Sushi next for the former Fresco space on 2nd Avenue

We heard rumors that a sushi restaurant was taking over the former Fresco outpost at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

There's now a note on the door for the contractors, and it lists the name of the incoming establishment — Moko (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

The restaurant has an under-construction website, which notes: "High-end Omakase starting at $65."

As previously reported, the owners of Fresco — citing a decline in business during the pandemic — temporarily shut down their 8-year-old gelateria-cafe and returned to their native Greece last October. 

They had hoped to reopen in January, but those plans didn't materialize at the time with the surge in COVID cases and continued limits on indoor service. The space hit the rental market in April.

However, Fresco hopes to find a new storefront elsewhere downtown in the months ahead.

Fresco will not be reopening at 138 2nd Ave.

Siblings Ilias, Vanessa and Anna Iliopoulos have decided to give up their Fresco space at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

A for-rent sign arrived on the storefront late last week. (The sign disappeared over the weekend.)

As you may recall, the family — citing a decline in business during the pandemic — temporarily shut down their 8-year-old gelateria-cafe and returned to their native Greece last October. 

They had hoped to reopen in January, but those plans didn't materialize with the surge in COVID cases and continued limits on indoor service. 

However, Ilias will be back in New York City next month to hunt for a new home for Fresco. In an email, he told EVG correspondent Steven that they will be looking exclusively at spaces downtown. Hopefully, they will land back in the East Village.

Photo by Steven

ICYMI: Fresco is closed for now on 2nd Avenue

Fresco closed after service on Sunday here at 138 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street...

As we reported on Friday, Siblings Ilias, Vanessa and Anna Iliopoulos decided to temporarily shut down their 8-year-old gelateria-cafe and return to their native Greece. 

They hope to reopen in January... 

 

"It's not a landlord issue. It's purely about the decrease in revenue due to COVID-19," Ilia told EVG correspondent Steven about the temporary closing.

Photos yesterday by Steven

Fresco closing this week with hopes of reopening early next year

 

Siblings Ilias, Vanessa and Anna Iliopoulos have decided to temporarily close Fresco, their 8-year-old gelateria-cafe at 138 Second Ave. and return to their native Greece. 

They plan to reopen Fresco early next year here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, and possibly pivot to a full-service cafe model. 

"It's not a landlord issue. It's purely about the decrease in revenue due to COVID-19," Ilia told EVG correspondent Steven about the temporary closing.

He says that they plan to stay open until the end of the weekend depending on when they run out of supplies.

Photo of Ilias and Vanessa by Steven.