Renovations continue at the former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A near East 12th Street ... where Empire Biscuit will be serving country-style biscuits and biscuit sandwiches 24 hours a day (and no liquor license) ...
Now founders Jonathan Price and Yonadav Tsuna have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $62,500 by the end of the month to help with the opening costs.
Per the campaign:
Besides potential construction delays, the major risks for our restaurant are post-opening. We have a strong team in place, a carefully developed concept and menu, a great location and space, and a nuanced financial model. So the basic challenges/risks that remain are controlling food cost and labor once we're up and running.
You can find more info here. Or you can watch the above video ... (they discuss the need for $$$ at the 4-minute mark).
Empire Biscuit is expected to open in 6-8 weeks.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: biscuits and jams for former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A
Oh well... So much for that late summer diet!
ReplyDeleteIf these things don't have trans-fats, I'm going to be there every day!
ReplyDeletesorry i don't get the kickstarter campaign
ReplyDeletethey are opening a restaurant , a profit making business and want people just to give them money to help out - just because?
I am relieved to know that finally, FINALLY, there will be a restaurant serving biscuits 24 hours a day. I LOVE BISCUITS! Back Forty does a pretty good biscuit, but they aren't open 24 hours a day.
ReplyDeleteIf it's true that 7-Eleven destroys local businesses, it would stand to reason that no one would open a small business near a 7-Eleven. And yet, here is Empire Biscuit doing just that. How will this affect the bodegas, or bagels shops? Should people take a position on this?
ReplyDeleteI thought Kickstarter was a platform to raise funds for creative projects. How does opening a restaurant fit in with their guidelines?
ReplyDeleteI'm with July 9, 2013 at 10:07 AM. I absolutely cannot fathom why somebody would invest in a restaurant start-up knowing that there will be no return on that investment. The only entities making out here are the restauranteurs and Kickstarter, the suckers throwing $$$ at this get back a free biscuit sandwich and a hearty thank you. It's not starry eyed or pie in the sky, it's capitalism gone off the tracks.
ReplyDelete7-11 is out!
ReplyDeletewhat is wrong with a new creative 24 hr restaurant ????
I think it's a great addition to our neighborhood and no Booz? Sounds great to me!!!
Crowdfunding attempts like these are aimed directly at the demographic known as "the owners' parents' friends." No one in their right mind who doesn't have a ton of cash and isn't retired will not donate. They might just reach their goal here with that group.
ReplyDeleteSMDH always the No 7-Eleven obsessed instigator.
ReplyDeleteI'd take the time to explain how 7-Eleven's business is similar to a bodega and dissimilar to a restaurant and how one restaurant location VS an over saturation of multiple locations is different but... oh just shut the f--- up already, will you?
Steve, if you love 7-Eleven so much please do us all a favor and sign up for their human trafficking program and go away.
ReplyDeletenot sure where the no liquor license comes in.
ReplyDeletesaw the word drunk in the top line of the logo
this is a saturation area and next to the world famous
SUPERDIVE space.
good to be high minded and forward thinking but it will never work without alcohol.
beer and wine anyone?
I'm starting a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for my dining or eating-out expenses.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the word drunk above the logo makes me nervous. They are obviously opening here because of the saturation of bars and staying open 24 hours a day to serve the whoo crowd, who will be congregating here to stuff their drunken faces all night. Looking at it from a business perspective, it's a great strategy on their part to cater to drunks. As a neighbor, I am worried about how loud this place could get with people standing outside.
ReplyDeleteWatch the video and take a look at the titles given to the two women who appear in it.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about the food industry that makes people grow squirrely facial hair?
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about this new shop!
ReplyDeleteAve A is really looking up, I've lived here since the 80's and am sick of the bars and the food they provide.
All the pizza is a dollar a slice and inedible.
The delis have all closed or moved.
Empire Biscuit sounds like its found a perfect home in the EV.
Welcome!!!
So... anon 11:26 AM and anon 12:25 PM are the same person, right?
ReplyDeleteWhen people ask me when Empire Biscuit is opening, I tell them a month before I turn into a fat kid. I've been jonesing for a good biscuit in the neighborhood ever since Old Devil Moon closed.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the sugar-free version of Magnolia. There is no hope for the EV.
ReplyDeleteHipsters fetishizing peasant food? How original.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for biscuits, but it
ReplyDeletetakes a fair amount of chutzpa(spelling?)to ask others to finance a profit-making enterprize. And then again- another restaurant- whooppeee. Because there are so few in the EastVillage and all... Just a regular foodie desert out here.
I'm holding out for fro-yo served in a hoof.
ReplyDeleteGrieve,
ReplyDeletePlease stop publishing posts that basically ask your readers to send money to for-profit businesses!
I like your blog for local NEWS, not for money requests!
Great video.
ReplyDeleteKickstarter or no kickstarter, the food looks excellent. Can't wait to check this place out.
ReplyDeleteFascinating video. They have a CFO and they're not even open yet. They even have an Executive Chef. But the question remains: Can they pickle that?
ReplyDeleteThe biscuits look delicious. I can't wait to try them. But, guys, ditch the "drunk" on your logo. Not cool in a neighborhood tortured by out of control drunk kids.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people complaining about a small business using Kickstarter to raise money? That is the whole point of crowd funding - someone or some group who have a great idea but may not have access to the money they need to realize their dreams.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you guys are so grumpy, jaded and cynical because you are hungry. So perhaps Empire Biscuit is just what you need....
I'm super stocked about this place opening. These guys have the right idea especially the one with the mustache. He can serve me a biscuit any time of the day. I'm crushing a bit. Donating now.
ReplyDeleteThanks anon 2:34 for the fro-yo in a hoof comment. Made my day, and maybe even my week! Plus it is a great business idea.
ReplyDeleteFirst came the Citi shillers. Now the Empire Biscuit shillers.
ReplyDelete"someone or some group who have a great idea but may not have access to the money they need to realize their dreams"
I have this dream of dining-out all the time esp. at overpriced, artisanal, kitschy biscuit places, therefore I'll start a Kickstarter to fund for that dream.
"a nuanced financial model", i.e. liquor license, please.
And hello Jonathan Price and Yonadav Tsuna and/or their PR's or ladies, aka Anonymous July 9, 2013 at 11:26 AM, 12:25 PM , 3:17 PM, and the two 3:40 PM. Thanks for chiming in.
Let 'em eat biscuits!
That video is a little like a satire of New York hipsterama and neo-trad food culture... "Empire Biscuits"...you can't write this stuff!
ReplyDeleteNice production values on that video and the biscuits look scrumptious! I'd much prefer an Empire Biscuit on my corner to satisfy 24-hour munchies than the hideous 7-11, wouldn't you?
ReplyDeleteAnd who cares if they are looking for start-up financing through Kickstarter? Nobody's twisting your arm. Small businesses in the EV struggle enough with skyrocketing rents - if you can keep another freaking bank from taking over every available storefront, why not toss them a few bucks?
Shouldn't the CFO be a wee bit embarrassed to be using Kickstarter to raise funds? Isn't it an admission he isn't qualified? Tired of these restaurants exploiting Kickstarter.
ReplyDeleteI'm stocked too! Stocked up on my own food!
ReplyDeleteLet them eat fro-yo biscuits
ReplyDeleteVictoria McKenzie makes a good point. Ethical consumption is all about paying more. Why wait to organize a cash mob? Pay now to avoid paying later. People paid to keep Ray's open.
ReplyDeleteUneeda Biscuit!
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! Empire Biscuit here. Our official response is: WOW! Some very nice people out there. Thank you. Some very aggressive, cynical and mean-spirited people out there also. We did think some of the really brutal stuff was clever and well-written. So thanks for that too, kind of.
ReplyDeleteYes! One of these 39 comments is a "shill"! As it turns out, it is hard to keep your loved ones from writing something nice in your defense when strangers are saying that you're basically garbage and a joke. We didn't ask them to write it if that makes any difference. But it is unfortunate that it was posted and undermined the integrity of this comment thread. (Sarcasm! They were right! We ARE hipsters!)
