A rally for rezoning protections along Broadway and University Place

[Rendering of Civic Hall on 14th Street]

Back in February, Mayor de Blasio unveiled the city's plans for the site that P.C. Richard (and Son!) has leased the past 20-plus years at 124 E. 14th St. at Irving Place... the rendering above shows the proposed 20-floor Civic Hall — "a tech-focused work and event space" — anchoring the space. The Hall will "provide space for tech worker training, education, start-ups and convening."

Aside from Civic Hall, there are several mega projects in the works south of here along Broadway (see what's coming to the former Blatt Billiards here) and University Place (see what's coming to the former Bowlmor Lanes site here).

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) has been campaigning to cap building heights in the corridor between University Place and Broadway. They have an ally now in City Councilmember Rosie Mendez. Here's what she had to say about the situation to DNAinfo:

"For years, I have advocated and requested a contextual rezoning of University Place. This proposed PC Richards Silicon Alley tech hub will impact residents in the area residing in the adjacent buildings, which are currently under great pressure by developers.

"I would consider supporting the Tech Hub if, and only if, we can amend the zoning resolution to provide protections and relief to the surrounding community."

Tomorrow afternoon at 3, the GVSHP is hosting a rally and press conference on 11th Street and Broadway to discuss the proposed tech hub and zoning south of Union Square...



The tech-hub project still needs to navigate the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure process, which will require City Council approval. As DNAinfo pointed out, the council generally defers to the local council member, meaning Mendez potentially has veto power over the Civic Hall project. (In the event this carries past her term, GVSHP Executive Director Andrew Berman said that he has already reached out to the candidates running for the Mendez Council seat.)

A spokesperson for the mayor's office expressed disappointment in the preservationists' mission to leverage a zoning change.

Per DNAinfo:

"Its purpose is to provide a gateway for real New Yorkers — kids from our high schools, public housing and immigrant communities — to get training and a good paying job in tech. It is disappointing certain groups would use that project as a pawn to change unrelated zoning blocks away.”

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC (30 comments)

A coffee at the Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger

There was a conversation the other day about coffee choices around Astor Place (specifically 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star) ... You have the Starbucks outside the downtown 6 entrance, the Starbucks on Broadway at Ninth Street, the Bluestone Lane Coffee in the Death Star, Dunkin' Donuts on Cooper Square, Pourt on Cooper Square and City of Saints Coffee Roasters on 10th Street near Fourth Avenue.

Just wanted to put in a plug for the Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger (24/7 since 1972) on Broadway at Astor Place...



I had randomly stopped by for a cup of coffee at the counter... see!



...and the empty seat next to me with bonus tile footage...



The place was pretty crowded (I'd guess that half the tables were tourists) this past Sunday... a lot of deliveries. I wanted to get a photo of their Wall of Fame photos, which includes a framed shot of Alf. (Next time.)

Good times for $2.45 ...



And bonus nighttime photo via the Cozy website...

Dog day afternoon: Opening party for LoveThyBeast on 5th Street

As previously noted, a pet-accessory boutique called LoveThyBeast is coming to 300 E. Fifth St. just east of Second Avenue... there's an opening party tomorrow (Saturday) from 3-7 p.m. ... (you've been warned in case there is free wine)...



The shop is the creation of Tiziana Agnello, a former prop stylist, who started selling her homemade creations online and in several pop-up locations back in 2012.

Pizzeria in the works for former pizzeria at 130 St. Mark's Place

In recent weeks we heard that a pizzeria was taking over the vacant space at 130 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. That transition made sense, given that the two previous tenants were pizzerias (Via Della Pace Pizza and Falanghina Pizza Bar).

EVG correspondent Steven shares this photo... the sign on the door notes that La Pizza Di Tramonti is the new tenant...



Don't know anything about them just yet... and they haven't appeared on any recent CB3-SLA dockets for a beer-wine license.

The Astor Place Poetry Jam is tomorrow (Saturday!)

In some public spaces you "people watch". At Astor Place we "cube watch". Tables, chairs and parasols are back!! Swing by and chill with the Cube. Swing by this Saturday for the #AstorPoetryJam and swing by on 5/5 for the Friday night #AstorBlaster Silent Disco!! . . #astorplace #eastvillage #nyc #empirestateofmind #publicspace #poetry #disco

A post shared by Astor Place NYC (@astorplacenyc) on Apr 18, 2017 at 9:29am PDT

Via the EVG inbox...

The Alamo sculpture, the Cube, is fifty this year! Start the festivities at the Astor Poetry Jam, which celebrates National Poetry Month and Earth Day. The FREE festival of poetry, features LIVE poetry slams and readings, poetry writing workshops led by ‘Professor Poets’ from Bowery Poetry and a pop-up gallery of poems and stories in which to immerse yourself. In partnership with the Academy of American Poets and Bowery Poetry, Astor Poetry Jam brings the joy of poetry to Astor Place with four exciting interactive and poetic experiences.

The Astor Place Poetry Jam is tomorrow from 1-7 p.m. Go here for a rundown of performers.

