Moving day on St. Mark's Place... photo by Vinny & O
Saturday, August 31, 2019
6 posts from August
[A hug for the Hare Krishna tree via Steven]
A mini month in review...
Welcoming baby Luna (Aug. 29)
I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Aug. 14)
Car making U-turn strikes woman on Avenue B sidewalk (Aug. 12)
Time capsules: The Gap of St. Mark's Place (Aug. 8)
The Sunshine is gone, and an empty lot awaits a 9-story office building (Aug. 7)
The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black in Tompkins Square Park (Aug. 5)
Grant Shaffer's NY See
Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.
Today in Tompkins Square Park: the New Village Music Festival
The ninth annual New Village Music Festival (aka NVMF) takes place today (Aug. 31!) in Tompkins Square Park from 2-6 p.m.
The event, billed as "New York’s hottest multicultural fusion concert," presents a variety of musicians and artists spanning several genres. Find more details on the free show at the Facebook Events page.
Updated noon
Steven shares these photos... showing workers setting up for the event...
Street scenes
Good morning from 10th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Looks like a good spot (X).
Friday, August 30, 2019
The Weird! revolution continues tomorrow night at Otto's Shrunken Head
The next monthly edition of Get Weird!, the rock-and-roll party at Otto's Shrunken Head, is tomorrow (Saturday night).
The free show includes the garage-psych of the Abyssmals and the surf-roxotica the Black Widows.
Otto's is at at 538 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Orquesta Manoeuvres
A summer send-off with "Unpretentious Beauty" by the Japanese-based Clive Tanaka y su Orquesta.
The "Orquesta" has a new record out now called Pre-Sunrise Authority.
A climb up into the Hare Krishna tree
A tree crew showed up today in the center of Tompkins Square Park ... with the Hare Krishna tree the focus of their attention. (There were admittedly a few anxious moments while people wondered what they might be doing. You never know what the city has planned.)
However, the workers said they were there to test equipment... with one worker showing the other some tree-climbing tips, per EVG correspondent Steven ...
Thanks to Steven for the photos.
EVG summer storylines
[RIP East River Park via Dave on 7th]
Three stories that we've been following this summer and late spring...
The pending closure of East River Park
• Last week to comment on the city's plans to close East River Park (Aug. 27)
• An annual reunion in East River Park (Aug. 4)
• City Planning Commission will hold its hearing on the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project tomorrow (July 30)
• Next steps in the plan to rebuild East River Park (July 19)
• This week's public meeting about stormproofing East River Park (July 16)
• A visit to East River Park (July 10)
• Here are the next meetings for you to learn more about stormproofing plans for East River Park (June 3)
The plan to put synthetic turf at Tompkins Square Park
• No winners yet in Tompkins Square Park synthetic turf battle (Aug. 27)
• Petition to 'Save Tompkins Square asphalt!' closing in on 19,000 signatures (July 8)
• Skateboarders upset over plan to add synthetic turf to the northwest corner of Tompkins Square Park (July 2)
The ongoing challenges at Gem Spa
• Get your Gem Spa t-shirts or photos of Madonna — at Gem Spa! (Aug. 16)
• A July 4 moment at Gem Spa (July 4)
• Will you buy a Gem Spa T-shirt? (June 28)
• The Gem Spa Zoltar is alive and well and telling fortunes an L-train ride away in Bushwick (June 19)
• "Gem Spa is open!" (June 18)
• What is happening at Gem Spa? (June 11)
A visit to Gem Spa (May 10)
A Labor Day weekend book sale at Mast
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Another driver wedges car on the bike lane adjacent to the FDR
[Screengrab via PIX11]
Police are searching for the BMW driver who cruised along the bike-jogging path adjacent to the FDR, abandoning the vehicle after it became wedged between the highway's retaining wall and Con Ed at 15th Street early this morning.
Per PIX11:
Police said the driver of the car fled the scene and was nowhere to be found.
Authorities do not know where the car entered the sectioned-off path or how it got stuck there.
WATCH: Tow truck lifts car out of bike path where it had been previously wedged on the N/B side of the FDR Drive near 14th street. No reports on injuries. HEAVY delays beyond Brooklyn Bridge @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/qs2QuWZUfn
— MARISSA TORRES PIX11 (@MarissaTorresTV) August 29, 2019
In July 2018, a woman driving a Porsche Cayenne managed the same feat...
