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An EVG tipster let us know that renovations are underway at 67 First Ave., the former Guayoyo space on the northwest corner of Fourth Street ...
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Signs on the door point to a venture called Mabi (or Space Mabi?), a gastropub...
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Their motto is "Your new playground" ...
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Guayoyo, the low-key, family-owned Venezuelan restaurant, never reopened after an early-morning basement fire on Jan. 13, 2015. In a follow-up inspection, Con Ed discovered a gas leak at the address.
In April 2015, an employee said they hoped to have the restaurant reopened soon. That never happened as repairs and red tape ensued with the landlord, Icon Realty, and Con Ed. (Read more about the situation here.) Guayoyo vacated the lease in August 2016, 20 months after the fire. A message posted on Guayoyo's Facebook page read in part: "Unfortunately we are forced to close the doors despite the efforts made to ensure its reopening during this year and a half of forced closure due to circumstances beyond our control."
The husband-wife team who owned Guayoyo previously ran Kura Sushi at the address, which dates to 1988.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Guayoyo has been closed now for 1 year