The former Café Charbon will become a sports bar 'with an emphasis on value'

As we reported from the CB3/SLA meeting back in January, the team behind The Stumble Inn, Off the Wagon, Gin Mill, Jake's Dilemma, Down the Hatch and The 13th Step are taking over Café Charbon on the corner of Orchard and Stanton Streets. The CB3/SLA committee unanimously approved the transfer.

Yesterday, BoweryBoogie noted that Café Charbon is now closed.

The new owners provided a few details about their plans for the space during the January CB3/SLA meeting: It will be a full-service tavern open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. The French doors will close at 10 p.m. There will be $1 drafts at happy hour, a private party room and DJs on occasion (no dancing, though).

Yesterday, we asked Michael Asch, one of the two senior co-owners of the 13th Step and its sibling bars, for more about their plans for the former Café Charbon.

They hope to be open in September or October after "a face lift."

"We will be a sports bar, pub and grill, serving burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc., with an emphasis on value — both on the food as well as liquor," he said.

And how about a name, given the ruckus about the 13th Step?

"We are also planning to be sensitive to to the community as far as a name is concerned," he said.

Big Pink owner wants to meet the neighbors

Several residents have pointed out that the proprietor looking to secure a liquor license for the former Company Bar and Grill space on East 10th Street is looking to meet his potential new neighbors.

The applicant, Avi Burnbaum, has listed two different time blocks to meet at the Bean on First Avenue and East Ninth Street ... and if these don't work, he'll make arrangements for another time.

As we've previously pointed out, paperwork filed ahead of Monday's CB3/SLA committee meeting includes an extensive "good neighbor plan" to show how Big Pink will work to keep things quiet outside the establishment.

It's noteworthy because we can't recall an applicant in recent years going to such lengths to talk with residents before a CB3/SLA meeting. (Read more about the plans for the space here.)

The CB3/SLA meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Looking at the slim August CB3/SLA agenda: Heathers up for renewal; Plump Dumpling wants beer and wine

The CB3/SLA docket is now live... and it's pretty lean — 16 items in all.

And, for people curious about a new place from Mars Bar owner Hank Penza, there's nothing on this agenda that fits that description ...

The meeting is next Monday at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence - 200 East 5th Street at Bowery

And now a few of the items of interest:

Renewals with complaints
• Heathers, (Ariel, Inc) 506 E 13 st (op)

Heathers went before the CB3/SLA committee in September 2009 ... and there was a lengthy discussion. The Times checked in with a lengthy article in January 2007 about the ongoing noise issues between the bar and neighbors.

Owner Heather Millstone opened Veronica People's Club in Greenpoint last summer.

Applications within Resolution Areas
• St. Marks Red House, TDD & G LLC, 126 St Marks Pl (wb)

The former Why? Curry space ... now Lychee... soon to be called The East Village Red House. We'll have more on this one later.

Alterations/Upgrades
• Preserve 24 (Aegis Holding Houston LLC), 175-177 E. Houston St (alt/op)

• BOP (Peels) Radley Realty Corp, 325 Bowery (alt,reorg)

New Liquor License Applications
• Plump Dumpling (Big Dumpling Corp), 174 2nd Ave (op)

The Plumpsters, who brought in Yummy House, are looking to serve alcohol ...

• Basketball City, Ark Basketball City Corp, Pier 36 at 299 South St (op)

Wow. This one will whip up some drama. This is the former Office of Emergency Management ... The Lo-Down has background on this controversial rec center...

• TBD, Asian Chef Express Inc, 96 3rd Ave (wb)

• TBD, Ichibantei LLC, 401 E 13th St (wb)

This is the the eatery that serves a range of Japanese "soul food" just east off First Avenue ...

• Hot Kitchen (Hot Kitchen Inc ), 104 2nd Ave (wb)

This is the former Matsukado ... that closed six months after taking over the old Baluchi's space ... Hot Kitchen? Perhaps this will be the "modern Australian" place from Morgan McGlone, the former private chef and caterer on the Upper East Side?

