It looks like those
Starbucks-to-Avenue A rumors are true.
Recently issued work permits for 129-131 Avenue A show ...
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Per the ALL-CAP DOB paperwork on another work permit for the address: "FILING FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO STARBUCKS BUILD-OUT."
It's not
exactly clear where the Starbucks will go... there are multiple addresses — 125-131 St Mark's Place and 125-131 Avenue A — associated with the building on the northwest corner, and there are several empty storefronts within these addresses... including the former Nino's and Hop Devil Grill...
The original rumors had the Starbucks going
into this prime corner space. (That makes sense.) Paper also just went up in the window of the former Yoshi Sushi...
None of the work permits posted on these storefronts list the Starbucks info. That's only
online as of now.
It's also not clear what kind of Starbucks this will be. Last fall,
the company announced plans to open up to 1,000 Starbucks stores "with a Reserve coffee bar experience" by the end of 2017. There are four newish locations in NYC of a Starbucks Reserve Roastery, including at 10 Waverly Place.
The architect of record for the Avenue A work was also behind the new Starbucks on Waverly Place as well as several others in the city.
In any event, this will be the first Starbucks to open in the East Village east of First Avenue, where there are locations at Third Street and at 13th Street.
As for the previous tenants here, to the usual recap: Nino's
closed in October 2015. As previously reported, owner Nino Camaj accepted a low six-figure amount to walk away from his remaining 10-year lease and surrender the pizza shop that he opened in 1989. He had been in
a dispute with the landlord over back rent and a closure due to a gas leak in the building. Hop Devil Grill and its sister bar next door, The Belgian Room,
were seized by the state in April 2015 for nonpayment of taxes.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at the retail listing for the northwest corner of A and St. Mark's Place
The former spaces for Nino's and Hop Devil Grill have been combined
Those Starbucks rumors continue to percolate on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place