Wednesday's parting shot

Man on some wire today on Seventh Street ... photo by Derek Berg...

About those detailed East Village drawings at the new Trader Joe's on 14th Street

If you've been to the new East Village Trader Joe's that opened early last week, then you've likely noticed the nearly 200 drawings that adorn the store's interior at 436 E. 14th St. near Avenue A.

East Village-based illustrator Peter Arkle created the drawings, which are an appreciation of street scenes and architectural details that he has spotted throughout the neighborhood... from more celebrated sites such as the Cube on Astor Place to the lesser-known features like the water fountain/wash bowl with the bronze figures (circa 1890s) outside the Immaculate Conception Church on 14th Street.









Arkle, who has lived here since 2002, met EVG contributor Stacie Joy last week to look at the work in the store — as well as a few of their real-life locations. (You can do it too if the mood strikes — there's a map in the store with corresponding locations of all the drawings.)



Arkle also answered a few questions about the project ...

How did the invitation to do the artwork at this location come about?

Jon Basalone, the president of Trader Joe’s, approached me at the end of 2018, saying that a new East Village store was opening and asked me if I would like to draw something for it. He knew my work from reading [my Tumblr] Peter Arkle News, which he subscribed to back in 2003.

Did you have carte blanche on the theme for the illustrations? Did Trader Joe's want something East Village related?

Jon was already very familiar with that side of my illustration work. He said I could do anything I liked as long as it had some kind of East Village theme.

Peter Arkle News contains drawings and descriptions of everyday life — things I come across on the street, the subway, in the Post Office or wherever.

How did you decide on what scenes from the East Village to depict?

I decided to walk along every street in the East Village. I started by drawing a map and as I explored each street I would mark it with a red line. It took me about two months to visit every street — walking slowly, looking carefully and trying not to freeze to death as this was during December 2018 and January 2019.

I took photos and made notes. Very quickly I realized that it would be better if I drew things that were more permanent so I focused on sculptures and other architectural details, weird pipes, parts of electrical sub stations that look like robots, etc. This way, people would be able to go out and find them.

I am very happy to have been able to draw lots of those sculpted heads — gargoyles, kings, gods, goddesses, angels and cherubs — that appear on so many East Village buildings. Many of these are crumbling away or being painted over so many times that they are turning into blobs. They need to be celebrated. Many of them are very high up on buildings and hard to see without a zoom lens — it amazes me that so much detail was added by architects in places where it could hardly be seen. Did people have better eyesight back then?





Then what?

When I’d visited the whole East Village I then sat down to select which things to draw. This was not a very mysterious process — I basically chose, in most cases, the things that I would enjoy drawing the most.

By late spring, I had completed a set of 185 small ink drawings. I then scanned these and enlarged them so they could be turned into vinyl transfers to be stuck on the store walls.




[In Village View]

Are these permanent? Or is this a temporary exhibit in the store?

They are permanent — unless Trader Joe gets bored of them. I actually had a dream the night before the store opened that I went to visit and they had painted over all of my drawings with thick green paint because someone had complained.

Hope that doesn’t happen.

Reminders: Hear the latest on the East River Park reconstruction at this CB3 committee meeting

As a reminder: Tomorrow (Jan. 16) night, CB3's Parks, Recreation, Waterfront, & Resiliency Committee will receive an update on the East River Park rebuild from officials at the Department of Design and Construction.

That committee meeting, which is open to the public, starts at 6:30 p.m. in the BRC Senior Services Center, 30 Delancey St. between Chrystie and Forsyth.

This past Nov. 14, City Council signed off on the hotly contested plan that will bury/elevate East River Park by eight feet as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project. The phased-in construction is expected to begin in the spring. (A coalition of community groups who oppose the plan is expected to file a lawsuit. Read about that here.)

Also as previously reported: There's a petition in circulation to help save the Lower East Side Ecology Center's community compost program. You find the petition at this link.

Photo Saturday by Vinny & O.

Police searching for 2 suspects in knifepoint robbery at Anwar Grocery on Avenue B

Several EVG readers told us about a robbery late last Wednesday night at Anwar Grocery on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street (next to Vazac's/7B/Horseshoe Bar). However, we didn't have much to go on — other than hearsay that one of the men pulled a knife when demanding the money.

Now come details via the NYPD, who released the following statement yesterday:

The New York City Police Department is asking the public's assistance identifying the two male individuals depicted in the photos [below] in connection to a commercial robbery that occurred within the confines of the 9 Precinct.

It was reported to police that on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 11:30 p.m. inside of the 106 Avenue B (Deli), two unknown male individuals entered the location. One displayed a knife and demanded cash from the 45-year-old store employee behind the register. One of the individuals removed approximately $200 cash from the register and they both fled the location on foot northbound on Avenue B. No injuries were reported.

The two individuals are described as follows:

Individual #1: male Black, 20-30 years of age, last seen wearing all dark clothing.

Individual #2: male Hispanic, 20-30 years of age, last seen wearing all dark clothing.

And the photos of the suspects...





Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

First sign of the Pineapple Club on 6th Street

Signage is for the Pineapple Club over at 509 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...



As previously noted, the Pineapple Club will be bringing American Polynesian cuisine to the former Out East space.

There's a teaser site up now for the two-level bar-restaurant. A message notes that the new website will be live in less than 12 days.

Meanwhile, the Pineapple Club's Facebook page describes the venture this way:

The ultimate East Village Restaurant & Signature Cocktail Bar experience. Elevated Rush tropical vibes, food & signature cocktail creations.

Out East went dark in December 2017 after eight months serving a seafood-centric menu from the proprietors behind places like Beauty & Essex and Stanton Social.

Lenwich giving University Place a roll

EVG reader Jeanne Krier is keeping us updated on the northwest corner of University Place and 13th Street... where Lenwich, the sandwich/deli chainlet, is opening an outpost...



Not sure exactly when Roast Kitchen, which opened here in 2014, vacated the space.

Latest Post 'exclusive' is a story we reported on 11 months ago

In an "exclusive," the Post reports:

A developer paid an ethically tarred City Hall lobbyist — and the law firm that defended Mayor Bill de Blasio against pay-to-play allegations — to press the administration for permission to expand a 10-story office tower in the East Village, The Post has learned.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission, whose 11 members are all mayoral appointees, approved plans by Real Estate Equities Corp. to enlarge a building at 3 St. Marks Place that’s 20% larger than limits allowed by the area’s current zoning laws.

The plan was approved in June, although the $200,000 the developer paid to de Blasio lobbyist James Capalino and the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel LLP, were not reported at the time.

Correct, it was not reported at the time in June 2019 — it was actually reported several months earlier, on Feb. 13, 2019 in an EVG piece titled "The lobbyists behind the air-rights transfer and zoning variance for 3 St. Mark's Place."

Anyway! The Post article includes several quotes about the project, now making its way through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Here's local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, who holds the crucial vote on the special permit to transfer air rights from the landmarked 4 St. Marks Place to increase the size of this development:

“I continue to share the same concerns that many in our community have brought up, including Community Board 3, regarding this project and its impact on the surrounding area, and I have not seen anything new presented that would make me consider it favorably as it proceeds through ULURP.”

EVG Etc.: A new era for Bon Yagi's East Village restaurants; $40 billion needed for NYCHA repairs

[At Houston & Eldridge]

• How Sakura Yagi is helping modernize her father's East Village restaurant empire, which includes Curry-Ya, Hi-Collar and Rai Rai Ken (Eater)

• NYCHA CEO says agency now needs $40 billion for repairs (The Real Deal) ... NYCHA residents filed nearly 60,000 bedbug and roach work orders in 9 months (Gothamist)

• Another expose on the sudden closing of Eleven Consignment Boutique on First Avenue (CBS2 ... earlier on EVG)

• Victim discusses how she was attacked by a homeless man inside the CVS on East Houston at Orchard (PIX11)

• AG Letitia James investigates whether racial bias plays a role in the NYPD's fare evasion arrests (The New York Times)

• Target in the East Village was robbed of $1,200 worth of calculators (amNY)

• Developers plan to demolish 14-16 Fifth Ave. to build a 13-story luxury residential building; preservationist and local elected officials are holding a press conference Friday (Details via this PDF)

• Continuing at Howl! Happening through Feb. 23 on First Street: Jane Dickson’s series of "rarely seen and moody" paintings of Times Square peep shows from the 1980s (Official site)

• At the Anthology Film Archives Saturday: "Booyah! It's the 1990's Marathon!" What to expect? "if you like Hong Kong movies...just buy a ticket and prepare to get hella crunk." (Official site)

... and on Thursday evening, several formerly incarcerated writers are reading at MoRUS, 155 Avenue C... details below...

Arepa Factory closes up on Avenue A

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

After nearly five years on Avenue A, Arepa Factory has closed here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Ownership made the announcement via an email to customers (H/T John for the email!). They didn't offer a reason for the closure:

We are unfortunately closing our doors at the 147 Avenue A location in our beloved East Village and want to thank our amazing guests for the loyal support you have shown us over the past years.

Business overall must be OK as they also announced that they are opening two new locations soon. In addition, they have an outpost at the Turnstyle Underground Market in the Columbus Circle Subway Station.

The quick-serve Venezuelan restaurant opened in October 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Arepa Factory coming soon to Avenue A

Police searching for suspect in early morning stabbing in East River Park this past Dec. 24

The NYPD is looking for the above suspect for allegedly stabbing a man in the early morning hours of Dec. 24 in East River Park at 10th Street.

Here are details via the EVG inbox yesterday...

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual in connection to an assault that occurred within the confines of the 9th Precinct.

It was reported to police that on Dec. 24, 2019, at approximately 4:30 a.m., inside of East River Park at East 10th Street and the FDR, the individual stabbed the 38-year-old male victim multiple times while he slept on a park bench.

When the victim woke up, the individual covered his face with a black ski mask and ran out of the park. The individual went over a footbridge, took his mask off and smiled at the victim as he fled into the Jacob Riis Housing Developments. The victim suffered stab wounds to his back and left arm; he was removed by EMS to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

The individual is described as a male, black, 5'11", 170 lbs, 25 to 35 years old; last seen wearing a black hooded sweater, gray sweatpants and light colored sneakers.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Fast-casual bowl alert: Sweetgreen opens today on the Bowery

[Photo last week by Lola Sáenz]

That new outpost of Sweetgreen that we mentioned a few times (here and here) opens today (Jan. 14) at 347 Bowery.

Sweetgreen has opened nearby outposts on Astor Place and University Place in recent years.

The fast-casual restaurant is the first retail tenant in the ground floor of No. 347, the Annabelle Selldorf-designed 13-story luxury building that features five stacked town homes here at Third Street.

Update: Sweetgreen does accept cash.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• The Salvation Army's former East Village Residence will be demolished on the Bowery

• Whatever happened to that really ugly hotel planned for the Bowery?

• Looks like 347 Bowery will be home to a 13-floor mixed-use residential development

Baby Yoda arrives at the 2nd Avenue F stop

Artist Will Power finished his Baby Yoda mural yesterday at the Second Avenue F stop... Steven took these photos yesterday of the real star of the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian"...



This is the second Baby Yoda sighting in the East Village, joining the one put up for the Star Wars holiday windows at Two Boots on Avenue A.

RIP Matthew Maher, longtime owner of McSorley's

[Matthew Maher in 2016 by Steven]

Matthew "Matty" Maher, who started as a bartender at McSorley's in 1964 and later became owner of the East Village institution on Seventh Street, died on Saturday after a short illness. He was 80.

News of his passing was reported first in his native County Kilkenny in Ireland. Per the Kilkenny People:

He had a welcome for every person from Ireland and made life easier for many people who came to the U.S. to start a new life or to earn enough to set out on their own.

It is true that when the last owner of McSorley's before Matty, Harry Kirwan from Lisdowney came home on holiday to Ireland in 1964, his car broke down and that he was picked up on the road by Mattie.

Harry promised him a job in New York. Mattie went stateside to work as a waiter and bartender at McSorley’s. In 1977, Matty bought the premises from Harry Kirwan's son.

[Photo at McSorley's yesterday by Steven]

As for the bar's ownership since opening in 1854, we turn to McSorley's historian Bill Wander, who told this to 6sqft in 2015:

Depending on how you count, there have been seven owners of McSorley’s – John, his son Bill, then Dan O’Connell who bought the place. Daniel’s daughter Dorothy inherited McSorley’s at his death. Dot’s husband Harry managed the place and was the owner for the briefest time, a few months after his wife’s passing away. Some people don’t count Harry, as the estate was still in court when he died. Their son Danny owned it then, but decided to sell it to the current owner Matthew Maher, a trusted employee since the early 1960s. But in 161 years, that ownership covers only three families.

Maher is survived by his wife Tess and daughters, Ann Marie, Teresa, Kathy, Adrienne and Maeve.

In 1994, Maher’s daughter, Teresa Maher de la Haba, became the first woman to work behind the bar. She is now the owner, and will keep McSorley's as is moving forward along with her husband, bartender (and artist) Gregory de la Haba.

As previously reported, founder John McSorley owned the building at 15 East Seventh St. near Cooper Square. Since then, every time the bar changed hands, the building went with it.

"McSorley’s will be in good hands with Teresa and her husband Gregory," said former bartender Michael Quinn, whose Feltman hot dogs are sold at the bar.


[Teresa Maher de la Haba with Mike the bartender from 2016]

Farmwich pops up with speciality sandwiches at Ben's Deli on Avenue B

Farmwich, serving sandwiches "sourced entirely from local regenerative agriculture farms," is now open through Feb. 4 at Ben's Deli, 32 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, Farmwich will offer one speciality sandwich a day during their limited hours of noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. All sandwiches are $9, which includes tax and tip.

And some Farmwich details via their website:

All our food is “vegan, organic, local, and fair trade” but we don’t call it that. Rather than focus on the imitation or absence of animal products, we celebrate the rich flavors of seasonal vegetables grown in polyculture soils. The season writes our menu anew each day. It is possible that we never serve the same sandwich twice.

We source almost all our produce from Lani’s Farm (Bordentown, NJ), extra-virgin sunflower oil from Hudson Valley Cold-Pressed Oils (Poughkeepsie, NY), sourdough bread from Hawthorne Valley Farm & Bakery (which grows and mills almost all its own grain on-site; Ghent, NY), heirloom beans from GrowNYC (mostly Caledonia, NY), pumpkin seeds from Stony Brook Wholehearted Foods (Geneva, NY), and fruits from Wilkow Orchards (Highland, NY).

With the exception of a few dry spices from the East Village’s Dual Specialties, we buy all ingredients directly from our farmers without a middleman or distributor.

They also offer a sample menu from a recent preview dinner:

#1: Sunchokes crisped in sunflower flour, mache greens, gremolata, pickled root vegetables (carrot, parsnip, rutabaga, beet)

#2: Honeynut squash, squash seed and Lani’s miso puree, pickled cabbage, mixed baby greens (mustards, kales, sorrel, tatsoi, arugula)

#3: Japanese sweet potato mash, caramelized shallot jam, sautéed broccoli rabe, Tokyo bekana, radish, cumin-coriander vinaigrette

Here are a few scenes from opening day yesterday ...





... and here's the opening day sandwich — "A Massion in Addis," Berbere sautéed red kale, sweet potato pomme frites, garlic sunflower aioli and root pickles root pickles...