Pink Bear Ice Cream and Steam Rice Roll has apparently closed on 14th Street

It appears that the quick-serve Pink Bear shop has closed on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Several readers (H/T Shiv and Gojira) noted the gate has been down of late during announced business hours. Both Google and Yelp report that Pink Bear has permanently closed. The phone is also disconnected.

Pink Bear opened back in the spring of 2016, and served a variety of rolled ice cream, not to mention traditional rice and noodle dishes.

Last weekend for Bakeri on 6th Street

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the last day for Bakeri NYC, the cafe-bakery at 627 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Bakeri, with locations in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, opened here in October 2016. The cafe carries homemade bread and pastries as well as Counter Culture Coffee.

However, as we understand it, the space won't be empty long — new owners are taking over the storefront for a similar venture in the weeks/months ahead.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Bakeri closing at the end of the month on 6th Street

Ace Hardware closes on 4th Avenue

EVG reader Sheila shared this photo from yesterday... showing an auction sign at the now-closed Ace Hardware outpost at 130 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street...

Rue St. Denis is closing after 25 years of selling vintage clothing and accessories on Avenue B

[Photo by EVG reader Brucie]

Several EVG readers shared the news that Rue St. Denis, the vintage clothing and accessories shop, is closing on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The boutique, which sells unworn vintage collections that span multiple decades, opened here in 1993. (The shop debuted on the Upper West Side in 1990.)

Founder Jean-Paul Buthier and his partner Riccardo Bonechi are closing the store for a change of pace, not because of rising rents or declining sales, as The New York Times reported. (The article from the Times notes how popular Rue St. Denis is for the costume designers of the film and television industry.)

No word yet on an official closing date... for now, there are sales...

The force is apparently no longer with Suffolk Arms

It appears that Suffolk Arms, the cocktail lounge on Houston at Suffolk, will not be reopening after all.

After being closed during the first part of April without any explanation, a sign appeared on the front door noting a temporary closure for "renovations and mechanical upgrades."

Over the weekend, co-owner Giuseppe González, a "Star Wars" fan, left a cryptic, Yoda-esque message on social media...



"Closed, Suffolk Arms now is. See you again, we will." (That lone message also greets visitors to the bar's website.)

Suffolk Arms opened in February 2016.

H/T Vinny & O

Previously on EV Grieve:
Suffolk Arms now closed for renovations and 'mechanical upgrades'

Chickpea has closed on 14th Street

The Chickpea outpost has closed on 14th Street near Third Avenue. Apparently its last day was April 12.

And as this photo via EVG reader Shiv shows, the "for rent" banner is in place. (The listing doesn't mention the asking rent.)

No word on why this location of the quick-serve Middle-Eastern chain shut down. (There are multiple locations around the city.) The Chickpea website is also currently offline.

Report: Original Fuku is closing on 1st Avenue

Momofuku founder David Chang is closing his first Fuku branch at 163 First Ave. near 10th Street at the end of the month.

Eater brought the news yesterday:

The fast-casual chicken chain will close its original location in the East Village space that Chang has historically used as a concept incubator. It’s outgrown the tiny space...

Fuku opened to long lines in June 2015...


[The line on East 10th Street around noon on June 12, 2015]

Since then Fuku has opened outposts in other NYC neighborhoods ... and in other cities.

The last day is April 30 for this Fuku.

Expect something else from Chang at No. 163.

Back to Eater:

The space, near and dear to Momofuku as the location that kicked off Chang’s empire, will continue to serve as an incubator — though what else the company has up its sleeves is TBD.

Bakeri closing at the end of the month on 6th Street

[Image via Instagram]

With the opening of one Brooklyn-based coffee shop in the East Village ... comes news of another like-minded establishment closing.

The owners of Bakeri NYC announced yesterday that they are closing their cafe-bakery at the end of the month at 627 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

They didn't provide a reason for the closure, saying on Instagram: "We are so grateful to have been part of such a lovely neighborhood! Thank you all for all the love and support."

Bakeri, with locations in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, opened in October 2016 and sells homemade bread and pastries as well as Counter Culture Coffee.

It is a good place... foot traffic is tough on the block, though. There's also construction on both ends of the block (here and here).

Previously on EV Grieve:
Brooklyn-based Bakeri now serving bread, croissants and coffee on East 6th Street

Paradiso has closed on Avenue B

[Photo via @KGleasonWriter]

Paradiso, the low-key Italian cafe run by Alessandra Veronese and her husband Jose at 105 Avenue B, has closed.

A sign greeting patrons here near Seventh Street notes that they are "moving on! To wherever the future is taking us!"

Not sure at the moment why the cafe closed. They opened here in January 2009.

There's a new listing for the space, which has a $4,200 monthly asking rent.

Veronese previously operated La Casalinga (1991-2008) at 120 First Ave. near Seventh Street.

Scumbags & Superstars closing this month on Clinton Street

[Photo via Instagram]

The shop/brand that sells clothing and a variety of B-movie monster pins, patches and "everything weird" at 100 Clinton St. between Rivington and Delancey is closing on April 22.

Here's part of the message that founder George Rosa posted on Instagram Friday:

I want to thank everyone that has supported the store over the years. All the regulars & neighborhood people that come [through]. First in Brooklyn & then when we moved into Manhattan to the Lower East Side. It was a wild ride! And a lot of fun times. But as you know New York City has changed drastically. And we've been doing the impossible for years now. We weren't even supposed to be here this long. But we persevered. We are a very small independent brand. Run by me & a couple of buddies. And for many reasons we will have to close up the store in the next few weeks.

We want everyone to come by the shop at least one last time & say goodbye before we close. There'll be a going away party all weekend on April 21st & 22nd for our final last 2 days. Noon to around 10 PM each day. We hope all our friends & supporters can make it out & party with us! There will be free booze & food & lots of friendly weirdos.

This is the end of the shop. But not the end of brand by any means. We are traveling every month this year to conventions.

The shop will also continue on with its online business.

Scumbags & Superstars, which got its name from the Talking Heads song "Lifetime Piling Up," started in Bushwick and eventually moved to the LES in early 2016.

After its debut in Brooklyn in late 2014, the store came under fire for what some people considered the offensive use of Native American iconography in its logo.

Matthew Kenney bringing yet another plant-based restaurant to 2nd Avenue

Plant-based chef Matthew Kenney must really like Second Avenue.

Signage arrived yesterday on the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Street for Arata, another Kenney-backed restaurant. Here's more about this concept:

Arata highlights the diverse and abundant plant-based ingredients of Asia. Japanese for fresh and new, Arata will offer steamed buns, small plates, noodle bowls, tempura, vegetable sushi and Japanese inspired desserts. Arata will have an innovative cocktail and sake program. Opening in EARLY MAY 2018...

[Photos by Perri Silver]

Kenney, whose bio says that he is "crafting the future of food®," is also involved with 00 + Co. and Bar Verde right next door on Second Avenue.

Last month, Kenney teamed up with Pure Green to launch PlantMade, a cafe on Second Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street. So that's four restaurants with Kenney's involvement within six blocks on Second Avenue.

Meanwhile, the signage for Arata means the end for the previous tenant — La Contrada, which opened in July 2016. This corner has seen its share of turnover in recent years with the arrivals and departures of Contrada, (not to be confused with La Contrada), Calliope and Belcourt.

Thanks to EVG reader Perri Silver for the photos!

Jillery is closing on 7th and B

[Photos by Steven]

A "store closing" sign is up now in the front window at Jillery, the jewelry and home accessories shop on Avenue B at Seventh Street...



No word just yet why Jillery is closing here ... or when their last day is. (I reached out for more details. Updated: the end of May.)

Artist Jill Fagin, who launched her business in 1987, moved to this corner from 10th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue in the summer of 2013.

Amaran, which specialized in imported home goods, was the previous corner business until February 2013.

As for what might be next, the president of the board of directors of the co-op at 184 E. Seventh St. told me this in 2013: "Our co-op is very proud to have rejected chain stores, banks, bars and loud food establishments. We are proud to have chosen a local business like Jillery who has been in the neighborhood for many years ..."

Benny's Burritos & Empanadas will not be reopening on 7th Street

Benny's Burritos & Empanadas has not been open of late. And yesterday, owner Mark Merker confirmed that the small shop at 86 E. Seventh St. near First Avenue has closed for good.

