Here's 'Gotti'

Back in February, crews were out on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue filming scenes for "Gotti," the biopic starring John Travolta, seen above, in the title role...



Anyway, I mention this again because Lionsgate released the first trailer for the film today... (you can see 10th Street for about a second).



"Gotti," directed by "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly, is out in December.

Photos in February by Daniel

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mob scene on 10th Street as 'Gotti' crew and John Travolta hold forth

[Updated] Hurricane Maria relief efforts continue at 2nd Street firehouse

Back on Friday, city officials announced that more than a dozen firehouses across NYC will collect supplies to send to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

In the East Village, Engine 28/Ladder 11 at 222 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C is still accepting donations daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to published reports, many residents have been dropping off the requested supplies...


[Via @fdny]

As a reminder, here's a list of items NYC is collecting:

• Diapers
• Baby food
• Batteries
• First Aid Supplies
• Feminine Hygiene Products

There are other ways to support the humanitarian efforts in Puerto Rico and surrounding islands, such as through this relief fund established by the Hispanic Federation and a coalition of local elected officials.

Updated 7:30 p.m.

The FDNY is also collecting donated goods tonight until 11 on Second Street at First Avenue outside Spiegel...



Thanks to EVG reader Tracy F. for the above photo!

East Village Dance Project is in danger of losing its space on Avenue C

East Village Dance Project (EVDP), a dance-development organization that offers programming for kids and adults, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Since January 2011, their home studio has been at 55 Avenue C at Fourth Street.

Unfortunately, EVDP is in danger of losing this space.

Bonnie Stein, the executive and artistic director of GOH Productions, which serves as EVDP's nonprofit umbrella organization, said that they need "to find a partner to share the rent and to occupy the lovely ground-floor office."

The previous tenant moved out (on good terms), and the deal for someone new to take the space fell through this past summer. Meanwhile, EVDP can't go it alone paying the full rent.

"Our program is strong," said Stein, referring to EVDP's after-school classes for ages 3 to 18. "But the rent is a big burden on the dance program."

Stein said that there is 400 square feet of office space available. (There's also use of the studio when EVDP is not holding its own classes.) The rent is about $1,800 to $2,000 per month, plus some minor utilities. The space is move-in ready.

Here are some more details via Stein:

GORGEOUS DANCE STUDIO AND OFFICE AVAILABLE.
Fully accessible ground floor

Dance Studio: 24 x 47 feet
Mirrors, ballet barres, windows, private bathroom in the studio

• Available studio hours are:
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-F, Saturday after 3 p.m. and Sunday all day.

• NOT AVAILABLE studio time when we have a youth dance program:
M-F 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Studio time cannot be after 9 p.m.) Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• OFFICE: 17 x 14, with large windows on the street level, lots of light.
Shared bathroom in lobby.
Can also be used as a small studio, with some modifications.

Rental is variable depending on need, office only, or office/studio combination.

Please contact Bonnie via email here.

"The timeline is pretty fast," Stein said. "We have about three months to really decide if East Village Dance can stay here or move."

Previously on EV Grieve:
A sneak peek at 'The Shell-Shocked Nut'

Ciao For Now now open on Tuesdays starting today (Tuesday!)

With the arrival of fall, Ciao For Now, the cafe-bakery on 12th Street between and Avenue A and Avenue B, will now open on Tuesdays — starting today.

Ciao For Now's hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Rent a former Duane Reade on Broadway

The Duane Reade on Broadway (with an entrance on Eighth Street) is vacant and on the market. I don't know when this location closed. The retail listing for the space (rent available upon request) is dated from Sept. 22.

Anyway, there's a Walgreens nearby...



The Duane Reade further south on Broadway near Bleecker closed this past summer...



Meanwhile, the Duane Reade on Union Square is also available for sub-leasing.

Several Duane Reades have been closing around the city, including three on the Upper West Side and one on Canal and Broadway.

Construction watch: 363 Lafayette

Here's a look at 363 Lafayette, where work has passed the halfway mark on a 10-floor, mixed-used building rising at Great Jones.

The office building will feature a showroom on the ground floor and community facility space on the second floor and part of the third floor, as New York Yimby previously reported.

The property stretches south to Bond Street...





Morris Adjmi is the architect of record. Here's more from his firm's website:

This office building’s fanning setback was inspired by the unique wedge-shaped site. With its brick cladding and contemporary terracotta detailing, this office building reflects the architectural character of the NoHo Historic District.

And a rendering...



Ironstate Development is behind this project. Their work in the neighborhood includes The Jefferson, the condoplex at the site of the former Mystery Lot.

This parcel of land hasn't been without controversy. In 2008, artist Chuck Close, whose studio is next door at 20 Bond St., filed a lawsuit against the previous property owner, Olmstead Properties, to prevent the construction of a 6-floor office building. He argued that the new development would block the building’s natural light, which he and other artists at No. 20 need for their work.

Ironstate's original proposal for the space included the 10 stories covering the side windows of No. 20. Those plans were later modified.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Jones Diner lot on Lafayette primed for new development

[Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]

Coming soon to the Village East — 'Point Blank,' Joan Crawford and a troglodyte, and Black Sabbath

A few things to note at City Cinemas Village East, Second Avenue at 12th Street... on Wednesday evening, there's a 50th-anniversary screening of the Lee Marvin crime thriller "Point Blank." (Details here.) Then on Thursday night, the Hedda Lettuce special screening is of "Trog," Joan Crawford's last feature film. (Details here.) It is a very special film...



Speaking of the end, there's also a screening Thursday evening of "The End of the End," documenting Black Sabbath's last show. (Details here.)

And next week! The start of Hitchcocktober...

Frisson Espresso coming to 3rd Avenue

Frisson Espresso, a 3-year-old cafe on West 47th Street, is opening an outpost on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street...



This is on the west side of the Avenue that has been under a sidewalk bridge for what seems like ages... the previous tenant here, the OJ Gallery, a custom frame shop, didn't make it a year.



Frisson Espresso will have competition — from several places, but the new Bean across the Avenue in particular.

As No. 320 turns: 5 restaurants have come and gone in this space in 1 year

It appears is if 320 E. Sixth St. is without a restaurant again... the gates have been down here between First Avenue and Second Avenue on recent weekends...



This past summer, Mazmaza was the latest restaurant to try the space... taking over from Amoun Moroccan Mediterranean Cuisine & Lounge, which relocated here from the Upper East Side.

There has been a lot of changes at No. 320 since September 2016, when Zerza announced it was closing for renovations. It turned into 'Merica, co-founded by Zach Neil, an owner of the Tim Burton-themed Beetle House as well as the now-closed Stay Classy on Rivington Street. 'Merica, which aspired to satirize the "real America," closed after three weeks in business... with Zerza returning to service for several months.

Cheers Cut makes it (more) official on St. Mark's Place

The Cheers Cut signage (temporary?) went up this past Thursday at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

As previously reported, Cheers Cut serves Taiwanese-inspired fast food, including fried chicken and seafood dishes and a variety of bento boxes and noodles.

This will be the fifth location for the chainlet. A worker said that they could be open as soon as this week.

Updated:

Cheers Cut is now open.

H/T Steven

Mani in Pasta coming to 14th Street

Signage is up now at 245 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for Mani in Pasta, as these photos via EVG reader Miles show...



The sign promises "Roman Style Pizza & Cucina." They also have a location on East 37th Street.

As Miles reminded me, this won't be the first time the space has had a pizza establishment. Before Mimi's Hummus, the address was Wicked Wolf BBQ (which served $1 pizza) and Joey Pepperoni's.

Also: H/T EVG reader Shiv!

Mark Burger won't be back around here

As we first reported on Wednesday, Mark Burger closed at 33 St. Mark's Place.

The sign on the front door here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue reads: "Gone for now but not for good. Thanks to the ones who still believe in Mark. Our sliders don't have an expiration date."

Bedford + Bowery later caught up with their GM, Brian Pollock, who said the "rent is too high, it’s too hard to keep up."

And:

He added that the neighborhood has changed considerably since the restaurant opened its doors eight years ago. "It’s a place where people used to go for dive bars, to get a hot dog at Papaya King," he said. "Now people go for cocktails and noodles. It’s not necessarily good or bad but, unfortunately, it’s not as suited for us."

He said that they may reopen in some form, but not in this neighborhood.