Showing posts with label Life Cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Cafe. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

The 25th anniversary of 'Rent'

This week marked the 25th anniversary of the very first performance of "Rent" ... the musical, which would later win the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, debuted on Jan. 25, 1996, at the New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery. 

NPR published a look back at "Rent" this week (find the article here), recounting how the performance almost never happened as creator Jonathan Larson died that morning of an aortic aneurysm.

On March 2, the New York Theatre Workshop is hosting a virtual fundraiser in honor of "Rent"'s anniversary.

Per the invite:
This virtual celebration of "Rent" and its impact on the collective cultural consciousness will feature a selection of iconic songs by some of today's most beloved recording and theatre artists, exclusive content uncovering how "Rent" came to life, and reflections on the driving force of Jonathan's legacy in the American theatre.
Scheduled performers include Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Billy Porter, Anthony Rapp and Daphne Rubin-Vega, among many others.

Tix for the fundraiser start at $25. Find more details about "25 Years of Rent: Measured in Love" at this link

"Rent," which was based on Puccini's "La bohème," later made its Broadway debut on April 29, 1996. You can read more about the musical's East Village connections here

And this year will mark the 10th anniversary of the closing of Life Cafe, where Jonathan Larson wrote "Rent" while hanging out in the early 1990s, on 10th Street and Avenue B.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

That was Life



In honor of the hoopla around Fox's live production of "Rent" tonight... here's a look in the EVG archives... Michael Sean Edwards took these photos outside Life Cafe, where Jonathan Larson spent time when he was writing the musical, in the weeks leading up to its closure in September 2011 after 30 years in service on 10th Street and Avenue B...








[Click to go big]

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Part of the former Life Cafe now for rent



Last we heard, the East 10th Street outpost of 9th Street Espresso was planning on moving next door into part of the former Life Cafe space near Avenue B. (Maiden Lane is in the other space that made up Life.)

Apparently that's no longer a go: There's now a for lease sign via Tower Brokerage on the front window. (We didn't spot the listing online yet.)

Aside from coffee, 9th Street Espresso owner Ken Nye said that he would offer three craft beers on tap with a 11 p.m. closing time. (CB3 OK'd the license in June 2012.)

Life Cafe closed here on Sept. 11, 2011.

H/T EVG reader Russell for the photo!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Cleaning out the second half of the former Life Cafe

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Soft opening at Maiden Lane on Avenue B



Maiden Lane is in soft-opening mode now on Avenue B at East 10th Street... Shawn Chittle took a quick look inside...







The cafe is awaiting its beer-wine license at the former Life Cafe space. The partners in this new venture are East Village residents Nialls Fallon and Gareth Maccubbin. This is what Fallon told us about leasing this space last fall:

"We decided on the space for two reasons, the first being we didn't want to see the 7-Eleven-Starbucks scenario you mentioned happen there. Second, we wanted to be in an iconic space that carried on some form of community identity and East Village-ness. I am excited to create something new and make sure that the corner remains owned and operated by locals."



Previously on EV Grieve:
Maiden Lane hopes to open by the end of the week for lunch service

Maiden Lane coming to East 10th Street and Avenue B

Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Cleaning out the second half of the former Life Cafe



As these photos by EVG regular Steve Carter show, there's activity inside part of the former Life Cafe on East 10th Street at Avenue B this morning ... workers are, presumably, removing the remains of the Cafe that closed Sept. 11, 2011...





The 10th Street outpost of 9th Street Espresso had been planning on expanding from next door into this space... and adding three beers on tap... for a cafe with an 11 p.m. closing time, per DNAinfo.

It looks as if this plans are finally moving forward.

Meanwhile, in the other part of Life Cafe, Maiden Lane hopes to launch a lunch service by the end of the week, as we reported Monday.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Maiden Lane hopes to open by the end of the week for lunch service



Over on East 10th Street and Avenue B, renovations are complete at the former Life Cafe space. The partners, East Village residents Nialls Fallon and Gareth Maccubbin, showed the space off Sunday afternoon to friends and family as a way to celebrate the end of the construction. (Gammablog was there, and has photos of the interior.)



The cafe is called Maiden Lane. Per Eater, they plan to serve a regionally sourced food menu. (CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license for them in October.)

We asked Fallon for an update.

"We are waiting on inspections and hope to open by the end of the week for daytime cafe service. Wine and beer license to arrive soon and then we will open for evening service."

The two partners have ample restaurant experience at two popular Mulberry Street eateries. Fallon was the general manager at Torrisi while Maccubbin held the same position at Torrisi spinoff Parm next door.

This is what Fallon told us about leasing this space last fall:

"We decided on the space for two reasons, the first being we didn't want to see the 7-Eleven-Starbucks scenario you mentioned happen there. Second, we wanted to be in an iconic space that carried on some form of community identity and East Village-ness. I am excited to create something new and make sure that the corner remains owned and operated by locals."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Maiden Lane coming to East 10th Street and Avenue B

Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

[Photos Sunday by Bobby Williams]

Friday, November 16, 2012

Maiden Lane coming to East 10th Street and Avenue B

We had the scoop last month on what would be taking over the former Life Cafe space on Avenue B and East 10th Street — a cafe/restaurant serving beer and wine with the working name of Yardbird (out of homage to Charlie Parker). An alternative to the woo.

Eater learned yesterday that they new place will be called Maiden Lane. (An homage to where the Federal Reserve is located in the Financial District?)

As we noted, the partners are Nialls Fallon and Gareth Maccubbin, East Village residents with restaurant experience at two popular Mulberry Street eateries. Fallon was the general manager at Torrisi while Maccubbin held the same position at Torrisi spinoff Parm next door.

Per Eater:

The pair were granted a beer and wine license at last month's CB3 meeting. They plan to serve a regionally sourced food menu that compliments their white wine and sherry-heavy beverage list.

Maiden Lane is eyeing an early 2013 opening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space


We've been interested in learning about who was taking over the former Life Cafe corner space on Avenue B at East 10th Street. As mentioned on Monday, an applicant going by Yardbird LLC is on the October CB3/SLA docket for a wine-beer license. (9th Street Espresso is expanding into the other half of the storefront.)

Nialls Fallon, one of the partners in the new venture, sent me an email on Monday night. "We will be opening a cafe and wine bar in the coming months," said Fallon, who's still working with his business partner Gareth Maccubbin on refining the concept.

Both partners live in the East Village (Maccubbin directly across the street) and both have restaurant experience at two buzzy Mulberry Street eateries. Fallon was the general manager at Torrisi while Maccubbin held the same position at Torrisi spinoff Parm next door. Both resigned from their respective GM positions to work on this new project.

I mentioned that a lot of people were curious about the space's future, given that things around here have a knack for turning into either Subways/7-Elevens/Starbucks or bro-tastic bars. Plus, for some people, Life Cafe had been a regular spot for many years.

"We decided on the space for two reasons, the first being we didn't want to see the 7-Eleven-Starbucks scenario you mentioned happen there. Second, we wanted to be in an iconic space that carried on some form of community identity and East Village-ness," Fallon said. "I am excited to create something new and make sure that the corner remains owned and operated by locals."

Oh, and are they really opening a place called Yardbird next door to a newish bar called Blackbird?

"Yardbird is a reference to being on the corner of Charlie Parker Place, and was named before Lakeside turned into Blackbird," Fallon said. "Nonetheless, 'bird' will not be included in the name of the space."

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Monday, October 1, 2012

[Updated] Mystery applicant (for now) taking over part of the Life Cafe space

[File photo by Bobby Williams]

So far, no one seems to know much about mystery applicant Yardbird LLC, aiming to take over the former Life Cafe space on the corner... (9th Street Espresso is expanding into half of the storefront, as The Villager first reported.)

They are on the October CB3/SLA docket for a wine-beer license under the Renewal with Complaint History heading. (??)

And Yardbird LLC is not to be confused with the Blackbird that opened in August in the former Lakeside Lounge space right next door...

Know anything about the situation here? Please send them our way via the EV Grieve email

Updated 10-2:

We did here from one of the proprietors, and will have an update later...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Update on the former Life Cafe space in Bushwick

News release from the EV Grieve inbox...
Darin Rubell, co-owner of downtown Manhattan watering holes GalleryBar and Ella, and partners Mark Trzupek (former manager of Life Café 983) and chef David Rotter (Norwood), have taken over the cafe from Kathy Kirkpatrick.

Although Rubell and company plan on changing the name to just 983 (a play on the café’s address which is 983 Flushing Avenue) refreshing the food and bar menus and some cosmetic changes, they plan to retain the overall character of the space which is affectionately known as “Bushwick’s Living Room.”

