Farewell to Two Boots Pizza for now

Photos by Stacie Joy 

After decades at Avenue A and Third Street, Two Boots Pizza served its final slices here last night. 

The closure comes after a rent increase that owner Phil Hartman said made it impossible to stay, as we first reported.

Still, there's hope for a sequel: Hartman is searching for a new East Village home and plans to bring many of the shop's murals, mosaics and other artwork along for the next chapter. 

Meanwhile, here's a look at the final night on Avenue A...

Longtime EV-based photographer Godlis was among those in attendance...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Two Boots Pizza is moving — but staying in the East Village

Saturday's opening shot

The latest ramp at the TF in Tompkins Square Park... and if you're going to be outdoors today, expect windy, cooler conditions with a mix of sun and clouds, per the weather charts we studied and then cut-and-paste from... 

Outdoor activities today include the 13th annual Spring Awakening via LUNGS ... the rain-delayed celebration of neighborhood community gardens and Earth Day. 

You could also grab your board and give Hell Ride a whirl.

'Love' saves the day

Photo of Bob Bert at Night Club 101 on Avenue A by Stacie Joy 

Veteran drummer Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Chrome Cranks, Knoxville Girls, Lydia Lunch Retrovirus, etc.) is releasing his debut solo album, Beach Bongo Bloodbath, on June 12 via Bar/None Records. 

The percussion-heavy, no-guitar release features several covers, including "Love Comes in Spurts," originally recorded by Richard Hell and the Voidoids in 1977.

In the video below, Hell, a longtime EV resident, makes an appearance... it also features Mary Hanley of Bunny X. 

There's a record release bash at the Bowery Palace on June 15.

 

The Paulie Gee's East Village Slice Shop is officially open

Photos by Stacie Joy

Paulie Gee's East Village Slice Shop opened yesterday afternoon at First Avenue and Sixth Street. 

As we've been reporting (like here), the new pizzeria is owned and operated by George Linn, a longtime Paulie Gee collaborator who helped bring the Brooklyn-based pizza brand to the neighborhood.

Paulie Gee and his wife, Mary Ann Giannone, were on hand, along with some superfans.

Here are a few pics by Stacie Joy right before the doors officially opened … and once they did. 

P.S. Paulie Gee mural on the Sixth Street side by DASCOOL!

Hours of operation at Paulie Gee's: Sunday to Wednesday: 11 a.m.-midnight; Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

LUNGS Spring Awakening returns Saturday (tomorow!) with parade and garden festivities

The 13th Annual LUNGS Spring Awakening returns this Saturday (TOMORROW!) after two weather-related delays in recent weeks. Looks like we finally have some sunshine for this.

The neighborhood-wide celebration — hosted by Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS) — kicks off at noon with a parade starting at El Sol Brillante (522 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B). The procession heads east on 12th Street, loops down Avenue C, and makes its way through Tompkins Square Park before exiting at Ninth Street and Avenue B. 

Avenue B will be closed between Seventh Street and 10th Street with events as part of the Open Streets program. 

In addition, you can check out some live music at DeColores Community Yard (311 E. Eighth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C) from 2-6 p.m. Details here. 

As 2026 nears the halfway point, New York State eliminates restrictions on dancing in bars

From "Footloose." Rev. Moore, seen here reacting to someone saying, 

"Actually, this meeting could have been an email." 

From the SLA yesterday: 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new policy to eliminate outdated restrictions on dancing in bars and restaurants. Effective immediately, the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) will no longer require applicants to disclose whether dancing will be permitted by patrons or consider questions on the application about patron dancing when reviewing on-premises license applications. 

This policy change builds on Governor Hochul;s broader efforts to support live performances, arts and entertainment across New York and to modernize policies impacting the state’s nightlife and hospitality industry. 

In 1997, Mayor Giuliani resurrected and enforced a Prohibition-era statute known as the Cabaret Law as part of his "quality of life" campaign. Per the Internet, the New York City Cabaret Law, originally passed in 1926, prohibited dancing in any public space selling food or drink unless the establishment obtained a special, difficult-to-get "cabaret license."

Inside the new ABC No Rio

Photos and story by Stacie Joy 

After years in development — and nearly eight years after the former building was demolished — the new home for ABC No Rio is inching closer to opening on the Lower East Side.

ABC No Rio executive director Gavin Marcus recently gave us a full hard-hat tour of the building, which is now targeting a mid-July completion date for Phase 1 construction, followed by final inspections, furnishing and a certificate of occupancy process, with hopes of opening to the public by the end of October.

Plans are underway for an opening block party, concerts and an art show tied to the organization’s punk roots.

The new five-floor building at 156 Rivington St. between Clinton and Suffolk will include a 150-capacity performance venue, art gallery, zine library, print shop, computer lab, darkroom, community kitchen, meeting spaces and classrooms. The new ABC No Rio will also include a second-floor kitchen designed with input from Food Not Bombs, including community kitchen space for those who need it.

The eco-conscious building will also feature a green roof, solar panels and a planted, offset vine façade being developed with Brooklyn Grange.

"ABC No Rio is more than just a building. It's a culture," Marcus said during the tour. "And the culture shapes the character of the space."

The city has contributed $21 million toward the project through the Department of Cultural Affairs. 

ABC No Rio's previous building was demolished in 2017 after years of structural concerns.

The wisteria house of Stuyvesant Street is under contract

Photos by Stacie Joy

A tipster tells us that the wisteria-adorned townhouse at 35 Stuyvesant St. is now under contract, several months after returning to the sales market.

