There's a campaign to buy the women suing over the 2nd Avenue blast 1-way tickets out of NYC

As the Post reported the other day, two women who were subletting an apartment at 129 Second Ave. have filed a $40 million lawsuit related to the deadly explosion on March 26.

Lucie Bauermeister, 23, and Anna Ramotowska, 26, are suing Con Ed, 121 Second Ave. landlord Maria Hrynenko, contractor Dilber Kukic and Hyeonil Kim, owner of Sushi Park, claiming they were "severally injured, both physically and mentally" by the explosion that killed two men and injured more than 20 people. Each are seeking $20 million.

Per the Post:

Their building reopened March 28, but Bauermeister complained that the smell of smoke was so “putrid,” she didn’t want to sleep there.

Ramatowska said she got “like, five or six scratches” when she went outside to inspect the blast site. Bauermeister didn’t suffer any physical injuries — but did say she is seeing a $175-an-hour psychologist to deal with the trauma.

Both women said they plan on moving to the South.

Meanwhile, perhaps to expedite that move, there is a crowdfunding campaign underway titled "Evict Fire Victim Bilkers from NYC."

Per the campaign:

Buy two one-way bus tickets out of NYC and a good riddence letter in the form of a full page ad in a NYC paper for heartless opportunists Anna Ramotowska and Lucie Bauermeister (or help the real victims of a tragic multi-building fire)

To date, $90 has been raised.

Find the campaign here. [Updated 11:09 p.m. — the campaign site is no longer active]

Screengrab from FOX News via Jezebel

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] 2nd Avenue subletters suing for $40 million over deadly explosion (66 comments)

Looking at 117 2nd Ave., another building owned by East Village blast landlord Maria Hrynenko

The city yesterday removed the remaining barricades on Second Avenue south of the blast site… so the sidewalk on the west side of the Avenue is now open up to Seventh Street … making it easier to visit the storefronts along here, like New Yorkers Foodmarket and Moishe's Bake Shop, which happens to be closed for the holiday until Sunday.


[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

As Crain's reported, the maze of barricades and fire trucks in the days after the deadly explosion on March 26 cut business by 50 percent at New Yorkers Foodmarket, according to owner Michael Schumacher.

The south side of Seventh Street at Second Avenue is now open to pedestrian traffic as well. The building on the corner, No. 117, is also owned by Maria Hrynenko, who is at the center of an investigation over an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave., where an explosion at Sushi Park killed two men and injured more than 20 people.

She is also the landlord of the adjacent building at 119 Second Ave., which collapsed in the ensuing fire.

With the barriers gone around No. 117, a Stop Work Order dated March 27 is now visible…






[No. 117 photos yesterday by EVG reader Ryan]

No. 117 had been going under extensive renovations in recent years, as we reported here.

According to DOB records, there's a complaint on file for a "gas meter installed in a prohibited location" (dated March 28) and "installation of two new gas boilers and gas piping" without a permit (dated yesterday).

As several media outlets have reported, Hrynenko inherited 117, 119 (aka 45 E. Seventh St.) and 121 Second Ave. from her husband Michael, who died in 2004. He operated the Kiev, the popular diner at No. 117 from 1978 to 1990.

The corner space is now home to San Marzano, which remains closed.

[Photo of No. 117 from 1979 by Michael Sean Edwards]

The Post reported yesterday that investigators have "six prime suspects" in the blast at 121 Second Ave.: Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., contractor Dilber Kukic as well as an unidentified subcontractor and two workers.

Per the Post: "In addition to murder — which carries a maximum 25 years to life in the slammer — other charges said to be under consideration include second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide."

Hrynenko is also the owner of 46 E. Seventh St. and 96 Second Ave., though through different companies, according to The Wall Street Journal. Per the Journal: "Both buildings have complaints with the Department of Buildings dated April 8, citing a need to verify compliance for the plumbing system, and both were cited by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in February for failing to register with the department."

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For further reading: Landlord Of Destroyed East Village Apartments "Didn't Know Any Better" (Gothamist)

How to help 73-year-old East Village mainstay B&H Dairy get up and running again

[EVG photo from yesterday]

B&H Dairy, the classic small lunch counter at 125 Second Ave., remains closed after the deadly explosion on March 26 killed two men and brought down three buildings several storefronts away.

Word came via Facebook that B&H would reopen by yesterday here between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street. That didn't happen. However, an employee told Eater yesterday that the 73-year-old kosher dairy restaurant was getting its gas hooked up again … and hoped to be up and running soon. (Hopefully in time for Saturday.)

However, the expenses have piled up these past two weeks. Now, the East Village Community Coalition, Fourth Arts Block and miLES are helping B&H owner Fawzy Abdelwahad launch a crowdfunding to "keep alive its tremendous history in the East Village."

You can find more details about the campaign here. Investments range from $5 (you get a big thank you on Facebook) to $150 (10 percent B&H discount for the year).


