Tuesday, December 24, 2024
A Christmas Eve morning dispatch from Veniero's
Us crazies who got there at 7:35 this morning were rewarded with cookies and coffee.
And!
They did have to have a word with the lady who decided to take the huge strawberry cheesecake out of the case clearly marked NO self-service teetering through the masses... Merry Christmas.
Getting chippy: Merry Christmas, now let's mulch your tree
Chipping Weekend takes place Jan. 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to NYC Parks: "Bring your tree to a chipping site on Chipping Weekend to take home a tree-mento! We'll chip your tree and give you your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree."
Parks officials say that 46,626 trees were recycled last year.
* While MulchFest begins the day after Christmas, there's no rush to part with your tree. In fact, you could wait to drop it curbside until July or August, hoping it'll make headlines on a local news site.
Fluffy Fluffy bringing the souffle pancakes to 1st Avenue
Photo by William Klayer
The signage arrived yesterday at 153 First Ave. for Fluffy Fluffy, a dessert cafe for the long vacant space between Ninth Street and 10th Street.
Here's more about the brand via a press release from earlier in the year:
Founded in 2018, Fluffy Fluffy began franchising in 2020 with a mission to spread joy worldwide through souffle pancakes. Originating in Canada, the brand offers handcrafted Japanese-style souffle pancakes known for their soft, bouncy, and incredibly light texture.Made with locally sourced milk and free of artificial additives, each souffle pancake is cooked slowly at a low temperature for up to 20 minutes. Topped with a variety of fruits, toppings, and house-made sauces, they aim to bring the celebratory symbol of joy and togetherness traditionally associated with Japanese souffle pancakes into daily life.The brand's diverse menu includes more than just souffle pancakes, featuring innovative delights like croffles, burnt top cheesecake, roll cake, macarons, lattes, and specialty sodas. Fluffy Fluffy demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity by offering meat-free menu options, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
The last tenant at No. 153 was Coyote Ugly, which held forth here with bartop dancing and body shots for 27 years. CU left this address in September 2020 ... for new digs on 14th Street.
No. 153 received a gut renovation, though no takers.
Openings: Tipsy Shanghai on 2nd Avenue
Ownership previously said that the Chinese food here would be a little different and more upscale from the other Tipsy Shanghai outposts.
Google lists the hours as 11 a.m. to midnight daily, with a 9 p.m. close on Mondays.
Monsieur Vo closed here earlier in the fall after a September 2022 debut.
Monday, December 23, 2024
Monday's parting shot (chicken warmer edition)
Photo and text by Stacie Joy
The new signage with a drop-shadow font at Key Food on Avenue A reads:
Please Do Not Rest Basket or Belongings on Here (Chicken Warmer).
So, how many baskets and bags have been melted that they would need to make this chicken-warming station signage?
A fundraiser for ABC No Rio's late director, Steven Englander
Per Bobby: "It's an apt metaphor: ascending. RIP Steve Englander."
Englander, ABC No Rio's longtime director, died on Dec. 12 from complications related to a rare lung disease that he had been battling. He was 63.
Late last week, ABC No Rio announced a memorial fundraiser in Englander's memory:
In honor of Steven, we are starting this funding campaign to help make ABC No Rio, and Steven's legacy, live on for generations to come. Any donation, big or small, will help us open the doors to our permanent home to inspire and nurture the next generations of DIY artists, dreamers, and co-conspirators.
Find the fundraiser at this link.
Ferns announces February closing date
EVG file photo
Ferns, the bistro-bar at 166 First Ave., has announced a closing date after more than seven years in business between 10th Street and 11th Street.
Feb. 26 is the last day.
In an Instagram post from last week, owner Michael Bailey (who also operates The Belfrey on 14th Street) wrote, in part:
We face a number of challenges that are hardly unique: high rents, rising costs, and economic uncertainty, to name a few. We've put up a hell of a fight, but our time has come to turn the page. While this chapter is coming to an end, we look back on it with nothing but gratitude for the support and love this community has shown us.
A warmup (with lines) for Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks on Avenue A
Given the celebrity connection with co-owner Bradley Cooper, recipient of 12 Academy Award nominations, there were bound to be some lines... and there were, stretching back around the corner on 10th Street (thanks to Eden for this photo)...
Danny & Coop's (Danny being Danny DiGiampietro, the owner of Angelo's Pizzeria in South Philadelphia) is reportedly opening full-time next month.
151 Avenue A was previously Tacos El Porky and its sibling El Primo Red Tacos, which both flamed out quickly.
There were many positive social media posts about the cheesesteaks (the only item on the menu) from the weekend... including shots of Cooper greeting customers at the door and working in the kitchen...
Coming attractions: Buddies Coffee on 3rd Street
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
A popular Williamsburg coffee shop is opening an East Village outpost. (TradedNY confirmed the new lease.)
Buddies Coffee is coming soon to 226 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Taylor Nawrocki, a pro skater, and his partner Rachel Nieves opened the Williamsburg shop in December 2020 and became a hit for signature drinks. One is the coquito latte, a family recipe that swaps out rum for espresso.
We've heard good things about Buddies and are looking forward to trying it.
Gaia Italian Cafe was the last tenant at No. 226.
No Joe for now at Joe's Wine Co.
As reported earlier this month, Trader Joe's is accusing Joe's Wine Co. of violating the grocery chain's intellectual property rights.
Per Supermarket News:
Trader Joe's alleges that Joe's Wine Co. originally used a circular logo, color scheme, and wood paneling similar to the grocer's distinctive trademarks and aesthetic.After receiving notice of an impending lawsuit from Trader Joe's, Joe's Wine Co. removed its name and signage and assured Trader Joe's it would select a new name and branding, according to the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit states that, in mid-November, Joe's Wine Co. continued to use the name "Joe's Wine Co." and wood paneling similar to Trader Joe's.
An EVG reader noticed that the signage was down this past week, and the interior was in disarray. "There are boxes all over the floor, so not really conducive for shopping, although someone did sell me a couple of bottles of wine."
Joe's name and logo were also removed from the wine store's social media accounts ...
Back to Supermarket News:
Trader Joe's is seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false advertising, unfair competition, and trademark dilution under the Lanham Act and New York state law. The Lanham Act is a federal law that addresses trademark infringement.
We reached out to the business to ask about a name change.
Joe's Wine Co. opened in November. State Liquor Authority paperwork from July 2023 lists the ownership as Taste Wine LLC, a business previously located at 50 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street... (public records now list the name as Joe's Wine Inc.)
Gary Landsman opened Taste Wine in 2015 before closing in May 2020 to focus on raising awareness and finding a treatment for the fatal genetic disease that his two young sons have. At the time, he said he was hopeful about selling the business.
Taste Wine reopened in the fall of 2020 under new ownership before shutting down in early 2021.
Taverna East Village remains closed while waiting for a Con Ed inspection
According to a patron, the Greek restaurant was closed without any notice to the public... until a sign later arrived noting the closure due to a "required Con Edison" inspection"...
The restaurant's website notes: "We are currently closed due to a Kitchen Renovation project. We are working very hard to reopen as soon as possible."
The outpost of Astoria's favorite Taverna Kyclades opened in the fall of 2013.
However, ownership changed hands, and the name change to Taverna East Village was made public this past June.
Despite the change, readers we talked with said the food remains first-rate.
Ops watch at 176 2nd Ave.
As noted in September, Mike Fadem, the chef and owner behind Bushwick's Ops (and sister pizzeria Leo in Williamsburg), plans to open a Neopolitan-style joint here between 11th Street and 12th Street.
Community Board 3 approved a liquor license for the venture in September. The questionnaire (PDF here) on file at the CB3 website noted that this will be a second Ops location, where the sourdough-leavened pizzas get high marks. (Time Out recently ranked them at No. 5 on a city's best pizza listicle.
No. 176 previously housed Numero 28 Pizzeria Napoletana, which went dark in late 2023 after a 2009 debut.
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Week in Grieview
Posts that past week included (with an EVG photo outside McSorley's the other evening)...
• The wild project is fundraising to purchase its home on 3rd Street (Wednesday)
• Housing lottery is underway for 21 apartments in the East Village (Tuesday)
• A few thoughts on SantaCon 2024 (Monday)
• A sidewalk bridge for the fire-damaged 328 E. 9th St. (Wednesday)
• About Night Club 101, taking over the former Baker Falls and Pyramid space on Avenue A (Monday)
• Book-Off will bring its discounted goods to Astor Place (Wednesday)
• 50-64 3rd Ave. is going, going... (Monday)
• Cookie Puss alert! The Cinnabon/Carvel carb-heaven combo coming to 14th Street
• 'The Jonathan Larson Project' is up next at the Orpheum Theatre (Friday) ... 'The Big Gay Jamboree' packs it in early (Tuesday)
• Signage alert: Compton's Sandwich Shop on 1st Avenue (Monday)
• The retail space — the former Sidewalk Cafe — at 94-96 Avenue A is for lease (Tuesday)
• Danny & Coop's slinging Philly cheesesteaks from 151 Avenue A this weekend (Saturday)
• EVG turns 17 (Friday)
If you're dreaming of a white Christmas (tree)
The box reads, "This tree could be yours! Take it!"
