Preview 2023: Target Union Square

Back in February 2020, news broke (via the Post) that Target had signed a lease for a 33,000-square-foot outpost at 10 Union Square East in the base of the Zeckendorf Towers. However, the takeover wasn't going to take place until 2023.

That sure seemed like a like way off... and the current tenant at the time, Food Emporium, had a lease until April 2023. Ultimately, the grocer shut down early — in May 2021. 

Meanwhile, unlike Wegmans on Astor Place, who placed signage here the same day they announced the Kmart takeover in July 2021, there wasn't any coming-in-2023 notice for the new Target.

While there still isn't any Target branding at the under-construction site, this location is now on the company's "Future store openings" page...

In walking around the Zeckendorf Towers, it appears the space that was once pub-crawl hotspot SideBar on the SW corner of 15th Street and Irving Place has been incorporated into the incoming Target...

No official word about an opening date, though the construction sign on the 15th Street side notes an August 2023 completion date...

Target opened on 14th Street and Avenue A in July 2018 ... complete with a replica CBGB storefront — called TRGT. 

Parting thoughts on being a small-business owner as Love Thy Beast departs the East Village

As we noted this past summer, Love Thy Beast, the 5-year-old dog boutique at 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue, was moving to a larger (by 4x) space in Williamsburg.

This departure is now official as of the end of December.

Owner Tiziana Agnello left behind a poster in the window with details about the new location... as well as some thoughts on the frustration of being a small-business owner in NYC. It reads in part:

We have searched and searched for over 16 months for a bigger location but the truth is landlords do not care to keep NYC colorful and full of artists and small business.

If we did secure a lease brands like Blank Street Coffee would overbid and steal our lease. This happened at more than 1 location.

Agnello, a former prop stylist, started selling her homemade creations online and in several pop-up locations back in 2012 ... before opening here in the spring of 2017. 

As for Blank Street, which some residents presume is a mom-and-pop enterprise, the brand raised $67 million in 2021 thanks to high-profile venture capital funds like General Catalyst and Tiger Global, the founders of Allbirds and Warby Parker, and real-estate titan Tishman Speyer, as The New York Times reported this past September.

Belse has closed on the Bowery

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Belse Restaurant Bar & Brewery has closed its doors at 265-267 Bowery.

A sign for patrons of the high-end vegan restaurant notes the permanent closure ...

Despite that note, the restaurant's Instagram account states: "We are excited to announce that this location will transition to a new vegan restaurant. More information will be upcoming, but we think you'll be happy with the change."

If one vegan concept doesn't succeed...   

Belse debuted here between Houston and Stanton this past June ... the storefront had been empty since Paulaner shuttered in early 2018 after four years in service. 

Signage alert: Wild Rabbit Coffee on 7th Street

Photo by Steven

Coming-soon signage arrived this week for Wild Rabbit Coffee at 110 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

We don't know anything about the establishment at the moment.

This all comes quickly following Jell & Chill's closure here at the end of 2022 after three-plus years in business.

Wednesday's parting shots

Photos by Steven (top) and EVG 

Today in venting the CO2 tanks that were downstairs at the now-closed Dallas BBQ on St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue... with a bonus pic of the almost-empty back dining room...

Feeling blue over this shattered glass

Photos by Stacie Joy

You may have noticed the act of vandalism over at Blue Door Video/DVD, home of the finest window displays south of Bergdorf's ...

A manager said that on New Year's Eve, "a drunk person" tossed a rock into the display here at 87 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

4 East Village development sites to watch in 2023

As we start 2023, here's a look at four East Village developments that we've been keeping tabs on...

• 1 St Mark's Place 

A 10-story office building with ground floor retail is in the foundation stages at 1 St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue (see above). Find more background here.

• 360 Bowery 

Foundation work continues on the 21-floor office building coming to 360 Bowery at Fourth Street — the corner space that once housed the B-Bar & Grill. Find more background here.

• 42-46 Second Ave. 

An 11-floor mixed-use building is planned for this former three-building parcel on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. Work hasn't commenced on the lot just yet. Find more background here.

• 280 E. Houston St. 

An 11-floor residential building with ground floor retails is now slated for 280 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Workers have been spotted on the property in recent weeks. Find more background here.

Hearth is starting its 20th anniversary year with a renovation

Hearth, Marco Canora's well-regarded Tuscan-American restaurant, will have anchored the NE corner of First Avenue and 12th Street for 20 years come this November.

Ahead of this milestone, Hearth is starting the New Year by undergoing some renovations over the next few weeks. 

In an email to patrons, Hearth revealed that the dining room and kitchen will receive new floors and ceilings and a new energy-efficient heating and cooling system ... not to mention a fresh coat of paint.

They'll be back in service on Jan. 23. 

In other good news, Hearth has signed a new 10-year lease here at 403 E. 12th St.

NYPD looking for 3 suspects in New Year's Eve stabbing on Avenue A

Photo Saturday night by Stacie Joy 

The NYPD has released some information about the stabbing that took place New Year's Eve night around 10 outside 133 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Police and media accounts stated that "a 32-year-old man was standing in front of 133 Avenue A when a group of people approached him ... and one person from the group began arguing with him, according to the NYPD. The argument then led to a fight, and the assailant stabbed the victim in the head and chest before running away." 

The Crime Stoppers tweet (the time is incorrect on the tweet — it was p.m. not a.m.) shows three suspects in the surveillance video...

WANTED for AN Assault in front of 133 Avenue A,. #Manhattan @NYPD9pct on 12/31/22 @ 10:10 AM After a verbal dispute an individual stabbed the victim in the head and torso before fleeing northbound on Avenue A on foot Reward up to $3500 Call 1-800-577-TIPS Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! pic.twitter.com/4as7vPjsWv

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) January 3, 2023

No word yet on a motive or condition of the victim.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Signage alert: Ankara #3

Signage is up now for the new outpost of Ankara Turkish Restaurant on the SW corner of Houston and Orchard.

News of this arrival at 183 E. Houston St. dates to the fall of 2021.

This will be the first Manhattan outpost for the quick-serve restaurant that has two locations in Brooklyn. Their menu shows a variety of gyros and skewers combos... and sides like babaganoush and grape leaves. 

According to the Commercial Observer, ownership signed a 10-year lease for the 3,000-square-foot space (includes basement) with a monthly rent of $25,000. 

This storefront was previously the health-focused Dr. Smood.

[Updated] The 13th Step is now going as Downtown Social

Photos by Steven

The 13th Step is apparently undergoing a name change as we enter 2023. 

The windows of the sports bar-SantaCon hotspot are covered... a sign on the window promises "a big reveal" coming this Friday... (an Instagram post says the reveal is coming today) ...

The bar, from the family of like-minded places like Down the Hatch and Off the Wagon, opened here (with comic-sans signage) in the summer of 2010. 

The Telephone Bar closed here in January 2010 after 22 years.

Updated 4 p.m. 

Apparently, the "big reveal" was today... as you can see, the bar is now going as Downtown Social... and reopens on Friday...

Tuesday's parting shot

Midtown views today via East Village rooftops...