Plywood comes down to reveal Xing Fu Tang on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Workers removed the plywood yesterday from the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place ... providing a FULL reveal of the new tenant, the Taiwan-based Xing Fu Tang, a bubble tea chain specializing in brown sugar boba... (thanks to Steven for the photos!)

No word on an opening date... they are currently hiring...

As noted, bubble tea is rather plentiful already along this corridor. Gong Cha, which describes itself as "one of the most recognized bubble tea brands around the world," recently opened an outpost at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Nothing has been able to stick in this corner space in recent years. Nobletree Coffee closed here in May 2019 after just five months in business. This storefront previously sat empty for three years — ever since DF Mavens closed in January 2016 ... after a Dec. 26, 2014 debut. (It took the Mavens 14 months to open the space.) Other past tenants include Eastside Bakery (.net?) and Roastown Coffee.

And the only business to last here in the past 30 years: the Gap, from 1988 to 2001.

New signage day for the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Workers yesterday started putting up the signage for the new business on this most high-profile of East Village corners — the NW side of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

As previously reported, the Taiwan-based Xing Fu Tang, a bubble tea chain specializing in brown sugar boba, will be setting up shop here...

No word on an opening date...

Nobletree Coffee closed here in May 2019 after just five months in business. This storefront previously sat empty for three years — ever since DF Mavens closed in January 2016 ... after a Dec. 26, 2014 debut. (It took the Mavenators 14 months to open the space.)

Other tenants in recent years include Eastside Bakery (.net?) and Roastown Coffee. And the only business to last here in the past 30 years: the Gap, from 1988 to 2001.

Thanks to Steven for the photos! (And thanks to Jeff and Brian for sending some along as well!)

Monday's parting shot

New signage (as of yesterday) on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place for New York City Gun Club (as seen around various rolldown gates in recent months).

Workers are actually fitting this storefront for a bubble tea shop. 

Photo today by Steven

This is the new tenant for the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

If you guessed bubble tea, then you win! 

Yesterday, we noted that the long-vacant storefront — most recently Nobletree Coffee — on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place received the plywood treatment. 

A deeper dive in public records (thanks Upper West Sider!) reveals that the leasee is the Taiwan-based Xing Fu Tang, a bubble tea chain that specializes in brown sugar boba.

The bubble tea is rather plentiful already along this corridor. And last month, we reported that Gong Cha, which describes itself as "one of the most recognized bubble tea brands around the world," is opening an outpost at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Photo yesterday by Steven

What might be next for the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place?

3/3 update: See this update for the new tenant!

The plywooding of the vacant retail space on the northwest corner of St Mark's Place and Second Avenue continued yesterday. (Thanks Steven for the photo! H/T @unitof!) 

No word yet what might be in the works for the spot. (The workers were just there for the plywood; the work permits just mention interior renovations.) Tips welcome!

The for rent sign arrived here in August 2019 ... marking the first time in six years that this high-profile retail space was on the market. 

Nobletree Coffee closed here in May 2019 after just five months in business. A sign on the door for Nobletree's "beloved customers" offered thanks ... along with a reason for the closure: "Because of the slow foot traffic at this location we were forced to close." 

The listing at Winick noted that this is the "busiest intersection in the East Village." 

This storefront previously sat empty for three years — ever since DF Mavens closed in January 2016 ... after a Dec. 26, 2014 debut. (It took the Mavenators 14 months to open the space.)

Other tenants in recent years include Eastside Bakery (.net?) and Roastown Coffee.

And the only business to last here in the past 30 years: the Gap, from 1988 to 2001... (photo by Barry Joseph!)

Time capsules: The Gap of St. Mark's Place

An anonymous commenter left the link to this YouTube clip on yesterday's post about the northwest corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue being for rent.

From 1988 to 2001, the Gap was in that retail space.

A YouTuber named Steve Haskin created this video — "circa 1997" — on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...conducting interviews with passersby about the Gap's arrival. (At this point, the store had been there for nine years already, so...)

In any event, the four-plus minute clip is an entertaining time capsule (#tbt!) ... and a document showing how much the block has changed these past 20-plus years...



Previously on EV Grieve:
When the Gap moved into the East Village

Former Nobletree Coffee space for rent

[Photo by Steven]

The for rent sign arrived yesterday on the northwest corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue.

This is the first time in six years that this high-profile retail space is on the market.

Nobletree Coffee closed here in May after just five months in business. A sign on the door for Nobletree's "beloved customers" offered thanks ... along with a reason for the closure: "Because of the slow foot traffic at this location we were forced to close." (And we've noted the notes here and here.)

The listing at Winick notes that this is the "busiest intersection in the East Village." And it very well may be...



The rent is available upon request. In 2013, the asking rent was $27,000, per listings at the time.

