[Bobby Williams]
The city OK'd a demolition permit yesterday for 98-100 Avenue A, which housed East Village Farms until Feb. 7, 2012.
Developer Ben Shaoul purchased the former theater turned market last month for $15.5 million, according to public records. (While the name of Shaoul, president of Magnum Real Estate Group, isn't listed on the records... his name appears as the owner of the property on the asbestos abatement flyers that went up in early June. Magnum's name is also on the demolition permit.)
Nothing is on file yet with the DOB regarding a new building for the address here between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street. However, a listing for the retail spaces that we noted last month provides an idea of what Shaoul and company have in mind ... a large retail space with 40 residential units above...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT4cZFlIg3I6gcNMkc_sDa1R3nUVVz3kFWI-oc92DrPspem-t3hSlQpFRxKkP05oonjifMMi3fX4pGZsgPXJllttpSU2If3vKhYzPDcQzzPHNh32YT1i1lQFVwXAZdnt8rz-PoaIA9Bg/s400/98.png)
Last year, the previous landlord — Suh, Yon, Pak Associates, Inc. — proposed to keep the store on the first and second floor, and then add a third and fourth floor for residential use. For whatever reason, the landlord never got this plan approved. Subsequent plans on file with the DOB showed a proposed addition to the back of the building ... and increasing the size of the store at the first and second floors.
As we've previously posted, the Avenue A Theatre opened here in 1926. It was operated by RKO, followed by Loew's. It closed in 1959. The various markets here used the theater space for storage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4nbSE8m35zdCcgPqrvpd7_II1oUadlP1ciuh6Ndo6edW8aM0zd5p-veXiVejzJYHSfQ4iEFIUPVhioWL5TlWt_h7F4pCLzgJcmJRdOoYmCXqdP2chQH_csCUYf7S_XONyxXjkwQGVJfH/s400/loholly.jpg)
On Jan. 12, 2012, we posted photos of the not-so-secret theater inside here from photographer Kevin Shea Adams. (You can read his post and see more photos here.)
[Kevin Shea Adams]
[Kevin Shea Adams]
Several residents were hopeful that a developer with the ways and means and desire to preserve would restore the building for use as a theater. But that's too much to ask for.
In any event, you likely won't be seeing less of this out front ...
[Bobby Williams]
Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A
East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A
Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A
Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished
Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy