[Updated] Reader report: Santander branch closing in April on Avenue A

An EVG reader writes in: "Ugh! My bank is closing. Santander is still in business but the local branch at Avenue A and Fourth Street is closing in April. Letters set to go out to customers this week or next."

And here is part of the letter, which notes the branch closes at noon on April 27:



After April 27, Avenue A will be bank-branch free for the time being. The Chase branch closed at Second Street in November 2015 ... while the Citi shut down between Third Street and Fourth Street last January.

The Boston-based Santander Bank announced last week that it was raising its minimum wage for employees to $15 per hour.

Construction watch: 255 E. Houston St.

Developer Samy Mahfar's controversial development at 255 E. Houston has finally made its first appearance above the plywood here between Norfolk and Suffolk.

In September 2016, Mahfar withdrew his application — after a five-year fight — for a commercial zoning change for this property and surrounding parcels.

He had approval for a 10-story building. However, amended work permits now show a 13-story building (waiting for approval). An article published by the Commercial Observer back on Dec. 20 mentioned that it will be 14 floors. (The article was about Mahfar scoring a $39.5 million construction loan from Bank of the Ozarks for the 88-unit apartment building. It's not clear if any of the units will be designated as affordable housing.)

The current plywood rendering along East Houston shows this...



No. 255 previously housed the day-care center Action For Progress.


[EVG photo of No. 255 from 2012]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Next for 255 E. Houston St.: Community facility/school/medical building?

10-story building now in the works for 255 E. Houston St.

Debate over commercial overlay for 255 E. Houston St. and surrounding blocks continues

Report: Samy Mahfar drops bid for commercial overlay on East Houston and parts of the LES

Top photos from Saturday

Five Tacos has not been open lately on St. Mark's Place

The gate has been down at Five Tacos on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A for the past two weekends.

The sign on the door says that they are closed until further notice...



For now, Google shows them permanently closed...



The inside of the quick-serve restaurant looks cleaned out. And the phone goes unanswered.

Five Tacos, part of the Ten Degrees family next door, opened in January 2012.

Remembering Breakfast at DF Mavens

Left up for grabs this afternoon outside the former DF Mavens space on St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue...



Steven, who took these photos, said that the Audrey Hepburn print was claimed fairly quickly... can't say the same thing for the retail space.

DF Mavens, the vegan ice cream shop, closed nearly two years ago to the date... and the prime corner storefront has remained tenant free since then...

Kmart staying on Astor Place, minus the 2nd floor (for Facebook?)

At the beginning of the month, The Real Deal reported that Facebook and Vornado Realty Trust were in talks to expand the social media giant's presence at 770 Broadway, the landmarked building on Astor Place.

Those talks looked as if they might lead to the end of Kmart, which opened a three-level store here in 1996.

Per The Real Deal:

Vornado ... recently paid roughly $46 million to Kmart – whose department store occupies about 30,000 square feet on the ground, mezzanine and lower-level of the building – in what appears to be a buyout of the retailer’s lease, according to city property records. Observers said it’s unlikely that Vornado boss Steve Roth would take such a risk without a replacement tenant lined up, and speculated that Facebook could be looking to make a splash with a high-profile storefront, a la Microsoft’s store on Fifth Avenue.

However, as some EVG commenters pointed out, the store was in the process of a renovation — unlikely to be going through this before a closure.

Now comes official word from store management that Kmart is only giving up the second floor (didn't get confirmation whether Facebook would be expanding into that area) ... The store has condensed its wares to the main floor and lower level...




[Photo by Steven]



EVG reader East Villager shared the following after a recent shopping excursion here:

I went to Kmart to get pajamas for my mother, and saw some construction, new flooring, etc. The escalator to go up was closed and the elevator was not working (as usual).

Everything from the second floor — men's, shoes, etc., was on the first floor and in the basement. So I initially thought, oh, so they are remodeling the top floor first. I asked, and found out that — no! The second floor is now rented out to someone else. There will be only the basement and first floor.

