Photo by Stacie Joy
On Houston and B... a countdown no one is particularly excited about...
Friday, April 11, 2025
Be 'Afraid'
Torture and the Desert Spiders, "a left-field garage project based around the songwriting" of the Brooklyn-based Anna Kunz, has several shows coming up in the neighborhood, including Wednesday at Mercury Lounge and a residency at Baker Falls (April 22 and 29). Check them out.
The video here is for the track "Sinéad, I'm Afraid."
An oppportunity to decorate Ukrainian Easter eggs
Attendees use dyes, beeswax, and a stylus (all provided) to decorate the eggs with traditional Ukrainian designs. You get to keep what you make.
The event, which will last from noon to 5 p.m. and include several food vendors, will be held at the Ukrainian National Home, second floor, 140 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.
Details are on the above flyer.
On Avenue B, Green Line gets trimmed
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
We heard that several (unlicensed) local smoke shops were busted yesterday by local law enforcement (a multiagency raid under the New York City Sheriff's Joint Compliance Task Force).
Among them: Green Line at 42 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street.
Police said there weren't any arrests. Summons were issued, and some merch was seized.
Per a Green Line employee: "They didn't find anything — just Juul pods and cigarettes and stuff. So, we're good. The store is open again!"
First look at the revamped dog café Boris & Horton, which debuts tomorrow on Avenue A
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Boris & Horton, New York City's first dog café when it opened in 2018, is back — this time with new ownership and a fresh vision for its future.
After announcing its closure last November, former owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman left the door open for someone new to take over. Brooklyn resident Carol Krakowski has stepped in, reopening the café tomorrow (April 12) on Avenue A at 12th Street with a renewed focus on service and community.
Krakowski, who has a dog named Baja, originally planned to start a dog business of her own. When she learned Boris & Horton was available, she saw an opportunity to build on what existed.
"We hit it off," she said of her early conversations with the previous owners. "I'm thrilled to be here."
Krakowski is joined by general manager Ben Kaufman, an East Village resident (and his dog Mufasa). Together, they're introducing several changes while maintaining the café's original charm.
The name, branding, and dog-friendly mission remain, but guests will notice a new menu, hospitality-focused service, and minor tweaks to make the space more welcoming.
"We want to give the community a third space," Krakowski said.
Dogs are still welcome — provided they're well-socialized and up-to-date on vaccinations. There's a $5 flat service fee for the dog-friendly side of the café, which is waived for members. Memberships include unlimited visits. Laptops are discouraged in the dog area, especially after 5 p.m. and on weekends, to encourage social interaction.
The café will serve coffee from Devoción and feature local vendors such as Little Chonk, known for its dog bags.
The fully electric kitchen will offer items like a breakfast burrito with chorizo, maduros, and aji verde; arepas; salads; and sandwiches on housemade sourdough focaccia, affectionately named after its starter, "Benedict Sourbatch."
For dogs, the menu includes "Barkuterie Boards" with butcher cuts, pupper cups, and treats.
Addressing past concerns from the community over the previous ownership's fundraising efforts, Krakowski said, "I hope people are open to giving us a chance. We want the lovers to love it — and for others to know that I am a new owner."
Kaufman added, "Carol is separate. We're doing something new."
The grand reopening is tomorrow (Saturday, April 12!).
Boris & Horton will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can follow them on Instagram here.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Thursday's parting shot
Photo by Derek Berg
Crews and mannequins for "Dexter: Resurrection" were in the neighborhood today... we spotted some filming on Lafayette, and there was likely action elsewhere...
Michael C. Hall reprises his role as Dexter Morgan in the sequel series set to debut this summer. The cast includes Krysten Ritter, Steve Schirripa, Neil Patrick Harris, Peter Dinklage and Uma Thurman.
A sign of the end at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Photo by Pinch
Workers this afternoon were seen removing the Mount Sinai Beth Israel sign from atop the now-closed hospital on 16th Street and First Avenue... one day after the facility shut down for good.