This storefront previously sat empty for three years — ever since DF Mavens closed in January 2016 after a Dec. 26, 2014 debut. (It took the Mavenators 14 months to open the space.)

Other tenants in recent years include Eastside Bakery (.net?) and Roastown Coffee.

And the only business to last here in the past 30 years: the Gap, from 1988 to 2001...


[Photo by Barry Joseph]

Any thoughts on how much longer the space was sit empty... or who the next tenant might be...?

Previously on EV Grieve:
What a 'prized position' will cost you on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Nobletree Coffee abruptly shuts down on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[EVG photo]

After five-plus months in business, Nobletree Coffee abruptly closed yesterday on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

An EVG tipster told us that the move took staff by surprise yesterday morning — "not even shop manager was warned."

A sign on the door for Nobletree's "beloved customers" offers thanks ... along with a reason for the closure: "Because of the slow foot traffic at this location we were forced to close."


[Photo by Steven]

Slow foot traffic on St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue?

This prime corner space will be back to vacant, as it was the previous three years — ever since DF Mavens closed in January 2016.

Before the Mavens, we had the cafe Eastside Bakery (.net?). And there was Roastown Coffee before that. And the Gap a long time ago.

Updated 7:30 a.m.

Nobletree brass forgot to cancel the pastry order...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Nobletree Coffee is the next tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue

Pretty in pink? Shibuyala softly opens today on St. Mark's Place

Shibuyala, which sells beauty and health-care products from Japan, is in soft-open mode starting today here at 37 St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue. (Thanks to @unitof for the photos from Sunday!)



Shibuyala arrived in the United States in 2016, and now has stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Houston with 50 more outposts expected to open worldwide by 2022, per its website.

This space has been tenant-free since the 7-Eleven closed in November 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place — REVEALED

Weekend recap: Nobletree Coffee debuts (and a bonus photo of the Gap in this post!)

Holiday weekend ICYMI: Nobletree Coffee opened on Saturday on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

Per their Facebook About: "Nobletree is an innovative coffee brand of Farmers, Roasters, and Baristas based in Brooklyn with proprietary coffee farms in Brazil."

As previously noted, the corner space was vacant these past three years after DF Mavens closed. Before DF Mavens served vegan ice cream here, the space was the cafe Eastside Bakery (.net?) and Roastown Coffee.

And as a few previous posts have pointed out, the Gap was here from 1988 to 2001...



... oh wait...



The photo is by Barry Joseph, and it was published in Ada Calhoun's book "St. Marks Is Dead."

Nobletree Coffee debuts on 2nd Avenue at St. Mark's Place

That Nobletree Coffee outpost is now open on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place... EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared these photos this afternoon...



The Brooklyn-based Nobletree has several locations in NYC, including in the Dekalb Market Hall and Westfield World Trade Center.

Here's more about them via their website:

Nobletree’s name reflects the coffee tree’s alluring history and is a nod of respect to those who first transported coffee trees from their native home in Ethiopia to the tropics of the Atlantic. Today, Nobletree Coffee continues that tradition of respect by valuing everyone involved in growing, roasting, and preparing coffee as team members united in working toward the common goal of delivering a superior product to the most discerning consumers.

This prime corner space has sat empty for three years ... ever since DF Mavens closed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nobletree Coffee is the next tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue

New tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place — REVEALED

The signage arrived yesterday for the next tenant at 37 St. Mark's Place (aka 133 Second Ave.) — Shibuyala, which sells beauty and health-care products from Japan. (Thanks to Steven for these photos!)





Shibuyala arrived in the United States in 2016, and now has stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Houston with 50 more outposts expected to open worldwide by 2022, per its website.



We were just talking about 37 St. Mark's Place on Wednesday. Workers have been gutting the space, which has been tenant-free since the 7-Eleven closed in November 2013. (Also, I predicted a dessert place for the space. 0-1 in 2019!)

No word on an opening date. The space is still in the gut-renovation stage.

Here's what to expect inside the shop once it opens, via this Japanese promo clip on the Shibuyala website...

Does 37 St. Mark's Place actually have a new retail tenant?

On Monday, workers were spotted hauling out pieces of the demolished interior at 37 St. Mark's Place, the long-vacant storefront on the northwest corner of Second Avenue... prompting an all-cap headline: DOES 37 ST. MARK'S PLACE ACTUALLY HAVE A NEW RETAIL TENANT?

This high-profile storefront, now with papered-over windows, has been empty since the 7-Eleven closed here five-plus years ago. (The space was previously J.A.S. Mart.)

Work permits were recently approved for an interior renovation, at a cost of $127,000. No word just yet who the new tenant might be, though. Put me down for something dessert related.

Meanwhile, Nobletree Coffee will be opening soon in the corner space.

Updated 2 p.m.

Steven shared this photo of the interior...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about renting the former 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

After nearly 4 years empty, 37 St. Mark's Place may be getting new retail tenants

New for lease sign at the old 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

Nobletree Coffee is the next tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue

Also, breaking!

