The Russian & Turkish Baths are back open on 10th Street

Text and photos by Stacie Joy 

The heat is on just in time for the cold weather.

The Russian & Turkish Baths have reopened their doors at 268 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Established in 1892, the popular bathhouse has been closed since the pandemic's start in March 2020. They reopened yesterday. 

Partners and brothers (from left) Dmitry and Jack Shapiro gave me a tour of the newly remodeled and renovated space...

Here are the hours during this holiday weekend: 

• Christmas Day: 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

• Sunday/Boxing Day: 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. (9 a.m. until 2 p.m. men only; 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. coed). 

All patrons must be vaccinated and present proof of vaccination. Capacity, for now, is limited to 40.

Here's more info from the Russian & Turkish Baths website:

We will not be honoring prepaid admission passes or memberships at this time. We will reassess this policy in the New Year. Admission will be $50 per person.

Vaccination cards will be checked for all patrons. If you are not feeling well or are not vaccinated, you will not be allowed in the Baths. 

Dmitry and Jack's father, David, a longtime owner here, passed away in the spring of 2020. Boris Tuberman remains an owner ... and will still have the Boris weeks.

Dec. 25's opening shot

A recent arrival outside the Second Avenue F stop... a collaboration featuring @turtlecaps ... @chrisrwk ... @zeroproductivity ... @citykittystreet and @outersource ...

Anyway, anyhow, anywhere

 

Maybe a song you haven't heard 100000000x this season... from 2013, it's !!! with "And Anyway It's Christmas." 

He'll be coming through the air conditioner...

AC Santa is coming to town ... as seen on Fifth Street...

Another holiday visit with Frankie Christmas

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

We last checked in with the undisputed king of East Village Christmas, Frank “Frankie Christmas” Bianco, at this time last year. 

This year Bianco, a Brooklyn native who has lived here since 1980, welcomed us back to his winter wonderland apartment on Avenue D with an update on the lighting schedule...   

“This year, I shattered my previous record and was able to put up a total of 11,875 lights, about 1,500 more than last year. To finish by Dec. 1, I usually start decorating as soon as the Labor Day weekend finishes. For the last couple of months, it took me about 200 hours to complete each room in my apartment. I usually spend an hour or two each night of the week decorating and get the bulk of it done on the weekends, where I may spend up to eight hours decorating.”

What else is new?

“It’s a tradition to get at least a half dozen Christmas tattoos every year since moving down to the LES. I have 11 new snowflake tattoos and the Grinch’s hand holding an ornament. Similar to my Christmas tattoos, I always make sure to add a few new decorations to my apartment as well. I purchased a Christmas Tree from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world located in Frankenmuth, Mich., and my favorite new addition, a Swarovski 2021 snowflake ornament.” 

...and now take a tour...

 

What can we look forward to next year? 

“In 2022, I’m somehow putting up more lights than I did this year! It’ll be tough, but I’m confident I’ll be able to [string more than] 12,000 lights. I’ll also be returning to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland to find new additions to my collection, and most important spread the Christmas Spirit!”

Read our Q&A with Frankie from last year at this link. 

The end of the East River amphitheater

The demolition of East River Park below Stanton Street continues as part of the $1.45-billion East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR).

Social media posts show that workers have been focusing on the amphitheater in recent days.

"I saw some photos online of the amphitheater tragically getting gutted earlier this week, and I wanted to say goodbye before it was completely gone," EVG reader Shane Fleming told me in an email.

So yesterday around sunset, Shane went in for a closer look and shared the following photos. As you can see, the trees surrounding the amphitheater have been cut down, and the seats have also been removed. Only the bandshell remains for now.

"I spent many wonderful afternoons growing up at this amphitheater, and it's crushing to see it go like this," he said.

Here's some history of the amphitheater via the Parks Department website:

In 1941, an amphitheater was built in the park, along with an adjacent limestone recreational building, as part of an urban renewal project for the Lower East Side. During the 1950s, the amphitheater was the site of frequent free Evening-in-the-Park concerts. Joseph Papp (1921-1991), founder of Shakespeare in the Park and the Public Theater, staged Julius Caesar there in 1956. Local schools held their graduation ceremonies there, and the Group of Ancient Drama staged free-of-charge performances of classic Greek plays...

The city is to replace the existing structure with a smaller one at the exact location. (The currently gutted space could seat an estimated 2,500; based on the renderings, the new one looks to hold 400.) In June, the city came up with $4.83 million to include a roof over the new amphitheater. 

The city has previously estimated that all work will be completed in East River Park by the end of 2026.

Our previous post has more about what's been happening with ESCR to date. 

Thursday's parting shot

A moment on Seventh Street this week... thanks to Daniel Efram for sharing the photo...

Because you've always wanted to know what the inside of the long-empty 6 Avenue B looks like

Photos by Stacie Joy

The 6-story building on the NW corner of Avenue B and Houston has been empty/abandoned for years.

