East Village AMA is happening now with District 2 City Council candidates

Four of the candidates for NYC City Council District 2 are taking questions today (May 28!) in an AMA Reddit.

Sarah Batchu, Harvey Epstein, Andrea Gordillo and Allie Ryan are taking questions at r/eastvillage until 8 p.m. Find the link here.

Packing up Sixth Street Specials

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Sixth Street Specials, the motorcycle repair shop known for its work on vintage Triumphs, continues to move out of its longtime home here on Sixth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D. 

There has been a lot of activity recently, as the business will vacate the space by the end of the week.

As we first reported in March, owner Hugh Mackie (below, middle), who opened the shop in 1986, is retiring.

Shop manager Joshua Mackenzie is taking over the business and moving it to New Rochelle. The new location — formerly home to Urchin Custom Cycles at 11 Lincoln Ave. — will open on June 3 and operate Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Mackie and his family, who also lived in the building, are moving to Queens. The rest of the building, which has been on the sales market, is now vacant. 

Mackenzie (pictured below), who worked at the shop from 1997 to 2002 and returned in 2020, plans to continue the shop's focus on vintage Triumph motorcycles. He's keeping the name Sixth Street Specials "for now and for the foreseeable future." The shop's Triumph mural will be preserved.

"Hugh will always have a bench," Mackenzie told me previously. "It'll be my shop, but he'll always have access."

Here's a look at space as the move-out got underway...

To follow the shop's move and reopening, visit @6thstreetspecials on Instagram. 

After nearly 40 years, the move closes another chapter for this stretch of Sixth Street.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• After nearly 40 years, Sixth Street Specials prepares for its final ride in the East Village 

• A visit to Sixth Street Specials

Plywood up at Theatre 80

We received a slew of reader photos yesterday (first from Jose Garcia!) as workers were spotted putting up plywood outside Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue. 

This is the next phase of the extensive renovations and preservation efforts at the historic space. You can read our previous post for details on what has transpired here in the past two years with new owners.

Upperz Cafe and Bar announces closing date on 14th Street

Photo from October 2024 by Stacie Joy 

Upperz Cafe and Bar is closing on Saturday at 319 E. 14th St., between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The owners, siblings Marilyn Velazquez and Ramon Velazquez, made the announcement on Instagram, noting, "This decision was not made lightly, and we are so grateful for the support and love you've shown us throughout our journey." 

The all-day cafe debuted here late last November.

Anchors away

On Sunday, Cecil Scheib shared this photo of the anchor in East River Park, noting that the 10th Street pedestrian bridge would be closing today as the demolition and rebuilding of the park expanded alongside the East Village. 

We know very little about the anchor's history. One Flickr user stated: "Pulled from the East River, the origins of this anchor are unclear. When it was placed on the site in 1970, the plaque stated that the piece was donated by the F&M Schaefer Brewing Co. in memory of the William H. Brown shipyard." 

We also don't know what its future status is. 

Some precedent. Further south, workers removed the East River Park seals, housed near the former Fireboat House, in 2022 when construction began in that area. 

According to Sculpture House Casting, the spray fountain designed by Gerry Augustine is temporarily residing in their factory. The seals "will be cast in bronze and returned to the East River Park," the site states. 

We'll see if we can get a line on the anchor. 

Starting earlier today, the 10th Street pedestrian bridge is now shuttered, along with the adjacent playground, BBQ area, and basketball courts — marking the next phase of park shutdowns tied to the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project. 

In addition, the northern esplanade with access to Stuyvesant Cove Park (through 18th Street) is closed.

Despite the closure of the "Con Ed lemon squeezer section," Edmund John Dunn noted that even with the signs and traffic cones, "bike riders and runners were still entering and leaving ..."

By the end of the summer, the track located off of the Sixth Street pedestrian bridge will shut down, at which point the complete north end of East River Park will be shuttered. 

When this takes place, East Village-based park-goers must head south to access any East River Park amenities. (BTW, a new track is in the works for the same space.) 

This PDF provides more background on the timing. 

