2nd annual East Village Music Festival set for La Plaza Cultural

The East Village Music Festival is returning for a second year.

The all-ages neighborhood music fest takes place on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at La Plaza Cultural, 137 Avenue C at Ninth Street. 

The afternoon will feature live music from Pinc Louds, Momentum and others, along with food and activities for kids. 

Organizers launched the festival last year as a community-minded showcase for local music. 

A $10 donation is suggested, with proceeds going to the participating artists and festival organizers. 

And, as you might expect from an outdoor show at La Plaza, there will be plenty of garden time between sets.

Signs of opposition to the Meltzer Tower replacement plan

Meltzer Tower as seen from 2nd Street 

Signs opposing the proposed replacement of Meltzer Tower have begun appearing around the East Village, as both neighboring residents and some tenants of the NYCHA senior complex voice concerns about the plan.

One flyer spotted on Avenue A, headlined "Help Us Save Meltzer Park," focuses on the landscaped open space next to the 20-story tower at 94 E. First St. It warns that a new building on the site would mean the loss of the park and its trees, along with years of construction, and says residents of First and Second Streets between First Avenue and Avenue A would be affected. 

The flyer also criticizes the lack of outreach to the surrounding community and directs neighbors to EVG's Sept. 18 report detailing the proposal. 

An email address — meltzerpark@gmail.com — is provided for people interested in updates or joining the East Second Street Block Association. 

A second flyer, titled "Stop the Demolition of Meltzer Tower," raises concerns among current residents about the plan itself, questioning why the existing tower couldn't instead be renovated and modernized — as originally announced in 2024 — and calls for preserving the open space along First Street for senior amenities.

As EVG first reported, NYCHA and its private PACT partners are considering a "build first" approach: construct a new building beside the existing tower, allow residents to remain in place during construction and then move them directly into the replacement building. 

The proposal for a new tower comes as the PACT team has documented extensive repair needs in the existing building. Presentations from the resident meetings are available as PDFs under the “Resources for Residents” section of the Meltzer PACT website.

At a May 15 resident meeting, the PACT team said Meltzer Tower has more than $80 million in projected repair needs over 20 years, with many building systems beyond their useful life. The work would include repairs or replacement of the façade, roof and windows; heating and hot-water systems; plumbing and electrical systems; ventilation equipment; kitchens, bathrooms and flooring; and building security systems.

The proposal remains in the planning stages. The building shown in materials presented to Meltzer residents is conceptual, and the final footprint has not been determined. The current timeline calls for construction to start in late 2027, with residents moving into the new building in late 2029. 

The plans presented so far have not detailed what would happen to the existing tower or its site after residents move.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Exclusive: New proposal calls for replacing Meltzer Tower

After years in the works, 'Loisaida Walls' takes shape on Avenue A

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The oft-tagged walls of the Con Ed substation on Avenue A continued to receive a colorful makeover. 

On Saturday, local artists took part in the Loisaida Walls community painting day between Fifth and Sixth streets. The project, a collaboration between Con Edison and ArtBridge, brought artists and neighbors together for an afternoon of live painting along the substation walls.

The participating artists are TOOFLY, Andre Trenier, Indie184, Chino BYI, Cekis, Hiphopismyreligion, Jappy Agoncillo, Minha Fofa, Optimo NYC and Ski Mystress Therapy. (CRAMCEPT was here too.)

Among the artists stopping by on Saturday was Al Diaz, who grew up in the Jacob Riis Houses on Avenue D and, as a teenager, created SAMO© with his friend Jean-Michel Basquiat.

City Councilmember Harvey Epstein said the project was eight years in the making, following years of discussions with Con Ed about the graffiti and the company's repeated efforts to clean the wall. 

"We've been working with Con Ed for years around the graffiti issues and getting this mural up," Epstein told EVG. "I'm very excited that it's really come to fruition after all these years." 

Epstein said the Avenue A facility had become Con Ed's most expensive site in the city to power wash because of the recurring graffiti. 

"We partnered with ArtBridge and Con Ed to make this a beautiful wall," he said. "This is really going to change things for this block and really help our neighborhood. I love the project." 

For their part, Con Ed had reps out along Avenue A on Saturday...

Meanwhile, work will continue on the murals along Avenue A... as well as on the Fifth Street and Sixth Street side...

ArtBridge is a nonprofit that produces public art projects across the five boroughs.

What’s next for this prime 3rd Avenue corner?

A for-rent sign went up several weeks ago outside the former outpost of the Bean at 31 Third Ave. and Stuyvesant Street. 

We've been waiting for the online listing to appear to get a better idea of what's being offered here. So far, we haven't spotted the space among JLL's New York retail listings. 

