Back in late July, the city ordered three small businesses on East Fifth Street just east of Second Avenue to vacate their storefronts due to a "structural" issue in one of the apartments in the building above…
Goggla tells us that the liquor store has returned … they haven't fully restocked the shelves just yet (the landlord made them move their stock from the basement to a warehouse). However, they are still able to make deliveries.
Unfortunately, Jamie the check-chasing guy is still operating from the van outside his storefront. (Today's Cut hair salon remains closed too.)
Last month, Jamie offered us this explanation about the situation:
What happened was there was some construction being done [in the building] and a person put their foot through the ceiling. The person below them had enough and finally called the fire department and police department. Because of the condition of the place, the fire department looked, didn’t like what they saw, didn’t see any permits, and they went around the whole building. By the end of the day, it was everybody out — full vacate.
Updated 8:28 p.m.
Read the comments... looks as if they will have to close again for some repairs...
Previously on EV Grieve:
3 small businesses temporarily closed due to structural issues at 300 E. 5th St.
Jamie's story is why you have to be careful when bitching to the State. There are so many regulations but so little regulation of what counts. Some kids protesting - SWAT team. Developer illegally builds extra floors - not much really seems to happen
ReplyDeleteHey Grieve,
ReplyDeleteI just stopped by and spoke to the owner, who had no idea you had been writing about this. He said to tell you that although they were finally let in today, and he tried to open the shop, he will have to close again tomorrow for another 10 to 12 days. There is a ton of work he needs to do to repair the interior, ceiling and floors, and it isn't possible for the construction crews to work while he remain open for business.
Ugh. Thanks anon. Sorry to hear this...
ReplyDeleteI'm even more sorry to hear this than EVG.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the residents [including, I guess, Mr/s. Had Enough/Foot thru Ceiling] where they sent for hotels all this time or given new places to love or bought out of rent stabilized apartments.
ReplyDeleteI spoke a few weeks ago with Jamie and he said that the very top apartment residents were allowed to stay.
Almost 3 months since this happened, I wonder if the landlord is stalling on repairs?
Do hope S&P reopens soon, they are definitely my go-to guys, even though I am much closer to the place on A and 4th, but A and 4th has rip-off pricing, I say save that for the tourists. Plus the guys at S&P are extra nice, and perhaps most important, OPEN SUNDAYS! The new wine store on B and 3rd is OK, a much more upscale vibe but they are always pleasant when I come in to buy my pint of cheap vodka, tho really they are a nicer WINE shop not set up for us rummy types staggering in. But also open Sundays.
ReplyDeleteI was curious to see how this story has played out on the EVG, because as a resident of 5th Street with a car, there has been a different element to this story. About four parking spaces have been blocked off with metal gates and very, very old "no parking today" signs which don't seem to have been legitimized by the 9th precinct. Once while parking my car I moved one about a foot and returned the next day to Jamie screaming at me about how I would get a ticket from the cops if I ever did that again. Mostly the blockades seem to be designed to allow him to park several cars alongside his van (but the spots remain empty most of the time). I understand that this is a difficult situation but I'm confused as to why he is allowed to reserve prime parking space and what kind of arrangement he has made with the precinct/NYPD and would love more information, since the precinct has been reluctant to share despite the three inquiries I've made.
ReplyDelete