Sen. Hoylman honors local businesses for service during the pandemic, including Mikey Likes It

Sen. Brad Hoylman presented three downtown merchants, including Mikey Likes It Ice Cream at 199 Avenue A, with the Empire Award — the New York State Senate's highest award for local businesses.

The 183-year-old C.O Bigelow Chemists on Sixth Avenue near Eighth Street and Madman Espresso on University Place were the other two recipients. 

Hoylman is honoring these three businesses for their distinguished service and community involvement during the pandemic.

"One of the main pillars of my business is giving back to the community and being a positive example to the people who we serve," Michael "Mikey" Cole said in a prepared statement. "I grew up a few blocks from my first shop ... and I always wanted to find a way to reinvest into it and make a positive impact."

During the pandemic, Cole has volunteered to help neighbors in need on the Lower East Side and in Harlem, where his second shop is located.

Hoylman's office is asking for people to nominate other restaurants and small businesses that helped support New Yorkers during the pandemic. If one wants to nominate a business, then they should email hoylman@senate.gov with "Empire Award Nomination" in the subject line.  

Meyhane has closed on 2nd Avenue

Meyhane, which served Mediterranean-style tapas, has closed at 166 Second Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

As you can see, brown paper covers the front windows. Google now lists them as permanently closed as well. The outpost in Cliffside Park, N.J., remains open. 

Not sure when Medina's Turkish Kitchen, which opened in August 2019 and was quite good, morphed into Meyhane.

As previously noted, the address has been home to several businesses just in the 14-year lifespan of EVG, starting with a Dunkin' Donuts ... then the pizzeria Pomodora ... then three open-and-shut hookah places — Entrez Bar & Grill, Farfasha and Dinah that looked to have the ambiance of a regional airport lounge.

And we hear a new restaurant is already in the works for the address.

Invasion planned for Planet Taco

In case you missed our past from this past Friday... Planet Taco is opening soon at 141 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street ... New signage is up now promising, "The Invasion Is Coming!"

And we're still awaiting official confirmation on who's behind the new venture. As we noted last month, another taco shop was prepping to take over this space last leased by Otto's Tacos. 

Otto's never reopened after the PAUSE in March 2020 ... Otto's has become a virtual brand ... now being sold via Mighty Quinn's Barbeque — only on the Upper East Side at the moment.

Photos yesterday by Steven...

A sweet-and-sour new business for 2nd Avenue

The signage for the next tenant at 73 Second Ave. has arrived — Sweet & Sour Smoke Shop.

SSSS (short for Sweet & Sour Smoke Shop!) takes over the space from the longstanding Clairvoyant Psychic, which shuttered back in the fall as they likely expected. 

The new business at least breaks up the row of empty storefronts on this block between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.

Another day, another discarded teddy bear

Spotted by Steven on 10th Street. They always look so sad.

A touch of spring on 10th Street thanks to 'Pose'

Ahead of a planned shoot tomorrow, workers are on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... painstakingly adding fresh flowers to this tree to make it appear that it is blooming in the spring...

Posted signs say this production is for "Still Life" Season 3...

However, multiple sources say that the shoot is for the long-awaited third season of the excellent FX drama "Pose." 

These signs are also posted in other parts of the East Village, including along Avenue A and adjacent to Tompkins Square Park on 10th Street. 

Thanks to Steven for the photos and Lola for the initial tip!

East Village Neighbors offering help scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments

There have been published reports across the country on the difficulties some residents — especially seniors without computer skills and non-English speakers — have had in trying to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments. 

Now, members of the East Village Neighbors Community Group are lending a hand locally ... volunteering to help eligible residents navigate the appointment websites and sign up for their vaccinations. 

 

East Village Neighbors are also offering assistance for Chinese speakers.

For help, you may:

• Call — (508) 614-9704

• Visit — https://rb.gy/32lqpp

• Email — evvax2021@gmail.com

(A disclaimer from the group: They are not affiliated with any health-care institution, nor can they answer any health-related questions.)

East Village Neighbors — a group of local volunteers — formed at the onset of the pandemic last March. They helped establish the East Village Neighbors Fridge outside S'MAC on First Avenue and 12th Street.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A Visit to the East Village Community Fridge and Food Pantry 

The March Hare debuts a Charity Chest on 9th Street for families in need

The March Hare, the toy store that opened this past November on Ninth Street, is giving back to families experiencing difficult times.

The owners shared information on how the East Village Charity Chest works:

Buy a toy from our store at a discounted rate, pop it in the Charity Chest and once it's full we will donate it to a charity benefiting children in need.

When purchasing items from our online store for donation, select in-store pickup and apply the discount code CHARITYCHEST upon checkout. We will take care of the rest. 

They note that any orders using the above-mentioned discount code will be donated and are nonrefundable.

The March Hare is at 321 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Store hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; until 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday. And the store phone: (646) 422-7747.

NYC movie theaters to reopen at 25% capacity on March 5

New York City movie theaters are the latest businesses that Gov. Cuomo is allowing to reopen with limited capacity.

Cuomo announced yesterday that theaters can reopen — capped at 25 percent — starting on March 5.

Stipulations for reopening include:

• Venues are restricted to 25 percent capacity, with no more than 50 people per screen at a time.
• Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
• Assigned seating will be required in all theaters.
• Social distancing between parties will be required at all times.
• Additional staffing will be required to control occupancy, traffic and seating to ensure compliance.
• Enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards must be met by theaters.
• This action brings New York City movie theaters in line with movie theaters throughout the rest of the state.

NYC theaters have been shuttered since last March. Local independent venues such as the Anthology Film Archives on Second Avenue and Metrograph on Ludlow Street have been offering an array of online screenings and virtual events. 

As of this writing, local theaters had not made public their reopening plans.

Cuomo also said yesterday that pool halls can reopen on March 5 at 35-percent capacity. Locally, Amsterdam Billiards on Fourth Avenue at 11th Street was back in service on Jan. 20 thanks to a lawsuit against the state.

Photo of the AMC Village 7 on Third Avenue and 11th Street from the fall. 

Reader mailbag: What is this noise on 3rd Street?

Via the EVG inbox...

I was wondering if any EV neighbors know something about this hum/drone my family and I have been hearing since fall. (We live on Third Street between Avenue C and D.) It goes in and out, but can go on for a long time — also at night. It hums on an F. A generator? I would love to find out what it is, and if it can be stopped.

FlyeLyfe on the move to 1st Avenue

This past November, when EVG contributor Stacie Joy visited artist and entrepreneur P.J. O’Rourke at FlyeLyfe on 11th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, the East Village resident had hopes to move to a more high-profile spot in the neighborhood for increased foot traffic and exposure.

That is now a reality... O’Rourke recently signed a lease for a new, larger space at 215 First Ave. just south of 13th Street to sell his creations — original design T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, masks, prints, patches, bags, magnets and caps ... all printed in house...

... Stacie stopped by the new storefront the other day to find O'Rourke setting up shop...

He plans to be ready for an official opening in early March.

In 2012, O’Rourke started selling his merch in the subways via a mobile art cart. He was on a month-to-month lease on 11th Street these past 15 months.

The idea of an artist selling his original designs from a space previously occupied by a Dunkin' Donuts would have been all but unimaginable not too long ago... with higher rents forcing small businesses to shutter, and with seemingly only chains able to afford the spaces.

Previously on EV Grieve:

A visit to FlyeLyfe on 11th Street 

Hub Thai relocating to a larger space on Avenue A

Positive restaurant news to share — Hub Thai is making a short move on Avenue A from No. 103-105 (above) between Sixth Street and Seventh Street to No. 50 between Third Street and Fourth Street...

The new address will offer a lot more indoor dining space (when that is all good again some day) for Hub Thai patrons. 

No. 50 has been hosting a variety of pop-ups this past year... this after Villa Cemita held forth here for five years until last June.

Barnyard Cheese Shop is closed until further notice on Avenue B

We've heard from a handful of concerned readers going back to Friday... when news circulated that the Barnyard Cheese Shop had temporarily closed.

The popular cheesemonger and sandwich shop at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street had been open through most of the pandemic, most recently selling from a to-go window and offering curbside seating. 

The readers cited the letter for patrons taped to the gate... two of the readers described the initial passage as "mysterious" ... 

The letter reads in part...

It is not without consideration or careful thought that we inform you that due to circumstances not under our control, Barnyard will be closed from now until further notice. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this neighborhood and we are grateful to all of you who have made us part of your daily lives. We have never taken it for granted and have loved being here to nourish you, comfort you, and be a pillar for you to lean on when needed.  

The rather ominous lead-in gave some readers the impression that there might be a landlord/rent-related issue... or perhaps something to do with Con Ed and the gas service. 

However, the second paragraph sounds as if there may be a pandemic-related health issue ...

The decision to close is unfortunate, but there is not doubt that it needs to be done. It is in your best interest and in the best interest of our supporting staff that we closed until we are 100% certain that to reopen is safe and will not be a risk to anyone.

The letter, signed by owner Beatriz Gutierrez, ends on an optimistic tone...  

... thank you for your loyal support and for understanding our decision. It has been a grueling year and we have been through a lot together. We move forward always. It takes a village!

We reached out to learn more... and to offer best wishes to the Barnyard staff.  

Brix Wines, the sister shop of Barnyard, remains open next door. (H/T Salim!)

Updated 2/22

In a follow-up note, Gutierrez told me the following:

The sign I ended up posting was difficult to write but I felt I needed to write something.  It's been an exhausting year but I know that a lot of folks look to us, literally, for their daily bread and I knew it would be a shock to see us closed. But I also know that closing Barnyard, for at least now, was the right thing to do. I am working hard at finding the best way to reopen and also stay safe, relevant, and of course, solvent as a business at a time when so many other businesses are not able to do so.  

It's a challenge and as I mentioned in the note I left, it takes a village. I have nothing but fondness for the people who have supported us for 13 years and hope to be able to continue to be there for them.

Four Four South Village bringing Taiwanese beef noodles (and curbside dining) to 7th Street

We received a tip last month that the Four Four South Village chain was opening an outpost at 11 E. Seventh St. just east of Cooper Square.

That has since been confirmed ... and as the top photo shows, workers have been building curbside dining for the restaurant that specializes in Taiwanese beef noodles. (Find their menu here.) No word on an opening date. 

For now, the for-lease signs remain up in the window... as well as the banner for the previous tenant, Le Sia. The restaurant that served a Chinese crawfish boil was not able to survive the downturn during the pandemic. Le Sia debuted in January 2018. 

As previously noted, No. 11 was home to Surma Books & Music for 98 years until June 2016. Third-generation owner Markian Surmach cited a decline in business and the expense of property tax and other charges related to owning the building. Public records show that the Surmach family sold the property to Icon Realty for $5.75 million at the time.

H/T Steven and Upper West Sider!

About Keith Forever

A few people have asked about the Keith Forever mural that arrived on First Avenue at Second Street late last week.

Created by Eric Haze, the mural is part of an ongoing celebration of the life and legacy of Keith Hufnagel, the skateboarding icon and founder of the streetwear company Huf Worldwide. 

Hufnagel died last September of brain cancer. He was 46. 

He was a native New Yorker, and grew up in Stuy Town-Peter Cooper Village ... he moved to San Francisio in the early 1990s, where he would later launch his business.

This clip from Huf's Instagram account provides some aerial views of the tribute...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HUF (@hufworldwide)

A sled-shaped bird feeder for Tompkins Square Park

EVG regular Jose Garcia shared these photos today from Tompkins Square Park while out for a walk with Miss Kita the Wonder Dog... the discovery of a homemade bird feeder along the south side of the Park between Avenue A and Avenue B....

"It was so nice to encounter on our voyage through the Park. There were still a few bird seeds but mostly melting snow by the time we came across it."

Week in Grieview

Stories this past week included... (with a Second Avenue snow pic by Derek Berg...)

• City releases COVID-19 vaccine data by ZIP code; where do local neighborhoods rank? (Wedensday) 

• Mikey Likes It and Tompkins Square Bagels join forces for first collaboration (Wednesday) 

• Free COVID-19 testing coming to Haven Plaza next week (Saturday) 

• The return (again) of indoor dining (Monday) 

• Lights on! Panna II expands into the former Milon space on 1st Avenue (Tuesday) 

• Village Cafe & Grill debuts on 4th Street (Tuesday) 

• Planet Taco entering 2nd Avenue's orbit (Friday) 

• Lilly's Shakes & Crepes is now open on Avenue C (Tuesday) 

• Reader report: Someone broke into our apartment while we were at home (Friday) 

• Good hair day in this week's NY See panel (Thursday) 

• Gallery Watch heads to Perrotin Gallery (Wednesday) 

 

• Novum EV comes into full view (Wednesday) 

• Your Desire For Food hasd closed on Avenue B (Thursday) 

• Medical procedures: A few moments during filming for 'New Amsterdam' today along Avenue A (Wednesday)

• Development site on 14th Street and Avenue C remains dormant (Tuesday) 

 ... and please be careful when using your cart as a skateboard in snowy conditions ...

3-second cinema: A nice recovery on 7th and A... pic.twitter.com/X2lN8WJ0YE

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) February 19, 2021

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Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

EVG Etc. A dabba lunch service at Khiladi; an update on Amelia and Christo's 2021 nest

With a random photo on the Bowery above... 

 • Khiladi on Avenue B at 11th Street has launched a dabba lunch service (Eater) 

• The NYC Health Department is recommending that New Yorkers wear two masks — a paper one covered by a cloth one — to better stem the spread of the coronavirus (Westside Rag) 

• Reviving the performing arts with the NY PopsUp initiative. The article includes details on the Saturday afternoon pop-up entertainment taking place at Theater for the New City on 10th Street (PIX11) 

• A feature on the 32-year-old Anthony Aiden Opticians at 42 St Mark's Place (Off the Grid) 

• An interview with Julia Copeland, who opened the boutique Here nor There on Ninth Street last fall (B+B ... previously on EVG) 

• Two Boots joined forces with Slice Out Hunger on an emergency initiative that supports shelters, soup kitchens and community centers impacted by the power outages in Texas (Instagram) 

• An update on Amelia and Christo's nest construction in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography ... previously on EVG) 

• Nearly 40-year-old dim sum destination Jing Fong will close its Chinatown banquet hall and indoor dining in early March (Gothamist) 

• Diversions: In our weekly Friday at 5 video on Dec. 11, we hyped an OSEES livestream event. The full-length concert video has been posted, and the setlist includes three Black Flag covers (Brooklyn Vegan) 

 ... and false alarm on Eighth Street (previously) ...

How package thefts helped unify this East Village building

The above photo is from the EVG archives and isn't related to this story in the Times. 

Over at The New York Times today, Julie Besonen writes about the East Village building that she has lived in since the 1990s... touching on some relatable themes — changing demographics and package thefts. 

Some excerpts:

Package theft wasn’t an issue when I first moved in during the Grunge years, although crack vials routinely littered our stoop. Sleepy addicts sometimes blocked the door. But these entryway inconveniences were minor compared with the constant robberies, which rapidly escalated last year.

And...

But back to 30 years ago: Aside from the stoop problem, our building was a neighborly haven, owned by the same family for generations and monitored by live-in supers, a couple from Malta named Agnes and Tony. Our ensemble of residents (Bill, Bob, John, Pat, Tom) worked unflashy jobs — mailroom clerk, museum guide and so on — and stayed for decades, giving me the chance to grow fond of them, including nuisances like Edith and Victor (secretary, janitor), who banged on my ceiling when my music blared. It only took them 14 years to trust me enough to water their plants when they traveled. 

The poignant exodus of these characters, through death, eviction, buyouts and, most recently, the pandemic, made way for my current neighbors, variously named Summer, Kennedy, Madison, Kayleigh, Mackenzie, Hannah and Charity. They pay rents that seem exorbitant, upward of $4,000 in some cases, reflecting the East Village’s own hypergentrification.

However, as Besonen writes, the spate of pandemic-era package thefts helped her forge a bond with her new, younger neighbors.

Ralitsa Kalfas, 23 ... found an empty cardboard box instead of winter coats and sweaters sent to her from her family. A vintage jacket that once belonged to her grandmother was stolen too. My empathy for these young women grew, realizing they weren’t that different from me when I first moved to New York, my shyness sometimes interpreted as unfriendliness.

You can read the full piece here.

Today's photos of a squirrel eating an apple in Tompkins Square Park

As part of the periodic Squirrels Being Adorable series, we present this squirrel's healthy choice today in Tompkins Square Park... photos by Steven...

Previously on EV Grieve:
• What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

• Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park