Cafe Joah debuts on Avenue A

Several readers have pointed out that Cafe Joah is in soft-open mode at 212 Avenue A just north of 13th Street. (Thanks to Brian Carroll for this photo; also to Russell K and Isa for sending pics.) 

Cafe Joah is serving coffee and pastries now... with plans for sandwiches and salads in a few weeks. You can follow the Cafe's Instagram account for updates.

Ownership here was also behind the previous tenant in the space, Fat Buddha. NY State suspended the bar's liquor license in the fall of 2020 for "egregious violations of coronavirus-related regulations." CB3 denied Fat Buddha's application for a new liquor license in June 2021, per public records. 

For now, ownership is focusing on the cafe business.

SLA suspends Fat Buddha's liquor license

Back on Friday afternoon, Gov. Cuomo announced that 21 bars and restaurants in the state had their liquor licenses suspended for "egregious violations of coronavirus-related regulations."

On that list: Fat Buddha, 212 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street.

Per the state's press release on the suspensions:

On October 9th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force and officers with the NYPD observed over twenty patrons standing, congregating and drinking directly in front of the business without facial coverings well past the 11 p.m. NYC curfew for outside dining. Investigators noted the kitchen was closed and there was no evidence of food being served, in addition to numerous patrons entering and exiting the premises with open containers. NYPD officers dispersed the crowd and issued a summons for Executive Order violations. 

Fat Buddha is currently open, though just not with any alcohol sales. 

Other East Village bars-restaurants that ran afoul of the SLA back in the summer have all reopened, including the Wayland, Maiden Lane, Lucky, Hairy Lemon and St. Dymphna's. 

Fat Buddha reopens after early spring fire upstairs

Fat Buddha is back in business (soft open was on Oct. 18) over at 212 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street.



The bar-lounge had been closed since March 29 when a fire tore through an apartment on the third floor of 505 E. 13th St. at Avenue A.

The fire caused extensive damage to this retail space, as the owners documented on Instagram.

Post fire, Fat Buddha remains closed on Avenue A

[Photo from Friday]

On March 29, the FDNY responded to a report of a fire in an apartment on the third floor of 505 E. 13th St. at Avenue A.

While the FDNY had the fire under control in 30 minutes, there was extensive damage.

Fat Buddha, the bar that shares part of the building's retail space, remains closed (the fire was in an apartment two floors about Fat Buddha) ...



The bar posted this interior shot on Instagram...



EVG reader Barley also shared this "evidence" notice posted on the Avenue A gate...