As we previously mentioned, several refurbished East River Park areas around the Williamsburg Bridge reopened yesterday on Memorial Day, including the south tennis courts. 

We'll have photos of that area on Thursday. (If you follow EVG on Instagram, you can find some pics there.) 

 Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Park access shifts again: What's open and closed in East River Park starting Memorial Day as construction moves to the north

Rossy's Bakery & Café to close after 15 years on 3rd Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

A family-run bakery and café that's served its neighbors for the past 15 years is closing. 

Rossy's Bakery & Café, 242 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C, will soon shut down after opening in June 2010. 

Owner Roselia "Rossy" Caba confirmed the news, citing rising costs and the impending retirement of her mother, Norma Ortiz, who founded the business.

"After so many years, we decided to call it quits," said Caba, whose brother Gabriel Escalante is also part of the business. "With the way things are, it makes no sense for us to continue… We can't keep trying to be affordable to the community and still make money anymore. There is no profit. We just can't do it anymore."

Ortiz (below) began baking cakes for family and friends from her Second Street apartment. Demand quickly grew beyond her kitchen's capacity, and soon, the mother-daughter team opened their own storefront just a few blocks away.

Over the years, Rossy's became known for its hearty and affordable lunch plates — BBQ ribs, baked chicken, and rice-and-beans combos. Empanadas and smoothies were also popular picks for kids in the neighborhood.

But even with a loyal customer base, Caba says the numbers no longer add up. "I haven’t made a profit in a while," she said. "Everything we use is quality here, and that screwed me over. There's no margin." 

She's also taken on debt just to keep the business afloat. The business — minus the name — is now for sale as a turnkey operation, including the lease, equipment and established location. Caba says there are a few years left on the current lease and that the landlord is open to an extension. 

As for what she hopes comes next for the space? "Something for the community. A restaurant. Maybe Spanish food. Staying in the roots." 

Caba plans to return to her previous work in nightclub accounting. 

Ortiz, meanwhile, is officially retiring. "She's not baking cakes anymore. So if you want one, you’d better get it in now," Caba added. 

Rossy's will be missed — not just for its food, but for the sense of neighborhood it helped sustain. Who goes to Rossy's Bakery & Cafe? Neighbors, teachers, postal workers, construction and sanitation crews, police officers, firefighters, EMS, and other first responders. UPS and FedEx drivers. Kids after school. People craving home-style Dominican and Spanish food or a fresh-baked treat. The morning and midday crowd needing a Bustelo fix — coffee with frothy, sweetened milk. Regulars with a standing dinner plate order.

It was a place that served everyone and made everyone feel like a regular. Caba remembers your order — "She doesn't like pieces of fruit in her smoothie, so make it extra smooth," she reminds the staff. You may catch her out front in her fire-engine red muscle car, always quick with a joke and a smile. 

A neighborhood needs places like Rossy's.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A visit to Rossy's Bakery & Café on 3rd Street

Neighborhood invited to help shape future of ABC Playground

Residents of the Lower East Side are invited to have their say in the future of a local park. 

NYC Parks is kicking off the design process for the renovation of ABC Playground, located adjacent to P.S. 20 on Houston Street between Essex and Norfolk, and is seeking community input.

A virtual public meeting takes place Thursday evening (May 29) from 6:30-8 to gather ideas and feedback from local residents. Attendees can share how the playground could better serve the neighborhood, from improved play structures to green space enhancements or accessibility upgrades.

Ideas collected during the meeting will help shape a preliminary design, which will later be presented to the Community Board 3 Parks Committee for public review.

Interested community members are encouraged to register in advance (link) to attend the meeting. 

Those who can't make the meeting can leave comments online afterward — for up to a week. The link will be here after Thursday's session.

This is a chance for local voices to help reimagine a community space that reflects the needs and priorities of those who use it most. 

Here's a look at the current playground...

... and we hope the frog will be part of any new plans!

Wash Rite Laundromat has closed on 4th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Wash Rite Laundromat at 112 E. Fourth St. is now closed here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Workers started clearing out the space in recent days...

As we reported on May 5, the owners weren't able to come to terms on an affordable lease renewal with the landlord.

