Lamia’s Fish Market is 'temporarily closed for maintenance'

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Lamia's Fish Market is closed for now at 47 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Door signage notes a temporary closure "for maintenance." 

The restaurant's website and social media properties do not mention the closure, and as of last night, Lamia's was still accepting reservations.

However, multiple sources tell us that the Fish Market will not reopen and that staff has already left for new jobs.

Owner Lamia Funti was previously involved with Le Souk, a longtime trouble spot on this block that eventually had its liquor license canceled by the State Liquor Authority in 2009.

Lamia's made a splash upon opening in the summer of 2019, garnering media attention for its two-level, six-room "aquatic splendor."

On the CB3-SLA docket tonight: Tiger Lily, Lamia's Fish Market, Little Rebel

The first of two April CB3 SLA committee meetings happens tonight via Zoom.

Here's a look at three new liquor license applications in the East Village:

• The Tiger Lily Kitchen (Elvis' Cafe LLC), 58 Third Ave. 

Hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan is looking to bring the Tiger Lily Kitchen to the former Boilery space here between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Morgan opened Tiger Lily, which serves "healthy Asian-inspired cooking with gluten-free and vegan options," late last year as a takeout and delivery operation at 293 Third Ave. between 22nd Street and 23rd Street. This space would allow for her to offer indoor dining.

For a look at their lunch and dinner options, you can check out the Tiger Lily Instagram here. The application for the address is on the CB3 website.

• Lamia's Fish Market (East Coast Fish Market Inc), 45 Avenue B 

Lamia's Fish Market is seeking an upgrade from beer-wine to a full liquor license here between Second Street and Third Street. 

Lamia Funti, the applicant, appeared before CB3's SLA committee meeting in April 2016. The application was reportedly denied based in part on the history of the space. (The Lo-Down reported on this here. And DNAinfo here.)

Media outlets previously identified Funti as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk, a years-long thorn in the side of Avenue B neighbors, as reported and here ... and here.

In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority canceled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

Despite the 2016 committee denial, Lamia's received the beer-wine license via the State Liquor Authority later that fall.

You can read Lamia's questionnaire on the CB3 website at this link.

• Little Rebel (K&L Hospitality LLC), 219 Second Ave.

A bar-gastropub called Little Rebel is in the works for the former Professor Thom's space on Second Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street.

You can read more about the plans that owners Dermot Lynch and Jarek Krukow have for the space — as well as see a sample menu —via their questionnaire here.

Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. You can find the Zoom info here. 

[Updated] Lamia's Fish Market headed to SLA for a beer-wine license for 45 Avenue B

[45-47 Avenue B file photo]

A restaurant called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long-vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

Lamia Funti, the applicant, appeared before CB3's SLA committee meeting back in April. The application was reportedly denied based in part on the history of the space. (The Lo-Down reported on this here.)

Media outlets have identified Funti as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here.

In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

According to a neighborhood block association member, Lamia's Fish Market has now applied directly to the New York State Liquor Authority for a beer-wine license. This application is one of many to be heard during an SLA board meeting today at their New York City office, 317 Lenox Ave. at 126th Street. (The block association rep didn't have an exact time for this applicant during the public meeting, only that it will be heard between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)

The block association member provided a recap about the applicant(s).

The location is the former Le Souk space, and the principal/proprietor of this new establishment (Lamia Funti) is the wife of Marcus Andrews (formerly, Marcus Jacobs, one of the principals of the old Le Souk along with his brother Sam Jacobs). She is the manager of the current Le Souk, now located on LaGuardia Place in the Village, which Marcus owns. She is proposing a restaurant, not a club/lounge like the old Le Souk or the current business on Laguardia, with only a Beer/Wine license and a 12 am closing every night. This type of license would typically be approved by the SLA without question. However, this situation is unusual and merits special consideration by them.

