Is the Living Room moving to East Second Street?

The folks at CB3 just sent out the March SLA committee docket. We'll take a more thorough look at it later... Quickly, a few interesting items to note:

• To be Determined, 269 E Houston St (aka 188 Suffolk St) (op)

An unknown applicant is looking to take over the Local 269, the live music venue that never reopened after an apparent flood last September.

• The Living Room (ACP Project), 173 E 2nd St (op)

Not sure what to make of this at the moment. The Living Room, a favorite of the acoustic-music set over on Ludlow Street, will be leaving their home of 10 years at the end of April due to a huge rent hike.

The owners recently held a successful fundraising campaign to help move to an undisclosed new home. Perhaps this is it?

As we reported last September, Klean & Kleaner, the laundromat on East Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, was on the market for use as a bar or restaurant.

• Heart N Soul (Mama Bar LLC), 200 E 3rd St (wb)

This is the former Mama's space... from the owner of Mama's Bar next door (no relation).

Oh, and yes — Soho House plans to expand and open a location on Ludlow Street. Good night.

Now what's going on with 100 Avenue A?

[Last March via Bobby Williams]

East Village Farms at 100 Avenue A between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street closed Feb. 7, 2012. (A whole year already? Jeez.) Since then, not much of anything has happened inside the space, though the sidewalk does serve as a makeshift shelter.

[Feb. 2 via Bobby Williams]


[Wednesday via Bobby Williams]

However, in recent days, there has been some activity inside the former grocery...

And plans have changed here. Last year, the landlord was proposing to keep the store on the first and second floor, and then add a third and fourth floor for residential use.



For whatever reason, the landlord never got this plan approved. Now, as a tipster notes, the landlord has ditched the idea of adding the additional floors. Plans on file now with the DOB show a proposed addition to the back of the building ... and increasing the size of the store at the first and second floors.





Per our tipster: "I just wonder by increasing the floor area for the first and second floor, what sort of commercial entity are they looking for? Who would need such a large floor plate (and 2 stories) besides a market/grocery or a Duane Reade-type pharmacy? It's too big for a restaurant, bar or clothing store. So I wonder who they think will lease the space?"

Good question. Have any guesses? Or any tips about the space? Then please leave a comment or drop us a note via the EV Grieve email.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A

[Via Off The Grid]

We've long been curious about the space above Gracefully at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street. It's a fascinating building with those block letters that read Burger-Klein. We don't have any idea what, if anything, is upstairs.

But, perhaps there will be a big new tenant. A tipster hears that New York Health & Racquet Club is taking over all of the floors above the grocery. Again, just a rumor. (Gracefully will remain in place.)

Nothing at the DOB to note this conversion. But, in October 2011, the city approved plans to convert the "existing commercial 5-story with cellar to mixed use, commercial and residential." Estimated cost: $1.1 million. DOB records show 12 residences in total. But apparently this project is in limbo.

Regardless of the incoming tenant, it's likely going to change in appearance soon enough. Off the Grid completed a thorough history of the building back in July 2011. The building dates to 1871. And in its early days, it was part of Little Germany, serving as a German ballroom known as Concordia Hall.

Later, per Off the Grid:

The earliest evidence of furniture seller Burger-Klein occupying the building is from 1939.

In 1959, a four-alarm fire destroyed the roof and top floor of the building, resulting in a significant alteration of building’s façade, most likely the face of the building we see today. It is noteworthy that the owners chose to replace what had once been an architecturally significant facade with a mid-century modern wrapping that in its own way and for its own time is as extraordinary as the 19th century face of the building.

The Burger-Klein building’s uniqueness in the streetscape is a big part of what inspires so much curiosity about it.

Read the whole post here.

Reader report: Former Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen becoming an Italian restaurant

Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen, which had been at 130 St. Mark's Place since 1991 (34 years in business total), closed for good on Dec. 29, as we first reported.

Aside from rising rents, business had been down... and, of course, Sandy didn't help matters.

Yesterday, a worker at the store told Bill the libertarian anarchist that the space will become an Italian restaurant.

Know more details about the new tenant? Then please let us know via the EVG tipline.

Rumors: The owners of The Immigrant hope to open new cafe on East Ninth Street

A tipster tells us that the East Village residents behind The Immigrant, the small wine bar at 341 E. Ninth St., will also rent the space next door ... which was most recently the clothing boutique Change of Season.

We understand that the concept will be similar to the low-key atmosphere of the Immigrant, though with more of an emphasis on beer rather than wine. Look for this application to appear on the next CB3/SLA docket.

Although we don't have a lot of direct experience with The Immigrant, we're told that they pick up as much of their supplies as possible from businesses such as Russo's that are within a few blocks of here...

[Updated] Rumors: Is the Mermaid Inn expanding next door? (no)

The folks at the Mermaid Inn tweeted this late last week...

Pretty exciting news to share about the East Village with you soon.... but for now, we'll leave you with this image ow.ly/i/1o0yn

— The Mermaid Inn, NYC (@themermaidnyc) January 17, 2013

After we posted this yesterday, several tipsters told us that the restaurant is expanding next door... where there's now paper covering the windows of Candela Candela, the Cuban-Italian restaurant that opened in 2007 ... there isn't any kind of "closed for renovations" note at Candela, which one reader thought was still open as of Sunday.

Anyway, this is all only speculation at this point... Among other things, we haven't heard anything official about a Candela closing. (We called last evening, and received a "voice mailbox full message.")

Updated 1:55 p.m.
The folks at the Mermaid Inn wrote in to say that they are NOT taking the Candela space...

Rumors: 2 Bros. Pizza is opening another East Village location

BaoBQ closed here on First Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street in August. The for rent signs are down... and someone put up black trashbags on the windows...

We've from several different tipsters now that a 2 Bros. Pizza will take over this space... there hasn't been any official confirmation on this from 2 Bros., who continue to expand in the city... If this is true, then this could be one more reason why Vinny Vincenz Pizza close by on First Avenue is now selling a $1 slice, as noted yesterday.

Of course, there's already a lot of cheap pizza right around here, from Papa John's and Joey Pepperoni across the street to the other Joey Pepperoni's and 7-Eleven around the way on East 14th Street...

The first 2 Bros. opened on St. Mark's Place in 2008.

Rumors: Is Ben Shaoul selling his East Village properties?

Word began spreading yesterday that controversial landlord Ben Shaoul was selling an unknown number of his East Village properties, estimated to be some 40 buildings in total. (The rumor prompted a discussion on Facebook as well.)

One tipster said that the sale was a done deal. Another source said that some behind-the-scenes employees in Shaoul's empire have openly been telling residents about the sale. No official word on the buyer just yet.

Shaoul's current East Village projects include the addition of the much-maligned 7-Eleven at 170 Avenue A as well as the residential conversion of the former Cabrini Center on East Fifth Street. It is not believed that these two properties are/were part of the deal. Ditto for his pool-topped A Building on East 13th Street.

Back in May, Shaoul, president of Magnum Real Estate Group, put his buildings at the recently renovated 118-122 E. Fourth St. on the market for $25 million. According to public records, 118 East 4th LLC bought the properties in November 2010 for $11.5 million. (The price is now down to $23.5 million.)

Here's a passage from a lengthy feature on Shaoul from The New York Times last July (the article includes quotes from EV Grieve):

Mr. Shaoul made his inauspicious East Village debut in 2006, the same year the 21-story Cooper Square Hotel broke ground and the legendary rock club CBGB closed.

In March of that year, he bought out members of an artists’ squat on St. Marks Place in order to turn the building into rental apartments. A neighborhood photographer snapped Mr. Shaoul, accompanied by sledgehammer- and crowbar-wielding construction workers, as he confronted some of the squatters. At some point the police were called in; the photographs soon circulated around the neighborhood.

The episode led the real estate blog Curbed to dub Mr. Shaoul “Sledgehammer Shaoul” and — although he was not actually holding a sledgehammer in any of the photos — the name and image have stuck. His reputation was reinforced as he renovated more buildings: rent-stabilized tenants in his buildings reported threats of eviction, and he racked up Department of Housing Preservation and Development complaints and violations for the interruption of heat and hot water, blocked fire escapes, broken locks and other issues related to construction and maintenance.

Shaoul's expanding portfolio reportedly includes properties in TriBeCa, the West Village, Harlem, the Financial District and on the Lower East Side and Upper East Side.

Much more as details become available.

Reviving those 7-Eleven + another chain rumors for Avenue A

[Photo last week via Shawn Chittle]

That pesky rumor has returned... the one about the incoming 7-Eleven on Avenue A and East 11th Street being more than just a 7-Eleven. Back in September, we heard the space of the former Bar on A and Angels & Kings would be chopped into two chains, a 7-Eleven and either a Starbucks or Subway. Just rumors mind you.

So far, there's nothing on the DOB permits pointing specifically to anything other than a 7-Eleven here. But! The applicant of record for both 500 E. 11th St. and 170 Avenue A is Bentonville, Ark.-based Harrison French & Associates, an architecture and engineering firm whose clients include 7-Eleven, Starbucks and Subway.

Plus, as several people have noted, this is a really big space for just a 7-Eleven. Anyway, yesterday, a reader passed along word of a rumor that the space will be both a 7-Eleven and a Starbucks.

Perhaps. Anyway, at this point, nothing would likely surprise us here...

