Part of the former Life Cafe now for rent

Last we heard, the East 10th Street outpost of 9th Street Espresso was planning on moving next door into part of the former Life Cafe space near Avenue B. (Maiden Lane is in the other space that made up Life.)

Apparently that's no longer a go: There's now a for lease sign via Tower Brokerage on the front window. (We didn't spot the listing online yet.)

Aside from coffee, 9th Street Espresso owner Ken Nye said that he would offer three craft beers on tap with a 11 p.m. closing time. (CB3 OK'd the license in June 2012.)

Life Cafe closed here on Sept. 11, 2011.

H/T EVG reader Russell for the photo!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Cleaning out the second half of the former Life Cafe

[Updated] Pilar Jewelry Repair has closed on East 7th Street

We're not sure when exactly this happened… we only noticed this past weekend that the small shop was gone on East Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

We didn't spot any goodbye to patron signs on the door … and there isn't any message on the shop's website … and the phone number is disconnected.

Pilar La Rosa opened here at No. 32 in 1992.

In February 2013, the Voice talked with Pilar and Walter, her husband of 50-plus years, dubbing them the "Cutest East Village Couple."

Walter is always soft spoken, listens intently, and smiles with warmth. Pilar, on the other hand, fills up the narrow shop with her laughter and straightforward banter. The pair first met when Pilar was 16 and Walter was 21. Although her parents didn't approve of Walter, she waited five years for him. It was during that lull that Walter came to the United States to work. He returned to Lima, married Pilar, got her a visa and they've been together ever since.

According to the listing, all uses will be considered for the space. The rent is available upon request.

Updated 12:52 p.m.

A reader let us know that Walter recently passed away, and Pilar closed up the store to go live with family...

CB3 hosting fundraiser for 2nd Avenue

Community Board 3 is presenting "Orchard Street Loves 2nd Avenue" next Wednesday, May 27, at Lucky Jack's, 129 Orchard St. (between Rivington and Delancey).

It's $20 to get in, and all the proceeds go to Second Avenue businesses affected by the deadly gas explosion on March 26.

Hearth debuts its sidewalk cafe; Black Market too

It's finally a reality. Outdoor seating @hearthrestaurant #twoyearsinthemaking

A photo posted by Marco Canora (@marcocanora) on May 19, 2015 at 10:19am PDT

Hearth now has six tables (with two chairs each) set up for diners on First Avenue and East 12th Street... it's a scaled-back version of what was previously proposed last summer with 38 seats total.

Meanwhile, over on Avenue A at East Seventh Street, Black Market rolled out their sidewalk cafe this past weekend...

Reader mailbag: What is the story with these pink flags in East River Park?

Via the EVG inbox…

I'm seeing these pink flags all over East River Park. Near the running track and the baseball field. I'm wondering if you have any information on what they are and if it's safe to walk your dog through here?

No one is answering the number on the flags at the moment…

EV Grieve Etc.: A puppet master reflects on his lost work; Bowery residents rally against landlord

[Millie at Himalayan Visions on 2nd Avenue by Susan Benjamin]

A puppet master lost his life's work in the deadly explosion on March 26 (WNYC)

Bowery residents speak out against "slumlord" (Gothamist)

A visit to V-Nam Cafe on First Avenue (Fork in the Road)

Margaret Chin calls on HPD to transfer lots to Siempre Verde Garden (BoweryBoogie)

Photos from the Dance Parade on St. Mark's Place Saturday (Gog in NYC)

Your chance to weigh in on a flood barrier planned along the East River (The Lo-Down)

Newly discovered photos of Stiv Bators and the Dead Boys (Dangerous Minds)

More details about the Lower East Side Film Festival (Entertainment Weekly)

And tonight — "Comics Love the East Village: A Benefit for the Victims of the East Village Fire" (Find details here)

[Updated] Mikey Likes It turns 1 today

There's a lot of work going on today at Mikey Likes It. We're closed to renovate and restock everything including a special 'Flavor of the Month' blast from the past. Stop in tomorrow and help us celebrate our 1 year anniversary 👍. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. #MikeyLikesItIceCream #MikeyLikesIt #IceCream #NewYear #1YearAnniversary #BeBackTomorrow #LeadersOfTheNewScoop

A photo posted by Mikey Likes It Ice Cream (@mikeylikesiticecream) on May 18, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT

The ice cream shop at 199 Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street was closed yesterday to prepare for today's 1-year anniversary celebration.

Proprietor Michael "Mikey" Cole started the business from his parent's StuyTown apartment, where he grew up.

"We'd be at my house for hours filling up the freezer with ice cream until my mom was like, 'You gotta get that shit out of here.'"

You can read our two-part interview with Cole here and here.


[Photo last September by James Maher]

Updated 3:44 p.m.

Looks like the shop is closed one more day... with the 1-year celebrations taking place tomorrow ...

Hey everyone, still undertaking a few renovations today, we'll be opening tomorrow at noon and celebrating our one year. Sorry to keep you guys waiting, we just want to make sure everything is right. That's the Mikey way 👍. See you soon. Check out this cool 📷 by @onthegridnyc #MikeyLikesItIceCream #mikeylikesit #icecream #dontworrybehappy #leadersofthenewscoop

A photo posted by Mikey Likes It Ice Cream (@mikeylikesiticecream) on May 19, 2015 at 11:51am PDT

Life at 114 E. 1st St.: Bed bugs, rats and the stench of decay

Some tenants of 114 E. First St. launched an online forum documenting problems in their building between Avenue A and First Avenue back in July 2008.

Now nearly seven years and several management companies later, the situation seems even worse… and tenants revived the forum this past Friday.

The latest issue? Bed bugs. (And rats, if you want to see in this video.)

A post from Saturday sums up the situation:

Broken windows, broken doors, cracked walls, pealing paint, hallways covered by layers of decomposing linoleum covered with coagulated filth, rats, stench of decay, overworked maintenance crew, and now the bed bug infestation that the management company is trying to hide from the tenants not yet affected.

In order to rent both store fronts the landlord moved the garbage area from the front of the building to the fire egress platform leading to the basement. This produces a garbage accumulation on the fire egress often blocking the way to the basement and inviting all sort of vermin. It also produces a major strain on the maintenance people who have to haul the trash to the front of the building for collection. Often the trash gets spilled in the process and the hallway reeks with decaying refuse. Not to mention the garbage from emptied apartments dangerously stored, in contempt of fire regulations, underneath the ground level staircase.

According to one tenant, residents have not heard a word from landlord Birchwood Properties LLC, who took over the building in 2011.

However, there is work being done in the building. Workers removed the contents of a bedbug-infestated apartment … and placed the remains in the ground-floor hallway for several weeks, as a forum post shows …



… only to move the debris to another vacant apartment …



Per a resident, "No surprise that the bugs spread."

All photos via 114 East 1st Street Tenants Forum

Drilling and double plywood at 500 E. 14th St.

A resident who lives adjacent to 500 E. 14th St. shared photos of the workers who arrived at the site yesterday… marking the first major activity on the lot since the demolition of the one-level row of buildings along East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B last summer.





There is an approved permit for the always-sexy Pile Load Test here. Eventually the site will yield a 7-floor retail-residential building via Extell Development.

Meanwhile, the sidewalk is now closed … with the double plywood in effect …and the temporary sidewalk…







… and double blogger portals…



Also, we haven't heard any updates about a possible new L train entrance for Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

1st activity at 500 E. 14th St. since the demolition phase, and when the standing water froze

Firefighter chases down alleged phone thief

Firefighter Kevin Ruiz of Engine 28 on East Second Street busted an alleged phone thief today.

WABC 7 has the story:

"She had her bag completely open and a gentleman snuck up behind her and he went into her bag and he took her phone," Ruiz said.

"At first we thought it was a joke," said Commissioner Sandy Guzman, FDNY.

But the woman wasn't laughing.

"That's when Firefighter Ruiz started screaming at the guy and tells him, 'Hey give the phone back,'" Guzman said.

Possibly stunned at being caught in the act, the suspect quickly gave the phone back, but then took off.

Ruiz was not letting him get away so fast, and chased the man two avenues and about six blocks, where his fire truck caught up with him.

The story doesn't mention where the theft took place ... but Ruiz, who was food shopping with his fellow firefighters, caught up with the unnamed suspect on East 13th Street near Avenue B.

Updated 5-19

CBS New York reports that the incident occurred on First Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street.

A new fence for the 2nd Avenue blast site; tributes to victims will remain

Workers arrived this morning to put in a new chain-link fence around the site of the deadly gas explosion on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street…

A few readers wondered what would become of the plywood fencing with photos and tributes to Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa, the two men who died at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.



According to one of the workers, the plywood will remain at the site behind the new fence…







Thanks to EVG readers Jose Garcia, Steven and Blue Glass for the photos

Updated 5/18


[Photo by Vinny & O]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Posters arrive to memorialize Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Remembering Moises Ismael Locón Yac on 2nd Avenue

A makeshift memorial for East Village explosion victim Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

A new mural on 12th and C

The 12C Outdoor Art Gallery on Avenue C at East 12th Street is featuring new work by Peruvian artist Diana Contreras, who created the mural on the roll-down gate yesterday as part of the Fridge Art Fair.

According to her bio, the Miami-based Contreras' "work deals with femininity, set in whimsical portraiture."



The gallery is curated by East Village resident Robert Galinsky and artists show panels every three months.



Photos courtesy of Robert Galinsky

Kava bar coming to East 10th Street

The South Florida-based KavasutrA is opening a kava bar at 261 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's more about their operation via the KavasutrA website:

Our South Florida Kava Bars are relaxing, tranquil environments where you can come, kick back, drink a kava shell and relax within a non-judgmental, welcoming environment.

What Is Kava Kava?
Kava is a magical root from the south pacific. It has been used as a tradition for over 3,000 years. The relaxing effects that this root offers are truly remarkable. When mixed with water, properly strained and sold at Kavasutra, the effect it will have on you is one that must be experienced to be truly understood.

What is a Kava Bar?
Kava Bars have been a part of many island cultures for years such as Venuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Futuna, Rotuma, Uvea and Hawaii. In most places, Kava is used for both ceremony and as a recreational drink.

KavasutrA honors the island traditions with the high quality, premium kava and a relaxing tranquil environment. The relaxing effects you experience from drinking Kava are a perfect compliment to social interaction without the potential dangers of drinking alcohol. KavasutrA Kava Bars are a perfect place to unwind and socialize with friends.

No word on an opening date just yet.

H/T EVG reader Daniel.

Curb your enthusiasm: New sidewalks coming to Cooper Square/3rd Avenue

The next phase of the Astor Place/Cooper Square Reconstruction starts today … with new curb and sidewalk installations for Cooper Square/Third Avenue from East Fourth Street to East Ninth Street.

So expect some better curbs for this rather curb-less stretch of Cooper Square…





Here's the ongoing reconstruction project's Anticipated Work Schedule/Activities for May-June (PDF!) from the city:

•Village Plaza: Continue assisting Con-Ed with gas main offset.
• Cooper Sq. West, from E. 4th to Astor Place: Installing new curbs/sidewalks
•Peter Cooper Triangle Park: Installing permeable pavers and bioswales.
•Third Ave, from E. 9th to E. 4th Street: Installing new curbs, sidewalks and pedestrian ramps.
•E. 4th from Bowery to Second Avenue: Utility work. Installing new catch basins and curb bump-outs.
•Third Avenue, from E. 4th to E. 9th Streets: Installing nine concrete center medians.
•Installation of catch basins in various locations.

The centerpiece of all this some day will be the expanded Alamo plaza...



Workers boxed up the Cube for safekeeping during the reconstruction of Astor Place this past Nov. 25.

The Plaza has been used for the annual NYCxDESIGN celebration these past few days … with some spun chairs designed by Herman Miller…

But look at this at Astor Place! @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/wAac1YnVzS

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) May 15, 2015

Anyway, as for when the cube will return … the city noted that the surface work for the Alamo plaza is on hold "pending MTA approval."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Five years later, Astor Place apparently ready for its 2-year reconstruction project

An updated look at the all-new Astor Place

You'll never drive on this section of Astor Place again

There goes The Alamo