Monday, March 23, 2015

Looking at the former Odessa Cafe and Bar



Workers have removed the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding from 117 Avenue A… where crews had been gut-renovating the Steve Croman-owned building…

And we can see the new-look storefront that previously housed the Odessa Cafe and Bar here between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

What's next for the space? Don't really know! (Helpful, yes!)

The applicant was on the August 2014 CB3/SLA agenda, but the item was not heard before the committee (meaning the public didn't have a say in the matter). Paperwork on file with CB3 points to a corporate change, with a Robert C. Payne as the new partner.

On our last Odessa post, a reader left this kinda-sounds-like-the-dude-quoted comment: "I talked to the dude working on it — he said he's 'just making a bar, none of this overly fancy shit.' He seemed like a cool guy."

Other failed concepts for the space included a diner serving comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken … and a "new American brasserie/bistro."

Anyway, "just … a bar, none of this overly fancy shit" sounds pretty good.

The former Odessa Cafe & Bar closed Aug. 31, 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

Now what for the Odessa Cafe and Bar?


[Photo from August 2013]

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The probability that a low key dive bar opening here is zilch. One does not open anything in today's EV that is not designed to attract the rowdiest bros. It will be "themed" in decor and food and for sure an open facade to let all the noise torture the neighbors.

bayou said...

Case in point: Holiday has a bouncer. The hell?

Anonymous said...

What's happening to Odessa, you ask? I am moving in.

robertdaniel said...

The asking rent on that space in 20K and hasn't moved a penny in all the time it's been on the market. There's definitely no low key bar going in there.
If there is, I wish them luck.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. It will be a place suited for the "bros" who dominate this neighborhood with their high pitched yelling during late night, their sense of entitlement as they roam the streets, and the wealth they have amassed, hence what their families have given to them. This will most likely be a place for frat boys and bros. Barf.