A 21-story office building planned for the former B Bar & Grill on the Bowery

Permits were filed yesterday for a 21-floor mixed-use development — a 283-foot-tall office building — at the site of the former B Bar & Grill on the Bowery.

According to the proposed plan, the well-employed architect Morris Adjmi's building will encompass 98,799 square feet, with 26,000 square feet set aside for use as an unspecified community facility. 

Permits show office amenities that include several roof terraces and a "passive recreation" area. There's also a mention of a bicycle rental or repair shop on the ground floor. 

As we first reported on Dec. 8, permits were filed to demolish the one-level structure that housed the B Bar & Grill on the Bowery at Fourth Street from 1994 through the start of the COVID-19 PAUSE last March. 

CB Developers paid $59.5 million for a stake in 358 Bowery, previously a gas station before its conversion into the onetime hotspot. B Bar owner Eric Goode, who owns a handful of hotels, including the Bowery Hotel across the way, has been assembling air rights to build a larger development on this corner space. 

As for the B Bar, it was expected to close for good this past August. However, the bar-restaurant never reopened after the PAUSE. As we reported back on April 3, nearly 70 B Bar employees were laid off without any extension of benefits or offer of severance pay.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development

• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance

Citing 'restrictions, bans and curfews for the restaurant industry,' the Dumpling Shop closes

The Dumpling Shop has wrapped up its two-plus-year run at 124 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

The quick-serve restaurant announced its closure on New Year's Eve via an Instagram post, citing the constraints of a small business trying to stay afloat during the pandemic. 

"As weeks turn to months and months turn to almost a year, the challenges of operating a small family-owned business became ever more difficult, especially with new restrictions, bans and curfews for the restaurant industry."  

EVG reader 2ndAvenueSilverPanther was a regular.

"This place felt like family. Jace, the owner, was a gem. Before opening, he installed an expensive, efficient and quiet exhaust system that spared building residents the heat and odor — pleasant as it was — of the cooking. The food was exceptional, and I will really miss this place."

The east side of this block is pretty quiet for businesses these days. The only other food operation, Nolita Pizza, left back in June.  They also had to contend with a storefront-obscuring sidewalk bridge here for too long and the encampment a few doors away outside the currently closed Orpheum Theatre. 

The Boilery has closed on 3rd Avenue

 The Boilery Seafood & Grill has closed at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

A homemade for rent sign (call George!) is in the front window...

The Boilery, part of a chainlet with multiple outposts in the city, opened here in September 2019, offering communal seafood boils and a variety of grilled seafood. Despite this closure, the other locations remain open, including in Las Vegas and suburban Nashville. 

As previously noted, this address has been a tough one to make work, with Jin Kitchen and Bar, Shu Han Ju II and Mulan East also giving it a try these past five years.

So long Milon

Updated 2/15: While the Milon sign remains in place for now, Panna II has opened for dinner service inside the space

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As we wrap up the year, there's another restaurant closure to note. Milon, the Indian-Bangladeshi restaurant that first opened here on First Avenue at Sixth Street in 1982, has quietly gone out of business, according to multiple sources.

That might not come as a surprise to anyone who's walked by here in recent months. The gate has remained down since the PAUSE went into effect in March. In addition, there isn't any room for outdoor seating. 

Back in the summer, Royal Bangladesh on the lower level quickly grabbed up the curbside seating space, as you may have noticed in the middle of First Avenue after high winds. They've been serving from the back garden of late. (Their hours seem a little unpredictable.)

Upstairs neighbor Panna II eventually reopened for takeout and delivery and later indoor dining at 25 percent. They temporarily closed again when Cuomo's second indoor dining ban went into effect early December.

We had been waiting for confirmation from someone affiliated with Milon. (The phone has been disconnected.) The closest we got was an EVG regular who spoke with a worker spotted entering the locked-up space. 

Robert Sietsema at Eater provided history of Milon, Panna II and Royal — who've competed for costumers and the highest electric bill for decades at 93 First Avenue in this post from 2016.

As for Milon's decor:

It takes awhile for your disbelieving eyes to adjust, because the space is hung with thousands of tiny colored lights. Some are Christmas lights, but others are stars, hearts, and red-hot chiles. These descend from the ceiling, as do dozens of banners for seemingly every nation on earth, like a United Nations on acid.

While Milon and Panna II had been catering to the Instagram crowd in recent years, locals still find the restaurants a comfort on evenings away from the weekends. Some have feared that the indoor-dining ban could mark the end of the so-called Curry Row. 

A rent increase is forcing Avenue C Studio to close its doors

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

After 11 years at 55 Avenue C, Avenue C Studio is closing its doors this week. 

Bonnie Sue Stein, executive director and producer of GOH Productions, the nonprofit that develops and manages programs in dance, puppetry and theater, talked with me about the studio's closure. 

GOH Productions shared this space with East Village Dance Project and Movement Research since its opening in January of 2011. Later, after EVDP relocated to Abrons Art Center in January 2018, Moving for Life became a new tenant. 

Stein says the rent became an issue, that the building (it's an HDFC) was flexible for several months during the COVID-19-mandated closure. However, the nonprofit was served a 30-day notice on Nov. 30. They must vacate the space by Thursday. 

She mentioned having a great relationship with the building prior to the pandemic, though the HDFC now seems to want a different tenant, like an office. They also would like to double the rent.

I asked Stein about the genesis of the space and its history.

So this was a dream we had…with Martha Tornay [of East Village Dance Project] we searched the Lower East Side for a space to call our own. I used to shop at Olivio's at 55 Avenue C for yarn, underwear and fresh icies in the summer at his storefront. I saw he was closing and asked if he knew whether the building would be interested in a dance studio and youth program. We lived nearby, and envisioned a neighborhood studio, where local kids could come after school and dance their hearts out.

In 2010, Avenue C Studio was born, partnering in the early years with Movement Research who shared the office and studio, made the space come alive with dancers [aged] from over 80 to under four years old. Each dancer gave energy to the space and the space returned the magic. Within those walls, on that floor, in front of those mirrors, irreplaceable gorgeous memories formed. And will live on.  

Like a new chapter, a death, a loss. I know now I am feeling sad and brokenhearted, but when I see the studio dancing in my mind's eye, I know I am not alone.

In more positive news, all of the organizations will live on, albeit in other locations. EVDP is still at Abrons, Moving for Life has moved uptown. GOH Productions will have a limited office space at the Mary Spink Library on Third Street. 

The floors and mirrors from the studio, which were being removed and packed up when I arrived, are going to Movement Research at 122CC (formerly known as PS 122) on First Avenue at Ninth Street.

Today is the last day for Sweet Generation on 1st Avenue

ICYMI from Dec. 24: After nearly six years at 130 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, Sweet Generation is closing its bakery ahead of a move to a larger location in Brooklyn.

And today is their last day, when they'll be open for curbside preorder pickup only ... taking orders by phone: (646) 964-5777. (And they have flash sales via their Instagram Stories.) 

Sweet Generation partners with several nonprofit organizations and local high schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities.

Owner Amy Chasan posted a photo of their spacious new facility in Bushwick...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sweet Generation Bakery | RISE (@swtgeneration)

The previous tenant here, First Avenue Pierogi and Deli, closed in July 2014 after 30 years in business.

Closings: The Dip, Williamsburg Pizza

A for-rent sign now hangs outside the western storefront at 58 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... officially marking the end of the Dip's tenure here. (Thanks to Steven for the photo.) 

The quick-serve restaurant that served a variety of sandwiches went dark in the fall ... and they didn't respond to requests about their reopening status. 

The Dip opened in November 2019, and barely had four months in business before it had to shut down for the PAUSE in March. Still, they made an impression in their short time here... people seemed to like their specialty dish — the French Dip sandwich. 

The other retail space at the address is also vacant. The Clay Pot closed next door at the end of the summer. 

Meanwhile, on 14th Street, Williamsburg Pizza looks as if it won't be reopening here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

This outpost has been closed since the PAUSE... and the space was emptied out in the past week ... the pizzeria's other four locations remain in service...

This outpost of the popular pizzeria only opened in December 2019.

MiGarba shuts down on 4th Avenue: 'We close due to New York restrictions and unsustainable rent'

After five-plus years in business, MiGarba has closed at 127 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. (Thanks to Doug for the tip!)

A note on the door for patrons provides the reasons: "We close due to New York restrictions and unsustainable rent."

The pleasant wine bar/cafe, the first U.S. outpost of a Tuscany-based outfit, was a nice departure from the more fratty choices in the immediate area. 

Speaking of which, right in the same building... while there hasn't been any official confirmation, BarBacon remains shuttered... we haven't seen any activity here in months... and the interior looks to have been cleaned out...

The swine-dining bar opened in September 2018.

Former Finnerty's space for rent on 2nd Avenue

Finnerty's will not be reopening at 221 Second Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

A for rent sign now hangs outside the sports bar and self-described "party destination" featuring rent-a-keg service. 

The bar closed in March for the PAUSE and never reopened. There is not any message about the closure on their website or social media properties. 

