At 188 Allen St., a curbside dining demolition like no other

Photos by Steven 

Early yesterday morning (6:40!), city crews from the DOT and DSNY joined forces to remove the curbside structure outside 188 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton.

Earlier this month, the DOT issued a termination notice for the space outside the now-closed Cheese Grille. A group of artists and some art fans had hoped the structure could continue on as 188 Allen Street Gallery, an art space that has showcased a variety of artists since last summer (see here and here). It was an outgrowth of the pandemic-era space that Cheese Grille used.

NYC street artist SacSix, who has curated shows here as well as created murals on the storefront, appealed to the DOT in a recent Instagram post, inviting city officials here "to see how small business entrepreneurs can create incredible communities in unique spaces." 

However, the DOT showed its appreciation of the space with chainsaws and crowbars...  

A few pieces were salvaged by artists, some of whom spent the night here ahead of the demolition... 

The removal was accompanied by pianist Kristopher Hull, who performed "A requiem for 188 Allen Chopin nocturne in c-sharp minor"... 

... and later... the return of three parking spots... 

About the Lower East Side Book Crawl — Pride Edition — tomorrow (Saturday!)

Tomorrow (Saturday!), six downtown businesses "will celebrate the diversity and resilience of the neighborhood's indie bookshops by offering discounts, special giveaways, and curated selections of queer books."

The participating shops:

• Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore, 116 Suffolk St. 

• Book Club Bar, 197 E 3rd St. 

• P&T Knitwear, 180 Orchard St.

• Printed Matter, 38 St. Mark's Place (at Second Avenue)

• Sweet Pickle Books, 47 Orchard St.

• Yu & Me Books, 44 Mulberry St.

Hours for the book crawl: noon to 7 p.m.

Thursday's parting shot (aka June 15)

A reader shared this photo from Cooper Square today... a mere six months from Christmas... or to next the Christmas season.

Birthday wishes for Rossy on 3rd Street

Photos and text by Stacie Joy 

If you passed by Rossy's Bakery today on Third Street between Avenue B and Avenue C, you may have noticed that owner Rossy Caba, recently diagnosed with cancer, isn't wearing her signature red chef's coat. Today, for her birthday, she's wearing pink. Specifically, breast cancer-awareness pink. 

Happy birthday Rossy, and here's to kicking cancer's ass.

About the In-N-Out Burger ads for 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

An EVG reader shared the above photo from today on the NE corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place for In-N-Out Burger NYC 2023. 

The plywood surrounds 132 Second Ave., where Dallas BBQ closed last December after decades in business here. Legal notices via the State Liquor Authority here mention that hospitality vet Curt Huegel is opening a new bar-restaurant in the space. 

Anyway, as far as anyone knows, In-N-Out Burger doesn't have any plans for an NYC outpost ... with the furthest eastern outpost arriving in Tennessee sometime in 2026.

Fake In-N-Out Burger ads have made the rounds in NYC through the years (like here and here), much to the chagrin of the chain's many fans. So this is likely a gag... (and so far away from April 1). Updated: The company told Eater the ads are FAKE!

In-N-Out Burger opened up in 1948 as California's first "drive-thru" hamburger stand.

Goodbye for now to HaveAHeart Studio, the rehearsal space below New Double Dragon

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy 

It was a bittersweet message and offer from musician Cheri Leone in the EVG inbox that had us replying with an immediate “yes!” Did we want to tour one of the last of the underground East Village music studio spaces before it was closed for “renovations?” 

I met up with Cheri and bandmate Matty Karas (together they are the Trouble Dolls) and we venture downstairs, under New Double Dragon at 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, into the subterranean area that houses their rehearsal space. 

As I get busy snapping photos in the basement, we talk about the space, who else shares the studio (various two- and four-legged friends) and the possible plans for the building.

How did you get the rehearsal space? Where will you go next? 

We found out about the space from a friend of a former bandmate who lived nearby on Third Street. We’ve been rehearsing there, with the Trouble Dolls and various other bands and/or projects, for about 23 years. 

I have no idea where we’ll end up, but we’re actively looking for a new home. I’ve been canvassing the East Village, talking to landlords, brokers — really, talking to any strangers on nearby streets who look like they live in the area — and asking if they know of any available basement spaces for rent. Affordable urban caves are hard to come by! 

Does the space have a name? 

At some point I named the space HaveAHeart Studio, both as a tribute to our (small, furry) part-time cohabitants in the basement, and because I happened to be dealing with some larger, more callous rats at the time, and thought it might act as a word-charm against assholes. 

Who else used the space? 

Pre-COVID there were a few more musicians in there; now it’s Matty, Chris (Trouble Dolls drummer) and I, Rob (East Ghost West Ghost), and Jason (Afroskull, Dark Streets).

Any information about the building? Any chance you can come back once they renovate the space? Or do you think it will be sold and that question will be moot? 

We’re not sure what will happen to the building... Word is that major renovations are planned. [Background here.] BTW shout out to Shawn [Lin] and his family at New Double Dragon! People of the East Village: order big and order often from New Double Dragon, while you still can.

