Plywood arrives at East 3rd Street lot, site of incoming 6-floor apartment building

Workers have put up plywood outside the fence at 321 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D … where there are approved plans for a 6-story, 30-unit apartment complex …



Perhaps some work is imminent at this long-vacant lot, which has been home to an encampment of casitas as well as an annex for the Orchard Alley Community Garden. Queens-based Venetian Management LLC is listed as the owner on DOB records. Gerald J. Caliendo is listed at the architect of record.

Directly across the street at 316-318 is the construction of the Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

[EVG file photo]

Last June, we spotted a listing for 174-176 First Ave. At the time, the sale didn't mention anything about the status of longtime (since 1904) home of the great DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe at No. 176.

However, several EVG tipsters have forwarded updated real-estate listings … showing that the retail spaces in the basement and first floor of No. 176 will be delivered vacant once the buildings sell … (this may be news to the bakery, who say that they are not closing)



This listing, via a tipster, shows the current rent going for $4,000 a month for the bakery, with a projected monthly increase to $19,583.

DeRobertis has their in-house bakery in the basement.

The asking price is $12 million. (And at least one listing mentions that 4,162 square feet of air rights are available.)

City records show that the DeRobertis family has owned the buildings for 30-plus years.

Here's some history of the bakery via the DeRobertis website …

There are not many Pasticceria and Caffe's that can actually claim four continuous generations of friendly, family service. Our family tradition has survived through all types of conditions such as World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the fabulous Fifties, the Vietnam War, the recession of the 70's, the boom of the 80's ... With hard work, a determination to provide the finest pastries, cakes and desserts and your patronage, we will continue into the 21st Century.

Read more about the history of DeRobertis on their website.

So this appears to be the family's decision to retire — they weren't pushed out. Regardless, go enjoy this East Village treasure while you still can.

[EVG file photo]

Updated: A DeRobertis family member said that closure was only "a rumor."

Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Coyote Ugly is closed for remodeling; 'rebirth' on the way

We spotted workers gutting the Coyote Ugly space at 153 First Ave. yesterday … (at one point the crew dragged out the actual bar — oh and we missed that photo op! Think of all that Lynyrd Skynyrd the bar has endured!).

Anyway, here's the deal via the Coyote Ugly website:

Tue, May 27 — Tue, Jun 3 Closed for Remodeling
Wed, Jun 5 — Grand Reopening 5:00 PM

Please come back to the future with us at our grand reopening and let us shower you with the power of love in our new and improved bar! We can't wait to celebrate our rebirth with you!

Coyote Ugly opened here between East 9th Street and East 10th Street on Jan. 27, 1993.

RIP old bar… #woo

Baby hawks of Tompkins Square Park now tabloid famous

In case that you didn't see this today… the Post has a feature on the baby hawks of Tompkins Square Park … featuring a hawk-cam photo from East Village resident Francois Portmann …

Find the article here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Red-tailed hawks nest on the Christodora House

The hawks of Tompkins Square Park have laid an egg at the Christodora House

More eggsciting hawk news from the Christodora House

Breaking (heh) news: The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are officially parents

OMG baby hawks! (UPDATED WITH VIDEO!)

VIDEO: Watch the baby hawks of Tompkins Square Park dine on some rat

Sidewalk bridge arrives at 145 Avenue A

Workers are erecting a sidewalk bridge on the northwest corner of Avenue A and East Ninth Street right now… some debris apparently fell from a window unit on Sunday evening … closing Cafe Pick Me Up's sidewalk cafe for the time being.

There could be bigger problems with the building. According to a complaint on file with the DOB, in their all-cap style: "STEP CRACKING AT FLOORS 2 THRU 4 WITH BULGING PROMINENT AT AREA BETWEEN 2 AND 3RD FLOORS."

No other new work permits have been issued just yet.

Meanwhile, Cafe Pick Me Up remains open.

I Cipressi will not be happening on Avenue A

Back in early October 2012, we heard that Lorella Innocenti, who operated I Coppi on East Ninth Street, was opening a new restaurant on Avenue A in the storefront that previously housed Vampire Freaks.

She was going to run it with her sister Maristella, who owns Matilda on East 11th Street near Avenue C.

However, a few weeks after the news of the Avenue A project, Hurricane Sandy hit … and Matilda was was one of the businesses that struggled to get back up and running … all the while, the plans for the new Italian restaurant stalled. The sisters took to the streets last summer to find investors to make the new place a reality.

Apparently they didn't have much luck. The storefront at 189 Avenue A near East 12th Street is now for rent … a sign that follows the eviction notice last month.



It will be interesting to see what might take the space. The two buildings here will be dwarfed by developer Douglas Steiner's 7-story retail-residential complex coming soon to the former Mary Help of Christians complex.



But for now…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: I Coppi team opening new restaurant on Avenue A

Owners of I Cipressi take to the streets to find investors

New residential complex at former Mary Help of Christians lot may include rooftop swimming pool

Meet your new neighbor on Avenue A

6 St. Mark's Place now asking $16.75 million

Barcade is looking to open an outpost of their craft beer bar-retro video game arcade at 6 St. Mark's Place, as Gothamist first reported last week.

A notice arrived on the door last week noting that Barcade is seeking a liquor license during the June CB3/SLA committee meeting.

Meanwhile, turns out the whole building is for sale, again apparently…

[EVG file photo]

We spotted a listing for No. 6 back in August 2012, when the asking price here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue was $14.5 million.

