Abraço looking to move into a larger space across 7th Street

[Abraço before opening the other day]

The owners of Abraço, the popular coffee shop/cafe, have plans to move into a larger space across from their current Seventh Street home.

EVG correspondent Steven says that Jamie McCormick, who runs the shop along with his wife Elizabeth Quijada, had been searching for new space ... and decided to stay right on the block between First Avenue and Second Avenue when the former Krystal's Cafe 81 became available.


[Photo yesterday by Steven]

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



With the larger space, Abraço will also expand their menu offerings ... they are also seeking a liquor license, and will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Monday night.

According to the questionnaire (PDF here) posted on the CB3 website, the proposed hours are daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The questionnaire also includes a menu...



Abraço opened at 86 E. Seventh St. in October 2007.

The CB3 SLA committee meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

Krystal's Cafe 81 has closed for good on East 7th Street

[EVG file photo]

Krystal's Cafe 81 on East Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue has closed for good. Sunday was its last day in business, according to this website for "New York Ethnic Food Lovers."

There isn't any mention of a closure on the Cafe 81 Facebook page. The Cafe 81 phone rings once before the line goes dead.

Most recently Cafe 81 had been a Filipino restaurant and bar... Until Jan. 1, 2005, the address was home to Verchovyna Tavern aka George's Bar aka Bar 81.

H/T EVG reader Charlie Chen

Previously on EV Grieve:
At Cafe 81, you'd better be quiet or someone will throw a shamwow at you

Resident asks, What can I do about those 2 dogs left outside all day on 7th Street?

A note from a reader:

"I live next door to Cafe 81 on 7th Street and lately there have been two dogs left outside all day inside the fenced in area. They bark all day long. They're small dogs, but they're very loud and annoying. Sometimes a woman comes out of the building and gives them food and water, but mostly they're just out there alone. I've called 311 a few times, but nothing has changed. It's bad for the neighbors trying to get some peace and it's bad for these poor dogs. E.V. Grieve, can you and your readers please do something!!!"

The reader followed up later yesterday.

"An angry woman screamed out the window to Shut those dogs up! And someone came out and took the dogs in. Hopefully for good!"

Given the location, I'm surprised that no one has thrown a shamwow at the dogs.

Also, Cafe 81 has been closed now for months, as noted previously...

Previously on EV Grieve:
At Cafe 81, you'd better be quiet or someone will throw a shamwow at you

Reader questions: Is Cafe 81 still open on East Seventh Street?

Over on Seventh Street near First Avenue, Cafe 81 hasn't apparently been open lately, according to a reader who's curious about the space... One Yelper claims that they've been closed since Sandy. They do have a recent history of closing for short periods of time, then reopening.

Anyway, we haven't heard anything ... have you? (We called, and there isn't any answer...)

As you may know, Cafe 81 used to be the lovely and amazing Verchovyna Tavern aka George's Bar aka Bar 81. They closed Jan. 1, 2005. Jeremiah paid tribute to it several years ago...

Previously on EV Grieve:
At Cafe 81, you'd better be quiet or someone will throw a shamwow at you