Construction watch: 231 Bowery

Photo from Jan. 23 

ICYMI: The New Museum, including its 60,000-square-foot building expansion next door, will reopen on March 21... featuring twice the exhibition space and several major new commissions that will be on long-term view in and around the building. 

And there's free admission during their opening weekend on March 21-22. (You have to register for the free tickets starting next month. Details.)

Demolition wrapped up at 231 Bowery, the former 6-floor building that stood next to the New Museum here at Prince Street, in the fall of 2022. 

No. 231 was home to Daroma Restaurant Equipment until the spring of 2011, when they moved down the Bowery (and the owner pleaded guilty to tax fraud). The New Museum bought the building for $16.6 million in September 2008. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• The New Museum unveils plans for expanded facility on the Bowery 

• Demolition complete on the Bowery for the New Museum annex 

• CB3 to hear more about plans for the new restaurant coming to the New Museum

Did you know? There’s a Pizza Hut on the Lower East Side now

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We somehow missed this one entirely, but the chain opened an outpost in mid-December at 134 Delancey St. between Norfolk and Suffolk. And yes ... it's that Pizza Hut. 

If you grew up in the era of the classic dine-in Hut, you already know the vibe we're talking about: the giant red nubby cups, the checkered tablecloths, and those fake stained-glass chandeliers that made every booth feel like you were having a special occasion dinner... even if it was just a personal pan pizza and a stack of quarters for Ms. Pacman.

This is not that. This is a very 2025-era, order-at-the-window version ... complete with bullet-proof glass between you and your nostalgia.

Still, it's kind of wild (and weirdly comforting?) to see that familiar name back in the neighborhood mix. 

Anyway, if you've been craving a little throwback… or just want to see what Pizza Hut looks like in its modern, no-frills form… now you know.

Of course, you might recall the Pizza Hut-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's combo that closed on the NW corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street in 2010.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Jacob Ford

St. Mark's Place snowbank beautification project...

Noted

Photo by Edmund John Dunn 

New to market on 14th Street near Avenue A... Charming ground-level unit with open-air ventilation and a thoughtfully carved private entrance. Features original snowpack walls, an artisanal ice alcove (perfect for cold plunges or storing beverages), and a minimalist cardboard sign for added security. Steps from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Marketplace, the L train and M14 buses, and existential dread...

The East River shows off a rare winter look

EVG reader Roger Bultot shared this photo from between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, capturing a rare sight on the East River: chunks of ice. 

The East River rarely freezes solid thanks to its saltwater mix and strong tidal currents — but it's not unheard of. 

As Ephemeral New York has documented, the river fully froze a handful of times in the 1800s, when hardy New Yorkers could actually walk between Manhattan and Brooklyn — no bridge tolls, ferries or $38 Lyft required.

Virtual meeting set for Tompkins mini-pool and basketball courts redesign

Top photo by Stacie Joy 

Updated: You have until Feb. 13 to leave comments with Parks about this project.

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NYC Parks is kicking off the design process for a reconstruction project involving the Tompkins Square Park mini-pool and basketball courts — and there’s a virtual community meeting scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. 

According to Parks, the project will include a major change to the mini-pool: the current above-ground pool will be redesigned as an in-ground pool. Parks is also inviting neighbors to weigh in on what they'd like to see as part of the improvements, with a focus on how this section of Tompkins can better serve the community. 

Sign up for the meeting at this link. 

Here's an aerial view of the area that will eventually be under-construction along 10th Street and Avenue B...

... and how it looked the other day before the snow...

In August 2024, Gov. Hochul announced nearly $150 million in capital grants through the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative. As part of that, Tompkins Square Park was awarded $6.1 million for a new in-ground pool, which will double the capacity of the current above-ground trailer park model. 

Other areas of the park have undergone renovations... last April, the field house and restrooms reopened after more than 18 months of rehab work. In 2023, reconstruction of the multipurpose courts took place.

Sunday's parting shot

EVG reader Olivia shared this photo with us of her dog Fern (named after the late EV restaurant) ... and yes, it was taken today during Winter Storm Fern.

An early close for Key Food

Photos by Stacie Joy 

To some surprise, the 24/7 Key Food closed early today (3 p.m. per a reader) here on Avenue A and Fourth Street...

We can't recall the last time we've seen it close like this for weather-related purposes. 

In any event, we were here around 10 this morning and nearly had the place to ourselves, so it makes sense to let the workers head out early for the trip home.

Good lord willin' they'll be back open in the morning.

Sunday, snow day

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Top pic from Corner Bisro on Avenue A and Sixth Street

A few scenes from today as the snow, and now sleet, continues to fall... from 11 a.m. to noon...

From 1 to 2 p.m. ...

A winter storm warning is in effect until 1 p.m. tomorrow... with snow totals reaching eight to 12 inches in parts of the metropolitan area.