• Quality Meats Downtown (Mozzarella Sticks LLC), 199 Bowery (op)

BoweryBoogie has the scoop on what's in the works for this place.

CB3/SLA rejects application for music venue at 34 Avenue A

We've been writing about the plans to turn 34 Avenue A into a music venue in "the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic" the past few weeks.

Tonight, partners Todd P. and Phil Hartman made their case before the CB3/SLA committee.

While we weren't at the meeting, EV Grieve reader and frequent commenter RyanAvenueA was in attendance ... he just passed along word that the CB3/SLA committee rejected the application for the space.

Per Ryan: "There was tons of heated debate. You've never seen a more prepared bunch present to the board."

Residents on the northern stretch of Avenue A also spoke out against a license for 34 Avenue A.

Committee members Herman Hewitt, David McWater and Ariel Palitz voted in favor of the proposal. However, there were four no's lead by committee chair Alexandra Militano.

We're sure there will be a lot more about this tomorrow...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Phil Hartman bringing a 'performance venue' back to former Mo Pitkin's space

[Updated] Bringing 'the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic' to 34 Avenue A

Because you want to know more about the plans for 34 Avenue A

Your CB3/SLA agenda for September: A renewal for Heather's; a new bar for the Coop?

The CB3/SLA Licensing Committee agenda is now out (thought not yet online) ... the meeting is Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at Bowery.

Not the juiciest of agendas as far as juicy agendas go ... here's a look at some of the East Village-related items... we'll have more on some of these later... (And, for people curious about a new place from Mars Bar owner Hank Penza, there's nothing on this agenda that fits that description.) ...

Renewal with Complaint History
• Heather's (Ariel Inc), 506 E 13 St (op)

This was a scratch from last month's docket. Heathers went before the CB3/SLA committee in September 2009 ... and there was a lengthy discussion. The Times checked in with a lengthy article in January 2007 about the ongoing noise issues between the bar and neighbors.

• Amsterdam Billiards & Bar (Corner Billiards Corp), 110 E 11th St (op)

Always classy!



Applications within Resolution Areas

• Yankee Pizza Restaurant Inc, 181 Ave C aka 647 E 11th St (wb)

Part of the growing Yankee Deli empire.

• Cornerstone Café (AO Café & Restaurant LLC), 17 Ave B (wb)

The newish cafe at Second Street that was once La Bonne Bouffe.

Alterations/Upgrades

• Diablo Royale (East Village Café & Restaurant LLC), 167 Ave A (alt/op)

• Hea Hea Bar & Restaurant (Friend Tri New York Inc), 145 E 13th St aka 106 3rd Ave (alt/op)

• Heartbreak Restaurant (Christos Restaurant LLC), 29 E 2nd St aka 37 2nd Ave (up/op)

New Liquor License Applications

• Cooper Square Hotel (CooperAB LLC), 25-33 Cooper Sq (op)

Hmmm... a new bar for the Coop?

• Ichibantei LLC, 401 E 13th St (wb)

The octopus ball eatery just east off First Avenue. Anyone ever eat here?

• Ciao for Now, 521-523 E 12th St (wb)

Key:
b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations | trans=transfer | up=upgrades

It wouldn't be a CB3/SLA meeting without a Superdive scratch!

In the last six months, Superdive has been on the CB3/SLA agenda five times for a transfer, alteration, etc. ... and each time, the Superdivers have been a scratch... the keg-tappin' gang is now off tonight's agenda too...

They need to go for nine!

Sick nine times? sound bite  Ferris Bueller's Day Off sound bites

Seriously, though, I asked Superdive officials what is happening... when I last checked in with them, they were at the beach... Via e-mail:

... at the beach right now in fact!
Still undecided in regards to landlord's generous buyout proposal (he really wants a neighborhood restaurant for space)... adjourned till September. Got to roll, surf is calling!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another month, another Superdive scratch; Plus, Avenue A bars give it another go tonight

Superdive not going 5 for 5 this CB3/SLA meeting

Breaking: "Fear not — the SUPERDIVE sign burns brightly!"

Incoming: Gala on 3rd Avenue, Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on 1st Avenue

Here's a quick look at two more of the applicants on this month's CB3-SLA meeting agenda...