And on Friday, May 5, there's the Astor Blaster Silent Disco...

Three live DJ’s will spin their decks with tunes featuring the very best beats of today, with a nod to the musical heritage of the neighborhood. Wearing FREE wireless headsets, guests will dance their way through the sunset and into the night around the iconic Astor Place “Cube” which will be the focal point of a dazzling light and projection show.

Find more details here.

EV Grieve Etc.: Tompkins Square Park hatchling watch; Philip Glass studio tour

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Do Christo and Dora have a hatchling in Tompkins Square Park? (Laura Goggin Photography)

A rare public look inside the the East Village studio of Philip Glass (Sonos)

Details about the Sunday brunch extravaganza to raise funds for the Charlotte Ruby Cantor Scholarship Fund of the East Village Dance Project (Ticket info.)

Art history at 17 E. Ninth St. (The New York Times)

Public Hotel turns off the bright lights (BoweryBoogie)

Remembering the Bowery's infamous Suicide Hall (Curbed)

Sir Shadow's jazzy plywood art on the LES (Crain's)

An affordable housing lottery underway — through June 16 — for 99 senior apartments at Essex Crossing (The Lo-Down)

Diversions: Watch the Brian Eno documentary "Another Green World" from 2010 (Dangerous Minds)

Diversions: The LEGO Death Star (BoingBoing)

The Marshal visits former Caffe Bene space on St. Mark's Place

As noted on Monday, the 17-month-old Caffe Bene outpost closed at 24 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... and yesterday, the Marshal paid a visit, taking legal possession of the space for the landlord...



Expect a new for rent sign soon enough...

Checking in on John's of 12th Street

The recent news of Angelica Kitchen's closing prompted us to check in on the former vegan restaurant's longtime neighbor — John's of 12th Street, the venerable Italian restaurant that opened here between First Avenue and Second Avenue in 1908 ...


[Photos by Steven]

Judy Anderson, whose late husband, Mike Alpert became a co-owner of John's in 1973 along with Nick Sitnycky, said that there was a little confusion among a few patrons who thought that John's had also shut down.

"Nick tells me that ... three separate people have stopped by the restaurant a bit confused because they heard that John’s is closed. We are not closed!" Anderson said. "I’m guessing that the neighborhood talk about the closing of Angelica Kitchen, next door to us, somehow has morphed into discussion of John’s. Plus we were suffering in Verizon hell with no main phone line service the first week in April."

The phones have been back in service. As for their former neighbor: "We are sorry to see Leslie and Angelica Kitchen go. Nick and my husband knew Leslie when Angelica’s was on St. Mark's Place. Good neighbor and we wish her well."

Meanwhile, as we first reported last August, Paul Dauber, the restaurant's accountant as well as a longtime friend and patron, was purchasing John's along with a childhood pal from their days of growing up on the Lower East Side.

"The sale of the restaurant is on track though still no date set yet," Anderson said. "We’ll still be available afterwards to make sure that the transition is seamless. There are no planned changes in personnel, menu or decor. Meanwhile, we are open for business as usual."

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John's of 12th Street also has an Instagram account ... if you're on Instagram...

The "sunny" table with spring blooms. Come on in! 🌷🌷🌷🍷🥖🥗🍝🍰☕️ #nyc #eastvillage #italianfood #spring #timefordinner #aprilthegiraffe

A post shared by John's of 12th Street (@johnsof12thstreet) on Apr 15, 2017 at 1:06pm PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month

Q-and-A with Vanessa McDonnell, director of the John's of 12th Street documentary

EV photographers James & Karla Murray hosting workshop on capturing disappearing storefronts

[Image via James and Karla Murray]

East Village-based photographers (and occasional EVG contributors) James and Karla Murray are hosting a workshop series this spring and summer.

Here are details via the EVG inbox...

"Capturing the Faces and Voices of the Lower East Side's Disappearing Mom-and-Pop Storefronts" is a photography and oral history workshop of the cultural significance of mom-and-pop stores and the impact they have on the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. There will be two free workshops (consisting of two sessions each) held at the Neighborhood Preservation Center in the East Village culminating in an exhibition of each participant’s work at the Theater for the New City Art Gallery from Aug. 14 to Sept. 18.

The workshops teach how photography and oral history can be tools for public awareness and advocacy. Participants will learn to create their own powerful photographs of neighborhood storefronts as well as record oral histories with shop owners, which communicate artistically and are insightful and moving.

There will be 70 participants at the free workshops, which will take place at the Neighborhood Preservation Center Village (232 E. 11th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue) on Monday, April 24, Monday May, 1, Monday May 22, and Monday June 5.

The workshops are free and open to all, but registration is required via Eventbrite.com.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company coming to 8th and Broadway

And over on Eighth Street just west of Broadway... there's signage announcing the new tenant — an outpost of Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company... coming this fall.

Despite the name, the 15-year-old company has three locations in Astoria, one in Chelsea and none in Brooklyn. You can find their menu, which includes a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads, here.