The closing of Life Café 983 is the end of an era, as the influential Life brand will no longer have a presence in New York City. The original East Village location at East 10th Street and Avenue B, where playwright Jonathan Larson wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning “Rent,” closed in 2011. Rubell, who hoped to also take over the East Village space and is opening new restaurant with Rotter this fall, sees the Bushwick location as an opportunity to continue to serve the needs of this exciting neighborhood.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Rumors: Former Life Cafe has a suitor

[Bobby Williams]

We also received a rather cryptic tip that someone is taking over the former Life Cafe space on the corner... (9th Street Espresso is expanding into half of the storefront, as The Villager first reported.)

The for lease signs have been removed... and the space is no longer on the NYREX site for available retail ...

We spotted workers inside the former Life, but they appeared to be using the space as an annex for the renovations next door at Blackbird...

Know anything about the situation here? Please send them our way via the EV Grieve email

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Forget about the rumor that Nice Guy Eddie's is becoming a new Life Cafe


Last week, a tipster told us that Kathy Kirkpatrick was retiring and closing the Life Cafe branch in Bushwick at the end of this month... which, as we learned Tuesday via a news release, was correct...

Now, a moment for a little background ... Last spring, Kirkpatrick brought in Gallery Bar owner Darin Rubell, who is part of the team taking over the Nice Guy Eddie's space on Avenue A, to help revitalize Life Cafe on East 10th Street and Avenue B. (There is more on this at the Life Cafe blog.)

Meanwhile, there were rumors that Rubell would eventually buy the Life space. However, the 30-year-old restaurant closed last September following a long-simmering battle with dueling landlords.

So back to our tipster, who figured if Rubell bought the Nice Guy Eddie's space and is turning it into a restaurant serving "American comfort food" (which he used to describe Life Cafe's fare) ... then "it wouldn't surprise me if Nice Guy Eddie's turns out to be a new outpost for the Kathy-less Life Cafe."

ONLY speculation. But the pieces possibly appeared to be adding up to this ... especially since the Life Cafe trademark was for sale.

I asked Kirkpatrick about this possible scenario...

"Darin Rubell did not buy the trademark and therefore it's impossible for him to open a venue called Life Cafe at the former Nice Guy Eddie's space," she said via email yesterday morning.

However, she said that Rubell is one of the partners who has taken on a new lease at the soon-to-be-former Life space on 983 Flushing Ave. in Bushwick.

"The landlord expressly stated, for his own reasons, that he did not want Life Cafe in his property any longer," Kirkpatrick said of the Brooklyn location. "However, the new lease holders expressed their wish to keep the spirit of Life alive. They did not to acquire the trademark. It will not be called Life Cafe. That is, he acquired a new lease and the assets of the cafe only, not the name or concept or menu."

Monday, June 25, 2012

Updated: Life Cafe closing Bushwick outpost

We just received a news release... nine months after closing Life Cafe on East 10th Street and Avenue B, owner Kathy Kirkpatrick is retiring and shutting down her Bushwick outpost of the restaurant after Saturday night.

Updated 3:02:

According to the Life Cafe website, "A new café/bar will open immediately thereafter under a new name."

Kirkpatrick also writes that her Bushwick landlord announced a few months ago that he would not renew the Life Cafe lease.

Per Kirkpatrick: "I’ve finally come to terms with the events of the last year. My husband John and I have gotten over our disbelief, anger and sadness at losing both places in one year."

The Brooklyn outpost of Life opened in 2002 on Flushing Avenue.

Previously.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Such is Life


East Village-based photographer Gudrun Georges caught a glimpse of the now-shuttered Life Cafe the other evening... capturing the 30-year-old restaurant in a sad state of interior-demolition limbo on East 10th Street and Avenue B.

Find more of her Life photos (like the one above) here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
9th Street Espresso taking over part of the former Life Cafe

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Rubble on the menu at the former Life Cafe

On Sunday, a tipster sent us the following email: "I'm told they are tearing down the old Life Cafe today."

Seemed odd, being Easter Sunday and all... but we took a look... We did see two workers leave the space... as well as a few piles of rubble...




We waited to see if there was any further work done on the space yesterday... (answer: a little, though still mostly intact.)

Anyway, the former Life Cafe space here on East 10th Street and Avenue B is being split up... with part of the space accommodating the new, larger home of 9th Street Espresso next door, as The Villager noted.

Previously.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Life Cafe owner Kathy Kirkpatrick on why the Life trademark is for sale

[At the former Life Cafe Sunday]

Don't be surprised one day if you come across a Life Cafe — here or elsewhere in the country. In an email, Kathy Kirkpatrick (aka Kathy Life), president of Life Cafe Inc., said that she is retiring and selling the trademark to her 30-year-old Cafe.