As to the liquor stuff: our landlord was worried that we would apply for a license. We assured them that we wouldn't. They were not satisfied with our assurances. So we told them to put it in the lease. This satisfied them plenty. I'm not sure what else we can do to convince those in the community that are concerned about this except to just open and not serve alcohol. I guess until then we can either stop reading EV Grieve (even though we love it) or just get used to strangers saying we're liars, dirtbags, etc.
We're going to get back to work now. We hope to be serving you all really good biscuits on Ave A before the end of the Summer. Thanks!
Hi Empire Biscuit! Thanks for writing. I look forward to trying your biscuits. Can you address the use of the word "drunks" in your logo? Are you going to court the rowdy late-night whoo-hoo crowd that cavorts around the area at night screaming and keeping everyone awake? I know you can make a lot of money from these people who frequent local bars like Double Wide but please keep your neighbors in mind. We're the ones that will keep you in business for years. The "drunks" are likely not going to be long-term customers.
ReplyDeleteI hope the fro yo in a hoof is on the menu lol!
ReplyDeleteHey 6:06. We are 24 hours and we need late night business. We think we have a 24 hour product. Scotch egg on a biscuit in the morning with a cup of Blue Bottle coffee. Biscuit and jam for a sweet treat whenever. Fried chicken biscuit at dinner. And, yes, biscuit and gravy before bed at 4AM for young people out boozing.
ReplyDeleteWe hope to serve different markets at different times of day. But the morning business is AS IMPORTANT to us as the late night. We want neighbors to stop in on their way to work to have a biscuit, NOT to complain about how our late night customers ruined their sleep.
This matters to us. We want to be good neighbors. It's who we are, but it's also just good business.
We think it will be as simple as policing the space in front of the restaurant to prevent loitering. But if you ever have a problem, just come see us.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Hey Biscuit -- Welcome to the local bitching board. Nothing personal, I'm sure. Sounds like you've got a successful plan. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteWas this video made by The Onion? The women are just ID'd as the biscuit guys' chicks and all the men in the video have official titles. One woman said she went to work AND school and these guys were still fiddling around in the kitchen...she's not asking for money to follow her dreams, but they are? Yeah, I'm an old East Village feminist, so take these comments with a grain of salt that that you'll throw in these baked sponges for drunk hipsters. Seriously though...are we being punked? This can not be real!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response, Empire Biscuit. If you didn't know about the problem we have in the area and on this block in particular, it is helpful for you to be aware of it before you open so you can make sure your employees are sensitive to the issue. Will be stopping by for biscuits, and good luck with the opening!
ReplyDeleteI think we have another potential ABC bakery company melt down scenario... As its seems they will entertain the 'haters'
ReplyDeleteAnd serious, donate for a high-five... Now you're just taking the piss...
A commenter here mentioned that this is an example of "capitalism gone off the tracks". It's also an example of narcissism gone off the tracks. It takes a lot of balls to ask people to fund a for-profit business.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like these guys are opening a soup kitchen or feeding the homeless. They're opening a trendy foodie shop (complete with "CFOs" sporting "ironic" facial hair).
Yes, small businesses add charm to the neighborhood, but what did all the charm-adding small businesses do before Kickstarter? The owners/proprietors worked some crappy day job, saved their money (or got a loan) and THEN opened a business. This trend of begging for money online is really shocking and embarrassing. If people fund your business they should be entitled to the profits, plain and simple. And to those who call people "haters" for pointing this out, fine, go ahead and "donate". Then enjoy your $50.00 refrigerator magnet.
Other than Smack which servers mostly mac and cheese to college kids, do any of these incredibly niche restaurants last long? I don't go out to breakfast on the week days because I'm going to work. On the weekends I might, but I want to eat at a place with real breakfast options. Maybe even a burger if it's later. This place sounds OK but I'm not rushing to try biscuits and jam. I'm not a coal miner. It seems like it would make more sense upstate or in Brooklyn than in the East Village. At least in those places people would either find it kitschy or they'd be with other like minded food fetishists.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBegging is begging.
ReplyDeleteWas looking at their Facebook page. Their official hashtag has the word lard in it and there's a photo of a KFC looking fried chicken sandwich. Can't imagine I'll ever eat there.
ReplyDeleteYou can't make decent biscuits without lard. At least it means they won't have trans-fats in them.
ReplyDeleteEmpire Biscuit here. Not sure how our egg and cheese on a biscuit doesn't count as a "real breakfast option," but I am sure that we won't be reading or posting on this thread anymore. It's just too weird. Thanks again to all of the people who wrote positive comments. We hope to be good neighbors and serve good food.
ReplyDeleteDon't put it on us, Empire Biscuit. Nobody would have noticed/cared except for the part about using the local blog to ask strangers to donate $75 to your enterprise in exchange for a jar of jam and a refrigerator magnet.
ReplyDelete@ Ken
ReplyDeleteFor the record, no one sent this to me from Empire Biscuit... a friend shared it with me via Facebook... I posted thinking that there might be some interest in it...
I'm not sure why the concept for this restaurant annoys me so much. I think it's because all of these foodie people live in a foodie bubble and think their weird concepts have commercial viability. It's hard enough to run a successful restaurant with more traditional menu items nevermind one based around dinner rolls. Biscuits are not a staple dinner item in this part of the country so there's no nostalgia or familiarity associated with them. They're biscuits. Big deal.
ReplyDeleteNo liquor license my biscuit ass. There are always loopholes in leases and those are not set in stone. After a couple of months of opening this place, they'll be manipulating the landlord for a beer and wine license. Then afterwards, move to a full liquor license. That, or pull a Jane's Sweetcharoo Buns. I'd like to see a copy of that lease posted on their FB page or website.
ReplyDeleteHow about asking mommy and daddy for more trustfunds? Ain't them trustworthy with funds?
ReplyDeleteSave some money for me! I'm bringing tea bagging to East Village. Tea bagging is an old tradition in the meat packing district. Wait until you see what your $50 Kickstarter donation gets from me!
ReplyDeleteAs a real New Yorker, give me bulkas over biscuits. Hey TSB, can you add them to the menu? Mmmmmmm bulkas!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for using Kickstarter for your various projects and when I first read this, I assumed the different backer levels would have maybe some sort of coupon sort of thing like "pledge $10 and get a buy two get one free coupon" or "pledge $25 and get buy two get one free for the opening week" or whatever else they could come up with based on their food cost that would not only be incentive for people to back them, but would also incentivize backers to come into the place when they open.
ReplyDeleteBut no, I go over there and for $10 you get a HIGH FIVE??! Oh, I'm sorry, TWO high fives. For $100 you get a t-shirt and a magnet. I've backed several projects before and usually do a t-shirt option and the most I have paid to get one is $30. I've seen it at $50 and that is reasonable for the right project, I suppose.
I guess what is really irritating is that they just want donations, which isn't really what Kickstarter is all about.
Oh man, you guys remember the biscuits at Old Devil Moon? That was a biscuit.
ReplyDeleteEmpire Biscuit guys -- develop a thick skin! You wanted the East Village -- this the East Village! We WILL mock your facial hair and your Kickstarter. But if your biscuits are awesome and you're good neighbors, you'll win people over. Promise. When The Bean moved in, everyone bitched about it, and now it's an institution. That's another nice thing about the neighborhood: It doesn't take long. (Didn't take people long to forget about Old Devil Moon's biscuits either, apparently.)
Also, please consider the froyo in a hoof.
Old Devil Moon! I loved that place! REAL east village!
ReplyDeletePeople forget a lot of us moved to NYC to ESCAPE what the suburbs had to offer. Pardon me if I'm not wooing over biscuits.
ReplyDeleteHave to jump in on the use of "Drunk" in your logo. Not amusing, funny or clever to those of us on the block who have lived through past bars and businesses on the block that catered to the drunk and drinking crowds and chaos. Pushing that concept up front as part of your model only invites late night noise and disorder. Would make neighbors feel better if you dropped the Drunk and let your food and quality of business speak for themselves. It's worrisome when you assure us you'll be vigilant with noise and crowds on the sidewalk after hours while at the same time inviting it.
ReplyDeleteGo back to Brooklyn!!