Merker, who launched Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, opened Che Cafe last April. In January, Che Cafe went dark for several weeks ... reopening at the end of the month with a new business partner ... as well as an expanded menu featuring burritos, empanadas, tacos and chicken tortilla soup, and a new name — Benny's Burritos & Empanadas.

"The partnership didn’t quite work out," Merker said in a Facebook message. "For now I will be doing catering only."

Benny's Burritos closed on Avenue A and Sixth Street after 27 years in business in November 2014. (The Benny's to-go space next door closed in February 2015.)

The 400-square-foot space has been on the market for the past month. The listing doesn't mention the asking price, which we hear is $4,200 a month. The space was home until the fall of 2016 to Abraço, the popular coffee shop/cafe that moved across Seventh Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches

Double Wide signs off after 7 years on 12th Street

Earlier this month, we noted that Greg Boehm, the founder of Cocktail Kingdom, a manufacturer and distributor of professional barware, and a partner in the cocktail bar Mace on Ninth Street and Boilermaker on First Avenue, was taking over the Double Wide space at 503-505 E. 12th St.

In the past few days the bar with a menu serving Southern-style food wrapped up its seven-year run here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here's their goodbye message via Facebook...


Previously on EV Grieve:
Cocktail specialist looking to take over Double Wide on 12th Street

Mandolino Pizzeria has closed on 13th Street

An EVG reader spotted workers cleaning out Mandolino yesterday, bringing an end to the pizzeria that opened in January 2017 here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

A "for rent" sign is now in the front window. The Mandolino website is "under construction" and there isn't any message about a closure or move on their Instagram account.

Speaking of Instagram, Paris Hilton recently stopped by for some reason...

The heiress and Queen @parishilton and princess of Long Island turned celebrity radio host @chanelomari spotted @mandolinonyc celebrating Paris Hilton’s new single “I NEED YOU”. They Loved the bruschetta and Pizza!!! #celebrity #iheartradio #toptags #instagram #glamourous #instagood #italianrestaurant #newforkcity #foodies #omg #authentic #eatwell #eatfamous #restaurantlife #italianfood #bestplacestogo #eater #eatingnewyork #mandolinonyc #tagsforlikes #unionsquarenyc

A post shared by Mandolino Ristorante (@mandolinonyc) on Feb 18, 2018 at 9:50am PST

EVG readers we spoke with generally liked the place, which offered a variety of salads, pastas and whole Neapolitan pies (no slices). Despite being next door to an NYU dorm, it didn't seem to attract a big student following. Said one reader: "It was 'fancy' pizza, a teeny bit expensive, so maybe not student-y enough."

And as previously noted, this is a tough pizzeria market right in this area ... you have Joe's around the corner on 14th Street, which serves one of the city's best slices ... there's Gotham Pizza on 12th Street and Third Avenue ... Bruno Pizza on 13th Street between Third Avenue and Second Avenue ... not to mention Danny Meyer's buzzy Martina, which opened last August on 11th Street at Third Avenue.

The Mandolino space was previously home to Sahara Citi, the hookah/hummus restaurant that closed in August 2016 after four years in business.

Baci e Vendetta has closed on Avenue A: 'it simply wasn't sustainable'

Baci e Vendetta has closed at 131 Avenue A after nearly 16 months in service.

Veteran restaurateur Paolo Secondo was set to take over the Italian cafe for a new concept. Secondo received the OK from CB3 last month for a new beer-wine license for the space here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

However, Nic Ratner, a partner in Baci e Vendetta, told me that the deal with Secondo fell through ... "and as a result we shuttered Baci e Vendetta and returned the space to the landlord."

"We gave the beer and wine thing a go with a heavier emphasis on food and it simply wasn't sustainable," Ratner told me via email.

Ratner said that he and his business partner Robert Morgan, whose bars include Kingston Hall on Second Avenue, will focus on the return of the Ninth Ward at 180 Second Ave.

Baci e Vendetta opened after an extensive gut renovation in December 2016. This space was the 10 Degrees Bistro until the fall of 2015 ... and the Flea Market Cafe before that.

