Monday's parting archival shot

Facebook reminded me of this grainy photo posted on the evening of Aug. 30, 2013.

I took this on the second-to-last night of the old Odessa, 117 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. This space dated to the mid-1960s. 

The Odessa Restaurant next door (circa 1995) remained open until July 2020. Superiority Burger is taking over that space.

Odessa is closed for now, but will it reopen?

[Photo yesterday by Stacie Joy]

As expected, Odessa Restaurant, 119 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, closed after service late Sunday night.

Three "Sorry We're Closed" signs arrived outside on Monday afternoon.


[Photo by Steven]

After hearing rumors on Facebook (one post was shared more than 1,100 times) the weekend of July 10 that Odessa was going to close, EVG correspondent Stacie Joy received in-person confirmation on July 12 from longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos, who shared that the diner was shutting down on July 19 after a prolonged slump in business due to COVID-19. He also said at the time that there wasn't any truth that the space was closing for renovations.

The news brought out some remembrances of a diner that has had a presence on the block since the mid-1960s.

By this past Friday afternoon, however, the story had changed. As Gothamist reported, co-owner Steve Helios stated that Odessa was only shutting down temporarily. "We'll be back," he said in the post, eyeing a return some time in 2021. The super for the building, owned by Odessa partner Mike Skulikidis, also confirmed the renovation to Gothamist.

This news took the staff by surprise. None of the employees on Friday evening were aware of these plans. In a conversation with Stacie, Vassilatos maintained that Odessa was closing, that he hadn't heard from ownership yet about any other arrangements.

Stacie asked if it was possible that she'd see him in the same spot this time next year and he said, "anything's possible in life, but don't count on it."

Since Sunday, we've heard from several longtime Odessa regulars about what is happening moving forward. Many of them are surprised and confused — and hopeful. On Sunday, one longtime customer who stopped by for a last meal to go was told by staff that Odessa might be back in five or six months, or else the owners might just rent out the prime space to another restaurant.

There are several theories that regulars are floating, including:

• The owners had been planning on a renovation and never told staff.
• The owners changed their minds after the uptick in business on what was to be their last week, opting to close for renovations to ride out the pandemic and reopen in 2021.
• The Odessa has closed for good, and the renovations narrative was simply to ease the pain of the closure.

So for now, Odessa is closed. There aren't any signs on the door stating a renovation. We didn't spot anyone inside the space either Monday or yesterday. And given that Odessa lacks a social media presence, there isn't any unified message about the future to customers.


[Photo by Stacie Joy]

Odessa Restaurant opened in this space in April 1995. The original Odessa closed next door in August 2013

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A Visit to Odessa Restaurant

• Last call for the Odessa Cafe and Bar tonight

[Updated] This is the last week for Odessa on Avenue A

Updated 7/17
Gothamist now reports that the owners will just be closing for renovations. Longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos told Stacie Joy last Sunday that they were closing for good, not remodeling. Gothamist also got confirmation of the closure on Sunday.

This is the last week for Odessa Restaurant, 119 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy spoke yesterday with longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos, who started at the diner in 1990 when it was next door. He confirmed that Odessa was closing after service on Sunday, July 19.



He says that Odessa is shutting down solely due to the significant loss of business during the COVID-19 crisis. (Odessa reopened for takeout and delivery in early April.)

Mike Skulikidis has been an Odessa co-owner since 1980 (along with Steve Helios). Skulikidis is also the landlord of the building, so there isn't an issue with a rent increase. And about the rumors that Odessa would be closed for remodeling: The place is shutting down for good, not reopening.

Vassilatos had been planning to retire to his native Greece in the months ahead... now he says he'll be doing it sooner than anticipated. While he's not a fan of long goodbyes, he knows that regulars are going to be understandably upset by the closing news.

As one reader said to us yesterday: "Odessa was supposed to be there forever."

Here are a few scenes from yesterday...









Odessa Restaurant opened in this space in April 1995. The original Odessa, which dated to the mid-1960s, closed next door in August 2013

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A Visit to Odessa Restaurant

• Last call for the Odessa Cafe and Bar tonight

The Black Rose, 'a neighborhood rock and roll bar,' opening in the former Odessa Cafe and Bar space

[EVG photo from Sunday]

Here are some details on the bar taking over the former Odessa Cafe & Bar at 117 Avenue, via DNAinfo:

The Black Rose, which the owners hope to open at 117 Avenue A by the end of the month, will have more of an “old-school” concept, said co-owner Joseph Daniele.

The owners plan to outfit the space with vintage and repurposed items, like the wooden church doors that have been fashioned into shutters for the restaurant’s window, Daniele said. They kept the property’s red tin ceilings, he added, and stripped the walls to highlight the building’s red brickwork.

Daniele previously owned the Fashion 40 Lounge on 40th Street and Seventh Avenue, per DNAinfo.

And from general manager Ashley Poe: "We’re just going to be a neighborhood rock and roll bar where everybody’s welcome and everybody has fun."

The Black Rose will also offer a limited food menu, including tapas and Italian sandwiches. The hours will be 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. during the week ... and opening at 11 a.m. on weekends.

The Odessa Cafe & Bar closed Aug. 31, 2013. The Odessa restaurant remains next door at No. 119 here between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

Now what for the Odessa Cafe and Bar?

Looking at the former Odessa Cafe and Bar

Workers have removed the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding from 117 Avenue A… where crews had been gut-renovating the Steve Croman-owned building…

And we can see the new-look storefront that previously housed the Odessa Cafe and Bar here between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

What's next for the space? Don't really know! (Helpful, yes!)

The applicant was on the August 2014 CB3/SLA agenda, but the item was not heard before the committee (meaning the public didn't have a say in the matter). Paperwork on file with CB3 points to a corporate change, with a Robert C. Payne as the new partner.

On our last Odessa post, a reader left this kinda-sounds-like-the-dude-quoted comment: "I talked to the dude working on it — he said he's 'just making a bar, none of this overly fancy shit.' He seemed like a cool guy."

Other failed concepts for the space included a diner serving comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken … and a "new American brasserie/bistro."

Anyway, "just … a bar, none of this overly fancy shit" sounds pretty good.

The former Odessa Cafe & Bar closed Aug. 31, 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

Now what for the Odessa Cafe and Bar?


[Photo from August 2013]

Wondering what's next for the former Odessa Cafe and Bar, now being gutted on Avenue A

[EVG photo from May]

As far as we know, at least three different applicants have kicked the tires on the former Odessa Cafe & Bar, which closed Aug. 31, 2013.

However, we hear a deal is in place for a new operator to take over the space at 117 Avenue A between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

The applicant was on the August CB3/SLA agenda, but the item was not heard before the committee (meaning the public didn't have a say in the matter). Paperwork on file with CB3 points to a corporate change, with a Robert C. Payne as the new partner.

As we understand it, applicants who opt for a corporate change instead of a new license then inherit any debt, outstanding issues, etc. (if any) by assuming this corporation. However, it also means that this is a way around any hearing, ensuring the new applicant a license and the old owner a key fee. (State Authority Liquor records show that the license is currently inactive.)

At this point, we don't know who Robert C. Payne is. There was a Robert Payne who was part of the ownership prepared to open a Latin-themed restaurant at 106 Rivington St. (Neighbors vehemently opposed this restaurant, which they feared would just be a club. The State Liquor Authority ultimately denied the group a full liquor license in April 2013.)

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, workers have started to dismantle the former Odessa Cafe and Bar...





And on Friday, the gutting got serious, as workers were hauling out parts of the former kitchen, as these photos by EVG regular peter radley show...





We hope to have more information soon about what is taking over the former Odessa Cafe and Bar. The Odessa restaurant, of course, continues to operate next door at 119 Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

Now what for the Odessa Cafe and Bar?

CB3/SLA committee highlights for August: mystery applicant for the Odessa Cafe; catering license for 51 Astor Place

[EVG file photo of the former Odessa Cafe from May]

Oh, the CB3/SLA Licensing Committee docket for August is out now.

The meeting is Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

And here are the East Village-related applicants. Find the whole agenda here. We'll have more on some of the applications when more information is available...

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Maiden Lane (Yardbird LLC), 162 Ave B (upgrade to op)

• The Comedians' Club, 120 St Marks Pl (wb)

The new comedy club is angling for the former Addiction Ink storefront at 120 St. Mark's Place. Club owners were previously looking at the former home of Tinto Fino on First Avenue.

• Box Kite Coffee (Tuck Shop Two Corp), 115 St Marks Pl (upgrade to op)

Looks as if the coffee shop, which opened last December, is applying for a full liquor license. Perhaps to pair with the coffee?

Sidewalk Cafe Application

• La Pizza Shop Inc, 110 Ave A

Black Market is applying to add 11 tables (24 total seats) out front.

New Liquor License Applications

• Honshu Ichi (Ichi 88 Inc), 188 1st Ave (op)

This is the Oyama reboot.

• Eurest Dining (Compass Group USA Inc), 51 Astor Pl (op)

Don't get too excited! This is a "catering establishment" liquor license. Compass Group North America is "the leading foodservice management" company based in North Carolina whose clients include IBM. And 51 Astor Place is officially called the IBM Watson building, so...

Items Not Heard at Committee (meaning they aren't up for public discussion)

• Luzzo's (Chito Inc), 211-213 1st Ave (op/corp change)

Paperwork shows that one partner is leaving and one is joining the corporation.

• Odessa Restaurant Inc, 117 Ave A (op/corp change)

No word on who the new applicant is just yet. Since the Odessa Cafe and Bar closed last Aug. 31, at least four different applicants kicked the tires on the space. Asking rent is currently $19,500.

• Milk and Hops (Astoria Cheese Inc), 63 E 9th St (b)

• Red Koi Inc, 57 1st Ave (wb)

• Red and Gold Crab Shack (Red and Gold Boil Inc), 30 St Marks Place (wb)

This is what's taking the former Japadog space.

-----

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

Now what for the Odessa Cafe and Bar?

The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed after service last Aug. 31.

Since then, there have been several suitors for this space at 117 Avenue A between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

In February, the plan called for a bar-restaurant serving Nashville Hot Chicken from a Ravi DeRossi-backed operator. However, as we understand it, the group backed out after failing to receive a 4 a.m. liquor license. More recently, an applicant, believed to have been someone affiliated with Webster Hall, withdrew from the May CB3/SLA committee meeting.

And CB3 released its June meetings agenda yesterday — no takers this time around for 117 Avenue A.

According to the listing on the Tower Brokerage & Picken Hospitality website, the asking rent is $22,500, plus a $50,000 fixtures fee. (A tipster also pointed us to a Craigslist ad for the space from a different broker where the asking rent is $19,500.)

Meanwhile, if you've looked inside in recent months, you can see that it is eerily preserved …



Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

A new for rent sign at the former Odessa Cafe and Bar

[EVG file photo from December]

The Odessa Cafe and Bar awning came down last week… and a new for rent sign from a different broker appeared Friday in the front window...



The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed after service on Aug. 31. There have been several suitors for the space. Most recently the plan called for a bar-restaurant serving Nashville Hot Chicken from a Ravi DeRossi-backed operator. We're not sure what happened to this concept. CB3 OK'd the license last month.

Regardless, it appears that 117 Avenue A is back on the open market. We didn't spot this listing just yet on the Tower Brokerage & Picken Hospitality website.


[Photo Saturday via @AnnV_Reilly]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Former Odessa Cafe and Bar will serve comfort food specializing in Nashville Hot Chicken

Details emerge about what's next for former the 7A, Odessa Cafe & Bar spaces

[The former 7A on Tuesday via Bobby Williams]

The paperwork on file ahead of next month's CB3/SLA meeting provides some information about what's to come to 7A, which closed after Sunday, and the Odessa Cafe & Bar.

7A
The applicant's name (PDF!) for the space is New 7A Cafe LLC. The name of the managing partner on the application is Paul Salmon. He is a co-founder of Joe's Pub (along with Kevin Abbott, Serge Becker and Josh Pickard) and Miss Lily's, the Jamaican bar and restaurant on West Houston.

The rumor out there was that Becker and Pickard were opening some kind of Southern-themed restaurant here.

The Odessa Cafe & Bar
The applicant's name for the space at 117 Avenue A is simply Avenue A Project LLC. However, an email address associated with the applicant (PDF!) is for DeRossi Global, the company behind Death and Co., Amor Y Amargo, Mayahuel, the Bourgeois Pig, Gin Palace and Proletariat.

There's no other information on the application about what's to come. Based on the other DeRossi establishments, you could go with "high-end cocktails" and likely be close to being right.

The Odessa Cafe & Bar closed last Aug. 31. The Odessa dates here to 1965.

Applicants for 7A, Odessa Cafe & Bar highlight February CB3/SLA docket

[The former 7A on Tuesday via Bobby Williams]

The February CB3/SLA licensing committee meeting will be split over two nights. Items of interest this month include the mystery applicants for two former Avenue A mainstays — 7A and Odessa Cafe & Bar.

Here are some of the highlights from each night.

Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. 4th St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Renewal with Complaint
• Mama Bar LLC, 34 Ave B (op)

Applications within Saturated Areas
• ABC Beer Co (Alphabet City Beer Co LLC), 96 Ave C (wb/extend license to backyard)


[EVG file photo]

• Avenue A Project LLC, 117 Ave A (op) (Odessa)

We're curious to see what is taking the space that belonged to the Odessa Cafe & Bar, which closed for business last Aug. 31. Previous plans for the space fell through.

• Klong (Auanthai Inc), 7 St Marks Pl (op)

Sidewalk Cafe Application
• Mama Bar LLC, 32 Ave B

New Liquor License Applications
• To be Determined, 600 E 14th St (op) (Alphabet Cafe)

• Eric Thant Corporation, 57 1st Ave (wb) (Pudgie's)

Oh! A taker for the former Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo!

• To be Determined, 325 Bowery (op) (Peels)

Eater reported that Andrew Carmellini and business partners Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard are opening a "casual pasta shop" called Bar Primi at the now-shuttered Peels.

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)
• Euzkadi Restaurant (PYB Inc), 108 E 4th St (wb)

• New 7A Cafe LLC, 109 Ave A (op)

The 24-hour restaurant closed for business after Sunday. The rumor is that bold-face namers Serge Becker and Josh Pickard are opening some kind of Southern-themed restaurant here.

-----

Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. -- University Settlement at Houston Street Center - 273 Bowery

New Liquor License Applications
• To be Determined, 117 2nd Ave (wb) (Picnic)

A taker for the very short-lived Picnic on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street.

----

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Now that the deal to reopen the Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A is officially dead … a for rent notice arrived on Saturday… with the familiar "Call Harvey" sign of Croman Realty… The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed after service on Aug. 31. Odessa co-owner Mike Skulikidis has been running the place since 1980. (The Odessa dates here to 1965.) The Odessa Restaurant remains open next door.



-----

Meanwhile, a few storefronts away on the corner of St. Mark's Place… the for rent signs came down… along with the sign of the former tenant — Sushi Lounge. (The gate got a paint job too.)



Empellón chef Alex Stupak plans to open his third restaurant at this location. The Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

The Odessa name has been removed from its former sidewalk canopy

Speaking of signs... noticed last week that the name of the "Odessa" had been removed from the sidewalk canopy at the former Odessa Cafe and Bar.

There was talk that the Odessa folks would reopen the space at 117 Avenue A, but that is not going to happen, as we noted last week.