Even though Ms. Funti was not officially involved with the old Le Souk on Avenue B, she is associated with the Jacob family and their other businesses. At the current Le Souk, which she manages, there have been online reports of fights (involving the owner), a stabbing, plus 311 calls and complaints. Given this background, many involved in the Block Association believe that, even on her own (much less because of her familial affiliations), she does not run the kind of business we want on Avenue B.

You can read CB3's lengthy Recommendation To Deny from the April meeting at the CB3 website here (PDF)

Updated 10/26

The SLA approved this applicant for a beer-wine license according to someone in attendance. More info as it becomes available.

[Updated] A look at the rest of tonight's CB3-SLA meeting docket

[45-47 Avenue B]

CB3's SLA committee meeting is tonight 6:30 in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

To date, we've look at several applicants:

• 98 Favor Taste, 37 St. Mark's Place

• Unnamed pizzeria, Avenue C and Eighth Street

• Vietnamese restaurant, 119 St. Mark's Place

• Desi Galli, 172 Avenue B

And one applicant we looked at is no longer on the agenda. The owners of the Brazen Fox had plans to open another bar-restaurant directly across the street from their current two-level bar-restaurant on Third Avenue and East 13th Street.




We do not know why they are a scratch from the meeting. In any event, this would be a tough sell... a full liquor license with a sidewalk cafe for a space (Gothic Cabinet Craft shop) that was not previously licensed within a saturated area... from applicants who already operate a successful space right across the street. Not sure what the public benefit is here.



And there was neighbor opposition to the application as well... based on the flyers on the block...



Meanwhile, here's a quick look at some of the other East Village applicants on tonight's meeting agenda...

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Fish Market Inc, 45 Ave B (wb)

A venture called Lamia's Fish Market is in the works for the long vacant storefront at 45 Avenue B between East Second Street and East Third Street. The questionnaire (PDF) on file for public viewing at the CB3 website shows a restaurant with 40 tables seating 160 people. The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Monday though Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

Lamia Funti is the name of the applicant. Media outlets have identified her as the co-owner of Le Souk on La Guardia Place along with her husband Marcus Jacobs. He was reportedly an owner of Le Souk at 47 Avenue B... Le Souk was a years-long thorn in the side of neighbors, as widely reported here ... and here ... and here ... and here. In October 2009, the State Liquor Authority cancelled Le Souk's liquor license. (Read the SLA release here.)

Updated 4/19

The committee voted to deny the application. The Lo-Down has the details about the operators here.

• Baker's Pizza (Baker's Pizza LLC), 201 Ave A (wb)

The pizzeria that opened back in February between East 12th Street and East 13th Street is seeking a beer-wine license.

Sidewalk Cafe Application

• Lionsbeerstore (Beer Factory LLC), 104 2nd Ave

• Biang (Wen Zi Inc), 157 2nd Ave

The previous tenant at this address, Alder, had an eight-table, 16-seat sidewalk cafe.

New Liquor License Applications

• AGN Restaurant LLC, 166 1st Ave (op)

This is the former North River/Nite Owl space near East 10th Street. The owners of the Belfry on East 14th Street are looking to open a bar-restaurant here serving American comfort food, according to the questionnaire (PDF) on file at the CB3 website.

The proposed hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday; until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

• Proto's Pizza (Fifty East LLC), 50 2nd Ave (wb)

Items not heard at Committee

• Virgola (Virgola 3 LLC), 221 Ave B (wb)

They were denied at the February meeting ... this will be the second Virgola location in the East Village.

• Dumpling Go (Dumpling 2 Avenue Inc), 188 2nd Ave (wb)

The restaurant has been closed for the past week. Looks like a renovation, though there aren't any signs for customers.

Where the empty storefronts are

[Photo from Jan. 8]

As we noted last week, Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and East Ninth Street is awfully quiet at the moment. For now, just two of seven businesses are open on the block.

This situation will likely change soon enough. Lucy's will return. (The sign on the door says closed until further notice. She usually does take several breaks during the year, though those generally occur in late July-early August and late November-early December.)

The former 10 Degrees Bistro space will become a cajun-style restaurant via the team behind Shoolbred's and Ninth Ward. And the for rent signs have been removed from the former Sustainable NYC storefront. One EVG reader saw the folks from Top A Nails next door in here. (That could have just been a coincidence.)

Anyway, seems like a good time to look at a few other blocks with multiple empty storefronts... such as East 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... Danny's Cycles closed this location (due to a rent increase, according to some longtime customers) ... next door, the space has been Vegtown Juice, Chubby Mary's and Led Zeppole in the past three-plus years...



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The west side of Third Avenue between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street has seen a lot of turnover in the past year, including the departures of East Village Cheese and Excel Art and Framing Store (both found new locations) and Organic Avenue. Five spaces are vacant (two of them are for rent).

There have been rumors that the Duane Reade at East 10th Street will eventually expand into at least two of the empty storefronts (and there are now approved work permits for the renovation on file with the city)...



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... and directly across Third Avenue — the retail strip in the base of NYU's Alumni Hall between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street has many vacancies: Four of six storefronts are empty ... Citi Habitats moved out in June 2014 ... Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery closed in July 2014 ... the Subway sandwich shop closed early last October ... followed by Saint's Alp Teahouse ...



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... the north side of St. Mark's Place has been hard hit... starting with the (temporary for now) closure of Nino's on the corner... then four of the next five storefronts are empty. The former Hop Devil Grill, Ton-Up Cafe, the Belgian Room and Luca Bar.



There is one incoming tenant — Sweethaus Cupcake Cafe is apparently opening at the old Luca Bar space at No. 119.

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Staying on St. Mark's Place... we've previously noted how long (since late 2011) 37 St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue has sat empty. Four retail spots are available...


[Photo from October]

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...and another long-empty block to note: Avenue B between East Fourth Street and East Third Street... these four storefronts have been unoccupied for years now, including the old Max restaurant at No. 51, now entering its fourth year of vacancy ... and No. 47, the former Le Souk, has been mostly barren for nearly seven years.

There have been a number of brokers trying to rent these spaces. For now, there aren't any for rent signs on the retail properties...



Previously on EV Grieve:
There are more than 20 empty storefronts along Avenue B (2008)

There are 21 empty storefronts along Avenue A (2010)

Week in Grieview

[E. 9th Street outside La Plaza Cultural]

About the rooftop parties at Icon Realty's 205 Avenue A (Tuesday, Thursday)

Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off (Tuesday)

Tenants suing Steve Croman on East 8th Street (Friday)

Jim Power begins removing his mosaics from Astor Place ahead of reconstruction (Thursday)

Billionaire Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio (Tuesday)

Out and About with Gary Bell (Wednesday)

Remembering Robin Williams on East 13th Street (Friday)

The ancient ruins of 98-100 Avenue A (Thursday)

Laundromat replaces laundromat on Avenue B (Monday)

Hibachi Dumpling Express opens in former 2 Bros. space on First Avenue (Wednesday)

Shakespeare & Company closes for good at the end of the month (Friday)

Lovecraft Bar NYC now open at 50 Avenue B (Tuesday)

Check out the new mural by Paul Kostabi on East Second Street (Monday)

Korilla BBQ confirmed for Archie & Sons space (Monday)

More reports of ATM skimming (Thursday)

Heavenly Market coming to Third Avenue (Monday)

Prima closes on East First Street (Monday)

Aug. 25 is the last day for Kim's Video and Music (Tuesday)

Birthbath Bakery has apparently closed for good (Monday)

14 photos of the East Village from the 1980s (Friday)

So much for "Taxi Driver 2" (Sunday)

You can still rent the Le Souk space on Avenue B (Friday)

T.G.I. Friday's closing on Union Square (Monday)

… and one more look at the supermoon via EVG regular Grant Shaffer…

Former Le Souk space 'needs a real restaurant operator'

Save for a few mysterious parties, Le Souk has been dead and gone now five years this October. (The State Liquor Authority terminated Le Souk's liquor license in October 2009.)

