Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood and NYC.

Is Facebook leaving Astor Place?

Facebook is reportedly in talks to lease space at the revamped Farley Building (the former James A. Farley Post Office) across from Madison Square Garden, according to Lois Weiss at the Post.

The company had also been said to be looking at Hudson Yards.

So why are we writing about this? To the Post!

It’s unclear what will happen to Facebook’s current NYC offices, including 758,000 square feet at 770 Broadway and 266,000 square feet at 225 Park Avenue. So.

Both Farley and 770 Broadway are owned by Vornado and its chairman Steve Roth, who has been wining and dining tech companies for years in an effort to lease them the top floors of the post office.

Roth, whose reps didn’t immediately return a request for comment, could cut Facebook a deal for Farley that also lets it off the hook for its current East Village lease, which expires in 2025.

Oh!

As you may recall, Kmart downsized its space at 770 Broadway, the landmarked building on Astor Place, in early 2018. There were reports in late 2017 and early 2018 that Vornado bought Kmart out of its lease on the second floor, which was revamped from low-price to high-tech for Facebook.

The smaller Kmart still has 82,000 square feet in building, including most of the property's ground-floor retail space as well as basement level.

Also, as you'll see in the top photo, Kmart recently unveiled a new logo on the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Kmart staying on Astor Place, minus the 2nd floor (for Facebook?)

On the October CB3-SLA docket: An applicant for 99 Avenue B, former home of Manitoba's

[Photo from late June]

CB3 released its October meeting agenda yesterday. And an item of interest on the SLA licensing committee docket that caught the attention of several EVG readers: Murray Street Restaurant Co., 99 Ave B (corp change).

99 Avenue B was the longtime home of Manitoba's, which closed after nearly 20 years in late June.

Reps for Murray Street Restaurant Co. will not be appearing before the committee next month, however. (This is often the case when applicants agree to stipulations ahead of time or their method of operation is — paraphrasing — not a beer-pong shitshow and an actual restaurant. Also, when there's a change of personal in the corporation, as it appears in this case.)

According to the State Liquor Authority, the license at Manitoba's, whose premises name is currently Genco Importing Inc., is active through March 31, 2020.

There currently isn't any application for Murray Street Restaurant Co. on file at the CB3 website. Will update when more information becomes available.

M15 Select Bus Service routes will soon carry surveillance camera to bust lane blockers

Starting October 7th, we’re speeding up your ride. pic.twitter.com/VnH66s57Mp

— NYCT Buses (@NYCTBus) September 23, 2019

Don't stare at that GIF for too long!

Buses that service the East Village will be the first in the city to come equipped with surveillance cameras to keep drivers out of bus lanes.

Starting on Oct. 7, buses on the M15 SBS routes on First Avenue and Second Avenue will start using automated mobile camera systems "to capture real-time lane violations as part of citywide efforts to increase bus speeds and keep traffic moving on congested streets."

Details, per the MTA:

ABLE camera systems can capture evidence such as license plate information, photos and videos, as well location and timestamp information, of vehicles obstructing bus lanes to document clear cases of bus lane violation. The system collects multiple pieces of evidence to ensure that vehicles making permitted turns from bus lanes are not ticketed. This information will be transmitted to NYCDOT for review and processing, and the program will be administered in partnership with NYCDOT and the NYC Department of Finance.

And!

Motorists who block bus lanes are first issued a warning with a 60-day grace period when no fines are assessed, beginning October 7. After the grace period ends, motorists who continue to block bus lanes will be subject to a fine of $50 for each violation, which also carries a $25 late fee.

The automated bus lane enforcement program is expected to expand to the B44 SBS and M14 SBS by the end of November. (The fine print: "The expansion to the M14 SBS is dependent upon the resolution of ongoing litigation.")

Hanoi House expansion in-progress on St. Mark's Place

The Hanoi House empire is growing on St. Mark's Place here between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Work is underway now in the empty storefront — the former Five Tacos — at 119 St. Mark's Place, which is in-between the original Hanoi House and the Hanoi Soup Shop.

The space will serve as a bar-waiting area for people dining at the popular Vietnamese restaurant. As reported back in March, owners Sara Leveen and Ben Lowell appeared before Community Board 3 to license this address, which will feature an eight-seat bar and several tables for eating.

The CB3 notice stated the alteration here will also include a new entrance and host desk. According to their plan via the online questionnaire at CB3's website, the building's landlord will open the walls between the two spaces so that patrons can enter the restaurant from the waiting area. The landlord will then "create a new residential corridor on the west side of the expanded space."

