C&B Café trying to make the best of a bad situation after gas shutoff on 7th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated: Gas service was restored on Aug. 26.

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Early Tuesday morning, C&B Café owner Ali Sahin was on his way to his yet-to-open bakery at 178 E. Seventh St. when he saw the FDNY pulling up. A gas alarm in the basement of the residential building had gone off, triggering a response. 

"When I opened the door, there was a very strong smell of gas," Sahin said. 

The FDNY shut off gas to the entire building and both line valves. He fears it could take months before service is restored. The building upstairs has reportedly been in the process of converting to all-electric, which makes a full repair even less likely. 

Sahin said ConEd stayed on-site overnight. Crews shut down the Citi Bike station across the street between Avenue A and Avenue B and opened up the area around the main gas line.

He added that the issue traces back eight or nine years, to what he calls shoddy work. 

"There was an old gas line in the basement. When a new one was installed, [Con Ed workers] failed to close the other one, leaving a cut line open and potentially leaking." 

For now, C&B is still turning out wholesale orders and plenty of pastries, bread, and coffee.

Without gas to crank out their well-liked egg sandwiches, though, Sahin and his team are working on a revised menu of cold plates, salads, sandwiches, and a few dishes prepared on induction burners or their lone electric oven — possibly available starting this weekend.

C&B is currently operating with reduced staff, and Sahin said he is in contact with other restaurants to help place workers if the shutdown drags on.

"At first I was angry," Sahin said. "Now I am just glad we did not explode."

Dan & John's returns on Dec. 1

After a three-plus-month closure for gas issues, Dan & John's will reopen on Dec. 1, per the door signage (thanks to Steven for the photos) ...

As previously noted, we were told that there was a gas-line issue with the building at 83 St. Mark's Place/135 First Ave. The gas issue impacts the building's residents as well, sources said.

The subsequent repairs kept the wing shop closed since the second week of August. Stromboli next door was also shuttered during this time, though the pizzeria was able to reopen on Oct. 21.

Stromboli and Dan & John's remain closed

One month ago today, we posted about the temporary closures at neighboring businesses Stromboli and Dan & John's on First Avenue at St. Mark's Place. (Both quick-serve spots were closed a week before our post.)

In the past month, a lot of people have asked about or pointed out these closures. We don't have any updates, unfortunately. 

As previously noted, we were told that there's a gas-line issue with the building at 83 St. Mark's Place/135 First Ave. The gas issue impacts the building's residents as well, sources said.

Dan & John's left a hopeful message for its patrons... stating that this location "will be back open soon."

With the recent start of the college football and NFL seasons, it's High Wing Season. The Dan & John's outpost in Murray Hill is open...

Photos yesterday by Steven

Gas problem in building has temporarily closed Stromboli and Dan & John's

Stromboli Pizza and Dan & John's Wings have been forced to temporarily close for the past week... signs on the two quick-serve businesses note emergency repairs...

We're told that there's a gas-line issue with the building at 83 St. Mark's Place/135 First Ave. The retail tenants are waiting for an update from the landlord. We're told that the gas issue impacts the building's residents as well.

Meanwhile, one neighbor took the opportunity to leave a note on Stromboli's front door reading: "Stay closed. You're [sic] neighbors sleep better without you."

Neighbors have complained about the raucous early-morning scene at the longtime pizzeria.

Thanks to Steven for the photos and reporting.