Rockaways on A train again this summer, transit officials said Thursday.

After six months since superstorm Sandy struck New York, full service to the A line will be restored May 30 “as to what it was the day before the storm,” said MTA interim director Tom Prendergast. The restored service will benefit about 35,000 riders, according to the MTA.

Gov....

Parents in New York have taken a shine to Michael and Sophia. Those names were the most popular in the state in 2012 for the second year in a row, according to the Social Security Administration.

There were 1,384 Michaels and 1,406 Sophias born in New York State last year.

For boys, Jacob and Jayden round out the top three names for boys. Isabella again took the No. 2 spot for girl names...

Social networking services Facebook Inc and Twitter are coming to Google Glass, the wearable computer made by the Internet search company.

Google Inc announced on Thursday a half-dozen apps specially designed to work on its Glass devices. News network CNN, fashion magazine Elle, as well as online apps Tumblr and Evernote were among the half-dozen new apps for Glass unveiled during Google's...

In a handwritten letter posted on her Facebook page, Beyoncé apologized to fans in Antwerp, Belgium for canceling her concert Tuesday night.

“Queen Bey,” who cited dehydration and exhaustion as reasons for pulling the plug, promised to “make it up very soon.” Her second performance in Belgium went on as scheduled Tuesday night.

“I’ve never postponed a show in my life,” she wrote....

The developer behind some of the skyscrapers at World Trade Center announced Wednesday it is creating the city's tallest hotel and residential building in lower Manhattan.

Silverstein Properties, which is developing four of the World Trade Center buildings, got $950 million in financing from British firm The Children's Investment Fund Management for the 82-story tower at 30 Park Place that...

The Red Hook Ferry is expanding its route to include an area ravaged by Superstorm Sandy that will run weekends throughout the summer, the city said Wednesday.

The expanded service will stop at a new landing at Van Brunt Street in Red Hook starting Memorial Day, and will run free every weekend until Labor Day. Two boats will traverse the new route, and will head from Pier 11 in Manhattan to...

An MTA worker was arrested and charged Wednesday for staging a robbery of her subway booth at a station in Queens on Saturday, officials said.

Tracy King, 48, of Jamaica, Queens, was arrested for the fake hold-up, in which she was bound and gagged with duct tape, allegedly telling police a man had shoved a gun in her face and demanded access to the cash in her booth in the 111th Street...