Monday, May 9, 2011

Protection against Bowery bums

On Saturday, a worker continued buffing the fanny fenders here on Bond Street at the Bowery — aka the "new intersection of cool."


Word is the building management is trying to thwart people from resting their buns or bums here, hence the posterior posts...



However, despite the rump rippers, there are a few gaps around the columns, which still allows room for seating. Like this fellow yesterday who was enjoying a cigar.

Bespoke Chocolates closing Thursday in Extra Place; what next for the former alley?

On Saturday we reported that Bespoke Chocolates — the first retailer to open in Extra Place — will close as of Thursday. Here's the note that's Bespoke sent out to friends...


They opened early in 2009. And we had a spirited (and friendly!) exchange on EV Grieve with Rachel Zoe Insler, Bespoke's owner, about ideal retail and the continued transformation of the neighborhood. (You can read her comments here.)

In April 2009, in Time Out's Eat Out Awards, the magazine's critics bestowed the Best Sweet Revenge award upon Bespoke Chocolates. Why?

As if the seven levels of city-permit hell weren’t enough, chocolatier and former Union Square Cafe pastry staffer Rachel Zoe Insler also had to navigate the wilds of don’t-ruin-my-neighborhood blogosphere resentment before she even opened the doors of her unassuming bonbon shop. Insler placated the haters with patience and warmth — and won over everyone else with her pretzel-covered sea-salted caramels, cardamom-scented Turkish coffee truffles and the rest of her handmade sweets. 6 Extra Pl at E 1st St (212-260-7103)

[Huh?]

Meanwhile, the Tashkent by Cheyenne showroom just around the corner of Extra Place shops closed several months ago.


As we've noted many times, developer AvalonBay has big plans for Extra Place — "a slice of the Left Bank, a pedestrian mall lined with interesting boutiques and cafes."



Perhaps when chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud opens his commissary with a possible retail space, Extra Place will finally get that jolt of life. So what gives here? Is Extra Place too far off the beaten path as EV Grieve reader Lisa suggested Saturday? Or, despite the luxurification of the Bowery, perhaps the neighborhood isn't ready for upscale retail? Or maybe it's the ghosts of the Bowery's past?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Bespoke Chocolates bids farewell from Extra Place

Extra Place gets its first tenant...And it's dessert (shocker!)

The Chocolate Wars (well, not at all, but we needed something that sounds CONTROVERSIAL)

The Superdive space is now home to an art gallery


RyanAvenueA snapped this photo yesterday... some people were transforming the former Superdive space into a temporary art gallery... Per the Ad Projects website:

AD Projects is an independent, migratory curatorial organization. Founded in April 2009, AD Projects has staged three group exhibitions of emerging and mid-career artists in borrowed spaces.

This week, you can find the following:


AD Projects is setting up a temporary home at 200 Avenue A with the exhibition Reliquary/SUPERDARK. Reliquary will be an evolving display of artifacts and SUPERDARK is an evening performance series over the coming weeks. Every few days, objects by one artist will be displayed on a pedestal in the vacant storefront of 200 Avenue A, the former location of Superdive. The relics displayed allude to such varied topics as the personal history of the artist, the contemporary mania for collecting celebrity memorabilia, and utopian visions of the future.

The performance series SUPERDARK complements the transformation of Superdive into a reliquary for contemporary artifacts, giving artists the opportunity to step into the spotlight and position themselves as modern-day idols, dictating and commenting on contemporary culture.

Our inaugural exhibition at 200 Avenue A will feature the works of Wonderpuss Octopus. We will hold a soft opening on Sunday, May 8th, with the official event Wednesday, May 11th.

Our hours will be Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 6 pm, and weeknights 7:30 – 10 pm. Stay tuned for details about Friday night performances.

Why Barbao was closed during the weekend

Here on St. Mark's ...

Friday!


Saturday!



Sunday!


A sign appeared on Saturday... apparently there was an "electricity problem."

NYPD adds a portable tower on 13th Street


EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams notes the arrival of a portable NYPD watch tower on 13th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C in the Campos Plaza... Not sure just yet why this has been added...

More demolition-related scaffolding for 35 Cooper Square

EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams pointed out some new scaffolding at the soon-to-be-be-demolished 35 Cooper Square...



