A few seasonal photos from this weekend of St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue and 10th Street...
As you may have noticed, the steeple is currently without its clock ... workers removed it for repairs back on June 29...
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Time stands still at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery
A few seasonal photos from this weekend of St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue and 10th Street...
As you may have noticed, the steeple is currently without its clock ... workers removed it for repairs back on June 29...
Saturday, July 7, 2018
A closing party at Zucker Bakery
Zucker Bakery closed last Sunday after seven years in business on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. This afternoon, owner Zohar Zohar opened the doors for a farewell party for friends and neighbors.
Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the photo.
Target opens 2 weeks from today on 14th and A
[Photo from last night]
This small-format Target opens on July 21 in the corner space of Extell Development's EVGB — the "East Village's Greatest Building."
Previously on EV Grieve:
The for-real Target signage has arrived at EVGB
East Village location of Emmy Squared debuts today on 1st Avenue
Emmy Squared is opening today (not sure what time just yet — and only for dinner) at 83 First Ave. at Fifth Street, per the door signage. (Thanks to EVG reader Puddy for the photo below...)
The popular Williamsburg-based pizzeria specializes in Detroit-style square pies and burgers. (You can find the menu here.)
The corner space was previously home, for 26 years, to Three of Cups.
Emmy Squared was originally thought to be taking over the GG's storefront on Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. That space, however, has remained dormant since GG's closed on Dec. 23.
A rep for Emmy Squared owners Matthew and Emily Hyland told Eater in March that they are considering the GG's location for a new restaurant concept. The Hylands also operate Emily over on Downing Street.
Previously on Ev Grieve:
Emmy Squared makes it very official on 1st Avenue
After nearly 26 years, Three of Cups is closing on 1st Avenue; Emmy Squared arriving next?
Friday, July 6, 2018
'Breathe' freely
French singer-songwriter Melody Prochet — working as Melody's Echo Chamber — saw the release of her long-awaited second record last month ... the above video is for one of the tracks from Bon Voyage, titled "Breathe In, Breathe Out."
EVG Etc.: B&H Dairy at 80; 'Smithereens' at the Quad
[At First Street Green Art Park]
A feature on B&H Dairy as it turns 80 this year (The Times of Israel)
Tenants claim NYCHA ignored complaints about tenant with 33 malnourished dogs in his Campos Plaza apartment (The Post)
Praise for Mama Fina’s House of Filipino Sisig on Avenue A (The New York Times ... previously)
Catch a screening of "Smithereens," starring Richard Hell, tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. at the Quad Cinema (Official site) From the EVG archives: My interview with "Smithereens" director Susan Seidelman here.
The history of Seventh Street and Second Avenue (Off the Grid)
A talk with the manager at Union Square's Flat Fix, where Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently won the Democratic primary in New York's 14th congressional district, worked as a bartender (Town & Village)
ICYMI: The fall of New York and the urban crisis of affluence (Harper's Magazine)
Diversions: Steve Albini's Grub Street Diet (Grub Street)
... and a few of the acts playing the back room at Pangea, 178 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street ... via the EVG inbox...
In July regulars Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch (Sun July 15 and Thurs July 19) give another dose of their exquisitely raw post-punk cabaret, and the 2018 Bistro Award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Rachelle Garniez (Tues July 17) to make the month pulse with new ideas. One of the most exciting performers we present — the jazz vocalist Tammy McCann — comes in from Chicago for another night (Thurs July 26), doing Gershwin like you’ve never heard before.
...and of possible interest coming up on July 15 ... Os Mutantes, Lee Ranaldo, Yonatan Gat, A Place To Bury Strangers and Martin Rev, among many others, play the En Orbita Festival at Le Poisson Rouge on Bleecker Street. This link has full details.
Reiminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park
Films on the Green, a free French film festival in NYC parks, is screening the first of two culinary-themed movies in Tompkins Square tonight at 8:30 (or so).