Hanoi House opened in January 2017 to positive notices. The Hanoi Soup Shop — a soup-centric daytime cafe — opened in April at 115 St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Hanoi House expanding on St. Mark's Place

Report: Associated expected to close by the end of November

As previously reported, the Associated on 14th Street in Stuy Town will be closing later this year.

Norman Quintanilla, who has been the manager at the store for 16 years, recently told Town & Village that they have told employees the last day will be Dec. 10. However, he said that the supermarket, which has been here for 26 years, will likely close by the end of November.

Quintanilla said that the decision wasn’t easy for store ownership and a number of regular customers were upset by the news.

“A lot of people are crying and upset about it,” he said. “It especially affects a lot of elderly customers that we help with phone orders. They don’t know where else to go.”

Quintanilla said that he wasn’t involved in discussions with Associated’s ownership and Blackstone regarding why the store is closing but he said that business has been steadily decreasing every year.

Joseph Falzon, the store’s owner, previously told Crain's that a confluence of factors had cut business nearly in half. For starters, construction on 14th Street for the L train obscured the supermarket with a 12-foot fence these past two years.

There's also increased competition, including the Target on 14th and A that opened in July 2018 with a large food-and-beverage selection. In addition, the Trader Joe's is expected to open early next year right across 14th Street.

In an email earlier this month, Stuyvesant Town General Manager Rick Hayduk told residents that they are "working on finding a new tenant with full understanding that a local grocery store is important to the community; but this will take some time."

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Associated on 14th Street in Stuy Town is said to close by year's end

Late afternoon discarded piñata break

On Second Avenue at Fifth Street via EVG regular Lola Saénz ...

Oops! And adding: AND A CHRISTMAS PINATA AT THAT! (Thanks Bruce!)

Southern Cross Coffee has closed on 5th Street

[Photo by EVG reader Sheila Meyer]

You may have noticed the for-rent sign that recently arrived in the front window of Southern Cross Coffee at 300 E. Fifth St. near Second Avenue.

Obviously not a good sign... and after service on Monday, the Australian-Argentinian coffee shop closed ... the owners left a note of thanks for patrons...



No word on why Southern Cross Coffee, named in honor of the Southern Cross constellation, decided to close.

As noted before, this is a coffee-rich zone with numerous nearby choices, including (but not limited to!) the Coffee Project on Fifth Street just off the Avenue... the new 787 Coffee on Second Avenue at Sixth Street, Cafe Mocha on Second Avenue and Seventh Street, the Bean on Second Avenue and Third Street, Kona Coffee and Company on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street, and Porto Rico Importing Co. on St. Mark's just east of Second Avenue ... and Spiritea opened in May a few storefronts away on the corner.

Southern Cross debuted in February 2017 in these newly renovated storefronts. Jamie the check-cashing guy previously worked from this space before the renovations.

Offensive Fences, the 7th annual MoRUS Film Festival, starts tomorrow night

The annual film festival by the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) has a slightly different feel this year. Per their invite: "Unlike our past festivals, this one is an art show, a dance party and a film festival!"

Here are highlights of the 7th edition, titled Offensive Fences, which begins tomorrow (Thursday!) evening ... descriptions via the EVG inbox...

On Thursday, Sept. 26 join MoRUS at La Plaza Cultural Garden on 9th Street and Avenue C at 7 p.m. for a screening of “The River and the Wall.” In addition, there will be three visual art installations on display, Ryan Legassicke’s immersive sculptures will be set up in in the garden in the screening area. Andrew Sturm will introduce the group exhibition “elcatsbO Obstacle” with Jill Marie Holslin. The exhibit is available for viewing at MoRUS through Oct. 26.

On Friday, Sept. 27, MoRUS will present a selection of shorts starting at 7:30 p.m. at the community garden on 6th Street and Avenue B followed by a dance party at the Museum. The dance party will also celebrate the opening of the ongoing art exhibit: elcatsbO Obstacle. This exhibit considers the far-reaching spatial, cultural, political, and environmental implications of the US/Mexico border and beyond.

Find ticket info and details on the rest of the fest at this link.

MoRUS is at 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Plywood tumor marks the future home of Sanpoutei Ramen on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from yesterday morning]

It's plywood tumor time over at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street where interior renovations continue for the new tenant — Sanpoutei Ramen.

As noted back in March, the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, was opening an outpost in this long-vacant space. Last fall, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor).

