Thursday, November 29, 2018

Moxy East Village reps to appear before CB3 in bid for liquor licenses for new 11th Street hotel



As previously noted, the incoming Moxy East Village will have four eating-drinking establishments — "for guests and locals" — here on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Here's what's planned for the 13-story hotel in partnership with Marriott, according to a recent news release: a cellar-level restaurant and lounge, a lobby bar and lounge area, "an elevated twist on a traditional Grab & Go," and "an outdoor rooftop amenity."

Reps for the hotel are expected to appear before CB3's SLA committee on Monday evening to seek liquor licenses for these various concepts. (As of now, the questionnaire with more detailed information on the bars and restaurants has yet to be posted on the CB3 website. Update: The questionnaire is here. I haven't had time to go through it all just yet... The TAO Group, which operates about 500000 venues, including the Moxy Times Square, is the bar-restaurant vendor for the EV location as well.)

The Moxy is slated to open in late 2019. The Lightstone Group bought the five-building parcel of apartment buildings that stood here and had the properties demolished in the fall of 2016.

The committee meeting starts Monday at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the rally outside 112-120 E. 11th St.

6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million

Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district

Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)

[Updated] The DOH temporarily closes the Málà Project; 'bursting pipe party in basement'



Updated 11/30
The restaurant is back open.

The Málà Project, the well-reviewed restaurant serving Chinese Dry Pot at 122 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is currently closed following a DOH inspection on Monday...



According to public records, the inspection turned up 91 violation points. (Per the DOH, a score of 28 or higher earns a restaurant-cafe a C score.) Among other critical violations, the inspector found "Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas."

A rather jaunty sign arrived above the DOH's Yellow Sticker offering the following explanation for the closure...



"We are having a bursting pipe party in the basement and will remain closed till further notice."

The Málà Project opened in December 2015 and recently added an outpost in Bryant Park.

You better watch out: Miracle on 12th Street pops up for the holidays


[Miracle on 12th Street]

For the fifth consecutive year, Miracle on Ninth Street — a Christmas inspired pop-up bar — opened inside Mace, the cocktail bar at 649 E. Ninth St. at Avenue C.

Mace owner Greg Boehm is behind the holiday pop ups, an empire that has grown to 80-plus worldwide.

And as 12th Street residents learned yesterday, there's also a Miracle on 12th Street that just popped up for business between Avenue A and Avenue B in the former Double Wide space...



Boehm also took over the lease from Double Wide, which closed back in March after seven years in business.

Apparently the address will serve as a pop up before the planned cocktail lounge opens. Unlike the Ninth Street location, the 12th Street bar will take reservations for five people or more during the holiday.

Said one local resident: "I feel duped as a neighbor. They sold this as an upscale cocktail bar that was going to be quiet as opposed to the loud shit show that we had to endure when it was Double Wide."

And if you need another holiday pop-up choice, Boehm's bar Boilermaker on First Avenue at First Street is now a tiki-themed Sippin' Santa (as it has been this time of year since 2015).

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Wednesday's parting shot



Flashback to 2010 tonight on Avenue B near Fourth Street...

Saying goodbye to Dante and Diego as they leave 12th Street



Updated 12/2
The dogs were adopted together by a couple in Brooklyn!

Back on Saturday, we noted the sad news that Chile, a longtime resident of 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, passed away. His two dogs, Diego and Dante, were left in care of a neighbor.

Yesterday, reps for Animal Haven, a nonprofit animal shelter, picked up the pair to find them a new home.

The folks at Animal Haven shared the above photo and this message on Instagram:

SENIOR LABS IN NEED: A few days ago, a beloved resident of the East Village passed away leaving two dogs without a home. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Chile was one of those kind individuals who knew everyone on East 12th Street and, in turn, the neighborhood also cared for his beloved senior dogs, Dante and Diego. The threesome would sit together on a local bench welcoming neighbors home from a long workday. Together, they were unique characters that made the East Village welcoming and a true neighborhood. So it's no surprise that everyone came together soon after Chile's passing to make sure the dogs were safe and a call was made to Animal Haven for help.

When our community outreach team arrived yesterday to pick up the dogs, they were met by a handful of residents and friends of Chile. 💙💙💙 A group of eight friends walked the dogs to the transport car where photos were taken, hugs were given, and tears were shed.

Dante and Diego, who are now safe at Animal Haven, are sweet and soulful Labs who were clearly loved by Chile and everyone they met on East 12th Street. While they are no longer young dogs, both have a lot of love to give and a lot of life to live. Animal Haven can't wait to find them a home together. Please come to 200 Centre Street in NYC Tuesday-Sunday between 12 and 6pm to meet them.

Updated 12/5
Read an update here!

A Tompkins Square Park tree lighting reminder



The tree lighting — the 27th annual — is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. ... and here's the official flyer about the festivities...



Previously

Actual renovation work continues at the long-dormant 32 Avenue C


[EVG photo from March 2012]

As you may have noticed this fall (going back to September), there's actual renovation work going on over at 32 Avenue C, the three-level building on the southeast corner at Third Street... these next two photos are from the weekend...





The building has sat in disrepair, surrounded by a sidewalk bridge for the past six-plus years. A full-vacate order has been in place since August 2012. To paraphrase the DOB, the building is leaning/sagging.

At one point, there were plans for this corner... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building here. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

Some 32 Avenue C watchers (you just missed our Cyber Monday sale) felt as if the owner — listed as Fairfax Management — would let the property rot away to the point demolition was the only option.

However, the landlords filed a permit last fall with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file.

No word yet on what the plans are for the renovated retail-residential space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
There's activity at the long-dormant corner of Avenue C and East 3rd Street

Concern for 32 Avenue C


[Via Google in 2010]

Retail space for lease now at 131 1st Ave., which has a new owner


[Photo by Steven]

The for-lease signage arrived yesterday at 131 First Ave., the former Foot Gear Plus space at St. Mark's Place.

The property had been on the sales market since the 38-year-old shop closed last July. Here's how the Meridian Investment Sales team was pitching the prime lot:

Owned by the same family for 54 years, this single story building, located on the southwest corner of St. Marks Place and First Avenue, presents a distinct opportunity for an investor or end-user to establish a retail or food and beverage presence.

The property is currently constructed as a single story, 1,350 square foot building with a large usable basement. Investors have a unique value-add opportunity to either reposition the retail or monetize 4,150 square feet of air rights in the future.

According to a filing that hit public records last week, the property changed hands for $3.85 million. The buyer is an LLC that shares an address with HUBB NYC Properties LLC, a real-estate operating company.

So given the rental signage here (the listing isn't online yet), the new landlord is looking to reposition the retail as opposed to tearing down the structure for a new residential building — for now, at least.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

What's next for 131 1st Ave., the former Foot Gear Plus space?

In the West Village, Integral Yoga Natural Foods is closing after 45 years


[Image via Manhattan Sideways]

Heading outside the neighborhood for this report... several EVG readers shared that news that Integral Yoga Natural Foods, the one-of-a-kind market at 229 W. 13th St. between Seventh Avenue and Greenwich Avenue, is closing later next month after 45 years in business.

Here's part of the message:

The retail climate has changed and is filled with overwhelming competition and challenges. Small local stores keep losing ground to big corporate chains.

We should all be proud of the trailblazing, ground breaking and revolutionary role that the food store played in the launching of the natural foods movement. Now organic and plant-based natural foods are everywhere.

The space will be made available for rent.

The last day will be on or before Dec. 23.



However, the Integral Yoga Institute next door will continue on.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Tuesday's parting shot



The holiday lights are up (inside and out) at 7B/the Horseshoe Bar/Vazac's on the corner of Seventh and B...

The Tompkins Square Library hosts the 2nd annual East Village Arts Festival starting Saturday



The Tompkins Square Library branch is hosting its second annual East Village Arts Festival starting on Saturday.

Here are a few details via the EVG inbox...

We will have 36 public programs for all ages, including performances, lectures, workshops, author readings, and films, as well as tables from local organizations, and art installations by 15 local artists and groups.

In addition, we are also working with local galleries and organizations on our first ever Gallery Walk. Stop by the library to pick up a Gallery Walk flyer, which you can have stamped at each gallery you visit. Visit at least four of the participating galleries between Dec. 1 and 15, and you can enter a library raffle for some fabulous prizes!



This link has more info about the Gallery Walk. This link has all the different programs each day through Dec. 15.

The branch is located at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

202 Avenue A has been gutted on its way to doubling in size to become the Topanga


[Photo yesterday by Steven]

Work continues at 202 Avenue A, the four-story building on the east side between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The custom stereo shop Bright Audio had been in this storefront for five years, before relocating across the Avenue last December.

I heard that the space was being renovated. Well, that's an understatement, as this interior photo via Steven shows... oh!



As you can see, there's a lot more going on than a simple storefront conversion.

According to the approved work permits on file with the city, there's a horizontal and vertical enlargement of the existing structure. The current total square footage is 5,334; the additions will bring the total to 10,920. The work permits show that the new retail space will be roughly 2,000 square feet.

There will be 10 residences here, including a duplex penthouse with a private terrace, per the work permits.

Here's a look at the rendering of the all-new 202 — called the Topanga — via Lenart Architecture ...



Highpoint Property Group bought No. 202 in a deal that closed last December for $6.75 million, according to public records.