---



A Chinese restaurant called Gala is in the works for the former Blue 9 Burger space at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The applicants are seeking a beer-wine license. The questionnaire (find it at the CB3 website here) lists 15 tables accommodating 30 guests along with a five-seat bar. The proposed hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday-Thursday; until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The CB3-SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton.

---

We got a partial reveal back in April at what's coming to the under-renovation 130 First Ave., the former Rainbow Music just south of St. Mark's Place.



According to the application on the CB3 website (PDF here), the owners of Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst are opening an outpost on First Avenue.

The paperwork shows a restaurant with seven tables seating 20 guests with proposed daily hours of 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The applicants were on the agenda for the June 11 SLA committee meeting (a beer-wine license), though they were not required to appear before the board.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Rainbow Music shop will be a Chinese restaurant

Soothsayer has been closed lately; owners seeking an upgrade to full liquor

[Photo Sunday by Steven]

Several readers passed along word that brown paper appeared in the windows of Soothsayer, the Vietnamese restaurant at 171 Avenue A, early last week. There wasn't any accompanying note on the door/windows or on social media about a temporary closure. (Soothsayer was closed last week and through the weekend.)

However, someone posted paperwork on the front door about CB3's SLA committee meeting this month, where reps for Soothsayer will appear to upgrade to a full liquor license as well as a license for the rear garden. (You can find their paperwork for the October meeting at the CB3 website.)

The restaurant between 10th Street and 11th Street, run by siblings Stephan and Kimxuan Brezinsky who grew up in Stuy Town, opened back in January.

In July 2015, Soothsayer upset a few neighbors after asking for support for a full liquor license and use of the back patio. Soothsayer reportedly withdrew its application at the July 2015 CB3/SLA meeting.

In September 2015, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license without use of the outdoor space. The proprietors also agreed to hours of 5:30 p.m. to midnight during the week, with opening hours of noon on Saturday and Sunday.

The October SLA committee meeting is Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming restaurant on Avenue A asking residents to rally for their liquor license and back patio (42 comments)

That time again: May's CB3/SLA agenda includes 34 Avenue A (again); new home for Gruppo Pizza

[34 Avenue A]

Seriously, didn't we just do this? Well, CB3 released its meetings rundown for May, including the CB3/SLA docket...

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, May 14 at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at Bowery

As always at this point, we don't know a lot about some of the new applicants just yet... Have a tip about any of these? Please let us know via the EV Grieve email ... Here are a few of interest... the whole agenda is here.

Renewal with Complaint History
• Boiler Room (JB Max Inc), 86 E 4th St (op)

• Ninth Ward (Church & Louis Inc), 180 2nd Ave (op)

• Numero 28 (La Meridiana 2 Ltd), 176 2nd Ave (wb)

• The 13th Step (149 Second Ave Rest Inc), 149 2nd Ave (op)

Sidewalk Café Application
• Nicoletta (Letta #1 LLC), 160 2nd Ave

• Cornerstone Café (AO Café and Restaurant LLC), 17 Ave B

Applications within Resolution Areas
• To be Determined, 34 Ave A (wb)

A scratch from last month... Here we go again with this space, seemingly doomed to any applicant since Aces & Eights held the liquor license... As you probably know, CB3 has rejected all the recent plans for a bar-restaurant-performance space here. Will this be any different? The applicant is only vying for beer and wine...

[Ah the memories! 98 Avenue B a few years ago...]

• Pizza Grupo (Fat Dog Inc), 98 Ave B (wb/removal from 186 Ave B)

Layalay, the B&T hookah hotspot on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh, got shutdown in October 2009. We've seen workers renovating the space... Pizza Grupo will be moving into here one of these days...

• Babel, 129 Ave C (op)

Alterations
• The Standard East Village (Cooper AB LLC), 25-33 Cooper Sq (op/close 2nd floor bar terrace/new outdoor space on north/alter hours/other alts)

Held over from last month. Read about the Hotel's plans here.

• To be Determined, 137 1st Ave (wb)

• Shervin's World Inc, 131 E 7th St (wb)

• Paulaner Brauhaus Restaurant LLC, 265-267 Bowery (op)

BoweryBoogie had the scoop on the German-based Paulaner Brewery aiming to open a beer hall just south of Houston.

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)
• Moonwalkers Restaurant Corp, 101 Ave A (op)

This is the Pyramid... continue to hear rumblings about its future...

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations |up=upgrades

CB3/SLA September highlights: Mee Noodle Shop, Russ & Daughters and HiFi

CB3 released its September meetings rundown back on Friday... here's a look at the always-popular booze portion with the CB3/SLA committee...

First! The meeting info:
SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 pm — University Settlement Neighborhood Center, 189 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton.

More info will eventually roll in about some of these projects ahead of the meeting... meaning for now, we don't know much about some of these...

Applicant's name follow by current owner if applicable

Renewal with Complaint History

• Caffe Prosciutteria (Ballaro Inc), 77 2nd Ave (wb)

• Heathers (Ariel Inc), 506 E 13th St (op)

• The DL/Dinner on Ludlow (93 Ludlow St Inc), 95 Delancey St (op)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• HiFi (Patty McCarthy Inc), 169 Ave A (alt/op/ windows, interior alt, extend license to backyard)

• Table 12 (188 Ave A Takeout Food), 188 Ave A (wb) (aka 500 E 12th St)

• Papaya King (PKNY II LLC), 3 St Marks Pl (b)

The Papaya Kingers were turned down for a beer license back in May. According to CB3 documents, the St. Mark's Block Association and 8 St. Mark's Tenants' Association submitted letters and testimony in opposition to this application.

• Mikes Burgers & Bar (BAC 115 Corp), 115 St Marks Pl (upgrade/op)

• Flinders Lane LLC, 162 Ave A (op)

This is the address for The Beagle on Avenue A... a tipster told us earlier in the year that the place was quietly for sale. Perhaps they found a buyer.

• Brownstone Lounge and Grill, 240 E 4th St (op) (aka 50 Ave B)

Looks like a new venture for the Affaire space, which closed last month.

• East Village Tavern (Sweendog All Stars Inc), 158 Ave C (op)

Alterations

• Cafe Khufu (Cafe Khufu LLC), 61 E 3rd St (wb/change in hours)

New Liquor License Applications

• Mee Noodle Shop (Mee Enterprise Inc), 223 1st Ave (wb)

Returning to the East Village one of these days...

• Confessional (Kingfish Group LLC), 308 E 6th St (op)

This space east of Second Avenue has been on the market in recent months.

• Caravan of Dreams (The House of Health Healing & Happiness Inc), 405 E 6th St (upgrade/op)



• To be Determined, 269 E Houston St (op)

Again, again, again.

• Bistro Jules (Bistro Jules Management Inc), 65 St Marks Pl (wb)

• Figaro Bistro Grill (La Pasta Presto Grill Inc), 344 E 6th St (op)

• Milosun Sushi Inc, 141 1st Ave (wb)

Looks like a new concept for this carousel of an address... most recently Ippin.

• Russ & Daughters Cafe (Fourthgen LLC), 127 Orchard St (op)

Interesting! A cafe from the legendary Russ & Daughters around the corner. But! Per the Lo-Down: "We checked in with R&D management and were advised that there’s really nothing to say just yet."

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b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

Why Diablo Royale Este is back open

Diablo Royale was back open for business this past weekend on Avenue A ...

The Mexican-style cantina had been closed for renovations, according to the sign on the door...

(We noticed that someone had removed the sign the following day.)

On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of some neighbors since it opened in May 2010. According to the State Liquor Authority (SLA), the bar's license expired on Nov. 30.

However, they are back open for the time being. Under the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA), bar-restaurant owners can continue serving alcohol for four months while the SLA hears their appeal to have their liquor license renewed.

Earlier this year, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.