@NY1 @patkiernan How did the driver even manage this? Blocked the fdr path this morning. #Bailedthrough thesunroof @Porsche pic.twitter.com/wBLY4yLhsx
— michael feldstein (@majy10016) July 27, 2018
Thankfully no one was injured in either reckless driving incident.
Welcoming baby Luna
On Aug. 7 at 1:48 a.m., Luna Rivera, weighing 7.2 pounds, arrived in a water bath birth at her parent's home on Third Street.
She was greeted by her mother, Juana Rivera, 33, and father, Edward Rivera, 34. She joins siblings Edward Rivera, Jr., 6, and Rex Rivera, 3.
All three of the Rivera children were birthed at home under the guidance of East Village-based midwife Cara Muhlhahn. (You may have read about her here or here.)
EVG contributor Stacie Joy was at the Rivera house in the days after Luna's birth. Stacie shared these photos — with the Rivera's permission — of Baby Luna's first few days at home.
[With Juana]
[With Edward]
[With Edward Jr.]
[With Rex]
[The grandfather, Eduardo Rivera]
[Cara the midwife with Juana]
The former DeRobertis building on 1st Avenue is now the Slater, where the penthouse is $15k
As previously reported, there have been ongoing renovations at 174-176 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.
The residential units above the storefronts (Black Seed bagels has been in the north space since October 2015) hit the rental market earlier this summer.
For starters, the building has a new name: the Slater.
And a few building blurbs via Streeteasy...
Each apartment in this newly gut renovated building is sprawling with natural light from both Eastern and Western exposures.
The state-of-the-art kitchen touts high-end stainless steel appliances consisting of a Whirlpool Microwave, Fisher and Paykel Stove and Oven, Liebherr Refrigerator, LG Dishwasher and a Summit Wine Cooler.
And...
Additional features guaranteed not to be found elsewhere include USB electrical outlets, HD video intercoms and Latch Keyless entry system on every apartment door.
The building’s expansive furnished communal roof deck will also have a pergola, bbq station and high top bar for entertaining with 360 degrees New York City skyline views.
Together, these renovations are one of a kind and guaranteed to be the envy of the neighborhood. At The Slater, you’ll find premium finishes and the best comforts.
The penthouse, featuring seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, has an asking price of $15,125. (The fine print: "The price advertised is the net effective rent with one month free on a 12 month lease.")
This building was owned for generations by the DeRobertis family. They closed DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe here after 110 years in business in December 2014. The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four DeRobertis siblings to sell the building (for $9.9 million, per public records).
In May 2018, High Point Property Group reportedly bought the five-story walkup for $12.1 million. The seller was a joint venture between EBMG, LLC and AMJ Equities.
The current landlord has said they'll return a refurbished DeRobertis neon signage to the storefront above Black Seed.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5
[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold
174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale
Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery
What happened to the DeRobertis neon sign on 1st Avenue?
Niconeco Zakkaya debuts on 10th Street
Niconeco Zakkaya is now open at 263 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.
The business, which started in 2015 as an online enterprise, sells original Japanese stationery and other handcrafted items.
You can check out their wares on Instagram...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Niconeco Zakkaya, seller of Japanese stationery and gifts, opening a shop on 10th Street
Here's info on the LUNGS CSA
The folks at Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) passed along news about their ongoing community-supported agriculture (CSA!) program... and info about how to take part this fall...
The program runs week to week. A person can sign up just the weeks they want produce. One just pre-pays for the weeks they want to participate. It is $10 per week and you get a full bag of locally grown seasonal produce.
In September, the Miracle Garden, 194 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, serves as the pick-up spot Show up between 1-3 p.m. at Miracle Garden this coming Sunday [Sept. 1] and start supporting an amazing community organization that promotes the community gardens in the East Village while also supporting local farming and healthy eating.
All the money goes to the local family farm.
Questions about the CSA? Ask away via email: info@lungsnyc.org.
Breakfast deals
[Photo from January by Stacie Joy]
EVG friends @allblackcats shared this photo from outside Rossy's Bakery & Café, the family-run establishment at 242 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C... $2 gets you a coffee and either a bagel or doughnut...
For more on Rossy's, read our A Visit To feature from January right here.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Getting a quick round in before the rain today
Finding a quiet area of Tompkins Square Park, near the Avenue B playground construction zone, to practice the short game this morning ... photo by Steven.
The disappearing northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place
Workers continue to demolish the northeast corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place... the building that previously housed Korilla BBQ is about half of what it used to be (the building that housed the Continental next door is still standing) ...
