Monday, July 25, 2016

's makes triumphant return to Ray's Candy Store


[Photo from July 7]

Earlier this month, Chico updated the facade at Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A ... And as many people noted, the apostrophe s was missing from Ray's name. Ray Candy Store.

The punctuation help has arrived. EVG correspondent Steven notes that the 's has been added to the sign...

The Village Voice looks to boost readership in 2nd Avenue bus lane



Kidding! Just someone's idea of a quick fix to warn motorists of a budding sinkhole on Second Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Photo by Vinny & O.

Flowers for former Mono + Mono space on 4th Street


[Photo from yesterday]

In April 2013, a two-alarm fire swept through 116 E. Fourth St., home of the Korean fried chicken restaurant Mono + Mono. Through the years the owners provided updates that they'd return to the space between First Avenue and Second Avenue. That never happened.

And on Saturday, an EVG reader noted that a new business was opening here — Le Bouquet NY...



The sign also notes "By Doro's Annex Flower Shop."

In late 2013, the high-end florist Doro's closed after 33 years in business on Ninth Avenue and 21st Street. We stopped by the new shop for more info, but they were not open yesterday.

H/T EVG reader Brian!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening

At long last, 76 E. Houston St. reveals itself



This past Friday, workers began removing the construction netting/bubble wrap from 76 E. Houston St. ... the new two-story building at Elizabeth that has been under construction for an awfully long time (given the size of the project) ...



Construction has been going on now for two years. BoweryBoogie reported in October 2014 that work slowed down here due to Certificate of Occupancy issues and a dispute over the property line. (The issue was reportedly settled last summer.)

By the end of the day Saturday the sidewalk bridge had been carted off...





The previous brokers were billing this location as "the four corners of Downtown," with a summer 2015 completion date.

Cushman & Wakefield have the listing now. (Goldman Properties is the landlord.) The bare-bones listing didn't have much info, except that two commercial spaces are available: the ground floor is 775 square feet and the second level has 680 square feet. (Nothing about that rooftop space.)

The new building is adjacent to the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall, where Logan Hicks starts work on a new piece today.



No. 76 was previously home to the always-entertaining Billy's Antiques.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Deal off to bring Crif Dogs to the former Billy's Antiques space

The Houston/Bowery Mural Wall has been boarded up

Full stop work order for 76 E. Houston St., and the return of Billy's Antiques (sort of)

Checking in on the incoming building at 'the four corners of Downtown'

The charming 65 E. 2nd St. is for sale



One of my favorite buildings (from the outside anyway) in the neighborhood, 65 E. Second St., recently arrived on the sales market.

Here are the details on the building between First Avenue and Second Avenue via Leslie J. Garfield:

[T]his 4,600 square foot townhouse has been fully gut renovated into three gracious apartments overlooking the Marble Cemetery, the oldest public cemetery in New York City.



Originally built c. 1834 as a Greek Revival-style row house with cast-iron stoop posts and hand-railings, basket-style iron fire escape, rope moldings and historic wood casement windows and transoms.

65 East 2nd Street is located in the prime East Village, on the cusp of NoHo and the Lower East Side, surrounded by new condominium developments, cafes, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants. This turnkey townhouse is suitable for both end-users and investors alike, with the ability to move into the owner’s duplex immediately, while offering longterm upside in a rapidly developing neighborhood.

APT 1: Currently configured as a three-bedroom, three bath garden duplex featuring central air-conditioning, custom chef’s kitchen and cabinetry, high-end finishes, washer/dryer and two private outdoor spaces. Can be delivered vacant. Current tenant paying $9,500 per month.

APT 2: Currently configured as a fully renovated three bedroom, two bath apartment featuring central air conditioning, gut renovated kitchen and bathrooms, 11’ ceiling heights, and unobstructed, sunlit views north. Can be delivered vacant. Current tenant paying $6,600 per month.