Since then, the space has been empty (much to the delight of neighbors) ... and on and off the market several times. We spotted a listing for the space at 47 Avenue B between East Fourth Street and East Third Street back in July 2011. The asking price then was $25K.

For rent signs arrived along this Avenue B corridor earlier in the summer. And now the listing has arrived on Craigslist. Let's check it out (Bolding via EVG):

This is a restaurant space that has an atrium in the back, the ansil/flute are in place. there is 6,627 square feet on two floors that could be divided for the right tenant. The asking rent is $331,350 per annum and $27,612.50 per month. This place needs a real restaurant operator. there was a liquor license at one time the new tenant would have to apply for a new one. Tenant will pay their proportionate share of real estate taxes as well as their own utilities which will include water, gas and electric. ownership would be willing to split up this site.

The photos at Craigslist are worth flipping through to admire the ancient ruins of Le Souk. Let's carbon date that disco ball.

Meanwhile, the former Max space at 51 Avenue B also remains on the market. Asking rent is $10,000 a month. This space has been vacant for 20 months.

Previously

Updated: Lower Avenue B residents concerned over proposed new bar-restaurant

A restaurant called Brownstone Bar & Grill is on this month's CB3/SLA docket to take over the space last held by Affaire, the French bistro and lounge, which closed at 50 Avenue B last August. (Brownstone, whose CB3 application lists a menu of "Caribbean/Southern food," was originally on last month's docket ... but was a scratch.)

And Brownstone's possible arrival has sparked concerned neighbors to join forces to possibly speak out against a liquor license for the address. There are now flyers hanging in buildings and along Avenue B.

According to the flyer:

Help Stop a New Rowdy Late-night Club from Opening in Our Neighborhood!

We’ve all worked together for several years to force the closure of several late-night clubs that severely degraded the quality of life in our neighborhood. It’s been a long, hard struggle. The last one, Affaire, closed at the end of this summer. Now someone new wants to re-open a boisterous club in that location (50 Avenue B, near East 4th Street.)

We can’t let that happen! All that we’ve worked hard for and accomplished is risk!

WHAT’S BEING PROPOSED:

• The new occupant wants to operate a club for up to 200 people that will stay open until 2 a.m. on Mon.-Wed. nights, and until 4 a.m. on Thurs.-Sun. nights.

• The place will be known as Brownstone Bar and Grill. It plans to feature 8 video screens, play recorded music both as background and as “entertainment”, and host special events.

WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE TO YOU?

Le Souk and Carne vale all over again!

WHAT’S NEXT:

Community Board 3’s SLA and DCA Licensing Committee will be considering an application by the operator for a liquor license at their next meeting – that will be our time to show up and speak out! You can read the full application here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Show up at the CB3 Committee meeting to express your opinion and stand up together with each other – Mon. Oct. 7th at 6:30 p.m., at CB3’s offices, 59 E. 4th St. (between 2nd Ave. and the Bowery.)

• Write a letter to CB3 to express your opinion on this matter. Be sure to personalize it, and to talk about your experiences with such places as a neighborhood resident. You can send it to the office, or email it to info@cb3manhattan.org

Neighbors are meeting with Brownstone reps on Thursday night. Here are details on that:

Thursday Oct. 3 @ 7:30 p.m.

535 E. 5th Street (bet. Aves. A & B) in the ground floor Community Room

Hosted by the East 4th St. Block Association

Come meet and ask questions of the operators

Some neighbors here between Fourth Street and Third Street still shudder at the mere mention of Le Souk, which finally closed in 2009 after a lengthy battle with the SLA. (Of course, there were those various mystery parties at the space in recent years.)

Some residents fear a return to the bonkerish partygoing along here last seen in 2004-2006... a stretch that Eater dubbed "Hellmouth" back in 2006.