Sunday's opening shot
Photo Friday by Stacie Joy
Joe Strummer (aka John Graham Mellor) died on this day in 2002 at age 50.
As always, a photo of Dr. Revolt's mural — the first iteration created in 2004 — outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A.
And now, enjoy this "Fantastic" video...
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Saturday's parting shot
Here, a photo taken early this morning behind the building shows St. Francis looking at a Christmas tree.
Thanks to Richard Madigan for sharing!
Danny & Coop’s slinging Philly cheesesteaks from 151 Avenue A this weekend
Actor-filmmaker Bradley Cooper teamed up with Danny DiGiampietro, the owner of Angelo's Pizzeria in South Philadelphia, for the venture... launching from a food truck last December, first from Sixth Street and Third Avenue. All the proceeds from the truck were reportedly donated to charity.
The cheesesteak sales from 151 started last night... and will continue with this schedule:
Saturday, Dec 21 • 3 p.m. til we run outSunday, Dec 22 • 5 p.m. til we run out
There will likely be some lines for the food. Last evening, Cooper's girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, shared an Instagram Story with her 77 million followers.
There's word that Danny & Coop's will become a full-time business at the address.
Saturday's opening shot
And that's pretty much it for the snowfall this morning. Sun is out by noon 9 a.m., per the weather app.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Friday's parting shot
Photo by Stacie Joy
Santa (Claus) will visit the 9th Precinct tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 a.m. to noon on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue for the station house's annual holiday event.
Our finest gifts we bring
Getting to some Christmas requests ... from 1998, a cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Dandy Warhols...
Edge of Seventeen
A favorite from the EVG archives
A scene from 2nd Avenue around 2011
Tomorrow (Dec. 21) marks the 17th anniversary of this site. (We rehashed how it started last year. And the year before.)
So, we want to reflect on the journey we've shared. This milestone is a testament to the vibrant community that keeps us going daily, for better or worse.
Thank you to our frequent contributors, Derek Berg and Steven, for their steady stream of photos and tips. And a big shout-out to Stacie Joy, whose dedication to capturing the stories of our local businesses and residents is nothing short of remarkable.
We want to express our gratitude to you, our readers, for fueling this site with your passion and support.
Thank you for reading, sharing your thoughts, sending tips, and joining us in mourning the losses and celebrating the wins that shape our neighborhood. This site works because of you. We truly couldn't do it without you.
Thank you to our friend Stevie for the headline inspiration.
'The Jonathan Larson Project' is up next at the Orpheum Theatre
"The Jonathan Larson Project" features a newly discovered collection of songs by "Rent" and "tick, tick… BOOM!" creator and composer. The musical, featuring more than 20 previously unheard songs, has its world premiere when previews start on Feb. 14. Opening night is March 10 for the 16-week run.
You can find ticket info here. The Orpheum is at 126 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
In the early 1990s, Larson was known to frequent the Life Cafe (RIP 2011) on the NW corner of Avenue B and 10th Street, where he worked on treatments of what would become "Rent," also set in this neighborhood.
That production started as a staged reading in 1993 at the New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery — three years before its smash Broadway debut.
Larson died of an aortic dissection on Jan. 25, 1996, the scheduled day of the first preview performance Off-Broadway. He was 35.
Tribute to Larson at the Life Cafe. Photo from 2011 by Michael Sean Edwards.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Why this new condominium remains tenant-free in the East Village
Photos by Stacie Joy
We've fielded a few reader queries about Novum East Village, the residential complex at 238-240 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
The 20-unit building is complete, with units — between $1.3 and $2.3 million — arriving for sale in the spring of 2022, per City Realty.
So why is Novum still tenant-free?
This development is one of three Manhattan projects sitting in limbo following a lawsuit involving a "sanctioned Russian oligarch" who is allegedly trying to "blow up" his investments via shell companies, according to a lawsuit. The Post and The Real Deal have details on the lawsuit that dates to the summer of 2022.
Per the Post:
[Mikhail Vasilyevich] Klyukin, 44, accused the various companies managing the projects of wrongdoing and claimed his own company, Ahimsa, should assume control — but never said what the alleged wrongdoing was, according to the litigation filed by D&V Realty and other corporations developing the projects.
While all this is pending in the court system, Novum remains dark. There have been rumors of squatters taking spaces here. (Sources tell us there is a porter on the property at least once a week.)
Per Streeteasy listings, this is what any resident can expect:
Live at the newest, quintessential East Village condominium, the Novum East Village. A thoughtfully designed full-service building. Home to a collection of just 20 residences, ranging from 1 and 2 bedrooms, offering multiple floor plan layouts, with and without outdoor spaces. On top of the building sits a crown jewel penthouse with magnificent city views from any of its three private outdoor spaces.Building amenities include a part-time and virtual doorman, cold storage and package locker, gym, common courtyard with BBQ grill, complimentary bike storage, and large private storage rooms.Residents will enjoy the modern finishes, including a video doorbell by Ring, 10” wide hardwood floors, open, chef kitchen – outfitted with German cabinetry by Bauformat, Bertazzoni appliances, wine fridge, Caeserstone countertops with glass backsplash, breakfast island, large windows, elegant bathrooms with radiant heat floors, multi-zone central air, great closet space, an oversized laundry room with built-in washer/dryer units and private outdoor spaces available in selected units.
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Wednesday's parting lights
Photos by Kevin Frech
A look at the annual holiday extravaganza at 327 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
Amazing that it's already Dec. 18... and just a week from today is... the release of "Babygirl."
The wild project is fundraising to purchase its home on 3rd Street
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
The performance venue wild project is looking to secure its future in the East Village with a capital fundraising campaign to purchase its building located at 195 E. Third St., between Avenue A and Avenue B.
I recently met with operations manager Chris Moseley (pictured above) to tour the space and learn more about the campaign called Root Us in the LES.
The 89-seat, ADA-compliant venue stands out with its environmentally conscious features, including solar panels, a rooftop garden, LED lighting and repurposed bamboo risers.
However, if the necessary funds are not raised by February to purchase the $5 million building, the space may be sold to the highest bidder, potentially closing another arts venue in downtown Manhattan.
Since 2007, wild project has hosted over 55,000 patrons and supported more than 12,000 artists through programs like Wild Culture, Sound Stage and MainStage. These initiatives emphasize theater access and outreach for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists, offering free or affordable venue space to theater companies supporting 1,200 to 1,500 creators annually.
As NYC's community continues to face rising rents and venue closures, the wild project represents more than just one theater's survival — it's a fight to preserve the spirit of independent arts in the East Village.
I talked with Mosely more about the wild project's prospects and hopes for the future.
Why is it important for the wild project to be able to buy the space, and why now?
The downtown theatre ecosystem cannot afford to lose another space there simply aren't enough left. Earlier this fall, our neighbors at the Connelly Theater were forced to close, putting the community at a serious crossroads.
But the harsh reality is that over the past several years, the theater landscape has experienced devastating losses in affordable space for artists. Local artists can feel this urgency. We need to ensure our legacy in the East Village by providing free and subsidized space to our independent artists and resident companies.
Our capital campaign is called Root Us in the LES because we want artists, patrons, and all our supporters to know we are putting down permanent roots in the community. We have nurtured our theater for so long that planting roots will provide us a solid foundation to serve artists and members of our community for generations to come.
Artistic Director Ana Mari de Quesada, Director Tom Escovar, myself, and our entire staff of technicians and front-of-house employees — we have all lovingly put so much hard work and dedication into wild project. This fast-approaching deadline of February 2025 may seem like a high mountain to climb, but it is achievable with the help of our community!
We are determined to meet our goal and preserve the history and future of the East Village and Lower East Side as welcoming and accessible places for all artists.
How is the wild project involved in the East Village and LES community, and how will this purchase affect the neighborhood in the future?
Beyond being a space for artists, wild project has always been embedded in our neighborhood. We partner with Sixth Street Center's Climate Justice Program to give young people in our community hands-on experience with gardening on our green roof. We host an annual Halloween block party with our small-business partners to provide local families a fun and safe place to celebrate the holiday. We lend our audio equipment to the folks at the Miracle Garden across from us for poetry readings. We host a summer camp in partnership with the Educational Alliance that provides local students from PS 140 with workshops that teach artists about the various aspects of theater to inspire the next generation of artists.
We have this unique opportunity to purchase our building, continue our legacy in the East Village, and keep fostering this community in our corner of New York. If we are unsuccessful and our building is put on the market, another apartment complex of unaffordable housing will likely go up in its place.
How can people help?
Donations to our capital campaign are the most tangible way to help. If just 4,000 people donated $250, we could secure a down payment for an affordable mortgage.
People can also help by spreading the word! By talking to their friends and family about wild project, posting about it on social media — simply telling the people in their lives helps move our story forward.
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