Tonight's screening is "Le Boucher." IMBD describes the 1970 thriller this way: "An unlikely friendship between a dour, working class butcher and a repressed schoolteacher coincides with a grisly series of Ripper-type murders in a provincial French town." (FWIW, this is on Roger Ebert's Great Movies list.)
Before the film, they'll be music via WNYC and (free) cookies from La Mère Poulard.
And playing next Friday, July 13 — "Romantics Anonymous" (or if you want, "Les émotifs anonymes"). Per IMDB: "Romantics Anonymous is a 2010 French-Belgian romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Améris and starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré."
Sneak Ez officially debuts on 9th Street
[Photo by Steven]
Sneak Ez, the streetwear and accessories boutique, recently opened in its new location at 440 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue ... the shop via LES native Kyle L was previously at 23 Avenue B.
The grand opening happened on June 15 ... the Sneak Ez signage arrived on Tuesday.
This is the first full-time tenant for the storefront since Pork Pie Hatters moved on in February 2016.
Movie Under the Stars tomorrow night: 'Hotel Transylvania'
[Photo by Steven]
The city's Movies Under the Stars program is underway... and tomorrow (Saturday!) night, you can watch a free screening of the 2012 family-friendly comedy "Hotel Transylvania" (yes, Transylvania is misspelled on the flyers) in Tompkins Square Park.
The city will screen some more family fare nearby this summer... first with "Moana" on July 18 on the Hamilton Fish ball courts on Pitt Street near East Houston...
...and "The Jungle Book" on July 20 at the Dry Dock basketball courts on 10th Street and Avenue D...
Per the Parks Department:
You should arrive before 7:30 p.m. to get your spot. Feel free to bring a blanket to sit on; there will be a limited supply of chairs available. Bottled waters are OK, but no glass. Reservations are not taken, so space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome!
Construtction watch: 363 Lafayette St.
Here's an in-progress look at 363 Lafayette St., the 10-floor, mixed-used building that's nearing a full reveal at Great Jones...
Ironstate Development is behind this project. Their work in the neighborhood includes The Jefferson, the condoplex at the site of the former Mystery Lot. Another familiar name in these parts, Morris Adjmi, is the architect of record. (He designed the building proposed for the Second Avenue explosion site.)
...and here are renderings via SK Development...
The 363 website lists that seven of the 10 floors have been leased.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Jones Diner lot on Lafayette primed for new development
[Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
Thursday, July 5, 2018
The serene, reflective pond of Avenue A is officially dried up — for now
The reflective pool on Avenue A near Ninth Street that has delighted both M14 riders and Instagrammers alike with its serene and peaceful charm ...
... has become a victim of this relentless heatwave...
This is all that remains of the perpetual puddle...
These photos also help dispel the rumors that the pond was fed through underground spring.
In any event, this promises to only be temporary, as tomorrow's forecast of rain should refill the basin...
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 McDonald's on 14th Street at 1st Avenue is now closed, and gutted, for the time being
The McDonald's at 404 E. 14th St. near First Avenue was boarded up on Tuesday ... its McSignage removed.
The DOB permits posted on the plywood note an "interior renovation."
There isn't any note to patrons about a closure — temporary or permanent. (The McDonald's at 25 Third Ave. at St. Mark's shut down in June 2017 after 20 years in business.)
The arrival of the work permits, of course, suggest a renovation or upgrade, perhaps like the McD's on Delancey and Essex.
Several of the one-star Yelp reviews about this location state that this is among the worst McDonald's in the city.
Thanks to EVG reader Tara Cox for the photos and tip!
The Dumpling Shop moving into the former San Loco space on 2nd Avenue
The coming soon signage is up at 124 Second Ave. where the Dumpling Shop is prepping for a grand opening here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
[Photo by Steven]
According to Facebook, the Shop is "[a]n internationally inspired culinary experience through one of the world’s most iconic foods: dumplings."
The previous business at this address, San Loco, closed in June 2017 "due to a rent increase that is unsustainable," as owner Jill Hing put it. San Loco opened in this location in 1986.
