Saturday, February 5, 2011
Daily News brings further shame to the East Village
I missed this feature in the Daily News ... Thanks (maybe!) to EV Grieve reader Crazy Eddie for passing along the links — complete with an apology.
As you can see, we're No. 2 for singles! Woo!
And now, the lead to the section on the East Village:
And!
As you can see, we're No. 2 for singles! Woo!
And now, the lead to the section on the East Village:
Somehow this neighborhood once known for sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll keeps getting better. If this place were a rock band, in the 1990s it would have been a raucous merging of the Sex Pistols meets the Rolling Stones. Today, it’s more mellow indie rock meets John Mayer.
And!
One person scored a $1,900 one-bedroom on a fourth-floor walk-up. About $3,000 will get you a small two-bedroom. The farther east one goes, towards Avenue C and D, the less one pays, but the closer one gets to housing projects and traditional, immigrant areas known for their local flavor.
Parts of this area gets gritty, but public gardens fill the empty lots, some with Roman amphitheatres, others with weeping willow trees and small ponds filled with gold fish.
Friday, February 4, 2011
[Updated] Second East Village outpost of Nicky's opens on East Fourth Street
As this photo from EV Grieve reader Hanser shows, it appears that Nicky's has a new location... here on Fourth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...
And we've heard about it already from a commenter:
Anonymous said...
PLEASE HELP PLEASE HELP, I've just noticed a venue on E 4TH between A and B. Blasting music, Lady Gage, etc., loud people on phones, "Woo"'s from inside. Is this a special night or did some club just open up? It is SO LOUD. My building is on THIRD street and faces the back and I hear this hell and feel sick inside.
Do you know what this is? I can't make out the sign, it seems to be a red light up sign.
Blockbusters: Union Market coming to 240 East Houston; Discovery Wines looking for new home
240 E. Houston has been on the block now for several months... and there's a taker. EV Grieve reader RyanAvenueA notes that signs just went up here for the Brooklyn-based Union Market.
Meanwhile, Discovery Wines will not be renewing their lease. Their last day is May 31 in this space at 10 Avenue A. Tim at Discovery Wines recently told me this:
"We're not going anywhere — we're staying in this neighborhood for the long haul. And while we have no concrete plans to move into a new space, we are aware of the options in the immediate area. Discovery Wines is a thriving retail shop with an established loyal customer base in the best neighborhood in NYC —" you can count on us to continue to serve our customers on lower Avenue A for many years to come."
Meanwhile, work continues on the upper levels of 240 E. Houston, which caught fire last July.
That was fast!: Last Friday a rally at 35 Cooper Square; today, a sidewalk shed
Jeremiah's Vanishing NY has the scoop on the scaffolding that arrived today at 35 Cooper Square.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Something 28,998 square feet or so coming to Cooper Square (and goodbye Cooper 35 Asian Pub?)
Doom and doomer: More of Cooper Square primed for development
Cooper 35 Asian Pub part of development deal on Cooper Square
Cooper 35 Asian Pub putting up a fight before being torn down
[Photo via Jeremiah's Vanishing NY]
Report: Fire destroys apartment in the Jacob Riis Houses
Patrick Hedlund at DNAinfo reports that a fire broke out last night around 11:30 inside a sixth-floor apartment in the Jacob Riis Houses on 10th Street and Avenue D. Sixty firefighters responded to the fire, getting it under control by 12:16 p.m. According to the DNA story:
No one was hurt in the blaze, and the cause is still under investigation, the FDNY said.
Paola Gutierrez, 24, of Brooklyn said the apartment belongs to her 59-year-old grandmother, who hasn't lived there in almost a year since she had to check into the hospital for unspecified ailments.
[Photo by Patrick Hedlund/DNAinfo]
Where's the Bowery Beef?
As we first reported back in January, a roast beef sandwich shop — the Boston-based Harrison's — is moving into the Bowery Poetry Club. Fork in the Road noted yesterday that the eatery will be called Bowery Beef. And they'll sell books and other printed media too. We asked one of the owners, Ray LeMoine, a few questions via e-mail:
This is your first restaurant venture. What was it about opening a cafe in the Bowery Poetry Club that appealed to you?