Signage is in progress this afternoon at the long-empty storefront that is 37 St. Mark's Place (at Second Avenue).

Workers are putting in the Nobletree Coffee signage...



We mentioned last week that coffee of some sort was (probably) coming here.



The Brooklyn-based Nobletree has several locations in NYC, including in the Dekalb Market Hall and Westfield World Trade Center.

Here's a small part for their about:

Nobletree’s name reflects the coffee tree’s alluring history and is a nod of respect to those who first transported coffee trees from their native home in Ethiopia to the tropics of the Atlantic. Today, Nobletree Coffee continues that tradition of respect by valuing everyone involved in growing, roasting, and preparing coffee as team members united in working toward the common goal of delivering a superior product to the most discerning consumers.

Nobletree is also affiliated somehow with the previous tenant, DF Mavens, the vegan ice cream shop that closed in January 2016 after opening in December 2014. (The coming soon signage arrived in October 2013.)

Before the Mavens, the prime corner space was the cafe Eastside Bakery (.net?). And there was Roastown Coffee before that. And the Gap a long time ago.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coffee probably for St. Mark's and 2nd Avenue, and the rent is still due at the former DF Mavens

Coffee probably for St. Mark's and 2nd Avenue, and the rent is still due at the former DF Mavens

EVG DF Mavens correspondent Steven continues to monitor the former DF Mavens space on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place.

And in recent interior revelations ... we have the makings of coffee ...





The contractors here say they don't know who the new tenant is.

Meanwhile, as we've seen in recent years, another past-due rent notice arrived on the door late last week...





DF Mavens, the vegan ice cream shop, closed in January 2016 after opening in December 2014. (The coming soon signage arrived in October 2013.)

Before the Mavens, the prime corner space was the cafe Eastside Bakery (.net?). And there was Roastown Coffee before that. And how could we forget Pizzanini? Or the Gap?!

New for lease sign at the old 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

Just noting that a new for lease sign arrived this week at 37 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... this prime, 2,000-square-foot space has been vacant since the 7-Eleven closed here in late November 2013.

The listing at Winick notes that the rent is available upon request, and that the possession is "immediate."

Winick originally had the listing, before another broker took over at the start of 2017. Anyway, maybe this will be the year for a new tenant here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about renting the former 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

After nearly 4 years empty, 37 St. Mark's Place may be getting new retail tenants

98 Favor Taste signage arrives on St. Mark's Place

The signage arrived yesterday on St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue for 98 Favor Taste, as these photos via EVG Senior Signage Correspondent Steven show ...





The restaurant comes via Liju Lin, who has run the 99 Favor Taste restaurant in Sunset Park since 2011 ... and the Grand Street location since 2012.

The restaurants specialize in traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals.

Upon opening on Grand Street, the Voice gave 99 Favor an enthusiastic review... calling it "a feastly orgy: trays heaped with raw meats and fishes, feathery greens and fungi, boiling and bubbling pots, and popping and sizzling meats top every table. Diners crowd around, heads-down, slurping noodles and soup with chopsticks, only looking up to tend the meat, cooking at arm's distance away."

These storefronts have been vacant going on five years now. Timi's Gelateria Classica™ closed at the end of 2011 in one of the spaces… while Michael "Bao" Huynh's Baoguette Cafe shut down at summer's end in 2012.

Previously

New broker for former 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

The 7-Eleven at 37 St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue closed at the end of November 2013. And the storefront has been empty ever since... there's now a new broker for the retail space. (The listing isn't online just yet at Walter-Samuels.)

A few of the storefronts here in the corner building have sat empty since late 2011. (RIP Timi's Gelateria Classica™.)

However, there will be a new tenant soon enough next to the former 7-Eleven with the arrival of 98 Favor Taste, which will specialize in traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals

Verizon Wireless takes over former Verizon Wireless storefront on 2nd Avenue

Back in April, the Verizon Wireless outlet on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place closed after nearly three years here.

After several months on the rental market... the for lease sign came down and renovations commenced ... and yesterday, signs went up in the window showing the new tenant — Verizon Wireless...



H/T Steven

Verizon Wireless closes for good on 2nd Avenue

The Verizon Wireless on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed up shop, EVG correspondent Steven notes.

The storefront looks to be in the process of being cleaned out...



This Verizon outlet opened in September 2013, taking over the space from Cohen's Optical. This building seems to have a tough time holding on to retail tenants, such as DF Mavens and 7-Eleven. However, the owner of 99 Favor Taste is bringing Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot to two of the empty storefronts on the St. Mark's side.

As for the Verizon, the space once housed in part the St Mark's Cinema... as seen here in "Moscow on the Hudson" with Robin Williams from 1984...



The cinema closed in 1985.