Now at Red Square — AMERICA'S LARGEST COSTUME SELECTION

Hey, the Ricky's Halloween pop-up shop is now open in the Shoppes of Red Square along East Houston…

As the sign promises, there is a large selection for just about everyone (what is the difference between an infant and a toddler?) … except maybe pets.

We'll be back for a comprehensive review of the costumes, especially the sexy ones. (Or are they sexy plus couples?)

Of course, we have been browsing the Ricky's Halloween costume superstore website… where, for example, the Adult Lady Gaga 2009 VA White Performance Costume has been slashed from $69.99 to $9.91…

[Updated] Ricky's coming to former Blockbuster space on East Houston Street

As the signage shows here along the Shoppes of Red Square, another Ricky's is on the way. (The Lo-Down noted this first yesterday.)

The space at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B had its last full-time retailer here in March 2012 when the Blockbuster closed. (Soho Billiards contemplated a move here, though those plans never materialized.)

As for Ricky's, this will be the third location in the East Village … there are 22 Ricky's in Manhattan alone. Soon to be 23 places in Manhattan to buy the Pub Crawl Santa suit.

Anyway, guess this means the Halloween City pop-up shop won't be back…

Updated 6:29 a.m.

Ah! BoweryBoogie notes that this location will only serve as a Halloween pop-up shop. He has an interior shot … which looks to have a temporary grab-and-go (but pay first!) set up… Anyway! NEVER too early to start planning your Halloween costume! Will do a post on that as soon as I buy my xmas decorations…

The Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo is back, better than ever, or exactly the same

After a fews weeks of renovations, the Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B is back in action...

Saturday!



Sunday!

The Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo is (almost) alive and well on East Houston

Things had been grim (grim I tell you!) the last two weeks here in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B … the Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo had been "closed for renovations," looking suspiciously on the gutted side.

But!

On Wednesday night, an EVG reader got a look inside, and reported actual renovations taking place… and last night? New bright signage action.



The place looks close to being operational again. So put away those teary farewell signs!

Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo remains closed for renovations on East Houston

The Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins combo located in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B remains closed for renovations. The doughnut/ice cream dispensary has been closed since Dec. 2. (BoweryBoogie noted this on Monday.) Signs on the door point to a reopening yesterday.

However, as these photos by an EVG reader from last evening show, work remains on the space, which looks suspiciously gutted…





While it wouldn't be the first time a Dunkin' Donuts closed around here, the reader who spotted the above work yesterday noted that it looked more like an upgrade than a demolition….

East Houston Wine & Liquor is now open in (at?) Red Square

East Houston Wine & Liquor opened Monday on East Houston in the Shoppes at Red Square ... and they're having a 10-percent-off deal the first week. (Nice of me to tell you that five days in!) ... the space was previously home to a spa-salon.

I browsed the aisles... not sure about prices, since I make all my liquor at home in the tub. (Soapy, but effective!) Maybe if you go you can tell me what you think of the place in the comments. A few other details — they deliver and they have nice refrigerator magnets.

BoweryBoogie noted the opening back on Wednesday.

Soho Billiards eyeing move to Red Square

When we saw the following item on this month's CB3/SLA docket — NYC Billiards Club Inc, 250 E Houston St (op) — we didn't realize that this was the former Soho Billiards. The 22-year-old pool hall closed late last fall, as we first reported.

In any event, documents on file ahead of Monday's committee meeting show that the ownership is the same... and they are looking at taking over space in the Shoppes at Red Square between Avenue A and Avenue B. (It would be the space that Sleepy's used before they moved into the Blockbuster location.)

The new location would have hours of 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; to 4 a.m. on Friday Saturdays, documents show. There would be one 10-foot bar (no food) with a total occupancy of 74 people.

As far as we can remember, there was a pool hall along here before the Blockbuster...

East Houston Wine & Liquor coming soon to Red Square

A new addition for the Shoppes at Red Square here on East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B... a liquor store is taking over the space previously leased to a spa-salon.

Lenin showing support for Obama in 2012?

Photo of Red Square on East Houston via EVG regular peter radley.

Anticipation builds for new pop-up Halloween shop

Sign went up last week here at Halloween City, a pop-up shop in the Shoppes at Red Square on East Houston. We're looking forward to shopping here (no opening date noted just yet) after Halloween ...

EVG: So the Herman Munster costumes didn't move much this season, huh?

HC: That's Kris Humphries.

Seriously, though — Rock On. Or, Turn Heads. Or, Freak On.

Previously.

