Wednesday's parting shot

The remains of the Kate's Joint flag above Avenue B at Fourth Street... the vegetarian restaurant closed here in April 2012 after 16 years in service.

The space has been home to the Half Gallery since early 2020.

THIS is actually the new home for the Half Gallery on 4th Street and Avenue B

[Photo from Tuesday night]

On Tuesday, workers erected plywood around the storefront on the northwest corner of Avenue B and Fourth Street, marking the beginning of the renovations here to make way for the Half Gallery.

In mid-December, ARTnews, who first reported that the gallery was relocating from the Upper East Side to 235 E. Fourth St., at the site of a former restaurant.

I mistakenly reported that they were taking the former Nobody Is Perfect space that was for rent at No. 235...



The gallery is going in next door where Tapanju Turntable (and Kate's Joint until 2012!) was at 58 Avenue B — aka 235 E. Fourth St. Right building, wrong former restaurant! My apologies for that mistake.

Anyway! To recap, the gallery, which has worked with Rene Ricard, Louise Bonnet and Nathaniel Mary Quinn, started on the Lower East Side in 2008 before heading north. Here's more via that ARTnews piece:

Bill Powers, who founded Half Gallery, said that many of the artists the gallery has worked with “have a real connection to [the East Village] and that art scene,” adding that the move is “a little bit of a homecoming.”

With the Swiss Institute, the Brant Foundation, and other art institutions opening in the East Village recently, the neighborhood remains a hotspot for art, Powers said, adding, “We used to get a bigger crowd for openings when we were downtown because I think the gravity of the art world, spiritually, is downtown or in the outer boroughs.”

The space is expected to open next featuring Tanya Merrill's first-ever solo exhibition.

Meanwhile, that other space remains for rent, waiting for what will be the sixth restaurant tenant in the past 11 years. Nobody Is Perfect closed here in the summer of 2018. B4 closed in June 2016 after nearly three years in business ... and previously Piccola Positano, Tonda and E.U. gave the address a go.

Openings: Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant on Avenue B

[Photo Saturday via @salim]

The sibling of the Flushing-based Mad For Chicken operation opened this past weekend at 58 Avenue B at East Fourth Street.

There's also a Turntable location on Fifth Avenue in Koreatown. Their description: "Korean eatery & bar serving fried chicken, soju & cocktails in a hip setting with jazz-themed decor."

As the signs outside the Avenue B restaurant show, everything is apparently 50 percent off during their grand opening over the next two weeks.

The previous tenant at this address, Vella Market, lasted just six months here, closing in October 2013.

The 16-year-old vegetarian restaurant Kate's Joint closed here in April 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant ready to play on 4th and B

The rent is due at the incoming Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant on Avenue B

[EVG photo from May]

Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant, a sibling of the Flushing-based Mad For Chicken operation, has designs on a new location at 58 Avenue B (at East Fourth Street).

The space has gone under a major renovation since Vella Market closed here in October 2013.

Not sure of an opening date just yet. However, there does appear to be one possible glitch in all this — the rent is past due, according to the notice taped to the door that an EVG reader spotted…



The "Five Day Notice to Tenant" notes that the occupant owes more than $26,000 in rent. The notice, only just posted, is dated June 4.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant ready to play on 4th and B

Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant ready to play on 4th and B

[EVG photo from March 12]

On Saturday, EVG regular Salim noted that workers removed the plentiful plywood surrounding the under-renovation storefront at the northwest corner of Avenue B and Fourth Street … to reveal the new tenant at 58 Avenue B …



It's another Manhattan location of Turntable Retro Bar & Restaurant, a sibling of the Flushing-based Mad For Chicken operation.

Here's a little on the Koreatown location of Turntable via New York magazine:

Presentation is key: Tables come with little metal buckets for chicken bones, mojitos and margaritas are garnished with appetizing fresh fruit, the traditional Korean soju (which you can get in a variety of fruity flavors) comes in a special ice-filled bowl, and is bedecked with flowers and umbrella-speared garnishes. But, best of all is the beer dispenser for Killians – it bubbles and gurgles with different colors and allegedly keeps your beer from getting warm and flat.

And?

In short, this place is perfect for drunk people looking to lounge and eat Korean fried chicken.

Well, they do have pitchers of Jager bombs on the menu. (In case you were wondering, this item was on the November 2014 CB3/SLA docket, but it was not heard during the committee meeting for whatever reasons.)

The New Yorker recently had nice things to say about Turntable's fried chicken here.

