Openings and closing on these 2 blocks of 1st Avenue

Acro Coffee recently debuted at 213 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. 

We don't know too much about them yet (their Instagram account has this slogan: "Rooted in hospitality, designed for discovery.") 

Meanwhile, next door, Sweet Cake is officially closed. A small for-rent sign is now on the storefront that has been dark for months...

This was the second outpost for the Flushing-based bakery and cafe, which serves coffee, matcha drinks, and Asian-style desserts.

The EV shop debuted last June. We last saw anyone in here in the fall, around the time an Instagram post called for investors. 

And up the block, grand-opening signage hangs at Fat Boys Burgers, 231 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street.

This is the second location for the burger joint, first launched by two brothers and a cousin on Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen. (All three were born and raised in that neighborhood, helping out at the family-owned A&A Deli, now Healthy Market.) 

Fat Boys offers a variety of burgers (including a meatless version), fries, chopped chicken fries and shakes. Find a menu here.

3 new bakeries-cafes have opened in the East Village

Here's a quick look at three new bakery-cafe options in the East Village...

• Sweet Cake, 215 First Ave., just south of 13th Street.

The Flushing-based bakery and cafe, which serves coffee, matcha drinks, and Asian-style desserts, is now in service between 12th Street and 13th Street. (Previously.) 

• Oasis Cafe, 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The bakery-dessert shop, which started in Flushing, is now in soft-open mode. The brand also has locations in Astoria and Midtown, and it ships its sweets, such as eclairs, cheesecake, and cookies, nationwide. (Previously.) 

• Red Beard Coffee & Bakery, 194 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street

Red Beard debuted on Saturday. This sibling to the Lazy Llama on First Street serves espresso via Ioannis Coffee Chef and offers freshly baked bread, pastries, and several sandwich options. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Previously.) 

Top photo via Pinch, the others by Lola Sáenz 

Flushing-based cafe and bakery Sweet Cake is opening an East Village outpost

Photos by Pinch

Sweet Cake is opening an outpost at 215 First Ave., just south of 13th Street.

The Flushing-based bakery and cafe, which serves coffee, matcha drinks, and Asian-style desserts, is now hiring at this location.  

The shop debuted on Northern Boulevard in January 2023. No word on an opening date here.

The previous tenant, the East Village Art Collection (EVAC), closed last April after the art venue failed to open for a group show featuring 25 artists from around the country (and overseas). The artists had to jump through many hoops to eventually retrieve their work.