Monday's parting shot

An early morning view along Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

ICYMI: In Tompkins Square Park, Amelia and her new mate welcome first brood together

ICYMI: Amelia, the resident female red-tailed hawk in Tomkins Square Park, and her new male friend have three chicks in their nest this spring. 

Mark Hado shared these photos this past week...

Given how quickly the hawklets grow on that steady diet of pigeons and rats, they are likely 2x this size by now. 

As Goggla has documented, all three of the hawklets appear to be doing well. This is the first family for the new male this year (going as M2, per Goggla). This marks Amelia's eighth season raising chicks in Tompkins. 

Visit Goggla's site for a primer on M2 (link) ... and the latest on the kids. 

We'll be on fledge watch in the next few weeks. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Concern grows for Christo, Tompkins Square Park's iconic red-tailed hawk, missing for 2 weeks

Monday's opening shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

An observance of Memorial Day, and likely the Fourth of July, at Key Food on Avenue A...

We do not know what might remain of the Key Holiday Decorating Budget for the remainder of the year.

Also, we still need to post the updates on the new self-checkout scanners and "cakes for all occasions" signage, whose place is being kept warm by the Heritage American flag bunting.

Where you can get a copy of the Ray's Candy Store photo book

Photo on May 17 by Stacie Joy

We've mentioned "Candy Store," a years-in-the-making photo documentary about Ray's Candy Store.

Photographer Whitney Browne worked part-time at Ray's at 113 Avenue A from 2012-2017 and documented the late-night scene there. 

A percentage of each sale will go to Ray. (During the book launch on May 17, sales generated $1,000 for Ray.)

Anyway, several readers have asked where they buy a copy (we were vague with "select bookstores"):

• Bluestockings, 116 Suffolk St.

• Mast, 72 Avenue A

• The Strand, 828 Broadway

• Village Works, 12 St. Mark's Place

They are also available on Browne's website.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a rainbow shot from Friday evening by Jeanne Krier)... 

• Park access shifts again: What's open and closed in East River Park starting Memorial Day as construction moves to the north (Thursday)

• Me-Wow! FDNY rescues Nico the Cat from East Village tree (Tuesday) 

• Skim City: ATM at Avenue B Duane Reade hiding a high-tech heist (Friday) 

• Fresh sod and DanceFest crowds come together in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

• Housing lottery winding down for units at the all-new 280 E. Houston St., aka The Houston (Wednesday) 

• A few moments from the annual Dance Parade and DanceFest (Sunday)

• A quick look at the May CB3 SLA agenda (Monday) 

• Restaurant space at 88 2nd Ave. hits the market after 4 years of turnover (Thursday) 

• First look at the 'Caught Stealing' trailer, filmed partly in the East Village last fall (Wednesday) 

• The Juicy Lucy kiosk reopens on 1st and 1st for the season (Thursday)

• The Brant Foundation has a free exhibition featuring the work of Glenn Ligon (Tuesday ) 

• A new campaign stop on Avenue A (Thursday) 

• A Sweetgreen for the Lower East Side (Thursday) 

• Kijitora in soft-open mode on 14th Street (Sunday) 

• Signs of life at Taverna East Village (Wednesday) 

• The last jiggle: Viral dessert shop Ănjelly closes on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday) 

• Power move: Citi Bike's new charging station lands on 1st Avenue and 14th Street (Wednesday)

• Global chain Sanku Maots'ai opening its first U.S. outpost on 1st Avenue (Monday) 

• Signage alert: YoYo Chicken on 14th Street (Monday) 

... and several people have noted the arrival of hand-painted signage this past week for Maya, opening this summer at 115 Avenue A near Seventh Street. As we previously mentioned, the well-regarded taqueria has two outposts in Brooklyn (photo by Stacie Joy)...

At the hardcore matinee in Tompkins Square Park yesterday

Photos by Stacie Joy 

From yesterday in Tompkins Square Park, Drew Stone's lively NYHC show with Sonic Bomb, End of Hope, Butterbrain, NonResidents and Rebelmatic. 

I caught the set by NonResidents...

... and off the stage...