... you can catch a glimpse of what's left behind the construction shroud...
As you likely know, 3 St. Mark’s Place, 23 and 25-27 Third Avenue are coming down to make way for an office building with ground-floor retail.
The size of this new building has yet to be determined. As previously reported, Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) wants to transfer the air rights from the landmarked Hamilton-Holly House at 4 St. Mark's Place to add more square footage to their office building, a move that has had its critics.
In June, the LPC ultimately lent its support to the plan, and has issued a report to the City Planning Commission to allow the proposal under a specific zoning resolution.
The City Planning Commission will likely sign off on the project next as part of the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. City Council will have the final say on the size of the Morris Adjimi-designed building.
[The proposed 3 St. Mark's Place as seen from Astor Place]
Meanwhile, as you may have noticed, someone recently wrote an obituary on the west-facing wall of 5 St. Mark's Place...
RIP St. Mark's...
This wall was once home for years to the John Spacely "Gringo" mural... from 1983 to the early 2000s ...
[Image via]
And a view from 1983 via the "Lower East Side: Back In The Days" Facebook group...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place
End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place
New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place
Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue
Developers of 3 St. Mark's Place are looking to increase the size of their proposed office building at 3rd Avenue to 10 floors with air-rights deal
The lobbyists behind the air-rights transfer and zoning variance for 3 St. Mark's Place
Final demolition phase for 1 St. Mark's Place; more questions about lobbyists attached to project
Report: LPC approves transfer of air rights across St. Mark's Place
Live at 1 St. Mark's Place this summer; views of 51 Astor Place are free
The Tompkins Square Library will pop up tomorrow at Ninth Street Espresso (on 10th Street)
[Image via Instagram]
The folks from the Tompkins Square Library on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B will be bringing their pop-up cafe branch to Ninth Street Espresso — the location a few doors away at 341 E. 10th St. — tomorrow.
Here are details via the Library's website:
We will offer books about the neighborhood, its history, culture and artists. We will check them out for you at the café!
Pop Up Library café Corner upcoming dates:
Thursdays, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursdays, Sept. 12 and 26, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursdays, Oct. 10 and 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street
Brooklyn's the Modern Chemist opening an outpost on East Houston
Work continues inside 181 E. Houston St., where TMC, "a non-pharmacy version of the Modern Chemist" in Brooklyn (as the Times put it back in April), is opening soon here between Orchard and Allen. The TMC initials arrived on the front door yesterday.
The Modern Chemist opened in Park Slope in 2010, and later expanded to Gowanus and Dumbo.
Per the Times, "the high-end shop sells drugstore goods like cosmetics and novelty items."
Here's more background via the Modern Chemist website:
Unimpressed by faceless chains, founder and pharmacist Carlos Urriola opened the first location in Park Slope in 2010, which quickly became a staple in the neighborhood. A growing demand prompted the launch of a second location in Gowanus. As our stores have grown, so has our team, with the addition of pharmacist and partner Par Vora.
Fast-forward to 2017, our most exciting year yet! This third and largest outpost brings our unrivaled service to Dumbo’s residents, workers and visitors alike. In addition to traditional pharmacy services, we also provide a recharge station, gourmet food and coffee, curated selection of personal care and beauty products, wellness experts-in-residence and a relaxing outdoor space.
Speaking of faceless chains, the CVS on the corner of Houston and Orchard is still not open (despite signage, since covered, pointing to an Aug. 25 debut).
This TMC storefront, along with Dr. Smood next door, is the former American Apparel space that closed in October 2015.
An LES coffee casualty
A for rent sign now hangs in the front window at 182 Allen St., bringing an end to this outpost of Hedgehog Coffee between Houston and Stanton.
There wasn't any notice about a closure at the shop or online. Hedgehog only arrived at this narrow space last August, taking over for the Swedish espresso bar Konditori.
Hedgehog Coffee also has a location in Park Slope.
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea signage arrives on St. Mark's Place
The Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea signage is now up 33 St. Mark's Place.
As previously noted, the chainlet, with an outpost in Flushing, takes over the space from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, the Taiwan-based chain that closed in late May after nearly five and a half years in business.
This space here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue was Rockit Scientist Records until the spring of 2012. There was also, for a sec, Iris Cafe.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Rockit Scientist Records to become a bubble tea shop on St. Mark's Place