APT 3: Occupied by a life-tenancy, this apartment is currently configured as a fully renovated three bedroom, two bath apartment featuring central air conditioning, gut renovated kitchen and bathrooms, 9.5’ ceiling heights, and unobstructed, sunlit views north. Tenant paying $500 per month for life.

Asking price: $5.75 million

Storefronts and signage updates: The PokéSpot, Mizu Sushi, more!



The signage has arrived for The PokéSpot, which will be serving Hawaiian raw-fish salad on Fourth Avenue and 12th Street in the space that previously housed the Subway (sandwich shop).

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[Photo by Steven]

On Saturday, workers installed the sign for the new sushi place coming to 350 E. Ninth St. near First Avenue... Mizu Sushi ...

A.K. Shoe Repair was here until last August ... then a tobacco-variety shop quickly came and went after several months.

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Pink Bear is open and now serving rolled ice cream on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...




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And on East 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, EVG reader KT notes the signage is up at the incoming E14 MedicalArts facility...



Per the sign in the window, E14 is a "state of the art boutique medical and wellness center which will cater to Stuyvesant Town residents."

The address was previously Danny Cycle's, which closed here at the end of 2015.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Parting weekend shot

Stage view from the Cro-Mags set yesterday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park...

Keeping cool





Photos today in Tompkins Square Park by Bobby Williams...

Week in Grieview


[A view downtown the other evening via Bobby Williams]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Shaun Martin found guilty of murder in 2013 crash at East Village Farm and Grocery (Wednesday)

Man stabbed with scissors in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Remembering Alan Vega (Monday)

At Village Kids Footwear (Thursday)

The Tang, a Chinese noodle bar, opens on First Avenue (Friday)

Last licks for Ludlow Guitars on the Lower East Side (Tuesday)

Dun-Well Doughnuts brings coffee and vegan doughnuts to St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

Thursday Kitchen is cafe by day with Korean tapas at night (Monday)

Logan Hicks bringing the story of his life to the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall (Wednesday)

Coffee shop slated for former Top A Nails space on Avenue A (Tuesday)

DumplingGo returning as Dumpling Guo on Second Avenue (Monday)

The evolution of Ben Shaoul (Monday)

Full reveal at NYU's expanded Academic Support Center on Lafayette and Fourth Street (Tuesday)

Signage arrives for Dahlia's-replacing salad and juice bar (Tuesday)

Former BARA space will serve Latin-American fare on East First Street (Thursday)

There are new owners for the empty lot at 14th Street and Avenue C (Wednesday)

About the new Astor Place (Monday)

Actor Adrian Greiner is a partner in the VNYL, opening in the former Nevada Smiths space (Friday)

Blink Fitness signage arrives at 100 Avenue A (Wednesday)

A look at Follia, opening soon in the former Mumbles space on 3rd Avenue (Tuesday)

Report: East Village bar owners opening the Gem Saloon in former Rodeo Bar space (Thursday)

Atla announces itself on Lafayette; coffee shop coming next door (Monday)

Now to the automotive section...on Seventh Street, a Pontiac Fiero pretends to be a Ferrari...



[Photos by Derek Berg]

...while a McLaren super car poses outside the Bowery Hotel...


[DB]

Report of a fire escape fire on 11th Street and Avenue C early this morning


[Photo by Bill May]

The FDNY responded to a report of a fire on the northwest corner of 11th Street and Avenue C this morning just before 5, as several EVG readers pointed out...


[Photo by Bill May]

Chris via Teamspider shared these videos... the first is at 4:53 a.m. before the FDNY arrived...



...and a few minutes later...



No word on the cause of the fire... and there doesn't appear to be much, if any, damage. The report did not make the @FDNYalerts account.

Sunday morning, St. Mark's Place



Photo by Derek Berg

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Parting Saturday shot



Tompkins Square Park today via Bobby Williams...

Equal time in Tompkins Square Park



Photo by Steven...