Tough times for Avenue B

[March 25 outside the former Life Cafe]

Well, it has been a difficult few months for some longtime businesses along Avenue B. Last night, the Lakeside Lounge wrapped up its 16-year run near East 10th Street.

Let's take a look at the recent carnage:

• Life Cafe closed last Sept. 11.
• Kate's Joint closed on April 17.
• The Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at East Fifth Street will give way to residential usage this summer.
• Mainstay Max at 51 Avenue B will close this spring after it opens a new branch in Williamsburg, per Eater.
• The Hare Krishnas moved out of their home at 96 Avenue B last summer, as BoweryBoogie first reported.
• M&M Variety Hardware near Houston closed last fall. (One reader thought that a hardware store had been in the space since the 1950s.)

(I didn't include the liquor store on the corner of Houston... that closed in the fall of 2009...)

Meanwhile, expect more change on Avenue B.

Word is that Wafels & Dinges will open its first café on the southeast corner of Second Street ... based on the same concept as the food trucks in circulation around the city.

And big changes are rumored for the stretch of storefronts that once housed Le Souk. In the rumor stage at the moment. One tipster hears that a two-story addition is coming to the building. However, there aren't any permits on file with the DOB to support the rumor. (The "for lease" signs are off all the empty storefronts, though.)

[Photo from February via EVG reader Ron Z.]

Finally, permits are still pending for the long-empty 185-193 Avenue B at East 12th Street. There is a demolition application on file already with the city (dated Sept. 20). And, according to the DOB, plans for a mixed-use seven-story building with 44 units are in the making. (You can read a short history of what's happening with the space here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
There are more than 20 empty storefronts along Avenue B

Last remnants of Le Souk have been removed from Avenue B

The former Le Souk space on Avenue B remains on the market for $25,000 a month. Still, the mere presence of all the menus and reviews and stuff on the window were enough to make some people think this place would magically reopen...



However, someone has recently removed all that (donated to the CB3/SLA Hall of Shame?) stuff from the front window...

All that remains: the menu from the summer of 2008...

Maybe just cleaning the space up for its New Year's Eve party?

Week in Grieview

[Photo by James Maher. See more of his work here]

RIP Dominic Philbert (Monday)

A Second Line march for Ray Deter (Monday)

A lot of photos of the double rainbow (Wednesday)

No sleepwalking in this loft for sale on the Bowery (Thursday)

Fu Sushi reopened (Tuesday)

Rent the old Le Souk space for 25K (Wednesday)

The willow tree of Eighth Street is looking good again (Wednesday)

Grabbing health by the nuts, and other ad slogans (Friday)

Changes in the works for Banjo Jim's (Thursday)

Santa Monica-based Euphoria Loves Rawvolution opening an outpost on East 12th Street (Monday)

And no one commented on this post about water interruption! (Tuesday)

Rent the former Le Souk space for $25,000 a month

Back in late May, we noted that part of the former Le Souk space on Avenue B was on the market. Or maybe it was the whole space. We couldn't tell!

In any event, there is a listing for the the space.

Here's the description:

Rent: $25,000 Per Month Size: 6,480 Sf On Two Levels / 3,240 Sf On Each Former Restaurant / Nightclub Space. 32 Feet Of Frontage. Prime East Village Happening Location. Loaded With Egresses And Bathrooms. One-Of-Kind Interior Designs And Layout. Tons Of Day & Night Foot Traffic. Huge Skylight Exposed Wood Ceilings And Large Wide Open Areas. Prime Residential Neighborhood. *Perfect For Restaurant, Spa, Warehouse, Liquor Store, Hardware Store, Any Use Considered

Warehouse? Hardware store? Excuse us for a moment. (Haha!)

However holds the lease must promise to continue holding mysterious late-night parties and after-prom bashes...

Is part of the former Le Souk spot on the market on Avenue B?

Workers have put up new "restaurant/store" for lease signs on two empty properties on Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street... We spotted signs at the former animal hospital...