ReplyDeleteKickstarter for a restaurant is just TACKY. Who does that? That is not, in their own words, "good business." Shouldn't your for-profit business run on paying customers and not donations - PRE-opening? Why would anyone give money away for free and then go back 6-8 weeks later to give more money to actually get something back? What, I'm going to pay 15 bucks for a biscuit and jam?
ReplyDeleteDear Vampire Bisquits,
ReplyDeleteBiscuits? In the East Village? Really? We already have our own New York style biscuits. We call them bagels! The make a really great sandwich, don't fall apart when you slice them, and you don't need to use lard to make them either. They go great with cream cheese too.
We had a place called H&H that used to sell 80,000 a day citywide, made a fortune, before the owners screwed up the business and forgot to pay state taxes.
As far as I know, none of our bagel shops was crowd-funded, and they all did fine. But bisquits just sound so very...Southern. Like Tara and Gone With The Wind. Or Waffle House. Or CrackerBarrel. Maybe you haven't heard, but we won that war against the South too.
Perhaps that's the reason the only places to get bisquits around here is at KFC with a bucket of dead bird body parts, or maybe in a breadbasket at Sarabeths.
Anyway I'm really looking forward to trying one of your CitiBisquits, or CrustyBisquits, or even a MysteryBisquit, with some FroYo in a Hoof, just so I can share the horrifying experience here. Now, can I please get that gluten-free, with mustard, and a side of lard to go?
Coming Soon: Big Apple Algae!
ReplyDeleteAlgae is a healthy and fun eating option and we're bringing it to the East Village! Big Apple Algae was founded by us, Bryce and Josh, two mudskippers from the Okefenokee Swamp. We think you'll love our sandwiches served on algae. In fact, we're so sure, we're going to ask you, the kind people of this neighborhood, to fund our business. No, not by purchasing our product, but by giving us your money, for free!
So come on down to Big Apple Algae and please, be nice, we're millenials. We're not familiar with criticism of any kind.
I was hating on the whole concept of this place to begin with (using Kickstarter for a PROFIT business, the silly 'niche' product, etc.).
ReplyDeleteAnd then I watched the video.
HOLY sh*t! There's no way in hell I'd give one dime to such shallow hipsters who clearly have no clue about business and restaurant management!
This place will fail.
First it was Fallout Boy and their Angels & Kings bar and now, Lady Antebellum's All-Night Biscuits?
ReplyDeletePlease let there be an Amanda Bynes Bong Shop on the horizon. I need a hit.
Hey Empire Bisquit guys, for $1000 we get a catered party in Tompkins Square Park? Maybe you should read up on the last catered party in the park when another bunch of outsiders put up yellow tape for their private party and made a whole lot of people around her plenty mad. For a thousand bucks I'd expect at least a 10 course dinner and an all night orgy, or at least a weekend at your summer house on Fire Island and a jar of gooseberry jam. Anyway good luck with the new biz, hope it isn't as flaky as your biscuits look.
ReplyDeleteThere's a REASON nobody focuses on biscuits: THIS IS NEW YORK. WE EAT BAGELS! That's why TSB is so successful. And they're a block away from you.
ReplyDeleteNew York City as a whole, and the East Village especially, is novel. Why wouldn't a biscuit shop fit in?
ReplyDeleteYeah, we eat bagels here, but one thing New Yorkers appreciate is good food. If what they do is good they'll make it. I welcome it to the neighborhood and being from the south myself I look forward to their heady and artsy interpretation of food from my home! Clearly there are those that will not appreciate the silly foodie concept of Empire Biscuit, but rest assured Biscuiteers, there are certainly those of us that will! Best of luck!
Hey, one person from the south who actually cares, I hope you bought yourself a $100 magnet with a Kickstarter donation!
ReplyDeleteBTW, people who moved here 5 minutes ago, please stop telling us what "we" New Yorkers appreciate. I'd appreciate THAT.
Those biscuits look tiny, and in the video crumble and look like they break apart when you slice them, which makes a lousy sandwich platform. A good biscuit is light and flaky and breaks apart in your fingers, if it doesn't then it has another name: a BAGEL! If you really want to succeed then have a developer rename the whole area Biscuitville, or put a biscuit vending machine next to every Citibike kiosk, or better yet, open up in Tennessee where people still eat this kind of food since they live below the Mason-Obesity line and don't really care what theIr bathroom scale says as long as it tastes good. If you really want to succeed, open a Cronut Shack and sell Cronut flavored sliders and shakes in the park, and take that drunk reference out of the logo, since the drunks coming into your shop will expect a drink and accuse you of false advertising. Other than that I'm sure you'll be a big success story, welcome to the East Village.
ReplyDeleteComing Soon: Capital of the Word Crustaceans
ReplyDeleteLobster and crab meat are delicious, but did you know the shells are even MORE delicious?
Hi, we're Doris and Betty-Ann, two crab gals from Maine who are bringing seaside peasant dining to the East Village! Capital of the Word Crustaceans will offer top-shelf seafood slurry, buttered and baked right into the empty shells of lobsters, crabs and more.
Please visit our Kickstarter page where a $50 donation will get you a picture of Sponge Bob drawn on a cocktail napkin, a $100 donation will get you a Zip-Lock bag full of florescent aquarium gravel, and for a mere $1,000 donation, we'll throw a private 'Coney Island White Fish' party under the world famous Brooklyn Bridge! Don't mind the floaters. How New York!
Hi Mom! We're in the Big City!
I love biscuits, but froyo in a hoof...someone, please make this happen!
ReplyDeleteComing Soon: Hoboken Hoof
ReplyDeleteIf there's one thing we foodies know how to fetishize it's peasant food and fro-yo. But until now, you had to visit two different establishments to enjoy these worldly delights. Not any more!
Hi, we're Jessica and Lauren, and we're Hoboken Hoof! We were raised in the malls of Jersey and once flipped through a book about Tuscany at Borders. That's how we came up with the idea for Hoboken Hoof! The concept is simple: Serve refreshing, healthy frozen yogurt in the hoof of a dead goat. Just like they do in Tuscany! Top your delicious fro-yo with candy, sprinkles, bobas and more! MMMM! Save your hoof and get 10% off your next refill!
Please visit our Kickstarter page and make a donation to help us bring Hoboken Hoof to you, here in the novel East Village! For a $50 donation you can be our bestie. For a $100 donation, Lauren will give you a handy j. And for a whopping $1,000 you can name, then slaughter your own goat! Just like Tuscany!
Hoboken Hoof! You'll want it so baaahd!
Folks, you're being a bit harsh. These guys have two CEO's, a CFO, a Director of Finance, a Controller (okay, some of these are the same person), a chef, a logo, cool t-shirts, and awesome facial hair. The only thing they don't have is $62,500 and a business plan that explains how biscuit sales will pay all these executives (and the rent, of course). High five!
ReplyDeleteBro, I'm stoked! Biscuits are awesome when you're drunk (but I puked up sausage gravy once). Can you make Kraft mac & cheese too?
ReplyDeleteThere is a great disturbance in the Biscuit Force.
ReplyDeleteSir, the possibility of successfully navigating a biscuit field is approximately 3,720 to 1.
It is a dark time for the East Villagers. Although Superdive has been destroyed, Artisanal biscuit troops have driven the East Villagers from their hidden base and pursued them across the foodie galaxy. ...
The Empire Biscuit Strike Back
Rapture Cafe had a hard time filling their space with a morning crowd and people liked them.
ReplyDelete"silly foodie concept" - Exactly
ReplyDeleteWhy do these people move to NYC if all they want to do is recreate here what they left back home? If you love the south and biscuits, great. Stay there and eat them. If you like organic farming, wonderful. Live on a farm. Stop importing the suburbs to the city.
ReplyDelete...maybe these new concepts, including Hoboken Hoof, could offer a photo with that girl who appeared topless at Verso the other evening -- you know, after the Kickstarter donation is made. Sure to be a hit.
ReplyDeleteThis place will be successful. Look at all the jokes and tomfoolery! Over a biscuit? You guys are a hoot up in here.
ReplyDeleteForget the biscuits, I want to know more about this Hoboken Hoof!
ReplyDeleteA hoot? There goes Sookie Stackhouse again.
ReplyDeleteWhoever did their branding and thought it was a good idea to include "drunk" in their logo in an area saturated with bars and frustrated residents should be fired. They're not getting good advice.