Still no word yet on when demolition will take place. Shall we start a pool? In any event, at the very least, I hope the developer doesn't chop down the tree here too. Or maybe he doesn't think that's worth saving either.

East Village Farm & Grocery reopens today

As we noted Friday, East Village Farm reopens today after that awful fire back in January. The Farm management seems pretty excited about reopening. In fact, they invited EV Grieve reader Pedro inside to take photos...


Pedro declined, though he did snap a few from the sidewalk...


Meanwhile, they were open yesterday just to sell flowers in honor of Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz's birthday. And Mother's Day.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

May 7, 8; ICTTS convenes emergency session — MacDougal cites 'historic' weekend

An incredible 24 hours or so hereabouts... Last night, EV Grieve reader Riian sends the following from Second Avenue and East Third Street — featuring a noteworthy assist by a hand.


Meanwhile, apparently Christmastown was closing up on Broadway and Fourth Street today. First, this shot from EV Grieve reader BH, who took time for a victory lap of sorts. "Today, baby! That's right! BOOYA!! ICTTS don't like it they can kiss my ass!!"


Why I never!

Regardless, this pile was verified. @sandwichboarder sent this photo from the same location...


Upon learning of this load of Christmas trees, Gruber MacDougal, spokesperson for the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring (ICTTS), immediately left Aman-i-Khás, a lodge located outside Ranthambhore in the Indian state of Rajasthan where he was on holiday with his mother. He is expected to make a statement upon landing at JFK tomorrow night.

Help support Max Fish


As you may have heard by now, the NYPD shuttered Max Fish on Friday night, the latest in its LES nightlife clampdown. (The Lo-Down had the story first.)

The folks at Max Fish sent us an email:

Max Fish was shut down by the police Friday night. We're figuring out a plan of action, but for the time being, we've created an online petition here.

Per the petition:

Max Fish opened on Ludlow Street in 1989. We have nurtured and supported the Lower East Side arts community for over 20 years — a community that is increasingly threatened by a variety of outside sources including landlords, real-estate developers and the NYPD. Your signature shows support for the continued existence of a vibrant and positive establishment — one that embodies the creative spirit of the LES and elevates the quality of life for the community.

Noted


Read the Grumbler's post on why people deface posters and what not with dicks.

For the birds on Avenue A



[Photos by Bobby Williams]

A few scenes from today




Photos by Bobby Williams

Mayor Bikenstein!


From the bike haters in today's Post:

He’s grappled with teacher unions, gun sellers and public pensions, but as his third term heats up, it’s becoming clear what Mayor Bloomberg’s most visible legacy will be — remaking, or rather undoing, the city’s streets.

He’s squeezed out cars in favor of floral planters, OK’d “pop-up” cafes and bike lanes, but the pedaler-in-chief saved the crown jewel of changes for last — a public-rental program deploying 10,000 bicycles to 600 sidewalk kiosks. The initiative, which will be the third-largest in the world, behind Paris and Hangzhou, China, will be tested this summer, and rolled out in 2012. Critics say it’s community sentiment be damned.


Do people have any say in this? They have to walk somewhere,” said Andrew Albert, transportation co-chair of the Upper West Side’s Community Board 7, about the large bike racks the city plans to install pretty much everywhere.

A new Cemusa shelter for Second Avenue

EV Grieve reader Mike notes a new Cemusa shelter on Second Avenue at 14th Street...

Mother's Day greetings


On Avenue D...

Bike stolen from 'broke student'

Spotted on Avenue C and East Second Street...


Noted

Bustin' stereotypes outside Whole Foods Bowery....

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Noted

Swordplay in Tompkins Square Park today...





Photos by Bobby Williams...

Aerial views of the Essex-Houston Street fire

EV Grieve reader Chris sends along more photos from the street/sewer/manhole/whatever fire currently burning on Essex at Houston...





Even the workers are impressed with the fire... this fellow is either taking photos or texting — or both!


Per Chris: "Fire department seems to be mostly just watching" for the time being...

Update: As of 2:11 or so, Chris notes that the fire is out.

[Updated] A big boom and fire on Houston and Essex

Just around 1:30 at Houston and Essex... Photos via Anonymous Octopus ...



Per the Anonymous Octopus: "Smells electrical. Some nice pretty mushrooms puffing out."

Three more shots from EV Grieve contributor samo...




Per samo: "Some are saying electrical fire where there was road construction."