Reviews of Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967, note that the restaurant "is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

Sanpoutei joins a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue and TabeTomo on Avenue A. In addition, Strings Ramen is opening at 188 Second Ave. at 12th Street.

As for 92 Second Ave., Kabin Bar & Lounge closed here in March 2015. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront has sat empty these past four years.

And by the end of the day yesterday, the plywood received a coat of green paint...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Tuesday's parting shot

Window-washing (presumably) day on the 12th Street side of Steiner East Village today... thanks to Christine Champagne for the photo!

Helping celebrate 125 years of Veniero's

Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffé celebrated its 125th birthday yesterday on 11th Street with free mini cannolis, live music and many happy anniversary wishes.

Joining in were two longtime East Village residents, Claudia Flanagan (above left) and Elyse Cogan, who were pleased to get a paparazzi shot in front of the Veniero's step and repeat banner with Robert Zerilli, the fourth-generation current owner and great-nephew of founder Antonio Veniero.

Let's do the time warp again

The folks at Ben's Deli at 32 Avenue B were thrilled to serve as a pivotal location for "Russian Doll" and Natasha Lyonne's character ... and, as a show of thanks, they put out this congratulatory sign today for the Netflix show's Emmy nominations.

The time looping series was actually nominated for 13 Emmys, and received three. The awards were presented this past Sunday.

"Russian Doll" will return for season two. Perhaps Ben's will make a return engagement too.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your 'Russian Doll' reader

Bushwick-based pizzeria Roberta's coming to Avenue A

Roberta's is opening a full-service restaurant on Avenue A due to debut in the spring.

According to the Commercial Observer, who first reported the news yesterday, Roberta's signed a 15-year lease for the 1,300 square-foot retail space at 15 Avenue A between First Street and Second Street.

And per the Observer:

“Both residents and destination diners in the East Village will be excited by this long-awaited expansion of a beloved brand,” Lee & Associates’ Jaime Schultz said in a statement. “Situated right where the East Village meets the Lower East Side, this new Roberta’s location is guaranteed to see lines every day of the week.”

Yay, lines!

Roberta's got its start in Bushwick in 2008. As Eater noted, Roberta's has been on an expansion kick, with openings in several food halls, and adding two locations in Los Angeles and one in Williamsburg ... not to mention its frozen pizza business.

--

Updated 2 p.m.

Grub Street has more details...

[C]hef-owner Carlo Mirarchi has confirmed to Grub that they’ll be opening what he calls Roberta’s Wine Bar. In an email, he writes that there will be wines “from some of our favorite producers. Lots of mags, lots of fun.”

--

The retail space at 15 Avenue A was previously the Family Dental Center, which moved down to Essex Street in 2017. The retail listing at the time noted that this would be a "great location" for a restaurant.

Meanwhile, there are approved plans (as of Aug. 6) on file with the city for a gut renovation and extension of the currently vacant building. No. 15 will receive two new floors, moving from four to six... with five residential units (likely condos) in the making.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Avenue A dental center is 'great location for restaurant'

May the 'Four Force' be with you at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park dioramas

It's now officially Peephole Season at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park on the northeast corner of Avenue C... as East Village artist J. Kathleen White has unveiled her 2019 collection of dioramas.

This year's theme: "Four Forces," featuring Evening Man, Wish, Blob and Dream.



Here's a quickie sneak preview via Vinny & O... you have roughly a month to check them out for yourself here...







White started creating and sharing the dioramas in 2005. Here's her work from 2018 ... 2017 ... and 2016 ... 2015 ... 2014 ... 2013 ... 2012 ... and 2011....

First work permits issued for the former Hells Angels HQ

[EVG file photo]

Better Living Properties, the new owners of 77 E. Third St., have filed the first work permits for the renovation of the former Hells Angels clubhouse here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The permit, dated yesterday, note "minor partition work in Apts 19-20-21-22." More permits will presumably follow.

As previously reported, No. 77 will be converted into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces.

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March. The Hells Angels had this six-story building in their possession since 1969.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

The Hells Angels have left the East Village

Squish reopens on St. Mark's Place after summer hiatus

[Photo by Steven]

The storefront operation for Squish Marshmallows is back open to the public today at 120 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue after a summer hiatus.

In recent months, the Squish online operation was up and running as was their catering operation. In an Instagram post the other day, Squish management thanked patrons for their patience while they did some "necessary behind-the-scenes work."

Squish opened here in late November 2016.