Previously on EV Grieve:
7-Eleven alert: Are 2 chain stores replacing Bar on A and Angels & Kings?

First sign of the incoming 7-Eleven on Avenue A

Is a Koffeecake Corner coming to East 13th Street and Fourth Avenue?

We noted yesterday that Brothers Deli on Fourth Avenue and East 13th Street is closing at the end of the week... now an EVG tipster hears that the corner space is earmarked for another NYC branch of Koffeecake Corner, a bakery-coffee shop with locations in Chelsea and the UES.

Per our tipster: "Seems like lousy timing to me with Think Coffee down the block and The Bean a block away."

Anyone been to a Koffeecake Corner?

Petland is moving away from East 14th Street, fueling more new development rumors

In late September, we laid out the three rumors about the future of East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. (Read that post here.) The most severe of the rumors: All the space starting at the ABC Animal Hospital west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

The speculation has returned with the arrival of a moving sign at Petland: The store will be relocating to First Avenue.

An EVG Facebook friend asked the manager why they were moving. The response: The landlord is tearing down the building.

So far, there aren't any permits on file with the city indicating any immediate demolition... Still, most people we've talked with figure this block has a relatively short life span as it is now...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Conspiracies: What next for 14th Street and Avenue A?

Those ongoing rumors about the future of East 14th Street between Avenue A and B

Today's sign of the apocalypse

A reader noted this scene earlier in the week:

I was walking on Ave C between 3rd and 4th St, there were two guys standing with a giant Brother Jimmy’s sign, leaning on the storefront about where Bedlam is. I should’ve taken a picture but didn’t think to at the time. Anyone know anything about a Bro J’s opening around here??

Perhaps the fellows were just going to going to work at the Union Square location on East 16th Street? We haven't heard this one. Seems possible, though not probable. Anyone hear anything about a BroJi's Brother Jimmy's opening around here?

Those ongoing rumors about the future of East 14th Street between Avenue A and B

Ever since the fire wiped out Stuyvesant Grocery and Pete's-a-Place on East 14th Street at Avenue A, we've heard all sort of rumors about what was coming next. Dorm! Hotel! Condo!

The usual.

In the past six weeks, we've heard from a dozen different people who passed along various tips about incoming development. To date, there hasn't been much hard evidence, such as a real-estate listing or demolition permit.

We heard more after yesterdays's post about the East Side 99¢ store relocating.

Per THE NOTORIOUS L.I.B.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.:

Someone recently told me the stretch of 14th Street between Avenue A down to the Blarney Cove is about to get a major overhaul.

Per Gojira:

The vet at ABC Animal Hospital, Dr. Tufaro, is also looking for new space; he told me yesterday that the whole south side of that block from the former Stuyvesant Grocery down to his location is slated for demolition and development. He also said the owners of Bargain Bazaar were in court trying to hold onto their lease, which runs through 2016 but which the landlord wants to break. Can you say "upscale luxury condo", boys and girls? Sure you can.

This is consistent with what we've heard. And various tipsters/readers have passed along three different scenarios:

1) All the space to the west of the Rainbow clothing shop, the area that fell to fire, will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

2) All the space starting at the Rite Aid west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

3) The big one. All the space starting at the ABC Animal Hospital west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

So far, there isn't anything to prove any of these rumors. And remember — they're only rumors at this point. (We recall walking into the Blarney Cove about 10 years ago only to hear the news that they were closing soon due to a new development. And we got to drink for free since they were closing!)

However, the last time we heard this much chatter about a rumored development: 74-76 Third Ave. ... and in a few months, all that became official with the news of an 82,000-square-foot, nine-story residential building with 94 units.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Conspiracies: What next for 14th Street and Avenue A?

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths

[Images via Google]

Reader report: Tattoo parlor coming to 31 Avenue A

An EVG reader hears that the vacant storefront between Petopia and Joyful Nail on Avenue A is going to be a tattoo parlor ... The tipster didn't have any other information at the moment. Perhaps you heard this rumor too?

Meanwhile, the empty storefronts owned by the the New York City Housing Authority between Second Street and Third Street are filling up ... also on this stretch, Angelina Cafe should be opening soon.

Reader report: Duane Reade expanding on Avenue B

"Expansion" is the word coming out of the Duane Reade on Avenue B at East Second Street, per a tipster... Employees say that the drug store will expand next door into the spaces previously occupied by Zaitzeff ... and the long-dead High Chai Tea Room.

In addition, Duane Reade will add a second level, digging into the basement space where the Dolphin Gym was before closing back in February 2010.

Seems fitting to have a gargantuan Duane Reade here. This is the reality of the neighborhood ... Previously, this space was home to a gas station... shooting gallery ... and then, for a 10-year run, The Gas Station, aka Art Gallery Space 2B. Alex at Flaming Pablum wrote about the space here.