Recapping some of what we know (and have reported) about 6 Avenue B. The liquor store in the retail space closed when the owner passed away in 2009 at age 89. (Chico created the tribute to her in February 2010.) 

And as previously noted, this is one of the abandoned buildings owned by the estate of the mysterious team of Arthur and Abraham Blasof, now both deceased. 

In January 2013, workers were spotted hauling out some junk from the building...  in December 2014, bricks fell from the building, breaking the foot of a passerby, as the Lo-Down reported at the time. And an SUV took out part of the sidewalk bridge in November 2018.

And that sidewalk bridge has been up for YEARS. (Six? Seven?) 

However, there are newish work permits on file for the address, some related to the (AT&T?) antennas on the roof. Workers have been inside the building lately.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy looked inside the other day. In the photos below, you'll see the state of the place. 

"The old parquet wood floors are beautiful and the tile work is amazing," Stacie said. "Doubtful it will be preserved but it was something to see."

Former August Laura space is on the rental market; building on the auction block

For lease signs arrived yesterday on the retail space on the NE corner of Avenue A and Sixth Street...

As noted last week, the bar-restaurant August Laura closed here last week.

The retail listing, which doesn't mention many particulars, such as asking rent, is right here. 

Meanwhile, a separate listing here states the recently renovated building is on the auction block starting on Jan. 31. The minimum bid for 94-96 Avenue, with nine residential units and the retail space, is $4.8 million.
 

August Laura opened here in October 2019. They seemed to have more irregular hours over the last few months, rarely open at the advertised 4 p.m. hour. Their ample outdoor space, including sidewalk seating and streetside dining structures on Avenue A and Sixth Street, sat unused on pleasant summer and fall afternoons and early evenings. 

August Laura took over the space from EV institution Sidewalk, the restaurant bar and live music venue (home of the Antifolk Festival) that closed in February 2019 after 34 years.

Pini Milstein, who retired, was the principal owner of the building and the operator of the Sidewalk. According to public records, Penn South Capital paid $9.6 million for the property in March 2019. The building's new owners added a one-floor extension here in 2020.

Activity at the former St. Brigid School on Avenue B and 7th Street

The St. Brigid School on Avenue B and Seventh Street has sat empty for two-plus years, ever since classes ended for the summer in June 2019.

As we first reported in February 2019, the Archdiocese of New York announced that St. Brigid School would cease operations at the end of the current academic year, a move that blindsided students, parents, and faculty alike. Founded in 1856, the Saint Brigid School was one of seven city Catholic schools marked for closure by the Archdiocese.

Nearby residents are curious about what might happen to the two-level building and subsequent property — prime East Village real estate with views of Tompkins Square Park.

EVG reader Robert Miner recently saw workers removing classroom furniture during the day... with a crew painting the interior in the evening... 

Per Robert: "Not sure if they're sprucing it up for sale or a reopening — but at least it's unlikely they're moving towards demolition if they're putting in this effort."

There's nothing on file with the Department of Buildings indication any future development here. 

The Archdiocese has seen sales of more than $80 million for two former East Village churches in recent years.

Developer Douglas Steiner bought the former Mary Help of Christians property on Avenue A at 12th Street in 2012 from the Archdiocese of New York for $41 million. During the summer of 2013, workers demolished the church, school and rectory to make way for Steiner East Village, the block-long condoplex.

In March 2020, Gemini Rosemont, an L.A.-based real-estate investor, bought the former Church of the Nativity property on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street for $40 million. 

The Church of St. Brigid-St. Emeric (and the rectory) remain in use next door. The church was spared from the wrecking ball, reopening in January 2013 after a renovation.

1st sign of Raíz Modern Mexican on 1st Avenue

The signage arrived yesterday for Raíz Modern Mexican, coming soon to 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As previously noted, Raíz is a plant-based, fast-casual restaurant that will feature burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. 

No word on an opening date just yet. 

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

Bubbleology Tea has gone out of business on 1st Avenue

The East Village outpost of the London-based Bubbleology Tea chain has closed at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Steven shared these photos of the now-empty space, which closed without any notice... (apparently, this happened a few weeks back...)

The outpost opened in February 2019 in a crowded bubble-tea market.

Previously, the landlord here, convicted felon Steve Croman, didn't/wouldn't renew the lease of the International Bar ... which closed in November 2017 before merging with the Coal Yard, down the block.

RIP Molly.

Dec. 22's parting shot

Joe Strummer (aka John Graham Mellor) died on this day in 2002 at age 50. 

As always, a photo (from the other day) of Dr. Revolt's mural circa 2004 outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A. 

And now, enjoy this interview on CBS 2 with Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon from 1982...