In 2016, Gothamist named Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company the city's "Best Chain Bagels." Per Gothamist:

[They sell] spectacular hand-rolled doughy bagels, appropriately crispy-crusted and accompanied by what seems like thousands of spreads and proteins. They have a flavor-of-the-week cream cheese that has, at times, been cannoli cream, red velvet, spinach and white chocolate raspberry. Expect long lines in Astoria on weekday mornings, but your breakfast will be worth the wait.

Thanks to EVG reader Brigitte for the photo and tip!

A new vendor for the Bowery Market

On Tuesday, an EVG reader shared these photos ... showing a new mural in the works at the Bowery Market, the year-round open-air food court at 348 Bowery and Great Jones...



The mural (by @KongSavage) marks the imminent arrival of a new vendor — Parantha Alley, a regular on the Brooklyn food-fair circuit. (BoweryBoogie first reported on this yesterday.) The folks at Parantha Alley serve Indian flat bread with a variety of fillings. (Their menu is here.)



The Market launched last July with five vendors... and since then, the mini outposts of Champion Coffee, The Butcher's Daughter and Pulqueria have all shut down, as we noted last month.

Parantha Alley will join the remaining two vendors — Alidoro and Sushi on Jones. Signage at the Bowery Market note that there will be new vendors here this spring.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A winterized Bowery Market, now down to 3 vendors

The Bowery Market opens today with 5 year-round food vendors

[UPDATED] Avenue A deli clerk arrested for assault; allegedly calls customer a tranny

[Image via]

Updated 6/3: Authorities have now said that the victim made up claims of the assault. Police arrested the 18 year old, Noel Torres, who was charged with filing a false report. The charges against the clerk were to be dismissed, according to the Daily News.

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A clerk at Kamaran Deli and Grocery on Avenue A at Fifth Street was arrested for assault after reportedly hitting a customer with a baseball bat and calling her a tranny.

According to the Daily News:

Dia El-Deen Hassan went berzerk when the 18-year-old victim walked into the [deli] ... about 7:50 p.m. Tuesday and tried to buy beer and other items, police and sources said.

The freewheeling East Village is known for tolerance — but not on this day.

Hassan, 20, pushed a plastic display case and grabbed the victim’s arm before picking up the bat and hitting her with it all over her head and body, sources said.

“I’m not serving a tranny!” Hassan shouted, according to cops.

The victim, 18, was treated at the scene and declined to go to a hospital.

Updated:

The Daily News updated the article.

A lawyer for the clerk claims the victim, 18-year-old Noel Torres, "is lying and says he has video to prove it."

“Video shows the complainant trying to steal and run out,” lawyer Stuart Meltzer said Wednesday. “It’s not a hate crime. It’s a theft that was trying to be prevented.”

After his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday, Hassan was released on his own recognizance, the Daily News reported.

Out and About in the East Village

In this ongoing 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: James
Occupation: Leather Man
Location: First Avenue at Second Street
Date: April 5 at 5:15 pm

I’m from the the Bronx, New York, and I currently reside in the Bronx, New York.

Before I got into this, I was working in Macy’s department store. I just wanted to try something different. I’ve always been a crafty type of guy, making stuff, tinkering, and I just applied that aspiration to leather. I tried buying some leather and making stuff out of it, and this is what it evolved into.

I make belts and other things out of leather. I’ve been doing this for 30 years, since 1986, and I’ve been in this present location for six years.

Previously I was in what was then called Midtown, 30th Street and Sixth Avenue. I’d always wanted to come to the Village because the Village has always been representative of art and culture and things like that, and one day or one week at the other location there was a severe snowstorm, and I couldn’t go there, so I tried it over here and it was very good to me. And I’ve been here ever since. You’ve got the train station here, and it’s more of a neighborhood — so yeah, it’s pretty good here.

It’s more of a local neighborhood. The other area was like that when I first started working there, but then it gradually evolved into a commercial area where people didn’t really appreciate the arts anymore. They wanted stuff with labels on it, stuff off the racks — cookie-cutter stuff.

It’s great meeting fascinating people in this neighborhood. The other neighborhood, I wouldn’t meet anybody like you. I’m in a long line, or long link of art people. People come by and use my work as the foundation – they add stuff to it and take it to another level. Some people come by and they put a label on it. Some people come by and add other dimensions to it. This is a solid foundation – it’s genuine leather. That’s why they appreciate it.

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

A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

In case you missed our post from last Thursday... Che Cafe is now open at 86 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This quick-serve venture is run by Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987.

Here's his story via the Che Cafe website:

I have long enjoyed empanadas and their culinary cousins from around the world including the Indian samosa, Chinese dumpling, and Jewish knish.

Empanadas make great on the go street food. Given the many versions from around the world, they present endless possibilities for including different tastes from many cultures. I am excited by the opportunity to borrow from each the essence of flavor that I love and share it with you.

So I came up with Chechenitas, an empanada pouch. They are a small, easy to eat on the go item. Better yet, the pouch means less bread and more delicious filling. Please give them a try and let me know what you think.

You can find Che Cafe's offerings here.

The small space was home until last fall to Abraço, who moved across Seventh Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street