Marshalls opening next month in Ben Shaoul's luxury condoplex on East Houston Street

The neighborhood is getting another big-box retailer with the arrival of Marshalls next month.

The off-price sellers will open on the East Houston Street side of Ben Shaoul's Katz's-adjacent condoplex between Ludlow and Orchard streets.

According to the Marshalls website (H/T EVG regular IzF!), this location — the seventh in Manhattan — opens on Sept. 27...



Back in May, BoweryBoogie reported on the rumor that a T.J. Maxx was slated for Shaoul's luxury building, constructed in part with hand-laid, gilded-bronze brick imported from Cadaqués. TJX, the parent company of both Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, apparently changed up brands for this space.

The 11-story, 94-unit building, officially 196 Orchard St., has units ranging in price from $1.075 million to $5.995 million. A three-level Equinox Fitness center is the other retail tenant here. (The Equinox branding recently arrived...)



This property on East Houston previously housed a single row of storefronts, including Ray's Pizza, Bereket and Lobster Joint.

Marshalls will join the recently opened Target location on 14th Street and Grand Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Making way for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex on East Houston

Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard

The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is Sunday in Tompkins Square Park

Time again for the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival ... the 26th edition includes a date in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday from 3-7 p.m.

Gary Bartz — "hailed as one of the greatest alto saxophonists since Cannonball Adderley" — is the headliner.

Also on the bill, via SummerStage:

Audiences attending the show are in for a treat, as they’ll also hear longtime gospel, blues, and jazz pianist, Amina Claudine Myers, the boundary-breaking trio The Bad Plus, and UNHEARD, a piece honoring Charlie Parker featuring musicians Immanuel Wilkins, Joel Ross, and Adam O’Farrill commissioned in association with The Joyce and George Wein Foundation under the artistic supervision of The Jazz Gallery.

The Jazz Festival will also have dates up in Marcus Garvey Park today and tomorrow.

Parker, who died in 1955 at age 34, lived at 151 Avenue B from 1950-54.

On St. Mark's Place, Porto Rico Importing Co. temporarily closing for a facelift

Porto Rico Importing Co. on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue is temporarily closing tomorrow for what the owners, the Longo family, describe as a "much-needed facelift."

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared these photos, including this shot of the sign for customers...



Per the sign: "We will be reshelfing, fixing the floor, moving the ice machine, and adding a better drip brewer."

The coffee-and-tea purveyors will return on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

The Longo family has owned the business, with four locations now, since 1958. Peter Longo took over the business in 1976 after the death of his father, Angelo.

Here are the weekend hours for Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen

As a reminder... Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen, the basement cafe that serves as a fundraising arm of the St George Ukrainian Catholic Church, will be open today through Sunday... returning a little bit early from their customary summer break. Look for full-time hours in September.

Meanwhile, Streecha is open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday for all your borscht, pierogi and stuffed-cabbage needs.

They are located at 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

On the Bowery, an homage to the Alleged Gallery era

Over on the Bowery, the exterior of the Hole has been transformed, complete with the original signage from Aaron Rose's Alleged Gallery, which had a 10-year run from 1992-2002 on Ludlow Street.

The transformation is part of a gallery exhibit that opens tonight here at 312 Bowery near Bleecker titled "Now & Then: A Decade of Beautiful Losers."

Per the Hole website:

The “NOW & THEN: A DECADE OF BEAUTIFUL LOSERS” exhibition venerates the 10-year anniversary of the ‘Beautiful Losers’ documentary that made its US premiere on August 8, 2008 at the IFC center in New York. "Beautiful Losers," directed by Aaron Rose and Joshua Leonard, captured the characteristic spirit of a community of artists affiliated with the Alleged Gallery [at 172 Ludlow St.]. ‘Beautiful Losers’ depicted a community of artists including Barry McGee, Ed Templeton, Mike Mills, Thomas Campbell, Jo Jackson, Shepard Fairey, Chris Johanson, and Margaret Kilgallen during the Alleged Gallery era.

The exhibit is up through Sept. 1.

Thursday's parting sidewalk bridge shot

Workers were erecting a sidewalk bridge late this afternoon at 101 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue... home to Cafe Mogador, whose sidewalk cafe now gets some extra, and maybe unwanted shade.

Permits for the sidewalk bridge don't appear to be on file with the city just yet.

