Tuesday, November 24, 2009

And this pretty much sums it up: City's 45,679th Subway taking over former Downtown Music space on the Bowery

AKA, Are You Fucking Kidding Me?

Fork in the Road brings the news.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Downtown Music Gallery is leaving the Bowery

Alex has more on Downtown Music here.

P.S.
Can't wait to see the Subway Dude handing out coupons in front of the Bowery Hotel....

Carroll Gardens institution PJ Hanley's opening an East Village outpost on First Avenue



Many thanks to EV Grieve reader dmbream for pointing out that work started yesterday at the long-dormant 122 First Ave. -- between Ruben's and Kim's (Seventh Street and St. Mark's). According to the work permits, the space is being renovated by the folks behind P.J. Hanley's, the Carroll Gardens mainstay and one of the alleged oldest pubs in Brooklyn.



As Jeremiah first reported back in June 2008, this space -- the former Cosmos Parcels, a 45-year-old Ukrainian packing and shipping shop -- would soon become a jazz cafe. I liked the sound of the plans for the jazz cafe. Do we really need an Irish pub here?

As dmbream noted: "Another Irish pub-style place...RIGHT next to Lunasa? Fantastic planning, guys."

Why 99X is closing



Yesterday, we reported that 99X was closing up shop on 10th Street... we asked Bert at 99X via e-mail what happened:

It was a combination of things. Drop in sales/poor economy, a lot of stores went out on the block so there is not that much foot traffic, the rent is high and Fred Perry opened a store down in SOHO which took a lot of our business. Everything did not happen all at once but it all happened within the past year and has gotten us to where we are now.

Air conditioning inspection at the former Amato Opera

On one recent November day, we noticed a sign hanging from the former home of the Amato Opera on the Bowery.



Perhaps a clue to the new tenant?!



Nope. Just a letter from the Bureau of Fire Prevention Inspectors. They need to inspect the air conditioning unit, which seemed to be working OK when the Amato Opera closed in May.

The Coop preps for winter



At the Cooper Square Hotel. Keeping the bold-faced names warm.

For lease signs removed at former Chocolate by the Bald Man space

Max Brenner's Chocolate by the Bald Man closed last July on Second Avenue and Ninth Street.

Anyway! The "for lease" sign that was in the window has been removed...



...and perhaps some work is being done on the interior...



A prime chunk of EV property...any chance that this might become something that the neighborhood wants or needs...?

Monday, November 23, 2009

99X is closing




As their slogan reads, "Outfitting the Underground since 1978."

I also looked at the store's Twitter account...



A shame. And I rarely walk on this stretch of 10th Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue, a dead zone of empty storefronts....



...and stalled development...

Window at Cooper Union's new academic building being used to advertise McKibbin Street keggers




Ah, at the McKibbin Street dorms in Bushwick.



Hey, and visit the 248 McKibbin St. MySpace page.

Business as usual at Superdive?

Oh, the magic is back... Superdive was closed Friday night for a private party...



Which reminds us of the heady days of this past summer...



Aug. 22


Aug. 16










Nothing compares 2 U?: St Mark's karaoke/billiards/gourmet deli palace gets a sign

That mammoth three-story karaoke/billiards/gourmet deli palace, 2 U Karaoke Lounge Suites at the former Mondo Kim's space on St. Mark's, has unveiled its new signage...




...and it's rather difficult to read...looks like some rejected concepts from U2's PopLife tour...



Previously on EV Grieve:
What we now know about the karaoke empire on St. Mark's Place

Coming soon: A gourmet deli to go with your karaoke on St. Mark's Place

Karaoke taking over Mondo Kim's space