[Undated photo via Smallknot]

A pop-up shop for damaged East Village boutique Enz's

125 Second Ave. was badly damaged during the explosion and subsequent fire that brought down its neighboring buildings to the south on March 26.

Enz's, the rockabilly boutique in one of the retail spaces at 125 Second Ave., is continuing to try to reopen its longtime home here with the help of a crowdfunding campaign.

Meanwhile, as The Lo-Down first noted yesterday, owner Mariann Marlowe is operating a pop-up shop at 103 Allen St. just below Delancey through next Wednesday...



Made in the Lower East Side (miLES) operates the storefront, which is available free of charge to any East Village business affected by the Second Avenue building collapse. Details here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to Enz's Boutique

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

Crews have demolished the one-level structure at 644 E. 14th St. at Avenue C.



Coming soon, as previously reported: a 15-story mixed-use retail-residential complex here on the southwest corner.

The Karl Fischer-designed building will total 61,789 square feet. DOB permits show 8,578 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The remainder of the first five stories will host a community facility, which will span 18,937 square feet, and 50 apartments will sit above.

Per the signs not he plywood, the work will be completed by summer 2015. Hurry! Unless they mean the demo...



The previous tenant here was the R&S Strauss auto parts store, which closed in April 2009.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

Here's what's coming to the former Hummus Place space on St. Mark's

Last Thursday, we noted that a new tenant was in line to take over the recently shuttered Hummus Place at 109 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Eater has more details on what's coming soon here: Ori Apple, who owns the Hummus Place mini-chain, is opening a restaurant called Timna NYC in the space.

Amir Nathan, one of the partners in the new venture, described Timna NYC as "a casual but elegant Mediterranean place."

There are plans for Yemenite kubaneh bread, tacos made with Jerusalem's signature mixed grill of sweetbreads, preserved lemon, and tahini, and sea bass sashimi with tabouli and tzatziki. Nathan says the team is a couple of weeks from a soft opening.

Hummus Place closed for renovations in early February, never to reopen (at least as Hummus Place).

Patti Smith is headlining the East Village relief benefit Sunday at Theatre 80

Author Alan Kaufman, who's helping to organize the fundraiser at Theatre 80 Sunday evening for displaced East Village residents, confirmed to EVG contributor Stacie Joy this afternoon that Patti Smith is now headlining the event.

All the money collected will be donated to the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) to help those affected by the deadly gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.

The benefit at Theatre 80, 80 St. Marks Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue, will feature “performers and celebrities from the world of music, literature and drama,”per the Facebook event page.

As previously noted, Sting and Trudie Styler donated a sum reported at $36,000 for the benefit.

There are a handful of tickets, ranging from $70 to $150, left. You may order them here.

We'll have more information about the event from Stacie tomorrow.

Image by smial via Wikipedia

Reminders: Fundraiser for 2nd Avenue tonight at the Parkside Lounge

Tonight at the Parkside Lounge (East Houston at Attorney) ... Details via the EVG inbox...

Please join us as we come together as a community to raise money for all those affected. $5 at the door gets you awesome food from neighborhood establishments, a drink ticket, drink specials, DJs and live music. Try your luck in the raffle and win big in the silent auction! All food, entertainment and prizes are being generously donated by local businesses.

ALL proceeds from the door, raffle and auction will be donated directly to LES Ready!, a wonderful group that focuses on both preparedness training and recovery in the event of a disaster, and works specifically with residents of the Lower East Side and the East Village. LES Ready! has generously agreed to earmark the funds contributed from this event specifically for those displaced by the explosion and fire. It will be used to help families and residents pay for security deposits and rent in their new homes, as well as related expenses.

Visit the Facebook event page for more details on the area businesses who donated items for the evening.

Report: Investigators eye potential murder charges for up to 6 people in 2nd Avenue explosion

[Photo from March 26 by Peter Brownscombe]

Law enforcement sources told the Post that investigators are "looking at potential murder charges" in the deadly Second Avenue gas explosion on March 26.



As the Post reports, sources said there are "six prime suspects" in the blast at 121 Second Ave.: landlord Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., contractor Dilber Kukic as well as an unidentified subcontractor and two workers.

"Ultimately, it's going to be up to the DA’s office and, most likely, a grand jury, but we’re not ruling that out as we gather evidence," a source told the paper.

Per the Post:

In addition to murder — which carries a maximum 25 years to life in the slammer — other charges said to be under consideration include second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

Officials have said that the blast that killed two men and brought down three buildings was the result of an illegally tapped gas line.

Out and About in the East Village

In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.



By James Maher

Name: Kecia (and Hazel)
Occupation: Nurse
Location: Tompkins Square Park
Time: 4:30 pm on Tuesday, March 17

I’m a nurse at Bellevue. I used to be in the ER, but I just changed to the baby unit. I’ve been a nurse for about 15 years and I’ve moved here around two or three years ago. I live in the Baruch Houses on Delancey Street, but I’m originally from Brooklyn.

