Sunday, July 6, 2025
The weekly EV Grieve newsletter is now available
Week in Grieview
• City shutters reticketing center for asylum seekers at former St. Brigid School on 7th and B (Tuesday, July 1)
• Construction firm owner pleads guilty to wage theft over emergency repairs at 642 E. 14th St. (Wednesday, July 2)
• Residents baffled by new CityBench outside their door on 3rd Street (Monday, June 30)
• Board of Elections makes it official: Harvey Epstein wins City Council District 2 (Tuesday, July 1)
• The newly opened section of East River Park was closed for the fireworks (Friday, July 4)
• Longtime employee takes the wheel at the Ludlow Garage Auto Body Repair (Thursday, July 3)
• Historic honors for East Village institution B&H Dairy (Wednesday, July 2)
• Pride Weekend parting shots (Sunday, June 29)
• Openings: Monkey Sushi on 1st Avenue (Thursday, July 3)
• Tetchy in Tompkins (Wednesday, July 2)
• Trash talk: A can that just can't on 4th Street (Wednesday, July 2)
• Looking at where the Crocodile Lounge once roamed on 14th Street (Tuesday, July 1)
• Overthrow Hospitality set to debut Al-Andalus on 5th Street (Wednesday, July 2)
• 'Manhattan' in 'Materialists' (Friday, July 4)
• 6 posts from June (Monday, June 30)
• The all-new 88 E. 2nd St. is rising (Monday, June 30)
• Signage alert: The Oven's Slice on 1st Avenue (Wednesday, July 2) ... 5s on Avenue B (Tuesday, July 1) ... Nishaan on 1st Avenue (Monday, June 30)
And thanks to everyone who shared photos (and videos!) of the very active juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park this past week... EVG reader Jennifer Bakry took this photo...
... and from Mark Hado...
Saturday, July 5, 2025
The new East Village Vintage Clothing Map is here
This marks nearly the 10th anniversary of the map, which was launched by the owners of East Village Vintage Collective, located at 545 E. 12th St., between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Per an Instagram post this morning:
At that time, we were trying to highlight the stores that were still around, as these types of stores had started to decline. But that sure has changed! And the great thing about vintage, thrift and secondhand is that every store offers something unique.We present the most updated map, which for the first time ever has been sponsored by the East Village Independent Merchants Association. (The folks at East Village Vintage Collective have been printing this map on their own for all these years and are thrilled to have an amazing organization like EVIMA helping out with this run).This map was made out of love for community, small business, art and eco-friendly fashion. And it has always been printed by the wonderful folks at the Source Unltd Printing.
Store owners who want copies of the map in their shops can contact the East Village Vintage Collective (perhaps via Instagram).
Find updates on EV thrifting via the East Village Vintage Map on Instagram.
Saturday's opening shot
Now to today's weather — a mix of fun sun and clouds with highs reaching 86-87.
And it will feel warmer along Third Avenue between St. Mark's Place and 14th Street during today's scheduled street festival.
Friday, July 4, 2025
What a swell party this is
Heading back to 1990 for this Friday-at-5 selection... with Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop covering Cole Porter's "Well, Did You Evah!" for the compilation album Red Hot + Blue, released as part of a HIV/AIDS benefit project.
The single was never released in the United States, although it peaked at 42 on the UK Singles Chart.
Also, HBD to Debbie H. (July 1!).
The newly opened section of East River Park will be closed for the fireworks tonight
Unfortunately, that's not an option.
Signs are up at the Delancey Street overpass announcing that the Park closes at 3 p.m.
We did not see any similar signs up at the Houston or Sixth Street entrances. (The 10th Street entry is closed for gutting.)
We asked a Parks officer at Delancey about access there this evening, but he didn't know.
A few photos of the FDR... southbound lanes closed at Houston...
The Sixth Street entrance is open... though there won't be much of a view for fireworks ...
'Manhattan' in 'Materialists'
Was pleasantly surprised to see/hear that Cat Power's 2012 song "Manhattan" (from her album Sun) plays at the beginning of the film (after an introductory scene) ... and showing Dakota Johnson walk by Cooper Union.
It's a great song and video, with a few shots from the East Village (where Cat Power, aka Chan Marshall, once lived).
And here is the video, released in April 2013...
"Materialists" has a solid soundtrack with original music by Japanese Breakfast... as well as songs like "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory" by Johnny Thunders and "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" by The Velvet Underground, among others.
In an interview with Spotify, "Materialists" writer-director Celine Song discussed the importance of music in her creative process.