A moment on 2nd Avenue and 4th Street today



Photo by Derek Berg

Rose&Basil opens tomorrow (Sunday!) on East 7th Street



An EVG reader shared this photo, noting that Rose&Basil opens tomorrow at 104 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Per the small shop's website:

Rose&Basil offers a variety of products such as exquisite Chocolate Truffles, all-you-need in a Breakfast Jar and a carefully selected variety of coffee. All our products are 100% gluten free, organic and have no added sugars...

Listed hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Previously.

This afternoon in Tompkins Square Park



Here's the flyer for the free concert in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon (listed times are 1:30-6 p.m.) featuring Breakdown, Token Entry, Cro-Mags, Antidote and Maximum Penalty.

As mentioned in the previous post, the show also serves as a benefit for Dr. Know, aka Gary Miller, guitarist for Bad Brains. Find more details about today's concert here.

Updated 12:45

Steven sends along a photo of the stage... much larger than for the usual shows, except for maybe Charlie Parker...

Friday, July 22, 2016

On one's mind



This clip features Bad Brains live at CBGB in 1982.

Last November, Dr. Know, aka Gary Miller, guitarist for the influential band, was hospitalized for cardiac arrest, which gave way to multiple organ failure. As Pitchfork reported, Bad Brains manager Vaughan Lewis launched a GoFundMe campaign in the spring to raise money for Miller's medical expenses.

Tomorrow afternoon in Tompkins Square Park, there's a Dr. Know benefit show in Tompkins Square Park Tompkins Square Park featuring Breakdown, Token Entry, Cro-Mags, Antidote and Maximum Penalty. Read more about the show here.

EV Grieve Etc.: NYPD searches for attempted rape suspect; city wants Allen Street bathhouse ideas

Police searching for man who tried to rape a 21-year-old unconscious woman on Suffolk and Stanton (Daily News)... Updated, the NYPD has made an arrest (Daily News)

Man with 96 prior arrests found with loaded gun and "burglary tools" busted looking into cars on the LES (DNAinfo)

Credit union and tenants hope for compromise at 37 Avenue B (The Villager)

City soliciting proposals for restaurant in Allen Street Bathhouse building (The Lo-Down)

Comptroller Scott Stringer close to releasing his report on Rivington House deed lift (The Observer)


[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Guns N’ Roses pop-up shop at John Varvatos on the Bowery this weekend (Racked)

Mondo documentary series starts at the Anthology Film Archives (Official site)


[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Baby red-tailed hawk highlights from Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)

Stash of 1970s NYC photos (Flaming Pablum)

Dead body doesn't deter people from waiting in line for cronuts (Gothamist)

Margaritaville is negotiating a deal for its first NYC location at the historic Brill Building in Midtown (Commercial Observer)

Back in the late summer of 2014, Below 7th quietly opened a few steps down in the storefront at 63 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. And just as quietly the shop closed, though the signage and some of the merchandise remained behind. The shop returned earlier this summer... several EVG readers have said that they like the gift shop, which sells candles, bath soaps and gift cards, among other items...

Report: Actor Adrian Greiner partner in The VNYL, opening in the former Nevada Smiths space


[Photo from yesterday]

Back in February, we reported that a group of nightlife vets had big plans for the the former Nevada Smiths space on Third Avenue between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.

Bruce Caulfield, a former Nevada Smiths partner and veteran NYC bar and business owner, along with James Morrissey (The Late Late on East Houston) and Gerard McNamee (GM of Webster Hall) were OK'd by CB3 earlier this year to open a coffee house, vintage vinyl record store paying homage to Thin Lizzy and bar/restaurant all under one roof.

The Daily News has a few more details about the space, which will be going by The VNYL.

For starters, actor Adrian Grenier is apparently a partner in the venture.

And!

The massive, 7,000-square-foot space with three floors will open in August with a record store in the front of the former Nevada Smith’s sports bar space. The ambiance at this restaurant/bar is being “designed to attract patrons of music, fashion and art,” a source at the restaurant told us. Expect speciality cocktails and California-inspired fare by chef Jordan Andino.

Based on their Facebook page, The VNYL is going with the tagline "House of Cocktail."



