Tuesday's parting shot

Here's a late-afternoon look at the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Avenue A.

As we reported on Friday, the newish landlord here has decided not to paint over the 13-year-old "Liberty" mural here created by the UK artist STIK. A rep told EVG's Stacie Joy that the landlord was surprised by the outpouring of support for the 13-year-old, four-floor-tall artwork. 

"The importance to the community is what did it," the rep said. "We will paint around it in some form." 

We asked the landlord whether the background around the mural will remain as is or if there are plans to frame it. We'll see what they say.

Landlord: STIK’s 'Liberty' mural will remain on 9th Street and Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Workers have been painting the building at the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Avenue A, prompting concern about the "Liberty" mural's fate.

A member of the building's management team, on-site yesterday, said the north-facing mural by UK street artist STIK was likely to remain. The rep contacted us later to confirm the news.

The rep also admitted that the landlord was surprised by the outpouring of support on social media for the 13-year-old, four-floor-tall artwork. 

"The importance to the community is what did it," the rep said. "We will paint around it in some form."

In an Instagram Story, STIK also confirmed the news that the mural would be spared from the paint-over... and thanked everyone who spoke out about it.

The piece arrived in September 2013, a gift from the now-closed Dorian Grey Gallery on Ninth Street, and was meant to honor the history of Tompkins Square Park.

The rep said the building has been in contact with the artist and had been "exploring options," adding: "We're doing our best to speak to the community and we're taking into consideration the neighborhood."

He also noted that the building is in disrepair, pointing to recently refreshed details: "You can see how nice and sharp the cornices look now."

As previously reported, in December 2022, entities tied to landlord Nuchem Obstfeld purchased a five-building East Village portfolio for $29 million, including 413, 438 and 440 E. Ninth St., as well as 141 and 153 Avenue A. 

Chico's long-standing Doc Holliday's mural was not part of the building painting project, the rep said.

Monday's parting shot

Here's a 5 p.m. look at the SW corner of Avenue A and Ninth Street... where two workers have been painting the building. 

One of the workers today confirmed they would be painting over the 13-year-old mural by UK street artist STIK titled "Liberty."

Today, they focused primarily on the cornice atop the north-facing wall. 

We're told there has been some dialogue with the landlord, although it's unclear what, if anything, might transpire. TBD. 

The mural arrived in September 2013... a gift from the former Dorian Grey Gallery on Ninth Street... the work was to honor the history of Tompkins Square Park.

The end of 'Liberty' on 9th and A?

Workers are painting the building on the SW corner of Ninth Street and Avenue A. 

Will they paint around the "Liberty" mural by the UK street artist STIK? (Suuure!)

The mural arrived in September 2013... a gift from the long-closed Dorian Grey Gallery on Ninth Street... the work was to honor the history of Tompkins Square Park. 

Also, what does the paint job mean for Chico's "Tombstone" mural outside Doc Holliday's? It is pretty nicked up... 

Updated: 

The crew packed it up by 4:30 with the north-facing wall left to do... or not to do?

Doc Holliday's serves again on Avenue A

Doc Holliday's returned to service Friday on Avenue A at Ninth Street for the first time since March 2020. (There was a "private opening" during the day with the doors to the bar opening to everyone at 10 p.m.) 

Here's part of their reopening message on Instagram:

After the shutdown ... we waited, and waited and waited. No we weren't going to do "to-go" drinks, no to those hideous sidewalk build outs, no to being the mask police, no to keeping people 6 feet apart. No to risking our health and yours. But now, we say YES!

With this, the ownership group's EV bars are all back open ... joining Milano's, the Library and d.b.a. 

Doc Holliday's turns 27 while closed during the pandemic; 'We will be back'

Doc Holliday's on Avenue A and Ninth Street turned 27 yesterday (b. April 6, 1994).

The bar has been closed since the PAUSE in March 2020. 

A few people have asked if Doc Holliday's will reopen... they are one of several bars that has remained closed, and without an official closing announcement or the arrival of a for rent sign outside (see also: The Library, d.b.a., Blue & Gold, Milano's and Tom and Jerry's). 

In an Instagram Story from yesterday, the bar said that they will be back...

In a post from March 20, the bar wrote:

... 50% or even 100% capacity means nothing to us without bar seating, with the 11 p.m. imposed curfew, no standing & drinking and about fifty gazillion other reasons. BUT, don’t worry we will be back. We just can’t predict the future. When we know, you will know. Miss you much!

EVG file photo 

When appliances imitate art

Vinny & O spotted this discarded Frigidaire room air-conditioner thing this morning on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... adorned with the stick figure that's similar to what's on the side of Doc Holliday's on Ninth Street at Avenue A...



That mural, by UK street artist STIK and titled "Liberty," went up in September 2013. Stik is known to leave androgynous "stik people" behind wherever he visits.

Doc Holliday's turning 20 this week

Wow… 20 years for the bar (with two Ls) at 141 Avenue A at East Ninth Street…

[File photo from 2010]

Senior year is going by so quickly

Hey, time again for Doc Holliday's annual Prom Night tonight at Ninth Street and Avenue A. As you can see, there are prizes for the Dance Queen Dance Contest and the Best Dressed Dude.

Please be nice to everyone's parents… and don't forget to remove the corsages and boutineers from the fridge.

… and now, an old person's prom reference… oh Randy!

Give me 'Liberty:' New mural on East 9th Street honors Tompkins Square Park

Throughout the week, we've been watching a new mural go up on the side of Doc Holliday's on Avenue A and East Ninth Street... Bobby Williams has been keeping tabs on the progress...







... the mural is now complete...



What's it all about? Per a tipster:

A gift from Dorian Grey Gallery [on East 9th Street] and UK street artist STIK to the neighborhood. The mural is titled "Liberty" in honor of the history of Tompkins Square Park.

Here is the new awning at Doc Holliday's on Avenue A

Last Tuesday, workers removed the well-worn awning outside the saloon here at East Ninth Street...

And one week later... the new-look awning went up ...

[Top photos by Bobby Williams]

...and the old one via Google... pretty similar, though the word "restaurant" no longer appears... didn't recall that they even served food...