Michal Gamily’s 'Mashawsha to go' from an East Village fire escape

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

During the COVID-19 PAUSE this spring, Michal Gamily got creative and launched an old-school "mashawsha to go" business from her fire escape.

"You will find it a very unique East Village experience," Gamily says. Indeed.

I recently texted her to make an appointment and meet neighbors Roni and Peddy Pery there when they were picking up their mashawsha (hummus in the Israeli and Palestinian style). The homemade vegan treat is sold by weight — a medium-size container (you bring your own) is $10.







She started the side business while temporarily out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is an actor, series director and curator at LaMama.

Gamily makes it fresh every day and sells it from her Avenue C fire escape via basket — a contact-free experience. It’s a traditional Middle-Eastern treat made here with organic chickpeas, garlic, homemade tahini, olive oil, cumin, lemon, parsley, and other spices plus the soaking liquid from the chickpeas. She recommends serving it with pita bread, but says it’s also great with pickles, vegetables, falafel, in a lafa (wrap) or served with hard-boiled egg.





Roni and Peddy, who, like Gamily, originally hail from Israel, tell me that the mashawsha "really respects the bean, that she lets the chickpeas speak and be celebrated." Mashawsha or msabbaha means both to mix and swimming in Arabic, and in this style the whole chickpeas are swimming in the hummus.

Gamily asks for a 24-hour order notice, and you can place your order by text at 646.221.5082 or email at gamilym@icloud.com.

She reminds me that she only sells mashawsha, nothing else. And classic style, "No fava bean or one made with pine nuts. The real deal only."

Popeyes getting nearer to unleashing the chicken combo deals on 1st Avenue

Renovations continue inside (and out!) the long-vacant 39 First Ave. here between Second Street and Third Street.

As we noted back in November, a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen was said to be the new tenant.

While there isn't any exterior signage at the moment, EVG reader Ace A Acekin did get a look inside ... and saw that workers have hoisted the sandwich combo deal menus behind the counter...



Popeyes emerged victorious last summer during the Chicken Sandwich Wars, simpler times when people cared about things like this.

No word on an East Village opening date for this Popeyes. There are more than 15 in the metropolitan area.

This retail space has sat empty for four-and-a-half years ... ever since NY Village Deli moved to a smaller storefront on the block.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for 1st Avenue?

Fortnight Institute leaves 4th Street

When more organizations continue to reopen after the COVID-19 PAUSE, Fortnight Institute will not be among them.

Co-founders Fabiola Alondra and Jane Harmon announced this week that they have left the space, which they billed as a public salon here on Fourth Street.

Via an Instagram post: "Fortnight Institute will continue in a new reiteration and location, by-appointment-only. We look forward to this next phase and finding a new home when it is safe to re-open publicly."

Fortnight Institute opened between Second Avenue and the Bowery in April 2016. The Institute "was the beginning of wanting to do something that was unconditional and a space for artists and books and collectors and ephemera," Alondra said at the time.

Tuesday's parting shot

ICYMI: This has been up the past few weeks on Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C ... Kermit's word of the day — mask... (thanks to Mark White for the photo!)

Low fly zone

Derek Berg had a close encounter this morning with one of Amelia and Christo's juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park...

Designer Darrell Thorne is 'Under Glass and In Color' on Avenue A

Darrell Thorne, the Brooklyn-based designer and performance artist (and onetime East Village resident!), is the centerpiece of a new exhibit titled "Under Glass and in Color" in the pop-up gallery on Avenue A and Fourth Street.

The folks behind ChaShaMa, a nonprofit that transforms empty storefronts into galleries, and the National Endowments for the Arts are presenting the work of Thorne, who has collaborated with Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, Blondie and others...



Thorne and his work, including a bespoke mask created for Madonna in the "Living for Love" video, will be on display for sidewalk viewing. Here's more via the official release:

"Under Glass and In Color" combines an exhibition, a residency, and a durational performance into a vibrant celebration of life through costume, makeup, dance, and transformation.

Against a backdrop of feathers, flowers, metal, and mirrors, Thorne will create original headpieces, apply makeup and body paint, perform dance pieces, sing songs and perform lip-synchs, write his memoirs, interact with passersby, and juxtapose everyday mundane activities with transformation, ritual, and elevation.

Additionally, a digital art exhibit featuring video projections of Thorne and his dancers edited and manipulated by multimedia artist Morgan Freeman will play on a loop.

In a moment where we all must live with barriers, "Under Glass and in Color" invites viewers to observe an artist under glass, in a world of his own creation. 24/7 exhibition window viewing, performances happening periodically.

Thorne provided EVG contributor Stacie Joy with a look inside the space ...













The current preview period continues through the official opening on Thursday (June 18!). The exhibit is here through July 12.

Essex Card Shop is moving to a new space on Avenue A

Essex Card Shop, home to one of the neighborhood's greatest business signs — film developing! art supplies! luggage! — is on the move... they are in the process of relocating here on Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street ...



... one block to the north, where the short-lived and currently closed Essex 99-Cent Store (same owners!) was for about nine months...



And here's another look at the Essex Card Shop sign from the personal collection of EVG...

PSA: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries

Yes, as the headline states: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries on June 23.

To prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered voters — courtesy of the Governor’s Executive Order 202.15 — may apply for an absentee ballot.

You may put in the request at this link.

Per the instructions:

If you are affected by COVID-19, please check the box for “Temporary Illness” on the application. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.

Also! The website can be used only by registered New York City voters to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections.

Meanwhile, polls remain open through June 21 for early voting. Find a voting guide here.

Ramen and dim sum for 9th Street

It was signage day yesterday over at 350 E. Ninth St. just west of First Avenue... where workers made the new restaurant official — a ramen-dim sum shop... not sure at the moment what the exact name is... O Ramen Dim Sum M?



The previous tenant, beQu Juice, closed here last November after nearly six years in business. Until 2012, 9th St. Bakery had been in this storefront since 1926.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Updated: Reader intel from the comments: "This is an extension of New Mizu Sushi next door."

Monday's parting shot

Thanks to Jeanne Krier for the photo...

Ninth Street Espresso (on Ninth Street) reopened today

Vinny & O share the news that Ninth Street Espresso reopened today over on Ninth Street just east of Avenue C.

For now, the coffee shop will be serving from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 10th Street location (between A and B) will return next week.

East Village businesses reopen their doors for curbside pickup

[Gizmo, 1st Avenue]

As part of NYC's entry into Phase 1 last Monday, retail outlets are OK'd for limited operations — mainly curbside pickup of purchases.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy walked around the neighborhood and shared a sampling of the East Village businesses open (with social distancing and other safety protocols in place)...


[Casey Rubber Stamps, 11th Street]


[Azaleas, 2nd Avenue]


[Meg, 9th Street]


[Love Thy Beast, 5th Street]


[Exit9, Avenue A]


[Lancelotti, Avenue A]


[Jane's Exchange, 3rd Street]


[SneakEZ, 9th Street]


[White Trash, 5th Street]


[an.mé, 9th Street]


[Alphabets, Avenue A]

More prep work for incoming St. Mark's Place office building

With Phase 1 underway and non-essential construction sites firing up again, there's activity to note on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

You may have noticed that workers have now blocked the sidewalk with a second level of plywood in front of where the 10-floor boutique office building will rise ...







However, as you can see through the blogger portal on the plywood, there's nothing going on inside the lot (yet).



And it has remained this way during the COVID-19 crisis.


[A rendering of 3 St. Mark's Place]

Where we left off on March 5: Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera had joined the chorus of opposition to the air-rights transfer for the new building. Rivera, who holds the key vote when the proposal comes before City Council, had previously expressed concerns about the project, but hadn't gone as far as officially opposing it.

During the City Planning Commission hearing on March 4, Rivera submitted joint testimony with Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Sen. Brad Hoylman.

The City Planning Commission will cast their vote at a later date as part of the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. They are expected to approve the plan to transfer air rights from the landmarked 4 St. Mark's Place to the new development across the street at 3 St. Mark's Place. In issues such as this, City Council usually follows the lead of the local Councilmember.

With the air-rights transfer, developer Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) would be allowed to build 8,386 square feet larger than the current zoning allows.

Regardless of an extra 8,000 square feet, the construction will eventually continue. As Gothamist reported in early March, the project's architect, Morris Adjmi, emphasized a building of a similar height size could be built as-of-right.

REEC picked up the 99-year leasehold for the properties here for nearly $150 million in November 2017. The corner lot is owned by the Gabay family.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue

Tech hub nears halfway mark

Here's another in our periodic looks at the high-profile Zero Irving (aka tech hub) on 14th Street at Irving Place.

Construction here was deemed essential, and work restarting on the site in early May.

According to the 14th @ Irving Construction e-newsletter out this past Friday, work is up to the 10th level of what will be a 21-floor building.

And if you want some super specifics:

The project’s superstructure contractor will complete wall systems cycle for forms on Level 9 (supporting level 10), strip forms on deck below, install rebar in wall forms and close walls starting from East to West. It is anticipated that the East walls will be poured on Wednesday 6/17 and West on Thursday 6/18.

And!

The project’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors continue work on site to install sleeves and layout embeds and all other materials being placed into the deck. Stairs and fire standpipes will continue to jump with the building progress, staying (2) floors behind working deck. Plumbing Rough-in work is ongoing on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Fuel oil and storm risers will be installed up through 8th floor. Water risers and duct risers are expected to be up to the 5th floor by 6/26.

The building, developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL Development Services, will feature 14 floors of market-rate office space as well as "a technology training center and incubator, co-working spaces, state-of-the-art event space, and street level food hall on the seven floors beneath," per the Zero Irving announcement issued last October.



The new building sits on the former site of a P.C. Richard & Son.

Previously on EV Grieve:
P.C. Richard is gone on 14th Street; preservationists want answers about tech-hub commitments