Carroll Gardens institution PJ Hanley's opening an East Village outpost on First Avenue

Many thanks to EV Grieve reader dmbream for pointing out that work started yesterday at the long-dormant 122 First Ave. -- between Ruben's and Kim's (Seventh Street and St. Mark's). According to the work permits, the space is being renovated by the folks behind P.J. Hanley's, the Carroll Gardens mainstay and one of the alleged oldest pubs in Brooklyn.



As Jeremiah first reported back in June 2008, this space -- the former Cosmos Parcels, a 45-year-old Ukrainian packing and shipping shop -- would soon become a jazz cafe. I liked the sound of the plans for the jazz cafe. Do we really need an Irish pub here?

As dmbream noted: "Another Irish pub-style place...RIGHT next to Lunasa? Fantastic planning, guys."

Why 99X is closing

Yesterday, we reported that 99X was closing up shop on 10th Street... we asked Bert at 99X via e-mail what happened:

It was a combination of things. Drop in sales/poor economy, a lot of stores went out on the block so there is not that much foot traffic, the rent is high and Fred Perry opened a store down in SOHO which took a lot of our business. Everything did not happen all at once but it all happened within the past year and has gotten us to where we are now.

Air conditioning inspection at the former Amato Opera

On one recent November day, we noticed a sign hanging from the former home of the Amato Opera on the Bowery.



Perhaps a clue to the new tenant?!



Nope. Just a letter from the Bureau of Fire Prevention Inspectors. They need to inspect the air conditioning unit, which seemed to be working OK when the Amato Opera closed in May.

The Coop preps for winter

At the Cooper Square Hotel. Keeping the bold-faced names warm.

For lease signs removed at former Chocolate by the Bald Man space

Max Brenner's Chocolate by the Bald Man closed last July on Second Avenue and Ninth Street.

Anyway! The "for lease" sign that was in the window has been removed...



...and perhaps some work is being done on the interior...



A prime chunk of EV property...any chance that this might become something that the neighborhood wants or needs...?

99X is closing

As their slogan reads, "Outfitting the Underground since 1978."

I also looked at the store's Twitter account...



A shame. And I rarely walk on this stretch of 10th Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue, a dead zone of empty storefronts....



...and stalled development...

Window at Cooper Union's new academic building being used to advertise McKibbin Street keggers

Ah, at the McKibbin Street dorms in Bushwick.



Hey, and visit the 248 McKibbin St. MySpace page.

Business as usual at Superdive?

Oh, the magic is back... Superdive was closed Friday night for a private party...



Which reminds us of the heady days of this past summer...



Aug. 22


Aug. 16

Nothing compares 2 U?: St Mark's karaoke/billiards/gourmet deli palace gets a sign

That mammoth three-story karaoke/billiards/gourmet deli palace, 2 U Karaoke Lounge Suites at the former Mondo Kim's space on St. Mark's, has unveiled its new signage...




...and it's rather difficult to read...looks like some rejected concepts from U2's PopLife tour...



Previously on EV Grieve:
What we now know about the karaoke empire on St. Mark's Place

Coming soon: A gourmet deli to go with your karaoke on St. Mark's Place

Karaoke taking over Mondo Kim's space

Kurve loses its Michelin Star, among other things

Last week!



Now!



Which is all really confusing. Last Tuesday, Kurve employees hung the star, which really belongs to Kurve owner Andy Yang's Rhong Tiam on LaGuardia Place. So it was shady to put the star up here, of course. However, Kurve is now going to become another outpost of Rhong Tiam, according to food editor Bret Thorn. (Via Eater.) So why not just leave up the star...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Also at Kurve, a hanging

Xoom opens today on Seventh Street

Also, in the comments on our last Xoom post, owner Jennifer London told us exactly what an infusional is:

"smoothies made with a shot of espresso in them. There is also one with chai and one with mate."

Previously.

St. Mark's Surf City smoothie shop shuttered

Between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Former home of the hot smoothies.

The ramenators continue the branding process

The folks at May Chan Ramen & Robatayaki on Second Avenue and Seventh Street (the former Love Saves the Day location) have introduced a new logo for its charmless brown storefront and bricked-up windows...




Flashback to this spot last year...



Previously.

Butter Lane turns 1 today

Wow, can't believe that it has been one year.