Monday, January 24, 2022
A cart full of puppies on the M15 FTW
If you are heading to the Tompkins Square Library branch
You may want to check online before visiting this or any NYPL outpost. The Ottendorfer branch on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street is open during its usual hours.
Thanks to Stacie Joy for the photos!
The latest at East River Park: night work at Delancey; passive lawn set to debut
According to the weekly construction bulletin, night work begins in East River Park at Delancey.
The work is scheduled to take place between 3 p.m. and midnight for the next four weeks: "Construction operations necessitate extended work hours to dismantle the park-side ramp of the Delancey Street Pedestrian Bridge. Noise and air monitors will be in place prior to the start of these activities," the bulletin states.
The Delancey Street pedestrian has been closed since early December. The arrow in this photo shows where the demolition will be taking place...
This won't be the first time for nighttime construction/demolition in East River Park as part of the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project. Work went around the clock on a weekend in December — also in defiance of a Temporary Restraining Order. (There wasn't any mention of late-night work in that week's construction bulletin for residents.)
Meanwhile, weather permitting, the "passive lawn" south of the now-gutted amphitheater is expected to open this week in the former compost area. Residents will access this section via the Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge, where passengers access the ferry.
Here are two views of the passive lawn, as seen on Saturday...
Updated: A reader said the passive lawn opened last week. (There doesn't appear to be any signage for it — at least I didn't see any.) And there are puddles of water on the lawn because there isn't any drainage...
Since early December, work has focused on cutting down dozens of mature trees and taking out amenities such as the tennis courts in Project Area 1 below Stanton Street.
The current plans call for gutting East River Park — burying the existing 57.5-acre land under fill and elevating it by 8-to-10 feet above sea level. The new park is expected to protect the Lower East Side from storm surges until at least 2050.
Park entry remains at Houston, Sixth Street and 10th Street. The city has said they will maintain public access to a minimum of 42 percent of the park throughout construction, expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Community members opposed to the current version of the city's floodproofing plan for East River Park continue to gather daily at 1 p.m. at the Houston Street entrance.
Nai Tapas Bar set to open in new 2nd Avenue home
The outpost at 85 Second Ave. (above and below) closed down at the start of the New Year here on the SW corner at Fifth Street...
... ahead of a move across the street to 84 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street (the photo below is from several weeks ago) ...
... and as seen Friday evening...
Nai Tapas Bar first opened on First Avenue in 2010 ... relocating to Second Avenue in 2018.
And Nai is the first retail tenant at No. 84 in decades. In recent years, the building changed hands several times, undergoing a gut renovation and extension. Our previous post has more background about this once-mysterious address.
Oddly configured Walgreens is closing on Union Square
The Walgreens here was renovated and expanded into the space above the quick-serve restaurants on Fourth Avenue back in 2010... (this far-flung layout is what the headline meant by "oddly configured" ...)
Anyway, this is the latest Walgreens or Duane Reade to shutter... the Walgreens on Astor Place closed in August 2020 ... three neighborhood Duane Reade by Walgreens locations have closed in recent years. The outpost on Avenue D at Houston and First Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street shuttered in November 2019 while the storefront on 10th Street and Third Avenue shut down in early March 2019.
2022 corner watch: 360 Bowery
We've written a lot of what's coming to the former B Bar & Grill space on the SW corner of Fourth Street at the Bowery.
In early December, workers prepped the one-level structure for demolition. This past week, the six honey locust trees were removed from the former restaurant's courtyard. It's not known if they were chopped down or, possibly, transplanted. (An EVG reader had called 311 about the trees.)
A recap to date...
As we first reported in January 2021, permits were filed for a 21-floor mixed-use development — a 283-foot-tall office building. (For comparison, the Standard East Village, a block to the north, is 21 floors.) The city approved the permits on Nov. 16, per public records.
According to plans, the well-employed architect Morris Adjmi's building will encompass 98,799 square feet, with 26,000 square feet set aside as an unspecified community facility.
CB Developers paid $59.5 million for a stake in 358-360 Bowery, a gas station before its conversion into the bar-restaurant. B Bar owner Eric Goode, who owns a handful of hotels, including the Bowery Hotel across the way, assembled air rights to build the more extensive development on this corner space.
As for the B Bar, the one-time hot spot (circa the mid-1990s) was expected to close for good in August 2020. However, the place never reopened after the PAUSE in March 2020. On April 3, 2020, nearly 70 B Bar employees were laid off without any extension of benefits or offer of severance pay.
In the weeks ahead, look for the full demolition of the building... and the ascent of the new development.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development
• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development
• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance
Another taker for 179 Essex St.
In recent years (going back to say, 2005?), the building's northern retail space has been home to — if memory and old blog posts serve us — Filthy McNasty's, Vasmay Lounge, 12" Bar, Essex Ale House, Peri, Bar Chevere, Casa Humo and Benson's... and had been vacant the past two years.
