Friday's parting shot

Tight parking on Seventh Street today via Derek Berg...

Some art to Think about on 4th Avenue

East Village-based artist RVEB (aka Russell Butenhof) is debuting a collection of his paintings at Think Coffee on Fourth Avenue tomorrow (Oct. 26) from 6 to 9 p.m.

"I want to get people excited about the idea of art and how it can timestamp our struggles and worries about the complex world we live in," he said in a statement about the show. "The goal is for people who are already thinking about these things to see the canvas as a mirror and know they are not alone."

RVEB will be on hand for the premiere. Moving forward, an abridged collection of his work will remain at the coffee shop, 123 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. This link has more info.

Here's a look at two of his paintings...

The big heat

Tropical sounds for a fall day. This is an audio clip for the recently released "Hawaiian Noir" by Aporia, a Berlin-based band originally from New Zealand.

Signage for interesting new business arrives on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

Just the other day we mentioned that an AT&T store was coming to the southwest corner of First Avenue and 14th Street.

And just like that, workers started putting up the AT&T signage here next to the MetroPCS and across the Avenue from a T-Mobile, as EVG AT&T Authorized Retailer correspondent Pinch reports...



For now, the storefront is paying homage by keeping up the iconic branding from the previous tenant here, the Vitamin Shoppe...

The Salvation Army Family Store on 4th Avenue is closing next week

In recent years I've been surprised that the Salvation Army Family Store, seemingly out of place along this increasingly upscale corridor, remains open on Fourth Avenue.

Sure enough, as EVG reader David pointed out yesterday, the shop at 112 Fourth Ave. near 12th Street is closing: Oct. 31 is the last day in business.



I reached out to the Salvation Army's NY office to find out why this location is closing. (I also want to know how long this outpost has been here — more than 25 years at least.) Will update when/if I hear back.

Anyway, sorry to see them go. I've also picked up a variety of dishes, records and clothes here through the years...

Updated 1:30 p.m.:

Heard back from Tim Raines, marketing and development director at the Salvation Army: "Our lease has been terminated by the landlord. We continue to search for new properties that will allow us to serve our loyal customers, donors and most important, the people we serve thanks to the proceeds from our Family Stores."

He noted the following: Donors may find additional dropoff locations or schedule a free pickup of their donation by visiting SATRUCK.ORG or by calling 800.SA.TRUCK.

Positive signs for Gem Spa

The suspension period is up for cigarette sales at Gem Spa.

And yesterday, the corner shop on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place received their authorized certificate from the State to sell cigarettes and tobacco products again, a large source of revenue. (They lost their tobacco license back in the spring when a now-former employee sold cigarettes to an undercover minor.)

Now Parul Patel, who is running the store her father Ray has owned since 1986, is also hopeful to become a lottery retailer again. That license was revoked in the spring for an outstanding debt. According to Parul, she is working on an installment plan to pay off that amount in order to offer lottery sales (other big revenue source).

In an Instagram post earlier this week, she wrote:

Today marks the end of the suspension period for the cigarette and lotto licenses. While this is a wonderful milestone, we still have to go through the process of getting the licenses reinstated, pay off our debt and reach profitability.

Given the success of its branded T-shirts, Parul is adding to the shop's streetwear merchandising, as we previously reported.

We are going to be introducing a whole range of Gem Spa merchandise this week including long-sleeve tees, hoodies, beanies, tote bags and more as well as artwork, photography and books inspired by our store. Also we will be hosting a party in the next few weeks to help raise funds toward this end. It will be held at a hot downtown location and will be a fun-filled night of music, entertainment and of course egg creams!

Previously on EV Grieve:

• At the Gem Spa Cash Mob (Sept. 16)

• Gem Spa is now a 'Schitibank' (Sept. 12)

• Get your Gem Spa t-shirts or photos of Madonna — at Gem Spa! (Aug. 16)

• Will you buy a Gem Spa T-shirt? (June 28)

• "Gem Spa is open!" (June 18)

• What is happening at Gem Spa? (June 11)

• A visit to Gem Spa (May 10)

So long Perfect Glow!

The Perfect Glow Beauty Salon is no more... apparently the stylists of the no-frills spa here on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue have moved on to new new salon ventures. (There's a sign out front noting a new address for a shop called Galaxy Beauty.)

Anyway, it was a great (Perfect?) business sign that retained its street style through the years...



Perfect Glow took over from Saloon (not a typo!) Success.

Meantime, the 400-square-foot retail space is for rent with an ask of $4,500 monthly.

Reports: 2 women kicked out of Downtime on Avenue B for confronting accused rapist Harvey Weinstein at event for artists

I spoke to the Zoe Stuckless, who confronted Harvey Weinstein last night, called him a "fucking rapist," and was then kicked out of Actors Hours — meant to be a safe performance/networking space for young artists — by the event coordinators themselves: https://t.co/KgzhRvrsaS

— rachel handler (@rachel_handler) October 24, 2019

In case that you didn't see this story from this yesterday — outlets from BuzzFeed to TMZ covered it.

Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein showed up Wednesday night at an event called Actors Hour ("The first speakeasy dedicated to artists"), which took place at newish basement venue Downtime at 25 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

According to various published reports, Weinstein, sitting at a reserved table with an entourage, was mostly welcomed in the space.