New owners vying for the Great Jones Cafe space

[EVG file photo]

It appears new proprietors are preparing to take over the Great Jones Cafe, the 35-year-old restaurant near the Bowery that has not open since the untimely death of owner Jim Moffett on July 10.

EVG reader JS shared this item from Community Board 2's September meeting agenda (which is not yet online):

Applications to the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) for Corporate Change Application to existing Restaurant Wine (RW), Tavern Wine (TW) or Full Liquor On-Premise (OP) Licenses: J.F. Jones, Inc., d/b/a Great Jones Café, 54 Great Jones St. 10012 (100% Corp Change) (OP – Restaurant)

That's not much to go on for the moment. A tipster has told us that the Cajun-themed Great Jones Cafe would be returning — in some form. The tipster's exact words: "They're trying to keep it the same."

Will update when more details are available about the applicants.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A request not to leave any more bread at the Great Jones Cafe

RIP Jim Moffett, owner of the Great Jones Cafe

Grant Shaffer's NY See

[Click on image for more detail]

Here's this week's NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

The Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park this fall has been cancelled

[Photo from 2017 by Stacie Joy]

There will not be a 28th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade — at least not this year.

Organizers announced on Facebook yesterday that this year's event has been cancelled:

It’s with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will be CANCELLED this year.

Although the parade has grown over the past 28 years, it has always been the creation of a small group of volunteers from the dog park. The Parks Dept is asking for a large insurance & liability policy in order to hold the event this year — and we simply don’t have the funds or sponsor willing to provide it.

Having a means to fundraise (or a park conservancy which Tompkins Square does not) was a pre-requisite to renovating our dog park. Over the years the parade has raised more than $200,000 for the park — and secured twice that amount in matching funds. We are also leaving the dog park with an endowment at City Parks Foundation for it’s maintenance and upkeep for the next 10 years.

We wish to thank all our sponsors as well as everyone who has donated time, money, effort or stayed up to the wee hours getting that super hero cape to fit just perfectly on their dog.

We’re hopeful that the annual dog parade will return in some form in the future.

Some residents (and commenters) have complained that the Dog Parade has just gotten too big for Tompkins Square Park. Attendees from past Dog Parades said last year's crowds were the biggest ever. ABC News put the number at 10,000.


[Photo last year from 9th and A by Steven]

The parade moved from the actual dog run to the ballfields/field hockey arena in 2016.


[Photo last year by Stacie Joy]

A fan of the Dog Parade has launched a GoFund Me campaign to "save the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade! Not only will your contribution go towards keeping this annual fundraiser alive, it will help maintain the Tompkins Square Dog Run year round."

Funtime? 'Stooge,' which documents Iggy Pop's No. 1 fan, debuts next month at Howl! Happening

"Stooge," a feature-length documentary film about Iggy Pop's No. 1 fan, will make its NYC premier next month at Howl! Happening.

Here are details via Howl!

Nominated in 2017 for “Best UK Feature” at London’s Raindance Film Festival, director Madeleine Farley’s epic odyssey has been described as "Spinal Tap" meets "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest." A discussion with director Farley and co-producers Stephen Smith and Martin Kloiber follows the screening.

The film narrates the story of Robert Pargiter, a magnetic, childlike superfan of Iggy and The Stooges, who goes on a fanatical quest to keep rock alive. Like a fly on the wall, we follow him on a trek to London, San Francisco, L.A., and Miami, as the film becomes an intimate introspection into his journey — and more broadly — a study of one man’s personal obsession.

Comedy and tragedy intermingle with the pathos of his personal demons, and ultimately the serious business of dealing with his life offers him a way back to his joie de vivre.

Take a look...



The film screens Sept. 13 from 7-9 p.m. Howl! Happening is at 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

[Updated] Spinner's bringing chicken and Texas BBQ to 14th Street

Spinner's, billed as a chicken boutique, is opening today here at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

EVG reader Michael Paul shared these photos of the storefront (a former psychic, as you can tell from the old awning) ...



The menu shows a variety of chicken dishes ... as well as subs, salads and sides...



And signage points to a noon opening today see update below ...



Don't know too much else about the operators here... the space seemingly came together pretty quickly...



Updated noon:

Michael shared an update from Spinner's — opening day is now tomorrow!

Report: Michael Cohen sells stake in Avenue D building

[133 Avenue D via Streeteasy]

Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer who pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts in federal court on Tuesday, has reportedly sold stakes in two buildings, including one on Avenue D.