It's a space dedicated to literature. As a non-profit stage, Bowery Poetry Club is all-ages. Nice people involved.
How much of your space will be devoted to books/print media? (Newspapers too?)
Probably a shelf of newspapers, magazines and some books. Maybe an iPad app jukebox (Joke! re: iPad!).
Your opinion of the 2011 version of the Bowery as opposed to say, the Bowery from 10 years ago?
Now you can catch a Chinatown bus to anywhere for cheap.
The NY Post declared that the Bowery was "out" for 2011. Any concerns about that?
Yes.
Are you downplaying the Boston angle here?
Maybe. I don't really know. Go Sox!
Previously on EV Grieve:
Bowery Poetry Club to get literary cafe, roast beef
Bookstore-cafe wanted for the Bowery Poetry Club
Fork in the Road had more on the new venture yesterday. Find that article here.
About those Mars Bar rumors
Oh lordy, we've heard so many Mars Bar rumors of late... We won't even repeat most of them... Among other rumors:
• The bar was closing for good this past Sunday.
• The bar stopped putting in orders for beer delivery last week.
• The bar is on a month-to-month lease, which is paid through February.
There was a little more hysteria involving the video shoot/farewell party ad for Saturday afternoon making the rounds earlier this week...
The reality is, no one really knows what's happening here... and if owner Hank Penza knows, then he's not telling anyone...
EMTs escort LES Jewels from Ray's
The NYPD and FDNY EMTs were called to Ray's where L.E.S. Jewels had collapsed yesterday afternoon around 3, Bob Arihood notes.
Witnesses said that the Ray's counter person had called 911 several times earlier because Jewels had allegedly accosted and threatened a customer inside the store.
As Bob's photo shows, EMTs removed the restrained and unresponsive L.E.S. Jewels from the store and took him to a hospital.
And here's a slice of the CBGB pizza
Last Friday, I mentioned that Two Boots on Bleecker was introducing a new CBGB slice. I stopped by to try a slice after work. Sold out!
Anyway, finally remembered to swing by to try again...
I haven't had any slices from Two Boots in a good long time... and I was surprised by how much I liked this one...
Previously on EV Grieve:
2011, the year punk pizza broke: Two Boots introducing the CBGB slice
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The song remains the same: Physical Graffiti latest thrift store to shutter
We've heard the rumors that Physical Graffiti was calling it quits on St. Mark's Place... We saw the owners packing up the vintage clothing store on Monday... The Local East Village has the scoop:
The clothing store is closing its doors after 16 years because of the bad economy, but will re-open in March as a loose leaf tea shop under a slightly different name – Physical Graffi-tea – and the same management.
“It’s so sad but there is just no market for the clothes,” said Ilana Malka, 45, the store’s owner.
I've head this from many people: The new generation moving into the East Village — in general! — isn't interested in unique, vintage clothing...
Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village vintage stores doomed?
More vintage doom: Beauty Crisis is closing
Other closings:
Atomic Passion has closed
Monk Thrift Shop on Avenue B
Atomic Passion on Ninth Street
O Mistress Mine on 11th Street
Andy's Chee-Pees on St. Mark's Place
Fab 208 is moving into a smaller space on Seventh Street
532 East Fifth Street looking blue — and green
When we last looked in on the construction at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B ... it went something like this:
And yesterday, we received a comment on our previous post from July titled The Greenpointing of East Fifth Street continues. The commenter, likely the real-estate agent for 532, wrote (slightly edited):
Fair enough... here our some new shots of the work in progress...
In the end, it will be a six-story, 10-unit building. In fact, there's even a website with more details, such as it's green ...
No prices just yet for these units.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Beaming up on Fifth Street
Demolition on East Fifth Street
On the way: A five-story apartment building for Fifth Street
And yesterday, we received a comment on our previous post from July titled The Greenpointing of East Fifth Street continues. The commenter, likely the real-estate agent for 532, wrote (slightly edited):
"We would of loved to save the brownstone that was there. The owners would of as well. As a matter of fact, they wanted to. The foundation had serious issues and wasn't economicly [sic] feasible. So we salvaged all we could. The cornice was restored and hung on a building in Staten Island that's built during the same period. It can be viewed on DOORtoDOORrealty website — 60-62 Vanduzer. Please update your photos from those stark images that are posted on this blog. I know its hard to keep all happy. But we do proceed with the enviroment [sic] in mind."