ReplyDeleteSo when the dudes, bros, and flip-flop girls come pouring in drunk at 3am on a Sarurday night are Beardo and Perma Grin going to be able to control them or will they destroy the place as they destroy the rest of the neighborhood? Drunks? Ask and you shall receive!
ReplyDeleteGod, I hate the South.
ReplyDeleteUgh and they're not even funny. Go away.
ReplyDeletePS learn to spell college graduates.
ReplyDeleteEmpire Biscuit, today around noon: "I am sure that we won't be reading or posting on this thread anymore. It's just too weird."
ReplyDeleteBiscuit, please. Don't flounce and then come back and make it so obvious you were lurking the entire time, which we all knew.
Your business plan was already iffy between the weirdly long video, the Kickstarter, and the "drunks," but you keep making this sooo much worse. "Punk'd"? Seriously? Just stop, for the sake of anyone who actually was foolish enough to give you money.
The previous comments signed from Empire Biscuit (about the MTV Punk'd thing) didn't come from anyone at Empire Biscuit...
ReplyDeleteOh. Well, then please disregard my comment (this is 9:32).
ReplyDeleteAlthough please don't delete it. I am weirdly proud of "Biscuit, please."
Thank you EV Grievers- I laughed my ass off, especially the fro-yo in a hoof and the commercial breaks by Big Apple Algae and Hoboken Hoofs. I had to cover my mouth to keep all those laughs in since I'm at work.
ReplyDeleteUsing Kickstarter for a business seems to show some misplaced priorities unless you're getting some kickass biscuits in return for your investment. No empty handed high fives, I want a high five of hot biscuits for my investment. If you don't have money to get off the ground, you may have to start smaller, or in a different area (bklyn). You probably shouldn't have a CFO, (unless he is also your dishwasher /biscuit man) since your financial plan entails asking strangers for money so that they can come to your store and further spend money.
I'm still stopping by for some biscuits when they open since they sound right tasty y'all.
I think this is a great idea. and everyone that is writing bad comments about this place is stupid. All of you that are against just do your self a favor and JUST DONT GO IN THERE. These guys are bringing something new into NY. I've lived in brooklyn all my life and love the idea. Come bagel really people lets grow up and try new things. if thats the case just get some frozen yogurt and call it a day. I dont understand people that try to ruin people dreams and write negative things im pretty sure you guys work a lame 9 to 5 for a boss that you hate
ReplyDelete@anon 12:30 You've lived in Brooklyn all your life? Wow! That must have been a geographic nightmare since the other day you said you've lived in the East Village sine the '80s! And you didn't even have CitiBikes back then!
ReplyDeleteDear 12:30AM (right before me in the comments),
ReplyDeleteWaaahhh!!!!!
OK, now that I've gotten that out of my system.. hope you're enjoying your summer break from school.
I do hope you will pay better attention in your writing class next grade so you can improve your punctuation and grammar skills.
It will do you some good in life and in your career when you graduate high school (fingers crossed). Good luck to you!
Since I'm nearby I'll probly try one out when they open but yeah the whole thing seems weirdly narcissistic, self-aggrandizing, overwrought and a little too conceptual for my taste. I'd probably be much more receptive had I not watched that video.
ReplyDelete@ anon. 1:10 PM,
ReplyDeleteanon. 7-12-13 12:30 PM is most likely one of the pimple-faced cocky high school or college drop-out who are "making" money forming internet companies that create no concrete products, provide no viable services, and still manage to generate profits for all of its lazy day-trading son-of-a bitch shareholders and venture capitalists. He's probably giving away money, which he didn't earn -- but begged from an investor, to this campaign.
@ anon. 7-11-13 6:14 PM
ain't a hoot; a hoof.
Great neighbors. We walked by on Sunday and there they were, working away. I wonder if the department of health has stopped in yet?
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Tried to stay away. Unfortunately, we can't keep others from reading this and telling us all about it.
ReplyDeleteYes. We were in the space working on Sunday. Brian was cleaning the fridge and Yonadav and I were on the computer writing emails. If you didn't know, neither of these things are illegal or require a special permit (or count as unneighborly to any non-crazy person).
