There are a few people involved with EV Grieve — some of them are anonymous, some of them are not. Regardless, I oversee everything.
I've been thinking about using my name on the site for several years. However, I resisted. It's not a personal website, and the blog isn't about me or what I had for dinner last night or what I did this past weekend. It's a news site about the neighborhood, for the neighborhood. Everyone has a voice and the opportunity to share a story, photo or tip, discuss a liquor license application or the latest Citi Bike seats. At least that's how I see it.
But I've dragged my feet with the announcement. I was waiting for a good moment. A blog anniversary maybe? Or when I retired the site. And the years passed. However, it seems easier now to make this disclosure, helped in part that a news site has designs on publishing a "Who is EVG?" article in the days/weeks ahead. After much prodding from the reporter, I eventually agreed to answer some questions via email for the story, but only once I felt convinced that the outlet wasn't trying to out me. I was ultimately wrong.
In the EVG story, you may learn more about me, such as that I grew up in Ohio, and served as the editor of my high school and college newspapers. I also spent a few years working as a reporter after graduation. Today I edit publications for a nonprofit association.
I started this blog in December 2007 after reading in Page Six that Mona’s and Sophie’s, two bars that I spent some time in, were for sale. For some reason, I got the idea to maybe document the end of days at the bars via a blog.
Anyway, before much more happened, with both the blog and the bars, we learned in early 2008 that Mona’s and Sophie’s would remain open.
And that was that. I wrote in a post that the bars were safe, and the site was going away. However, for some reason, Jeremiah Moss of Vanishing New York found the blog. He encouraged me to continue, to focus on other closings and activities in the neighborhood. So I did, changing the name of the site to EV Grieve.
I've always loved this neighborhood, for better or worse, and I probably always will. That sounds corny, but it's true. That drives me more than anything.
I'm not sure really what's next for the site. We'll see how this goes. [Updated: I'm not planning on shutting down the site right this moment ... I'll keep posting for the time being...]
I apologize to my friends, acquaintances and neighbors as well as various bartenders who were unaware that I was behind the site, especially when you asked me "Did you see this at EVG...?" I wanted to say, "Funny you should mention that…" but it always seemed so awkward. (Having had to do this several times, it was.)
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to visit the site, to leave a comment, pass along a tip. And thank you to all the people who have been contributing on a regular basis through the years (Derek Berg, Dave on 7th, Michael Sean Edwards, Stacie Joy, James Maher and Bobby Williams, among many others).
See you around, though hopefully not while I'm carrying my FroYo in a hoof.
242 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 242 of 242Uh, has anyone read this Fishbowl NY piece on EV Grieve coming out? Another example of shoddy journalism, the writer makes it sound like EV Grieve wanted to reveal his identity ahead of the Bedford + Bowery "profile," and he quotes all the nice things people say in the piece.
http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/evgrieve-greenwich-village-john-elasser/345968
Did this guy not read EV's post about how he had to come out because B+B was going to out him against his will?
I finally read the B & B article. The editor and writer could have selected a more deserving target of their character assassination attempt.
This is a great public service! I thank you for keeping me in the know about my neighborhood. Knowing you have a name doesn't change anything. I SO appreciate EV Grieve!
You'll always be that fresh freckled faced internet blog too me!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Wow. I'm really overwhelmed by all the incredible support. Thank you!
Gotta say, these are some of the most awesome comments (some heartfelt, some hilarious) I've read in a long time.
Gives me hope.
stay. we need you.
I've only lived in the EV for a year. Before moving here, I read every single post on EV Grieve to learn about the neighborhood where I hope to stay for a long time. So grateful for everything you do!
You're my main source of news in the hood (going on 12 years now). Here's hoping I can send you a beer down the line at Mona's instead of just an occasional pic or two.
You rock my world everyday. Please don't stop. We need you here in the EV.
As long as you keep wearing the bedazzled "Ramones" tank top, that bright blue tutu and the neon disco-skates while you're surreptitiously covering the news, they'll NEVER find out who you REALLY are.....wink-wink, nod-nod....
oh....and GO BUCKEYES!
Keep on chooglin'!
Hey - needed you everyday in this place...that your blog helped me call home. Much love and thanks!!
I'm sure the big fish at NYU would love to hear about this travesty from us. http://journalism.nyu.edu/about-us/contact-us/
I was once in The Bean and overheard an older man telling someone about this site. "It's run by a fellow who uses his initials, E.V. Not sure what they stand for. Last name is Grieve." I've been in the neighborhood 8 years now and it was one
of my favorite moments.
Unable to post to B+B comment board?
We were under the distinct impression that this was a profile on the blog EV Grieve and what it means and does for this community. Had we known it was hit job, outing the identity of EV Grieve, we would have never agreed to participate.
It doesn't matter who EV Grieve is. What matters most (the real story) is what EV Grieve represents to this community, the voice it gives to this community, and how it binds this community together.
We all "grieve" for your kind of journalism.
I am totally appalled by the actions of Ms Flock and that Bedford + Bowery crap blog, but not at all surprised.It's not my first encounter with a "journalist" from that blog who displays a complete lack of integrity. Please keep writing, EV Grieve is is much needed. I'll forget your name and always think of you as Mr. Grieve.
We were under the distinct impression that this was a profile on the blog EV Grieve and what it means and does for this community. Had we known it was hit job, outing the identity of EV Grieve, we would have never agreed to participate.
It doesn't matter who EV Grieve is. What matters most (the real story) is what EV Grieve represents to this community, the voice it gives to this community, and how it binds this community together.