[Top photos by Shawn Chittle]

CB3/SLA January highlights include new projects from Alex Stupak and John McDonald; plus a new applicant for 50 Avenue B

Community Board 3 has released its meeting schedule for the month… here's a look at the SLA Licensing Committee docket…

But first! The meeting is Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. … at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery…

To date, not much is known about some of these applicants … so we'll just have to randomly speculate! (Like usual!) Anyway, to some East Village-related highlights from the agenda…


[132 St. Mark's Place]

Applications within Saturated Areas

• To be Determined, 132 St Marks Pl (op)
Empellón chef Alex Stupak plans to open his third restaurant at this location. The Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October.

• Swauto Ltd, 25 Ave A (op/alt/convert part of basement to lounge with additional bar)
Looks like 2A has some expansion plans…

• To be Determined, 511 E 6th St (op)
This is the former Identity Bar and Lounge, which closed back in October.

• Wafels & Dinges (Degeest LLC), 15 Ave B (wb)

• Love Craft, Johnny Favorite's (Sunrise Shadow LLC), 240 E 4th St (aka 50 Ave B) (op)
There appears to be a new player interested in the former Affaire space on Avenue B… some residents weren't too keen on the previous applicant who wanted to open Brownstone Bar and Grill.

Paperwork on file at the CB3 website lists the applicant as Mario Yagubi, owner of a boxing promotional group, as well as 1849 Restaurant, Bar and Parlor on Bleecker Street.

Here is a promotional flyer for 1849's weekend dance parties:



Alterations
• Everyman Espresso LLC, 136 E 13th St (wb/include alcohol service in theater)



• Brazen Fox Kitchen & Craft Beer (106 3rd Ave NYC Inc), 106 3rd Ave (aka 145 E 13th St) (op/2nd Fl outdoor deck in back)
The new bar-restaurant at East 13th Street … we recall that some neighbors had issues with the previous tenant, Friend House… we attended a CB3/SLA meeting where residents complained about late-night noise from the second-floor bar … but those were different operators, of course …

New Liquor License Applications

• 9 East First Street LLC, 9 E 1st St (upgrade to op)
The former Veselka Bowery space. Eater and Grub Street previously reported that restaurateur John McDonald signed a lease for a steakhouse/oyster place here. This was a scratch from a previous month.

• To be Determined, 325 Bowery (op)
This is the address of Peels… wonder what's going on here… the building was sold last summer for more than $9 million.

• Il Posto Accanto (And Another One Inc), 190 E 2nd St (op)

• Farfasha (Entrez Bar & Grill Inc), 162 2nd Ave (upgrade to op)

• Feast (Two Guize LLC), 102 3rd Ave (upgrade to op)

• Moonstruck (88 2nd Ave Food Corp), 88 2nd Ave (op)

• Robataya (America Ootoya Inc), 231 E 9th St (upgrade to op)

• Mei E Iron Sushi 38 Inc, 212 E 10th St (wb)

• To be Determined, 600 E 14th St (op)
Hmmm… this is AlphaBet Cafe at Avenue B, which has had problems of late with gas and the DOH… appears something new is in the works here.

• 279 E Houston Corp, 279 E Houston St (wb)
This is a vacant storefront between Suffolk and Clinton that last housed some kind of boutique, right?

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b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

The May CB3-SLA docket: The Living Room back on for E. 2nd St.; more pizza for 1st Avenue

It's another action-packed CB3-SLA committee docket for May... CB3 released it early yesterday evening...

First! The time and place:

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, May 20 at 6:30pm — University Settlement Neighborhood Center
189 Allen Street (btwn Houston & Stanton Sts) (north of main entrance)

And now, a few of the highlights...

Sidewalk Cafe Application
• Heart N' Soul Restaurant (Mama's Bar LLC), 200 E 3rd St (unenclosed)

What replaced Mama's here back in March at Avenue B...

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Donostia (EV Cafe LLC), 155 Ave B (wb)

Interesting. This is the former Zee's Pet Shop next to Sheen Brother's ... asking rent had been $2,500.

• East Village Social (TDDG Inc), 122-126 St Marks Pl (op)

• Ludlow House (Soho-Ludlow Inc), 139 Ludlow St (op)

Previously.

