Hub Thai relocating to a larger space on Avenue A

Positive restaurant news to share — Hub Thai is making a short move on Avenue A from No. 103-105 (above) between Sixth Street and Seventh Street to No. 50 between Third Street and Fourth Street...

The new address will offer a lot more indoor dining space (when that is all good again some day) for Hub Thai patrons. 

No. 50 has been hosting a variety of pop-ups this past year... this after Villa Cemita held forth here for five years until last June.

Another weekend for pop ups at 50 Avenue A

Milk Money Kitchens is hosting another weekend pop-up breakfast service at 50 Avenue A (the former Villa Cemita space) between Third Street and Fourth Street today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Today's menu: Organic egg sandwiches from Eggdays and coffee via Black 6 Coffee Trading Co as well as kombucha popsicles from The Better Pop.

Milk Money Kitchens, which provides commercial kitchen rentals and consulting services for food businesses, is opening soon right next door on Avenue A.

Today's special: Milk Money Kitchens bringing food-consulting business to Avenue A

50 Avenue A finally has a new tenant.

Signage arrived over the weekend here between Third Street and Fourth Street for Milk Money Kitchens, which provides commercial kitchen rentals and consulting services for food businesses and designer kitchens for home cooks, per their website. (Their tagline: "Offering Rental Kitchens & Services that Help Food Entrepreneurs and Home Cooks Live Out Their Passion.")

Nancy Preston, the company's founder and CEO, is a 10-year Army veteran, and served as a Brigade Engineer building bases in Iraq.

This retail space had been on the market since the Citibank branch closed in January 2017.

The storefront's exterior now features the second coming of the cowboy mural by Solus.

A P.S. related:

Perhaps Milk Money can help fill the void created by the sudden closure of the food incubator Pilotworks this past weekend. Guess that means Pilotworks really isn't taking that space at 347 Bowery.

The return of the cowboy on Avenue A

The cowboy mural by Solus made a return appearance to 50 Avenue A yesterday.

Back in June, Solus (via the L.I.S.A Project NYC) put up a nearly identical cowboy here between Third Street and Fourth Street...


[EVG photo from June]

However, the landlord of the vacant space had the mural painted over for whatever reasons within several days. Perhaps it will stick around longer this time.

This retail property has sat empty since the Citibank branch closed in January 2017.

Live above the (soon-to-depart) Citibank at 50 Avenue A

[Photo from 2014]

As noted last month, the Citibank at 50 Avenue A is closing for good in January. Several readers commented that the building housing the bank branch is rather unattractive.

I never thought much about it. There is a residence in the building for sale. Perhaps it's much better from the inside. Here's a look at the listing via Streeteasy:

This beautifully renovated apartment, one of the loveliest two bedroom, two full bathrooms currently on the market in the east village, is spacious, serene, and light-filled. Three blocks from Tompkins Square Park, four from the F train, and a five minute walk to SoHo, it's location puts you in one of the most convenient and authentic spots from which to experience our magical city.

The new renovation includes sanded oak floors, a raised ceiling with painted beams, exposed brick in every room, open kitchen, mosaic tiles in the bathroom, and custom made, rustic fixtures and furniture, which can come with the apartment. Rustic wood wraps the roaring fireplace, there is washer/ drier setup in unit, stainless steel oven, microwave, dishwasher, air con units and a powerful heating system under the individual apartment's control. There is a ton of storage space in the apartment and additional small, medium and large storage units available in the basement.

Located in a super safe (a new camera intercom is going in this month), conveniently located building on Ave A and third, you are steps from a 24 hour grocery store with plenty of organic produce, one block from the newest and largest New York Sports Clubs, within two blocks of a 24 hour Duane Reade, Union Market, bookstores, art galleries, restaurants, community gardens bars, nightlife, theaters and so much more.

And two pics...





Asking price: $1.25 million. And there's an open house tomorrow afternoon from 2:30-4:30.

Citibank keeps telling people about their impending closure on Avenue A

Back on Oct. 12, we shared the news that the Citibank branch at 50 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street is closing in January.

In recent days several EVG readers shared an email that Citi sent to them about the closure:

We are writing to let you know that the Citibank branch at 50 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 will be closing on January 13, 2017, at 3:00 PM. We’d like to thank you for the opportunity to have served you here, and we assure you that you will receive the same great service, now at a new location.

