the nightmares that built our american dream

After months of legal dispute with the mayor’s office, Neil and his team eventually got the case dismissed. But although Nap York won on paper, Neil lost everything through the process. As Nap York was unable to operate during the dispute.

As a result, Neil racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. His entire team abandoned him and Nap York was evicted from the building. He cried as he stood on the corner of 36th & 7th and watched contractors demolish the first pods he had worked so hard to build.

With nothing left, Neil secretly slept at a friend's office at night. He showered in a $20/month gym every morning, kept his clothes in a $50/month storage facility, and applied for food stamps. He didn’t tell family or friends about his situation for almost two years, dreaming and believing that one day, it would all come true again.

2020

A man with nothing else to lose will always fight back. For almost two years, Neil was rejected by hundreds of investors to try one more time. And the perseverance and stubbornness eventually paid off.

After convincing an office landlord and three strangers, Neil opened a Nap York at 385 5th avenue. However, this dream would last shorter than the first. Less than twenty-four hours after they finished construction, the governor of New York announced that all businesses must close due to a global pandemic. With disbelief, Neil was forced to quarantine while he pondered for months if he should continue fighting for his dreams.

During the first wave of the pandemic, in New York fashion, he opened the doors for essential workers to have a safe space and sanitized space to rest.

2021

When someone has hit rock bottom, there’s no where else to go but up. So instead of worrying about the investors and mounting debt during lock down, Neil saw an opportunity and pursued a struggling building.

After seven months of negotiating with the landlord and convincing previous investors to think positive, Neil hammered, painted, and built away during the second wave of the pandemic. On time and under budget, Nap York Central Park opened at 940 8th Avenue.

Despite all the skeptics, Nap York Central Park opened in June 2021 and was one of only a handful of businesses in New York city that opened during the second wave of the pandemic.

NOW

THE FUTURE

Nap York has welcomed over 50,000 guests from all around the world, and it’s increasingly getting more and more recognition. Our Dream Team has grown to over twenty employees from multiple different backgrounds.

As for Neil, he is no longer homeless and mentors young entrepreneurs the power of mental toughness and the importance of spirituality. Nap York is just one of many great American stories that prove that passion, perseverance, and trusting in God will make dreams come true — even if you’re just a kid from Queens.