Week in Grieview

Posts this week included (with a photo from St. Mark's and 3rd Avenue) 

Never miss an EVG post with the weekly EVG newsletter. Free right here. 

• D.A. Bragg announces guilty plea in fatal East Village stabbing spree on 14th Street (Jan. 23) 

• Most Holy Redeemer hit with DOB ‘failure to maintain’ violation (Jan. 19) … Most Holy Redeemer briefly reopens for Mass honoring longtime parishioner (Jan. 18) 

• A visit to Afterword Bookshop on 6th Street (Jan. 21) 

• Paulie Gee tells us more about his slice shop opening on 1st Avenue in the East Village (Jan. 20) 

• Report of a fire at 325 E. 12th St. (Jan. 24)

• The 2nd Avenue/2nd Street lot saga may have a new chapter (Jan. 20) 

• ‘The Big Johnson’ brings an East Village legend to the Quad Cinema (Jan. 22) 

• Today in gushers on 1st Avenue at 14th Street (Jan. 23) 

• The Village East marquee goes full Oscar mode (plus some $5 seats) (Jan. 23) 

• Reaching the top of the parking-garage-replacing condoplex on 9th Street (Jan. 20) 

• New construction remains paused at 88 E. 2nd St. (Jan. 22) 

• Passengers now have leaning rails at these East Village bus stops (Jan. 18) 

• We’re still wondering about the brief, mysterious reopening of Burgers on B (Jan. 21) 

• ICYMI: Wayne & Sons has left the East Village for Williamsburg (Jan. 22) 

• Kissaki has closed on the Bowery (Jan. 22) 

• Signage alert: NYC Convenience on Avenue A (Jan. 22) … Baba Doner on Avenue A (Jan. 21) … SKWR on 1st Avenue (Jan. 20) 

Sunday's opening shot

Multiple tipsters have told us that it is snowing, though we have yet to independently confirm this. 

OK, we did actually walk up to Key Food on Avenue A. (It is open, relatively empty, and well-stocked... the sidewalk outside is shoveled and we heard Johnny Hates Jazz and Missing Persons on the PA.)

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 1 p.m. tomorrow. Per AccuWeather: "Heavy snow mixing with sleet, 4-8 in; very cold; rapidly deteriorating road conditions can lead to slow and slippery travel."

There could be up to a foot of snow if less sleet mixes in, per AccuWeather.

Tompkins Square Greenmarket CANCELLED for tomorrow

Here's the word from GrowNYC: 

Sunday, January 25: Due to an expected winter storm, the Tompkins Square Greenmarket will be closed. Clothing/textile collection is cancelled. 

H/T Steven

Report of a fire last night at 325 E. 12th St.

Reader-submitted photo

Two people were treated for minor burns last night during a fire on the fifth floor at 325 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, according to the Citizen app. 

The fire was reported at 9 p.m., as passersby reported a significant FDNY presence.

Just before midnight, a Citizen user posted that residents were back inside the building. 

Citizen quoted FDNY officials as saying the two people were treated for burns from scalding water. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Saturday's opening shot

The big questions looming over all of us as we head further into the weekend: the pending release of "Wuthering Heights," starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, seen here gazing into each other's eyes from the side of Seventh and B.

Specifically: Why does Catherine marry Edgar if she loves Heathcliff? Is Heathcliff a villain or a victim? How does his upbringing influence his actions? 

Also this weekend: A winter storm warning. 

Don't be alarmed by the all caps via the National Weather Service: WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM SUNDAY TO 6 PM EST MONDAY. 

Specifically in the NYC area: 

Heavy snow expected. The snow may mix with or change to sleet Sunday evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 10 and 14 inches. A brief changeover to light freezing rain along with a light glaze of ice may occur Sunday night. The precipitation may go back to light snow late Sunday night. Isolated wind gusts around 35 mph possible Sunday afternoon and evening. 

Perhaps it's time to invest in this Winter Auto (or bike?) Kit at Key, conveniently located by the bleach...

Friday's parting line shots

Photos by Brian Carroll 

Ahead of the reported winter storm warning for late Saturday night... a look at the lines outside the Trader Joe's on 14th Street at Avenue A... and the back of the line across 14th at the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop...

[Updated] Today in gushers on 1st Avenue at 14th Street

Photos by Olivia 

Just before 5 p.m. today, the road work on First Avenue at 14th Street sprung a leak...

@evgrieve pic.twitter.com/HS9Y2fOdb1

— Jennifer Fiorini (@fior_jennifer) January 23, 2026

And the gusher kept on gushing...

Thanks to everyone who shared photos and videos! 

Updated... Here are more photos as the gusher gushed on via Dan Efram...

Update from Council Member Epstein's office...

Our team was in touch with @NYCWater yesterday and has since confirmed that water was restored to those affected last night at 10:30pm and repairs were made.

Thank you to the crews who worked in the freezing cold to quickly address this condition. https://t.co/jcfZViTX67

— Harvey Epstein (@HarveyforNY) January 24, 2026

Line 'Item'

 

Local singer, songwriter and artist Clara Joy released her debut LP last year, What We Have Now (produced by Kramer on his Shimmy-Disc label). 

The video here, shot at a familiar Canal Street storefront, is for "You Just Liked My Item," a meditative ballad about life in the age of algorithms. 

She's on a bill tomorrow evening at Night Club 101 on Avenue A with Avishag Cohen Rodrigues (Cumgirl8), Matthew J. Hutchinson and TDA (Total Display of Affection with Bob Bert on drums).

The Village East marquee goes full Oscar mode (plus some $5 seats)

Our favorite movie marquee — at the Village East by Angelika on Second Avenue and 12th Street

Starting today (Jan. 23), there’s now a slate of mostly Oscar nominees on view. And seats for four of them — "Blue Moon," "One Battle After Another," "Sinners" and "Bugonia" — are $5 during all screenings. (The screening times vary for these throughout the coming week.) 

Meanwhile, everyone has their list of Oscar snubs and surprises. We were rooting for one of our fave 2025 films — "Sorry, Baby." No Best Original Screenplay?

D.A. Bragg announces guilty plea in fatal East Village stabbing spree on 14th Street

Reader photo from June 23, 2024

A June 2024 stabbing spree that shocked neighbors and reignited calls for a safer 14th Street/First Avenue corridor moved closer to its legal conclusion this week. 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced yesterday that Alejandro Piedra, 31, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree for the fatal stabbing of Clemson Cockfield, 38, and the wounding of two others in the East Village. 

Under the terms of the plea, Piedra is expected to be sentenced on April 20 to 18 years to life in state prison, according to the D.A.'s office. 

"Alejandro Piedra escalated to deadly violence when he brutally stabbed three individuals in a busy neighborhood in the span of minutes," Bragg said in a statement. "As a result of this horrific conduct, Clemson Cockfield's life was tragically taken, and Mr. Cockfield's wife was seriously injured. I hope their family and loved ones can take comfort knowing there is accountability in this matter." 

According to court documents and statements, Piedra was previously acquainted with Cockfield. The violence unfolded in two confrontations on the afternoon of June 23, 2024, beginning around 5:38 p.m. near the corner of 13th Street and First Avenue. 

The D.A.'s office said Piedra got into a physical altercation with Cockfield, Cockfield's 40-year-old wife, and their 31-year-old acquaintance. During the dispute, Cockfield and the 31-year-old each approached Piedra, holding a piece of wood. 

Authorities said Piedra then pulled out a knife and stabbed the 31-year-old in the torso and head. The group separated and walked away in opposite directions. The injured man later stopped at 13th Street and Avenue A, where he received assistance and was taken to the hospital. 

About 12 minutes later, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Cockfield and his wife were walking on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A when they noticed Piedra heading toward them from the opposite direction, the D.A.'s office said. A second fight broke out between Cockfield and Piedra. 

Authorities said a bystander hit Piedra in the back of the head with a lamp during the fight. When the men briefly separated, Piedra allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Cockfield's wife several times, then turned and stabbed Cockfield in the face and neck. 

Cockfield was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife, who was initially in critical condition, required emergency surgery, according to the D.A.'s office.

Piedra was arrested at the scene, and police recovered a knife, Bragg's office reported. 

In the weeks following the stabbings, the NYPD was a regular presence on the block, both on foot patrols and in patrol cars. The NYPD also installed three light towers south of 14th Street between A and First. Residents said they saw improvements along the block. 

In early August 2024, Mayor Adams unveiled the 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition, a multi-agency approach across city agencies to address quality-of-life issues along the problematic corridor between Avenue A and First Avenue, as well as on surrounding streets. 

A centerpiece of the plan included a $1 million investment in a new Mobile Command Center. However, that center never arrived as the mayor became engulfed in one scandal after another. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Reports of multiple people stabbed on 14th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue; 1 fatality (June 23, 2024)

• A look at 14th Street this morning after the triple stabbing and homicide (June 24, 2024)

• NYPD light tower arrives on a cleaned-up SE corner of 14th Street and 1st Avenue (June 27, 2024) 

• A look at 14th Street and 1st Avenue — 'a New York Block No One Can Fix' (July 10, 2024) 

• From the archives: A documentary short about the intersection of 14th Street and 1st Avenue (July 11, 2024)

• Mayor Adams unveils the 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition for the long-problematic East Village corridor (Aug. 9, 2024) 

• Where is the $1 million NYPD mobile command unit that Mayor Adams promised for the troubled 14th Street and 1st Avenue corridor? (Oct. 24, 2024)

Thursday's parting shot

Spotted some repair work this evening on the familiar red neon sign outside John's of 12th Street (b1908). Even dark, it still feels like a beacon here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.