• Papaya King (PKNY2 LLC), 3 St Marks Pl (wb)

Beer for the King?

• Zen 6 Ramen New York LLC, 186 Ave A (wb)

Looks like some ramen at the former Kamui Den ... they closed back in February.

Alterations

[Photo by esquared™]

• Affaire (Chow Main Corp), 50 Ave B (alt/op/additional stand-up bar)

Asking for an upgrade to full liquor.

New Liquor License Applications
• The Living Room (ACP Project), 173 E 2nd St (op)

Back on the agenda. Read the background here.

• Han Dynasty (Han Dynasty NYU Corp), 90 3rd Ave (wb)

• Goats (Goat Brothers Inc), 213 2nd Ave (op)

Currently Nightengale Lounge.

• Risotteria Melotti (Melotti USA LLC), 309 E 5th St (wb)

This is what is taking over the short-lived Ballaro Bakery near the 9th Precinct...

• Masombrado LLC, 432 E 13th St (op)

Someone is quickly moving into the former Masak space...

• Bruno Pizza LLC, 223 1st Ave (op)

WOW. Someone is quickly moving into the former Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery space... and this will make THREE pizza places almost right in a row here... (And maybe this is a pizzeria from Bruno di Fabio? Just throwing it out there...)

• Everyman Espresso (Everyman Espresso LLC), 136 E 13th St (wb)

Beer and wine to woo back Katie Holmes? Or at least have to serve before and after plays at the Classic Stage Company...

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)
• Fat Buddha (Lo Eng Inc), 212 Ave A (op)

• Mama's Food Shop (Mama Bar LLC), 34 Ave B (op)

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

CB3/SLA October highlights: Artichoke taking over the Hat; taker for Max Fish & Motor City spaces

The big news from the October CB3/SLA committee meeting agenda is that Artichoke Pizza has designs on taking over neighborhood staple El Sombrero (aka The Hat) on Stanton and Ludlow. CB3 released the agenda last evening.

BoweryBoogie quickly reported the following:

We spoke with the Mexican restaurant and confirmed that the Hat, on the block since 1984, is indeed set to close. However, the Artichoke deal is reportedly not yet finalized. Apparently the owner has, in so many words, had enough and simply decided to cash out the business.

Sad but not surprising news... going back to Jeremiah Moss' post in February, in which he spoke with Regina Bartkoff, a waitress at The Hat since 1988.

"The rent has been steadily going up and they have a lease for a few more years, but in 2012 we took a nose dive. We have been losing our regular customers steadily, due to them not being able to pay the rents on the LES and being forced out. It just keeps going down."

We asked Bartkoff via Facebook last night for an update. She said she originally heard that they'd close in November. But the end will likely come sooner. "I think it's just the last days and I'm going down with the ship."

On the topic of Ludlow Street mainstays closing ... there is an application on the agenda for the Max Fish space. Not much is known right this moment about the mystery applicant:

• To be Determined, 178 Ludlow St (op)

Know anything about the applicant? Let us know via the EVG email.

Updated 10:18

Oh! And there's also a taker for the former Motor City space. Missed that on the first pass. (H/T The Lo-Down!)

Here's the info for now on that:

• JMDR 127 Ludlow LLC, 127 Ludlow St (op)

As for the meeting:

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, October 7 at 6:30 pm and 8:30pm (two sessions)
Community Board 3 Office - 59 East 4th Street

We'll take a look at the rest of the agenda later...

[Image via]

On the CB3-SLA docket: New operators for East Village classic Lucy's on Avenue A

With reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated: 5/6 — the applicant has withdrawn the application for the May CB3-SLA committee meeting.

The owners of Golden Age Hospitality, whose portfolio includes buzzy establishments like Le Dive, The Nines and Deux Chats, seek to take over Lucy's, the decades-old East Village favorite that has been closed since late November. 

According to public records, Golden Age reps are on Community Board 3's SLA committee meeting docket for May. To date, only the application is online. The questionnaire, which includes more details about the method of operation, has yet to be posted. 