This will have no effect on your account(s). It may be convenient for you to bank at our Seward Park branch located at 411 Grand St., New York, NY 10002 but remember, you can always visit any of our branches for your banking needs. Plus, you'll continue to enjoy easy access to your account(s), however you choose, with:

• Thousands of fee-free ATMs nationwide¹

• CitiPhone Banking®

• Citibank® Online

• Citi Mobile® App

• Mobile Check Deposit with your smartphone²

• CitiBusiness® Online

We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause you. Thank you again for your continued business.

An EVG reader asked a customer-service rep at the branch about the closing. The rep did not know why this was happening, and that few people were likely to use the Seward Park branch seeing as the Stuy Town location on First Avenue at 15th Street was more convenient for many of the bank's current patrons.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Citibank branch on Avenue A is closing

Villacemita opens Saturday at 50 Avenue A

The new Mexican cafe opens Saturday at Avenue A between East Third Street and East Fourth Street. Workers removed the paper from the windows yesterday... a few readers told us that the space looks quite nice inside ...

The photos a reader tried to take for us are admittedly a little dark and blurry...





The cafe's website doesn't have the menus posted yet. You can find the website here.

The previous tenant here, Native Bean, moved to 36 Avenue A at the beginning of the year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Villacemita, serving authentic Puebla Mexican cuisine, announces itself on Avenue A

Villacemita, serving authentic Puebla Mexican cuisine, announces itself on Avenue A

Interior renovations continue at 50 Avenue A between East Third Street and East Fourth Street. As we first noted on Jan. 6, a cafe featuring Mexican food is taking over the space that Native Bean held before moving to 36 Avenue A.

The sign is up now for the new tenant — Villacemita, serving authentic Puebla Mexican cuisine ...



There's a teaser website up now for the cafe ... there isn't any further information just yet. The cafe is in line to receive a beer-wine license. The owners were on this month's CB3/SLA committee docket.

According to paperwork (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, Villacemita's proposed hours are 7 a.m. to midnight every day except for Sunday, when they'd close at 8 p.m. In total, there are 10 tables with seating for 20 people. The owners describes the place as "a small, community-oriented restaurant."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Space that houses Native Bean on Avenue A is for rent

Native Bean space apparently back on the market

Native Bean will be moving on Avenue A

Mexican food spot slated for former Native Bean space on Avenue A

Native Bean reopens in new Avenue A home

Mexican food spot slated for former Native Bean space on Avenue A

Now that the Native Bean has reopened in its new home at 36 Avenue A... let's turn our attention to what's taking over its former space undergoing a renovation now at 50 Avenue A between East Third Street and East Fourth Street.

An applicant going by Villa Cemita Inc. is on this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting docket.

According to paperwork (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, the new restaurant will serve "Puebla/Mexican food," including breakfast. The proposed hours are 7 a.m. to midnight every day except for Sunday, when they'd close at 8 p.m. In total, there are 10 tables with seating for 20 people. The applicant describes the place as "a small, community-oriented restaurant."

The applicants, who are seeking a beer-wine license, will not be appearing before the committee next Monday night at 6:30.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Space that houses Native Bean on Avenue A is for rent

Native Bean space apparently back on the market

Native Bean will be moving on Avenue A

Native Bean will be moving on Avenue A

[EVG file photo]

The Native Bean space at 50 Avenue A between East Third Street and East Fourth Street has been on and off the market since September 2011.

Now EVG Facebook friend Steve Fagan shares some good news about the cafe's future. The Native Bean will be closing up shop on Nov. 26 ... with a new home lined up at the former space that Angelina Cafe used before moving across A.

The Native Bean is hope for a seamless transition ... per the signs up in the space...



No. 50 is on the market for $9,500 a month.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Space that houses Native Bean on Avenue A is for rent

Native Bean space apparently back on the market

A good sign at the Native Bean?

Back in September 2011, a "for rent" sign went up above Native Bean at 50 Avenue A... Per the listing, it's a 10-year lease at $10,000 per month.

Well. Now 18 months later, workers have removed the "for rent" sign. (On March 1.)



And in its place last Thursday, a new Native Bean sign now greets passersby...



While the listing remains online, a tipster who frequents the cafe believes that they are staying put. Plus, as the tipster notes, the Native Bean has just added new menu items, such as a grilled chicken sandwich and caramel apples(!). Plus! They just installed a small aquarium.

We haven't heard any official confirmation. Ali, the owner, is currently away.

Space that houses Native Bean on Avenue A is for rent

If you walked past Native Bean on Avenue A this past weekend, then you probably saw that new "for rent" sign hanging above the gate...

The space is for rent. According to the listing at Tower Brokerage...

It's a 10-year lease at $10,000 per month. We understand that it's possible that Native Bean will stay here.