The 23-year-old Starbucks on Astor Place is now closed for 'a major renovation'

The Starbucks on Astor Place went dark yesterday (h/t to the tipster!) ... as workers covered the windows...



... to mark the start of renovations ... actually "a major renovation," per the Starbucks signage...



According to the approved work permit on file with the city (and in the DOB's ALL-CAP STYLE: "FILING FOR RENOVATIONS TO EXISTING STARBUCKS STORE. DUCT WORK, SPRINKLER HEADS, PLUMBING FIXTURES, AND RELATED GENERAL CONSTRUCTION."

The estimated cost of this work is $985,000, per the DOB.

Apparently this location — a popular spot outside the downtown 6 for its restrooms — was in need of an upgrade, at least according to some of the one-star reviews on Yelp.

For instance ...

This Starbucks is always full and the tables and chairs are always taken and theirs always a line to use the bathroom although that is next to the subway station entrance and across from a department store, this location needs lots of improvements and make the place more cozy for people.

And...

First, it's desperately in need of a renovation: 1) All the tables are scratched and worn. The chairs are the same, plus most of them are ready to fall apart. 2) The roof leaks when it rains. 3) The bathrooms look like they run a cockfighting ring out of them.

This outpost opened in the spring of 1995 (RIP Riviera Cafe!) As The New York Times noted then, this 5,000-square-foot, 80-seat Starbuck's was "the chain's largest outlet in Manhattan."

Per the Times on April 2, 1995:

The Astor Place Starbuck's has floor-to-ceiling windows and a vaulted ceiling. "We've been looking at opening stores that are a larger format, using the architecture of the site to its fullest potential," said Kat Spellman, a company spokeswoman. It is the 11th Starbuck's Coffee in Manhattan; several more are planned in the next year.

Today, there are 317 Starbucks in Manhattan, according to the Center for an Urban Future.



The tipster who passed along this temp closure news noted that the Astor Place Starbucks was expected to reopen on Sept. 6.

Ippudo closed for renovations through July 17

Over on Fourth Avenue, paper covers the part of the front window of the popular ramen-and-pork-buns spot between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The East Village location of Ippudo, which was the first U.S. outpost for the Japanese chain, closed last week for renovations, per the signage in the front window...



The Ippudo website notes that they'll be closed through July 17.

Suffolk Arms now closed for renovations and 'mechanical upgrades'

[Photo by Vinny & O]

Last Monday we first noted that Suffolk Arms, the cocktail lounge on Houston at Suffolk, has been closed of late.

There's now signage on the front door noting the temporary closure for "renovation and mechanical upgrades." The bar's social media accounts have disappeared, though the website is still operational.

Neat Pour reported that Suffolk Arms "would reopen at a later date with a new concept, but the same staff." Neat Pour also had that co-owners Ruben Rodriguez and Giuseppe González are "at odds with one another."

The upscale bar, lined with portraits of famous New Yorkers, opened in February 2016.

Tarallucci e Vino closed through March for renovations on 1st Avenue

Papered windows and a sign greeted patrons yesterday at Tarallucci e Vino on First Avenue at 10th Street...



Per the signage at the Italian cafe: "After 16 great years ... it's time to spruce things up a bit."

The original Tarallucci e Vino (there are now five locations total in the city) expects to reopen by the end of March.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Turntable 5060 returning after months-long hiatus

Turntable 5060 has been closed on Avenue B at Fourth Street since late July. A sign on the door pointed to a closure for renovations. (It never looked as if much renovating had been going on inside.)

In any event, now there's a new sign, one stating that they'll reopen on Dec. 1...



The restaurant serving Korean-style fried chicken and craft beers opened in July 2015. Turntable opened a new location on 33rd Street this past summer.

2-plus-month-old Ciala on 2nd Avenue reopens tomorrow with new menu

[Photo Tuesday by Derek Berg]

Ciala, the restaurant serving Georgian cuisine at 77 Second Ave., opened back in July here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.

A sign arrived on the front door this week noting that they are closed for renovations, reopening tomorrow (Sept. 29!) with an "all new and exciting menu."

Has anyone tried Ciala? I haven't heard much about it to date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ciala signage arrives on 2nd Avenue

Baohaus closed for renovations for now on 14th Street

Just noting that Eddie Huang's Baohaus has been closed since last Sunday... and will be so for another few weeks here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



Huang, the chef-author-TV personality, will reportedly open an outpost on the Bowery in Chinatown. (This location was seeking a full liquor license last month. Not sure what the outcome was.)

The quick-serve Taiwanese restaurant opened on 14th Street in 2011... the original Rivington Street location closed shortly after this.

H/T EVG reader Shiv!

Turntable 5060 has been closed today for awhile

Turntable 5060 has been closed of late here on Avenue B at Fourth Street.

Two signs on the door note that they are "under renovation." There aren't any new work permits on file at the DOB to note any work in the space.

And there is a handwritten sign on the door that reads...

Hey guys!

We are sad to say that we are closed today for repairs!

If you're craving friend chicken, just come to our K-town location! 20 W33rdSt.

There isn't any notice about a temporary closure on their website or social media properties.

The restaurant serving Korean-style fried chicken and craft beers opened in July 2015. The 33rd Street location mentioned on the note just opened last month.

Ramen Setagaya reopens today after renovation on St. Mark's Place

The St. Mark's Place branch of Japanese chain Ramen Setagaya has been closed for the past few weeks... with brown paper covering the windows.

But there is a note (as well as new signage) here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... noting a reopening today...



There's also a reopening event this weekend... where the already-affordable student-friendly menu will offer two $5 specials...