Music is in the DNA of the film from the script phase. I write with music on, and usually I play one song on repeat — for "Materialists," the song on repeat was "Andalucia" by John Cale.
Song's previous film, the Oscar-nominated "Past Lives," was partially filmed in the East Village, as noted here.
Friday's opening shot
As for your exclusive July 4orecast (sorry), sunny and pleasant today (lower humidity) with a high of 83. The UV Index is 10, so lather on that tanning butter or cooking oil sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher in the great outdoors.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thursday's parting shot
Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy
If you've ever wandered down Second Street between First and Second Avenues, you might have seen the above truck on the block.
Tom Raimondo, the owner of Crown Salvage (formerly D&D Salvage) at 85 E. Second St., has found a creative way to give new life to his kids' old toys — by decorating the grilles of his trucks with them.
"My son loves Spider-Man, and these two belonged to my girls," he said of his current stuffed animal arrangement.
It might seem a little odd to strap your kids' old toys to an industrial truck, but for Raimondo, it adds a touch of personality to the job and pays tribute to his children.
Longtime employee takes the wheel at the Ludlow Garage Auto Body Repair
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
In January, Jerome Vasconcellos and his brother-in-law, Mario Marques, brought to a close over 50 years in business on the Lower East Side at Ludlow Garage, 151 Attorney St., between Houston and Stanton.
While the two are now enjoying retirement, their body shop, located across the street at No. 152, continues to operate and is run by a few longtime employees.
We recently talked with the new owner of Ludlow Garage Inc. Auto Body Repair — Gregorio "Alex" Almonte.
If you were a Ludlow Garage regular, then you probably know Alex — he worked for Jerome and Mario for 32 years.
He is leasing the space from them at 152 Attorney St. and "continuing their work." He gave me a grand tour — the first ever EVG auto body post.
The shop offers auto body work and service as well as flat fix, detailing, and welding. A state inspection license is coming soon.
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Openings: Monkey Sushi on 1st Avenue
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Monkey Sushi is now open at 120 First Ave., located between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
This marks owner Terry Yang's 14th location (12 are in Canada). It's his second in NYC, joining the one in Hell's Kitchen.
The shop specializes in sushi, party trays, and other dishes for takeout or delivery.
They are open daily from noon to midnight. You can find a menu here.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Trash talk: A can that just can't on 4th Street
Photos by Stacie Joy
As seen today on Fourth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... an instant classic note attached to a discarded household item...
This trash can does not work with any consistency.It has an automated sensor that opens the lid.This sensor may or may not sense you.And if you are lucky enough to be sensedXXthe lidthat you hoped would open may not ever close.You can try plugging it in again after unplugging.The plug is taped on the inside. There are batteriesstill within but I couldn't say whether they stillwork.There is a chance you may get it to open for youby the use of a voice command, but it has neverheard me.It has been cleaned. Repairs attempted.Some things don't work out.
The tone of this letter is dryly humorous, resigned and slightly sardonic. It combines matter-of-fact observations ("This sensor may or may not sense you") with a subtle, understated wit ("There is a chance you may get it to open for you by the use of a voice command, but it has never heard me"), conveying frustration but also acceptance.
The closing line — "Some things don't work out." — sums it up with a wry, almost philosophical shrug. It's not overtly angry or dramatic. Instead, it's a calm, lightly mocking commentary on the trash can's failures, tinged with weary amusement.
Score: A
Tetchy in Tompkins
Photos by Stacie Joy
It was late Saturday night, after a show at Our Wicked Lady, that Tetchy knew they'd be playing in Tompkins Square Park the following day.
The local band was a midnight-hour addition to Show Brain's free slate of music on Sunday.
We were glad to experience their sinewy punch of punk (a band we really like), despite a hectic day that cut our afternoon at the show short.
Below... lead singer-guitarist Maggie Denning...
Leaving you with their summer 2024 single "Mommy"...
Construction firm owner pleads guilty to wage theft over emergency repairs at 642 E. 14th St.
642 E. 14th St. as seen in December 2023
A construction company owner has pleaded guilty to stealing wages from engineers and laborers working on a city-funded emergency project and has repaid the workers in full, the Manhattan D.A.'s Office announced last week.
Anthony Martucci, 60, owner of Tuccimar, Inc. in Westchester County, admitted to underpaying six workers — three professional engineers and three laborers — during a project on East 14th Street in late 2023.
As part of his plea to one count of petit larceny, a misdemeanor, Martucci paid $36,786 in restitution and agreed to a three-year ban on receiving New York City contracts.
