Former Bean space for rent on 2nd Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

The Bean's sudden departures from their spaces on First Avenue and Ninth Street and Second Avenue and Third Street on Nov. 24 took a lot of people by surprise. For starters, the coffee shops always looked crowded, and they have a loyal neighborhood following.

Owner Ike Escava told us the following: "Due to rising costs the decision to close was unfortunately the only one we could make."

Now the Second Avenue space is on the retail market. (There isn't a listing yet for the First Avenue storefront.) Here's more about 54 Second Ave. via the listing:

Amazing corner retail in the heart of the East Village. High ceilings and a no cooking infrastructure in place. Landlord will consider venting for a qualified operator. Great storage basement with walk-in, storage, etc. Very strong corner in great neighborhood. Potential for a sidewalk café and all uses are considered. Ideal for non-vented or vented food, fitness, bank, retail, salon/spa and many other types.

The asking rent is between $135 to $155 a square foot for the space, listed at 1,355 square feet.

The Bean opened here in December 2011.

The prime corner space was vacant for years, and home to the infamous "crazy landlord" who "must rent this store."


[Circa 2010]

Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Crazy Landlord sign

'Crazy Landlord' back to being crazy!

54 2nd Ave. has been sold

The 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue locations of the Bean closed for good yesterday

54 2nd Ave. has been sold

The four-story building on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Third Street has been sold.

According to Kevin Darouvar, sales and acquisitions at the Living Real Estate Group, Dalan Management bought the building for $7 million from the family who has owned it since 1976.

In its current configuration, there are two living spaces: one on the second floor with a 2,600-square-foot duplex on the third and fourth levels. Darouvar said that Dalan planned to offer the units as rentals.

The Bean, the building's retail tenant, has a lease on the space through 2026. The coffee shop opened here in December 2011.

Some readers may recall several years ago when the retail space was vacant... and the Crazy Landlord just had to rent this space...

[Photo from March 2011 by Salim]

Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Crazy Landlord sign

'Crazy Landlord' back to being crazy!

The Bean will be the Crazy Landlord's new tenant on Second Avenue

Work continues at 54 Second Ave. at Third Street, home of the beloved "Crazy Landlord" sign.

Despite some rumors ("garment store with sex toys"!), the storefront will be home to the new East Village location of The Bean, currently housed on First Avenue and Third Street... just a block away. Permits with the DOB confirm the new tenant.

While walking by yesterday, EV Grieve regular jdx noted a new name on the buzzer...

We don't have all the details on the move to Second Avenue. The Crazy Landlord did confirm the new tenant. We'll have more later...

Meanwhile, the Bean is finalizing their plans to open an outpost on 12th and Broadway as well.

Previous EV Grieve coverage of The Bean:
New York State seizes The Bean on First Avenue!

[Updated] Out-of-control cab kills one, injuries six on First Avenue and Third Street

Did the Bean reopen too soon?

'Crazy Landlord' finally getting his wish on Second Avenue?

Several readers told us that workers were putting up a sidewalk shed yesterday at Third Street and Second Avenue, home to the infamous "crazy landlord" who "must rent this store."

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

One reader asked a worker if this meant the space had been rented. "Yeah... I guess so," the worker said.

According to the DOB, plans to for a "new storefront and interior renovation" were disapproved in July. However, last week, the DOB did OK plans to erect the sidewalk shed here. The plans for the Belgian ale house — a "sexier Balthazar" — are apparently dead for the space.