Updated 8 a.m.
Thanks to the commenter to point out the Shop's website, which includes the menu.
O.O.T.D. opens on 7th Street
Back in May we heard that a clothing boutique was opening in the former East Village Cheese shop on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
The shop, O.O.T.D. (Outfit of the Day?), debuted this week here at 80 E. Seventh St. Don't know too much about them at the moment. O.O.T.D. has an Instagram account...
East Village Cheese closed here without any notice in early December after two-plus years at this address.
Yuan Noodle has closed on 2nd Avenue
[Top 2 photos via Chris Rowland]
Yuan Noodle has closed at 157 Second Ave. less than a year after debuting to positive notices here between Ninth Street and 10th Street.
There are two signs on the front window. As of yesterday afternoon, one sign noted that the business was for sale (via Yuan's owner Jacob Ding, who's also a commercial real-estate broker) ... and the other one, upside down, noted a closing sale...
Upon opening last summer, Eater wrote that Yuan "is nothing short of spectacular." The New York Times praised Yuan's signature Guilin mi fen (rice noodles).
In recent weeks, Yuan started looking like a restaurant that was closing, offering 2-for-1 shot deals ...
... and signs for all-night happy hours and $25-all-you-can-drink specials...
Anyway, not sure what happened here. (There isn't any note about the closing on the Yuan website.) This has been a challenging space to make work. Biang! — the sit-down Chinese restaurant via Xi'an Famous Foods owner Jason Wang — closed here back in March 2017 after 15 months in business. The previous tenant, Wylie Dufresne's bistro Alder, closed after two-and-a-half years at the end of August 2015.
As noted before, if Wang and Dufresne, given their successes, couldn't make the space work ... not sure who can. Other recent restaurants here (before 2013) included Plum and Cafe Brama.
In May, applicants from Butter Midtown received CB3's OK to open a Mexican restaurant at No. 157. Given the business-for-sale sign, this deal apparently fell through.
Despite the application on file at the CB3 website, Ding told Eater in May that his restaurant was not closing.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Waiting for the fireworks
Goggla shares this photo of Christo and Amelia's red-tailed hawk offspring... with an Amelia photobomb...
Previously on EV Grieve:
The EVG podcast: Red-tailed hawk talk with Laura Goggin
July 4
Spotted on Seventh Street by Dave on 7th, who writes: "Time to declare your independence from the tree you bought for Xmas."
Noted
This sculpture arrived overnight on 10th Street and Avenue B (where other similar works have been on display in recent years) ... this one is carrying a presidential briefcase...
Thanks to Vinny & O for the photos!
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Tuesday's parting shot
Rainbows and heat relief on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue ... thanks to Gregg Greenwood for the photo!
EVG Etc.: NYCHA's staggering repair bill; CitiBike's new owner
[Sunset and shadows on St. Mark's Place]
The NYCHA needs $32 BILLION for repairs over the next five years (Curbed) More than 800 kids tainted by lead in NYCHA buildings, city says (Daily News)
Why Gabrielle Hamilton, chef/owner of Prune on First Street, would want to team up with an accused sex harasser (The Post)
Lyft buys CitiBike (Gothamist)
Should you worry about falling window A/C units? (Curbed)
Q-and-A with writer/DJ/goth scholar Andi Harriman (Flaming Pablum)
Grand/Clinton Street gridlock update (The Lo-Down)
Opening a fire hydrant is a long city summer tradition (Ephemeral New York)
The business success of Luke's Lobster, which got its start on 7th Street in 2009 (CNBC)
1986 Tonya Harding doc "Sharp Edges" gets a 1-week run starting Friday (City Cinemas Village East ... and background here)
U.S. premiere of the documentary "A Skin So Soft" begins on Friday (Anthology Film Archives)
About that cartoon video for Richard Hell's "The Kid With the Replaceable Head" (Dangerous Minds)
NYC’s first bike counter is at the base of the Manhattan Bridge (Streetsblog)
There's a special breakfast-taco menu tomorrow from 6:30-11 a.m. at Superiority Burger on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...