From The Cut:

The women — comedians Kelly Bachman and Amber Rollo, and actress Zoe Stuckless — say they were attending a showcase ... when they spotted the disgraced producer in the crowd. Weinstein, who has been accused by over 80 women of sexual misconduct, is currently out on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to rape, a criminal sex act, sex abuse, and sexual misconduct charges for incidents involving two women in May 2018. At the event, he was flanked by several companions, male and female, and his group was sitting at one of the only tables in the low-lit, small room. “To me it seemed like old-school Weinstein, surrounded by actors,” said Bachman, who was there to perform.

Bachman is a rape survivor, and felt panicked. When it was her time to go onstage, she considered leaving. “But I got up there,” she said, “and he’s staring at me with shark eyes — maybe that’s just his face. So I just tried to address it as best as I could.”

Keep getting new followers today is it because my tweets are so fire? lol fuck Weinstein and thanks @ambercrollo ILY #mysecondtweet pic.twitter.com/hLjWn5VM8Y

— Kelly Bachman (@bellykachman) October 24, 2019

In the above clip, you can hear several people boo Bachman. According to Stuckless, the hecklers included event organizers and bartenders.

Eventually Stuckless and Rollo confronted Weinstein, who showed no emotion. "I went in and called him a fucking monster and told him he should disappear. His friend/body guard/goon/family member called me a cunt and I really really wanted to lunge over the table and strangle him..."

Both Stuckless and Rollo were kicked out of Downtime.

Let me explain that one more time, an event that was supposed to support actors and artists invited a serial rapist who has ruined at least 87 actors lives and supported that monster over an actor in the room. They supported HIM over all the actors in the room.

— clever, but make it spooky (@ambercrollo) October 24, 2019

As Gothamist reported, Actors Hour released (then deleted) a statement claiming that Weinstein "was NOT invited by the organizer or anyone associated with the organization."

However, other sources have stated "that he was personally invited by the organizer and had a table reserved especially for him ..."

Downtime released the following statement on Facebook:

Dear Patrons,
We want to address some concerns about a recent incident at Downtime.

A company called Actors Hour rented our bar for a private event, with a guest list all their own. Shortly into the evening, one guest began heckling another, causing a disturbance to everyone in attendance. After several requests to stop were ignored, we kindly asked the heckler to leave.

Please know that our goal at Downtime is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. We respect the privacy of our patrons and event partners, and want to ensure that all guests are treated equally, with the same service and respect.

In keeping with this goal, we made a decision that would allow the evening to continue as planned.

Thank you,
Downtime

Commenters weren't really letting them get away with that tone-deaf response...



Updated 9:30 p.m.

A reader shared this photo ... showing the entrance to Downtime...

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

Gut renovations continue at the soon-to-be-expanded 264 E. 7th St.

The gutting of 264 E. Seventh St. between Avenue C and Avenue D is in full swing...





According to the approved permit filed with the city, the owners plan to gut renovate No. 264 and convert it to a two-family dwelling (from three units), apparently leaving the exterior of the building in place and adding an extension in the rear.

Things didn't look so good here in September 2016, when a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the three-level, circa 1842 townhouse.

Preservations rallied to try to have the string of pastel-colored residences here considered for landmarking. However, in late October 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission refused to consider them for such a designation.

This past April, word came via the Village Preservation (GVSHP) that new owners purchased the property and were doing away with a full demolition. (Public records show an LLC paid $7.7 million for the address.)

We haven't seen any renderings for the all-new No. 264 just yet.

And as noted before, Felicia Bond lived in the garden duplex at No. 264 when she illustrated the renowned children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" in the mid-1980s.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in the house that inspired the art for 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'

City says no to landmarking row of 7th Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264

A sign of love at the incoming Paloma Rocket-Carbone Pizza on 7th Street

EVG reader Chris Rowland spotted this illuminated LOVE neon sign outside the former Jimmy's No. 43 space the other day.

So we asked proprietor Jimmy Carbone what this was about.

As we previously reported, Carbone is collaborating with Graham Winton of Paloma Rocket for a new venture in the basement space here between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. The plans for Paloma Rocket-Carbone Pizza were put on hold during Carbone's health scare.

In an email this week, Carbone said that the two are still awaiting on the final approval from the State Liquor Authority.

As for the sign, he said "in these troubling times all you need is ❤️ LOVE." He explained that Winton bought a vintage sign collection, many of which will hang in the new space.


[Photo by Jimmy Carbone]

There isn't a firm opening date yet, but they are in the sign-decorating stage!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Jimmy Carbone on the long recovery ahead: 'Starting each day is a challenge'

Jimmy Carbone and Paloma Rocket collaborating on new venture for the Jimmy's No. 43 space

These 5 East Village restaurants are seeing Michelin stars

[Ko file photo]

ICYMI: Back on Monday, Michelin announced its 2020 Starred Selections for New York City restaurants ... for the 15th edition of the "Michelin Guide New York City and Westchester County."

Five East Village restaurants are on the list of selections, including for the first time — Ukiyo at 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

Here's what Michelin had to say about the place from the wife-and-husband team behind fellow Michelin-starred Jewel Bako: "This lovely counter run by Chef Marco Prins is a delight for its high-quality ingredients and impeccable seasoning."

And the rest...

Two Stars, "excellent cooking, worth a detour"
• Momofuku Ko, 8 Extra Place

One Star, "high quality cooking, worth a stop"
• Jewel Bako, 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square

• Kanoyama, 175 Second Ave. at 11th Street

• Tuome, 536 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B

Meanwhile, Kyo Ya, 94 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, was dropped from the list. Chikara Sono, their longtime chef, left at the end of March.

Michelin released the list of Bib Gourmands last week.