Fair enough... here our some new shots of the work in progress...
In the end, it will be a six-story, 10-unit building. In fact, there's even a website with more details, such as it's green ...
No prices just yet for these units.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Beaming up on Fifth Street
Demolition on East Fifth Street
On the way: A five-story apartment building for Fifth Street
I woke up dreaming
I'm please to post some streetscenes captured by East Village resident Clotilde Testa. They were all taken around the neighborhood with a 1959 Lubitel 2 camera.
For more on Clo, please visit here.
[Headline inspiration via]
For more on Clo, please visit here.
[Headline inspiration via]
Priciest pad at 123 Third Ave. hits the market; private greenhouse included
Yesterday, the most expensive home in 123 Third Avenue appeared on Streeteasy. The penthouse features 7.5 rooms: 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms — 2,334 square feet in all. And it's yours for $4.5 (plus change!) million.
A few more details via Corcoran:
Apartment Features
• North, South, East and West exposures
• Balcony, Greenhouse, Roof deck, Terrace, Full city view, Full skyline view, Partial river view, Floors - hardwood, Light - excellent, Great closet space, Washer/dryer
And, most important, you're just steps away from the best that East Union Square has to offer... like the Four Loko at Robin Raj!
Where to go on a first date in the East Village
A harmless enough question over at Chowhound (via Eater)
First Date, East Village, Degustation?
I am going on a first date and trying to keep it in the East Village or close. I'm looking at Degustation - I like the fact that it is a very different with cool food, but not in love with ordering a $75 tasting menu (I've read the 5 course really isn't enough food) on a first date as it could look like I'm trying to hard and also make the date feel a bit uncomfortable. Does anyone have any recommendations for a spot either in or close to the East Village that's a good spot for a date? Thanks!
Well? You people live here. Where would you go on a first date? (And the above scenario? Ulk.)
Today's forecast: 80 percent chance of confetti
Yesterday on Second Street near Avenue B. Looks like snow, but it's actually confetti or some important shredded documents...
[Thanks to EV Grieve reader @nsanchis for the photo!]
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rite Aid looking forward to spring
Because then the druggery on First Avenue and Fifth Street won't have to hear about snowy or icy sidewalks from residents... one of whom sent a note this afternoon describing an icy patch on the Fifth Street side of the shop...
When I arrived later, the walk was clear ...
... though the crew could use a little help with salt distribution...
When I arrived later, the walk was clear ...
... though the crew could use a little help with salt distribution...
Watching Verizon lay some cable
From EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams this afternoon on Avenue B between 10th Street and Ninth Street...
Ice pics of the day (so far!)
A reader sends along these shots from 14th Street near First Avenue...
More fun to look at than walk in... or something...
More fun to look at than walk in... or something...
EV Grieve Etc: Mourning Edition
Why a 31-year veteran of the LES is moving to Iowa (The New York Times)
A class war in Little Italy? (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)
Subway scenes from yesteryear (Stupefaction)
East River relocates to Houston and Allen? (Runnin' Scared)
Queens neighborhood where Jackie Robinson, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and other prominent African-Americans lived now a historic district (Curbed)
Inside the new Italian cafe on East Houston near Norfolk (BoweryBoogie)
F Train woes this a.m. (Gothamist)
The return of Freddy's in Brooklyn (NYPress)
Staten Island Chuck sees early spring, doesn't bite Bloomy (NYPost)
You likely won't be able to blame NYU for 35 Cooper Square's destruction
The chatter about the future of 35 Cooper Square all leads to one place: DORM.
Well! The NYU Local asked NYU spokesperson John Beckman about the space:
No, we’re not buying the Cooper Square property.
It’s interesting—before our [2031] planning effort, and the strategy for developing the superblocks, this is the kind of opportunity we might have pursued. And if we are ultimately unsuccessful with the plan for the superblocks we are bringing through the City approvals process, this is the kind of nearby property — even though controversial — that we’d be led to consider as an option.
The East Village of Nelson Sullivan
The following post was written by EV Grieve contributor Shawn Chittle:
Waiting for a Table at an East Village Sidewalk cafe
Previously on YouTube. (Find more of Nelson's work on YouTube here.)
A Trip to Avenue A in NYC
You can read more about Nelson and his role documenting his surroundings during the 1980s here. He died of a heart attack on July 4, 1989.
Long before Twitter, Facebook, cell phones and cell phone cameras — in 1980s New York — there was Nelson Sullivan. He pointed a bulky 8mm video camera with a wide fisheye lens at himself and filmed everything. As the first video "lifecaster" he was years ahead of his time. Not a narcissist by my definition, but someone who wanted to document the culture that he clearly realized was something special. I have a bunch of his stuff. Sadly, he died in 1989 of a heart attack.
This clip below was just released yesterday — destined to become a classic as Avenue A, East 6th and Avenue B are captured in all their grimy glory. In this video, he tries to get a table at (a yellow painted) Sidewalk Cafe, but "all the freaks" have the tables. Instead he improvises and drops in on his friend who lives on East 6th Street and Avenue B. They all head back to find friends and an empty table at Sidewalk where the video fades out.
Waiting for a Table at an East Village Sidewalk cafe
Previously on YouTube. (Find more of Nelson's work on YouTube here.)
A Trip to Avenue A in NYC
You can read more about Nelson and his role documenting his surroundings during the 1980s here. He died of a heart attack on July 4, 1989.
On keeping 'street art safely pristine'
Nice piece in Artinfo about the ongoing drama with the Kenny Scharf mural on Houston and the Bowery. (Read the article here.)
The article, written by Emma Allen, focuses on the surveillance cameras and alleged 24/7 mural guard put in place by the wall's owner, Tony Goldman and his Goldman Properties ... to the article:
"There's no guard there now," countered Tony Goldman's prickly personal assistant, when asked if Goldman Properties had hired someone to protect the work. To which Goldman himself added in an email: "We had a guard there while the paint was drying," after Scharf touched it up. "There were many people in the street and we did not want the new paint damaged. The cameras remain."
And!
"While the guard may be gone, larger questions of whose job it is (if it is anyone's) to keep street art safely pristine persist. Beginning in 2008, the works created for the East Houston space — collaborations between Goldman and galleries around the city, from Deitch Projects to The Hole, to Kasmin — have been executed by artists whose 'street art' sells in galleries and at auction for thousands of dollars. And while it seems logical to try to protect such valuable, and often beautiful, artworks from the destructive impulses of ruffians, the Houston Street wall once in fact was the uncontested terrain of those who made art outside of, and often in opposition to, the art establishment."
And Billy Leroy has the best line, which ends the piece: " ... it's funny, five years ago no one gave a shit about the wall, and now it's become the epicenter of the art world."
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] 24/7 security guards now on duty at the Bowery-Houston mural
35 Cooper Square: Ownership and plans
Roland Li at Real Estate Weekly has the latest details on the future of 35 Cooper Square. Highlights from his article:
• The current owner of 35 Cooper is the Arun Bhatia Development Organization, which has built dorms for the New School and seven condo towers, most recently 139 Wooster Street, and an unnamed partner
• They haven't decided whether to demolish the building
• They want an "as of right, mixed-use" building, but haven't decided on specifics
• The entire lot has a buildable up to 28,998 square feet
• More details will be provided in "three or four weeks"
Meanwhile, remember that you can help by signing the online petition, which you can find here.
[35 Cooper art via]
Previously on EV Grieve:
Something 28,998 square feet or so coming to Cooper Square (and goodbye Cooper 35 Asian Pub?)
Doom and doomer: More of Cooper Square primed for development
Cooper 35 Asian Pub part of development deal on Cooper Square
Cooper 35 Asian Pub putting up a fight before being torn down
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