My family lived in Brooklyn for a long time. My parents came from the islands. My dad settled in the Saratoga area of Brooklyn from Jamaica and then he sent for my mother and two siblings. I’m the youngest of seven.

I have family on Avenue A and some people on Avenue C, and then in the Baruch Houses, so I used to come here when I was younger. There’s been a very rapid change, for the better though. I always say for the better. Now I walk these streets with no problem, no fear and no trepidation.

When I used to come here to visit family as a child, it was drug infested. Not to say that the drugs are gone, because they’re not, but they’re not as prevalent. The buildings were dilapidated, garbage everywhere. It was not so much scary, but you had to know people in order for things to not happen to you. You can’t really talk much about the rats because they’re still here. They’re infinite. But it was still very family oriented. In the summertime we’d go over to the East River Park and have picnics. The family would pack picnics and we’d go over there and play basketball and soccer and different things like that.

The area itself — it’s so up and coming. I can [relate to] that because the same thing happened in Brooklyn. I really couldn’t afford Brooklyn prices anymore. I was in Crown Heights, which is a very popular neighborhood now. The gentrification has taken over to the point where people are being pushed out. I had a beautiful apartment, beautiful – high ceilings, fireplace and when I came around here I had to lose a lot of things. But at the same time I still enjoy it because it reminds me a lot of Brooklyn.

Family also brought me here and I took advantage of it when I got the opportunity to come over, because I felt comfortable in the area. I enjoy it. Everything is in proximity. I walk everywhere. I walk to work in the morning. I walk with my dog all the time. This is Hazel’s favorite dog park. She loves it here.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

New website offers East Village Relief for businesses and displaced residents

East Village Relief is a new website offering "support for those affected by the East Village disaster and those wishing to help."

There's a list of resources and contacts for residents and businesses.

The site's sponsors are Community Board 3, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Sen. Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, Councilmember Rosie Mendez and the Lower East Side Buisness Improvement District.

Find the site here.

Tuome expected to be back open in another 2 weeks

[Photo of Tuome from August 2014]

As we've been reporting, a small kitchen fire on March 29 temporarily put Tuome out of commission at 536 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Aside from a sign on the door last Thursday…there hasn't been any official notification about the closure from the well-regarded restaurant that opened last August.

Yesterday, though, a Tuome rep sent us this statement:

On behalf of the entire Tuome team, we are relieved to announce that we plan to reopen the restaurant within approximately two weeks following renovations to repair the damages from the kitchen fire we experienced on March 29.

We are very sorry to have disappointed our new and existing guests during this unexpected closure, and we are remarkably grateful to all who have been so supportive since we opened in August 2014. We look forward to reopening as soon as our renovation and cleanup have been completed. Thank you all for your concern and support — we're excited to reopen and to welcome you back to Tuome.

Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard

The one level row of storefronts on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard are now business-free with the exception of Katz's.

Empanada Mama is the last to bow out...


[Photo via @fnytv]

They aren't going to far away as the sign notes — 95 Allen St., as first reported by BoweryBoogie.

So everyone else, including Ray's Pizza, Bereket and Lobster Joint, among others — have closed or moved to make way for Ben Shaoul's new development... Oh, there it is!



Shaoul's latest is a 10-story building with 83 residential units spread out over 95,000-square feet... plus 13,500 square feet of ground-floor retail.

Katz's, who sold their air rights to help make this happen, isn't going anywhere.

H/T EVG reader Chris F.

Remembering Moises Ismael Locón Yac

[Image via Facebook]

The New York Times has a report on the wake and funeral for Moises Ismael Locón Yac, one of two men killed in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.

In Queens, where Mr. Locón lived in a rented room decorated with images of his adopted city, the Guatemalan Consulate had arranged a funeral at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has connections to Guatemalans in Jamaica, as well as the wake in Brooklyn. It had been up to Mr. Locón’s three brothers and his cousin, far from their family in Guatemala, to take care of everything else.

“He was just working,” Mr. Locón’s cousin, Pablo Yac, 23, said during the wake. “I’m crying for him.”

Mr. Locón’s brother Alfredo, 30, stood off to one side, trying to organize things. He was the oldest, the one who had tried to take care of his brothers in New York. Asked if he knew that people had been donating to a fund for the family, created by a woman in the East Village, Alfredo nodded. “We’re thankful for everything that people have done for us,” he said, his voice breaking.

Hugo Ortega was the only one of Locón's Sushi Park co-workers to attend the wake.

“I’m always going to miss him. I love him. He was my best friend,” he said, distraught. “He was a very good person. Everyone loved him very much.”

Previously on EV Grieve:
Remembering East Village blast victim Nicholas Figueroa