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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Gallery Watch: Home Alone Group Show at ATM Gallery
Cafe Himalaya reopens, thanks community for support after family member dies from COVID-19
On a personal note, thank you to everyone who reached out to us in the last few weeks. We deeply appreciate your kind words during what has been an unimaginably difficult time. In early Dec, we found ourselves as part of the now 353,000+ American families who have lost an immediate family member to covid. The pain and suffering on our personal front has been immense and we pray that no individual or family has to undergo a similar situation.As we try to reopen our space in the midst of our loss, we thank you for being part of our community. Let’s all do our part in exercising responsibility and taking care of each other.
Concern again for the historic Merchant's House Museum on 4th Street
As if 2020 wasn't difficult enough for our dear Merchant's House, the developer filed an application in early December for a new building next door at 27 East 4th Street, one that is taller and more massive than the original proposed hotel!Irreversible damage from the construction is guaranteed and the risk of collapse of our fragile 189-year-old landmark building is even higher.For the third time, on December 17, Community Board 2 voted unanimously to REJECT the developer's latest application.
The Real Deal first reported on the suit:
Kalodop's lawsuit ... asks the court to reverse the City Council's disapproval and enter a judgement approving its ULURP application. It argues that the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Planning Commission had already approved their project and attributes community anxiety to "a grass roots campaign of fear and misinformation" from the Merchant's House Museum that "spurred local community members and representatives into action with a false narrative that any construction at the property would cause the Merchant's House to be catastrophically damaged."
The developers were seeking a spot rezoning to build an 8-story hotel on the site — higher than the current zoning allowed. The full City Council ultimately voted down the rezoning in September 2019.
Preservationists, not to mention the leadership of Merchant's House, the circa-1832 building, were concerned that the construction could permanently damage the structure, one of only six residences in NYC that is both an exterior and an interior landmark. Aside from Rivera, Sen. Brad Hoylman, Borough President Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Community Board 2 were also opposed to the current application for the 8-story hotel.
The developers have promised to take extensive measures to ensure that the neighboring structure would not be harmed during the hotel construction.
This project dates to 2011. After several hearings through the years (here and here, as examples), the Landmarks Preservation Commission eventually signed off on the project (in 2014) as did the City Planning Commission (August 2018).
The proposed site of the hotel, 27 E. Fourth St., currently houses Al-Amin Food Inc., which houses carts for street vendors.
More history of the Merchant's House: "Built in 1832 and home to a prosperous merchant family, the Tredwells, and their Irish servants for almost 100 years, it remains complete with the family’s original furnishings, household objects, clothing, and personal memorabilia."
A bar called Spike's is coming to 218 Avenue A
Gino Sorbillo now closed for renovations on the Bowery
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Tuesday's parting shot
Hope for Little Poland in 2021?
2021 development watch: 124 E. 14th St.
Bathroom tile installation has begun on the 14th floor and will continue moving up the building as available. The painter will be priming walls on the 11th and 12th floors. Lobby framing and rough-in work has commenced and will continue throughout this period.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC
• Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood
• City Council unanimously approves tech hub; some disappointment in lack of zoning protections
• The conversation continues on the now-approved tech hub for 14th Street
• P.C. Richard is gone on 14th Street; preservationists want answers about tech-hub commitments
Bibi Wine Bar takes a winter break
Van Leeuwen reopens post-fire on 7th Street
Tio Pio debuts on 14th Street with quick-serve Latin cuisine
Local artists give kids something to smile about at new dental outpost on Avenue A
Monday, January 4, 2021
Juvenile attention
A new era for Via Della Pace on 4th Street
The gas is back on at Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A
Citing 'restrictions, bans and curfews for the restaurant industry,' the Dumpling Shop closes
"As weeks turn to months and months turn to almost a year, the challenges of operating a small family-owned business became ever more difficult, especially with new restrictions, bans and curfews for the restaurant industry."
EVG reader 2ndAvenueSilverPanther was a regular.
"This place felt like family. Jace, the owner, was a gem. Before opening, he installed an expensive, efficient and quiet exhaust system that spared building residents the heat and odor — pleasant as it was — of the cooking. The food was exceptional, and I will really miss this place."
The east side of this block is pretty quiet for businesses these days. The only other food operation, Nolita Pizza, left back in June. They also had to contend with a storefront-obscuring sidewalk bridge here for too long and the encampment a few doors away outside the currently closed Orpheum Theatre.
The Boilery has closed on 3rd Avenue
The Boilery Seafood & Grill has closed at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.
A homemade for rent sign (call George!) is in the front window...
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Sunday's parting shot
Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse has closed for now on the Lower East Side
It is with great sadness that we announce that the rumors are true and we have had to shut the doors to the infamous basement.Sammy’s Roumanian is more than just a restaurant. It's a community. A celebration of tradition. An experience difficult to put into words. It's where families come to dine weekly, where partygoers begin their night (if they survive the frozen vodka), and where Simchas are celebrated. It's a place where you can be yourself, make friends, discover what a Shiksa is, and maybe even get called out as one too. Above all, it's a place where everyone feels at home, welcome, and part of a larger family.
So chins up fellow schmaltzers. All the years of devouring chopped liver with our special schmaltz, schmered on rye bread with a side of pickles and a shot (or glass) of frozen vodka to wash it down will be remembered fondly. We may be closed now, but when all this is over and we feel safe enough to hold hands during the hora, we will be back stronger, louder, and tastier than ever before. We are New York. We will survive this. We will always cherish the memories we shared with all of you.
He confirmed as much in a text message to Gothamist.
Week in Grieview
Saturday night, Avenue A pic.twitter.com/pD55GBi1uN
— evgrieve (@evgrieve) January 3, 2021