Multiple tipsters have told us that Golden Age Hospitality's Jon Neidich was a big fan of Lucy's and was interested in buying the bar. (We're told Neidich once lived in the apartments above the bar at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.)

During several conversations in February, Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that she had many potential suitors for the bar and may have a role in the new incarnation. 

Neidich did not respond to previous emails about taking over Lucy's. We also contacted Golden Hospitality partner Craig Atlas, whose name appears on the CB3 application. We also have not reached Lucy, who has owned her namesake bar since 1987, this spring. (Her home phone does not have an answering machine, and we have not seen her at the bar in more than six weeks.) 

Meanwhile, there has been some activity inside the bar... in recent weeks someone has been stacking boxes and cleaning...

As we first reported, attorneys for the building's new landlord served her with a 30-day Notice of Termination in early February with a demand to vacate the space by the end of the month. 

Her lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord. Lucy told us that her last rent was $8,000 per month, and the new landlord, as of late December (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC), is asking for $25,000, though there might be some willingness to negotiate. 

The bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) has been closed since November when some paperwork issues forced what was to be a temporary closure.

From February: Lucy with Avenue A bookseller Jen Fisher. (Photo by Stacie Joy) 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Exclusive: Lucy discusses the future of her iconic East Village bar

Residents seeking to block the Cock from moving into the former Lit Lounge space on 2nd Avenue

[EVG file photo]

As we noted last week, there is a new tenant seeking a liquor license for the former Lit Lounge space at at 93 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street.

Turns out the Cock is looking to move up Second Avenue from its current home between East First Street and East Second Street. They are on this month's CB3 SLA committee meeting docket.

Meanwhile, there's already opposition — via the the East Fifth Street Block Association — forming to block the Cock…



This will not be the first time that the Cock has faced unhappy residents. Last fall, the Cock was looking to move from Second Avenue to 25 Avenue B, home at the time of Idle Hands. The Cock reportedly decided to withdraw when it became clear that the SLA committee was going to issue a denial.

Lit Lounge quietly closed at the end of July after 13 years at 93 Second Ave.

The August CB3 SLA committee meeting is Monday at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Lit Lounge is closing on 2nd Avenue

Reports: Prep school teacher arrested for having sex with 16-year-old girl in bathroom at Lit Lounge

Updated: Lower Avenue B residents concerned over proposed new bar-restaurant

A restaurant called Brownstone Bar & Grill is on this month's CB3/SLA docket to take over the space last held by Affaire, the French bistro and lounge, which closed at 50 Avenue B last August. (Brownstone, whose CB3 application lists a menu of "Caribbean/Southern food," was originally on last month's docket ... but was a scratch.)

And Brownstone's possible arrival has sparked concerned neighbors to join forces to possibly speak out against a liquor license for the address. There are now flyers hanging in buildings and along Avenue B.

According to the flyer:

Help Stop a New Rowdy Late-night Club from Opening in Our Neighborhood!

We’ve all worked together for several years to force the closure of several late-night clubs that severely degraded the quality of life in our neighborhood. It’s been a long, hard struggle. The last one, Affaire, closed at the end of this summer. Now someone new wants to re-open a boisterous club in that location (50 Avenue B, near East 4th Street.)

We can’t let that happen! All that we’ve worked hard for and accomplished is risk!

WHAT’S BEING PROPOSED:

• The new occupant wants to operate a club for up to 200 people that will stay open until 2 a.m. on Mon.-Wed. nights, and until 4 a.m. on Thurs.-Sun. nights.

• The place will be known as Brownstone Bar and Grill. It plans to feature 8 video screens, play recorded music both as background and as “entertainment”, and host special events.

WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE TO YOU?

Le Souk and Carne vale all over again!

WHAT’S NEXT:

Community Board 3’s SLA and DCA Licensing Committee will be considering an application by the operator for a liquor license at their next meeting – that will be our time to show up and speak out! You can read the full application here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Show up at the CB3 Committee meeting to express your opinion and stand up together with each other – Mon. Oct. 7th at 6:30 p.m., at CB3’s offices, 59 E. 4th St. (between 2nd Ave. and the Bowery.)

• Write a letter to CB3 to express your opinion on this matter. Be sure to personalize it, and to talk about your experiences with such places as a neighborhood resident. You can send it to the office, or email it to info@cb3manhattan.org

Neighbors are meeting with Brownstone reps on Thursday night. Here are details on that:

Thursday Oct. 3 @ 7:30 p.m.

535 E. 5th Street (bet. Aves. A & B) in the ground floor Community Room

Hosted by the East 4th St. Block Association

Come meet and ask questions of the operators

Some neighbors here between Fourth Street and Third Street still shudder at the mere mention of Le Souk, which finally closed in 2009 after a lengthy battle with the SLA. (Of course, there were those various mystery parties at the space in recent years.)

Some residents fear a return to the bonkerish partygoing along here last seen in 2004-2006... a stretch that Eater dubbed "Hellmouth" back in 2006.

The Ninth Ward plotting its return to 180 2nd Avenue after 8 years

The Ninth Ward closed its doors after service at 180 Second Ave. on Feb. 14, 2016. 

At the time, the owners of the New Orleans-themed bar, Nic Ratner and Robert Morgan, expected to return to the retail space — hopefully in late 2018 — after a gut renovation of the building between 11th Street and 12th Street. 

Fast-forward eight-plus years and the Ninth Ward is reapplying for a liquor license for the address. Reps will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight. 

According to their questionnaire on the CB3 website:

The scheduled renovations were planned to take 18 months, but almost immediately ran into complications. Unfortunately, due to the landlord's inexperience, construction delays, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has now dragged on for nearly a decade. 

The liquor license for Ninth Ward, in safe keeping with the SLA, was renewed on two occasions during the construction. In the third attempt to renew the license, it was cancelled as simply too much time had passed with the business being closed. 

Ratner and Morgan opened a Ninth Ward in London in 2017.

As for the building at No. 180, workers finally removed the scaffolding, plywood, and sidewalk obstructions in February.

And after all that, the building is on the sales market for $12.5 million.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) According to public records, an LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

Tonight's CB3-SLA meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here. This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.  

[Updated] Williamsburg Pizza vying for East Village location on 14th Street

Updated: This item has been withdrawn from this month's agenda.

The owners of the popular Williamsburg Pizza have designs on opening an outpost at 226 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

And they're on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license...



A pizzeria in this spot makes sense, as the most recent tenant was the rather blah Krust, which closed in January after seven years at the address.

I haven't confirmed this yet, but it looks as if the WP team will be taking the small vacant space next door as well. The questionnaire at the CB3 website shows 9 tables here seating 24 people, plus counter space for eight along the east-facing wall. (Krust wasn't all that large.)

The proposed hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the week, with extended hours Thursday through Saturday night.

If all goes well, then this will make the latest Williamsburg Pizza location... joining the original out on Union Avenue and the one on Broome Street on the LES. (Chef/owner Nino Coniglio also makes pizza at 310 Bowery.)

The pizzeria has plenty of fans (for example). And a few years back New York magazine gave them the Best Slice Joint nod.

Williamsburg Pizza is one of the applicants to appear before CB3's SLA committee this coming Monday. Part two of the October SLA committee meeting takes place at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The festivities start at 6:30.

On the CB3-SLA docket this month: Applicants for the former Cock space on 2nd Avenue

There are a few items of interest to note on CB3's SLA committee docket this month.

Among them: There are applicants seeking a new liquor license for 29 Second Ave. between First Street and Second Street. This is the former home of The Cock until the crew moved to the Lit Lounge space back in December.

There are not a lot of details on the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website.

The document shows proposed hours for the unnamed establishment as 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday-Friday, and noon to 4 a.m. on the weekend. Occupancy includes 18 tables that will seat 40 people... there's a menu that will feature specialty sandwiches.

While the applicants have not been licensed previously to sell liquor, the applicants have restaurant experience (Cafe Select in Soho, Toro in Chelsea, among them). One of the applicants is Maxx Starr, a co-owner of Fun City Tattoo, which opened at 94 St. Mark's Place back in 1989.

The October SLA committee meeting is Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.