New plans for a 6-story building at 253 E. 7th St.

[Photo from November by Daniel Root]

A demolition crew reduced the former four-story residence at 253 E. Seventh St. between Avenue C and Avenue D into a lot of rubble late last year.

Meanwhile, plans for a 6-story building with six residences never met with city approval.

Now the developer, BSD Realty, has filed new plans for the property. As New York Yimby first reported yesterday, the developers filed new plans this week with Issac & Stern Architects designing the project — another 6-story, 6-residential building with a penthouse... "its units should average a spacious 1,498 square feet apiece, indicative of condominiums." (Ramy Issac of Issac and Stern is well-known for many East Village projects, including 100 Avenue A and 154 Second Ave... and various penthouses.)

As we noted in February, the address is for sale. The listing is still active at the E Property Group website. Among the options here, per the listing: "Your dream custom mansion townhouse." But it looks as if a residential building is the plan.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition

New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.

The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.

253 E. 7th St. is now a pile of bricks

Property at 253 E. 7th St. now for sale; perfect for a 'dream custom mansion townhouse'


[Image from 2014 via Massey Knakal]

Concern for East Village Cheese Shop

East Village Cheese Shop opened in its new home on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue last Sept. 29.

The shop's lease at 40 Third Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street was up at the end of last July, with its former neighbor Duane Reade apparently moving into the adjacent storefronts.

Based on reader comments ... and conversations with friends and neighbors, people were pleased that the store was able to stay in the neighborhood, albeit in a smaller space.

However, a few people who shop here regularly have concerns about its financial health. Per an EVG reader: "East Village Cheese went back to cash only and the minimum counter order went up to half a pound from a quarter-pound."



The reader feels as if these are bad signs... along with the fact that there's rarely anyone in the store upon the reader's visits...

The shop is usually also empty when I stop in ... and it certainly lacks the energy of the Third Avenue space. Another EVG reader felt similarly about St. Mark's Bookshop moving from Third Avenue to East Third Street .. the the store just lost something in the new location on a side street.

Said the Cheese Shop regular: "I would be so sad to lose it after the long wait for it to reopen."

Updated 4/23

A few people asked about this. The owners Thupten Tenphel and Lobbing Tsultrim, who are from Tibet, worked at the shop... and bought it from owner Alvin Kaufman when he retired in 2005.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Duane Reade expansion will take over adjacent storefronts, including East Village Cheese (74 comments)

[Updated] Confirmed: East Village Cheese will be moving to Avenue A later this year

East Village Cheese makes move to 7th Street official

[Updated] Work starts on new home of the East Village Cheese Shop

Looking at the incoming East Village Cheese shop on East 7th Street

Bingbox Snow Cream Co. opens Sunday on 2nd Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

Starting Sunday afternoon at 3, you'll be able to enjoy "the finest and purest snowflake dessert to be enjoyed all year round" with the grand opening of the Bingbox Snow Cream Co. shop.

This opening info comes via the Bingbox Facebook page. (There's a coupon there for a $1 off your order.)

The Snow Creamers are located at 125 Second Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place,

The storefront was previously home to E-Nail, which closed last September.

Previously on EV Grieve:
'Snowflake dessert' coming soon to 2nd Avenue

Kaz signage arrives at former Cafecito space on Avenue C

The signage for Kaz has arrived at 185 Avenue C near 12th Street.

We don't know too much about the place, which is taking over the former Cafecito space.

The applicant was on CB3's SLA committee docket in February (as Caz, per the paperwork) for a full liquor license (like Cafecito had). The proposed menu included salads, sandwiches and various items described as "large bites." (The menu is on the questionnaire here.)

CB3 recommended to deny the license, according to the minutes from the meeting...

WHEREAS, this is an application for a "large bites" restaurant with hours of operation of 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 A.M. Fridays and Saturdays, a fifteen (15) foot bar with eight (8) stools, three (3) forty-two (42) inch screen televisions and recorded background music; and

WHEREAS, notwithstanding that this location has a business with a full on-premise liquor license, that this application is for a bulk asset sale, and that this applicant furnished twenty- nine (29) petition signatures in support of its application, this applicant did not demonstrate that it has the experience or is prepared to operate a business with a full on-premise liquor license, in that it has limited experience managing a licensed business outside of this community since 2013 and did not articulate a well-thought out business plan with defined personnel and menu; and

WHEREAS, although respresented to be a restaurant, the proposed business plan appears to be that of a bar serving a limited menu with proposed later hours and three (3) large screen televisions...

In any event, it looks as if Kaz is moving forward with beer and wine ... this reader photo from last week shows more than 20 taps (and there are apparently more not pictured)...



Cafecito closed at the end of January after 12 years in business. No word on an opening date for Kaz.

Tomorrow on Earth Day, you can (legally) ride a Citi Bike for free

Come ride with us on Aprill 22! #CarFreeNYC https://t.co/hGNcgRpmot pic.twitter.com/Zl4y1HnhJ7

— Citi Bike (@CitiBikeNYC) April 16, 2016

Find the details here.

Per Gothamist: "Signing up is simple and doesn't appear to have any strings attached: enter your email and name on Citi Bike's website (you can opt out of promotional mailings), and you'll be sent a code to redeem a 24-hour access pass that'll be valid at any of Citi Bike's stations..."

It's also an (optional) Car-Free Earth Day.

Are you missing your cat?

This kitty was found this afternoon on Avenue A between Ninth Street and 10th Street... per the message we received:

Small gray tabby with a tiger stripe like coat and gorgeous fluffy tail. Estimated 1-2 years old. Very very sweet and friendly. Does not seem to be a stray. Please contact Fred Brown 646.387.0874 for more info ...

TBT — Purple Rain on Avenue A

From June 9, 2014... when Prince was featured on the roll-down gate at Mikey Likes It, 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street.

The mural, created by Bronx-based artist Andre Trenier, was in honor of the shop's Flavor of the Month: Purple Rain (double blueberry ice cream with cheesecake chunks).

And in case you haven't heard the news... Prince has died. He was 57.

Tim Burton-themed bar opening in former Confessional space on East 6th Street

As you may recall from last month, the owners of Stay Classy, the Will Ferrell-themed bar that opened last October on Rivington Street, announced plans to open another personality-driven establishment — this time in the East Village.

In the weeks ahead, Beetle House — "with an atmosphere and menu inspired by the works of Tim Burton" — is opening at 308 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The bar will feature drinks such as:

• Beetlejuice – Muddled blackberry and limes, Tequila, Blackberry schnapps, Angostura bitters, splash of cranberry. $14

• Edward’s lemonadee – Old fashioned with Orange bitters $12

• The headless horseman – Hendricks Gin, Lillet blanc, Cointreau, dash of absinthe, fresh lemon juice. Garnished with an orange peel. $16

• Chocolate factory martini – Vanilla vodka, Dorda chocolate liqueur, cream, creme de cocoa. Garnished with a chocolate bar. $14

You can check out the rest of the drinks and food menu at the Beetle House website. (You may text them for a preview invite.)

The space was, until last month, home to Confessional, who announced that they'd be moving to a new location. The space later hit the market for $8,500 a month plus $125,000 key money.

Thank you to Vinny & O for the tip! Time Out had a small write up of Beetle House this week, though the piece doesn't appear to be online.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: East Village to be home to a Tim Burton-themed bar

Converted East 8th Street synagogue (with hot tub for 8) returns to market for $30,000 a month

The last time we looked at 317 E. Eighth St., the former synagogue-turned-lux pad between Avenue B and Avenue C, the asking rent was a mere $25,000 a month.

Times have changed, and so has the asking rent. The furnished, four-level home is available again, though now the monthly ask is up to $30,000.

Here's part of the current listing at Town:

Spectacular townhouse ... that was formerly one of the city's last tenement Shuls ...was brilliantly transformed into a magnificent home in 2005 by world-famous designers from the Ian Shrager Hotels – earning recognition in Architectural Record for its extraordinary transformation, and attracting the likes of press, politicians and entertainment figures.

