Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks makes the move to East 2nd Street

On Monday morning, workers packed up the contents of the Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks shop for the move from West 10th Street to her new home at 28 E. Second St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

In an email to friends/supporters of her longtime book shop, Slotnick provided move highlights and shared some photos...

The movers were incredible, as were my friends who helped.

Stay tuned for the reopening — I have a long way to go, as you'll see ...

And as always, thank you for your support and love!

Back in November, Jeremiah Moss first reported that the popular specialty store was not having the lease renewed for its 15-year-old Greenwich Village shop.

Soon after this news broke, DNAinfo got word that a pair of siblings reached out to Slotnick about a retail space available in their childhood home on East Second Street.

A few weeks back, Slotnick confirmed to Jeremiah that she struck a deal with the family for the ground-floor commercial space.

Per Jeremiah: "[T]he story of how she got it might renew your faith in New York City and the life of its book culture." Read his post here.

Check out the Bonnie Slocknick Cookbook site for official opening info.

A look at the recently revealed 536 E. 13th St.

The new building here just west of Avenue B is in full view (except for the backhoe in the way).

Approved plans — about six years in the making — call for six residential units. We haven't seen any listings yet for what will likely be condos.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your chance to own a stalled project lot on East 13th Street

A dormant construction site on East 13th Street

536 E. 13th Street is a real dump now

[December 2009]

The Bourgeois Pig closes on East 7th Street with move to the West Village

That's it for The Bourgeois Pig on East Seventh Street. The wine-cheese bar closed after service on Saturday.

We spotted workers yesterday taking apart the Pig's exterior here between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As Eater previously reported, a rent hike was behind the 10-year-old bar's East Village closure.

However, there is a new Bourgeois Pig location now open at 127 MacDougal St.

This is the second business on this block to decamp to the West Village this month. Gingersnap's Organic closed its 3-year-old home at 130 E. Seventh St. for a move to West 10th Street.

Previously.

At Ray's Candy Store, Ray celebrates a birthday with another burlesque extravaganza

Photos and text by Stacie Joy

Per tradition, well-wishers gathered at Ray's Candy Store for a little entertainment in honor of proprietor Ray Alvarez's birthday … featuring a new Ray's record of six dancers!

The tiny shop at 113 Avenue A was packed last night in honor of the longtime store owner's 82nd birthday. Burlesquers Hayden Riots, Gal Friday, Ginger Twist, Pearls Daily, Licketty Split and Pinkie Special helped Ray and company celebrate.

Gal Friday, making her third appearance for Ray's celebration, said that "Ray was her favorite guy," and that he had "a special place in her heart" as she kissed his cheek, leaving a red set of lip prints.

As for the rest of the entertainment…











The night was capped off with some Veniero’s cheesecake, presentation of a special book of images and stories about Ray, the traditional singing of "Happy Birthday," and smiles all around.



If you are nearby, then feel free to drop by Ray's to wish him a happy 82nd.



-----

Bonus exterior photo via jdx…



Slum Goddess has more photos AND video here.

Find more photos on the Ray's Candy Store Facebook page.

Rumors: Duane Reade expansion will take over adjacent storefronts, including East Village Cheese

A tipster tells us that the Duane Reade on Third Avenue at East 10th Street is expanding, and will gobble up the adjoining spaces that include the 21-year-old Excel Art and Framing Store and East Village Cheese.

The owner of the Frame Shop received word this past Saturday that his lease will not be renewed; "that a handshake deal was already made with Duane Reade in early December."

Per the tipster: "Both of these small businesses are very important to the community."



The convenient store and clothing boutique Project 36 have already been emptied out ahead of the expansion…



The tipster noted that there's already a huge Walgreens on Astor Place. Not to mention the recently expanded Walgreens on East 14th Street and Fourth Avenue … and the Duane Reade locations on East 14th Street and Third Avenue … and East 14th Street and Broadway.

And this won't be the first time that Duane Reade looks to KO beloved neighborhood businesses.

Here then, the new-look men's room at d.b.a.

As we mentioned on Saturday, d.b.a. is back open with new ownership at 41 First Ave. between East Third Street and East Second Street.

The bar was closed for renovations for several weeks... we haven't had a chance to stop in ourselves, but we hear that the place essentially has the same look and feel ... except for the bathrooms.

EVG reader Spike shared a shot of the new-look men's room...



And for a comparison (sorry, our d.b.a. bathroom-photo archive is quite lacking)...


[Photo via]

C & B Cafe now open on East 7th Street

Just noting that C & B Cafe opened last Friday at 178 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue B.

Aside from serving coffee and tea, the cafe has a small menu that includes squash soup, several sandwiches and salads, and dishes like mushroom and eggs and chicken and eggs. There's some seating in the back.

Several readers, including Dave on 7th, have given C & B high marks so far.

The space was previously home to Korzo Haus, which closed at the end of October.

New York Sports Club not quite done branding their new Avenue A location

[Last week!]

Yep, more signage for the incoming gym at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street...



...some snow-friendly letters...



At this point Winter 2015 remains the rather vague opening date.

H/T @KennethRood

Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

Getting to know — Essex Crossing

[Flyer spotted on 6th and B]

There's a community presentation tonight at 6 for anyone interested in learning more about Essex Crossing, the 1.9 million square feet of residential, commercial and community space coming to the Lower East Side once of these days.

The meeting is at the Grand Street Settlement, 80 Pitt St. between Rivington and Stanton.

You can read more about the mega-peject at The Lo-Down … BoweryBoogie … and Curbed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A 14-screen Regal Cinemas theater with electronic reclining seats coming to the LES (30 comments)

Last night's empty East Village streets

[The Bowery and East 3rd Street via EVG reader Rob]


[1st Avenue and East 6th Street via Goggla]


[Avenue B and East 3rd Street via Stacie Joy]


[East 6th Street via Vinny and O]

Frank Ape asks a sensible question

A Frank Ape sighting on East Ninth Street near Avenue B … photo by Bobby Williams

The snowmen are evolving in Tompkins Square Park

They're climbing trees now...





Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos!