Tompkins Square Library branch books a temporary closure

Photos by Stacie Joy

The Tompkins Square Library is checking out a two-week late-summer break. 

The New York Public Library branch at 331 E. 10th St., between Avenue A and Avenue B, will be temporarily closed from today through Aug. 22 for "needed building work ahead of next year's major renovation," per door signage for patrons.

During the closure, patrons are encouraged to use the Ottendorfer Library, Seward Park Library or Epiphany Library. Hold requests made during the closure can be picked up at Ottendorfer, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

The temporary closure comes ahead of a $30.2 million comprehensive renovation of the 122-year-old Carnegie branch, as we first reported here. The project, now in the design phase, will reconfigure the library to create dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults.

Plans also call for ADA upgrades to the entrance, bathrooms and elevator, along with new furniture, upgraded technology and modernized building systems. 

Construction on the major renovation is currently projected to be completed in December 2028. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Community input wanted for the $30.2 million renovation of the Tompkins Square Library

St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery looks to the air for its future

St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery received city approval for a plan to sell some of its unused development rights to a proposed residential project on Third Avenue.

As The Living Church magazine first reported, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the transfer on July 21, allowing the historic church at 131 E. 10th St. at Second Avenue to sell air rights (aka transferable development rights).

The rights would be transferred to a development site at 50-64 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. Kinsmen Property Group, a joint venture between State Building Group and Madison Group, is planning a residential building of up to 160,000 square feet at the site, as we've been reporting. 

The deal is notable because the receiving property isn't directly adjacent to St. Mark's. Changes enacted under the city's City of Yes zoning overhaul expanded where landmarked properties can transfer their unused development rights. 

The process came before Community Board 3 in June, when members approved a continuing maintenance plan required for the transfer. Beyer Blinder Belle Architects conducted a conditions survey of the church and developed a plan that prioritizes critical repairs, with additional maintenance taking place over several years. 

The sale is expected to close by year’s end. Until then, details of the agreement, including the sale price, remain confidential.

According to The Living Church, the sale will provide greater financial stability for maintaining the landmark while allowing operating income. 

"We don't have to worry about these vital repairs anymore…instead, we can say, we 'have these things covered.' We can keep our building in sound repair, and we can continue to do the vital mission work and ministry work that we've been doing for so long," the Rev. Anne Marie Witchger, rector of the church, told the publication.

The current St. Mark's Church building was completed in 1799 on a site with a history of worship dating to the 17th century. It is one of the oldest church buildings in Manhattan. 

On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: Tompkins Social Club on 6th Street

A new bar-restaurant concept called Tompkins Social Club is in the works for 503 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

The applicants are on tonight's Community Board 3 SLA committee docket for a new liquor license. The principals aren't new to the bar-restaurant business: They have previously been licensed for the now-closed Figaro on Bleecker Street. 

According to the application materials, the space would have 50 seats — 14 at the bar, 24 in four booths and another 12 at a banquette — as well as a small stage. 

The proposed food menu — described as "modern American" — leans into New York comfort and street food, with sections dubbed "The Deli," "The Bodega," "The Cart" and "The Slice Shop." 

Offerings include pastrami on rye, chopped cheese, bacon-egg-and-cheese, dirty-water dog, chicken over rice and a "dollar slice." There are also bánh mì bao buns, pork soup dumplings, steak frites, fish and chips, several varieties of fries and black-and-white cookies. 

On the drinks side, the proposed menu includes martinis, Negronis, margaritas, Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, along with wine and beers, plus a "Nada List" of nonalcoholic cocktails. 

No. 503 has sat empty since the cocktail-oyster bar Down and Out went dark in late 2024.

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CB3's SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30. The Zoom link is here. This is a hybrid meeting, and limited public seating is available. The first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St., between Second Avenue and the Bowery, will be accommodated.

Behold! Ecce is bringing square slices to 2nd Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Ecce, a new pizza shop at 77 Second Ave. between Fourth and Fifth Streets, is set to open today. 

Owner Kyle Downey said the shop will specialize in square slices — aka grandma slices — along with desserts such as cinnamon knots and chocolate chip cookies. 

His goal: "an easily accessible and excellent slice shop."

