Days of wine and Rosé

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On a recent early Friday evening, Brix Wine Shop held its annual Rosé Gala ... this year in the courtyard at the Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish on Ninth Street and Avenue B. (Brix previously held the event at La Plaza Cultural down the block). 

It was a pleasant evening with many familiar East Village friends and neighbors, including Brix owner Beatriz Gutierrez and Pastor Will with his husband Steven ... and several bottles of rosé.

Brix Wine Shop is now open in its new space right next door on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Brix Wine Shop swapped storefront spaces last week at 170 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

The business is now in the building's south storefront. Take a quick look!

The move took place to facilitate the encore presentation of Barnyard Cheese Shop. 

As we first reported on Aug. 23, owner Beatriz Gutierrez is opening Barnyard Express in the north space at 170 Avenue B, featuring a full menu of her best-selling sandwiches and other items. (The two storefronts will connect via a passthrough.)

The original Barnyard Cheese Shop closed in October 2021 at 168 Avenue B. (The business dates to 2008 on Ninth and C, with a 2016 opening on Avenue B.)

Gutierrez has not yet set an opening date for Barnyard Express.

As for Brix, they open daily at noon.

Barnyard Cheese Shop is closing for good tomorrow

Photos yesterday by Stacie Joy

Tomorrow is the last day in business for Barnyard Cheese Shop at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

Owner Beatriz Gutierrez confirmed the news (H/T Elsie) to EVG contributor Stacie Joy. 

Gutierrez said Victor, her longtime cook, suffered a loss during the pandemic — his brother died. Victor wants and needs to return home to be with his family in Mexico.

Gutierrez said that she has repeatedly tried to find kitchen staff but can't, so she is forced to close Barnyard. She stressed that this is not a lack-of-business issue — it's wholly staffing-related. 

She has a lease on the space until the end of November and may do some catering here. Gutierrez also said she may hold on to the storefront for another venture in the future, though she isn't sure right at this moment.

Barnyard, which offers cheeses, cured meats, salads and delicious specialty sandwiches, first opened in 2008 on Ninth Street and Avenue C ... moving to its current location in late 2016.

Her companion shop next door, Brix Wines, will remain open. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A Visit to Brix Wines and Barnyard Cheese Shop on Avenue B

Barnyard Cheese Shop returns; Brix Wines moves a storefront away

Barnyard Cheese Shop reopened on Saturday at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street... (thanks to Vinny & O for the photos and Laura for the tip!)...

The popular cheesemonger and sandwich shop closed on Feb. 19 for a temporary break. 

In an email at the time, owner Beatriz Gutierrez told me that it had "been an exhausting year." She continued: "[B]ut I know that a lot of folks look to us, literally, for their daily bread and I knew it would be a shock to see us closed. But I also know that closing Barnyard, for at least now, was the right thing to do. I am working hard at finding the best way to reopen and also stay safe, relevant, and of course, solvent as a business at a time when so many other businesses are not able to do so."

Meanwhile, Brix Wines, her sister shop right next door, moved one storefront to the north...

... to the former Rue St. Denis space...

Barnyard is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Brix Wines is open daily from noon to 8 p.m., to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Thanks to Steven for the second Brix shot...