According to The Real Deal, Cohen sold four stakes to Vintage Group, his joint venture partner in the ownership of 133 Avenue D, for $4 million.

Back in April, Bloomberg reported that 133 Avenue D, which is between Ninth Street and 10th Street, had at least $5 million of equity not tapped by a mortgage.

Cohen and Vintage Group bought No. 133 — which has 20 apartments as well as two retail spaces — for $10.5 million in 2015. Per TRD: "It’s not clear what percentage of it Cohen owned and how much the value has changed overtime."

Streeteasy lists one unit available for rent in the building — a recently renovated three-bedroom apartment with an ask of $3,195 per month.

On Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts related to tax fraud, excessive campaign contributions, making false statements to a financial institution and unlawful corporate contributions.

B&H Dairy celebrates its 80th anniversary tonight

Tonight, B&H Dairy owners Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed (pictured above) and their many longtime staffers are celebrating the lunch counter's 80th year in business here on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Read details about the celebration here.)

Ahead of that, EVG correspondent Stacie Joy stopped by (during a less-busy time on a recent weekday) to document the cozy atmosphere of the B&H ...





Here's part of New York magazine's recap of the kosher dairy restaurant:

Midweek is more Hopperesque, the profiles of solo diners washed in the sallow glow of the diner’s hanging milk-colored lights. No matter when you step up to the counter, a double stack of sweet-soft challah, schmeared with butter and served on a small Dixie plate, accompanies every order.

Tina Barth has been a regular at B&H since 1965...



Here's a condensed version of B&H's history via Facebook:

It was opened in 1938 by Abie Bergson and Sol Hausman (B&H) and the interior and menu has changed little since. In 1970, Bergson & Hausman sold the restaurant, which since has had two subsequent owners before being purchased May 1, 2003 by Fawzy Abdelwahed, who runs B&H with his wife Ola, who he met when she worked at the Stage Diner (now closed), across the street. (She cleaned his glasses one day, and that was it!)

You can read more about B&H Dairy at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York ... and Off the Grid.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A grand reopening at B&H Dairy

Rentals underway at The Niko on Avenue D

[Photo from Sunday]

The rental period (h/t Curbed!) has kicked off over at The Niko, the 12-story retail-residential building via L+M Development Partners on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (The previous businesses here were part of the 79-89 Avenue D parcel, though the Niko is using 751 E. Sixth St.)

And let's head to the website for what's in store here...

Curate Your East Village Life at The Niko

The birthplace of downtown cool, the East Village is one of the most diverse, creative and eclectic neighborhoods in New York City. From its enviable location on quiet East 6th Street between Avenues C and D, The Niko offers sweeping views of New York City, from the World Trade Center to the Empire State Building to the glinting East River.

The Niko’s twelve stories feature 82 residences that range from alcove studios to spacious three-bedrooms. The building’s brick exterior resonates with warmth and character and the residences have a crisp, contemporary design. And at The Niko, you are minutes away from Tompkins Square Park, a retreat from the bustle of the East Village.

You're also minutes away from East River Park — adjacent to the glinting East River — though that's not mentioned here. Amenities at the address include a fitness center, landscaped roof deck and an outdoor terrace.

Here's a look at a model unit...



... and the roof deck...



Units range between $2,800 to nearly $6,000 per month. (The Niko also includes 28 permanently affordable units. The affordable housing lottery ended on June 26.)

The lots previously along here housed one-level storefronts that included a Rite Aid, which relocated one block north to the ground floor of Arabella 101. Rite Aid signed a lease to return to the retail space in this building.

The Niko is the latest new development along this corridor, joining The Adele, The Robyn and Arabella 101, among others.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street

The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Molecule has closed on 10th Street

[Photo from Saturday]

Last month, the owners of the Molecule Project, which offers a variety of clean drinking water alternatives, announced that they were closing their shop on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue in mid-August.

Molecule is now closed, as of this past Friday...


[Photo by Steven]

The shop opened in July 2012, and lasted probably five and half years longer than some people expected.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Molecule Project closing next month on 10th Street

Now playing: The East Village Queer Film Festival; Utterly Winona; Bowie as Ziggy Stardust

[The Wild Project on 3rd Street]

The East Village Queer Film Festival is underway (as of last evening) at the Wild Project on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. You can find the lineup of films and accompanying events, playing through Sunday, right here.

And here are a few more films that may be of interest...

• "Madonna: Truth of Dare" — Hedda Lettuce is hosting an interactive cinematic experience for the documentary that chronicled Madge's Blond Ambition tour in 1990. Aug. 22 (tomorrow!) at 7:30 p.m., City Cinemas Village East (Details here)

• Larry Clark retrospective — The Metrograph down on Ludlow Street is hosting a slate of Clark's films, including "Bully," "Wassup Rockers" and "Another Day in Paradise," starting on Saturday. (Details here.)

• Utterly Winona — The Quad Cinema's Winona Ryder retrospective continues on 13th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Upcoming screenings include "Edward Scissorhands," "The Age of Innocence" and "Mermaids." (Details here.)

• Rock 'N' Film — The Anthology Film Archives, on Second Street and Second Avenue, has several titles left to screen in its rock 'n' roll retrospective including the documentaries "Wattstax" and "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars." (Details here)

• "Suddenly, Last Summer" — The 1959 Southern Gothic classic with Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift plays for free tomorrow evening at 5 at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. (Details here)

An Evening at Ray's Candy Store

Last night saw another Evening at Ray's Candy Store: A Special Restaurant Week Chef's Tasting Event.

For $10, attendees could enjoy a five-course tasting menu featuring a selection of Ray's finest and favorites — prepared by Chef Ray himself...



EVG regular Peter Brownscombe shared there photos from the shop at 113 Avenue A...

Flinders Lane closes Sunday after 5 years on Avenue A

[Image via Instagram]

After five-plus years at 162 Avenue A, Flinders Lane is shutting down following service on Sunday.

The owners, who hail from Melbourne, Australia, shared the closing message earlier this month on Facebook:

It’s with a heavy heart after much thought and consideration we feel the time has come to close the doors to our New York location.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved our over the past 5 years bringing life to this little space in the East Village day after day creating memories we’ll never forget — the incredible guests, our beloved regulars, the friends we made, the laughs shared and of course all the amazing staff. Without you none of his would have been possible. You truly are rockstars 🙏❤️

Our last service will be Sunday August 26 and we’d love to see you in to raise a glass one last time.

Thanks for the memories NYC

The Australian restaurant drew praise in the Hungry City column at the Times upon opening.

The Flinders Lane location in Stamford, Conn., will remain open.

The space between 10th Street and 11th Street was previously The Beagle ... and the Italian restaurant Orologio before that.

The first condos at 253 E7 hit the market

The all-new 253 E. Seventh St. is still shrouded in construction netting and scaffolding... however, the first two units in the 6-story condoplex here between Avenue C and Avenue D arrived on the market yesterday.

The building (rendering below) is going by 253 E7 (not to be confused with Seven East Village down the block) ...



Here's a description via Streeteasy:

A brand new, ultra-modern luxury boutique Condominium, designed by renowned master architects, Isaac & Stern. Located in Alphabet City in the heart of the East Village, one of New York City’s most desired and eclectic locations. 253 E7 [is] a six-story edifice featuring 8 superbly appointed apartments with soaring 9’ ceilings, ranging in size from 709 to 1,653 square feet. Most apartments feature a private outdoor space and an allotted few have access to private keyed elevator landings. The Penthouse apartment boasts a private paved roof; the Townhouse apartment features a private grass planted garden.

Here's a look at a rendering of a living room in 253 E7...



The available units range in price from $1.275 million (one bedroom) to $2.795 million (three bedrooms).

Workers demolished the former four-story residence that stood here back in late 2015.


[Image of No. 253 from 2014 via Massey Knakal]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition

New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.

The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.

253 E. 7th St. is now a pile of bricks

Property at 253 E. 7th St. now for sale; perfect for a 'dream custom mansion townhouse'

New plans for a 6-story building at 253 E. 7th St.

Dua Kafe Wine + Beer for 520 E. 14th St.

A new venture called Dua Kafe Wine + Beer is set for 520 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... in a storefront of the tenement squeezed between the all-new EVGB retail-residential complex at 524 and 510 E. 14th St ...



The folks from Dua were on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license, though not required to appear before the committee.

The questionnaire (PDF here) at the CB3 website notes that Dua will sell "finger foods, sandwiches and cold plate bowls." The Kafe/cafe will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Don't expect Dua to open any time too soon — the interior is still pretty much gutted.