Report: New owners for the 3 buildings on the SW corner of 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

The three buildings at 127-129 Second Ave. and 36 St. Mark's Place have a new owner.

In a sale announced last week, Ryco Capital purchased the properties on the high-profile SW corner from landlord Jonis Realty (which is run by Citi Urban Management, also owned by the Helegua family) for $29 million.

The three six-story mixed-use buildings contain 10 retail and 60-plus residential units, ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. The retail tenants include B&H Dairy, Ramen Misoya, Taqueria Diana, Paul's Da Burger Joint and Poetica Coffee.

From the press release, here's broker Joe Koicim of the NYM Group of Marcus & Millichap:

"The East Village is a supply-constrained rental market that has consistently provided owners with higher annual rent growth than nearly every other New York City submarket. With this asset ideally situated on the corner of Saint Mark's Place and Second Avenue, the buyer will capitalize on the long-term upside created by the natural demand for apartments and retail space in this area. This submarket has been reflective of the overall strength of New York City's rental market, which began the year with vacancy at 1.8%."

According to media reports and public records, tenants have tangled with Jonis Realty since they bought the buildings in the late 1990s.

Per the Commercial Observer last week:

Conditions deteriorated since, and the properties currently have 411 housing violations racked up across its 64 apartments, according to housing records. 

Tenants have sued Citi-Urban for repairs several times over the last decade and settled the cases for undisclosed amounts, according to city housing records. Now, Ryco will put the buildings in the hands of its own property management firm, Ryco NYC, according to City Residents Alliance, a nonprofit tenant group. 

Jonis Realty/Citi Urban Management owns and manages more than 30 NYC buildings, including 11 in the East Village, media reports and public documents show. 

On May 8, several residents of the Jonis Realty/Citi Urban Management-owned 131 Avenue A held a rally after two fires in six months at the building on the NW corner of St. Mark's Place. 

The Village Sun reported on residents who had difficulty fleeing an early morning fire on April 24 due to alleged building disrepair.

A group of residents who live in properties owned/run by Citi Urban Management formed the Citi Residents Alliance, which has a website with a violations database.

 

Cello’s Pizzeria now in soft-open mode on St. Mark's Place

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Cello's Pizzeria debuted in soft-open mode on Wednesday afternoon at 36 St. Mark's Place, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

I spotted the chef and pizzamaker, James Jaworski, behind the counter...

He was also with the previous pizzeria here, Funzi's (more on them in a sec). 

We understand the new partners include some members of the Rosa's Pizza family, the operator of Whitman's on Ninth Street, and the owner of Dough Doughnuts, which may explain the presence of these for sale...

There are no menus or prices for the pizza (we were told approximately $4 for a slice) just yet, only what's listed on the wall and/or prepped behind the counter.

Hours for now are noon to 8-9 p.m. during the week, with a 10 p.m.-ish close on weekends. A beer-wine license is on the way.

A little pizzeria history here... Funzi's opened late last June and aspired to be an East Village throwback with a 1970s-80s decor modeled after owner Kevin Cox's grandmother's house.

Cox left the business in November, taking Funzi's name with him for a new version of the pizzeria in another EV location. (Funzi was named after the youngest of Cox's three sons.) We never heard anything more about a new spot for Cox. 

After Cox departed, the business pivoted to St. Marks Pizzeria, with a message on its website noting, "Same Pizza. Same Chef's. Same Location. New Name." This post-Funzi concept went dark in December, and paper covere the front windows until this recent unveiling.

A new pizzeria for the former pizzeria at 36 St. Mark's Place

As the pizzerias turn at 36 St. Mark's Place.

Cellos has been added to the existing Pizzeria signage here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. This development comes as an applicant is on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license for the address. (The applicants have already received administrative approval.) 

The questionnaire isn't online, so we don't know more about the new owners.

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Updated: The questionnaire lists the operator as Larry Kramer, who owns Whitman's on Ninth Street (and Hudson Yards).

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A little pizzeria history here... Funzi's opened late last June and aspired to be an East Village throwback with a 1970s-80s decor modeled after owner Kevin Cox's grandmother's house. 

Cox left the business in November ... taking the Funzi's name with him for a new version of the pizzeria in another EV location. (Funzi's was named after the youngest of Cox's three sons.) We never heard anything more about a new spot for Cox.

After Cox departed, the business pivoted to St. Marks Pizzeria... with a message on its website noting, "Same Pizza. Same Chef's. Same Location. New Name." This post-Funzi's concept went dark in December, and paper went up on the front windows several weeks ago.

You can see where the new operators simply put Cellos over where Funzi's was on the sign... and the post-Funzi's version below (both pics last year by Stacie Joy)...