The case centers on emergency stabilization work at 642 E. 14th St., a 16-unit building where nearly 30 tenants were forced to evacuate just days after Thanksgiving 2023. On Nov. 28, 2023, the Department of Buildings ordered tenants to vacate after excavation work on Madison Realty Capital's (MRC) neighboring 24-story tower compromised 642's foundation, resulting in severe structural cracks.
The tenants, displaced from their homes at the start of the holiday season, were placed in city shelters while the city worked to stabilize the building.
Having submitted the lowest bid, Martucci's company was awarded the emergency shoring contract by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in December 2023. Work on the building began on Dec. 16 and was completed by mid-January 2024.
However, according to prosecutors, Tuccimar submitted certified payrolls that falsely stated all workers had been paid, while sign-in logs confirmed their hours on-site.
One underpaid engineer received payment during the investigation, but the remaining five workers were still owed more than $36,000. Martucci repaid that amount to the D.A.'s Office last month as part of the plea agreement.
"With this resolution, hardworking New Yorkers will be paid what they rightfully earned," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "The unscrupulous owner of a construction company will not be able to bid on City contracts for three years."
The state of 642 E. 14th St.
Meanwhile, the full demolition order from 642's landlord, reportedly Second Avenue Deli owner Jeremy Lebewohl, remains on hold, dated from last July 18, as per DOB records.
His lawyers told the Times last November that the costs to make necessary repairs exceed the building's value.
For their part, 644's developer, MRC, cast blame next door, telling the Times that "the landlord had neglected the property and did not support Madison's efforts to make the building structurally sound."
As for the tenants at 642 who had rent-stabilized apartments, the Cooper Square Committee worked with MRC to find units in its portfolio of East Village properties.
One of the former 642 tenants recently told EVG that they were initially given temporary lease agreements for four months, commencing at the end of February 2024, with the actual leaseholds set to begin on July 1, 2024.
As we reported here, Madison Realty Capital is now in foreclosure on Raphael Toledano's one-time 17-building portfolio.
So once again, the 642 residents find themselves facing an uncertain housing future.
Any assistance from local elected officials? After a December 2023 rally, they've moved on, the tenant said.
Meanwhile, next door to 642, here's a look at MRC's 24-floor story residential building at 644 E. 14th St., called The East, set to open in the fall...
As far as the 642 tenant knew, none of the former residents had been offered any of 644's 197 units.
• Crowdfunding help for the residents displaced by Madison Reality Capital construction on 14th Street
Historic honors for East Village institution B&H Dairy
EVG photo from June 20
Yesterday, State Sen. Brian Kavanagh presented B&H Dairy with the Historic Business Preservation Registry award.
About the Registry:
The Historic Business Preservation Registry highlights New York businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community's history.At a time when many businesses face new and unique challenges, this registry allows us to recognize and honor historic businesses while providing educational and promotional assistance to ensure their continued viability and success.
B&H Dairy, opened in 1938 by Abe Bergson and Jack Heller, is one of NYC's oldest kosher dairy lunch counters and looks much the same as it did generations ago.
Husband-and-wife Fawzy Abdelwahed and Aleksandra "Ola" Abdelwahed became the owners in 2003.
Overthrow Hospitality set to debut Al-Andalus on 5th Street
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Al-Andalus, a Middle Eastern-inspired tapas restaurant from Overthrow Hospitality, is set to open soon at 511 E. Fifth St.
Amira Gharib, the opening chef at Soda Club, has crafted a menu of shareable small plates — all priced at $10 or less — drawing on the culinary traditions of North Africa, the Levant, and southern Spain. The restaurant will also feature a wine program and 10 cocktails on draft.
The space between Avenue A and Avenue B was previously home to Eterea, Overthrow's vegan Mexican restaurant, which closed in March 2024. Eterea's chef, Victor Hernandez, died after suffering a stroke in December 2023.
Signage alert: The Oven's Slice on 1st Avenue
Photo by Pinch
The NE corner of First Avenue and 13th Street (218 First Ave.) will be home to an outpost of The Oven's Slice... and right across the street from The Onion Tree Pizza Co.
This will be the second shop for the pizzeria, which offers New York-style pies with a variety of toppings, including vegan options.
They opened on Orchard and Rivington in April 2024. (We know the spot, though we haven't tried their pizza. Have you?)
No. 218 was last home to a Blank Street coffee shop.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tuesday's parting shot
Photo by James Chambers
One of the juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park today plotting its next move...
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