Showing posts with label 117 Second Ave.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 117 Second Ave.. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

[Updated] Birthday wishes for Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue



Nicholas Figueroa, who died in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26, would have been 24 today.

A Figueroa family member stopped by the site of the blast on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street this morning to hang the Happy Birthday banners.



Moises Ismael Locón Yac also died during the explosion that leveled three buildings at 117-123 Second Ave.

Updated 7 p.m.

Nicholas's friends and family are gathering on the sidewalk this evening to celebrate his birthday…




His mother made cupcakes for passersby…



… and here is a birthday greeting from his parents…



Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Commercial space available for rent at 117 2nd Ave.



A for rent banner arrived this week in the second-floor window at 117 Second Ave., in the vacant space above San Marzano at East Seventh Street.

We didn't find any information about the space online. (The phone number is for AAG Management, Inc., who oversees a handful of East Village properties.)

The building is owned by Maria Hrynenko, the landlord of 121 Second Ave., the site of the deadly gas explosion on March 26. Hrynenko has not been accused of any wrongdoing by authorities, according to the Times. The district attorney's office is investigating the explosion, which may have occurred after workers improperly tapped a gas line at 121 Second Ave.

Friday, April 24, 2015

San Marzano reopened tonight



The restaurant specializing in handmade pasta is back open tonight after being closed the past week.

Last Friday, the DOB issued a Full Stop Work Order at 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street. Per paperwork on file with the city, there was "work without a permit — testing and taking part gas lines" in the basement.

This in a building owned by Maria Hrynenko, who is also the landlord at 121 Second Ave., the site of the deadly gas explosion on March 26. Authorities have said that an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave. may have caused the deadly blast. The investigation continues.

As a result of the Stop Work Order, San Marzano, the restaurant in the retail space, had to close.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Full Stop Work Order issued for 117 2nd Ave. for 'testing and taking apart gas lines' without permits



The DOB yesterday served a full Stop Work Order at 117 Second Ave. ... right across Seventh Street from the site of the deadly gas explosion on March 26.

The building is owned by Maria Hrynenko, who is also the landlord at 121 Second Ave., the site of the blast.

According to DOB records:

WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT - TESTING & TAKING APART GAS LINES



Here's more detail from documents on file with the DOB:

FULL STOP WORK ORDER - WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT; INSPECTION TIME 11:07AM
AT TIME OF INSPECTION I OBSERVED GAS PIPING IN THE RESTAURANT IN GROUND FLOOR AND CELLAR DISCONNECTED, CAPED AND BEING PRESSURE TESTED BY THE PLUMBERS NO PERMITS WITH DOB

As a result, San Marzano, the restaurant here, had to close yesterday after reopening on April 10...



San Marzano's owners left a note for patrons saying they will be closed until further notice…


[Image via @anoop]

San Marzano was closed from March 26 through April 9. No. 117 was under a full vacate order from the DOB.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Looking at 117 2nd Ave., another building owned by East Village blast landlord Maria Hrynenko



The city yesterday removed the remaining barricades on Second Avenue south of the blast site… so the sidewalk on the west side of the Avenue is now open up to Seventh Street … making it easier to visit the storefronts along here, like New Yorkers Foodmarket and Moishe's Bake Shop, which happens to be closed for the holiday until Sunday.


[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

As Crain's reported, the maze of barricades and fire trucks in the days after the deadly explosion on March 26 cut business by 50 percent at New Yorkers Foodmarket, according to owner Michael Schumacher.

The south side of Seventh Street at Second Avenue is now open to pedestrian traffic as well. The building on the corner, No. 117, is also owned by Maria Hrynenko, who is at the center of an investigation over an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave., where an explosion at Sushi Park killed two men and injured more than 20 people.

She is also the landlord of the adjacent building at 119 Second Ave., which collapsed in the ensuing fire.

With the barriers gone around No. 117, a Stop Work Order dated March 27 is now visible…






[No. 117 photos yesterday by EVG reader Ryan]

No. 117 had been going under extensive renovations in recent years, as we reported here.

According to DOB records, there's a complaint on file for a "gas meter installed in a prohibited location" (dated March 28) and "installation of two new gas boilers and gas piping" without a permit (dated yesterday).

As several media outlets have reported, Hrynenko inherited 117, 119 (aka 45 E. Seventh St.) and 121 Second Ave. from her husband Michael, who died in 2004. He operated the Kiev, the popular diner at No. 117 from 1978 to 1990.

The corner space is now home to San Marzano, which remains closed.