Per the Times:

For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve.

The space was cleared out in 1996...

[Via Flaming Pablum]

BBQ for B?

After reading about Eater's scoop on Mighty Quinn's BBQ opening in the Vandaag space ... a tipster told us that a BBQ joint has been in the works for 172 Avenue B in the former Mercadito Cantina space... the tipster offered up zero information about who was behind the possible venture...

In any event, 172 Avenue B has been on the CB3/SLA agenda the last two months... and has scratched each month...

Perhaps the mystery applicant will try again in August...

Reader report: Organic market taking over former Kate's Joint space

Last Thursday, a reader noted some activity at Kate's Joint, which closed last April on Avenue B and East Fourth Street.

Now, EVG reader Worth Civils passes along a solid tip: The former vegetarian restaurant will become an organic market. Further details are scarce at the moment, but this news should allay any fears of another Starbucks.

Previously.

Forget about the rumor that Nice Guy Eddie's is becoming a new Life Cafe

Last week, a tipster told us that Kathy Kirkpatrick was retiring and closing the Life Cafe branch in Bushwick at the end of this month... which, as we learned Tuesday via a news release, was correct...

Now, a moment for a little background ... Last spring, Kirkpatrick brought in Gallery Bar owner Darin Rubell, who is part of the team taking over the Nice Guy Eddie's space on Avenue A, to help revitalize Life Cafe on East 10th Street and Avenue B. (There is more on this at the Life Cafe blog.)

Meanwhile, there were rumors that Rubell would eventually buy the Life space. However, the 30-year-old restaurant closed last September following a long-simmering battle with dueling landlords.

So back to our tipster, who figured if Rubell bought the Nice Guy Eddie's space and is turning it into a restaurant serving "American comfort food" (which he used to describe Life Cafe's fare) ... then "it wouldn't surprise me if Nice Guy Eddie's turns out to be a new outpost for the Kathy-less Life Cafe."

ONLY speculation. But the pieces possibly appeared to be adding up to this ... especially since the Life Cafe trademark was for sale.

I asked Kirkpatrick about this possible scenario...

"Darin Rubell did not buy the trademark and therefore it's impossible for him to open a venue called Life Cafe at the former Nice Guy Eddie's space," she said via email yesterday morning.

However, she said that Rubell is one of the partners who has taken on a new lease at the soon-to-be-former Life space on 983 Flushing Ave. in Bushwick.

"The landlord expressly stated, for his own reasons, that he did not want Life Cafe in his property any longer," Kirkpatrick said of the Brooklyn location. "However, the new lease holders expressed their wish to keep the spirit of Life alive. They did not to acquire the trademark. It will not be called Life Cafe. That is, he acquired a new lease and the assets of the cafe only, not the name or concept or menu."

Today in rumors of another Starbucks opening in the East Village

Last week, when the "for rent" signs went up outside Kate's Joint on Avenue B, a reliable tipster told us, "There is a very real possibility that a Starbucks will open here."

Perhaps, though it seems unlikely given that Kate's has a full liquor license.

Meanwhile, today. EV Grieve reader Greg Masters spotted workers at the retail space of the newly unveiled 219 First Ave. at 13th Street.

"A construction worker at the site ... believes a Starbucks will be moving into the ground-level space."

History proves that construction workers aren't always the most reliable sources of information. New DOB permits show that work is starting today on an "interior fit-out of existing commercial space." No mention of a tenant just yet for 219 First Ave.

Still, the retail listing for 219 First Ave. was chain/franchise baiting... so you might expect something chainy-franchisey here...

Plywood removal on First Avenue shows off the new Bean; plus, mystery space!

Workers yesterday removed the plywood around the ground floor at 147 First Avenue at East Ninth Street...

And it looks as if there is room for two storefronts here...

Ike Escava confirmed last night that the Bean, as we first reported, will be taking the front part of the space on the corner... he said that he did not know who the other tenant would be...

Regardless, there are always rumors... last fall a reader heard that a bar was taking the other part of the space. (This tidbit from the always reliable construction worker!)

The for rent banner that went up in August 2010 did tout this as restaurant space... so this is certainly a possibility...


According to the listings at Icon Realty Management, the second space is still available. The space is 700 square feet with an asking price of $7,000 per month. Per the listing (PDF):

[A] brand new fully gut renovated building, in the heart of the East Village is close by to the collegiate environment of the nearby universities. This new space with a floor to ceiling frameless glass storefront is perfect for all retail or a restaurant.

The upper levels will soon be home to nice apartments.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Ground floor at 147 First Avenue will include the Bean AND a bar

Ninth Street and First Avenue shocker: Motel ... Hello?

Blockbuster: 147 First Ave. set for demolition