Yours to rent is the exquisite result of their top-of-the-line gut renovation: an immaculately-designed, 3 bedroom (possible 4), 2.5 bath fourplex that boasts 3 wonderful outdoor terraces, the finest finishes and fixtures, plus the most advanced automated central audio/visual, lighting, HVAC and integrated security systems.

The 4th story presents a special floor-to-ceiling glass hallway and secluded master bedroom with a custom-built working fireplace, huge walk-in closet, and opulent master bath with an oversized Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower with steam unit, rain shower, waterfall and separate hand-held shower. Enjoy quiet time on the delightful terrace off the master with a hot tub for 8, or ascend the glass stairs to the top floor sun-drenched lounge/media room (possible 4th bedroom) and terrace that also has Ipe wood floors and planters, copper rainspouts, a custom sound system and security cameras. 3235 interior sf and 982 exterior sf. AVAILABLE FOR 2 MONTH LEASE TERM - FURNISHED ONLY. Live-in caretaker and housekeeper provided on-site in separate apartment.

The EVG reader who forwarded this listing wondered if this was the most expensive East Village rental... The most expensive one that we recall is #3C at 38 E. First St., which had been asking $35,000 in 2014. So the Eighth Street place seems like a bargain.

Tonight (Thursday) at MoRUS: 'Garbage Warrior,' a crusade for sustainable housing

As we've noted, The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) is hosting Movies @ MoRUS, a monthly film series exploring themes such as social justice and political reform.

Playing tonight:

• Thursday, April 21 — "Garbage Warrior," dir. Oliver Hodge, 2007, 86 min. In honor of Earth Day, "Garbage Warrior" follows U.S. architect Michael Reynolds and his mission to introduce radical sustainable housing to the masses.



Upcoming Movies @ MoRUS include:

• Thursday, May 19 — "Food Inc.," dir. Robert Kenner, 2008, 94 min. The documentary examines how big corporations influence all aspects of food production in the United States.

Movies @ Morus, which play the third Thursday of the month, are free to the public but a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Showtime is 7 p.m. at MoRUS, 155 Avenue C between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street.

Video: 'Last Days at the Mars Bar'

East Village-based filmmaker Jenny Woodward has released an entertaining new video short titled "Last Days of the Mars Bar," featuring interviews with owner Hank Penza in the days leading up to the bar's closure in July 2011.

Penza shares some colorful anecdotes (and perhaps tall tales), such as how the bar got its name and how the first art appeared on the bar's walls on Second Avenue at East First Street.

And Penza doesn't seem all that broken up about the end of days here.

"Fuck the bar. What am I, crazy? There's a beginning and an end. You hear? The Mars Bar will live forever and I'll die... I feel like there's a beginning and an end, and this is the end to another chapter in my life."

Penza died last Oct. 29. He was 82.

Last Days at The Mars Bar from jenny woodward on Vimeo.

The corner storefronts where Mars Bar stood were eventually demolished in late 2011/early 2012 to make way for the 12-story residential building Jupiter 21. The corner space now houses a TD Bank and The Alchemist's Kitchen, a cafe and shop that sells botanical medicines, herbal remedies and whole plant beauty products.

H/T Goggla

[Updated] Arrest made in last week's shooting death on East 12th Street

[Reader-submitted photo of a memorial for Elliot Caldwell on East 12th Street]

The NYPD has reportedly arrested and charged a man in the shooting death last Thursday night outside Campos Plaza on 12th Street near Avenue C.

ABC 7 reports that Theodore Holloway, 23, of Manhattan, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of Elliot Caldwell, 23.

Caldwell, who lived nearby on 12th Street, had a 3-year-old son. "He was a great father. He changed his life for his son. He just got caught up in a bad situation," his aunt told DNAinfo.

Police have yet to release a motive for the shooting.

Updated 8:30 p.m.

DNAinfo has more details. According to their report, Holloway, who fired from the backseat of a parked car, "has been arrested 11 times before, most recently for robbery and assault."