Mr. Bing is not returning to St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

Mr. Bing, which specializes in the Northern Chinese street food crepe (aka a jianbing or bing for short), has been closed for the past month at 115 St. Mark's Place near Avenue A. The sign on the door mentions a closure for renovations.

The note to patrons has been a source of confusion for a few residents, given that Mr. Bing arrived as a pop-up business last October that would only be here for several months.

A rep for the quick-serve restaurant told me via email: "The pop-up is indeed closed, but Mr. Bing had a great time in the East Village."

No word on what's next for the space... or what happens to the beer-wine license that CB3 OK'd for Mr. Bing last September.



Mr. Bing, a regular on NYC's food market and festival scene the past two years, will continue on at UrbanSpace Vanderbilt food hall, among other locations.

The previous tenant at 115 St. Mark's Place, Water Witch Mercantile, closed at the end of 2016 after just two months in business.

Full exposures at Thirteen East + West

At last look, only the eastern half of the Thirteen East + West condos had been revealed... now 442 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue is out in the open, free of its scaffolding and netting...


[No. 442]


[No. 436]

Each 6-floor building features six full-floor, two-bedroom homes that will be "sun-drenched" according to the press materials.

When the sales launch, the prices will range between $2.350 million and $3.7 million.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue

A look at the new luxury condos coming soon to East 13th Street

Temporary art and future condos on East 13th Street

Demo time for East 13th Street garages that will yield to luxury condos

A look at the residences coming to Thirteen East + West on East 13th Street

Jazz standards and regulars in Tompkins Square Park

Some late-afternoon jazz in Tompkins Square Park today via Park regulars the Eric Paulin Quartet.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo.

Manhattenhenge, take 2

[Nothing to see here!]

After a promising and photogenic start last evening, some low-sitting clouds obscured the setting sun, spoiling the first Manhattanhenge of the year (#Disappointhenge).

However, if all goes well tonight, the sun will align with the street grid around 8:12. (Full sun on the grid!)

The next dates for Manhattanhenge 2018 are July 12 and 13.

And if you want some background on all this Manhattenhenging, read this by Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Museum of Natural History.

You had mail

So long to the tagged and broken postal relay box that was on St. Mark's Place and Avenue A ... workers hauled it off this morning.

Photo by Derek Berg

A vegan café for 9th Street

A vegan café called called V ❤️ U is coming to 428 E. Ninth St.

EVG correspondent Steven ran into its owner, Junie Ishimori, yesterday in front of the space between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Ishimori, who previously co-owned the vegan ice cream shop Stogo on 10th Street for four years, is just starting work on the café, and hopes to open by the end of the summer.

This storefront was previously Mr. Throwback, which moved across the street in December.

2 new vendors for the Bowery Market

The Bowery Market, the year-round open-air food court at 348 Bowery and Great Jones, has welcomed two new vendors.

The Fruitsand opened earlier this spring. According to their listing at the Bowery Market website, they sell "special sandwiches made with Japanese milky bread called Shokupan, organic fruits and handmade whipped cream. Japanese food that has a long history of over 100 years."

A post shared by THE FRUITSAND. (@thefruitsand) on May 12, 2018 at 11:55am PDT

On Saturday, L’Arte del Gelato, which has locations in the Chelsea Market as well as near several museums, will debut here.



A Bowery Market rep told me that they'll be adding one or two more vendors this summer.

The Market launched in July 2016 with five vendors. Alidoro is the only original tenant left. The other vendors are Sushi on Jones, Oaxaca Comida Calle and Dosa Royale.

Truth in listings: A co-op that needs some TLC

Most often the photos that accompany sales or rental listings feature carefully staged photos to make a positive first impression on potential buyers or renters.

That's not the case with this one-bedroom co-op on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. The Streeteasy listing notes that the place "Needs TLC."

Perhaps to prove that point, the only two photos with the listing offer an unvarnished view of the place — at least of a closet and top of the refrigerator...





The residence is listed at $425,000, with a note that it is in "need of a full renovation." And HDFC income restrictions apply here — one person $120,000; two people $137,000, per the listing.

Bubbleology Tea signs a lease on 1st Avenue

As previously noted, the London-based Bubbleology Tea chain was planning to open at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

In its listing of recent real-estate transactions, the Times reported yesterday that the owners of this franchise signed a seven-year lease for the space, which previously housed the International Bar.

From the Times:

London-based bubble tea franchise has signed a seven-year lease for its flagship shop to open this summer in a 750-square-foot storefront, with a backyard patio, in this five-story East Village walk-up. The shop will feature milk- and fruit-based bubble tea blends including Oreo Crush, along with alcoholic brews including Raspberry Mar-Tea-Ni.

The annual rent was listed at $105,000 — $8,750 per month.

The owners were seeking a full-liquor license for the address. However, CB3 denied their application last month, citing "insufficient public benefit ... for a business seeking to add tea-infused cocktails to its drink menu to sustain its business plan, in an area well-served with licensed businesses furnishing cocktails," per the minutes from that meeting.

