A mini month in review...
• East Village Loves NYC prepares 1st holiday feast; tops more than 70,000 meals made for hungry New Yorkers in 2020 (Dec. 23)Thursday, December 31, 2020
6 posts from December
Grant Shaffer's NY See
[Updated] Morning-after look at the damage caused by the broken water main on 1st Avenue and 7th Street
.@NYCWater is responding to quite a few complaints about this. Yes, likely related to the watermain break. Call 311 with your address so nearby hydrants can be flushed. In the meantime, DEP recommends to run cold tap water for a while to see if it helps flush the pipes.
— NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera (@CMCarlinaRivera) December 31, 2020
E7 Deli & Cafe receives 2020 welcome
Golden Food Market owner Ali Fardos now runs East Village Organic a few storefronts away.
A tapas-wine bar was in the works for No. 118 in April 2018, but those plans never materialized.
On 2nd Avenue, B&H Dairy wraps up a trying year, ponders its future
The final straw came a few days before Christmas, when city inspectors ordered B&H to dismantle their newly-erected sidewalk structure, due to its proximity to a curbside tree. (The bus lane on 2nd Avenue means B&H can't take advantage of on-street dining).
By that point, they'd already relocated the outdoor area twice to meet the city’s demands, while investing thousands of dollars in new wiring that will, in theory, eventually allow them to connect an outdoor heater. "When the man stopped by and told me about the tree, I almost had a heart attack. No one ever mentioned the tree, all of a sudden they remember the tree," Ola told Gothamist on a recent morning. "I give this place so much heart and emotion to continue the tradition, and the city wants to destroy us."
Nowon will close temporarily starting New Year's Day
So long Milon
It takes awhile for your disbelieving eyes to adjust, because the space is hung with thousands of tiny colored lights. Some are Christmas lights, but others are stars, hearts, and red-hot chiles. These descend from the ceiling, as do dozens of banners for seemingly every nation on earth, like a United Nations on acid.
While Milon and Panna II had been catering to the Instagram crowd in recent years, locals still find the restaurants a comfort on evenings away from the weekends. Some have feared that the indoor-dining ban could mark the end of the so-called Curry Row.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
[Updating] 1 week later, there's ANOTHER water main break on 1st Avenue and 7th Street
It took workers two-plus days to clean up the broken pipe last week... which forced several businesses to temporarily close and residents to lose their water service.Happening now! Another water main breaks at the same spot on East 7th Street and 2nd Av. @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/DQGoZidnx9
— Gili Getz 🔥 (@giligetz) December 31, 2020
for real this is wilddddd pic.twitter.com/i1cBV8rFfp
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) December 31, 2020
Residents have reported the city has shut off the water to the buildings in the immediate area... and several residents on Seventh Street were spotted leaving their apartments with suitcases...
Updated:EVG Etc.: Appreciating Pinc Louds; Visiting Punjabi Grocery and Deli
Holiday greetings for NYC
The Poetry Project's 47th annual New Year's Day Marathon will be a livestream extravaganza
Join 250 poets, artists and performers at The Poetry Project's 47th Annual New Year's Day Marathon. 11 p.m. (ET) New Year's Eve – 11 p.m. (ET) New Year's Day.
This year's gathering combines poetry readings with hypnosis, DJ sets and music videos, ritual offerings, celebrations of place and history, cooking segments, short films, archival media and more.
The Marathon begins New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) with an 11 pm-to-midnight countdown, a broadcast of live performances, and a special feature from the clocktower of St. Mark's. And continues all through New Year's Day (Jan. 1) up until 11 p.m. with an continuous assemblage of performances recorded for this year's Marathon.
The event will be be available online FREE via The Poetry Project's Facebook Live and The Poetry Project YouTube live accounts.
RSVP here.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
EVG Etc.: Checking in with Arlene's Grocery; rallying around Army & Navy Bags
A rent increase is forcing Avenue C Studio to close its doors
I asked Stein about the genesis of the space and its history.
So this was a dream we had…with Martha Tornay [of East Village Dance Project] we searched the Lower East Side for a space to call our own. I used to shop at Olivio's at 55 Avenue C for yarn, underwear and fresh icies in the summer at his storefront. I saw he was closing and asked if he knew whether the building would be interested in a dance studio and youth program. We lived nearby, and envisioned a neighborhood studio, where local kids could come after school and dance their hearts out.In 2010, Avenue C Studio was born, partnering in the early years with Movement Research who shared the office and studio, made the space come alive with dancers [aged] from over 80 to under four years old. Each dancer gave energy to the space and the space returned the magic. Within those walls, on that floor, in front of those mirrors, irreplaceable gorgeous memories formed. And will live on.Like a new chapter, a death, a loss. I know now I am feeling sad and brokenhearted, but when I see the studio dancing in my mind's eye, I know I am not alone.
In more positive news, all of the organizations will live on, albeit in other locations. EVDP is still at Abrons, Moving for Life has moved uptown. GOH Productions will have a limited office space at the Mary Spink Library on Third Street.
Have you been pining away for MulchFest 2021?
Report: Chain stores decrease citywide
The Center for an Urban Future's 13th annual survey of NYC's national retailers finds the largest overall decline in the number of chain stores, and the third consecutive year-over-year drop in national retailer locations.
More than 1,000 chain stores across New York City — or a little less than one out of every seven chains that were open this time last year — have closed their doors over the past 12months, underscoring the immense difficulties facing retail businesses large and small during the pandemic.Overall, the number of chain stores in New York City declined by 13.3 percent — with 2 percent closing temporarily and 11.3 percent not indicating whether the closures are permanent or temporary. This is by far the largest yearover-year decline in chain stores since the Center for an Urban Future began our annual analysis of the city’s national retailers 13 years ago, eclipsing last year's 3.7 percent drop and the 0.3 percent decline in 2018.While every borough experienced notable declines in chain stores, Manhattan had the biggest losses, with the number of chain store locations in the borough shrinking by 17.4 percent (of which 2.8 percent were closed temporarily). In fact, Manhattan accounted for nearly half of all chain store closures (520 out of 1,057) citywide.
Monday, December 28, 2020
A holiday variety show — and benefit — for Pangea
One of our producing partners the past six years has been TWEED TheaterWorks ... with TWEED's artistic director Kevin Malony who produced a remote holiday variety show called 'TAINT ... an alt-holiday show featuring performances by many of their favorite artists who have graced the intimate Pangea stage.The streaming premiere of 'TAINT will be tonight at 8 and will run for an hour. For those who can’t attend the premiere, a video on demand link will be sent on Dec. 29 and be available through Jan. 10.
Our biggest obstacle now is the weather turning colder and the new mandate closing indoor dining ... Since our heat is gas powered, we are concerned that electric space heaters may not be sufficient if we get a real dose of winter.On a positive note, we have implemented a new takeout dinner service (for pick up only). In the past, takeout was not a viable option for Pangea. We have a two-person line in the kitchen. Pre-pandemic we were not able to offer takeout while hosting a busy 50-seat cabaret room and a 40-seat front dining room. Now it will be our only source of revenue.
Today is the last day for Sweet Generation on 1st Avenue
3 for-rent signs along a once popular stretch of 7th Street
ICYMI: Medan Pasar is now open and serving Malaysian cuisine from this 7th Street space
Closings: The Dip, Williamsburg Pizza
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Blog Archive
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2020
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December
(170)
- 6 posts from December
- Grant Shaffer's NY See
- [Updated] Morning-after look at the damage caused ...
- E7 Deli & Cafe receives 2020 welcome
- On 2nd Avenue, B&H Dairy wraps up a trying year, p...
- Nowon will close temporarily starting New Year's Day
- So long Milon
- [Updating] 1 week later, there's ANOTHER water mai...
- EVG Etc.: Appreciating Pinc Louds; Visiting Punjab...
- Holiday greetings for NYC
- The Poetry Project's 47th annual New Year's Day Ma...
- Tuesday's parting shot
- EVG Etc.: Checking in with Arlene's Grocery; rally...
- A rent increase is forcing Avenue C Studio to clos...
- Have you been pining away for MulchFest 2021?
- Report: Chain stores decrease citywide
- A holiday variety show — and benefit — for Pangea
- Today is the last day for Sweet Generation on 1st ...
- 3 for-rent signs along a once popular stretch of 7...
- ICYMI: Medan Pasar is now open and serving Malaysi...
- Closings: The Dip, Williamsburg Pizza
- New development (Stella!) at Houston and Avenue C ...
- Week in Grieview
- A post-Christmas Book Swap Sunday
- Saturday's parting shot
- Report: Welcome to Exploding Manhole Season.
- Zumba on the open streets of Avenue B this afternoon
- An early morning view along Avenue A
- East Village season's greetings
- Hello again
- High winds takes down the B&H Dairy awning on 2nd ...
- Christmas miracles: Joseph C. Sauer Park is back o...
- Thursday's parting shots
- 'Whoa Christmas' for the holidays
- Grant Shaffer's NY See
- Sweet Generation is leaving the East Village
- Medan Pasar now serving Malaysian cuisine on 7th S...
- Reminders: Overthrow Hospitality to give away free...
- Signage reveal for Greenwich Marketplace on 4th Av...
- You may now drive — or jump up and down on — 1st A...
- Gallery Watch: Mrs. Evan Williams by Jamian Julian...
- EVG Etc.: Tracking opposition to the East Side Coa...
- The Village Voice is returning, and is this a good...
- East Village Loves NYC prepares 1st holiday feast;...
- Tuesday's parting shot
- Road repairs continue on 1st Avenue at 7th Street
- A Visit with Frank 'Frankie Christmas' Bianco
- This East Village resident is holding a one-man pr...
- No. 13
- A look at the water main repairs on 1st Avenue and...
- Updating: Water main break shuts down part of 1st ...
- About Evil Katsu, a pop-up ghost kitchen now open ...
- MiGarba shuts down on 4th Avenue: 'We close due to...
- Ravi DeRossi temporarily closing his East Village ...
- The now-closed Bleecker Street Bar looks to reloca...
- Teso Life is open on St. Mark's Place
- Sauced Up! spreads its wings on 2nd Avenue
- Sunday's parting shot
- Week in Grieview
- O Christmas trees!
- EVG Etc.: Crowdfunding for B&H Dairy; Selling off ...
- A holiday market at Ace Bar today
- Spike
- Friday's parting shot
- RIP Sam Jayne
- A visit to Stoned Gourmet Cannabis Pizza
- 1 week before Christmas
- Lovewild Design debuts on Avenue C
- A new look (and name!) for the East Village Neighb...
- A holiday market this weekend at the Museum of Rec...
- Thursday's parting shots
- Sanitation worker spares snowman's life on 7th Str...
- Grant Shaffer's NY See
- 2 scenes from Winter Storm Gail in black and white
- The snowpeople of 7th Street
- A post-storm look at East Village curbside dining
- 11 p.m. in the East Village, and scenes from Winte...
- Report of a small fire inside the empty P.S. 64 bu...
- Updated: It's still snowing
- And we're off...
- Gallery Watch: In the Woods by Sally Saul at Rache...
- NY AG: Madison Realty Capital to pay more than $1 ...
- Workers clear lot ahead of new-building constructi...
- Another late-night break in, this time at East Vil...
- Tuesday's parting shot
- A second Christmas tree for Tompkins Square Park?
- Updating: East Village bars and restaurants tempor...
- Celebrating 41 years of the Pyramid Club
- A break in at Kolkata Chai Cafe
- Here then, the renovated 84 2nd Ave.
- Restoring the Blondie mural on Bleecker and the Bo...
- The latest from the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate...
- Theater in Quarantine presents a world premiere to...
- New York Sal's Pizza bringing slices to 14th Street
- Rapid COVID-19 testing center opening on the Bowery
- Former Finnerty's space for rent on 2nd Avenue
- Steel structure for new Houston Street office buil...
- Sunday's parting shot
- Week in Grieview
- Spray on: A new tribute to Basquiat on Great Jones
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Contributors

Sites of note
- Jeremiah's Vanishing New York
- Neither More Nor Less
- Flaming Pablum
- EV Heave
- Jefferson Siegel
- NEW YORK IN THE 1990's PHOTO ARCHIVE
- The Lo-Down
- Laura Goggin Photography
- jdx
- NoHo News
- Off The Grid/GVSHP
- James Maher Photography
- Ephemeral New York
- The Shadow
- Washington Square Park
- Bowery Alliance of Neighbors