We have been invited back to the future, fabulously renovated 37 First Ave.; hope that offer is good. Decades of EV-infused music have been made at this location. The landlords shouldn’t kill that ancient mojo.

Sauce returns to service on 12th Street

After a months-long closure, the Sauce Pizzeria outpost at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is back in service. (Thanks to the reader for the tip!)

A sign for patrons, dated Dec. 16, stated that they "have made the tough decision to close our doors for the next few months." And: "We are planning to relaunch this location with great enthusiasm, and we look forward to serving you again soon!" 

The reopening coincides with a fresh colorfully painted storefront...

Sauce arrived here in 2018. 

The pizzeria also has outposts on the Lower East Side (Allen at Rivington) ... plus Brookfield Place and Moynihan Train Hall.

Wednesday's parting shot

A post-downpour view of the Christodora House early this evening...

Report: East Village musician Jesse Malin paralyzed from the waist down after spinal stroke

Photo by Katrina del Mar via Sweet Relief 

East Village-based singer-songwriter Jesse Malin was left paralyzed from the waist down after suffering an extremely rare spinal stroke in early May, according to published reports. 

Rolling Stone was first to report about this: 

Gathered with friends to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Howie Pyro, Malin's former D Generation bandmate and best friend, he felt a burning pain in his lumbar region that slowly migrated down his hips, through his thighs, and into his heels. 

He collapsed onto the floor of the restaurant, unable to walk. "Everybody was standing above me like in 'Rosemary's Baby,' saying all these different things, and I was there not knowing what was going on with my body," Malin says during a phone call from his room at an NYU rehab facility. 

The stroke occurred on May 4. He described what his life has been like since then:

"This is the hardest six weeks that I've ever had," he says. "I'm told that they don’t really understand it, and they're not sure of the chances. The reports from the doctors have been tough, and there's moments in the day where you want to cry, and where you're scared. But I keep saying to myself that I can make this happen. I can recover my body." 

After a two-week stint at Mount Sinai, Malin was transferred to an NYU facility. 

His days consist of three rounds of physical therapy and rehabilitation, with the short-term goal of teaching him how to move his body without the use of his legs and do daily tasks. When he's discharged later this month, he'll be in a wheelchair and have to relocate from his current walk-up apartment to a new ADA-compliant one with an elevator. It won't be cheap. 

David Bason, Malin's manager, and a group of friends launched a campaign via the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to raise money for the singer's care and recovery. Find more details here. 

Malin, a Queens native and longtime East Village resident, is a partner in several local establishments, including Niagara, 96 Tears and the Bowery Electric.

Celebrating downtown nightlife legend Brian Butterick, aka Hattie Hathaway

Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive is celebrating the life of downtown nightlife legend Brian Butterick, aka Hattie Hathaway, in a new exhibit that opens tomorrow. 

Here's more via the EVG inbox: 

Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive is is pleased to present "Brian Butterick {Hattie Hathaway} and all they loved" — the first exhibition celebrating the life of Brian Butterick, also popularly known as Hattie Hathaway, his performance drag persona. 

Drawn from Butterick's personal archives in Howl's collection, on view will be documents, images, and writings by Brian as well as artists and performers in his orbit, including many never seen before objects. 

A publication with additional content will be published later in the year alongside a Brian Butterick/Hattie Hathaway portal on www.howlarts.org. 

The opening reception is tomorrow (Thursday) evening from 6-9 at Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive, 250 Bowery between Houston and Stanton. 

"Brian Butterick {Hattie Hathaway} and all they loved" will be on display through July 30. Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Butterick died in January 2019 from lung cancer at age 62. 

Image via Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive 

Sunny has retired, but her popular flower shop remains in the family

Top two photos by Stacie Joy 

After 30-plus years on the SE corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street, Sun "Sunny" Ja Hwang has retired from her eponymous shop, provider of arguably the best flowers in the city. 

However, fear not, fans of Sunny's Florist: the business remains in the family and the new owners will carry on Sunny's tradition of attentive customer service and high-quality fresh-cut flowers and bouquets.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy met the new owner, Alice Pi, Sunny's niece who bought the shop from her aunt. She'll be assisted by her parents, Peter and Okhyun Pi.

Alice reports that all is well with Sunny. Expect to see her back here helping out during busy holidays and special occasions. (Sunny's son Eddie, also a regular presence here through the years, decided last year to pursue a new career.)

Alice says that she has enjoyed hearing how much people liked Sunny and how she'd often serve as a therapist to regulars while getting their flowers wrapped to go. 

Sunny's Florist is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-8 p.m. 

While "beloved" is an often overused word when describing a business or business owner, in the case of Sunny, it really does apply...

Photo of Sunny from February by Lola Sáenz, who initially tipped us off to her retirement.

Taking a look inside the incoming Target on Union Square

Work continues over at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers ... where a Target is slated to open later this year. 

Plywood now covers some of the windows... and with handy blogger portals that offer views of the under-construction interior...

To recap!

In February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot store here. The current tenant, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

As previously noted, the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place is now part of the Target. 

The company's "Future store openings" page doesn't mention a specific opening date. Or even a year. Previous media accounts put the debut at later 2023.

Meanwhile, the Target on 14th Street and Avenue A is coming up on its fifth anniversary. We're looking forward to seeing who might be playing at TRGT on this occasion!

About 'Ecosex and the City'

The East Village-based Performance Space New York is presenting a new program, "Exploring the Earth as Lover: Ecosex and the City," featuring Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens — and 100 of their friends.

Via the EVG inbox: 

[This is] the first-ever iteration of their abundant ecosexual gathering on the East Coast. In this (anti) symposium and performance art happening, attendees can participate in forging new relationships with the environment and social justice; engaging in human/non-human collaboration; critiquing calcified ideologies; and creating new sexualities — all through the lens of an environmentalism that is feminist, queer, sensual, sexual, posthuman, materialist, exuberant, and steeped in humor. 

There are performances scheduled for June 15, 16, 17 and 18. Find more details here. (The sidewalk ecosex event originally scheduled for this afternoon is now happening tomorrow.) 

Performance Space New York is at the NE corner of First Avenue at Ninth Street.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Mark H. 

There is A LOT of juvenile red-tailed hawk activity now in Tompkins Square Park in recent days... as Amelia and Christo's three 2023 offspring have fledged and are testing their wings and practicing their staredowns. 

Many more photos TK in the days ahead.

Saturday afternoon with Tits Dick Ass

Photos by Stacie Joy

Local trio Tits Dick Ass were among the bands on the Show Brains-hosted concert lineup Saturday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park.

TDA are part of a newish wave of sex-positivity groups such as cumgirl8 and Girl Dick... and a band more and more people seem to be talking about. 

Here's a look at Julia (lead vocals/guitar), Seth (bass) and Nick (drums) making fans in Tompkins with their galloping anarchic art punk... 

Follow TDA on Instagram for more upcoming shows and details on their forthcoming debut record, Burn a Bitch. (You can read a Q&A with the band here.)

And in the TDA audience...

Tree limb down in Tompkins Square Park

For the third time in the past month, a tree branch has fallen in Tompkins Square Park.

Goggla shares this photo from this morning... showing the broken branch on the tree east of the main lawn and along the Eighth Street and Ninth Street entrances on Avenue B. 

From the silver lining department, unlike the last two fallen limbs (here and here), this did not occur in an area where people would be walking, sitting, etc.

Community group urges Mayor Adams to reacquire the former P.S. 64/CHARAS 'now'

EVG file photo via Stacie Joy 

The coalition Save Our Community Center, CHARAS, former P.S. 64 (SOCCC-64) has embarked on a new letter-writing campaign to urge Mayor Adams to reacquire the long-vacant property on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

Per the campaign site: 

The time is past due for the city to act in the interest of the community and intervene to restore this once-vital community resource to its former use. 

Send a letter to the Mayor asking him to take steps to reacquire CHARAS now! 

You can find the link here. 

The campaign is the first activity we've heard from here since mid-March, when the day before the foreclosure auction of the address, developer Gregg Singer put the long-vacant property into bankruptcy protection, the latest maneuver in a long saga.

On March 15, SOCCC-64, community leaders and residents hand-delivered a letter from local elected officials — including Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh — to City Hall requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss reacquiring 609 E. Ninth St.

The five-floor landmarked building is zoned for "community facility use," Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance. The long-standing Stop Work Order and Full Vacate are still on file with the Department of Buildings.

Singer wanted to turn the building into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. 

In late December, New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former P.S. 64 with a default, including penalties and interest totaling approximately $90 million.

The property that Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year and was reportedly in the hands of lender Madison Realty Capital.  

In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. According to published reports, the Mayor said he'd work to "right the wrongs of the past."  (Recently revealed emails show that de Blasio's aides thought his efforts to buy the property were "nuts.") 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

Signage alert: Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart on 2nd Avenue

Signage has arrived on the sidewalk bridge for the next tenant at 166 Second Ave. — Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart. (Thanks to Choresh Wald for the photo!) 

The EV outpost here between 10th Street and 11th Street will be the second in Manhattan after the brand's first arrival in Koreatown in 2021. 

Here's more about the company, which first launched in Malaysia in 2016: 

Inspired by the distinctly cheesy taste of Hokkaido dairy — and using a traditional recipe from Japan's dairy heartland—it is not surprising that the famed Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart has been a huge hit throughout Asia. We've successfully launched in Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and China. 

And! 

The appeal of the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart is its combination of a crunchy, shortcrust base and fluffy filling, all pulled together with a deliciously cheesy aroma. Tantalizing and versatile, the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart can be eaten at room temperature, chilled, or fresh from the oven...

Nothing has had much staying power at his address since the Dunkin' Donuts closed in early 2010. Recent restaurant concepts have included Meyhane, Medina's Turkish Kitchen, Entrez Bar & Grill, Farfasha, Dinah, Pomodora and Luna Cafe Lounge.