We don't know anything about Takumi, the new tenant, at the moment. Hopefully, they can make it work here.
Gazab, an Indian restaurant that we hear good things about, opened in the other retail space here this past July.
Sunday, January 23, 2022
RIP Billy the Artist
Photo from December by Stacie Joy
According to friends, Billy Miller, a longtime East Village resident, better known as Billy the Artist, died last night.
His friend, the artist Gregory de la Haba, posted this tribute on Instagram:
With heavy heart, the legendary New Yorker, Billy The Artist (William Miller) died peacefully in his sleep last evening at Beth Israel Hospital after succumbing to the ravages of cancer.
He was a tremendous light in my life and always made me smile from ear to ear. He was "Pura Vida" whose art adorned products worldwide from Swatch to Nescafé. His first big gig was to paint panels for the broadway stage of RENT that captured the energy and vibrancy of the East Village, the place he called home for the last 30 years. Collector Steve Cohen recently purchased one of his famous cows and musician John Baptiste enjoyed playing his custom piano. His entire life was dedicated to art. And in sharing in the love.
Rest in peace, my beautiful, beautiful friend.
We'll update you when more information on his passing becomes available.
Billy had created several books in the past two years, most recently last month with "East Village Closed" — a photo illustrative experience of life in the East Village during the pandemic as seen through Billy's eyes.
Billy loved the East Village, where he found the love and inspiration for his work. He will be missed.
There will be a celebration of Billy's life on Feb. 20 at the Long Pour, 155 Second Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street at 3 p.m. Details here.
Week in Grieview
• Officials: Police arrest teen accused of starting fire that destroyed the Essex Card Shop (Thursday)
• A visit to Via Della Scrofa (Thursday) ... The first look at the all-new Via Della Pace on 4th Street (Friday)
• A Perfect Ending (Wednesday)
• Workers finish demolition of the old retail spaces along 250 E. Houston St.; now what's next? (Tuesday)
• A look inside the new Empire Cannabis Clubs on the Lower East Side (Wednesday)
• Panda Express pulling into this storefront on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Wednesday)
• Best wishes to Chef Ronny at Nón Lá Vietnamese Kitchen (Monday)
• Kim's Video lives on with 'Staff Picks' at Metrograph (Friday)
• 5 Napkin Burger closes on 3rd Avenue and 14th Street (Tuesday) ... Bonus flashback: Disco Donuts edition (Tuesday)
• All-new 15 Avenue A REVEALED; Roberta's outpost slated for the retail space (Tuesday)
• Roosting soon on 14th Street: Wingstop makes it signage official (Tuesday)
• This block of 3rd Street gets a psychic with $10 specials; 'walk-ins welcome' (Friday)
• The former Tatsu Ramen space is for lease (Wednesday)
• Vegan Grill makes it signage official on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)
• For your convenience: NYC Convenience coming soon to 13th Street (Monday)
... and answering the question, "When is an oven _ _ _" 
Above photo on First Avenue by Stacie Joy...
With work permits approved, Amelia and Christo start fortifying their nest in Tompkins Square Park
Christo, in particular, was spotted gathering construction materials (sticks) to help fortify the family nest...(click on the images for a bigger view) 
As Goggla has noted, this is about the time of the winter season in which the hawks assemble (or reassemble!) their nests for the upcoming breeding season.
Saturday, January 22, 2022
EVG Etc.: Restaurant owner defiant over vaccine mandate; Essential Cinema at Film Anthology
• Teens who survived fire on Avenue D recount their ordeal (CBS 2 ... previously on EVG)
• About former cab driver John McDonagh’s benefit show for Theatre 80 this weekend (NY1 ... previously on EVG)
• New DA Bragg admits that he botched his policy rollout (Gothamist)
• What the MTA has and hasn’t done to make the subways safer (City & State)
• Anthology Film Archives on Second Avenue and Second Street is screening some essential cinema featuring work by Buñuel, Bresson and Cocteau (Official site)
• Praise for the cardamom bun at coffee shop La Cabra on Second Avenue (Eater ... previously on EVG)
• Checking out this podcast with East Village resident John Holmstrom, co-founder of Punk (Flaming Pablum)
• Diversions: Calling all Nico fans (Dangerous Minds)
... and HBD (1/22) to LES-based filmmaker Jim Jarmusch ...
The renovations inside Kamaran Deli & Grocery on Avenue A
Caturday's opening shot
Friday, January 21, 2022
Hope to see you again
Cat Power's excellent new record of covers, titled Covers, was released on Jan. 14. In this video, Powers (aka Chan Marshall, a one-time East Village resident) provides a mournful reinterpretation of "I'll Be Seeing You."