Slices will be around $5, with a few non-meat vegetarian options on the menu. There won't be any vegan or gluten-free offerings to start. Ecce also isn't planning table service or beer and wine.

Downey expects the initial hours to be roughly noon to 9 p.m., though those are still flexible. Eventually, he'd like to stay open until midnight on weekends as the business "matures." 

And about that name: Ecce isn't Italian, as we initially assumed. It's Latin for "behold." 

Downey said he simply liked the word — and thought it sounded "powerful." 

So, behold: pizza.

EV Grieve's East Village Week in Review

Posts this past week included (with a photo of St. Brigid-St Emeric on Eighth and B)... 

• Buyer found for long-vacant Second Avenue development site (Aug. 5) 

• Another location of the Bean closes, leaving 1 East Village outpost (Aug. 6) 

• Repairs continue after water main break at 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Aug. 4) … Water main break floods section of 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Aug. 3) … update (Aug. 8)

• 12 injured in early-morning subway work train fire at Astor Place station (Aug. 4) 

• NY Copy Print & Ship Center has closed after 34 years on 7th Street (Aug. 3) 

• 9 Bleecker St. returns to market with a $6.5 million ask (Aug. 3) 

• At Night Club 101 with Pop Music Fever Dream (Aug. 7)

• Photos: Sunday in Tompkins (Aug. 5)

• ABC No Rio returns to Tompkins Square Park with a free afternoon of music (Aug. 3) 

• Show Brain Fest returns to Tompkins Square Park this weekend (Aug. 7) 

• Flamingos Vintage Pound to open another East Village shop (Aug. 3) 

• Salumeria Rosi eyes Labor Day reopening following building-related damage (Aug. 4) 

• At the Rush pop-up shop on Second Street (Aug. 2) 

• About "Gin Joint," the Apple+ series that filmed in the East Village yesterday (Aug. 6) 

• Scenes from the 46th annual Festival Calle 6 on Avenue D and Sixth Street (Aug. 2) 

• Reminders: "Irregular," filmed at Sophie's, makes its world premiere on Aug. 9 (Aug. 6)

• New innovation hub opens at Jacob Riis Houses (Aug. 5) 

• Signage alert: RedWhite Boneless Ramen on Allen Street (Aug. 5) 

• Across the Pond bringing European bakery and market to 7th Street (Aug. 4) 

• Champions Martial Arts taps out on 11th and C (Aug. 6) 

... and on Avenue A, someone thinks this tag is rather buns ... although we disagree, we do appreciate its usage in this case...

At the National Night Out Against Crime, 5th Street edition

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

A few scenes from outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue during Tuesday evening's National Night Out Against Crime. 

The annual event took place at more than 70 locations around the city, with precincts hosting activities for neighborhood residents.

On Fifth Street, that included food, a bounce house, face painting and other activities, with members of the 9th Precinct and local residents taking part... (and we still miss the officer on stilts!)...

Taking possession of 'the hole' at 14th Street and 1st Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

A look yesterday afternoon at "the hole" at 14th Street and First Avenue, nearly a week after the water-main break flooded the intersection. 

The Department of Environmental Protection has completed its water-main repairs and restored service to affected customers. 

With that work finished, Con Edison has now "taken possession of the hole," per the DEP, to begin repairs to its infrastructure. 

Traffic remains limited around the intersection, although some vehicles, including delivery trucks, are now being allowed through...

Previously

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

As seen on Fourth Street today...

When asked about her attire, she offered a perfectly reasonable explanation: "It's hot out!"

And tomorrow: sunny and hot, though thankfully less humid.

Water-main repairs complete at 14th Street and 1st Avenue; partial reopening expected soon

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

There is progress to report at 14th Street and First Avenue following Monday afternoon's water-main break. 

A Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson told EVG that repairs to the water main are complete and water service was restored to all affected customers earlier this week.

"DEP is currently preparing the work site for Con Ed to take over [this] evening to make repairs to their infrastructure," the spokesperson said. 

At that point, the roadway is expected to partially reopen, and MTA service through the intersection will be restored. 

The intersection has remained closed to traffic while crews worked at the site following the break, which flooded the intersection and nearby streets Monday afternoon. 

As previously reported, DEP crews had excavated a large section of the intersection while assessing the damage and coordinating with Con Edison on repairs to its infrastructure.