...and at part of the former Le Souk empire a few doors to the south. (There were no signs at the main Le Souk entrance.)

NYCRS officials haven't posted the listings just yet, so we don't know yet if all (or any!) of the Le Souk complex is involved in the lease... If so, then it might mean the end to those mysterious late-night parties and after-prom bashes...

Buses, bouncers and a mysterious Avenue B party spot

For the second consecutive weekend, crowds have flocked to the space next door to, or on top of, the former Le Souk at 47 Avenue B. However, this time, it appears the gathering is far more organized.

There are some guys working the door...

...and there were three party buses full of party people...

A resident took these photos around 3 a.m. early Saturday. The resident noted: "It appears they show up by bus (many buses) and disappear into the doorway next to Le Souk for a few hours. Then, drunk, they filter out later on to the waiting buses. There are some chaperones or minders who herd them like silly teenage sheep. No idea what it's all about. I just know they are wicked loud and young."

A reader left this comment, which makes it look as if the party went on for two nights (or mornings):

There were 3 "party" buses on Ave B Sat night. When I called 311 at 3 am I was left in a never ending holding pattern. Then I hung up and called 911. The operator hung up on me. That's my city now. Endless suburbanite spawn in large groups shipped in on buses. Annoying transplants doing annoying things on my dime as they claim expression of themselves. I just want to know, is there no person in the town you were raised that misses you? It is a large country we live in, why do you all move here? It's not that great, and it's full.

The State Liquor Authority terminated Le Souk's liquor license in October 2009. While this all may not have anything to do with Le Souk, who has tried to hold parties at this space in the past, several people did sign on to Foursquare from 47 Avenue B on May 21.

This weekend in big parties on Avenue B

Late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, a reader noted a large, uh, gathering on Avenue B... bringing back nightmares memories of Le Souk...

While they were in front of the former hookah hotspot, partygoers were actually going in the door next to the space for a party in an apartment above the old Le Souk ...

Today in Le Souk resurrections

Despite a rather permanent closure, Avenue B's former hookah hotspot continues to put the fear in nearby residents.... from an advertised New Year's Eve bash ... to hosting loud parties... Now comes a listing on the Joonbug website....



"Come listen to the hottest Rock/Electro/Dance music from past and present. Party with all the beautiful people and enjoy the sweet tastes of HOOKAH!!"

Perhaps this listing is a mistake, and intended for Le Souk's LaGuardia Place location... or, well, I guess we'll see some beautiful people on Avenue B tomorrow night....

Last night outside Le Souk

There was another nice party coming from the bowels of the former Le Souk space early this morning on Avenue B....




The evening also included a few fistfights. Per a resident, the bouncers at Le Souk kept yelling "Take it down the block, folks, just don't do it here." The door seemed to open at 1 am, and close around 4 or 5.





Meanwhile, the oddsmakers now say chances for a New Year's Eve party here are 3/1.

As the Le Souk New Year's Eve Party turns

The Lo-Down just got off the phone with Mike Jones, deputy CEO of the State Liquor Authority. He tells Ed that Le Souk’s planned New Year's Eve bash at its former Avenue B digs is not happening.

Per the Lo-Down:

Jones said the one-night permit had initially been approved because the address on the application was incorrect. He confirmed that permit has now been rescinded and there is no active liquor license at 47 Avenue B. The 9th Precinct has been advised of the situation, he said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Le Souk is 'exceptionally back to its former location'

Le Souk: New Year's Eve party still on

Previously.

[Updated] Rumors: SLA rescinds Le Souk's New Year's Eve plans for Avenue B

A tipster notes that the State Liquor Authority (SLA) has pulled the special permit for Le Souk to hold a New Year's Eve bash at their former Avenue B home.

We're awaiting confirmation from the SLA on this.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Le Souk is 'exceptionally back to its former location'

UPDATED: The folks at Le Souk said via Twitter that the party is still on.