The listing is back, though this time it is for $16.75 million Per Massey Knakal:

An elevatored, five story plus lower level mixed-use building located on the south side of Saint Mark’s Place between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. The ground floor is currently vacant but is expected to be leased out shortly. The 2nd floor is leased to an art gallery and cafe through November 2018 who pays $11,000/month and 20% of the real estate taxes. Floors 3-5 are occupied by a karaoke lounge who has a lease in-place through September 2031. The karaoke lounge is currently paying $28,000/month and 50% of the total real estate taxes. This is an excellent opportunity for an investor to receive a steady stream of cash flow from the in-place units in a rapidly growing neighborhood.

Public records show that the building just changed hands for $13.875 million in January.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Barcade eyeing new outpost on St. Mark's Place

6 St. Mark's Place on the market for $14.5 million

Today in apartment rentals with roof decks

177 Second Ave. via Streeteasy:

Massive 3 bedroom or very convertible 4 bedroom - currently has 5 students from NYU. This place has its own PRIVATE DECK!

Currently a 3BR but very simple conversion that will STILL have a MASSIVE living room.

Awesome place with 2 separate entrances! Bigger than the other 3/4 bedrooms in the area at this price and amazing location!

Price: $6,500

Spicy House arrives on 3rd Avenue

[Photo from February 2014]

We spotted a new retail listing for 96 Third Ave. between East 12th Street and East 13th Street back in February … at the time, the space was home to the three-year-old Teriyaki Express & Sushi.

And the new tenant is up and running as of this past weekend — Spicy House … featuring "Asian cuisine and sushi."



Maybe worth noting: the retail listing for the address did specifically state "NO COFFEE, NO CHINESE FOOD, NO BURGERS, NO FROZEN YOGURT."

In any event, we haven't spotted any menus for Spicy House just yet.

Former Surprise! Surprise! space gutted

We looked inside the former Surprise! Surprise! space the other day… and workers have gutted the former housewares store at 91 Third Ave. at East 12th Street.

As noted a few weeks ago, a Basics Plus is rumored to be taking the space.

Surprise! Surprise! closed after 25 years in business on April 27.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Surprise! Surprise! will close at the end of April (42 comments)

Reader report: Basics Plus moving into the former Surprise! Surprise! space

Chick pics

A look at one of the chicks today in the hawk next on the 7th floor of the Christodora House…

Photos by Bobby Williams

Previously on EV Grieve:
Red-tailed hawks nest on the Christodora House

The hawks of Tompkins Square Park have laid an egg at the Christodora House

More eggsciting hawk news from the Christodora House

Breaking (heh) news: The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are officially parents

OMG baby hawks! (UPDATED WITH VIDEO!)

VIDEO: Watch the baby hawks of Tompkins Square Park dine on some rat

Report: David Schwimmer's surveillance footage helps NYPD in male prostitute stabbing

David Schwimmer's high-tech surveillance system helped the NYPD with details about a stabbing that took place early this morning at 333 E. Sixth St.

According to the Post, a 26-year-old john refused to pay a 21-year-old male prostitute for his services … and the slashing occurred as a result … "and eventually spilled into the hallway with the men smashing through a glass lobby door."

Schwimmer, who lives next door, let detectives into his home to watch the surveillance footage.

The 26 year old was taken to Bellevue with stab wounds while the 21 year old was treated at Beth Israel for slashes on his arms.

Meanwhile, blood stains remain on the stoop at No. 333.

Cafe Pick Me Up sidewalk cafe remains closed

As you can see, the Cafe Pick Me Up sidewalk cafe outside 145 Avenue A at East Ninth Street has been closed all day…

This after a little drama last night around 6:30 …



… when the NYPD and FDNY responded to a report of falling debris at the building…



As you can see, part of the widow framing on the third floor fell …



No word on the extent of the damage (the DOB website is down) or when the sidewalk cafe will reopen.

Unrelated, Icon Realty bought the building last month for $10.1 million, according to public records.

Thanks to EVG reader William Klayer for the photos from last evening.

RIP Karen Kristal

[Photo via CBGB on Facebook]

Word is spreading that Karen Kristal, matriarch of CBGB, died this past weekend.

We don't have a lot of biographical information at the moment. She was in her late 80s. We will update this post when more details are available.

Tim Hayes, who owns the CBGB brand and is the founder of the CBGB Festival, said that "she made a huge impact on the music scene in NYC."

"She was the godmother of hardcore music in NYC," he told us. "She took care of the kids that came to CBGB and the hardcore shows on Sundays were all hers. Her role in CBGB was immeasurable and history has not done her justice yet. I will miss her deeply."

David Poe wrote this about her on the newly created CBGB: Punk and Hardcore page on Facebook:

"I will always remember Karen on Sundays checking id's and calling kids' parents when she sniffed out a fake one Her contributions to CBGB are well-known, and it's true enough that venerated space would not have existed as it did had it not been for her efforts. Karen was a true patron of the arts and embodied the indie spirit."

Here's more on her from a Village Voice article from September 2007:

Through the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Karen was a fixture at the door of CBGB and behind its bar. In that time, she developed a reputation, among patrons, bouncers, bartenders, and musicians alike, as a bit of a humorless hard-ass. Skinheads obeyed her command. The Ramones hid their joints when they saw her coming.

"I was more scared of Karen than I was of the skinheads," said George Tabb, a founding member of the False Prophets, former CBGB employee, and longtime Kristal family friend, as well as a reporter who covered the scene at the club for Maximum Rock'n'Roll. "They all had this respect for her. She put on the matinees — it was her idea, and that basically started the whole hardcore movement in New York."

Karen had been involved in an ugly legal battle over the estate of her husband Hilly Kristal following his death in August 2007. You can find the background of that suit at the Voice.