Friday's opening shot

A view this morning from outside the main lawn in Tompkins Square Park... there has been some discussion about the trash situation in the Park, where staff leaves out the large trash bags... and then the trash sits out overnight.

As Park regulars have noted, it's not uncommon to find the bags ripped open by rats overnight, the contents spread over the lawn. 

Thanks to Goggla for the photo.

A Visit to Brix Wines and Barnyard Cheese Shop on Avenue B

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

During my recent visit to sister shops Brix Wine and Barnyard Cheese, several neighbors dropped by to tell owner Beatriz Gutierrez how pleased they were that the longtime businesses were still up and running to serve the East Village.

In February, Barnyard temporarily closed on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street with a rather cryptic note for patrons. However, the shop reopened in April — at the same time, Brix moved one storefront to the north, leaving a vacant space between the two businesses. 

Gutierrez told me more about the temporary closure, plans for the storefront that now separates Barnyard and Brix, and her deep appreciation for her customers. 

There’s been a lot of change in your shops recently. Can you explain what happened with the temporary closure, the moving of locations, and what you plan to do with the new space in the middle?

Barnyard's temporary closure allowed us to rethink the layout in anticipation of the city and state's capacity guidelines. We desperately needed to have people come into the store since most of what we offer is visual — the cheeses, jams, fresh bread, house-made prepacked foods, etc. We were able to do that, and it seems to be working. 

As for Brix, the closure of Barnyard gave us the time to move the wine shop to the space next door, which is bigger and provided space to carry and store more inventory. It was a blessing in disguise. 

The middle space — still in the conception stage — will be an extension of both Brix and Barnyard. A sort of Adult Learning Center, if you will, where we plan to have tastings, culinary classes, advanced and specialized wine seminars, cheese school, and private gatherings.  

How do you see the local economy shaping up as we continue to move into a recovery phase from the pandemic?

I see a better tomorrow for everyone. Although we are still recovering from more than a year of hardship caused by the pandemic, we managed to survive, and since reopening, the East Village has come back to support us and a collective sigh of relief has been breathed by everyone. 

The support, gratitude, and well wishes have been overwhelming and so appreciated. We are grateful to everyone who came back through our doors. 

As a small-business owner, what were some of the lessons learned from the pandemic?

So many things have been learned, but I’d say the top three are: Never give up. You have a purpose. Loyalty is everything. 

What do you have to say about your regulars and other patrons these past 15-plus months?

I'd have to say that they are the most supportive and wonderful customers a small business could hope for. We are able to exist because of them. We strive to create a place that provides something useful, serves it with pride and a good attitude, and make a visit something they can count on in the future.

I really believe our customers get that at Brix and Barnyard. They have come back and continue to do so. I can't thank our neighbors enough for sticking by us.  

What's next for the shops?

What's next is the middle store. It has to be something that enhances the neighborhood and fills a void. What do we need? Stay tuned.

Barnyard Cheese is at 168 Avenue B and Brix Wines is at 170 Avenue B. 

Barnyard hours:

Monday — Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brix hours:

Sunday — Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m; until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Rats on 1st Street

An EVG reader who lives on First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue shared a video from Tuesday evening... showing "the rat family that has taken over the sidewalk." 

Per the reader: "This area has always been a rat haven, but it has really gotten nuts since about early March." 

In the video below, the rats are seen moving back and forth in front of Abetta, the longtime boiler and welding service, and a stray bag of garbage. 

"Not sure where the garbage bags are from since it's not garbage day on First Street — nobody else has garbage out," the reader points out.

Some of the rats also jump up into the chassis and the wheels of the parked cars nearby. 

"At one point I counted 12 rats while filming these videos. There are even some cute little baby rats."

See for yourself...

 

Residents can file rat and mouse complaints with 311 here. Whether the city might take corrective action is another story...

A petition to fund Public Land schoolyards for community use

There's a petition in circulation now titled "Fund the Trust for Public Lands Schoolyards" and addressed to Mayor DeBlasio, City Council and NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter.

The petition asks the following: 

We write to you today, as parents, PTA members, and community members ... to urge you to adopt the City Council's recommendation of including funding (approximately $1.8M) to open 23 Trust for Public Land schoolyards to the public during after-school hours, on weekends and on holidays. This investment will open schoolyards across the city ... to the surrounding community, providing vitally needed open space.

Closer to home, several local playgrounds have been closed to the public since early 2020, including behind P.S. 19 on First Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street (pictured above). This playground, featuring a synthetic turf field and painted track, debuted in June 2018 ... and was open to the community after school and on weekends and holidays — just not when in use by P.S. 19 or any of their after-school programs.

Since 1996, the Trust for Public Land has helped revamp playgrounds at New York City public schools through a public-private partnership. Aside from P.S. 19, they've worked on playgrounds in the East Village at P.S. 15 The Roberto Clemente School and the Children’s Workshop School/East Village Community School.

Find the petition here.

H/T Choresh Wald!

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Why the playground at P.S. 19 has been closed for community use 

Wednesday's parting shot

As seen by Stacie Joy today on Fourth Street between Avenue B and Avenue... cue the Alice Cooper!

Big Belly trash cans go MIA around Tompkins Square Park

As you may have noticed, the city has removed the solar-powered, Big Belly trash cans around Tompkins Square Park. 

The plain ol' trash cans are now back on the corners, such as Seventh Street and Avenue A (above!) and 10th Street and Avenue A...

And Vinny & O shared these photos from 10th Street and Avenue B yesterday ... (that one outside Sheen Brothers seemed to be chronically full or on the fritz) ...

The Big Belly trash cans arrived here in July 2017 as part of the city's $32-million plan to combat vermin in rat-popular neighborhoods, like this one.

The Daily News previously reported that each can costs $7,000. Not sure how effective they are/were with trash piled atop the pricy cans (here and here, for example) or being out of order (here and here, for example).

The Big Belly receptacles remain inside Tompkins Square Park...

Do you have what it takes to Stomp?

Open auditions are taking place this morning for Stomp at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street. (Top photo by Steven) 

Per the casting call:

Who you might be:

• A drummer who moves well 

• A dancer who can drum 

• An athletic individual with a great sense of rhythm 

• Acting ability is strongly preferred

As these photos by Derek Berg show, the line for tryouts goes around the corner on Seventh Street... 

Stomp returns to the Orpheum Theatre on July 20. Tickets go on sale this coming Monday.

As Deadline noted, "Stomp will be among the city's first Off-Broadway productions to resume performances post-pandemic shutdown." Proof of vaccination will be required for entry, per reports.

The show is now in its 26th year in the East Village.

Owners of the Masalawala said to be opening to-go spot for Indian street food on 1st Avenue

In recent weeks the for-rent sign has been removed from 149 First Ave. 

Now a tipster tells us that the owners of Indian street food hit the Masalawala are opening a to-go spot from this storefront between Ninth Street and 10th Street. We're told that this will be a takeout-only establishment, and the owners won't be looking at any indoor or outdoor dining. 

Back in April, restaurateur Roni Mazumdar and chef Chintan Pandya didn't renew the lease for the Masalawala, bringing an end to its 10-year run just below Houston at 179 Essex St., as Eater first reported. 

This was the first NYC restaurant for Mazumdar, who later opened Adda, Rahi and Dhamaka. 

As for No. 149, the storefront has been vacant since Afandi Grill closed after 13 months in October 2019. And several years earlier, This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef roamed the space until March 2014.

H/T EVG reader Jason! Photo by Steven earlier this month

Notes for Apt. #2

An EVG reader shared this photo of two notes from the lobby of an undisclosed East Village building... both missives are directed to the resident(s) of Apt. #2 about the use of the fire escape.

 Note No. 1:

Hey, Apt. #2. A fire escape is not a terrace. I understand you need to smoke outside. Really. But listening to your experience of body issues and freshman year in Italy dealing with pasta is really dull. People in this building work early in the morning. S.T.F.U. Thank you. ❤️

The note writer in the second missive is now more agitated.

Day after day. Hearing your difficulites with life when you are spoiled brats is awful. Stop making hard working people listen to your crap. Move back with your jefk off Boomer parents in NJ, CT or LI. TY

A quick turnover at 328 E. 6th St.

Asian Wave came and went very quickly here at 328 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

We understand that it was open for about a month... before a quick turnover to a new venture called Miso Sushi, which is now in grand-opening mode. You can find their menu here.

Asian Wave is the second consecutive restaurant to close within six weeks at this address. Lovenburg, an outpost of a restaurant based in Turkey serving burgers and a variety of Mediterranean cuisine, opened in February 2020 and closed for good when the PAUSE went into effect.

Tuesday's parting shot

A moment in Tompkins Square Park today by Derek Berg...

Primary Day

Our unscientific poll of TWO EVG readers finds that it been slow-going so far at the polls, which are open to 9 p.m. 

Among other races (public advocate, comptroller, borough president and city council, DA), voters will be picking the Democratic and Republican candidates for mayor. 

And a ballot primer ...

As you're voting today, you may have a two-sheet ballot. Here are a few things to remember:

- Complete both sides of your ballots.
- Insert ballots into the scanner one sheet at a time, and wait for the "thank you" screen before inserting a second sheet. pic.twitter.com/zO5Wb57A63

— NYC Board of Elections (@BOENYC) June 22, 2021