We all "grieve" for your kind of journalism.
Don't stop!!! And thank you
I got news for Elizabeth Flock and the rest of the pro-NYU, anti-NYU hyper-development opposition jerks over at Bedford & Bowery:
EV Grieve only scratches the surface of the true horror of NYU's hyper-development.
The Stuyvesant Town Report @ Stuytownreport.blogspot.com will literally make you cringe. I urge everyone to support that blog as well as EV Grieve.
A major theme of the blog is how Stuy Town becomes more and more like a giant NYU dorm e.g. four students sharing a two bedroom apartment.
Well good on you, man. You remain an inspirational figure regardless telling it how it is no matter what you call yourself. Please keep it up.
And here I was thinking you were Slum Goddess's husband! No matter. Keep fighting the good fight.
Thank you evgrieve! East Village needs more like you
I found this paragraph in the article telling with respect to the author's masters (her real estate masters, not a Masters degree, that is) who directed her to "out the troublemaker":
"At the same time, some see the negative tone of EV Grieve (more specifically, its most vocal commenters) as equivalent to being anti-business, and say that’s not warranted. “The name itself is East Village Grieve,” noted Palitz. “The implication is that it is a place to air grievances. And so this isn’t a place where you are going to be showering businesses with praise.”
Unless I have completely misunderstood the intent of this (EVG) blog's name, it has nothing to do with "airing grievances", though the blog certainly serves that purpose also, but refers to "grief" or "grieving" over what has become of the neighborhood that many of us call (or in some cases, used to call) "Home".
If Palitz helped tremendously in destroying the neighborhood for which we are grieving, then of course she would not want to acknowledge that meaning.
Sorry, Mr. Grieve, if you pull the tiger's tail you have to expect him (or her) to fight back. Thank you for providing a forum where people can say what they see and feel about the degradation of their neighborhood.
…just another super fan saying thanks.
long live EV Grieve!!!
I wasn't born anonymous, but now I identify as anonymous. I'm trans-anonymous.
Love you, Grieve!
Grieve, you've been helpful, useful, funny and wise. Thanks so much for putting up with all of us.
Pretty lame attempt to knock off the "Topless" post as Most Popular on the site.
love your blog. never change. thanks for everything.
I was so glad to hear that you are not a cyborg robot covered in human flesh that was sent here from the future to destroy us. Since the real estate industry is already busy tearing everything down, perhaps you were sent here from the future to help us to stop them. You have shown us every day that this is still our city, and we are staying here to defend it. If this were a movie, this would be the last line:
"This is John Elsasser. If you are listening to this, you are the resistance."
Liz updated (without disclosing that she had updated it (why would she since she won't even disclose that she steals articles and trust)) her Pulitzer Prize submission, to include a couple of tweets from a promoter on how he was trying to open a "small business", i.e a club/venue/bar, and that your main goal in this blog is to out those who are trying to wreck "small businesses". She is obviously new to NYC and to reading your blog since she doesn't even mention or merely touch on how you helped save, if not saved Ray's Candy Store, Odessa, Jerry Delakas, etc.
Dear Liz, since you are still and will always be trolling this site, esp. the comments here, please get out of your ivy existence and turn-off your laptop and do some actual reporting and legwork. Instead of trolling the web for info on those you have a hard-on on, go out and interview the people, face-to-face, in the community, instead of e-mailing and sympathizing with the "small business" owners (looking at you Ariel and Todd P.) that this blogger is trying to "ruin". Moreover, you live in Brooklyn and only recently, so you don't know what it's like living in the EV with the over-saturation of bars; and these "small business" owners trying to open up more bars, sorry "restaurants", open up "restaurants", for which you staunchly justify and defend. You're clueless, spineless, and immoral, and will ways be so, much like the people and "small businesses you're trying to defend. Good luck on your next job at TMZ or National Enquirer. Wooo.
You're awesome and I love this blog!
Flock is merely a pawn in this. Look for the bearded editor behind the curtain
I'm so happy there are so many people that appreciate Grievey as much as I do and are still fighting the good fight. And it's pointless to harp on the shortcomings of the children of suburban baby boomers. And every news outlet has written about it. I hope we harness this feeling and fight like hell to preserve this community we all obviously treasure. With the impending construction which has partially started it matters more than ever to stand up and let the developers and politicians hear our voices. This is not the meat packing district or Hells Kitchen, we will not lay down and allow suburbia to take over.
Very grateful for your efforts, John. May your generosity continue to benefit this community and bless your life! Thank you, Kim
Don't leave, ya silly goose. You are much needed.
Definitely has Daniel Maurer's fingerprint all over that post. Clearly a conniving, underhanded and craven vengeance in the guise of "journalism". He was an editor for that NYU EV loco blog in 2011, around the same time the EV blog mafia was deriding that blog, thus also him, since he took it personally.
Trust me when I say there are plenty of people at New York who are embarrassed by this story.
This is horrible news. Everyone knows that this is the best neighborhood blog in the country. I feel so much more connected to the East Village because of you. Thank you.
I'm so sick of some of these Millennials who want to not only make over the entire city to suit their needs but also kill off our favorite blogs. They're like a parentally funded ISIS. I hope there's reprocussions for Lizzy and Danny Boy. Unplug them from the internet already.
Keep on Grieving!
People know Bono was born with another name, but he's still Bono and it would be weird to call him anything else.
I think you're the bee's knees! Stay gold EV Grieve!
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