2 hours until Germany-Greece at Zum Schneider

Around 12:45, some 30 people were waiting for Zum Schneider to open at Seventh Street and Avenue C. Euro Cup 2012 quarter-finals this afternoon — Germany-Greece at 2:45.

Previously.

Rents going up, duh

The Rent Guidelines Board met at Cooper Union last night to vote on increases for rent-stabilized apartments in NYC.

And? Could have been worse!

Per Curbed, which has a nice summation of the evening:

The RGB voted 5 to 4 to approve an increase of 2 percent or $20, whichever is greater, on one-year leases, and a 4 percent or $40 increase on two-year leases. The owner members had wanted 5 percent and 9 percent, while the tenant members wanted a complete freeze.

Cabrini Center patients out by the end of today; closes for good June 30

Following up on our post from yesterday about the awning coming down at the Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation on Avenue B and East Fifth Street ...

We asked Patricia Krasnausky, president and CEO of Cabrini Eldercare, for more details on the closing. Via email yesterday afternoon, she noted that Cabrini took down the awning (and other signage) because they were worried that the new owner "might handle it badly."


[Via Twitter]

As for the closure: "All of the residents will be moved by the end of this week, and then the rest of the employees," she said. "We will turn it over [to the new owner] on the 30th. We had a closing liturgy and reception last Friday."

The last resident is moving out today. The man, a former garment worker for Montgomery Ward who has lived on the Lower East Side Side since 1953, will be transferred to a facility in Borough Park in southwest Brooklyn.

There isn't room at a facility anywhere closer. He's on several waiting lists. In a message last night, his daughter, who grew up with her mom and dad on Clinton and Delancey, said that "staff and families have been crying all day. I'm so angry right now."

As previously reported, developer Ben Shaoul, the building's new owner, will convert the health care facility for elderly patients into residences, either condos or rentals. Plans to sell the Center to a for-profit operator never materialized.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Report: Local politicians reach out to Ben Shaoul as re-sale of the Cabrini Nursing Center seems likely

More details on Cabrini's closing announcement

Q-and-A with Patricia Krasnausky, president and CEO of Cabrini Eldercare

What it costs to live in newly renovated apartments above a Starbucks in the East Village

Back in March, after seven or so years of stop-start renovations, we finally got to see the new-look 219 First Avenue...

[March 30]

We confirmed the Starbucks for the retail space here at East 13th Street... But what about the residential space?

A few of the rentals hit the market yesterday, per Streeteasy. Let's take a look.

NEVER LIVED IN top of the line 1br +DINNING area SUPER BRIGHT
Top of the line Kitchen new stainless steel appliances + DISHWASHEr. Cherry wood cabinets.
CORNER unit, get AMAZING sun light.
13th st and 1st avenue.
Queen size bed LARGE californian closet.
NEW bathroom (TUB)
tons of sunlight and PERFECT Union Square location. VERY high ceilings.
PLEASE note, this is available August 1st or a bit later.
Next to all, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, L train is a Block away and 4 minutes walk to Union Square subway station

(Do the words in all caps spell out some sort of message...?)

Anyway. A 600-square-foot one-bedroom unit is $2,450...











There's also a two-bedroom unit (650 square feet) available for $3,000. As crazy (sad?) as this sounds, these aren't as expensive as we expected... Streeteasy puts the median two-bedroom price in the East Village at $3,420.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Today in rumors of another Starbucks opening in the East Village

219 First Avenue ready for a chain store, probably

After 20 years, Magic Fingers, Old Good Things closing on East 10th Street

After 20-plus years, longtime East Village resident Susan Leelike is closing her shop, Magic Fingers, Old Good Things, at 220 E. 10th St. (Between First Avenue and Second Avenue.)

Costume jewelry and collectibles are 25 percent to 50 percent off ... as the sign below reads...The store hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 3-7 p.m.



While a rent hike is the usual culprit in these situations... Leelike reports that it wasn't a greedy landlord that helped lead to the closing of her shop that specializes in vintage accessories. She cites a combination of a bad economy and some health issues... and it all leaves her with mixed feelings.

"I am both happy and sad about the closing," she said in an email.