[Photo of No. 117 from 1979 by Michael Sean Edwards]

The Post reported yesterday that investigators have "six prime suspects" in the blast at 121 Second Ave.: Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., contractor Dilber Kukic as well as an unidentified subcontractor and two workers.

Per the Post: "In addition to murder — which carries a maximum 25 years to life in the slammer — other charges said to be under consideration include second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide."

Hrynenko is also the owner of 46 E. Seventh St. and 96 Second Ave., though through different companies, according to The Wall Street Journal. Per the Journal: "Both buildings have complaints with the Department of Buildings dated April 8, citing a need to verify compliance for the plumbing system, and both were cited by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in February for failing to register with the department."

--

For further reading: Landlord Of Destroyed East Village Apartments "Didn't Know Any Better" (Gothamist)

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

San Marzano finds new home on 2nd Avenue



Back in January, a flood KO'd San Marzano, the 5-year-old pizzeria at 71 Clinton St.

It appears that the owners have ditched their pizza (they auctioned off all the equipment on Clinton Street) … for pasta at a new restaurant that they quietly opened at 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street. EVG reader Veronica Avanic noted that they were open as of Monday.


[Click on the image for more detail]

The menu appears to be affordable — the pastas are all $9, the most expensive food item on the menu … and there are three varieties of canned beer each for $3. You can find all the menus here.

This space was previously home to Picnic, which flamed out after just three months. And seemingly in another lifetime it was the Kiev.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

A Picnic for Second Avenue

Picnic has apparently closed on Second Avenue

Friday, March 28, 2014

Javelina Tex-Mex vying for prime corner space on Second Avenue and East 7th Street

Picnic, the restaurant serving comfort food at 117 Second Ave., abruptly closed back in January after just three months in business.

A restaurant called Javelina Tex-Mex looks to be taking over the space at East Seventh Street, according to the just-released April CB3/SLA licensing committee agenda.

There's an active website for a Javelina Tex-Mex, though there isn't any other information right now. Perhaps there's an interesting story here. The top of the site notes "Rellenos, Red Tape and Real Estate."



In any event, there will be plenty of Mexican choices right along this stretch of Second Avenue with Otto's Tacos and Taqueria Diana ... not to mention Dahlia's in the former Mary Ann's space on Second Avenue and East Fifth Street.

Previously 117 Second Ave. housed Song 7.2 and the Kiev.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Picnic has apparently closed on Second Avenue

Picnic opened to great fanfare last September, garnering write-ups everywhere from Gothamist to Fork in the Road. (We cut-n-paste the news release here.)

The menu from chef Nicholas Nostadt, formerly of Williamsburg's Berry Park, leaned toward American comfort food. (Cheese Ball with Roquefort!) And the space was lovingly renovated.

In any event, it appears that Picnic has closed. Several readers have noted the space has been dark the past week or so. The phone kicks into a generic voice-mail greeting after a lot of rings. There's no sign on the door or mention of a closure on their Facebook page or website.

However, one person with knowledge of the restaurant, which formerly housed the Kiev one day a long time ago, said that it was closed.

The restaurant is also listed (PDF) for rent at Eastern Consolidated.


Per asking rent per the marketing flyer: "$14,354 per month with 4% increases per annum."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

A Picnic for Second Avenue

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Here's more about Picnic, now open on Second Avenue



We noted the new-look exterior at 117 Second Ave. yesterday ... the restaurant space here at East Seventh Street (home to the Kiev, some time ago) is now apparently out of soft-open mode ... we received the official news release about Picnic yesterday afternoon.

To the release!

Partner Kamran Malekan and Executive Chef Nicholas Nostadt debut Picnic, offering a contemporary take on homespun classics inspired by Nostadt's Midwestern roots. The lofty, 70-seat restaurant is located on a sunny corner in the heart of the East Village, inviting nostalgia with a nod to picnic fare with a creative spin.

Chef Nostadt, formerly of Williamsburg's Berry Park, offers a menu of modern riffs on American classics, from small bites including the Cheese Ball with Roquefort, Bresaola, Dill, Braised Bosc Pear, Pickled Red Onions and Grilled Bread (cheese selections will rotate) and Mussels with Hard Cider, Apricot Nectar, Dijon Cream, Soft Herbs and Spices, to salads such as the Celery with Celery Leaves, Celery Root, Tarragon, New York State Apples, Capers, and Meyer Lemon Dressing. Sides and snacks include Scratch-Baked Beans, Boiled Peanuts and a riff on a Roll-Up made with Mortadella and Roquefort.