Finnerty's, which opened in 2009, was an alleged Bay Area sports bar, where fans could watch games featuring the 49ers, Giants, Golden State Warriors or San Jose Sharks. Snubbed: the Oakland A's (and the Oakland Raiders before they moved to Las Vegas). 

This makes two like-minded bar closures on this block... Professor Thom's also never reopened after the PAUSE...

The E. 10th St. Finest Deli has closed

As several readers passed along last month, the E. 10th St. Finest Deli on the southeast corner of First Avenue was winding down its business... unable to come to terms with the landlord on a lease while sales plummeted during the pandemic. Per an employee: "We just can not pay $18,000 in rent." 

The space is now vacant... as the deli moved on at the start of the month...

This is the second corner deli on this stretch of First Avenue to close this fall. Best Price Deli & Grocery on the southeast corner of 12th Street closed in late October.

Permits filed to demolish the former B Bar & Grill on the Bowery

 

Permits are now on file with the city to demolish the one-level structure that has housed the B Bar & Grill on the Bowery at Fourth Street since 1994.

As reported last fall, CB Developers paid $59.5 million for a stake in 358 Bowery, previously a gas station before its conversion into the onetime hotspot. B Bar owner Eric Goode, who owns a handful of hotels including the Bowery Hotel, has been assembling air rights to build a larger development on this corner space. 

B Bar was expected to close for good in August. However, the bar-restaurant never reopened after the PAUSE in March. As we reported back on April 3, nearly 70 B Bar employees were laid off without any extension of benefits or offer of severance pay.

No word on what new development will rise here. Likely not a hotel given that Goode has one right across the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development

• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance

The Checkers on 1st Avenue closes

The Checkers outpost on First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street has closed... as the photo by Pinch shows, workers have removed the Checkers sign ... and the space is empty...

This location reopened in September after a 6-month closure during the pandemic.

Checkers debuted here in December 2014.

Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C

Multiple readers have pointed out that Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C at Eighth Street... a reader who lives nearby reports that workers emptied this space this week... 

There isn't any mention of a temporary or permanent closure on the bar-restaurant's website or social media properties.

Loverboy, specializing in pizza and slushy drinks, opened in June 2017 ... from the team behind Mother's Ruin on Spring Street. 

As previously noted, this corner space — in a building owned by Steve Croman — has been home to many concepts in recent years, some forgettable ... the list includes Lumé, the "Epicurean drinkery," ... Life — Kitchen and Bar … which had taken over for Verso. Other restaurants here in the past nine years include Caffe Pepe Rosso and Caffe Cotto. 

Before all this, the storefront once housed an excellent neighborhood bakery … (which apparently Iggy Pop frequented for cake and strong coffee in the early 1990s).

Max Fish says farewell to 120 Orchard St.; new outpost planned

As expected, Max Fish has closed its location at 120 Orchard St. between Rivington and Delancey. 

The bar had not been open since July, and rumors circulated that this was it. In October, reps for the company that runs Grey Lady and Short Stories appeared before CB3 for a new liquor license for the space, as BoweryBoogie previously reported. 

Yesterday, Max Fish posted the official closing announcement on Instagram, though they vow to return again one day:

This is not the end of Max Fish by any means. In the meantime while we look for a new location we will be working on our webstore, collaborations, and participating in pop up events. We look forward to seeing you at our new location in better times! 

Thank you all for your love and support. We’d also like to shout out bar and service family and friends throughout the city, best wishes to everyone, please stay safe. These have been hard times for all of us. Hopefully we’ll see all of you sooner than later! 

From The Max Fish Family

This was the second iteration of Max Fish, the second on the Lower East Side. The bar opened here in August 2014... this after 24 years at 178 Ludlow St. 

Higher rents caused them to move out to Williamsburg after the Ludlow Street original closed in July 2013. However, those plans for a bar in Brooklyn never materialized. 

So here's to Max Fish 3.0.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• The art evolution of Ulli Rimkus and Max Fish

• From Tin Pan Alley to Max Fish

• First sign that Max Fish is returning to the Lower East Side

• Report: Max Fish clears first hurdle in return to the Lower East Side

Former Mace space for rent on 12th Street

The for-rent sign showed up yesterday at 503-505 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B (thank you Christine Champagne!) ...

Until the late summer this space was home to Mace, the high-end cocktail bar... that establishment moved on to West Eighth Street where there is more room for outdoor service. (They are now going as the holiday-themed Miracle on 8th Street through December.) 

Mace relocated from Ninth Street to this larger space in early 2019. 

Double Wide closed at No. 503-505 in March 2018 (much to the relief of some neighbors). Noise issues have been persistent here dating back to the Mundial and Totem days.