Expect a for lease sign here before too long.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Team behind Shoolbred's and Ninth Ward vying for 10 Degrees Bistro space on Avenue A

After nearly 26 years, Three of Cups is closing on 1st Avenue; Emmy Squared arriving next?

Anthony Barile, an owner of Three of Cups, which opened on First Avenue at Fifth Street in December 1992, announced on Facebook last night that the pizzeria and Italian restaurant — along with the Three of Cups Lounge — will close after service on April 1.

The day has come where I must share the sad news that Three of Cups will be closing. I’ve thought often about what I might say when this day came and each time I pushed the thought from my head, but here we are.

The reasons are many that we are at this moment, with all of them meaning that I can’t sustain it any longer. It’s the end of the longest thing I’ve continuously been involved with, almost 1/2 my life, nearly 26 years.

My wife worked here before we were married, my children grew up playing here and my son has worked here with me for the last two years. Three of Cups is a big part of our home and lives.

I am thankful to all the fine people that have worked with us to make it happen everyday, without them it never would have. There are too many to list here, but if you know Three of Cups, you know them too. I wish them the best of what life has to offer.

Our customers are the best, so many loyal souls over so many years. Without you we’re obviously not here all these years. Our staff and customers made Three of Cups what it was.

Three of Cups has always been a home for the unique souls of the East Village.

I’ve learned so much from all these people; staff and customers alike, and I’m grateful I had that opportunity.

So many fun, heartwarming and crazy times shared with friends, family, customers and staff! It’s the end of an era and it will all be greatly missed.

I want to acknowledge my long time partner and dear friend, Santo Fazio who all those years ago brought me along for this crazy trip, I love him for that.

Please come by before we close the doors for good, we’ll share a drink and toast to the good times. Our last day will be Sunday, April 1.

Last June, Three of Cups posted news that they had secured a new lease.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the owners of Emmy Squared were on the CB3-SLA docket for a new liquor license for the Three of Cups space. (A PDF of their questionnaire is here.) A CB3 flyer had been posted in the window...



Eater reported in December that Emmy Squared, the Williamsburg-based restaurant serving burgers and Detroit-style pizza, was taking over the GG's space on Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. It's not clear if the Emmy team will still be taking this space, which remains dormant since GG's closed on Dec. 23.

Back on First Avenue, the retail condominium space at No. 83-85 had been on the market for $5.4 million.

Updated 1:30 p.m.

A rep for the Emmy Squared rep told Eater... that they are "considering the First Avenue space for a new Emmy Squared and the former GG’s space for a new restaurant concept."

Maguey y La Tuna closes on East Houston

Back in January, word spread that El Maguey y La Tuna, the 15-year-old Mexican restaurant on East Houston between Attorney and Ridge, would have to shut down at the end of March after the landlord doubled the rent from $7,000 to $14,000.

Unfortunately, the closing came earlier than previously announced — Maguey y La Tuna closed on Feb. 25.



There's also a notice that the Marshal has taken legal possession of the space on behalf of the landlord...



There was some talk that owner Maria Cortez, who was born and raised on the Lower East Side, was considering opening a food cart to keep serving the community. One of the handwritten notes on the door suggests that people check the Maguey y La Tuna Facebook page for updates.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On East Houston, El Maguey y La Tuna will have to close after the landlord doubles the rent

PokéVillage is the EV's first poke casualty

A commenter mentioned this on the Poke N' Roll post from Wednesday... PokéVillage has closed on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. A for rent sign hangs in the window. (Thanks to EVG reader Shiv for the photo!)

The Pokésters opened here in December 2016 toward the end of the Great Poké Rush of 2015-16. This marks the first closure of a poké-serving restaurant in the East Village during this time.

The address was previously home to Saving$ Paradise, which merged with I.Q. Decor in the spring of 2016. IQ Decor just went out of business following a rent increase.

Last day for IQ Decor on 14th Street

The discount store, which sells everything from toys to NYC souvenirs to mops to luggage, closes it doors after the business day today here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

IQ Decor management has been telling customers that the landlord doubled the current rent.

Thanks to KT for the photo!

Previously on EV Grieve:
I.Q. Decor closing on 14th Street