 

EVG Etc.: Appreciating the photography of Alex Harsley; visiting a new Chinatown bookstore

Photo of a visiting Cooper's hawk in Tompkins Square Park by Steven 

• Staffing shortages temporarily shutter multiple CityMD sites, including the one on East 14th Street (The Associated Press)

• The latest on the rising number of positive COVID cases in NYC (NBC 4) 

• Teen who survived last Thursday's deadly fire in the Riis Houses recounts his journey to safety down the side of the building (Daily News ... previously on EVG) 

• Restaurant workers rally for better pay and benefits. It took place outside someplace that has done it right: La Palapa on St. Mark's Place, where owner Barbara Sibley pays a base salary of $15 an hour plus tips. "You can't put a value on morale," she told PIX 11. "Having a good morale and taking care of people is priceless." (PIX11 ... amNY) 

• An interview with Alex Harsley, the 83-year-old proprietor of 4th Street Photo Gallery (The Indypendent ... previously on EVG) 

• RIP Ed Higgins III, a longtime Ludlow Street resident and a founding member of the Rivington School collective (BoweryBoogie) 

• Remembering artist and curator Jenni Crain of the Gordon Robichaux gallery on Union Square West. She died from sudden complications related to COVID-19. She was 30. (Hyperallergic) 

• Yu and Me Books, a new bookstore in Chinatown at 44 Mulberry St., highlights works by immigrant authors (NPR) 

• An Amazon outage took out the Citi Bike system this morning (Gothamist) 

• Amelia and Christo keep busy in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• MANY people have asked if EVG knows what EV pizzeria is talking about in this Ryan Reynolds interview anecdote: "There's a pizza place in the East Village in New York that I've been going to for years. They believe I'm Ben Affleck and I've never corrected them." I have no idea! (NBC News)

RIP Robert J. Giurdanella

Robert J. Giurdanella, a fixture in this neighborhood where he was born and raised, died on Dec. 6. He was 89. 

He helped run family businesses Giurdanella Bros. Inc. on Bond Street and Bella Tiles, whose showroom on First Avenue at 11th Street closed in 2018 after 35 years in business. The warehouse remains around the corner on 11th Street. (The family also owns these buildings, among others in the neighborhood.)

Here are some passages from a colorful online obituary:

He was one of a kind and a true legend. He wanted things His Way. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra was his song. He was tough, yet compassionate. He was arrogant, yet humble. He liked to scream to get his point across (though always denied he was yelling), but he loved to laugh and smile more. 

He loved to be surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed nothing more than the holidays to visit with all our friends and have home-cooked meals. When he "helped" in the kitchen, he used no less than 4 bowls, 5 pots and pans, 20 utensils and 3 dish towels, not to mention the counter mess.

And...

While attending elementary and high school, he worked as a carpenter with his father and uncle at Giurdanella Bros. Inc. on 12th Street in Manhattan. Most notable to him was that he constructed incubators for the Board of Health so they could study snails. 

Robert loved photography and developed his own film in his own darkroom. He started Five Star Photos and was a wedding photographer for a couple of years. He also made Gold and Bronze shoes as mementos from baby shoes. When home on leave, he would hang out on 14th St & 3rd Ave with his friends. 

He is survived by his wife Ann (Fodera) Giurdanella of 64 years; children, Christine Giurdanella-Renzi and husband Peter Renzi, son, Carlo Giurdanella; grandchildren, Nicholas Anthony and wife Margaret (Thibadeau) Renzi, Alexandra Nicole Renzi, and Robert Jake Renzi.

Driver fleeing police charged in the hit-and-run death of delivery worker on Houston Street

The DA's office has indicted the hit-and-run driver who killed delivery worker Borkot Ullah as he crossed Houston Street at Clinton/Avenue B this past July.

According to the DA's office and published reports, 23-year-old Bronx resident Kenrick Cowan has been charged with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death without reporting, among other charges, for fatally striking Ullah. According to Streetsblog, who first reported on this indictment, the top charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Authorities said that Cowan was arrested last month by the NYPD's Bronx Warrants Squad for an unrelated shooting in the Bronx and was later charged with killing Ullah, who was 24.

Around 10 p.m. on July 8, an unmarked police car pursued Cowan. Per the DA's statement:

NYPD officers attempted to pull Cowan over for speeding and committing other traffic violations as he drove his Subaru Outback eastbound on East Houston Street ... Cowan led the police officers on a high-speed chase, weaved through traffic, and drove through a red light at the corner of East Houston and Clinton Streets, where he struck Ullah — who was riding his bicycle north on Clinton Street — and then fled the scene.

As Streetsblog previously reported, a police chase preceded the collision, though the NYPD declined to comment on the case. 

Ullah is reportedly one of 13 delivery workers who have died this year in NYC — with at least 10 in crashes while on the job.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. said this in a statement from this past Thursday:

"Today we remember Borkot Ullah, a young immigrant and workers' rights advocate who worked tirelessly to support his family here in New York City and in Bangladesh. Food delivery workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the City thanks to reckless drivers who tear through our streets. We are committed to ensuring accountability for drivers that kill or injure cyclists and pedestrians ..."

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $30,000 to help Ullah's family both here and in Bangladesh with expenses. His body was returned to Bangladesh, where he was buried on July 15.

This fall, a ghost bike was installed outside 8-10 Avenue B in Ullah's memory.