An EVG reader shared this photo ... showing that GoLocker has set up shop at 508 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B in a building owned by the Kushner Companies.
The Brooklyn-based company, which launched in 2014, delivers parcels to lockers stored in neighborhood businesses. There was a set of GoLockers in the back of the Gentle Wash Laundromat on Avenue A, though those were recently removed.
... and EVG reader Andy Reynolds reports that an equipment truck for "The Deuce" shoot on Seventh Street this week took out a nice-sized branch near Second Avenue...
Hey, it's almost the Fourth of July
[Pic from 2015]
Once again, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks will launch from the East River... tomorrow night.
Here are some basics via the official Macy's News Release:
The 42nd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® will feature more than two miles of prime viewing along the shores of the East River. Macy’s annual Independence Day celebration will offer front row views for more than three million spectators in New York City and another 12 million viewers nationwide. The show, beginning at approximately 9:25 p.m. will ignite the sky over the East River centered in midtown with a series of more than 75,000 shells and effects.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks can be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River. The seven barges stationed between East 23rd and East 40th Streets are best seen from:
MANHATTAN
Public viewing will be set up along elevated portions of the F.D.R. Drive. The lanes will be opened to the public at approximately 7 PM with access at Houston, 23rd, 34th, and 42nd.
As Curbed noted in its July 4 preview, those 75,000 shells are up from a paltry 60,000 from last year. (Like comparing "Geostorm" to "Independence Day.")
Here's a map to give you a better idea of the barge location for optimal viewing...
[Map via Macy's and EV Arrow]
And if you're just going to be randomly driving around, there are some street closures to be aware of:
• East Houston Street between Baruch Place and FDR Drive
• Avenue C between 13th Street and Avenue C Entrance Ramp to FDR
• Avenue C Entrance Ramps
• 6th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 10th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 14th Street between Avenue C and Avenue B
• Avenue C between East 16th Street and East 23rd Street
And the always friendly reminder from the 9th Precinct...
As we enter into the last weekend before the #FourthofJuly we want to remind you that #fireworks are not only dangerous but illegal.
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) June 29, 2018
Leave them to @Macys and the professionals.
Be safe and have fun! #EastVillage #NYC pic.twitter.com/4CtucFabIP
Among other things, this could happen...
Headline H/T
Report: Gregg Singer thinks the city should buy the Boys' Club of New York building on 10th and A
As I first reported on June 21, the Boys' Club of New York is selling its Harriman Clubhouse building on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Avenue A.
And developer Gregg Singer, who has been trying to turn the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on Ninth Street into a dorm these past 20 years, has the perfect buyer for the Boys' Club — the city.
Community activists, preservationists and some local elected officials have long been opposed to Singer's plans, and want to see a return to use as a cultural and community center.
So people want a community center? In Singer's estimation, the Boys' Club is the building for that, as he told Patch in an interview published yesterday.
"It's next to Tompkins Square Park, it's a couple of blocks from this property, it's in good condition, its got a pool, basketball court, music rooms, art rooms — it's crazy. So it's ready to go," said Singer, on a recent tour of the gutted former P.S. 64. "We've put about $65 million hard and soft costs to renovate this property. There, it's already in existence so if they really do need a community center, there you go, it's right in your lap."
Reaction!
"It's sort of a ludicrous idea," said Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. "The connection that this community feels to the community center is very strong and it has remained strong for decades and the community's resolve to get this building back [will not be] diverted."
Last October, Mayor de Blasio said that his administration would take steps to reacquire the property ... without actually offering any further details on how the city would do this.
Meanwhile, the Boys' Club building, which opened in 1901, will remain in operation through June 2019.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Boys' Club of New York selling East Village building; will remain open through June 2019
The Times explores the past, present and future of the former P.S. 64
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