[UPDATED] Free film (to watch) tonight in Tompkins Square Park: The French thriller 'The Axe'

Hey, the Films on the Green Festival is back ... and tonight in Tompkins Square Park, there'll be a free screening of the dark thriller "The Axe" ("Le Couperet!") by acclaimed director Costa-Gavras, adapted from the bestselling novel by Donald Edwin Westlake.

Let's take a look at the trailer for the 2005 film ... there'll be lots of shooting!



The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the City of New York Parks & Recreation sponsor the Films on the Green series. [Updated] The movie starts at 8:30 p.m., per the Films on the Green Festival website.

H/t to Esquared for letting us know about the series...

UPDATED:
Due to the storm and all... the organizers have rescheduled the movie to SATURDAY night.

No! No! No! This is the SUMMER OF THE BEES!

Spotted yesterday on Seventh Street... Bedbugs had their time in the sun. It's the Summer of the Bees! So it should read... "Free: Not Bees Infested." Or something in keeping with the spirit of the note.

CBGB Film Festival announced; new Clash film on tap

Per Variety (via The Chicago Tribune) yesterday, the CBGB Festival announced the final lineup of its inaugural film event ... the festival includes the world premiere of the documentary "The Rise and Fall of the Clash."



Other premieres include "Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen" and "What Did You Expect? The Archers of Loaf."

The screenings will take place July 5-8 at the Sunshine, Village East Cinemas and the Anthology Film Archives...

Go here for the times, theaters, tickets, passes, panel information, etc.

Thank you, and good night

Balloons and things

Streetscene from Avenue C and 9th from late this afternoon... photo by Bobby Williams.

Workers remove Cabrini Center awning on East Fifth Street

As we first reported back in March, the Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, which provides health care for low-income elderly residents in the East Village, will close this summer.

In November, we noted that developer Ben Shaoul was the mystery buyer of Cabrini on Avenue B at East Fifth Street. Depending on the source, the space here will be converted to rentals or condos...

We never heard an exact closing date for the Center, which opened in 1993. Cabrini officials said in the spring that the closure process would last several months — likely until July.

The photo above by EVG reader @zmack shows that workers have removed Cabrini's awning. We've reached out to Patricia Krasnausky, president and CEO of Cabrini Eldercare, for more details on the closing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Report: Local politicians reach out to Ben Shaoul as re-sale of the Cabrini Nursing Center seems likely

More details on Cabrini's closing announcement

Q-and-A with Patricia Krasnausky, president and CEO of Cabrini Eldercare

2 East Village streetscenes this morning

St. Mark's Place...


[Shawn Chittle]

Avenue A...


[Dave on 7th]

What is happening with the Bowery Poetry Club?

[Monday outside the Bowery Poetry Club, where the sign has been removed]

We've heard a lot of speculation in recent weeks about the future of the Bowery Poetry Club. All sorts of rumors have been flying around, from an imminent closure to a months-long renovation.

Given the speculation, we decided to address a few of the rumors here.

In early May, the Club that Bob Holman founded in 2002 launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 for "a special dining experience that would include a bar, cafe/restaurant and a remodeled performance space," as BoweryBoogie noted.

However, three days later, someone cancelled the campaign.



We've heard that several promoters have taken their shows to other locations over issues with the Club. Meanwhile, there is little, if anything scheduled at the Club toward the latter stages of the summer. One producer with a monthly gig there has scheduled his show at another location for end of July.

One insider told EVG contributor Stacie Joy, "Bob told me there might be some be some changes, which is why there's little on the calendar for August. I'm hoping it's nothing major and trying not to worry."

According to another inside source: "Bob is insistent that this is a change and not the end. The plan is to close for renovations beginning in August. Of course it will have a different feel when they re-open but who knows? It might be even better than it is. At this time, no deal has been finalized, thus little information has been released."

We asked Holman for his take on the Club's future.

"Well, I'd hoped to be able to put rumors to rest by now — but really, there's no news till this New Idea becomes real! (or not!)," he said via email, adding, "Don't mean to be mysterious."

"But — rest assured — the Club is not closing!"

Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Dave on 7th heard the rumor that the building that houses the Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A is for sale... sure enough, a sign has just arrived...



...this is the (old) cafe/diner space... the newer diner is next door at 119...



Unfortunately, we don't have much information about this listing. The HPNY site is under construction. An Odessa source tells EVG contributor Shawn Chittle that the owner lives in Arizona, and is asking in the $3 million neighborhood for the property. The landlord offered to sell the building to the Odessa proprietors, who own 119 Avenue A as well. They are passing on the sale for now.

The Odessa Cafe currently has three years left on its lease.


[Shawn Chittle]

Jane's Sweet Buns 'is currently under construction'

On Monday, we noted that Jane's Sweet Buns on St. Mark's Place has been closed of late... Meanwhile, Proletariat, the 10-seat bar that opened last month and has seemingly taken up most of the space for Buns, remains open...

On Tuesday, in the comments, EVG reader Bayou pointed out the arrival of an "under construction" sign on the front door... Anyway, a partial photo of that sign is above... No word on how long the construction will last...

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] There's now a (sort of) secret beer bar behind Jane's Sweet Buns

Bakery opening on St. Mark's Place

Has Jane's Sweet Buns closed?

Tree asks, Don't pee on me

Forget the location... East Fourth Street? Photo by Bobby Williams.

The tower of Brigid

Just a quickie follow-up from yesterday's post ... now, workers have removed all the scaffolding from the tower on the East Eighth Street side of St. Brigid's at Avenue B...





...and the view of it from Tompkins Square Park...

EVG respost: The best outdoor spot for free air conditioning in the East Village

As I exclusively reported, it is warm out. So! Perhaps it's a good time to repost this, uh, post from July 23, 2011... May come in handy...

It's right here on Sixth Street and Hall Place Taras Shevchenko Place... there are several spots here outside the new Cooper Union building that provide a welcome blast of cool air... right where this fellow is lounging/passed out.

From the Boardwalk at Atlantic City... on East 12th Street

Let's check in again at the "Boardwalk Empire" filming action on East 12th Street this afternoon... for an episode from the upcoming third season of the show about prohibition and gambling and stuff in Atlantic City...









Photos by Bobby Williams.

Report: Arrest made in East Fifth Street stabbing death

Police have arrested Carl Knox, the career criminal accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend's nephew during a fight on East Fifth Street on June 9, the Post reports. Capers reportedly was trying to break up a fight between his aunt and Knox.

According to the Post, the NYPD arrested Knox at 1 a.m. Sunday.
The Daily News reported that Knox has been in and out of state prison since 1986. "His rap sheet lists more than 25 arrests, including for such serious charges as rape, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, police said."

The New York Times had more on the incident in an article published on June 15. Capers had a 6-year-old son and was engaged to be married.

An antiques roadshow on East 12th Street

@jessnepom shares this photo of the old-timey cars lined up along East 12th Street this morning for the "Boardwalk Empire" shoot...

Meanwhile, Off the Grid stopped by the set yesterday on East 12th Street for a few photos...

Previously.

Looking for a few good landlords

A newer EVG reader writes:

I'm looking for a studio in the neighborhood, and don't want to make any mistakes with slumlords or anything like that...I've been through that already.

Are you familiar with some of the better, or more reputable, rental agencies/realtors in the East Village? Any words of wisdom on real estate agencies/realtors in the East Village with above-average reputations?

Hmm. Good question. It seems as if people know about some of more, uh, vilified landlords or real-estate companies... Anyone want to share any positive experiences with any particular landlord(s)? Maybe one on a quiet block!

[Corny image via Getty]

East Fifth Street residents discover they are now part of the 9300 Realty family

Speaking of well-known landlords... a resident passes along this information... notices that arrived late last week at 325 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...


[Click image to enlarge]

The notice posted in the building mentions there's a "new managing agent" for the building... the letter to individual residents in the building states that there is a new owner ... and the "lease and security deposit" have been assigned to "the new owner."

In both cases, the new landlord is 9300 Realty (owned by the notorious Croman Realty). The Village Voice put Steve Croman on their 10 Worst Landlords List a few years back, and the paper outlined his usual tactics: "badgering phone calls, endless lawsuits, and leaning on already hard-pressed tenants."