Oh well. Anyway, we always like sidewalk canopies you know.


[August]

The Odessa Cafe and Bar will not reopen

In mid-November, we started hearing rumors — from three different sources — that the Odessa Cafe and Bar was coming back to life on Avenue A.

However, the Odessa folks have confirmed that the deal fell through, and the Cafe and Bar will not reopen. This past week, the "thanks for your support" sign returned to the empty restaurant's front window. (There's an addition to the sign — the "and bar" part.)

Meanwhile, though, Leo, a favorite bartender-waiter from the Cafe and Bar days, is still at the newish bar in the back of the Odessa Restaurant Wednesday to Sunday evenings starting at 8.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Claim: The Odessa Cafe and Bar reopens later this week

Claim: The Odessa Cafe and Bar reopens later this week

That's the word from multiple tipsters anyway. The Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A closed back on Aug. 31.

In late October, the Cafe and Bar was resurrected in the back of the Odessa next door at 119 Avenue A.

Now comes word that the whole thing will reopen, for at least the next year, in its former location as early as Thursday evening.

Paperwork filed ahead of the July CB3/SLA meeting showed that six people were part of a team who was leasing the space and buying the assets ... at least one of which was a "former owner and general manager" of Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs, according to public documents posted on the CB3 website.

There's no word on whatever happened to that project, though. Meanwhile, the Cafe and Bar space has sat untouched since the Aug. 31 closing. And the "thanks for your patronage" sign on the front window was recently removed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

The Odessa Cafe and Bar scene moves next door to the Odessa

The Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A closed back on Aug. 31. At the time, we heard that the Cafe and Bar would be resurrected in the back of the Odessa next door at 119 Avenue A.

Well, the new bar made its debut this past weekend.


[Photo last weekend by Shawn Chittle]

So, from Wednesday to Sunday evenings starting at 8, the back section of the Odessa — never all that crowded at this hour anyway — will serve drinks in a cozy ambiance similar to the former Cafe and Bar...


[SC]

Leo, who tended bar and waited on tables at the Cafe (the dark side, if you like), will be serving drinks at the Odessa (the light side, etc.)


[Photo of Leo by Goggla]

No word if they are bringing over the old framed photos of movie stars or the gourds from the former Cafe and Bar...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Remembering the Odessa Cafe and Bar

[Photo by Goggla via Flickr]

The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed for good early Sunday morning... bringing to an end some 48 years of the Odessa at 117 Avenue A. Today, Jeremiah and Goggla each pay their respects.


[Photo by Goggla]

Previously.

Last call for the Odessa Cafe and Bar tonight

As we've been reporting, the Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A signs off for good tonight. Odessa co-owner Mike Skulikidis has been running the place since 1980. (The Odessa dates here to 1965.)

Skulikidis tells DNAinfo's Serena Solomon that he was hit with a 50 percent rent hike. (Current rent is $10,000 a month.) He will continue to operate the Odessa Restaurant next door.

But he sounds less than optimistic about the future.

Looking ahead, Skulikidis plans to continue working at Odessa seven days a week and said he has no interest in closing it or making major changes — but eventually he will have to move on.

"Everything is for sale at the right price anytime," he said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Weekend recap: Odessa Cafe and Bar closes for good after Saturday

In case you missed the post from Saturday morning: Odessa Cafe and Bar closes for good after service on Saturday. The Odessa Restaurant at 119 Avenue A will remain open.


[Photo by @RTSNYC]

[Updated] After 33 years, Odessa Cafe and Bar closes for good now on Aug. 31

[Thanks to @analogrombus]

There have been several closing dates for the Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A — first Aug. 15 then Sept. 6. There's now a new date — Aug. 31. And there's a sign up thanking patrons for their years of support.

The Odessa's assets were sold to new operators. (We don't have specifics on the incoming place, though CB3 documents described it as "a full-service American brasserie restaurant.") The Odessa Restaurant next door at 119 will remain open.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6