At the dawn of a New Year, Key Master departs Gem Spa; finger-pointing and fortune-telling ensue

On Wednesday afternoon, we happily watched workers cart away that crappy Key Master — a so-called "prize merchandising game" — from outside Gem Spa on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place…





Since arriving 15 months ago, Key Master has stolen taken business away from NYC favorite Zoltar … sparking an ugly turf war in the process.

So few people were upset, in the opinion of this blogger, when Key Master got wrapped up in Home Depot-branded plastic in recent weeks.

As of our press time, there wasn't any word from Gem Spa officials on what might be next here … or if a Zoltar associate purposefully broke Key Master.

Anyway, a BIG story to watch here in 2015…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Gem Spa stunner: Zoltar now has Key Master competition; doomsday predicted

Cause for rethinking last-minute gift ideas as Key Master remains wrapped outside Gem Spa

No. 7

[Never coming soon, courtesy of EVPinhead]

This website turned 7 on Sunday. (What turned out to be a non-event prompted the whole thing 7 years ago!)

So a sincere thank you, as always, to all of you for taking the time to read, comment, grumble, laugh, share, offer tips, provide feedback ... everything.

And thank you for helping me continue to feel connected to a place that is always seemingly changing.

The Checkers sign on 1st Avenue is looking so Checkers-ish

OK! Apologies for TWO Checkers-related posts in one week. But! We hadn't seen the Checkers signage for ourselves at 225 First Ave. between East 13th Street and East 14th Street … until yesterday afternoon.

Look how it gleams in the afternoon sun!

We actually don't know a thing about Checkers. According to the Checkers franchising website: "Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. burst onto the burger scene with their over-the-top flavors in 1986 in Mobile, Alabama."

And what do they serve?

"Burgers, Wings, Seasoned Fries and Shakes, if it's over-the-top flavor you're looking for you'll be sure to find it at a New York Area Checkers."



In April 2013, Crain's reported that Checkers was going to add another 22 restaurants in NYC by 2015.

So maybe we better get used to seeing them.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Checkers headed to 1st Avenue

Capital One introduces new curbside banking on 2nd Avenue

Or maybe it is part of their new campaign, "What's in your trash?"

Zoltar in the morning

Isn't that cozy?

Word is that since Zoltar got moved to the left of Gem Spa on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place, his business is off ... and he has more free time. Hence he's spending time out of the booth and in the reclining chair.

Zoltar continues his difficult transition on the left side of Gem Spa's front door

It has been less than a week since Zoltar got the boot from his two-plus-year spot on the right outside Gem Spa on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

While we're waiting for the auditing financials for his take this week to compare it to previous weeks … we can say, anecdotally, that he just doesn't look happy here.

And why? To have more room to see a few more bags and hats for raves?



And Key Master sucks.

1 of the 2 prize pumpkins has been sold at Sheen Brothers

10th and B.

Yesterday!



Today!



Also. Easier now to access the row of clam juice…

Here is the new entry step for Empellón al Pastor

Lots of activity at the former Sushi Lounge space, where Alex (Empellón Cocina, Empellón Taqueria) Stupak is opening Empellón al Pastor (bar meets tortilleria!) this fall here on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place.

Given that it is apparently the most anticipated restaurant opening on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place this fall, here's a progress report on the entrance. Specifically the entry step...

June!



Now!



Tomorrow, we hope to have an exclusive look at the door handle.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place

CB3 OKs liquor license for Alex Stupak's new restaurant on St. Mark's Place

More about Empellón al Pastor, opening this fall on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

'Spring Sales Event' continues this September at Synergy Fitness Clubs

As the sign here on East 14th Street near Second Avenue says, "Hurry Sale Ends Soon."

Headless Duane Reade shopper slowly but surely getting a head

Last weekend at the Duane Reade on East Second Street and Avenue B!

Today!



Eventually!

[EVG file photo]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Headless Duane Reade shopper giving East 2nd Street the creeps

Headless Duane Reade shopper giving East 2nd Street the creeps

[EVG file photo]

You've seen the ubiquitous Duane Reade store signage of the smiling woman walking into traffic while proudly carrying her Duane Reade bag.

Yes. Anyway, the recently expanded Duane Reade on Avenue B is getting a new mural along the East Second Street side.

For the time being, the smiling woman with the bag does not have a head.

It is unsettling to look at, mostly.

East 2nd Street pothole notice

Just west of Avenue B. When I walked up to it, a man sitting nearby called out, "Look inside — it's deep."

Severed party head on a stick trend continues

@evgrieve more severed heads on this lovely summer day in the hood. pic.twitter.com/oWKGiyPwxP

— Eden Brower (@edenbrower) June 2, 2014

On East Sixth Street today... and there have been other severed party head on a stick sightings around ... we'll leave it at that, for now...

9 months later, Avenue B's Subway finally replaces sad 'Lone Ranger' contest poster in front window

Nearly nine months after its theatrical release, the Subway on Avenue B near East 14th Street finally decided to remove the cardboard cutout of the critically reviled box-office bomb "Lone Ranger" from the front window… So your chances of winning great prizes are now over!

Per a release about the contest:

Throughout June and July, fans can look for codes on specially marked Lone Ranger 30 oz. cups and avocado sandwich wrap stickers. The codes access free plays on the new "Partner Up And Win" interactive game on www.subway.com, offering fans the chance to win cash, rides, adventures and more. Customers can also receive playing codes through SUBWAY® social media channels, and by tweeting a photo with Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer standees found in SUBWAY® locations across the U.S.

And now in the front window … an ad for Flatizza™ …

For all your moving parts

Window shopping on East 14th Street… headline and photo courtesy of Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.

Local psychic sets local record for storefront renovation

[Photo via EVG reader Ruth]

In our worldwide exclusive from Tuesday, we noted that the longtime psychic at 199 Avenue A was closed for renovations.

But, by golly, the new sign and awning went up yesterday… and the place looks nearly ready to start telling your fortunes very, very soon.



Kinda digging the blue.

Looking at some East Village slush puddles

In another important journalistic endeavorWhile walking around yesterday afternoon, we started keeping tabs on the various slush puddles that had formed after the 87th day of snow this week.

The northwest corner of Third Avenue and East 10th Street sported some a fine moat of muck…



…the northeast corner of Avenue A and East Second Street could have been a contender… However, the fellows at Ave. A Deli & Food fashioned this footbridge for pedestrians…





One EVG Facebook friend said that the guys from the deli "were standing outside grinning at all of us who found it so helpful and nice."

With Valentine's Day approaching, secret admirer makes feelings known for Zoltar

Ah! Love is in the air! At least here outside Gem Spa… where a secret admirer has been showing his or her affection on the glass…



If we must…



Is it the flute oh-so casually tucked in the vest…? Or that voice?

Sigh. Guess we won't bother giving him these now…

Want a bus?

Last Tuesday, during the Polar Vortex, this bus broke down in front of St. Brigid's on Avenue B at East Eighth Street. A week later, it's still there. We're told that no one from the bus operator has attempted to make any repairs… or haul it off somewhere…

Until then, what can we do with it?

Somewhere on Avenue B, a New Year's Resolution has started