The Alchemist's Kitchen takes over the short-lived NatureEs space on East 1st Street

[EVG photo from October]

A new tenant has taken over for the short-lived NatureEs, the juice bar/cafe/wellness center combo at 21 E. First St. in Jupiter 21, the residential building that rose from the former Mars Bar and several other businesses on Second Avenue and between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Signage arrived late last week for The Alchemist's Kitchen...





Here's more about them via their website:

The Alchemist's Kitchen is dedicated to connecting you with the power of plants. We work with the finest herbalists who are producing high quality botanical medicines, herbal remedies, and whole plant beauty products. We celebrate artisanship, sustainability, and conscious living. We look to support the global need to increase plant diversity, and the sharing of ancient wisdom from indigenous cultures.

We believe strongly in the education and instruction on the use of all whole plant formulations and herbal remedies. We consider our suppliers part of our extended family, interactive, collaborative....creating one chain of supply from seed to tincture. We work closely with teachers and botanical experts, many of whom are our suppliers, to educate and inform our community.

It appears they've been in business online for some time, part of the Evolver Learning Lab... and this is their first brick-and-mortar (sorry, hate that term) storefront. An EVG reader stopped by the space last week, where he found them still getting up and running. Among other items, they are selling to-go bottles of REBBL elixirs, such as Turmeric Golden Milk and Maca Mocha.

For now, the Kitchen, which will eventually include a tonic bar, has limited hours... that will expand in the week ahead...



There are also an array of events/lectures at the space coming up...(you can find that list here).

As previously reported, there were plans plan to convert the NatureEs space into a Spanish bistro. The applicants withdrew from the November 2015 CB3-SLA meeting. The name of former Mars Bar owner Hank Penza, who died this past Oct. 29, is one of four principals listed on the active liquor license for the space.



Several people had noted that the address was home to some kind of invite-only club in the basement space. Not sure of the status of that...

Previously on EV Grieve:
NatureEs calls: About the organic cafe coming to where Mars Bar 2.0 was in the works

A quick look inside NatureEs, the new organic cafe coming to 21 E. 1st St.

At NatureEs, the Mars Bar replacement that apparently is no longer open

On the CB3-SLA docket: A new applicant for the former Bodhi Tree space; a scratch for NatureEs

Last month, the folks behind Shorty’s Authentic Philly Steaks & Sandwiches had designs on opening their fifth NYC location at 58 Third Ave. between East 10th Street and East 11th Street.

However, Team Shorty's withdrew their proposal ahead of the October CB3-SLA committee meeting. Now, there's a new applicant for the space, which, until July, housed the Thai restaurant Bodhi Tree.

There aren't many details on the application (PDF!) filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting on Nov. 16. The restaurant is going by the name of Mulan East with posted hours of 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; until 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The configuration shows 17 tables good for 46 seats and well as a service bar with four seats. According to the paperwork, the two principals, listed as Ling Xia He and Yung Ping Wong, have not previously held a liquor license. They are seeking a beer-wine license for this space.

In other applicant news this month, the plan to convert the now-closed NatureEs juice bar/wellness center on East First Street into a Spanish bistro appears to be on hold. The applicants have withdrawn from the November CB3-SLA meeting.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Shorty's eyeing former Bodhi Tree space on 3rd Avenue

At NatureEs, the Mars Bar replacement that apparently is no longer open

At NatureEs, the Mars Bar replacement that apparently is no longer open

There hasn't been much, if any, daytime activity over at NatureEs, the juice bar/cafe/"wellness center" combo at 21 E. First St. in Jupiter 21, the residential building that rose from the grave of the Mars Bar and several other businesses here between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Former Mars Bar owner Hank Penza was reportedly a partner in this new venture that included a founder of Juice Press.

The cafe space was seemingly cleaned out about a month ago… the doors are always locked during the announced business hours… for at least a week in late September, there were signs on the door noting a closure for a private event...



An EVG reader noted bouncers and a line outside on several nights in early October (there is an active liquor license for the space)…



Out of curiosity, I stopped by NatureEs twice during its run … once right after it opened this past May. There was a disorganized vibe to the place, though you may expect a little chaos shortly after opening.

NatureEs actually didn't have much for sale in this huge space — six juices … a chia bowl. The (presumably?) manager, who treated me like an undesirable party guest, said they were making smoothies, but they didn't have menus yet. They also had hot soup — a lentil bean concoction, which seemed a little much on this unseasonably warm May afternoon. They had two small to-go dishes. The chia bowl and a broccoli/cauliflower mix. Neither item had the ingredients (nor the price) listed. The vegetables had a sauce, but no one knew what it was. Also, the AC wasn't working.

I returned later in the summer, when NatureEs looked more inviting…



I looked around the well-appointed space … I was the only person there, other than the lone employee…



I looked at some body oils and scented candles… it had the feel of a fake store created for a film set…



Eventually I decided to — in the name of blogalism — fork over $11 for a smoothie … the Starter Wife, featuring avocado, pineapple, spinach, ginger and coconut water, sounded appealing (enough).



The employee said of course, and disappeared into the back room. He returned several minutes later with a sheepish look and the news that he did not have any avocados on-hand to make this smoothie. Maybe come back?

Yesterday, CB3 released its roster of meetings for November, including the SLA committee meeting set for Nov. 16.

Among the items on the agenda under alterations:

• Naturees (Paulmil Cafe Inc), 21 E 1st St (alt/op/convert juice bar to Spanish bistro and add additional bar)

So it appears there are plans to convert the juice bar/spa into a bar-restaurant.

Previously on EV Grieve:
NatureEs calls: About the organic cafe coming to where Mars Bar 2.0 was in the works

A quick look inside NatureEs, the new organic cafe coming to 21 E. 1st St.

A quick look inside NatureEs, the new organic cafe coming to 21 E. 1st St.

This past Friday, we noted that NatureEs, the new organic cafe at 21 E. First St., will open next Monday, May 11.

Meanwhile, an EVG reader shared these two interior shots with us…





NatureEs is located in Jupiter 21, the newish residential building between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
NatureEs calls: About the organic cafe coming to where Mars Bar 2.0 was in the works

Sign's up at Mars Bar replacement NatureEs, opening May 11

The organic cafe on East First Street opens on May 11, according to an employee… the sign has arrived too…



NatureEs is located in Jupiter 21, the residential building that rose from the grave of the Mars Bar and several other businesses here between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Not much is known about the cafe just yet, aside from it will serve organic, all-natural, fresh juices and what not. (The NatureEs website still appears to be under construction.)

BoweryBoogie first reported on NatureEs' arrival on April 20.

Previously on EV Grieve:
NatureEs calls: About the organic cafe coming to where Mars Bar 2.0 was in the works