It's not known at the moment if Bubbleology Tea is seeking a license directly from the State Liquor Authority for its Raspberry Mar-Tea-Ni and other boozy teas.

The latest iteration of the International Bar closed this past Thanksgiving. (Non-renewal of lease, via landlord Steve Croman.) The bar merged with its sister saloon, the Coal Yard, one block to the south between Seventh Street and Sixth Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More about Bubbleology Tea, possibly coming soon to 1st Avenue

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo on 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C via @lifeinthekey ...

Noted

EVG reader Mark White shared this photo... spotted early this morning on Second Street and Avenue B. Unfortunately, anything likely considered dope was already long gone...

Manhattanhenge is ON

Clear skies mean #Manhattanhenge is on for today (May 29)! 🌇Get ready for a spectacular sunset during Manhattanhenge, also known as the phenomenon when the sun aligns with the Manhattan grid! For the best viewing locations, visit on.nyc.gov/Manhattanhenge. If you’ll miss today’s sunset, Manhattanhenge is happening again on May 30, July 12, and July 13. (📷: Tudor City Overpass by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

A post shared by NYC Parks (@nycparks) on May 29, 2018 at 11:16am PDT

A playground dedication on 12th Street

The official opening of the new playground at the Children’s Workshop School/East Village Community School/P.S. 94 The Spectrum School took place this morning.

A rep at the Trust for Public Land, one of the organizations that helped fund the new playground, shared this before-and-after photo at the school on 12th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C...


[Click on image for a better view]





Here's more from the media advisory on the opening... via the EVG inbox...

The new playground will bring 41,000 residents within a 10-minute walk of a park that includes a turf field, game tables, play equipment, running track, a stage, trees, and other green infrastructure elements.

This park is open to the entire community after school hours and on the weekends, and includes features that can be enjoyed by all ages, from children to seniors. This playground was made possible through funding provided from the Manhattan Borough President’s office, former New York City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, and supporters of The Trust for Public Land.

The opening of this playground is part of the Trust for Public Land’s Playgrounds Program, which serves to create vibrant, educational and fun playgrounds for New York City’s schoolchildren. All Trust for Public Land playgrounds include student participation in the design process, providing them with hands-on learning of the science, technology, engineering, architecture, and math that goes into physical aspects of designing playgrounds, and also the survey, consensus-building, and budgetary steps that go into the social aspects of deciding what will be included in their school’s playground.

Meanwhile, the official opening for the playground at P.S. 19 on First Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street is planned for June 18 at 11 a.m.



Previously on EV Grieve:
More details on the all-new playground coming to P.S. 19

Sauce Pizzeria coming to 12th Street

The Sauce signage recently went up in the windows at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



There isn't any other info at the moment about who's behind this venture. (Sauce does have an Instagram account.)

--

Updated 9 a.m.
Several readers have suggested that this is a spin-off of Sauce Restaurant on Allen and Rivington.

--

The space, just a few storefronts away from Motorino Pizzeria, was last home to S'MAC, who moved to the corner at First Avenue last summer.

Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the tip!

The new Mast Books space is shaping up

Mast Books has wrapped up its last weekend at 66 Avenue A ... ahead of a move this week a few storefronts away to 72 Avenue A. (Today is the last day at No. 66 with a 4:30 p.m. close.)

In the top photo, you can see how their new corner space at Fifth Street is looking, at least from the outside. Mast hopes to be open here by Friday.

Meanwhile, tonight, there's a book signing with Michael Stipe in which you can preview the new space...

Mast Books, Artbook D.A.P., and Damiani invite you to join MICHAEL STIPE for a book signing in celebration of his new artist’s book VOLUME 1 - Tuesday, May 29th, 7-9pm. Preview our new location at 72 Avenue A.

A post shared by Mast Books (@mastbooks) on May 25, 2018 at 4:56pm PDT

Mast, which sells new, used and rare books, opened on A in May 2010.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mast Books launches sale ahead of short move on Avenue A

An RIP memorial on Avenue A and 5th Street

Señor Pollo is now Punto Rojo on 1st Avenue

In case you didn't see the recent signage switcheroo on First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street... Punto Rojo has taken over for Señor Pollo, which specialized in reasonably priced Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken.

As we understand it, there's new ownership, but the same staff for the bakery-restaurant that serves traditional Colombian food.

Signs on the window promise a new menu soon. (The menus and receipts still say Señor Pollo.)



Punto Rojo also has outposts in Jamaica, Queens, and Hicksville, N.Y.

Joli Beauty Bar leaves 1st Street

The eastern storefront at 44 E. First St. is now on the rental market. (Steve Croman's 9300 Realty lists the space at $5,795 per month.)

Joli Beauty Bar closed earlier this month after nearly three years here between First Avenue and Second Avenue. The owners, who decided to part ways, address the closure in this Instagram post. The brand will live on as a mobile beauty service.

Julius Klein had this space for his studio/gallery for years before he was Cromanated in the spring of 2012.

Memorial Day Weekend parting shot

Photo from Seventh Street and Second Avenue by Dan Efram...

Noted

Avenue A and Ninth Street today ... a little 2013 throwback... photo by Steven.

Report: Bargoer dies after passing out at No Fun on Ludlow Street

A friend discovered the unresponsive woman and called 911, cops said https://t.co/ZTgzWiJ5OV

— New York Post (@nypost) May 28, 2018

The Post reports today that a 25-year-old Brooklyn woman "lost consciousness" while sitting on a couch at No Fun on Saturday night.

According to the Post:

A friend discovered the unresponsive woman and called 911, cops said. When police arrived, the concerned caller told them the victim had been drinking and using cocaine earlier in the day, police sources said.

No drugs were found at the time.

The woman, whose name has not been made public, was pronounced dead at Beth Israel.

No Fun, at 161 Ludlow St. between Houston and Stanton, is "often considered by neighbors to be one of the worst quality-of-life offenders within the confines of Hell Square," according to BoweryBoogie in reporting on a recent street brawl outside the establishment.

In 2016, the owners of No Fun sued the Lower East Side Dwellers community organization for defamation.

As The Lo-Down reported:

Operators of the bar ... took issue with the Dwellers’ contention in emails and during a public meeting that the night spot lacked a certificate of occupancy. They claimed that this assertion damaged the bar’s reputation.

The lawsuit was dismissed in state supreme court earlier this month.

Updated 5/29

The Post updated their article with the name of the victim — Emily Fayssoux, a North Carolina native who graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She reportedly worked in fashion marketing.

Double rainbow outside Juicy Lucy on 1st Street

A look at the two new rainbow murals at the Juicy Lucy stand on First Street at First Avenue... courtesy of Antony Zito.

The EVG reader who shared this photo also pointed out the discarded Rainbow Apples box here...

At the 2018 Loisaida Festival Community Parade

EVG reader Brucie shared these photos from this morning... at the start of the 2018 Loisaida Festival Community Parade, which took place on parts of Avenue C and Avenue D. (You can read more about how the props for the parade came together here)...









The parade ended on Avenue C and 12th Street at the Loisaida Festival's Main Stage...



... and later...

Report: Uber driver collides with 3 parked cars on Avenue D

Just after 10 this morning, an Uber driver reportedly sideswiped several parked cars on Avenue D near Fifth Street before flipping his vehicle.

EVG reader Sylvia G. shared these photos...



According to the Daily News, after hitting two unoccupied parked cars, the driver rear-ended a vehicle that was double-parked with someone inside. The Uber driver's black Toyota sedan overturned from the force of the impact, trapping him inside.

EMTs took the Uber driver and the victim in the double-parked vehicle to Mount Sinai Beth Israel for neck and back injuries, per the News. No word on what caused the collision. No charges have been filed yet against the Uber driver.

Week in Grieview

[Photo on 7th Street yesterday by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

A (familiar) new owner for the 11th Street Bar (Monday)

7-story residential building pending at the former Lucky Cheng's space (Friday)

When Caitlin met Cáit (Thursday)

Bird watch: A nesting American robin on 3rd Street and Avenue B (Tuesday)

Inkstop Tattoo closing later this summer after 21 years on Avenue A and 13th Street (Wednesday)

Mast Books launches sale ahead of short move on Avenue A (Tuesday)

Mikey Likes It returns after short closure for repairs (Monday)

Introducing Grant Shaffer's NY See (Thursday)

On the sales market: 428 E. 13th St. (plus air rights) (Thursday)

Afandi Grill bringing food from Central Asia to 1st Avenue (Thursday)

The buzz at La Plaza Cultural (Wednesday)

Former Lovecraft space for rent on Avenue B (Tuesday)

Dian Kitchen now serving rice noodles on 9th Street (Monday)

Icon Realty shaves $4 million off of its 9th Street townhouse ask (Tuesday)

24 St. Mark's Place sells for $12.9 million (Tuesday)

Suffolk Arms signage stripped away; Suffolk Arms V2 on the way? (Monday)

Beer and wine notice for Fire & Water on 7th Street (Monday)

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Noted

A Fleet Week participant last night on Second Avenue at 10th Street ...



James and Karla Murray, who shared these photos, noted the vehicle-craft had Montana plates.

The Undead headlines tomorrow's free show in Tompkins Square Park

Tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon in Tompkins Square Park... via the EVG inbox...

Celebrate the commemoration of the May 27, 1991 Tompkins Square police riot, with political activist speakers, info tables and intense bands, including:

• The Undead
• Coach N' Commando
• Nihilistics
• SPIKE Polite and Sewage NYC
• Universal Truth Machine
• Karnage

Reversal of 'Fortune'

Protomartyr's new EP, Consolation, comes out on June 15 via Domino USA.

The above video is for "Wheel of Fortune," one of two songs on that EP featuring Kelley Deal of the Breeders.