Exclusive: Lucy discusses the future of her iconic East Village bar

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

On Tuesday, I met with Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius at her namesake bar at 135 Avenue A. 

Lucy greeted me with a smile and a wave at the front door here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

She contacted EVG to discuss what was happening with the bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) she has owned since 1987. 

As we first reported on Monday, attorneys for the new landlord served her with a 30-day Notice of Termination with a demand to vacate the space by the end of the month. 

Her lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord.

She led me to a table where she had been reviewing some paperwork...

For starters, she showed me her new liquor license (it had expired in late November, on top of a DOH closure notice for not having a Food Protection Certificate for an employee).

The paperwork has been settled, but her future running the bar is anything but.

She told me that her previous rent was $8,000 per month, and the new landlord, as of late December (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC), is asking for $25,000, though there might be some willingness to negotiate.

So what are the alternatives? Perhaps she would find a new location for the bar? Not likely, she said. 

Retirement? Maybe. She stressed, however, that she wasn't done here and would welcome a partner or investor. 

"Right now, I have no idea. How do I go on? I have no employees. I must find a bartender. You must teach them, and they must have a permit from the health department. Last time, they did not have a permit, and I got in trouble. Big trouble," she said.

Lucy said she would be ready for retirement if that's how it plays out at 135 Avenue A. But she only wants to continue on at this spot.

"I don't think about this now, a new location, because I'm not finished here," she said. "I would like to sell the business or have a reduced role, a partnership.

"I have paid the January and February rent, but I didn't open because I am afraid of the new rent ... we have alcohol, but maybe not enough, and I don't have money to buy the good alcohol, so people have different choices to drink," she continued. "I have beer — lots of Miller High Life — and regular alcohol, but not the good stuff."

After we talked for a while, Lucy let me look around the dark, quiet bar that hadn't seen a customer inside in three months... everything was as it had been through the 1990s and beyond...

Before making my way back into the dusk falling on Avenue A, Lucy talked about all her customers through the years.

"Here, drinking people come from everywhere. Canada, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. Albany and Chicago. Washington, Washington state, California ... and Texas," she said. "But most of all, people are from New York. The best people. You know, NYC — the best."

I left Lucy with her paperwork. I paused and turned around, wondering if this might be the last time I'd ever be inside the bar as we've known it all these years...

New landlord serves Lucy's with a termination notice on Avenue A

Lucy's is another step closer to a permanent closure at 135 Avenue A.

This past week, someone affixed a 30-day Notice of Termination to the front door (thanks to Lola Sáenz for the photos below).

According to the documents, the new landlord (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC) is terminating the bar's lease effective Feb. 29...

As we previously reported, owner Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius' lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord. (The buildings were recently sold for $19.1 million.)

Lucy must "quit, vacate and surrender" the space between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street or face court action by the end of the month.

The bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) has not been open since November when some paperwork issues forced what was to be a temporary closure.

It's still possible Lucy could decide to find a new location for the bar. Plenty of people would support and applaud that.

And for those who've asked, the legal document states the lease started at the address in December 1987.

Fan signage for Lucy's

Upon reading about the latest developments at Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern), 135 Avenue A, EVG regular Lola Sáenz created this handpainted signage.

As first reported yesterday, someone painted over the Lucy's signage at the bar between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Worse, though, the building recently sold, and the new landlord wants a rent increase that Lucy can't afford. Read more here.

Updated 5:30 p.m.: Stacie Joy reports someone already removed Lola's sign.

Why we may have seen the last of longtime East Village bar Lucy's

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We may have seen the last of a great East Village bar, the time capsule that is Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern), at 135 Avenue A. (Updated Feb. 5 here.)

In late November (our story here), the Department of Health temporarily closed the decades-spanning bar between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. According to DOH records: "Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations." 

Longtime proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius said at the time that she thought her bookkeeper had paid the previous fine and had the proper paperwork on file. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In addition, the bar's liquor license expired at the end of November. 

In a phone call on Saturday, Lucy said that she had the liquor license, though there is a much bigger problem — she has no lease. 

 

The two buildings at 135-137 Avenue A recently sold for $19.1 million. Lucy had been on a month-to-month lease with the previous landlord, with whom she enjoyed a good business relationship. 

The new owner — an LLC with a Brooklyn address — now wants $25,000 a month in rent. Lucy reports she is in talks with the new landlord but cannot afford to pay the increased rent. 

She isn't overwhelmingly optimistic and says the bar may be forced to close permanently.

And in an ominous development, someone blacked out the hand-painted Lucy's sign above the entrance (see top photo). Last fall, someone crossed out the name with a red paint line, though that was mostly seen as shenanigans/vandalism. 

As for her sign, Lucy didn't have any answers. "We talking, you know, it's New York; what can you do?"

 

We agreed to talk again in a few days or a week and see if there are any developments and hopes of setting foot in this bar again for a drink and game of pool. 

DOH temporarily closes Lucy's over paperwork snafu

Photos by Steven 

Reporting by Stacie Joy 

On Tuesday, the Department of Health temporarily closed EV old-timer Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

According to DOH records: "Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations." 

While Lucy's doesn't offer any dining options, the city requires training in food safety and basic handling procedures for bartenders or managers, such as sliced fruit for mixed drinks.

The bar was cited for a similar infraction in February 2022. Longtime proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius told EVG's Stacie Joy that she thought her bookkeeper had paid the previous fine and had the proper paperwork on file. 

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. 

And there's another paperwork issue to manage: the bar's liquor license expired yesterday. 

Lucy said she is asking the State Liquor Authority to help her find someone who speaks Polish to assist her with the confusing paperwork required to start the renewal process. 

The bar may be closed for some time while all this gets straightened out.

Thursday's parting shot

Waiting at Lucy's, 135 Avenue A...

Summer scheduling: Lucy's returns after Aug. 10

After service on Saturday night, Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) is now on its (customary) summer break...

See you back on Aug. 11 here at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

P.S.

Liking that Spirograph-y lettering!

Legends of the fall: Lucy

Photos by Gabby Fiorentino 

From a recent night at Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern), 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street ... with longtime proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius...

About the new neon Lucy's signage at Lucy's

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

You may have noticed a new Lucy's sign hanging in the front window at Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern), 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius' birthday is Feb. 10, and a friend bought her the sign as a gift. 

Lucy said that she doesn't usually celebrate her birthday as it is also the anniversary of her husband's death ... but this year she celebrated with this new sign...

BTW if you're on Instagram, you can follow Lucy's here.

This Friday the 13th is a lucky day for Lucy's reopening on Avenue A

After a two-week break (per usual this time of year), Blanche's Lucy's Tavern — aka Lucy's — reopens this evening here at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Happy Friday the 13th!

Photo from last summer by Stacie Joy

Saturday's parting shot

A portait of Lucy outside her bar at 135 Avenue A ... thanks to @GrittyGotham for sharing this...

Curbside dining space removed outside Lucy's on Avenue A

Earlier this week, we noted that someone had taken up residence in the unfinished curbside space outside Lucy's on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Yesterday, the Department of Homeless Services posted a notice stating that the city will clean up this space beginning today. Well, not only did someone clean up the structure, they also just removed the entire thing, as Steven noted...

Lucy's has been closed of late... but a lot of money did go into the unfinished structure for a business struggling to stay afloat these past 10.5 months. No word on who ordered it to be removed.

Curbside eviction notice outside Lucy's

As noted on Monday, someone has taken up residence in the unfinished outdoor space outside the currently closed Lucy's on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

As Steven notes, the Department of Homeless Services has posted a notice here stating that the city will clean up this space beginning tomorrow...     

Meanwhile, Lucy's has not been open since Gov. Cuomo revoked indoor dining back in December. Several people have asked about her.

And so the person who runs Lucy's Instagram account posted this message yesterday in her Stories..

Noted

A reader mentioned this today in a previous post about curbside seating... someone has moved into the unfinished outdoor space outside Lucy's on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Steven and Eden shared these photos... not sure if people are living here now or just they just opened a store or lending library...

Not sure when Lucy's was last open... likely until the 25-percent indoor capacity was revoked in December...

Lucy's is back open on Avenue A

Blanche’s Lucy’s Tavern — aka Lucy’s — reopened last week here at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius had been on her usual late-summer hiatus (though slightly longer this time around)... EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the other night and found Lucy stationed behind the bar...

... and assisted by Luke, who was helping distribute the variety of new food offerings, including sandwiches, pizza and mini-croissants (Lucy also really likes deviled eggs!) ...

Lucy says that she's thrilled to be back ... and she plans on being open at the mandated 25-percent capacity daily from 5-11 p.m. ... oh, and no pool for now...

Lucy's will reopen next month

[Photos yesterday by Steven]

Blanche’s Lucy’s Tavern — aka Lucy’s — will be closed now until later next month here at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

A sign on her front door notes a September return (and we're not sure if this means Sept. 20 or maybe September 2020 in general)...



Lucy's reopened back on May 30 after the PAUSE for take-home drinks ... before going on hiatus again until late June.

Proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius, who has worked here for nearly 40 years, typically closes up late in the summer to visit her native Poland. (We're not sure if this is the case again this year.)

We look forward to seeing her again. Like many other businesses, Lucy's has struggled to stay afloat in recent months. Upon returning in late May, she told Bedford + Bowery that she already owed $50,000 for rent and water, though her landlord had offered to only charge her half of June's rent.

Checking in on Blanche’s Lucy’s Tavern

Blanche’s Lucy’s Tavern — aka Lucy’s — reopened back on May 30 for take-home drinks here at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. However, she went on a short hiatus this past week, and returns today at 4.

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

“What’s behind this door?” I ask Ludwika “Lucy” Mickevicius and her bartender Gary Johnson. “The basement,” I am told, “it used to be part of an ice cream shop. Do you want to take a look?”

Do I ever! It’s Friday night, and I’m inside Blanche’s Lucy’s Tavern — colloquially known as Lucy’s — to take a few photos of Lucy and her bartender/helpers as well as the space, most of which is dark and empty due to the COVID-19-related closures.

Lucy’s is selling drinks to go from a flower- and American-flag-decorated table in the doorway, and a sign detailing the beer varieties available, including Polish brew Żywiec.



We climb down the steps to explore the basement, with Gary pointing out the taps and wiring as well as specialty bottles and supplies. I’m fascinated with the space and we both remark on the lack of any broken glass. We squeeze our way upstairs through the stockroom (no easy feat as it’s piled high with beer!) and out into the bar pausing to look at the covered-up pool tables and darkened jukebox.













I’m not a drinker, so it’s with a bit of shame-faced embarrassment I ask for some water, but Lucy hospitably mentions she doesn’t drink either and we enjoy some coconut water, sitting so far apart from one another it’s hard to communicate or hear one another from under our masks.

We chat for a bit about the future of bars in NYC, and what socially distant pool games might look like. Lucy’s concerned about paying the rent, and about safely attracting clientele during the pandemic. She rings up my icy coconut water order on an old-fashioned cash register, and I step outside to see if anyone has purchased any beer from Walter Zoeller, a retired firefighter, and today, Lucy’s assistant.

It had the feel of a summer’s day when I stepped into Lucy’s, humid and hot, swampy behind my mask, but while I was inside a brief rainstorm had occurred and when I left the sun was shining but the temperature had dropped and so had the humidity. The four of us looked to the skies in search of a rainbow, which I am sure is some sort of metaphor.

Lucy’s is open from 4 to 10 p.m.