The Bean closed this location in May after nearly nine years in business. The cafe opened here in September 2017, taking over the space that St. Mark's Bookshop previously occupied.

Given the size and visibility of the storefront at this prime Third Avenue-Stuyvesant Street corner, we're curious to see what might be next...

Reiwatakiya has closed on St. Mark's Place

Reiwatakiya, the Japanese and Korean beauty and lifestyle shop at 37 St. Mark's Place, has closed after more than three years in the East Village. 

The shop, which carried skincare and cosmetics alongside other Japanese goods, opened in early 2023. 

Its last day was Sept. 26. 

"After several wonderful years in the East Village, it's time for us to say goodbye," the company wrote on Instagram in announcing the closure, thanking customers who stopped in over the years. 

The storefront just west of Second Avenue has had a recent history with a Japanese beauty retailer. Shibuyala opened its first New York City outpost here in March 2019 before Reiwatakiya took over the space. 

Reiwatakiya continues to operate elsewhere in the U.S., with five locations listed on its website.

About a Pee-wee Herman pop-up on the Bowery

Pop-ups haven't exactly enjoyed the best reputation around here lately, but here's one that may be worth an exception. 

The Pee-wee New York Pop-up Shop is setting up at 213 Bowery at Rivington Street for five days, starting Wednesday. 

The shop will be open Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian who created the iconic Pee-wee Herman character, died of cancer in July 2023. He was 70.

Demolition begins for 25-story development at the Bowery and Great Jones

Top 3 photos by Stacie Joy

Other pics by EVG

Demolition is underway on the northwest corner of the Bowery and Great Jones Street, where a 25-story residential building with retail space is in the works. 

This past week, workers demolished the former Bowery Market at 348 Bowery. Notices for asbestos abatement have also appeared at the two neighboring buildings, 350 and 352 Bowery, which are also slated to come down.

For now, the garage, dating to the days of Downtown Auto & Tire (RIP 2012)...

As previously reported, developer Lonicera Partners assembled the three properties for a new development at 56 Great Jones St. 

Plans call for a 25-story residential building with ground-floor retail. The original filings called for 94 apartments, including 27 Mandatory Inclusionary Housing units. A version with additional floor area would include three more MIH units.

The project itself does not require Landmarks Preservation Commission approval because the development site sits outside the NoHo Historic District. However, the developer sought permission for a roughly 5,000-square-foot expansion that would cantilever slightly over 354 Bowery, which is within the historic district.

Village Preservation, Community Board 2, other preservation groups and neighbors opposed that portion of the proposal. At a Feb. 25 hearing, the LPC voted 5-1 in favor, one vote short of the six needed for approval because five commissioners were absent. 

The proposal returned to the LPC on April 7 and was approved with modifications, per Village Preservation. The Commission directed the applicants to work with staff on details of the "gasket" connecting the historic buildings and the new development, including its configuration, color and materials. 

For now, the most visible change is at street level: the former Bowery Market is gone, and preparations are underway to demolish its two neighbors. 

The Bowery Market closed last October. 

Macario is moving its Guadalajara-style sandwiches to Avenue B

Macario is leaving Park Slope for the East Village. 

The Mexican sandwich shop announced that it will close its Brooklyn location and move to 167 Avenue B between 10th and 11th streets later this fall...

Macario opened in Park Slope in August 2025, specializing in lonches bañados, a Guadalajara staple dating back to the 1950s — essentially a sandwich topped with a warm, slightly spicy tomato-based sauce.

Owner Marshall Dean grew up in Guadalajara and lived there for more than 40 years before moving to the United States. He told BKMAG last year that opening Macario had been a longtime dream and a way to introduce one of his favorite foods to New Yorkers. 

The lonches come with pulled pork, pulled chicken or panela cheese and are served on birote, a Guadalajara-style sourdough roll custom-made for Macario. The menu also includes quesadillas and guacamole. 

No. 167 was previously Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge.

Barryville General now in soft-open mode with its new market and cafe on Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Barryville General has begun its soft opening at 70 Avenue A, ahead of its official debut on Oct. 16. 

The market, which expanded into the storefront next to its existing Barryville General shop between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, is starting with a limited selection of food, drinks and pantry items. (Below from left, co-owner and EV resident Sean Naughton with co-founder Eric Komovoff.)

The opening lineup includes coffee from Café Aroma, baked goods from Party Bus and dairy-free soft serve from Lavender and Truffles, available on Fridays for now. 