This article on tenant-landlord issues from the Times a few years ago specially addresses a tenant trying to get a security deposit back from Croman Realty.

In any event, we'll see what transpires here...

Summertime in New York City: The East Village 1991

In honor of the first official day of summer... a video titled "Summertime in New York City: The East Village 1991."



Here's the description via YouTube:

The Lower East side, 1991, NYC. I weep when I see this. I used to live here. 13th street between B and C. With Khusenaton, on flute. I see him step right in here, he used to do that when I read. Intense, beautiful fantastic. Dead. He died that winter. I can remember the way he used to say, "here comes James." "Hardcore. too deep." A beautiful human being. He told the truth, and was my friend. It seems long ago, and like yesterday.

H/T to Neighborhoodr for first posting this video several weeks ago.

Here's one of the towers at St. Brigid's

Workers removed more of the tarp/netting on St. Brigid's yesterday... showing the work under way on the tower on the East Eighth Street side of the church...



Photos by Bobby Williams.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A reader offers details about the restoration of St. Brigid's

Mystery digging at 35 Cooper Square

Yesterday, Curbed noted that the backhoe was back at the year-long vacant lot at 35 Cooper Square... We checked it out ourselves... the worker(s) had left for the day...

...there's now just a shallow grave hole of sorts in the southeast corner near the Standard East Village... There aren't any work permits posted or on file with the DOB, so we don't have any idea what is going on here...



Any guesses?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Toy excavator spotted at 35 Cooper Square

Noted

On Avenue B, Fu Sushi is advertising its 4th Annual Naked Sushi Party. Have no idea when it is. If you do find out, then please let me know. I'll go as long as it's not the same night as the First Annual Naked Pizza Night at Papa John's.

Previously (if you wish).

Noted

EVG regular William Klayer spotted these flyers plastered all along Avenue A this evening... we called the number, but no one answered...

Free iced things tomorrow

From the EV Grieve inbox... from S'MAC

Since Wednesday, June 20th, is the first day of summer, we decided to ring in the hot weather with free iced coffee or iced tea at our First Park location. Come swing by our kiosk to get a refreshing iced drink!

P.S. - this offer is available only at the First Park Cafe (which opens at 7 a.m.) and not at our 12th Street restaurant.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition

[Muzzarella Pizza on Avenue A]

Jeremiah works up the nerve to finally look at the "Tribute to Mars Bar" at Blue & Cream; wishes he hadn't (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Activity at 35 Cooper Square (Curbed)

Robbery at the Delancey Street Duane Reade (BoweryBoogie)

The "current king of downtown nightlife" joining the team developing 199 Bowery (Eater)

The Bowery of a 1932 painting (Ephemeral New York)

Meet the new Parks & Rec Commissioner (Runnin' Scared)

Interview with LES photographer Vivienne Gucwa (Digital Journal via The Lo-Down)

Auditioning to be a CBGB biopic extra (Connect Savannah)

Attorney Stanley Cohen, with offices on Avenue D, indicted on tax-evasion charges (Syracuse.com)

...and EVG reader Robbie passes along this shot of film crews prepping at John's of 12th Street for the "Boardwalk Empire" shoot...

From wigs to veggies on East 14th Street

For the past few months, we noticed that the Royal Wigs shop was never open on East 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... sure enough, in recent weeks, a few readers have spotted workers inside gutting the space... such as this one via LvV...



...and from Dave of 14th Street...



Dave said that it has been on the block the 15 years he has lived nearby ...

Before getting into history ... as for the future: A tipster tells us that it will be a vegetarian restaurant selling items that include wraps and sushi.

As for the past... like, Dave, it seems like the place has always been there. Does anyone know any of the store's history?

We came across an alt.rock country band called The Royal Wigs, who took their name from the store. According to the band's bio, the store "was frequented by such famous NYC denizens as Lou Reed, the New York Dolls, and Vivienne Westwood." Not sure about the merits of these claims ... though we like the thought of, say, Arthur Kane rummaging around in here one day years back ...

In any event, the storefront was always photogenic ... Here's a shot by Goggla...



...and via LuciaM on Panoramio...