Word is spreading through the neighborhood this afternoon that the landlord has seized Kate's Joint on Avenue B and East Fourth Street. The legal document on the door is dated today. This shouldn't be a complete shocker. There was an Indiegogo campaign last month to help the 16-year-old vegetarian eatery with expenses.
Per the campaign:
Unfortunately, with the changing neighborhood and economic recession Kate’s Joint has seen a fall in business and rise in costs. Kate is currently in arrears with the landlord. Eviction notices have been sent, court appearances have been made, and if a substantial amount of money is not raised by April 11th, the next court date, the doors will shut permanently at Kate’s Joint. The East Village will lose another neighborhood landmark.
Kate's fell short of its $30,000 goal — raising just $5,000 during the campaign.
We hope to have more information soon. Perhaps Kate will be able to reopen soon. Maybe even start serving meat ...
Updated:
A reader sends along a few more photos...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Save Kate's Joint on Avenue B
So odd, same day there is action at CBG (Im making that happen). Real cycle of life... Kates is a huge, nice space, hopefully something acceptable moves in, whatever that means...
ReplyDeleteWow, my heart goes out to Kate and her staff. This is every small business owners worst nightmare.
ReplyDeleteKate's didn't serve Yuppies. That's what was great about going there. My heart goes out to her too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one of these assholes who own alot of real estate in the area can take it over. To further the gentrification, a place that will cater to the new demographic.
There's now a note up on the gate that Kate is having a drink over at Affaire, and inviting everyone to join her.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear from the comments in the other posts the service was terrible and the food was inconsistent. Not surprised.
ReplyDeletewait, Kates didnt serve yuppies? like restaurants used to do in the south? Like if I went in there in a blazer and an ascot, they would say "we dont serve your kind here"?
ReplyDeletewow
@ anon 9:00 P.M.
ReplyDeleteYou know Kate is a real person right? The business she ran for 16 years is gone. There's no need to salt the earth.
@Anon 9:57 - That's because I don't ever remember kate's serving rotten bowel and bitters.
ReplyDeleteso sad to see this. they were truly a vital part of the community. thank you kate & co for all the years of your wonderful presence in the neighborhood. and, of course, for the nachos.
ReplyDeletei will miss this restaurant enormously, especially as a vegetarian who lives a block a way and does not like spending tons of cash just to have a meal out!
all the best wishes for the future.
I wish we could save Kate's.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't have Kate's then maybe Kathy can step in.
It's perfectly set up for Life Cafe.
C'mon people forget the Starbucks thing this location has a Full Liquor License on a corner on Lower Avenue B and that asset belong's to Kate. She can put it in safe-keeping and try and use it somewhere else or sell it to the prospective new tenant. My bet is this space will become another high-end cocktail lounge and Kate sells them her license. I hope not but seems like everyone who has a license just sells it to the highets bidder so. . .Perhaps Kathy can take this space and Kate can take the old Life space. Kate's might do well in a smaller space.
ReplyDelete...this location has a Full Liquor License on a corner on Lower Avenue B and that asset belong's to Kate...
ReplyDeleteIs that the way liquor licenses work? The owner can take it with her? Or, sell it?
I know there are some loop holes in liquor licensing but, at best, the idea is "Well, it was okay with the last owner so please approve me." No?