Entrees range from "Between the Bun" options such as the Pulled Pork Sandwich with Rootbeer BBQ and Roasted Corn & Cabbage Slaw, to a bucket of Fried Chicken with House-made Ranch Dressing, and a Whole Roasted Fish with Lemon, Garlic and Herbs. An assortment of house-made donuts, a rotating selection of pies and chef Nostadt's take on the beloved Midwestern Puppy Chow round out the menu. The beverage program consists of American beers on tap, bottled and canned brews, all-American wines and Counter Culture coffee.

Picnic is open seven days a week for dinner and late-night dining: Sunday through Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 12 am.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

A Picnic for Second Avenue

Monday, September 9, 2013

New-look 117 Second Ave. revealed

[February]

Earlier in the year, workers started replacing the floor-to-ceiling aluminum/windows at the landmarked 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street... at the time, we thought that all this might ruin (OK) the distinctive characteristics of the corner building

[2007, via Curbed]

But! Workers have removed the renovation wrap...


[Robert Miner]


[RM]

And, well — actually looks pretty good, huh?



As previously noted, the restaurant space will be something called Picnic... which will reportedly be serving American comfort food like meatballs, sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. They are in soft-open mode ... and already garnered a 5-star review on Yelp.



--

And how the building looked a few years back ... circa 1979 and the Kiev.

[By Michael Sean Edwards]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

A Picnic for Second Avenue

Monday, June 10, 2013

A Picnic for Second Avenue



Renovations continue over at 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street... And as you probably figured, Song 7.2, the Korean joint in the corner space, isn't returning. The place closed in early January for renovations, with a sign noting they'd be back open on Jan. 19. ... workers subsequently gutted the interior ...

Now signage has arrived for the new eatery here... a place called Picnic...



We don't know much about Picnic, other than that they will serve American comfort food like meatballs, sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, as the Local reported in April.

No word on who the owner is ...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?


We've noted the renovations going on at 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street. (Right here, if you'd like). But we've never noted the status of the ground-floor tenant, Song 7.2, the Korean joint. (And why did we never mention Song 7.2? Well, in part ... to be honest, we've never met another living soul who has been inside this place.)

Anyway! As you can see, they closed just after the New Year, with a return date of Jan. 19...

As of yesterday, Song 7.2 was still closed...


...and the interior looked mostly demolished...


So. No idea when or if Song 7.2 will return. (The phone number is still temporarily disconnected.) Song 7.2 opened in the spring of 2008, just five days after the unintentionally hilarious American Grill/Go-Go Curry closed... all in the space that once housed Kiev.

As for the rest of 117, the address is on next Thursday's CB3 Landmarks Subcommittee. (117 Second Ave. is part of the new East Village/Lower East Side Historic District.) Per that docket:

• Cert of Appropriateness: 117 2nd Ave, new storefront
• Cert of Appropriateness: 117 2nd Ave, 2nd floor façade renovation (Here's a PDF of all the plans.)


Workers are replacing the floor-to-ceiling aluminum/windows combo so that the second floor looks like the top-two floors...

[2007, via Curbed]

Thursday, October 18, 2012

A plan to replace those floor-to-ceiling windows at 117 Second Ave.

EVG regular peter radley sent me this photo yesterday showing workers erecting a sidewalk shed on Second Avenue at East Seventh Street where that Song 7.2 place is now...


There are plans on file dated Aug. 29 with the DOB for the following here:

EXTERIOR RENOVATION AT 2ND STORY ONLY. REMOVAL OF EXT. ALUMINIUM & GLASS CURTAIN WALL/ STOREFRONT . INSTALL NEW INSULATED BRICK AND METAL STUD AT EXTERIOR WALLS WITH NEW WINDOW OPENINGS. PROVIDE AT THE LEVEL OF FLOORING & CEILING OF 2ND FL NEW WATERPROOFING COOPER FLASHING.

Hmm. "Removal of ext. aluminum & glass curtain wall/storefront" on the second floor.

That would be the distinctive characteristic of the corner building... and part of an old favorite — the Kiev, which closed in 2000. (Jeremiah has a history of the Kiev here.)

[2007, via Curbed]

[1979, By Michael Sean Edwards]

I'm not very good at DOB-speak, but it sounds as if the landlord wants to brick up the floor-to-ceiling windows... Sounds a little generic. The city disapproved the plan on Monday. And as of last week, this building is now in the new East Village/Lower East Side Historic District.

So what I don't know at this point: Because plans were filed before the Historic District designation, are the potential renovations OK to move forward? (If the city approves the plans.) Or will the building be protected from such a renovation that would change the character of a building because it is now in a Historic District?

Also, Song 7.2 was closed Monday and Tuesday ... they were back open last night with this sign...