During the soft-opening period, the market will generally be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once the market officially opens, regular hours are expected to be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

The coffee menu includes $3 espressos, plus a café bonbon, cortado, house latte, and a sweet plantain latte made with housemade plantain syrup. The owners also plan occasional extended evening hours featuring soft serve — and potentially a late-night sourdough grilled cheese. 

Below is barista Gabriella...

Barryville General Goods, the clothing side of the business, debuted back in December. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Barryville General expanding next door on Avenue A with a café

Sunday's parting shot

As seen outside Al-Andalus at 511 E. Fifth St. between venues A and B... a rather substantial dragon has taken up residence on the sidewalk, wings spread and looking considerably more menacing than your average October decoration.

Blessing the animals on 9th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish observed the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi today with a Holy Eucharist and a Blessing of the Animals.

The church at 602 E. Ninth St. at Avenue B marked the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with its annual Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Animals, welcoming neighborhood pets—and their humans—for the service. 

Pastor Will and Vicar Wayne Olsen presided over the festivities, offering blessings to the assembled four-legged congregation.

A few scenes from a particularly lively Sunday service...

EV Grieve's East Village Week in Review

Posts this past week included (with a scene from Village East on Second Avenue)...

• Remembering John Penley, photographer and activist of the East Village (Sept. 28) 

• 11th Street e-bike hub faces renewed enforcement (Oct. 1) 

• The East Village of the 1980s, in living color (Sept. 30) 

• New trees, a rain garden and a mini-forest taking root in Tompkins Square Park (Oct. 2) ... Tompkins Square Park officially has a mini forest (Oct. 3)

• East Village author Maureen Johnson finds mystery close to home (Sept. 29) 

• Potenza Centrale has closed on Avenue B (Sept. 28) 

• Fallen trees keep PDT and Crif Dogs closed on St. Mark's Place (Oct. 3)

• Happy 40th to Pangea (Sept. 27) 

• LPC set to revisit new building proposed next to Merchant's House Museum (Sept. 28) 

• New details emerge in Most Holy Redeemer break-in (Sept. 30) 

• Blessing of the Animals returns to Trinity Lower East Side (Oct. 2) 

• Checking in on 20 Blocks on 4th Street (Oct. 1) 

• Show Brain keeps the free shows coming (Oct. 1) 

• Man indicted in QR code parking scam that surfaced in the East Village (Oct. 2) 

• Tipsy Tie Dye bringing some color to Avenue A (Sept. 29) 

• Fluff Club getting unleashed on Avenue B (Sept. 30) 

• ICYMI: Starbucks has left Avenue A and St. Mark's Place (Sept. 29) 

• "The Holes" extends its East Village run (Sept. 28) 

The Duane Reade/Walgreens on Second Street and Avenue B is offering a valuable free service on Thursday afternoon — rapid HIV and syphilis testing. Staff from NYU Langone Health and Bellevue will be on site from 1 to 4 p.m., offering confidential rapid testing as well as connections to PrEP, PEP and other clinical services. The Keith Haring Foundation funds the program. No appointment is needed. (Photo by Stacie Joy)

Hitchcocktober returns to the Village East

Hitchcock is back on Second Avenue this month.

The Village East by Angelika is hosting its annual Hitchcocktober series, with Alfred Hitchcock classics screening every Wednesday in October — followed by a Halloween screening of "Psycho." 

This year's lineup (tickets): 

• Oct. 7: "Strangers on a Train" 

• Oct. 14: "Rear Window" 

• Oct. 21: "Suspicion" 

• Oct. 28: "Vertigo" 

• Oct. 31: "Psycho" 

Select screenings, including the Halloween Psycho shows, take place in the theater's Jaffe Art Theatre. 

The Village East by Angelika is at Second Avenue and 12th Street. 

Hint: You may want to get tix in advance — especially "Psycho" on Halloween night.

Saturday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A few scenes from the 6th Street and Avenue B Community Garden's 43rd annual HarvestFest today ...

Tompkins Square Park officially has a mini forest

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The new mini forest in Tompkins Square Park is now in the ground... along Seventh Street between Avenue A and B, as reported yesterday. 

The planting comes just in time for today's fifth annual City of Forest Day, a citywide celebration of New York's urban forest organized by Forest for All NYC in partnership with Parks and Open Space Partners NYC and the city's Parks Department.

Nearly 150 events are taking place across the five boroughs today, with New Yorkers participating in tree care, bulb planting, guided walks, volunteer projects and other activities focused on the city's trees and green spaces. 

The event also follows the release earlier this year of New York City's first Urban Forest Plan, a long-term roadmap for managing and expanding a network that includes more than 7 million trees.

As we noted, the Tompkins Square Park mini forest is part of a larger round of plantings in the park that also includes new trees and a rain garden.