A reinterpretation of 'The Jazz Singer' on the Lower East Side

[Art by Jarrett Key @jar.key]

Abrons Arts Center is staging a production of The Jazz Singer, directed by East Village resident Joshua William Gelb.

Some details via the EVG inbox...

Abrons Arts Center is proud to present the world premiere of jazz singer, a theatrical exhumation of the first feature-length “sound film” The Jazz Singer, reinterpreted by director and performer Joshua William Gelb and composer and performer Nehemiah Luckett.

Set on the Lower East Side, the 1927 film tells the story of a “jazz crooner” forced to choose between his immigrant Jewish heritage and his aspirations of becoming a Broadway star. Though the film is historically significant for its integration of synchronized sound, it is most remembered for its controversial use of blackface. Gelb and Luckett’s musical rendering offers a contemporary take on this distinctly American story, one that interrogates appropriation, assimilation, atonement, and whether escape from the specter of blackface is possible.

The production opens tomorrow (Tuesday) evening and runs through Oct. 12 at the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St. in the Henry Street Settlement. Find more details on tickets and the staging at this link.

Last-minute notice about a PS 64 town hall tonight

There was very little advance notice about this... Community Board 3's Arts & Cultural Affairs Subcommittee is hosting a town hall this evening about the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.

It happens from 6:30 to 9 at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The flyer promises an array of local elected officials, including State Sen. Brad Hoylman and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, as well as city officials. Is the Mayor really going to be there?

CB3's September meetings included mention that the Arts & Cultural Affairs Subcommittee was finalizing plans for a town hall tonight. But we never heard anything about the event. There haven't been any notices in the local press or email invites from CB3. I found the flyer on the bottom of the CB3 website — only after seeing it this morning on the La Plaza Cultural Instagram account.

On Feb. 7, local elected officials gathered outside the building and urged the city to reclaim the property for community use. Read more background about the long-vacant property here.

Property owner Gregg Singer recently filed another lawsuit against the city.

At the march and rally to save East River Park

On Saturday, a crowd — estimated between 300 and 500 community members — gathered in Tompkins Square Park for a march and rally to protest the city's plan to bury East River Park with eight feet of landfill starting this March as part of protecting the east side against future storms and rising seas.

East River Park Action organized the rally.

"We support a plan that will provide much-needed flood protection," Howard Brandstein, director of the Sixth Street Community Center and a rally organizer, said in statement beforehand. "At the same time it should expand the park and reduce greenhouse emissions in response to the climate crisis."

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared photos from the event starting in Tompkins Square Park...







Reverend Billy was on hand to lead the parade...



The group moved on toward East River Park...





... crossing over the FDR at Sixth Street...















Speakers on Saturday included Adam Zhou (pictured below), the East Village resident who successfully challenged the city's plan to put down a synthetic turf on the ball fields in Tompkins Square Park...











In keeping with the cries of "Bury the plan, not the park," the rally concluded with a burial of the city's current stormproofing plan... EVG reader Brucie took these two photos...





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The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) is a coastal protection initiative jointly funded by the city and the federal government aimed at reducing flood risk due to coastal storms and sea-level rise. ESCR is the first element of the city’s "Big U" plan to protect Lower Manhattan from surges like those seen during Superstorm Sandy.

As part of the project, city officials, starting next spring, plan to close East River Park for three-plus years, elevating it with 8- to 10-feet of soil and chopping down trees, etc., from Montgomery Street to East 13th Street.

City officials have said that this is a better course of action compared to the previous plan that was in the works with community input before Mayor de Blasio's team changed course last fall. Among other things, city officials claim that the new plan will shave nearly six months off of the projected timeline and will be less disruptive for residents living in the area.

The project is now undergoing a third-party review by a Dutch consultant hired by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera. (The review is expected to be delivered soon.)

The City Planning Commission will vote on the plan today (Sept. 23) in the next step of the public review process before it heads to City Council later this fall. (The meeting is at 1 p.m. in the Lower Concourse, 120 Broadway. Find the meeting agenda at this link.)

Updated 6 p.m.

As expected, the Planning Commission approved the plan. Find a recap at Patch.

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On the way to East River Park, the group stopped by Rivera's office on Fourth Street...


[Photo by Dave on 7th]

There, the group sang a modified version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia" — "Carlina, you’re breaking our hearts, don’t bury the park [baby]."

According to Patch, Rivera has advocated "for staged construction to avoid a full park closure but has not outright opposed the plan." She holds a key vote when the plan comes before City Council this fall.

Flyers posted around the neighborhood have called out Rivera ... and urged residents to contact her office about the plan...