As previously reported, the five-story home — famous for its cascading purple blooms each spring — was listed in February for $3.895 million. 

The architecturally significant townhouse, built in 1861 by James Renwick Jr., located near 10th Street, has long been one of the East Village's most photographed homes.

The property arrived on the market in 2023 for the first time since longtime owner Lee B. Anderson (RIP 2010) purchased it in 1958. (His caretaker had been living here.)

Anderson, known as "the godfather of the Gothic revival in America," received a Village Preservation Award in 2003 for "nurturing his wisteria and making the Village a more beautiful place."

We trust the next owners will know the neighborhood expects spring wisteria updates.

H/T CS on B!

Hello, Yam! says goodbye

Photo by Steven 

Hello, Yam! has closed shop at 443 E. Ninth St. at Avenue A.

The business, which debuted in October 2023, specialized in desserts made with Japanese sweet potatoes. 

Moving forward, the owners said on Instagram that they'd be focusing on selling their goods at food festivals.

Bigger signage alert: Mixue on 4th Avenue

Work continues on Mixue, the latest quick-serve concept for the SE corner of Fourth Avenue and 13th Street.  

The company, which launched in China in 1997, offers coffee, milk teas, soft serve and fruit drinks. 

They entered the U.S. market last year, including in NYC. And with 40,000 global outposts, it is considered the world's largest fast-food chain, per The Takeout. 

The storefront was previously LoveMi, which sold boba teas and yogurt... taking over a long-empty space that was once home to Liquiteria (RIP January 2020).

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Avenue B streetscene (outside Thayer) with (from left) Adam Zhu, Arsun and Tasmin Meyer Ersahin.

Pardon My French will close after dinner service on Saturday

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Pardon My French on Avenue B is closing after a decade-plus in the neighborhood. 

Staffers at the Parisian-style bistro at 103 Avenue B, between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, told EVG that owner Antonin Brune informed them a few days ago that service would end after Saturday's dinner. No reason for an official closing was cited. 

The restaurant's Instagram account posted the news this afternoon, stating in part:

A heartfelt thanks to our team, friends, regulars, and all who walked through our doors. This community gave this restaurant its heart. Your support meant more than we can put into words.

Pardon My French opened in March 2015, taking over the longtime home of the bistro Casimir. 

The restaurant includes a front bar area, dining space, a private dining room next door and backyard seating.

18-to-life sentence in fatal 2024 East Village stabbing

Reader photo from June 23, 2024 

Alejandro Piedra was sentenced yesterday to 18 years to life in state prison for the fatal stabbing of Clemson Cockfield and the wounding of two others during a violent June 2024 attack in the East Village.

 

In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said, "Alejandro Piedra has been sentenced to a state prison term for murdering Clemson Cockfield and brutally stabbing two other New Yorkers. This horrific violence unfolded on busy East Village streets, leaving a family in mourning and significantly harming the two survivors." 

As previously reported, Piedra pleaded guilty in January to Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree in connection with the June 23, 2024, stabbing spree near 14th Street and First Avenue ... and on 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Authorities said the violence unfolded during two confrontations involving Piedra, who was 30 at the time, Cockfield, Cockfield's wife and another acquaintance. 

Cockfield was fatally stabbed during the second altercation on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A. His wife suffered critical injuries and required emergency surgery. 

The attack, which unfolded on a Sunday afternoon along one of the neighborhood's busiest corridors, reignited longtime concerns about safety conditions around 14th Street and First Avenue, with residents and local officials once again calling for more resources and attention for the area.

The Paulie Gee's East Village Slice Shop opens TOMORROW

Photos and story by Stacie Joy

After months of renovations and permit wrangling, the first East Village Paulie Gee's Slice Shop is ready to open its doors.

The new outpost at 100 First Ave. at Sixth Street (former Dunkin') officially debuts tomorrow afternoon (with 30% off slices all day, according to the shop's Instagram account).

As previously reported, the East Village location is owned and operated by George Lin, a longtime employee of Paulie Gee's. 

Paulie and company said the shop is modeled after the Greenpoint slice location that opened in 2018, featuring a retro-style interior with checkerboard tile floors, wood paneling and a straightforward pizza focus.

Expect the usual whole pies and classic NYC slices, along with vegan options, plus a small seating area with four tables and a window counter. Sodas for now, with a beer-wine license on the way.

Updated hours of operation at Paulie Gee's: Sunday to Wednesday: 11 a.m.-midnight; Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Paulie Gee tells us more about his slice shop opening on 1st Avenue in the East Village

Openings: Drāvida on 1st Avenue

Photo by Juan Carlos Dominguez

Drāvida debuted last Thursday at 211 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. 

The restaurant by chef Aarthi Sampath draws from South Asian cuisines and diaspora cooking, with influences from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Trinidad, Guyana and elsewhere. 

Menu items include Trinidadian doubles, oxtail bunny chow, idlis with shrimp, and nasi kandar. Find the menu here. 

The two-floor establishment includes a 20-seat downstairs bar called Jam and Jaggery. 

Sampath moved to New York from Mumbai in 2013 and previously worked at restaurants including Junoon, The Breslin and the Rainbow Room. (You may also recognize her from some reality TV shows, like when she won on "Chopped" and "Beat Bobby Flay.") 

No. 211 has been vacant since Luzzo's left here in 2022.

Tuesday's parting shots

On Avenue A, just another savvy New York pigeon (thanks Bettina)... and below, cake left out overnight in Tompkins Square Park. Happy birthday! (thanks James Chambers)...