Elvis Guesthouse officially ready for occupancy tonight

Elvis Guesthouse, the subterranean space at 85 Avenue A between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street, has been in soft-open mode since February.

Now co-owner Zachary Mexico, who also runs Baby's All Right in Williamsburg, passes along word that the bar officially opens tonight.

The bar will have a rotating group of DJs, including Chances With Wolves. There will also be an occasional live act as well. (Punk duo Girlpool played back in February.)

Gothamist had a preview here.

Mexico and Billy Jones previously ran the Arrow Bar here, which closed in January.

Image by Clay Williams/Gothamist

Previously on EV Grieve:
Comeback special: Arrow Bar owners opening Elvis Guesthouse on Avenue A

A list of online fundraisers to help residents rebuild their lives

[Photo this morning by Vinny and O]

There are a number of online fundraisers underway for residents who lost their homes in the explosion and subsequent fire at 121 Second Ave.

We received some of those links... however, DNAinfo has the most comprehensive list that we've seen to date. You can find that information here.

2nd Avenue update (March 31)

[Photo by Phillip Giambri via Facebook]

The latest headlines

Manhattan District Attorney investigating fatal East Village gas explosion: officials (The Wall Street Journal)

3 injured in East Village explosion are released from hospital (The New York Times)

Vigil held at site of East Village explosion (WABC-7)

East Village blast victims’ date meets his parents (New York Post)

How you can help Mariann Marlowe rebuild Enz’s (BoweryBoogie)

Here is information gleaned from the most recent Inter-Agency Update:

• Vacate orders remain for 48 residential units in the following buildings: 125 2nd Avenue, and 41 East 7th Street
• Repair work has begun on 41 East 7th Street
• Vacate orders have been lifted for buildings on the East side of 2nd Avenue
• Bellevue Hospital is still treating one patient
• Approximately 3,000 cubic yards of debris searched and removed as of 10 a.m. yesterday
-Estimated to be half of the debris on site
-This represents 46 trailer loads of debris removed
-Each cubic yard weighs approximately one ton

Donations and Services

• From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Velselka is giving out $100 gift cards to displaced neighbors.

… and from Trash and Vaudeville ...

pic.twitter.com/myfIXnTtWc

— Trash and Vaudeville (@trashvaudeville) March 30, 2015

Missing Pets

City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone

Yesterday afternoon, the city inspected the Icon Realty-owned 128 Second Ave. across the street from the three buildings that were leveled in a gas explosion last Thursday that killed two people and left more than 20 others injured.

According to the violation notice, a city inspector observed a worker in the cellar installing a new gas pipe and new gas elbows and valve without a permit.



The city immediately served a full stop work order.



Per the sign on the door, the remedy is either obtaining a permit or restoring to "prior legal condition."

128 Second Ave. is also home to the Stage. The diner was closed yesterday. A reader spotted Stage owner Roman Diakun, who said they didn't have gas service. It's unclear when the Stage will be able to open again for business.

Last Wedensday, the tenants association at 128 Second Ave. filed an HP Action for Repairs and Services against Icon Realty in NYC Housing Court. Among other issues, the remaining residents claim that there is inconsistent heat, broken fire escapes and a lack of fire alarms in the building.

Icon bought the building in the fall of 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Happy holidays from 128 Second Ave.

128 Second Ave. has been sold

'Demolitions and renovations' starting today at 128 Second Avenue

Spotted Owl Tavern opens today in the former Destination space on Avenue A

John Cutillo, the owner of Local 138 and Iggy's Keltic Lounge on Ludlow Street as well as the Grand Victory in Williamsburg, opens his latest venture today.

Look for the Spotted Owl Tavern on the northwest corner of Avenue A and 13th Street ... in the former Destination space. We're told that the vibe will be old-school neighborhood bar.

And there is food. The owner-chef of Black Tree over on Orchard Street helped create the pub-style menu.



The Spotted Own Tavern opens daily at 3.

Destination Bar opened in the summer of 2009 … and closed this past Feb. 1.

Marshal chronicles

The storefronts at 44 E. First St. are now empty.

For starters, the plant store/boutique Green Fingers moved to Rivington Street several weeks ago...



Then late last week, the Marshal paid a visit to the former Wash House space next door…



However, the hyped laundro-bar had already closed last fall after just six-plus months in business.

Meanwhile, at 45 First Ave. near East Third Street …



The Marshal took possession of the Shin Modern Nail shop…



Next door, Puebla Mexican Food at 47 First Ave. recently lost its lease…. owner Irma Marin hopes to reopen in the Essex Street Market.

La Esquina Burritos & Bar signage up on 1st Avenue

As we noted last week, Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill on First Avenue and East Sixth Street… was changing up concepts and now going by La Esquina Bar & Grill, per the signs in the window.

Perhaps to alleviate any confusion between this La Esquina and the Kenmare Street establishments — La Esquina Taqueria and Cafe/La Esquina Brasserie & Tequila Bar — ownership must have decided on a variation… the new signage/awning combo is now up…


[Photo via @sheeplessnomad]

La Esquina Burritos and Bar...


[Photo by Vinny and O]

Figaro opened in January 2014, taking over the space from Banjara.

A moment of silence tonight for East Village blast victim Nicholas Figueroa

Friends and family members turned out this evening at St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue for a candlelight vigil in honor of 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa, the first victim identified from last Thursday's gas explosion…



From ABC 7's Jim Dolan on the scene… (Updated: Here is ABC's (report.)

Silent prayer at the vigil for Nicholas Figueroa pic.twitter.com/iutT5d9sFD

— Jim Dolan (@jimdolan7) March 30, 2015

A proud father raises his son's picture. Nicholas Figueroa died in the East Village explosion #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/ls28eLTmmm

— Jim Dolan (@jimdolan7) March 30, 2015

Top two photos via EVG reader Brian P.

The Onion's AMERICAN VOICES weigh in on the East Village explosion selfie

Friday night #eastvillage @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/8OpG1d6mPy

— EventPhotosNYC (@Eventphotosnyc) March 28, 2015

The photo has been making the rounds, here and abroad. Now The Onion takes to the streets for some thoughts on the issue…



Says Pam Coyle, Groupon Purchaser: "It’s unfair to condemn those people before seeing how the pictures turned out."

Previously

Reader report: Gas scare at the Tompkins Square Library

[Photo by EVG reader Daniel]

Late this afternoon the Tompkins Square library branch on East 10th Street was evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Word from some readers who happened to be there… workers were doing boiler repairs, and someone smelled gas.

The FDNY was quickly on the scene and gave the all clear. However, the library remained closed to patrons the rest of the day.

The branch is also serving as a reception center for displaced residents of last Thursday's explosion on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street.

H/T @JenniferKellow