Because it's never too soon to start thinking about Halloween costumes

An update on the Shoppes at Red Square... So the Blockbuster closed here along East Houston back in the spring... then the Sleepy's next door moved into the Blockbuster space ... now, signs appeared last week for the new (seasonal?) business coming to the former Sleepy's space...

The store opens in September... Meanwhile.

I took these photos Saturday night along Avenue A a look at the Halloween City website to see what they sold ...

And — woo! Queen Amidala! Let me join your alliance to free Naboo from the Trade Federation...

... and because someone will bring it up...

Any other thoughts on hot Halloween costumes for 2012?

You've had your last Blockbuster night on East Houston

Last night, we stopped by the Blockbuster on East Houston to return our overdue copy of "Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000" and ...

Kidding, we've never been a Blockbuster member... Just noting that the space is empty now here in the Red Square shops between Avenue A and Avenue B on East Houston ... Blockbuster closed after Sunday night... and workers quickly cleared out the space...

Someone even left a "store closed forever" sign and a smiley face made of tape, perhaps as a thank you for years of renting ... "Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever" and "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2."

The space remains for rent, as we noted here. Make as well start a rumor about what's opening here...

TODAY is the last day for Blockbuster on East Houston

Blockbuster extended the closing date for its East Houston Street/Red Square location from last Sunday to today...

We only mention this in case that you were looking to buy a used safe.

Previously.

Blockbuster closes tomorrow; last chance to buy the store's fire extinguisher

As we first reported, the Blockbuster in the Red Square shops on East Houston closes tomorrow...

...and when they say everything must go, they mean it.

Hope there's not a small fire inside the store today.

Previously.

Blockbuster closes on March 18

On Jan. 29, we noted that the Blockbuster on East Houston in the Red Square strip was going out of business ... At the time, a Blockbuster employee said that they'd close on Feb. 29.

However, we just heard that the Blockbusterers pushed the date back to March 18 (confirmed by a Blockbuster employee) ... so in case that you are in the market for any previously viewed DVDs or DVD display cases...

Now.

Two questions.

1) Has anyone checked out the sale items? Worth a look? We've never had a Blockbuster membership. Do you need to be a member to buy any of the crap?

2) The store has been on the block for a year now ... looks as if Sleepy's is part of the deal too ... the listing has it going for $75 a square foot... What would you like to see in the space? (Shoe store! Egg shop! Zine store! Heh.) What do you think will end up in the space? (And please be more specific than, say, "something shitty.")

Sorry — that was four questions.

Famous Original Ray's Pizza closes on East Houston

So the Famous Original Ray's Pizza here in the Red Square shops is gone. As you can see, workers have cleared out the space...

I get all the various Ray's mixed up. (Serious Eats does some detective work here.)

According to the Famous Original Ray's Pizza Facebook page:

We are the Mangano family, the owners of Famous Original Ray's Pizza. The patriarch of our family, Rosolino "Ray" Mangano, started it all. He created the original Ray's Pizza. Today we still follow Ray's recipes.

Recently, there has been significant media attention surrounding the closing of the Ray's Pizza on Prince Street and the closing of Famous Ray's Pizza on 11th Street. A number of incorrect statements have been made in the news stories. To be clear, we own federal trademark registrations issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the Ray's Pizza trademarks. Over the years we have systematically taken steps to stop infringers from using our trademarks. We did commence an infringement lawsuit against the operator of the Famous Ray's Pizza located on 11th Street. That lawsuit was recently settled.

We have an important message for all infringers of the Ray's Pizza trademarks: WE WILL STOP YOU. If you want to avoid litigation and the payment of damages STOP NOW.

Anyway, the Famous Original Ray's Pizza is still open on the other side of Houston near Orchard Street.

P.S.
By the end of yesterday afternoon, workers had removed the Ray's sign from the building...

When Lenin was told to go fly a kite

Thanks to EV Grieve reader Tom for this photo... a view looking to the south toward Red Square on Houston ...

...and if you zoom in a bit...

And if you have a photo or two to share, we'd love to see them/post them... You may send to grieve98@gmail.com

New store for Red Square strip

Coming soon on Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B.

That bus on Houston

Yeah, the one parked right near Red Square. Anyone have information about it...? Like, who it belongs to?

From luxury condo sales office to stylish spa (seems about right)

The former sales office for One Avenue B -- located in Red Square on Houston Street -- will become a spa...Also, the Web site for One Avenue B, the glass box at the site of the former Gaseteria at Avenue B and Houston, is no longer live.