Cellos marks the ninth food establishment at No. 36 — St. Marks Pizzeria, Funzi's, Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, Joe's Steam Rice Roll, Cheers Cut, Friterie Belgian Fries, Fasta and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza — since 2015. 

Your Funzi's Pizzeria signage on St. Mark's Place

Photo by Steven

Some classic-looking signage is up now at 36 St. Mark's Place, where Funzi's Pizzeria is set to open soonish here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (They are currently hiring.)

We're told that it will be an old-school slice joint with a few Italian dishes as well. 

And we're betting that Funzi's will break the curse of one-and-done quick-serve concepts at this address. (Reminder: Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, Joe's Steam Rice Roll, Cheers Cut, Friterie Belgian Fries, Fasta and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza — all since 2015.)

Previously

Funzi's Pizzeria next for 36 St. Mark's Place

Signage is up at 36 St. Mark's Place for the next quick-serve tenant — Funzi's Pizzeria.

We need to find out who the operators are...  as well as the opening date. The signage simply states, "Funzi Hath Arrived."

This was a quick turnover at the address between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast just closed here at the end of February.

Funzi's marks the seventh food concept at No. 36 — Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, Joe's Steam Rice Roll, Cheers Cut, Friterie Belgian Fries, Fasta and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza — since 2015. 

Oh my: Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast the latest concept to close at 36 St. Mark's Place

After less than a year on the block, Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast has closed its doors at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

Workers cleared out the storefront late last week, and an employee confirmed the closure to EVG correspondent Steven.

The quick-serve establishment sold Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and egg toast ... the space included a K-pop shop, selling music, books, calendars, stickers, etc., for a variety of South Korean bands. 

The Texas-based chain still has locations in the NYC metropolitan area, including on Ludlow Street.

This address has seen several concepts come and go without much success... the last business was Joe's Steam Rice Roll ... others included Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza. 

Openings: Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast on St. Mark's Place

Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast has debuted at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (H/T Steven.)

The quick-serve establishment sells Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and, you guessed it, egg toast. 

In addition, as we noted in February, this outpost includes a K-pop shop, selling music, books, calendars, stickers, etc., for a variety of South Korean bands. 

The Texas-based chain also has locations on Ludlow Street and Seventh Avenue South, with several more planned for the city.

This address has hosted its share of quick-serve businesses through the years, most recently Joe's Steam Rice Roll.  

K-Dogs and K-pop on St. Mark's Place

Oh K-Dog is opening a branch at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, as we noted last summer. 

This past week, new signage (h/t Steven!) arrived next to the shop that will sell Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and egg toast ... for K-pop Albums and Goods. 

People have asked about it... a side business, perhaps? We'll see! There isn't any mention of it on the Oh K-Dog site or social media.

Oh K-Dog also has outposts on Ludlow Street and Seventh Avenue South, with several more planned for the city.

As for this storefront on St. Mark's Place... not much has had success here in recent years. Joe's Steam Rice Roll was the most recent tenant, quietly closing in March 2021. Other concepts included Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

Oh-K Dog now officially coming soon on St. Mark's Place

The coming soon signage for Oh-K Dog is now up at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

Their arrival was first reported in August. 

The chain specializing in Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and egg toast will have some competition a few storefronts away... where Afternoon is opening soon at No. 34. Brands under this roof will include Jongro Rice Hotdog, Machi Machi (bubble teas, etc.), Mochi Mochi Donut, Brooklyn Roasting Company and Croffle Haus (croissant dough baked in a waffle iron)...

There's also Mochinut, which offers mochi doughnuts and Korean-style hot dogs, open on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Oh-K Dog also has outposts on Ludlow Street and Seventh Avenue South, with several more planned for the city.

And perhaps Oh-K Dog can break the spell of quickly disappearing quick-serve food spots at 36 St. Mark's Place. Joe's Steam Rice Roll was the most recent tenant, quietly closing in March. Other concepts included Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

Oh-K! Another Korean-style hot-dog chain to give the East Village a go

Oh-K Dog appears to be the next tenant for 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

The chain specializing in Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and egg toast has this location as "coming soon" on its website. Oh-K Dog also has outposts on Ludlow Street and Seventh Avenue South with several more planned for the city.

Competition for Korean-style hot dogs is heating up around here. Two Hands, which offers Seoul fresh corn dogs, opened on Avenue A and Ninth Street in April ... while Mochinut is opening soon on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As for this storefront on St. Mark's Place... not much has had success here in recent years. Joe's Steam Rice Roll was the most recent tenant, quietly closing in March. Other concepts here included Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

H/T Upper West Sider!

36 St. Mark's Place for rent again as Joe's Steam Rice Roll closes

Last week we reported that workers had emptied out Joe's Steam Rice Roll at 36 St. Mark's Place.

It wasn't immediately clear if this meant a closure — or renovation. After all, the quick-serve shop between Second Avenue and Third Avenue closed for seven weeks without any public notice in the fall of 2019.

Unfortunately, it looks like a permanent closure — the address is now on the RIPCO website. The rent is available upon request. 

Joe's debuted in the East Village in June 2019 ... and it seemed poised to break the curse of concepts that couldn't make it work in this space. This was the first standalone location for the business, described as a "cult favorite" by Eater, which got its start in a tiny storefront in Flushing.

No. 36 has seen a variety of openings and closings in recent years, including Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

Photo by Steven; H/T Upper West Sider!

The former Gem Spa space is for lease

[Photo from Saturday]

The former Gem Spa storefront on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place is now officially on the rental market, billed as "First time available."

The listing at RIPCO doesn't have much info, other than square footage, location, etc. Pricing is available by request.

And while Gem Spa's address was 131 Second Ave., the marketing materials list this as 36 St. Mark's Place.

Potentially concerning (and confusing) is that the listing includes Paul's Da Burger Joint next door. The listing notes that the two spaces are available separately or combined...



The fact that the space was on the market was news to the owners of Paul's, who have a few more years left on the lease.

"I’ll assume at the moment it’s a mistake, as I spoke to the landlord today about something unrelated and nothing was mentioned," Matt Wardrop, who has been running Paul's since 2007, told EVG contributor Stacie Joy on Friday.

He added this on Sunday: "It seems as if that listing was created like that to draw more potential tenants for the corner. Someone can express interest for the whole lot and then the broker can say that only the corner is available. We are still here, doing the best we can given the current state of events. We enjoy serving the community and our loyal customers. We look forward to staying open and continuing to do what we love the most — feeding our loyal friends!"

Stacie stopped by Paul's on Friday...



Here's Angel, who has been here nearly the entire time since the restaurant opened in 1989, with his daughter and co-worker Daniella...



Gem Spa officially closed on May 7 amid ongoing financial challenges worsened by the COVID-19 crisis. The corner has a long history as a candy store and newsstand.

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll debuts on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll opened Saturday at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

This is the third NYC outpost of the popular quick-serve establishment, which got its start in Flushing where owner Joe Rong has apparently perfected the art of the rice roll — known as cheung fun in Cantonese.

Per the cooking site Taste:

With a steaming machine imported from Guangzhou specifically used to make cheung fun, Rong makes each dish to order, so texture is never compromised. And similar to street vendors throughout Guangdong province, you get to choose what goes inside, like ground pork, barbecue beef, or dried shrimp, and extras that get mixed into the slurry of rice flour batter, including a cracked egg, corn, cilantro, and scallion.

No. 36 has seen a variety of food concepts come and go of late, most recently Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Joe’s Steam Rice Roll puts up the signage on St. Mark's Place

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll puts up the signage on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

The signage arrived yesterday for Joe’s Steam Rice Roll here at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

This will be the third NYC outpost of the popular quick-serve establishment, which got its start in Flushing. Here's Eater with more about the shop and its owner, Joe Rong:

Rong began selling his rice noodle rolls from a tiny storefront in Flushing in 2017, and his craft quickly stood out. Unlike many other vendors, he grinds the rice for the batter in an electric-powered stone mill daily. His stand has drawn a loyal following, prompting him to expand to Manhattan last November with a stall inside Canal Street Market.

You can read more about the food at Joe's in this Hungry City column at the Times in January.

No word on an opening date on St. Mark's.

No. 36 has seen a variety of quick-serve concepts come and go in recents years, including Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

Previously.

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll heading to 36 St. Mark's Place; will be the 5th restaurant in 4 years here

Joe’s Steam Rice Roll is reportedly planning to open a outpost this spring at 36 St. Marks Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Eater had this about the shop and its owner, Joe Rong:

Rong began selling his rice noodle rolls from a tiny storefront in Flushing in 2017, and his craft quickly stood out. Unlike many other vendors, he grinds the rice for the batter in an electric-powered stone mill daily. His stand has drawn a loyal following, prompting him to expand to Manhattan last November with a stall inside Canal Street Market.

He says he’s traveling to China soon to perfect the restaurant’s sauces and seasonings and expects to add new drinks to the menu, too.

You can read more about the food at Joe's in this Hungry City column at the Times last week.

No. 36 has seen a variety of quick-serve concepts come and go in recents years, including Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

The former Cheers Cut space is for rent on St. Mark's Place

[Photo Wednesday by Steven]

As noted last week, Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods at 36 St. Mark's Place, had not been open in recent days during its announced business hours.

By Wednesday, the nine-month-old Grand Opening banner had been removed...

... and on Saturday morning, the for rent sign arrived on the now-empty storefronts between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



The retail listing isn't online just yet ... a variety of quick-serve concepts have tried the address without much success, including Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.