And to boot, less merchandise, even though they said things were just condensed. So condensed, they no longer exist — like pajamas!

That whole lingerie/home wear section — all gone. The help they offered was to get it online. I don't want to get it online, order it, wait for it to come in, wait on line to pick it up, just to find out I may or may not like it or have it fit.

Total crap.

Other people I spoke with were pleased that Kmart was still a (mostly) affordable option for some basics.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Are Kmart's days numbered on Astor Place? (40 comments)

Project Renewal holding a community meeting on the Bowery tomorrow night

Flyers are up along the Bowery for a community meeting at Project Renewal tomorrow (Tuesday) night from 6-7 at the nonprofit's outpost at 333 Bowery between Second Street and Third Street.



The flyers state: "Do you have questions or concerns about Project Renewal or want more information about the programs and services offered at the shelter?"

The nonprofit was founded in 1967. Per their website:

Project Renewal ... helps homeless and low-income men and women who often have a drug addiction, mental illness or both by providing everything they need to reclaim their lives with renewed health, homes, and jobs.

Project Renewal's Kenton Hall on Third Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery is "home to 100 men on methadone maintenance, receiving comprehensive health, support, and housing services." It opened in 1991.

Last fall, local elected officials along with Project Renewal leaders took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new community garden outside the Third Street shelter. Officials hope that the new space will bring about a bond between the shelter and local community.

Sammy's Halal signage arrives at the former Polish G. I. Delicatessen

The transformation of the former Polish G. I. Delicatessen at 109 First Ave. between Seventh Street and Sixth Street is almost complete.

The awning for the new tenant, Sammy's Halal, went up on Friday. Based on the work permits, I thought it was going to be an outpost of Shawarma House. This appears to be part of the Sammy's family.

As for the late Polish G. I. Delicatessen, the Eastern European specialty foods shop closed last July after 21 years in business. Read more about that closure here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Polish G. I. Delicatessen signage comes down on 1st Avenue

Sunshine state

Several readers shared photos (ones from JG are in this post) from Saturday showing some more interior demolition of the former Sunshine Cinema at 143 E. Houston St. ...



There were two dumpsters as well as a semi-trailer parked out front... (the pile of dumpsterized theater seats were apparently a hit with the kids, as seen in this video clip) ...



Workers likely can't gut too much of the five-screen theater, which closed on Jan. 21, just yet. The new owners — East End Capital and K Property Group — are hosting an event here on Feb. 15 to preview their planned 9-story office building for the property. Or, as Jeremiah Moss put it, "a developer victory dance party."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema

The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space


[Photo outside the Sunshine on Jan. 22 by EVG reader Karen]

Krust Pizzeria has closed for good this time on 14th Street

EVG reader Shiv shares this photo, showing a for rent sign and eviction notice on the door at Krust Pizzeria.

Last summer, it looked as if Krust here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue had bitten the dust. The shop was closed for weeks, and legal documents posted to the door showed that eviction proceedings were underway. But Krust rallied and reopened, though it was only temporary.

The pizzeria opened in the fall of 2011.

Meet Fresh debuts on Cooper Square

NYC's first Meet Fresh is now open on Cooper Square at Sixth Street.

While we don't have photographic evidence of this, an EVG reader reported a long line outside the popular Taiwanese dessert and tea chain on Saturday.

As previously noted, the company, now with 100 locations worldwide, was started by the Fu siblings. Here's their story via the Meet Fresh website:

Sister and Brother Fu grew up in a generational farming family in the Feng Yuan District of Taichung, Taiwan. Using traditional food materials and processes, they made chewy taro ball desserts, soft herbal jelly, and delicate traditional tofu pudding, as a continuation of traditional delicacies while integrating innovation!

Meet Fresh resides in the corner retail space of the 13-story dorm for Marymount Manhattan College students that opened in August 2015.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet Fresh bringing teas and taro balls to Cooper Square

Tough times for spas

Three spas have recently closed in the East Village...