Saturday's opening shots

EVG reader riachung00 shared these photos from yesterday afternoon in a lush-looking Tompkins Square Park... and a few hours before the downpour swept through...

Friday's parting shot(s?)

Photo by Stacie Joy 

From a visit to Cherry Tavern on Sixth Street, just west of Avenue A... (the shots and PBR belonged to someone else!)...

Along for the ride

 

NYC's the booyah! kids are on the Sunday afternoon schedule for this weekend's Show Brain Fest in Tompkins Square Park. 

The trio just released this video today for "rwm," from their upcoming covers EP. (This is a cover of Nelly's "Ride Wit Me.")

Show Brain Fest returns to Tompkins Square Park this weekend

Show Brain's fourth annual two-day indie music festival is back this weekend in Tompkins Square Park. 

Here's the lineup for the free Show Brain Fest... 

Aug. 8/Saturday

• Loose Buttons 

• Garret Elias 

• Improvement Movement 

• ISTA 

• Bonny

Aug. 9/Sunday

• Dogpark 

• The Booyah! Kids 

• Shilpa Ray 

• Alex Orange Drink 

• Mary Shelley 

Per the organizers: "Show Brain Fest is a weekend built by artists, fans, volunteers, and everyone who believes people should be able to access live music."

As always, these shows are a budget-friendly way to see some local touring bands ...

At Night Club 101 with Pop Music Fever Dream

Photos by Stacie Joy 

We had to catch another set by EVG favorites Pop Music Fever Dream last Friday at Night Club 101 on Avenue A. 

One thing we've learned: You never quite know what's going to happen. A band member might end up in the crowd. Someone might be climbing on the amps. The songs rarely let up. 

PMFD — vocalist-guitarist Tim Seeberger, guitarist Nicole Harwayne, bassist Carmen Castillo and drummer Violette Grim — continues to deliver a thrilling mix of punk fury and no-wave chaos.

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Tim from PMFD encouraged us to arrive early for the first band — singer-songwriter Lex Walton... we're glad we did...

Friday's opening shot

EVG reader David H. shares this recent photo of a juvenile red-tailed hawk in Tompkins Square Park...

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

As seen at Spooksvilla + Friends, the cool gift shop at 309 E. Ninth St. between First and Second Avenues... here's Mazyar, owner Shahrzad Ghadjar's son, who comes with a warning sign and a toothy grin.

Noted

A ready-made depressing Christmas, spotted in Stuy Town last night. 

Thanks to EVG reader Annabelle for the pic!

About 'Gin Joint,' the Apple+ series that filmed in the East Village yesterday

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We fielded a lot of questions about the filming in Tompkins Square Park yesterday...

Film notices pointed to a TV series called "Gin Joint." However, crew members were tight-lipped about what exactly this was. 

A little digging via Deadline turned up an Apple+ series with the working title "Gin Joint" — an "upcoming untitled thriller series created by Alex ("Homeland") Cary and starring Dakota Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård." 

And! 

Plot: An undercover Treasury agent (Fanning) infiltrates a massive international conglomerate and grows conflicted about her target, the corrupt corporate heir. Cast: Features Dakota Fanning, Stellan Skarsgård, Daryl McCormack and Grace Gummer. 

Other working code names for the show include "Ella" and "Foxglove." 

Filming yesterday took place on the closed-off multipurpose courts/TF...

The casting call for Park extras went like this: 

Seeking NON-UNION to portray various park goer roles such as: Shaved Ice Vendor, Park Goers w. Dogs, People Smoking Pot, Moms, Men Playing Ping Pong, Sunbathers, Basketball players, Etc. Some of these roles will change over into diner patron/bartender/waiter roles as well later in the day. 

Being very method-y, we spent the day smoking pot to prepare for the call... but fell asleep and missed the whole thing. 

Also, the cast cooled their heels in some nice production trailers on Fourth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Above shot by EVG

Another location of the Bean closes, leaving 1 East Village outpost

Photos by Stacie Joy

And then there was one.

The Broadway location of the Bean at Ninth Street has closed, following the May shuttering of the café's Third Avenue outpost. 

A 14-day eviction notice is on the front window over the closure notice...

This closure leaves just one remaining East Village location: 54 Second Ave. at Third Street. 

At one point, the brand had five NYC locations.