Nevada Smiths closed last September after nearly three-and-a-half years at this location.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nevada Smiths is closed, and here's what's next

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

Here then, where Nevada Smiths once stood

The Marshal seizes Nevada Smiths on 3rd Avenue

[Updated] New life for the Nevada Smiths space on 3rd Avenue

New concept for Nevada Smiths includes record store paying homage to Thin Lizzy, plus a bar

The Tang is now open on 1st Avenue



As we first noted back in May, there's a new restaurant in the works for 120 First Ave. near Seventh Street (and next door to the International).

The owners of The Tang, a contemporary Chinese noodle bar, had its soft opening yesterday. ("No boisteous celebration, no crazy party, no private media tasting session ... simply opening our door to our EV neighbors who love noodles.")


[Image via Facebook]

And the owners shared this description of their restaurant:

At The Tang, we serve noodles, wraps, and appetizers based on traditional recipes originated from various regions in China and present the essence of authentic flavors, together with innovative twists inspired by the big apple’s metropolitan appetite. Our menu features our specialty noodles and wraps, in addition to seasonal dishes.

We understand how sipping hot noodles soup becomes challenging in the summer, and that’s why we are currently offering you exclusively our dried and cold noodles with a variety of toppings and sauces. Of course, cold drinks like ice brew oolong tea and refreshing appetizers, such as Chungking Express salad and Hala Chicken, are included in our menu to beat the summer heat. But don’t worry, by the time you pull out your winter jackets, we will have the steaming soup noodles ready for you.

The hours are Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Friday-Sunday noon to midnight.


[Image via The Tang]

Celebrating Prince's pop life tonight at the 6 & B Garden



The 6 & B Garden (southwest corner of Sixth Street and Avenue B) is celebrating the music of Prince tonight from 7-9. Apparently there will be some dancing. And refreshments.

Free tonight in Tompkins Square Park: 'Cleo From 5 To 7'



The Films on the Green series — the free outdoor French film festival produced since 2008 — starts its East Village run this evening with the 1962 classic "Cleo From 5 To 7" by Agnès Varda.

Per IMDB:

Selfish pop singer Cléo (Corinne Marchand) has two hours to wait until the results of her biopsy come back. After an ominous tarot card reading, she visits her friends, all of whom fail to give her the emotional support she needs. Wandering around Paris, she finally finds comfort talking with a soldier in a park. On leave from the Algerian War, his troubles put hers in perspective. As they talk and walk, Cléo comes to terms with her selfishness, finding peace before the results come back.



The film is set to start at 8:30.

And next week...

Friday, July 29, 8:30 pm
Boyfriends and Girlfriends
By Eric Rohmer, 1987, PG, 1h42

Lucy will see you back on Aug. 5



Lucy is on her usual summer break here at Lucy's on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and East Ninth Street… back open on Aug. 5…

Thursday, July 21, 2016

LinkNYC has you covered now with kiosks on parts of 2nd Avenue


[July 5]

On July 5, workers arrived to removed/chop down some payphones on the east side of Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street...


[July 5]

...making way for... more LinkNYC kiosks, which are in place though not activated just yet ... there are two in very close proximity to each other, bundled together as if they were Duane Reades...





... and a few blocks to the north, there are now five LinkNYC kiosks between 13th Street and 10th Street (here are photos of three of them via Steven) ...







The city is reportedly expected to have 7,500 kiosks in place, each replacing a pre-existing phone booth, over the next eight years.

And what are they good for? As a reminder, via the LinkNYC website:

• Use your personal device to connect to LinkNYC’s super fast, free Wi-Fi
• Browse the web and access city services, maps and directions from the tablet
• Make free phone calls to anywhere in the U.S. using the Vonage app on the tablet or the tactile keypad and microphone.
• Use the dedicated red 911 button in the event of an emergency
• Charge your device in a power-only USB port
• Enjoy more room on the sidewalk with Link’s sleek, ADA-compliant design by Antenna
• View public service announcements and more relevant advertising on two 55” HD displays