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The Red & White Spa recently shuttered on Third Avenue at 10th Street ... the spa was previously in a smaller space on the other side of the Taste Wine shop next door ... Before Red & White took over, this prime corner space was the Element Beauty Lounge.

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The former Top Beauty Spot on Second Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street is for rent...

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And EVG reader Amy mentioned that the Lavender Mini Spa on Fourth Street at First Avenue hasn't been open of late... the gates remained down this weekend. Their phone is not in service.

Week in Grieview

[Late one afternoon on Allen at Houston the other day]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Ciao For Now is closing after 17 years on 12th Street; will continue with catering business (Friday)

Remembering Adela Fargas (Monday)

Che Cafe returns as Benny's Burritos & Empanadas on 7th Street (Friday)

On East Houston, El Maguey y La Tuna will have to close after the landlord doubles the rent (Monday)

Cinnamon Garden, a new Indian restaurant coming soon to 6th Street (Tuesday)

Report: Discrimination suit claims principal overlooked racial issues at Tompkins Square Middle School (Wednesday)

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come (Thursday)

Ben & Jerry's is now open on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space (Monday) ... Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema (Monday)

Gregg Singer heads to federal court to clear way for his 9th Street dorm project (Thursday)

Champion Coffee taking over the Madman Espresso space on 14th Street (Wednesday)

Chelsea Thai closes ahead of move to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue (Tuesday)

Oishi Village Sushi has gone out of business on 2nd Avenue (Friday)

King Kong Lives (on 13th Street) (Thursday)

Looking at Boris & Horton, opening soon on Avenue A (Monday)

Unleashed by Petco has closed on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)

Robataya has closed on 9th Street (Monday)

Boticarios opens on 1st Street (Thursday)

Last call for JAM Paper & Envelope on 3rd Avenue (Thursday)

I.Q. Decor closing on 14th Street (Wednesday)

$10 million minimum opening bid at auction of former building that housed Lucky Cheng's (Wednesday)

1st sign of Target on 14th Street (Tuesday)


[Discarded on 7th Street via Derek Berg]

Some Tasty Taiwan for the former TK Kitchen on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Ciala has apparently closed (Tuesday)

Taco Bell premiered its Nacho Fries on the Bowery (Wednesday)

The literally sign at the Continental (Thursday)

In the fall of 2015, the owner of the Lions BeerStore opening on Second Avenue at Sixth Street asked Billy the Artist, a resident of the building, to create a mural on the south-facing wall...



This past week, a building inspector made the landlord paint over it for rather vague reasons...



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East Village bird count

[A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker spotted in the East Village]

A group of East Village residents recently took part in a bird count in the neighborhood. Here’s their story via EVG reader Patrick:

We were inspired by annual bird counts that have occurred for more than a century in New York and, now, all over the world. We gathered in Tompkins Square Park and then spread out to cover the community gardens and other areas of the East Village.

Overall we counted 1,567 individual birds, representing 16 different species. Highlights included a Peregrine Falcon on Meltzer Tower, two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in Tompkins Square Park, and an American Kestrel perched on a building at the corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A. We also saw Christo, the resident male red-tailed Hawk in Tompkins Square Park, along with “Nora,” the new visitor, and another juvenile hawk.

Thanks to everyone who participated: Steven, Donald, Florence, Dennis, Cheyenne, Laura, Jeff, Greg and Elias!

Today in unicorn sightings on Cooper Square

A dispatch from peter radley:

if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes
I would have thought that someone
was more than a little delirious to
tell such a tale?

Hold the phone

EVG reader Jen Pace shared this photo from earlier today on First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street... making way for the next LinkNYC kiosk...

FDR accompaniment

Dave on 7th spotted this scene on 10th Street near the FDR. "Interestingly soothing undertones to the traffic."

