When Avenue C started getting swallowed up by the earth

At 13th Street today... just keeping an eye on this sinkhole of sorts... Photo by Bobby Williams.

Fresno Gourmet Deli now with signage on Avenue C

Last Wednesday, we pointed out that a new deli was opening on Avenue C near East Third Street... the signage for the Fresno Gourmet Deli appeared on Friday.

Hanging up the skates for the winter?

Ninth Street and Avenue C.

Photo by Andrew Adam Newman on Avenue C.

2 new delis for Avenue C

Well, we've heard from several correspondents — Dave on 7th, Bobby Williams and Matt LES_Miserable — that a new deli is in the works for the empty storefront on the southwest corner of Avenue C at 11th Street...

The last tenant, the Monk Thrift Shop, closed in December 2010. At the time, neighbors heard that a bank branch would open here.

Anyway, nothing in the DOB paperwork suggests any kind of chain, like, say, a 7-Eleven. Of course, there are already two delis on the other side of 11th Street.

Meanwhile, down Avenue C a bit... at 27 Avenue C between Second Street and Third Street... another new deli is opening...

Again, the DOB permits don't show a chain-related store in the works. The DOB shows that the place is going by "Fresno Gourment Deli."

Previously, 27 Avenue C hosted the New York City Poker Tour.

Verso closes to re-design dining room

Dave on 7th passes this tidbit along... spotted at Verso, the Italian bistro that opened on Eighth Street and Avenue C this past May 16 ... They closed yesterday for the renovations...

Have you eaten here? Just curious what people think of the place...

NYPD briefly closes part of Avenue C due to 'suspicious package'

Several readers told us that around 5:15 this evening, the NYPD shut down Avenue C between Seventh Street and Ninth Street after receiving a call about a "suspicious package." Bobby Williams was on the scene...

We stopped by a little later to retrieve that suitcase we left behind and found the scene to be all clear. All clear of the NYPD.

The Wayland (soft) opens Friday

As you may have read at New York magazine or on Eater this week... the Wayland (soft) opens Friday in the former Banjo Jim's space on Avenue C at Ninth Street...

Eater posted the bar's cocktail and food menus here.

These previews featured some of the more specialty items, like the applewood-smoked ice in one of the drinks. Didn't see anything about beer. Funny question, but will they have beer?

"Menus aren't finalized but we are always planning on keeping a few beers in the $4 and $5 range," Rob Ceraso, one of the owners, told us via email. "Right now it's Modelo Especial cans for $4 and Bud Light and High Life for $5. Most craft beers are at $6 and we're working on being able to do a couple at $5 as well."

And they will eventually roll out some type of happy hour in the future.

As for the decor, apparently some of it has come via dumpster diving.

"We ended up rescuing almost all of the wood that we used in the bar from the [the Henry Street Settlement Day Care #3 building] that's getting demo'd around the corner from us," he said. "Most of it is original from 1875."

There will also be live music in the space. More on that later.

Previously.

Duke's is gone

After our post on Monday about Duke's on Avenue C ... several readers confirmed that the neighborhood bar near East Eight Street closed at the beginning of the year. A walk by yesterday confirms this: The signs had been removed; and workers have started taking down the bar...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Has Duke's closed?

Has Duke's closed?

[EVG file photo]

That's what a reader asked after this weekend on Avenue C near East Eighth Street ... the place didn't look open (you know — locked door, drawn curtains, no lights) ... and we spotted this note on the window late Saturday afternoon...

Back in August, East Village Eats wondered if the bar was on its last legs. EVE noted that, earlier in the summer, the bar lost access to the basement and had to pull all of their taps and only serve bottled beer. At the time, a manager confirmed that the place was on the way out...

If so, then this is too bad... Duke's is/was a nice, normal neighborhood bar... without the showy cocktails or general stupidity of some East Village bars...

Breaking: That 99-cent pizza place now open on Avenue C

And doing brisk business, Dave on 7th notes... We wrote about the place between Ninth Street and 10th Street back here.

Exclusive first look at the F&F 99 Cent Slice Pizza place menu on Avenue C

The other day, we pointed out that a new 99-cent slice joint was opening on Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street... As far as we can tell, the place will be called F&F 99 Cent Slice Pizza...

Anyway! Dave on 7th took a look inside... And look at the menu... the pizza is 99 cents! Or, two slices and a soda or bottle of water for $2.75....

As their slogan says, "Eat Hot Always." Wasn't that the name of a Van Halen song?

A quick look at Bobwhite

And a few blocks away on Avenue C near Sixth Street... work continues at the incoming Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter ... Matt LES_Miserable looked in for an update...

There are a few more food details on the Bobwhite website...

Previously.

The New Charlie's closes on Avenue C

[JVNY]

Back in 2008, the changing economics of the neighborhood forced the 41-year-old Yes! This Is Charlie's out of business on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The neighborhood favorite variety store that sold a little bit of everything — greeting cards! activity books for kids! school supplies! — closed on March 31, 2008. (Read about the store at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York and The Villager.)

As manager Danny Rodriguez told The Villager: "Mostly outsiders are moving in, and they couldn’t care less about us. All the new shops don't cater to the people here. You feel like an outsider in your own neighborhood. To be honest, I don't think they even want us here. They would love it if little by little we would just get out so they can move into our apartments."

However, with help from some loyal customers, Charlie's was able to relocate to 167 Avenue C several months later in June 2008. (There's more on the move via Jeremiah's Vanishing NY here.)

[JVNY]

Unfortunately, we noticed that the store had seemingly disappeared the last time we walked on this stretch of Avenue C... Indeed, a salon has now taken over the space... advertising a Grand Opening as of yesterday...

As a longtime customer told The Villager upon hearing that Charlie's was closing in March 2008: "I've been coming here since I was 7 or 8," said a 46-year-old Hispanic woman. "We need to have our community stores. This is what keeps the neighborhood healthy. There is so much greed that is destroying the neighborhood."

$1 pizza getting less expensive on Avenue C

99 cents!

Here's what is coming soon to Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street... The Mosaic Cafe closed here in September.

The 'peaceful vibes' of Avenue C and East 12th Street

A reader notes some new art (as of about Nov. 19 or so) on the corner of Avenue C and East 12th Street...

The Terra Fossil Dinosaurs were created by graffiti artist Zimad ...

... and the French graffiti crew Le Moche (pictured) did the LES piece mural...

Per the reader: "The corner sends peaceful vibes to the East Village with the ThreeDotDash.org morse code peace sign, traditional peace sign (posted days after 9/11) and a memorial to Gil Scott Heron by Chico."

On Avenue C, Bobwhite is hiring; and what exactly is Bobwhite?

Over at 94 Avenue C near East Sixth Street... work continues at Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter...

... and they are hiring now...

We've talked with several nearby residents who have high hopes for the restaurant, which will serve Southern-style comfort food ... the owner, Virginia native Keedick Coulter, received approval for a beer and wine license from the CB3/SLA committee last month...

Anyway, they have a website here ...

Here's a description what's coming here (early next year):

Bobwhite Counter is a small restaurant with big aspirations. We want to make seasonal, responsible food something you can afford to enjoy on a regular basis. Maybe we’re biased, but we think that the spirit and soul of Southern cooking is a perfect way to do just that. Whether you want to sit down for a friendly meal or take something home, we hope you’ll enjoy our Southern-style chicken suppers, sandwiches, and seasonal vegetables all made from responsible, high-quality ingredients.

Chico whipped up some bobwhites for the rolldown gate...

[Thanks to Dave on 7th for the top two photos]

The Sunday morning flea markets along Avenue C

Meanwhile, here's a clip from August 1993 with much lower production values... but interesting nonetheless ... the old flea market on Avenue C at Eighth Street...

Why the Mosaic Cafe closed

[Dave on 7th]

Yesterday, we reported that Mosaic Cafe had closed on Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street... I asked co-owner Rachel Fuchs what happened. Here's her response, via email:

"Business was going well. Unfortunately, we had to close due to issues with the landlord. We are very upset about the whole situation and love the neighborhood... so hopefully we will be able to relocate in the East Village in the near future."

Mosaic Cafe has closed on Avenue C

Dave on 7th passes along the news that Mosaic Cafe has closed on Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street...

They opened last November, and seemed to be a good neighborhood spot ... The sign left for customers says that they might relocate...

The Porch moving on from Avenue C

Very reliable sources tell Dave on 7th that The Porch, the summery, two-level bar between Eighth Street and Seventh Street, is relocating to another part of the city. We stopped by last night. The place was closed. And no one was answering the phone.

Never been here ourselves. Kind of knew what it was all about. Per the Porch website: "More than a bar or lounge, 'The Porch' is an oasis for the mind, body and spirit. One step inside and you will be transported to a magical world that simultaneously elicits nostalgic memories of swinging on your grandmother’s porch swing while sipping a cool glass of lemonade as a child and of traveling to a distant, mysterious and romantic land."

[Dramatic pause]

Oh, and the source says that an Indian restaurant is taking over the space. At least that's what the rumor is along here.