A young hawk hangs out on 5th Street
Photos by Steven
On Wednesday morning, a juvenile red-tailed hawk — likely migrating through the area — came to rest on a fire escape on this Fifth Street building.
There was a lot of curiosity, then concern, as the young hawk hunkered down here between Avenue C and Avenue D for nearly 20 hours.
Eventually, some members of the local bird-watching community called Ranger Rob (aka Rob Mastrianni, a Manhattan Ranger supervisor), to come take a look.
It all ended yesterday without any further drama, however. Before Rob had the chance to leave for Fifth Street, the hawk, who did not appear to be injured, flew off to unknown parts.
The first look at the all-new Via Della Pace on 4th Street
Text and photos by Stacie Joy
I’m back at Via Della Scrofa to meet with co-owner Giovanni Bartocci and get a sneak peek at Via Della Pace’s new location at 87 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. Business partner and co-owner Marco Ventura keeps tabs on the alimentari while Bartocci takes me down the block to see the renovated space as they ready it for opening.
While here, I ask for an update on Bartocci’s expired E-2 visa. (He was back in Italy as of yesterday.) In addition, we talk about the fires in the previous location in 2020 after 17 years in service, the status of the new space, and the immigration issues that have forced Bartocci to temporarily leave the United States.
What’s the status of the new home for Via Della Pace?
We are close — very, very close to opening. Close to opening sounds funny, but we have been almost ready since the end of July, but nothing is playing on our side. We are stubborn, and we don’t give up!
You posted on Instagram in 2020 that you were able to salvage the original sign from Seventh Street. Will there be anything else from the original restaurant here?
Thank God the first fire [Feb. 10] wasn’t as bad as the second [Dec. 5]. And the most important thing, no one got severely injured or worse, and the only damage we had was mainly from the water.
We didn’t have a single flame inside, and we were able to save most of all the memorabilia and tables — the soul of VDP is going to be there!
How did you mark the 1st anniversary of the fire this past Dec. 5?
I just stopped by and cried a bit. It is really painful for me every time I pass by! I miss VDP every single day — it was just magical.
You mentioned that your E-2 visa has expired, and you are being forced to leave the country until you can reapply. Are you comfortable talking about the visa issue?
What can I say? Since Feb. 10, 2020, everything went wrong, and my visa problem is just a consequence of all these crazy events. For sure, I can tell you I wasn’t very lucky but considering what is happening in the world, I’m alive and still fighting, so I should reconsider the word luck. Plus, after two years I will see my family again. Yes, I must go back to Italy, but you will not get rid of me so easily! [Laughs]
Kim's Video lives on with 'Staff Picks' at Metrograph
Metrograph is honoring one of the greatest places you loved to hate in a new series titled "Staff Picks: Kim's Video," which gets underway today (Friday!).
Cutting and pasting the entire description right here:
The Kim’s Video empire started out in an enterprising immigrant hustler’s East Village laundromat on Avenue A, a joint that ran a dodgy sideline renting VHS tapes out of cardboard boxes and laundry baskets. It became a legendary New York City institution — a discount film school, with outlets as far as exotic Jersey City and a multi-story flagship located in a former bathhouse on St. Mark’s Place, famous for cranky behind-the-counter attitudes, dismal wages, and a mind-boggling selection.After the closing of its final location in 2014, Kim’s faded into the mists of legend: an exceptional place, but also representative of a broader international video store culture that’s long hovered on the brink of extinction.Kim’s is gone but far from forgotten, and so Metrograph salutes the esoteric eclecticism of Kim’s Video with a series made up of film selections and introductions by a number of former store clerks who’ve gone on to better things still branded for life by their time, as well as the mysterious Mr. Kim himself.Staff Picks will continue throughout 2022, each month featuring selections that celebrate the small and specialty video stores, independent theatres, and community hubs where passionate film lovers gather. Titles include selections by Isabel Gillies, Lorry Kikta, Ralph McKay, Alex Ross Perry, Sean Price Williams, Mr. Kim, and more.
Find out more about the series and ticket info here. Metrograph is at 7 Ludlow St. just above Canal.
And some flashbacking for you, courtesy of dyske.com ... here's a look at Kim's Video when it was at 85 Avenue A (now Somtum Der) between Fifth Street and Sixth Street (click on the image for a bigger view!)
Kim's on A closed in the summer of 2004.
I was just reminiscing about Kim's on A! For a freelance piece on the worst college films ever, I asked if they had 'Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise.' To my great surprise, they did! In disgust, the clerk bounced the tape off the counter and it hit me in the chest. 😍
— evgrieve (@evgrieve) January 20, 2022
This block of 3rd Street gets a psychic with $10 specials; 'walk-ins welcome'
Anyway! EVG reader Erin notes this arrival on Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... this space was previously home to a more-useful business — Sunrise Cleaners.
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