Write on

Spotted outside the 2Bn2C sculpture garden on Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C... not sure how long the bag with free pens and pencils has been there... mostly pens left...

Noted

Another dog poop etiquette sign to note... this one in Tompkins Square Park...



... inside the St. Mark's Place entrance along Avenue A ... well, if this helps...



Some Parkgoers have apparently been letting their dogs run around in this area... and not everyone is cleaning up afterwards... and so someone put up these signs...



Photos from Thursday by Bobby Williams.

State of the nation

Sextile starts the new year with a new single... here's the L.A.-based band with a video for "Current Affair."

Where's Pitbull?

Yesterday afternoon, Derek Berg spotted a cardboard cutout of the rapper Pitbull on Seventh Street near Avenue A... by this morning, Pitbull was enjoying one of the remaining payphones on Second Avenue...



It is too soon to tell if we have another concrete horse head bust on our hands.

Curlie

EVG reader Bill Buchen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, shares one of the reasons why he loves the East Village...

This is Curlie, who holds court most days at Hartman Square, a narrow strip between Houston and Second Street on Avenue C playing Old School Doo-wop hits of the 50s and some 60s on his boombox.

Always a sonic treat to hear these rhymes of yesteryear played by an elder. It was too cold for his dogs, but they'll soon be back...

Ciao For Now is closing after 17 years on 12th Street; will continue with catering business

[Photo via Instagram]

Ciao For Now, the homespun cafe at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is closing after 17 years in business. They will serve their last meal next Wednesday (Jan. 31).

However, the owners will continue on with their catering business as well as use the space for community events.

Here's a letter than they shared with me last night...

Dear East Village Community,

It is with heavy hearts that after 17 years, we close our cafe doors on February 1.

Moving forward, our primary focus will be our catering business and hosting community events.

We look forward to continuing to serve delicious handmade food to you by way of our online catering store at ciaofornow.nyc where you can order catering platters, cakes, pies, pastries and beverages...and yes...that includes our ginger green tea with lemon and honey :)

It is difficult to put into words all of the emotions we are feeling. We feel like we gave it everything we’ve got but as we are seeing all over NYC, the retail small business model has become nearly impossible to sustain. We have met so many incredible people along the way.

Raising our children in the cafe has been a great joy for our family. Ciao for Now has been a second home to many, and we couldn’t have made it this far without our amazing staff and all of your love and support. Thank you for your friendship and loyalty. Our family will always cherish all of the beautiful memories made here.

With much love & gratitude,

Ciao for Now
The Miceli Family

From 2008-2015 Ciao For Now had an outpost in the West Village. (Read about that here.) They closed that spot to focus on the original East Village location. As Amy Miceli said at that time: "It is brutal running a business in the city. I love it and hate it every day."

Ciao For Now will be open per usual for brunch this weekend 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Che Cafe returns as Benny's Burritos & Empanadas on 7th Street

Back on Jan. 10, Derek Berg spotted workers installing the Cafe Che winterized doorway on the front of the new East Village Playhouse on Sixth Street.



Not a good sign, at least for Cafe Che, which then went dark.

I asked owner Mark Merker, who launched Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, what was happening with Cafe Che. He started selling empanada pocket and other items last April at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue.


[Photo of Merker from last April by Steven]

"Right now we are in a pause," he said, and that he hoped to return in a few weeks with an expanded menu.

And yesterday, Cafe Che was back. As Jeremiah Moss first reported, the space is now going as Benny's Burritos & Empanadas.

The expanded menu will eventually include burritos and empanadas, along with tacos, chicken tortilla soup and more. Merker told me last night that the burritos will be on the menu in a few weeks.

So some good news for fans of Benny's, which closed on Avenue A and Sixth Street after 27 years in business in November 2014. (The Benny's to-go space next door closed in February 2015.)

Oh, and what about the Cafe Che winterized doorway? "That needed to come down because of a complaint called in to 311," Merker told me.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches