Village View board exploring development options for one of its parking lots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The board at Village View, the 1,236-unit Mitchell-Lama cooperative that opened in 1964 between First Avenue and Avenue A, has taken another step toward exploring the future of Parking Lot 7. 

According to minutes from the co-op's January board meeting, directors voted to hire Alan Cohen of ABS Partners under a six-month exclusive contract to market Parking Lot 7 — located on Second Street between Avenue A and First Avenue — to prospective residential developers.

The board had previously met with representatives from the law firm Sheppard Mullin, former City Council member Domenic Recchia, and Cohen to discuss potential economic opportunities associated with the site. 

While no formal redevelopment proposal has been made public, the board's decision to retain a broker has prompted questions among some shareholders about what, exactly, could be built there and how any future project might affect the co-op and the surrounding neighborhood. 

The possibility of redevelopment has raised concerns among some shareholders, who say they want more transparency about the process and assurances that affordable housing will be considered if the site ultimately moves forward with development. 

Since January, several residents have contacted EVG, saying the concerns extend beyond parking.

"Village View has been a steadfast example of mixed-use affordable housing that works and is financially stable — a godsend for many families," one resident said. "We want transparency and to know that affordable housing is being considered in this project." 

A resident-run website, VillageViewCommunity.com, has been documenting concerns surrounding the proposal. In recent posts, contributors questioned the board's handling of the process. They cited statements made during an April 28 meeting, including discussion of more than $300,000 in spending on legal, lobbying and development-related work before many shareholders were aware of the initiative. 

The site has also raised concerns about whether shareholders will have an opportunity to vote on any future transaction involving the property.

These are the free movies screening in Tompkins Square Park this summer

ICYMI... The Lower East Side Film Festival is bringing its free summer screening series back to Tompkins Square Park this summer. 

Here's what is on the docket: 

• July 22 — "Little Miss Sunshine" 

• Aug. 5 — "Super Troopers" 

• Aug. 19 — "Beasts of the Southern Wild" 

Each screening, beginning around 8:30 p.m., takes place in the center of the park, where the bands usually perform on weekends. 

The series is in partnership with presenting sponsor Searchlight Pictures and local City Councilmember Harvey Epstein ... with community support from East Village Community Coalition, Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), and Loisaida Inc. Center.

Openings: Alma Mexicana Restaurante on 3rd Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

There's a new restaurant serving Mexican and Dominican fare on Third Street. 

Alma Mexicana Restaurante recently opened in the former Rossy's Bakery & Café space between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

The name translates to "Soul of Mexico." Owner Luis Cano's restaurant debuted on June 1 and is serving a menu of Mexican and Dominican dishes, including tacos ($3 each or two for $5), pollo guisado platters with rice and beans, plus snacks such as alcapurrias and empanadas.

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

Rossy's Bakery & Café closed in April after 16 years in the neighborhood. 

Owner Roselia "Rossy" Caba told us last year that trying to stay affordable while covering costs was no longer sustainable.

NY Copy Print & Ship Center preparing to close after 34 years on 7th Street

Another longtime neighborhood business is preparing to say goodbye. 

NY Copy Print & Ship Center, a family-owned business at 13 E. Seventh St. near Cooper Square, is winding down after 34 years. 

Owner Mousume Sarker told EVG that the shop had originally planned to close last summer but decided to stay open for one more year.

Now, however, the end is in sight ... with a closing set next month.

"The rent is very high for us, and trying to negotiate with the landlord didn't work out," Sarker said. 

The business opened in 1992 and has served generations of neighborhood residents needing copies, printing, shipping and other office services. 

"Thirty-four years in business — it's a milestone for me," Sarker said. 

As part of the closing process, all stationery merchandise is now marked down 50% to 70%. 

Current hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The incoming Barnes & Noble gets the plywood treatment on Avenue A

The retail space at 181 Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street is now wrapped in plywood as workers are prepping the interior for the first tenant here — Barnes & Noble. (First reported here.)

The Barnes & Noble website lists a November opening.

The storefront in the base of Steiner East Village has been vacant since residents began moving into the condoplex eight years ago. 

Developer Douglas Steiner bought the former Mary Help of Christians property here in 2012 from the Archdiocese of New York for $41 million. During the summer of 2013, workers demolished the church, school and rectory.

Closures: Gooey On the Inside Cookies

Photo by William Klayer

Gooey On the Inside Cookies has closed its East Village outpost after nearly nine months at 149 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. 

In an Instagram message, owner Kafi Dublin said the space "just wasn't working" for the business and added that the landlord agreed to let her out of the lease. 

Dublin, who started baking and selling cookies as a kid, opened Gooey's first storefront on Chrystie Street in 2017 after leaving her job as a clinical analyst with the city. Her gooey-centered cookies have since developed a national following, with orders shipped across the country.

In February, she opened a location on Christopher Street. The Chrystie and Christopher shops remain open.

Openings: Tacos Domingo on 1st Avenue

A quick post to say that Tacos Domingo officially opened yesterday on the southwest corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. 

As previously reported, the Mexico City-based taquería is making its first expansion outside its home market with the East Village outpost. 

Tacos Domingo is known for its charcoal-grilled meats and handmade flour tortillas. They are also only focusing on a few menu items...

The space also includes several standing communal tables... and per one reader, a fixings bar with various salsas and guacamole. 

The restaurant arrives with a fan base, thanks to a series of NYC pop-ups and collaborations, including well-received events with Apollo Bagels and Esse Taco. 

An EVG reader left us this report: "Charcoal-grilled meat is my thing, these were quite good — but the bean and cheese was even better," CHFDigital said. "Definitely a great addition to the neighborhood."

Current hours are noon to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday's parting shot

In First Street Green Art Park (33 E. First St. + Houston at Second Avenue)... new Knicks mural by Cram Concepts ... Ratchi NYC and @yellowkidslanty... 

Scenes from the 3rd annual Lower East Side Puerto Rican Parade & Festival

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Puerto Rican flags were flying — and so were plenty of Knicks colors — as the third annual Lower East Side Puerto Rican Parade & Festival stepped off yesterday afternoon.

This year's parade honored Kanielle Hernandez as Madrina and Frige as Padrino (below)...

The march made its way from Columbia and Rivington streets to Avenue D and 12th Street, where a community celebration showcased Puerto Rican culture, heritage and resilience through music, dancing and neighborhood camaraderie...

Even an approaching thunderstorm that cut the festivities short couldn't take much away from the day's celebratory mood.

Week in Grieview

We spy Clyde! The neighborhood pup was keeping a low profile while hanging out with his owner, Santo Mollica of The Source Unltd copy shop. Photo by Steven.

Meanwhile, posts from this past week included...

• Community input wanted for the $30.2 million renovation of the Tompkins Square Library (June 3) 

• For HAGS, bigger things are on the menu with new space on the Bowery (June 1) 

• Pride outside the 2nd Avenue F stop (June 5) 

• A look at 'Loisaida Thrives' on Avenue C and 6th Street (May 31) 

• Hoy! Filipino Street Food is heading to Clinton and Houston (June 2) 

• East Village musician Franzi Szymkowiak on her band Lukka’s latest release (June 3)

• Book Club Bar reopens after a spring spruce-up (June 6) 

• After a lengthy pause, construction restarts at 1st Avenue and 2nd Street (June 1) 

• No more Karma for the East Village (June 2) 

• ‘No Picnic’ starting its 8th week at the Film Forum (June 5) 

• Viral vexors prompt no-filming policy at 1st Avenue smoke shop (June 2) 

• The 5th annual LUNGS Theater Festival takes place this weekend (June 4) 

• Retro signage alert: Good Time Country Buffet on 1st Avenue (June 3) 

• Hoffmaier & Hoffmaier leaves Avenue B after 25-plus years (June 4) 

• Tribeca Festival time at the Village East by Angelika (June 2)

• Openings and reopenings on 3rd Avenue: Han Dynasty and Olio e Più (June 1) 

• Closings: Marylou on St. Mark's Place (June 3) 

• The 'best burritos' in Los Angeles are coming to Lafayette Street this fall (June 3) 

• Cotti Coffee coming to 14th Street (June 4) 

• Openings: Cups of Pasta on 4th Street (June 1) 

• EVG highlights from May (May 31) 

• EVG road trip: Total Bummer at the Knockdown Center (June 1) 

... and Udder madness on Avenue B! New this past week outside the newish Andrew Steak Society at 51 Avenue B between Third and Fourth streets... something for influencers and vandals... (photos by Stacie Joy)

Sunday's opening shot

The fifth annual LUNGS (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) Theater Festival continues today at the 6th Street and Avenue B Garden. 

The free performances run from 1-5 p.m. (Note: Today's program is the same as yesterday's.) In total, there are five original one-act plays. For a preview, visit the LUNGS website here.

Saturday's parting short

Right when the rain started falling this evening on St. Mark's Place...

Noted

EVG reader Cynthia Reynolds shares these photos from Fifth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery this morning, where someone took the time to warn the owners of two parked cars that a man was on the pavement directly in front of — or behind — their vehicles.

Fortunately, by the time Cynthia took these, the man had apparently moved along...

Important dates leading up to the June 23 New York Primary

Visit Vote NYC for more info.

Book Club Bar reopens after a spring spruce-up

Photos by Stacie Joy

Book Club Bar is back in action today following a brief closure. 

As previously reported, the bookstore-bar at 197 E. Third St., just west of Avenue B, closed on May 4 for repairs, maintenance and a general refresh of the space. 

We stopped by last evening for a quick look and caught up with co-owners Erin Neary and Nat Esten...

The temp closure also timed with the opening of a second Book Club Bar location in Bushwick, which debuted on Troutman Street on May 2. 

The EV outpost is open daily: Sunday-Wednesday 9 a.m. to midnight; Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Caturday's opening shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Sky looks thrilled by his newfound fame at Love Story on Third Street near Avenue B...

Friday's parting shot

On the Open Street of St. Mark's Place this evening between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Snap, crackle and dream pop

We've been listening to Sungaze of late, a Cincinnati-based band that falls into the dream pop-shoegaze category. (The band says, "the Sungaze sound is cinematic, comforting, and warmly nostalgic.")

 The video here is for "Rice Crispies." 

For any last-minute folks, Sungaze is on a bill tonight at TVEye in Ridgewood.

'No Picnic' starting its 8th week at the Film Forum

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Philip Hartman (@philhartman41)

The Film Forum is at 209 W. Houston St. between Sixth Avenue and Varick. Ticket info here.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Phil Hartman on 'No Picnic' and capturing a vanishing East Village in the 1980s

Pride outside the 2nd Avenue F stop

Here's a look at the Pride Month mural outside the Second Avenue F stop... art by Ricky Sencion. 

This is the ninth Pride mural here curated by photographer-filmmaker Daniel "Dusty" Albanese. (Dusty has more about the work on Instagram.)

And read about Sencion's pink sheep art at the Los Angeles Times.

The Lower East Side Puerto Rican Parade is back for a third year tomorrow

The third annual Lower East Side Puerto Rican Parade & Festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 4 to 8:30 p.m. 

The parade begins at Columbia and Rivington Streets and proceeds north to 12th Street and Avenue D, followed by a community celebration highlighting Puerto Rican culture, heritage, and resilience.

Organizers say the event aims to honor the contributions of Puerto Ricans on the Lower East Side while bringing together neighbors through music, dance and community spirit.

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The Summer of Ludd is coming to Tompkins Square Park this June 28...

The 5th annual LUNGS Theater Festival takes place this weekend

The fifth annual LUNGS (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) Theater Festival is this weekend at the 6th Street and Avenue B Garden. 

The free performances start at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. (Note: The program is the same each day.) In total, there are five original one-act plays. For a detailed preview, visit the LUNGS website here.

Joseph Papp began the outdoor theater tradition on the Lower East Side in 1956 when he introduced "Shakespeare in the Park" in the East River Park Amphitheater. In 2022, LUNGS continued this part of his legacy with the free Summer Theater Festival.

Hoffmaier & Hoffmaier leaves Avenue B after 25-plus years

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

One of the neighborhood's longtime professional offices has left the neighborhood.

After more than 25 years at 13 Avenue B between Houston and Second Street, Hoffmaier & Hoffmaier Law Offices has relocated to 305 E. 24th St. near Second Avenue.

The practice was one of those quietly reliable neighborhood fixtures, helping residents with notary services, wills and other legal paperwork for decades. 

Partner Neva Hoffmaier didn't elaborate on the reasons for the relocation, though she emphasized that the practice remains open and that all client files have been transferred to the new office.

As for what's next for the Avenue B storefront, Hoffmaier wasn't sure. 

"Probably a gut reno," she said.

Cotti Coffee coming to 14th Street

Photo via EVG reader Brian Carroll 

Renovations continue at 223 E. 14th St., where there will soon be another coffee option on the block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

Signage arrived earlier this spring for Cotti Coffee. This will be the latest NYC location for the China-based multinational company, which has more than 14,000 stores in 28 countries. 

The founders previously helmed Luckin Coffee, another China-based chain pursuing U.S. expansion, before becoming embroiled in a high-profile accounting scandal. 

No. 223 has been vacant for a few years since the demise of Smokers Zone 1.