The previous tenant at this address, Vella Market, lasted just six months here, closing in October 2013.

The 16-year-old vegetarian restaurant Kate's Joint closed here in April 2012.

Plywood arrives for renovation of former Vella Market/Kate's Joint space on Avenue B

The plywood is now up around the northwest corner of Avenue B and Fourth Street… we haven't heard anything official yet about the next tenant. The approved work permits just note "interior renovation of existing commercial space."

Last summer we heard a rumor that a tattoo shop was opening here. But that was never confirmed.

Anyway!

The previous tenant, the nice Vella Market, lasted just six months here, closing in October 2013.

The 16-year-old vegetarian restaurant Kate's Joint closed here in April 2012.

Vella Market is now open in former Kate's Joint space

On Saturday morning, we spotted workers removing the plywood around the new market opening on East Fourth Street and Avenue B...





Anyway, meant to note that Vella Market is now open... we first got word of the new market last July.



Our friends at MoRUS also sent along a few photos from last evening...







The previous tenant, Kate's Joint, the 16-year-old vegetarian eatery, closed about this time last year.

Anyone try Vella yet? A former manager of Gracefully on Avenue A is running the place, a neighbor noted...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: Organic market taking over former Kate's Joint space

For rent signs going up at Kate's Joint; and here come the Starbucks rumors

Marshal seizes Kate's Joint

Reader report: Organic market taking over former Kate's Joint space

Last Thursday, a reader noted some activity at Kate's Joint, which closed last April on Avenue B and East Fourth Street.

Now, EVG reader Worth Civils passes along a solid tip: The former vegetarian restaurant will become an organic market. Further details are scarce at the moment, but this news should allay any fears of another Starbucks.

Previously.

Something is happening at the former Kate's Joint space

Kate's Joint closed on Avenue B and East Fourth Street back in April ... the for rent signs quickly went up — almost as quickly as the Starbucks rumors started.

One EVG reader with knowledge of the space heard that the asking rent is $17,000.

In any event, the space has been relatively quiet ... until this morning. Per EVG reader Kat:

Around 10:30 this morning this pile of wood appeared outside the former side entrance of Kate's and I've seen a few people filtering in and out. No one in the neighborhood (even the deli guys who know everything) seems to know what's happening with the space yet, but after a few really quiet months something looks to be moving in...

There aren't any new permits on file with the DOB to provide details on what might be coming next. Do you have any information about the situation here? Please send them our way via the EV Grieve email

For rent signs going up at Kate's Joint; and here come the Starbucks rumors

EV Grieve reader Sam sends along these photos from this afternoon... for rent signs are going up at Kate's Joint on East Fourth Street and Avenue B, making the closure here permanent. Yesterday, the landlord took possession of the 16-year-old vegetarian restaurant. Regulars were hopeful that owner Kate Halpern would be able to reopen.

Meanwhile, a reliable tipster sends along this kick in the groin: There is a very real possibility that a Starbucks will open here.

Also, there's word that the landlord did offer to decrease the rent for Kate's by $2,000 a month.

Previously.

[Updated] Marshal seizes Kate's Joint

[Photo by Amanda Pearson via Facebook]

Word is spreading through the neighborhood this afternoon that the landlord has seized Kate's Joint on Avenue B and East Fourth Street. The legal document on the door is dated today. This shouldn't be a complete shocker. There was an Indiegogo campaign last month to help the 16-year-old vegetarian eatery with expenses.

Per the campaign:

Unfortunately, with the changing neighborhood and economic recession Kate’s Joint has seen a fall in business and rise in costs. Kate is currently in arrears with the landlord. Eviction notices have been sent, court appearances have been made, and if a substantial amount of money is not raised by April 11th, the next court date, the doors will shut permanently at Kate’s Joint. The East Village will lose another neighborhood landmark.

Kate's fell short of its $30,000 goal — raising just $5,000 during the campaign.

We hope to have more information soon. Perhaps Kate will be able to reopen soon. Maybe even start serving meat ...

Updated:

A reader sends along a few more photos...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Save Kate's Joint on Avenue B

There's a Save Kate's Joint party tomorrow night

As you probably know, things aren't looking good for Kate's Joint, the 16-year-old vegetarian restaurant and bar on Avenue B at East Fourth Street. Per the indiegogo campaign under way:

Kate is currently in arrears with the landlord. Eviction notices have been sent, court appearances have been made, and if a substantial amount of money is not raised by April 11th, the next court date, the doors will shut permanently at Kate’s Joint.

Tomorrow night, a group of fans and neighbors are planning on throwing a party of sorts there starting at 7 (and going till midnight or so).

According to the Facebook events page (where you can RSVP and what not):

Come by on Wednesday for by a wide variety of healthy meals, just a couple drinks, or the only veggie wings to land on NY Mag's Top 5 Hot Wings list! It might be kind of fun to pack the restaurant with new and old friends for a night.

If you can't make it Wednesday, please thinking about having a meal there soon!

One of the party planners told us, "I live on the block and want to put up as much of a fight as possible. Losing Kate's will make me feel like there is just not hope for the hood..."

Previously.

Is Kate's Joint adding meat to the menu?

Perhaps!

But first. The Wall Street Journal takes a look today at the recent closures of some East Village vegetarian eateries, such as Curly's and Quantum Leap, as well as the financial struggles of Kate's Joint on Avenue B. The cause, according to some diners and restaurant owners? "Rising rents were a factor in a least some of these cases, but so too were the shifting tastes of young hipsters away from vegetarianism."

Plus, are places like Kate's all that faboo looking to the foody set?

Per the article: "Kate's Joint looks increasingly out of place in a world where young diners flock to meat-centric restaurants such as Meatball Shop and Porchetta."

Which is one reason why Kate's owner Kate Halpern contemplates adding the meat to the menu. She told the Journal: "I hate to admit it, but put bacon on it, and they will come."

As for adding meat products, she has discussed it. She met with resistance from some longtime patrons. Plus, "she said she would need a financial partner to build a kitchen that would allow the restaurant to prepare meat and vegetarian entrees separately."

The article also quotes local blogger EV Grieve, who works "farm to table" into a quote. (Woo! Shot!)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Save Kate's Joint on Avenue B

Reposts: A campaign to save Kate's Joint on Avenue B

[File photo via @HanserHanser]

We posted this on Saturday morning...

Kate is currently in arrears with the landlord. Eviction notices have been sent, court appearances have been made, and if a substantial amount of money is not raised by April 11th, the next court date, the doors will shut permanently at Kate’s Joint.

There's a campaign to help the save the space at Indiegogo here. We had a few comments on the post, and not everyone was very sympathetic.

Meanwhile, during the weekend, our friend @jarak made a good point via Twitter: "Vegpocalypse? Counter, Curly's, Quantum and maybe Kate's dunzo? Anti-soyite landlords?"

Counter on First Avenue closed last year... Quantum Leap closed on First Avenue in November... Curly's, then its replacement, the 14 Carrot, both closed on 14th Street this year... Coincidence... or perhaps a larger food trend at work here?

Save Kate's Joint on Avenue B

A campaign is underway to help save Kate's Joint, the vegetarian restaurant on Avenue B and East Fourth Street. Here's the background on indiegogo:

Kate’s Joint, vegetarian restaurant and bar, has been a staple in New York City’s East Village since 1996. Solely owned and operated by neighborhood native Kate Halpern, who dreamt to create an affordable restaurant to serve the community she grew up in. Kate’s Joint has grown to become much more than just a business, it is a home for locals and travelers a like, a place to bring family and friends, and to meet new ones.

Unfortunately, with the changing neighborhood and economic recession Kate’s Joint has seen a fall in business and rise in costs. Kate is currently in arrears with the landlord. Eviction notices have been sent, court appearances have been made, and if a substantial amount of money is not raised by April 11th, the next court date, the doors will shut permanently at Kate’s Joint. The East Village will lose another neighborhood landmark.

Anyone who has ever met Kate knows how hard she has worked over the past 15 years, and how dedicated she is to this business. She has many plans to increase business, including transforming a section of the restaurant in to a bakery featuring vegan and gluten free baked goods, reaching a new market of morning commuters who would be able to grab a cup of coffee and a vegan muffin on their way to work. That being said, first thing is first, fighting off this eviction!

The Impact

This is not just about saving Kate’s Joint; it is about preserving the East Village. It is about preserving small, female owned businesses. Don’t let Avenue B turn in to a row of Starbucks and banks; help keep small businesses alive!


What We Need & What You Get

We need at least $30,000 to go to back rent. While we are hopping to raise the majority of this through donations and fundraisers, we realize that may not be possible. We are also in talks with other funding sources, including loans and investors.

Read the rest of the post here. Owner Kate Halpern explains the perks of a contribution there too...