Updated:
Leadership dispute erupts at the Sixth Street Community Center as longtime executive director dismissed
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Tensions are mounting at the Sixth Street Community Center, a long-standing institution on the Lower East Side, after the sudden termination of Executive Director Howard Brandstein earlier this week.
Brandstein, who has led the Center for nearly 35 years, was allegedly locked out of the building early Tuesday morning in what supporters describe as an abrupt and unilateral decision by the Center's current board of directors.
Founded in 1978, the Sixth Street Community Center between Avenue B and Avenue C has been an invaluable resource in the neighborhood, offering youth programs, organic food through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative, and free meals and produce during the pandemic. It has also played a role in advocating for community land trusts and affordable housing.
Supporters of Brandstein, who describe themselves as Friends of the Sixth Street Community Center, allege that the board acted without proper transparency or input from the larger community. They point to changes in the board's structure and bylaws over the past year, including a reduction in membership and the elimination of the Center's Advisory Board, as signs of a concerning shift in governance.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Brandstein called the firing "retaliatory," citing a human rights complaint he filed earlier this year against the board.
"After almost 50 years of service... this small group of authoritarians is determined to destroy all we have worked for," he said, adding that he intends to fight the decision.
According to Brandstein's statement and accounts from his supporters, board members entered the Center in the early morning hours, removed security cameras, changed the locks, and restricted his access to email and office space. A termination letter, which was said to be presented to police at the scene, was unsigned. A source at the 9th Precinct confirmed that officers were there on Tuesday morning and escorted Brandstein off the property "after getting fired via an email that he didn't receive."
Supporters said the termination tactics felt more like the moves of a ruthless Fortune 500 corporation than those of a grassroots organization built on decades of community sweat equity.
For their part, the four-member board released this statement to EVG:
The Sixth Street Community Center confirms that Howard Brandstein is no longer with the organization. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on personnel matters. Our focus remains on advancing the mission of the Sixth Street Community Center: fostering community empowerment, providing vital programs and services, and promoting the well-being of our neighborhood.We remain deeply committed to serving our community and continuing the important work that has been the heart of our organization for decades. We thank our supporters, partners, and community members for standing with us as we move forward together.
The Friends group has launched a petition calling for Brandstein's reinstatement. They also raised concerns about recent decisions by the board, including reduced food distribution, higher fees for after-school programs, and the hiring of what they characterize as an anti-union law firm.
The leadership dispute has sparked debate among residents and stakeholders about the Center's future and the role of community oversight in nonprofit governance. Some say the internal conflict risks overshadowing the vital services the Center continues to provide.
Why an East Village business chose a modified shipping container for its curbside service
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
In the past 10 days, we've seen a handful of East Village establishments set up curbside structures in this new Outdoor Dining era.
Per 2023 City Council legislation, roadway dining operates seasonally, from April 1 to Nov. 29. The revised regulations stipulate that roadway cafes must now be open-air, easily portable, and simple to assemble and dismantle.
At Book Club Bar, owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten chose a more cost-effective route by renting a modified shipping container with four tables and eight seats. (Westville East on Avenue A also selected a container model — see photo below.)
Neary (below) provided some insights about the application process and why they chose this way to add seats outside the bookstore at 197 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
What made you select this rental company — kef?
This company was ready to go. They are based in Ohio but store the containers in New Jersey.
They were primed and ready to work with the City's specs. They bring it, set it up, and take it away. They repair it over the winter.
Also, the shipping container floor panels pop up for cleaning, and there is space for drainage.
What is the cost, and what are you responsible for? Last week, Streetsblog reported that bars and restaurants could spend up to $35,000 for a setup in the roadway.
We pay the rental lease fee. The cost of our lease is $750 per month. We also pay the City's permit and license fees. [Book Club bought the tables and chairs.]
The setup is smaller than the curbside structure you had in recent years.
In years past, we shared our space with Kolkata next door, during COVID, when there were fewer restrictions. We would not have been allowed to share, nor would they have wanted to share the expense.
This time, the structure has a floor. We didn't have one last time, and there is a manhole that can't be covered.
Aside from coffee, tea and espresso drinks, Book Club serves alcohol. Will guests be able to bring beer or wine outside?
A fun surprise to us after they had accepted our application, the SLA said we had to file an alteration. We filed the permit, but needed one to file for the alteration. And we're ready to pay. As of April 1, we have conditional approval.
It's daunting, and it takes a lot of steps. I was impressed by the application site, which has a tracker that updates you on where you are in the process. I was willing to do it, but I understand why people wouldn't.
"We open our doors in the summer, and it flows into the outdoor space," she said, "It's inviting!"
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The larger shipping container dining structure at Westville East on Avenue A and 11th Street...
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Wednesday's parting shots
East Village musician Jesse Malin bringing his life story to the Gramercy Theatre
"We will be working it up all summer to bring it to you," he said in the Instagram announcement. "While I am still recovering, I won't be touring for a while, so you might have to come to my neighborhood to see me and the boys do this thing."
Presale tickets for the shows at the Gramercy Theatre on 23rd Street start today. (Password: JESSE.) The public sale starts Friday. Find ticket info here.
In May 2023, Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Malin, a partner in several local establishments, including Niagara, 96 Tears and the Bowery Electric, returned to the stage for the first time since early 2023 this past Dec. 1-2 at the Beacon Theater, billed as "the largest hometown show of his career."
He performed a set with his band. Then special guests, among others, Jim Jarmusch, the Hold Steady, Fred Armisen, Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Jakob Dylan, Butch Walker and J Mascis joined him on stage.
On March 26, Malin was among the musicians to pay tribute to Patti Smith at Carnegie Hall.
Malin, a Queens native, launched his music career at age 12 while fronting the hardcore band Heart Attack. He was later the lead vocalist of D Generation during the 1990s. Malin has become a prolific singer-songwriter with nine studio albums and an assortment of collaborations, including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Billie Joe Armstrong.
Saved from the dumpster: Classic Lower East Side signage rescued
Yesterday, workers from the New York Sign Museum (housed in space adjacent to Noble Signs in Brooklyn) removed the Louis Zuflacht/154/Smart Clothes sign from 154 Stanton St. at Suffolk Street, sparing it from an unceremonious ending in a dumpster. (Thanks to EVG reader Seth for the photo and tip!)
The New York Sign Museum is a nonprofit foundation "dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of advertising and signage in New York City and the surrounding areas."
The current two-story building on Stanton and Suffolk is due for a luxury upgrade, adding two floors and a penthouse.
Here's a rendering showing the possibilities for a lux conversion at No. 154 (we haven't seen a final rendering) ...
According to Ephemeral New York, the sign dates to 1942 and served (until yesterday) as a "a time machine to the Lower East Side's midcentury days as a neighborhood crammed with cut-rate clothes and accessories shops — and aggressive store clerks hawking their goods to crowds of shoppers."
Mr. Zuflacht was born in Austria in 1881 and arrived in New York in 1900. After an unsuccessful attempt at selling clothes at 184 Stanton St., Zuflacht took over No. 154 in the early 1940s and worked for decades with his sons at the tailor shop and haberdashery. He died in 1986.
It's not immediately known when the shop closed.
Since the mid-1980s, the space has been home to various businesses, including a vintage shop or two and the New York Studio Gallery.
The subsequent businesses (and the landlord) kept the Zuflacht signage up through the years.
Per Ephemeral New York:
And why should they? It's a wonderful remnant of a certain era in Manhattan, and an accidental memorial to a man who invested much of his life in a Lower East Side garment district of inexpensive "smart" clothes for bargain-hunting buyers.
And we're glad to see it preserved as part of the city's rich small business history.
Brooklyn's Maya Taqueria is bringing California-style tacos to Avenue A
Photo by Stacie Joy
Ray's Candy Store will have a new neighbor this summer.
Signage for Maya Taqueria arrived yesterday at 115 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
Maya has outposts in Park Slope and Prospect Heights. Per the Maya website: "For over 15 years we've been proudly serving a taste of the Mission District to the people of Brooklyn."
The taqueria takes over for Green World Convenience, a smoke shop-deli combo that went dark last fall.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
[Updated] Court clears way for Mount Sinai Beth Israel to close on 1st Avenue and 16th Street
Updated 4/9: The Mount Sinai Beth Israel Instagram account states that the facility closed this morning at 8. The emergency department was the last remaining service left at Beth Israel.
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Mount Sinai said it was opening an urgent care center in the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai complex on 14th Street and Second Avenue.
Per NY1:
"This urgent care center has already been constructed and will be ready to take patients prior to the hospital's closing," Mount Sinai said.While Beth Israel is no longer providing inpatient services, its emergency department will continue to accept walk-ins until the hospital closes for good, Mount Sinai added.
As previously reported, Mount Sinai must operate a new 24/7 urgent care center near the hospital for at least three months and reach an agreement with New York City Health + Hospitals to invest in expanding Bellevue Hospital's emergency room and psychiatric emergency department.
The coalition's pro-bono lawyer, Arthur Schwartz, told NY1 they will file an emergency motion with New York State's Court of Appeals.
Mount Sinai officials have said Beth Israel lost $1 billion in the last decade due to dwindling cash reserves and reduced bed counts.
The 799-bed teaching hospital was initially proposed to close on July 12, 2024.
Beth Israel was founded in 1890 on the Lower East Side and moved to its current location on 16th Street and First Avenue in 1929.
A visit to Holographic Studios on 2nd Street
Photos and interview by Stacie Joy
Holographic Studios recently relocated from East 26th Street, its home since 1979, to 173 Second St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
I stopped by to speak with studio owner and creative director Sy Rivers to discuss what, exactly, holograms are, the journey from apprentice to owner, and how they are getting settled into their new location.
What is a hologram, and what can people expect when they visit the space?
A hologram is a photograph of three-dimensional impressions that are on the surface of light waves. This means they are true 3-D, not an illusion! The holographic works in the gallery reveal more to the image and shift as you move around them, and also display beautiful rainbow colors due to the visible spectrum of light.
There are two main types: reflection (where the hologram reflects light to create a three-dimensional image) and transmission (where light shines through). Both of these types are currently on display, as well as some more niche techniques. We also have a large amount of vintage holographic stickers and accessories from the 1980s and 1990s for sale, which make amazing gifts. Starting in May, we will also have a laser laboratory and darkroom available for classes.
Our old location was very beloved due to its role in New York history, the history of holography, and all the amazing memories it holds from the last 46 years. But when our founder, Dr. Laser (aka Jason Sapan), decided to leave the city to pursue the next chapter in his life, it just made sense to have the Studio move into its new chapter with a location change.
The East Village has personal significance for me as someone who grew up in the city and spent the formative years of my life in this neighborhood. I feel very proud to be continuing a legacy of local avant-garde art! It took five months to find the perfect spot, but when I saw the gallery on Second Street, it felt like everything aligned.
Our old Studio was more of a hidden gem, but this space gives me the opportunity to introduce many more people to holography who otherwise may never have seen anything like this before. What we do is so unique, so it makes perfect sense we would find a new home in the East Village.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey from apprentice to owner?
I've always had an interest in holography ever since I received a Polaroid Future Vision sticker as a child (which we actually sell at the Studio now). After producing my first holograms in college and returning home to New York upon graduation, I was looking for a way to continue studying this incredible medium.
I met Dr. Laser and started working at Holographic Studios as an intern. There have been so many incredible interns at the Studio who have gone on to achieve award-winning careers in their chosen creative field. Jason has been an inspiration to many, myself included.
Over the years, as we became closer and cemented a mentor/mentee relationship, I expressed a desire to devote my life to the art of holography and make sure that it doesn't become a lost art. So when the time came for him to close up shop on 26th Street and move on to new horizons, I was the obvious choice to pass the torch and continue his legacy.
What would you tell people about terminology: laser, hologram, holograph, etc.?
The terminology can get a little tricky, so here's a quick overview.
LASER stands for Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is a device that produces a concentrated beam of light by stimulating atoms or molecules to emit light at particular wavelengths. We use different types of lasers for different types of holography.
The preferred word is "hologram." A "holograph" is a handwritten document, not related to what we do. "Holography" is the word for the technique and art form, and a "holographer" is someone who produces holograms. All things pertaining to holography are referred to as "holographic."
What has the neighborhood reception been like since you opened last month?
The reception has been wonderful! It's been so great getting to know the community over the past few weeks. I look forward to forging and deepening connections with local art spaces, small businesses, and our neighbors going forward.
Holographic Studios welcomes everyone. So come visit, whether you're interested in the medium, have an idea for a custom project, or want to see art and learn something new. 
Studio hours are: Tuesday 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m., or by appointment.
You can follow the Studio on Instagram for updates on exhibits and other special events.
Angels on A has closed
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
After 18 months at 66 Avenue A, Angels on A has closed.
On Sunday, I came across a sales rack of clothing outside the partially shuttered storefront between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...
Inside, the store was nearly empty ...
Owner Angel Ramirez, who launched the business as Downtown Threads in the fall of 2023, said that they decided to call it quits.
"With rising rent and real estate taxes so high, it didn't make sense to continue to operate," he said.
Still, Ramirez hopes to find a more affordable storefront somewhere downtown.
"We are looking at a new space to potentially relocate, looking at spaces on the Lower East Side," he said. "I'm a lifelong resident of the area, and it hurts to have to close."
He said people can follow the shop's Instagram account for relocation updates.
"Thank you to the community for the continued support," Ramirez said. "In the last few days, we've received tons of really sweet messages of love
and support. Appreciate everyone: Big hugs."
Three businesses remain on the once-livelier block — Mast Books, March Gallery and the liquor store, which changed hands earlier this year.
Openings: Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao on Houston Street
We couldn't find anything about Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao other than the well-liked soup dumpling stall in the Chinatown Complex Market in Singapore.
There's an extensive menu — served all day — with various dumplings, appetizers and noodle dishes.
Meanwhile, on the Allen Street side of the establishment, there's another sign for Blue Peak Villa... and another mystery.
This large space has been vacant for years... before Only Love Strangers, a bi-level jazz bar and restaurant concept from the team behind MáLà Project, opened here last April. The place was rebranded upstairs to become Comida Corrida, which served Mexican fare several months later. They were closed by the fall.
Monday, April 7, 2025
Monday's parting shot
RIP Blondie drummer Clem Burke. He was 70.
Previously on EVG:
RIP Clem Burke
Clem Burke was 70.
Thank you all. Clem loved what he was doing. He lived his dream
— Cʜʀɪs Sᴛᴇɪɴ (@chrisstein.bsky.social) April 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
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New East Village café aims to blend coffee and creativity
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
"We want to have a conventional coffee shop from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to serve drinks and pastries to the local community," Shrestha said. "In the later afternoon into the evening, we will transform into a social space and host activities such as painting, writing and poetry nights to bring people together and connect with the creative fields."
The café, which has a no-laptop policy, focuses on espresso-based drinks and matcha. They've also partnered with a few local bakeries to sell fresh croissants and baklava. In the near future, Shrestha plans to add specialty items like Turkish chai, Turkish coffee and Masala chai.
During a visit to No Nazar last week, Shrestha shared more about the space between Avenue A and First Avenue.
No Nazar Café is inspired by the word nazar, which means sight, surveillance and attention, and is often symbolized by the evil eye.
The legend of the evil eye is a widespread superstition, rooted in ancient traditions, that a malevolent gaze can bring bad luck or harm to the recipient. No Nazar Café signifies the warding off of bad luck and energy, focusing on good energy only.
What drew you to the East Village?
The East Village is one of the most inspiring communities I have come across. When I thought about opening a café, I wanted to showcase the community it exists in with a focus on local artists and fostering creativity.
This creative drive led me to leave the corporate world and open this cafe, and that sentiment fuels our mission.
One of our baristas lives a few paces up East 10th Street, and the rest of our staff frequent the area but live further north in Manhattan.
You can follow No Nazar Café on Instagram for updates on programming.