On 2nd Avenue, the Local 92 and Mermaid Inn are closed for renovations

On Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, two neighboring restaurants are currently closed for renovations.

First, there's the Mermaid Inn...



The sign points to a spring cleaning in anticipation of their 14th birthday. They are expected back open next Monday. (They closed for renovations in October 2011 as well.)

And next door, Local 92 has closed for a few days ...



...with a return date on Thursday.



Thank you to Vinny & O for the photos!

[Updated] Black Market is currently closed for renovations on Avenue A

[Reader photo from Monday]

Multiple EVG readers have noted that Black Market, the burgers and oyster bar at 110 Avenue A near Seventh Street, closed after service this weekend... brown paper is now up on the windows and front door.

There is a closed for renovations sign on the door...



There isn't any mention of a temporary closure just yet on their website or social media properties.

Black Market, one of the neighborhood spots owned by Johnny T and Jesse Malin, opened in 2010... taking over the space from the Pizza Shop, which closed in November 2009.

Updated 3/16

Black Market will not be reopening. More details here.

Haile Bistro expected to reopen next week on Avenue B

We recently noted that Haile Bistro, the Ethiopian restaurant on Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street, had been closed of late without any explanation.

Now, though, there are "closed for renovations" signs posted on the front windows ... noting a reopening on March 14...



A comment on the previous post from a former owner states that another family member will now be running Haile, which opened in 2013.

East Village IHOP closed for 'makeover'

An EVG reader passed along word that the IHOP on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue closed on Sunday for a "makeover," per the signage ... which promises "A whole new IHOP is coming."

According to the work permit (in the ALL-CAP STYLE OF THE DOB and the NYPD TWEET TOWER):

RENOVATION TO EXISTING EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT. SCOPE OF WORK TO INCLUDE MINOR PARTITION WORK, NEW INTERIOR FINISHES, PLUMBING FIXTURES AND MECHANICAL EXHAUST FAN IN PROPOSED TOILET. NO CHANGE OF USE, EGRESS OR OCCUPANCY UNDER.

Looking forward to seeing/hearing the mechanical exhaust fan in proposed toilet.

There isn't any reopening date posted. However, to avoid pancake panic, the sign suggests you visit the next-closest IHOP — on Broadway in Washington Heights.



The East Village IHOP opened for business just about five years ago to the date.

Cellar 58 closed for renovations on 2nd Avenue

Cellar 58, the low-key Italian restaurant on Second Avenue between East Third Street and East Fourth Street, is temporarily closed for renovations.

Signage on the door offers an apology and prompts customers to check in on the restaurant's website for reopening updates...



I've had several nice meals here, and look forward to their return. (And all signs point to an actual closed for renovations, and not a dubious "closed for renovations.")

DumplingGo expected to reopen later next month

DumplingGo is entering its third week of closure on Second Avenue at East 12th Street ... and there still isn't any "temporarily closed for renovations" sign on the door for customers ... the phone goes unanswered and their website is down.

However, as we previously noted, there is a freshly approved permit for a "minor renovation of the existing restaurant" on file with the city. And we looked in the window where there wasn't any paper ... and saw a fairly disheveled-looking interior...



Can't really tell what's happening... aside from the workers are getting KFC to go...



Anyway! According to a message on Yelp, the quick-serve restaurant is expected to reopen on May 28...



The DumplingGo team was getting the OK this month from CB3 for a beer-wine license. (Suppose they could just turn it into a bar with a "small bites" menu.)

DumplingGo opened 13 months ago. After Shima closed here in early 2014, the asking rent for the storefront was just over $25k.

DumplingGo is closed right now

An EVG reader notes that brown paper is up on the windows at DumplingGo, the quick-serve restaurant on Second Avenue at East 12th Street. There aren't any signs up noting "closed for renovations"... the phone goes unanswered ... and the DumplingGo website has a "Error establishing a database connection" message.

However, there is a freshly approved permit for a "minor renovation of the existing restaurant" on file with the city. In addition, DumplingGo is on CB3's SLA docket (PDF here) on Monday night for a beer-wine license. (This application will not be heard before the committee.)

Anyway, this is likely just a closed for renovations for real (even though there isn't a note for customers).

DumplingGo opened here 13 months ago.

16 Handles is closed for renovations on 2nd Avenue

The location on Second Avenue between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street is closed for renovations, per the EV Handles website... they will return on Thursday...



And this location has been closed for renovations before. And for this.

Thanks to EVG reader Brian Polay for the photos...

Thailand Cafe now closed for renovations on 2nd Avenue

Meant to note this earlier in the week... looks like Thailand Cafe at 95 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street is sitting out the holiday season... the sign on the gate points to a renovation that will keep them closed through an unspecified date next month...



I also realized that I've never eaten here... if anyone wants to put in a good word for the place...

For 10th birthday, Dunkin' Donuts on 1st Avenue and East 6th Street closes for renovations

The Dunkin' Donuts on the northeast corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street shut down after the business day on Thursday... the plywood and the closed for renovation sign are up... Happy 10th birthday!? (Seems like this DD has been here longer...)



As you can see, they are closing for "less than two weeks." And there's no truth to the rumor that the big DD cup out front will be available for use as a hot tub at parties.

The Organic Grill closed for the rest of the month on 1st Avenue

Don't be alarmed by the plywood surrounding Organic Grill at 123 First Ave.

Per the sign outside, the 14-year-old vegan-oriented restaurant between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place will be closed for two weeks due to sidewalk repairs that landlord is making...



The OG will be providing updates on their social media properties (Facebook and Twitter) about their reopening.