EV Grieve

Monday, June 30, 2014

The art of travel

EVG contributor Stacie Joy spotted this art car today on First Avenue and East Ninth Street ...

99-Cent Discount Center latest lost-lease casualty on East 14th Street

[Photo by EVG Facebook friend Cheryl Pyle]

The crowded shop here with a little bit of everything at 440 E. 14th St. just west of Avenue A is closing this week ... lost their lease.

The 99-Cent Discount Center joins former next-door neighbor Stuyvesant Stationery in the Lost Least Club. And, of course, the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office closed in February and reopened a retail space a block away.

[The former post office on Saturday]

So now three, single-level storefronts all in a row will be vacant ... prompting some discussion among EVG regulars again about the possibility of new development along here. Perhaps something like what's going in to the east on 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Meanwhile, there's nothing on file with the DOB to suggest any new buildings for 438 or 440 E. 14th St.

Previously on EV Grieve:
First sign of more development on East 14th Street?

[EVG file photo from September 2013]

Updated: The 2nd Avenue BP station closes tomorrow

As we previously reported, the BP station on Second Avenue at East First Street is closing … tomorrow is the last day.

MRM Auto Repair, which leased space here, moved to West 38th Street last month.

As for what's next for the BP property here, a tipster tells us that a boutique hotel will eventually rise here. For now, though, this is still in the rumor stages — there aren't any building plans on file with the city at this time.

Meanwhile, the BP station on East Houston and Lafayette will eventually be replaced by luxury something.

Updated:
The station will now close after the business day on July 6.

Previously on EV Grieve:
How much longer will the East Village have gas stations?

The East Village will soon be down to 1 gas station

RUMOR: Gas station going, boutique hotel coming on Second Avenue? (31 comments)

BP station on 2nd Avenue closes this month

In other gas station news: Mobil reopens on Avenue C and East Houston

[Photo from Saturday]

The station was back in business Saturday morning after a 9-day closure … the State of New York seized the property on June 19 for nonpayment of taxes.

While the station was closed, at least one local person/blogger stood around the lot taking photos.

Speaking of this lot… back in March, Hakimian Property filed plans (waiting for approval) to erect a 9-story mixed-use building on the site. Plans call for 45 residential units and 4,550 square feet of commercial space.

The Times reported in October 2013 that construction would begin when Mobil's lease expires in two years — roughly toward the end of 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Mobil on Avenue C is still going strong — for now

You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C

Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C

Hey, the new Dunkin' Donuts is now open on Cooper Square

The one at the former Norman's Sound & Vision space at 67 Cooper Square opened Saturday. The official Grand Opening is today.

Previously on EV Grieve:
But of course!: Former Norman's Sound & Vision space becoming a Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts-branded door handle arrives on Cooper Square

1st signs of activity at Alex Stupak's incoming restaurant on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

Several readers noticed workers inside the former Sushi Lounge space on Friday … not much activity according to EVG reader Russ, but the first sign of life for the new restaurant that Alex (Empellón Cocina, Empellón Taqueria) Stupak plans to open here on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place …

Otherwise, the corner remains the same this summer.

[EVG photo from yesterday]

Stupak told Eater in March that he plans on having a small facility here at 132 St. Mark's Place to make tortillas for his restaurants.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place

CB3 OKs liquor license for Alex Stupak's new restaurant on St. Mark's Place

Weekend recap: The Houston/Bowery Mural Wall has been boarded up

In case you missed this post from Saturday... find it here.

The Nathaniel wants you to know its name on 3rd Avenue

[Photo from May 10]

Over at 84 Third Ave. and East 12th Street, where the newly christened building The Nathaniel awaits completion, there is a notice up ...

...for a proposed, non-illuminated blade sign reading The Nathanial ...

Which is actually already in place.

As previously noted, studios here in the 9-floor luxury building start at $3,470; one-bedrooms start at $4,600; two-bedrooms start at $6,650; and three bedrooms at — !!!! — $11,500. There is also a rooftop reflection pool for reflection on how much your rent is.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

Bendy thing sighting as 84 Third Ave. eclipses the AMC Loews Village 7

Upscale rentals and a rooftop reflection pool at The Nathaniel on 3rd Avenue

3 colors later, Saints Tavern is now Kamikaze & Co. on St. Mark's Place

[November 2012]

Saints Tavern arrived in late 2012 in the former Typhoon Lounge on St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue.

Then the place became really purple in May 2013 …

[Bobby Williams]

Now! It's gold! We spotted workers painting it on Friday … there's also a new name and concept — Kamikaze & Co., which, per the sign, serves "craft beer, Asian-style tacos and cocktails" …

[Last evening]

What will the next color be here?

As for Saints Tavern, we never knew anyone who went in here. Recent Yelp reviews are full of 1 stars, for what that is worth.