As you'll recall, Life Cafe abruptly closed "until further notice" last Sept. 11, as we first reported. Kirkpatrick said that she'd stay closed until the landlords completed long overdue repairs. That closure became permanent after the two landlords decided to cut the cafe in two, with 9th Street Espresso moving next door into one of the spaces, as The Villager first reported.

"It's been a full life and it's now time to move on and retire. It's been my dream to have someone else take the legacy of the Cafe on to the next level, but that opportunity to do so at that location was suffocated," said Kirkpatrick, who's working on a book titled "FIGHTING FOR LIFE: the Life and Death of Life Cafe." "Since 2008 I struggled to make the renaissance happen but the two landlords obstructed my every move."

She continued.

"Life Cafe was to me and to most others more than just a cafe. That is why I put the brand out there in the expectation that someone would carry on the Cafe in the tradition of the original. It's a brand that will work throughout the U.S. and the world (in fact it's known worldwide). I have always had international patrons coming, making special trips to the East Village just to eat and drink at Life and connect with a piece of New York history."

Here's part of the ad that she has placed on Craigslist:

The Trademark for Life Café, the East Village, New York restaurant/bar immortalized in the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical RENT is for sale.

Included with the trademark is:

-- Trademark:
International Class 042, Restaurant Services
International Class 021, Tableware, namely, cups
International Class 025, T-Shirts
-- Domain name, website, code
-- Copyright of marketing collateral
-- Story/history/NYC origins/RENT connection

Owner willing to build into a deal an offer to have John Sunderland, creative designer and graphic designer of the current designs/logos/art, etc. on retainer to continue to produce visual marks in the style of the IP ...

She said that because fans of "Rent" no longer have a place to visit in the East Village, she is soon launching a website — RENTheadRegisters.com. She described it as "a virtual place of pilgrimage like the Cafe was." The site will be based on the original eight physical RENThead Registers that Life began in 2008 for fans to share messages.

"We're recreating each volume virtually on the site for people to read," said Kirkpatrick, who reported brisk business at the Life outpost in Bushwick. "And we're inviting people to submit more messages, which will be entered into new virtual volumes. We've estimated there are about 10,000 messages in the first eight volumes, and expect that number to grow."

"In that sense, in the connection to 'Rent,' Life Cafe will go on."

Friday, March 16, 2012

9th Street Espresso taking over part of the former Life Cafe space

[Photo by Michael Sean Edwards]

As we first reported a few weeks back, the dueling landlords who own Life Cafe planned to split the space in two ... part of the space is for rent... Thanks to The Villager, we now know what is filling half of the former Life Cafe — 9th Street Espresso, which will be moving next door ... Scoopy has the details, which include:

Moving one storefront to the east will almost double the cafe’s space, from 500 to 900 square feet. The new location, at 343 E. 10th St., is not only much wider, but will include Life’s former backyard garden, which [landlord Bob] Perl plans to enclose — though it will still have skylights — allowing year-round use.

Read all of Scoopy here.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Life Cafe cut in half

A tipster told us yesterday that workers would be cutting the former Life Cafe space in half here on 10th Street and Avenue B. The workers accomplished this today...



Previously.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Claim: Former Life Cafe space will be split in two

[Photo yesterday by Michael Sean Edwards]

Last week, we spotted a "for lease" sign up at the Life Cafe space at 10th Street and Avenue B...

Owner Kathy Kirkpatrick closed the 30-year-old cafe last September ... while the two landlords completed long overdue repairs. Life "spans a space belonging to two different buildings with two different landlords whose dispute over the price of the work contract has prevented construction from starting," as The Villager reported last fall.

So a tipster tells us that the Life Cafe configuration will be split into two separate spaces... which probably makes sense since there are two landlords involved...

So far... we've only spotted one listing ... this one at NYREX...

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Life Cafe listing now online


Earlier today, we pointed out that a for lease sign has appeared in the window of the Life Cafe space on 10th Street and Avenue B.

NYREX has now posted the listing, though there isn't much information, such as the monthly rent for this prime space.


Owner Kathy Kirkpatrick closed the 30-year-old cafe last September ... while the two landlords completed long overdue repairs. Life "spans a space belonging to two different buildings with two different landlords whose dispute over the price of the work contract has prevented construction from starting," as The Villager reported last fall.