Reader reports: E. 10th St. Finest Deli will close next month

Multiple readers have shared the news that the E. 10th St. Finest Deli on the southeast corner of First Avenue will be closing next month.

Per our tipster: "The landlord wouldn't work out a rent deal with them."

While there isn't an exact closing date made public, there are 2-for-1 signs posted on a variety of items in the store to help thin the stock.

This will be the second corner deli on this stretch of First Avenue to close this fall. Best Price Deli & Grocery on the southeast corner of 12th Street closed in late October.

Former psychic medium hits the rental market on 2nd Avenue

A for-rent sign arrived late last week at 73 Second Ave., bringing an end to the long-operating Clairvoyant Psychic here... (one listing had this business name as Clairvoyant Psychic, though it looks more like Clairvoyant Psychic Psychic based on the signage.)

The retail listing is not yet online for the space between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.
 

Meanwhile, right next door, a for-rent sign recently went up at the now-shuttered Nostro Ristorante, which debuted here in October 2019. They had reopened briefly for takeout and delivery back in the spring, but closed soon after. 

There has also been an ever-increasing encampment outside these storefronts in recent months. The city moved them along, though they have returned... and just out of the view of this photo on the right.  

Ugly Kitchen makes closure official on 1st Avenue

Ugly Kitchen, a self-described gastropub serving Asian fusion and Filipino cuisine, had not been open since the summer here on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. In recent months, the Ugly Kitchen name had been removed from the awning.

This past Friday, Ugly Kitchen chef/partner Aris Tuazon shared an official closing announcement in an Instagram post: 

It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of Ugly Kitchen. Due to the insurmountable challenges of the pandemic, we have come to the sad and difficult decision that we have no alternative but to close our doors. We want to thank all of our wonderful guests and employees for supporting us ... You have truly become a member of our family and our bonds will surely continue in the future. 

We could have not have achieved our success over the past few years without you and we are confident that our cherished memories will continue anywhere we gather. Perhaps one day, when the time is right, Ugly Kitchen will rise once again. Until then, we bid our farewell.

The restaurant opened here in September 2011.

Photo from Oct. 1 by Steven

Dion Cleaners is closing after 35 years in business on 14th and A

After 35 years in business, Dion Cleaners is shutting down on the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue A. 

While Saturday is their last official day, EVG regular Christine Champagne shared these photos of workers cleaning out the space... (apparently you have until Saturday to pick up any outstanding items)...

Dry cleaners have been hard hit during the pandemic...  as more people are working from home, and fewer people are going to events where they need to dress up ... We've already seen several closures in this neighborhood, including Amy's aka C & C on Seventh Street, LT Baron's on 11th Street and Sun's Laundry on 14th Street.  

Pandemic aside, it has been a tough slog for Dion. For nearly three years this side of 14th Street was an active construction zone for L-train repairs with a variety of trucks, drill rigs, pile drivers, compressors and generators. 

Several businesses were forced to shut down due to severely limited access to their storefronts. Outside Dion, customer access included only 28 inches of sidewalk space — not big enough for a wheelchair in spots.

Here's a photo from September 2018...

On 3rd Avenue, Feast exits, Yellow Rose arrives

After seven years at 102 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street, Feast has closed.

Ownership announced the news early last week on Instagram:

It's with bittersweet news that we're officially announcing the closing of our doors here at Feast. We've shared incredible memories and irreplaceable friendships with staff and guests alike. And for those reasons alone, we are eternally grateful.

In the spring of 2014, the restaurant made international news ... when a patron at Feast was asked to remove her Google Glass headset before dining. The diner, the organizer of a Google Glass user group, refused to do so, and left the restaurant. 

She wrote about the incident on Google +. Shortly afterwards, 13 one-star reviews of Feast appeared on Google from people who commented on the diner's post. The negative reviews were not based on the restaurant's food, but rather the no-Glass policy. (You can relive the memories here!)

Moving forward, the space already has a tenant. In recent weeks Feast has hosted a pop-up collaboration with Yellow Rose, a Tex-Mex-style eatery. Starting on Wednesday, Yellow Rose will be here full-time.

Per the Infatuation: "Expect a menu of a bunch of delicious tacos, spicy hominy soup with long fideo noodles, micheladas, and desserts."

Updated 11/10 

Grub Street has a feature on Yellow Rose here. Excerpt!

Four years ago, Dave and Krystiana Rizo moved to New York by way of San Antonio. Soon, Dave was cooking at Superiority Burger, while Krystiana managed and bartended at the East Village location of Emmy Squared just a few blocks away. But even as the couple was diving into the New York food scene, they craved the cooking from back home.