If you walked by and saw us inside and thought we were working illegally you could have:
1.) Come inside to say hello and seen for yourself that we weren't doing any construction.
2.) Called the Dept of Buildings to report us (not the DOH, they don't care). DOB would have sent out inspectors and found us sitting at our computers and left.
But instead, gentle neighbor, you chose to:
3.) go home and falsely and anonymously accuse complete strangers of breaking the law in a public forum.
Thanks for this lesson in neighborliness. We thought it was as simple as not being a jerk. But what do we know? We're new here!
Kiss my gluten-free biscuits. If you think this blog is rough, wait until you have to deal with a bunch of Crusties camping out in your doorway with a pitbull at 3am, or dealing with the gang of skateboard kids from St Marks place who like to beat up drunk Asian tourists, or the rats of Avenue A, or the Hells Angels who expect a hefty discount and maybe even a cut of the action. Or the biggest pukefest of them all, SantaCon. Now go get me a beer and a biscuit, I'm getting hungry just thinking of the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteDear Empire Biscuit:
ReplyDeleteHaving viewed this site for sometime now, you need to develop thicker skin for the criticism this site attracts. Whether it be people who haven't lived in the East Village for 20+ years, parents, kids, hipsters, college kids, B andTs, crusties, bar patrons, bicyclists, etc., there is group of people who regularly post here just to criticize and whine. Keep in mind that they don't represent the broader community.
Don't take it personally and good luck!
A narcissistic joint for the narcissists.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes last anon., the broader community is now the narcissists. Good luck, indeed.
Breaking News: Empire Biscuit Boys Jonathan and Yonadav complain about many of the comments seen on EV Grieve in a front page article of in this weeks Town & Village newspaper. They said they were "shocked about how much vitriol was being spewed" about their 24 hour biscuit store idea. But there is already trouble in biscuit paradise. The two say they are already 2 1/2 months behind schedule, have no money to hire anyone so they are doing everything themselves. They say if they don't raise the money they need on Kickstarter by July 30th they will reevlaute their project.
ReplyDeleteHeres an idea for a Kickstarter: get a food truck! Most new food concepts promoters in NY have already discovered that the rent is too damn high. They start with a food truck, get a following, then go retail when the time is right. Good luck biscuit boys, hope we see you at the BiscuitMobile.
I agree w the biscuit bus.
ReplyDeleteThey have 9 days to raise 52K for a restaurant that's only of interest to them. What could go wrong?
ReplyDeleteThe biscuits are using their press to talk about people hating them? Smooth move lol!
ReplyDeleteToday is the last chance on Kickstarter to get your high five from the biscuit boys, they have raised $11,260 so far, but they need $62k to get funded so someone better write a check fast. Plan B should be the Biscuit Bus, which would allow thm to figure out who wants biscuits.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, check out the new Waffles & Dinges on 2nd and B, good iced coffee, tasty waffles, and free wifi. It's a bit on the noisy side so bring your noise cancelling headphones or earplugs.
Good! I'd rather see a Hoboken Hoof at this location! There is an incredible demand for top shelf, artisanal, probiotic, antibiotic, hydroponic, supersonic, Subway eat fresh fro-yo served in the hoof of a goat!
ReplyDeleteKickstarter ended. No biscuits.
ReplyDeleteAre the "high-fives" free now?
ReplyDeleteApparently they are still opening. So, what was the point of having a Kickstarter for this, which failed, if they can open without it anyway?
ReplyDeletebiscuit does not seem to be taking very seriously that their exhaust fans are really really loud and disturbing neighbors. At least the stealth bar that was there before wasn't running the kitchen equipment.Bring back the low-rent salumeria with the buck fifty cappacinos.Old Devil Moon was more than a biscuit. miss those guys.
ReplyDeleteDid I miss the biscuits yet? Did they open? Close? Update please!
ReplyDeleteThese boys couldn't raise their target fund, but a guy just raised $10,000 (and counting) for a $10 goal to make his own potato salad.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a 24-hour potato salad would be opening up in the EV soon.
Potato salad for -- Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. and Drunks.
Suckers.