About photographer Richard Sandler's 'The Eyes of the City' pop-up at Abraço

Photos and text by Daniel Efram 

Sandler at The Bronx Documentary Center, 2023

Photographer Richard Sandler, formerly a longtime East Village resident, will be showing selected prints from his timeless book "Eyes of the City" (Powerhouse, 2016) at Abraço Espresso from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday.

The filmmaker and photographer, who relocated to Vancouver in 2023, is back in NYC for an exclusive exhibition of his work at the prestigious Robert Capa Foundation in Yonkers, running until June 28. 

"These were the streets of my youth. [Being back] felt like diving into a river that I'm familiar with… walking my old route," Sandler said about his NYC return. "In this flow, I can pretty much take any picture I want. The skill is being invisible." 

The Capa Foundation also screened Sandler's historic "The Gods of Times Square," a documentary about the radical transformation of Midtown, in which he videotaped every day — and many nights — from 1992 to 1997. 

Completed in 1998, the film is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing a different era of the city. 

Abraço is located at 81 E. Seventh St., between First and Second Avenues. 

Find Efram's recently launched Substack here.

I Spy: Serving up Pulp art at Abraço

Britpopsters Pulp has returned for its first stateside tour in 12 years, playing last night and tonight at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. 

In addition, Mark Webber, the band's guitarist, is releasing a personal history titled "I'm With Pulp, Are You?" (Hat & Beard Press) in November. 

Webber lived briefly on Seventh Street in the late 1990s. Yesterday, he stopped by Abraço, 81 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, to check out the artwork that Steve Keene created of Pulp's classic 1995 record Different Class. (The artwork is up for auction.) 

This might sound like Pulp fan fiction, but ... Cecilia Ghidotti, a fan who traveled from the UK to see the Brooklyn shows, came to Abraço while Webber was there. And a photo proves it  (thanks, Daniel Efram) ...

The Pulp art is expected to be up at the coffee shop through the end of the month.

Indoor service is back at Abraço

For the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, indoor service has returned to Abraço Espresso. (Thanks to Drew Heffron for the photo and tip!) 

The cafe had been selling their pastries and coffee drinks from a walk-up to-go system. 

Abraço is at 81 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Hours: 

Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Abraço's new home on 7th Street debuts today

[Last day yesterday for Abraço at No. 86 via]

After nearly nine years at 86 E. Seventh St., Abraço has moved into a larger space across the street here between First Avenue and Second Avenue...


[Photo by Steven]

...the new address is 81 E. Seventh St. ...


[Photo by Vinny & O]


[Photo by Vinny & O]

With the larger space, Abraço owners Jamie McCormick and Elizabeth Quijada will also expand their menu offerings. (They were also OK'd for a beer-wine license.) Not sure just yet of the new hours... will update later.

A photo posted by @abraco_espresso on Sep 10, 2016 at 6:05am PDT

This space was previously home to Krystal's Cafe 81, which closed earlier this year. (Until Jan. 1, 2005, the address was home to Verchovyna Tavern aka George's Bar aka Bar 81.)

H/T Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:
Abraço looking to move into a larger space across 7th Street

Abraço Espresso opening a new shop on East 7th Street

[Photo Sunday by EVG reader Russ]

Abraço Espresso partners Jamie McCormick and Elizabeth Quijada are opening a satellite shop a few storefronts away in the former Velvet Cigar Lounge space at 80 E. Seventh St.

Abraçolina, which opens tomorrow, will sell bags of coffee beans, jars of olive oil and bottles of mineral water, among other items.