Playground reminders in Tompkins Square Park; city to update Community Board 3 on asylum seekers tonight

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated: You can watch a playback of the CB3 Board meeting on YouTube here. Zach Iscol starts at the 23-minute mark.

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Signs stating "No adults except in the company of a child" — written in multiple languages — were recently posted on the playgrounds along Avenue B and Seventh Street in Tompkins Square Park...

In recent months, some residents have expressed concerns about the migrants waiting for a new shelter assignment outside the former St. Brigid School on Seventh Street and Avenue B. They have been congregating on the SE corner of Tompkins Square Park, including inside the playgrounds. (This past fall, Mayor Adams began limiting adult migrants' stays in shelters to 30 days before they have to leave and reapply at this so-called East Village reticketing site.) 

The influx of men standing around has caused some residents to no longer visit the playgrounds with their children. It was also made clear that the men were often unaware that they couldn't be inside the playgrounds.

Making matters worse, the city removed the three portable toilets from Tompkins Square Park on Jan. 9, forcing anyone visiting the 10.5-acre property to figure out where to relieve themselves. (The restrooms in the field house are closed until the fall for renovations.) According to residents, the playgrounds have become popular public toilets, with some equipment serving as cover. 

While the signs look official, it's unknown who left them on the playground gates. 

The two playgrounds in this park area received a year-long, $2.7 million upgrade, unveiled in October 2019.

Meanwhile, as we reported last week, Zach Iscol, commissioner of the NYC Emergency Management, will appear before Community Board 3 tonight. Per the invite, he "will update the community on the agency's asylum-seeker operations and community engagement efforts within the confines of CB3." 

Iscol is expected to speak at 7 p.m. (The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.) Only CB3 board members can ask questions. (The deadline for residents to submit questions was this past Friday.)

The meeting will be in person at PS 20, 166 Essex St., just south of Houston, and streamed on YouTube here.  

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Observations on the growing humanitarian crisis with asylum seekers in the East Village 

• Addressing the asylum seeker crisis; city to update Community Board 3 next week

Signage alert: Ben's Deli gains a Grill on Avenue B

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy

The renovations at Ben's Deli on Avenue B, an establishment here for 40-plus years, took a significant step forward yesterday with the arrival of new signage. 

The business name has been expanded to include a "& Grill" in the name, marking a new chapter in its history. (While the signage sentiment in the EVG newsroom was wholly positive, we are waiting for EV Signage and Font Troll to weigh in...)

The market between Second Street and Third Street temporarily closed this past September for renovations, including new shelving and lighting  ... an expected move after longtime owner and Avenue B legend Ben Gibran sold the business earlier last year to a cousin, Sammy Ksem. (Don't worry — Ben still hangs out here. See below.)

Ben's Deli, which played a pivotal role in season one of "Russian Doll" on Netflix not to mention a Kim Petras video, is expected to be back open in the weeks ahead, which is rather vague, though you try to get Con Ed and the Department of Buildings scheduled for the necessary approvals. 

Last evening, the sign was lit, so to speak... 

Ben was outside in The Office (aka his Astro van). When I asked him if he liked it, he said, "Yes, looks good, right? Nice. Very nice." Then, he fired up a cigarette and continued watching a nature video on his iPad.

The Chippery has not been open lately

Several EVG readers have noted with some concern that The Chippery has not been open during its usual business hours in recent weeks at 85 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

Google notes that they are "permanently closed," though there isn't any mention of a shutter on the restaurant's website or social media properties. We contacted them for comment and were told someone would get back to us.

Coming-soon notices arrived here in January 2020 ... making this the first Manhattan outpost for the New Jersey-based chainlet, which currently has four locations in the Garden State.

Despite the pandemic, the restaurant specializing in fish and chips opened in August 2020 and drew praise from people who tried their various fried seafood platters.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A tribute to Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, outside Club Cumming on Sixth Street.

Revel vehicle wipes out Frank's curbside dining structure after hours on 2nd Avenue

A Revel car demolished the curbside dining structure outside Frank on Second Avenue near Fifth Street during a collision that occurred late last night/early this morning. 

The restaurant was not open at the time, and the structure was empty. There weren't any reports of injuries. (Thanks to Stuart Zamsky for the first two photos.)

Police at the scene this morning did not have any further information about the collision and what led to it.

Derek Berg took this photo around 7:45... when the NYPD towed away the Revel, presumably an electric vehicle from the ride-hailing service...

Updated: A Revel spokesperson confirmed the details in this post, but declined to provide any further comment. 

Updated noon:

Photo by Steven...

Longtime East Village sewing business Gizmo needs a new home

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Rosa Malmed and Hossein Amid were set to begin a new chapter for Gizmo by officially signing a new lease today for their longtime sewing supply shop. 

Instead, the heartbroken wife-and-husband owners are now forced to move their ample merchandise and supplies into storage as they continue a search for a storefront.

In recent months, the shopkeepers had been preparing to leave their home of 32 years at 160 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street at the end of this month. They were eyeing two East Village storefronts. 

They had all but inked the deal and received their keys at their new shop location at 319 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue when they were alerted by the agent that the building had been sold and no lease would be granted to them.

They had a written agreement, a three-month deposit, and a breakdown of costs (real estate taxes, water, rent, etc.) They were due to sign the new lease and pick up the keys today. 

"The East 14th Street location was smaller, but we thought it would be perfect for Gizmo's next step. We toured the location, spoke to the broker, submitted the pertinent paperwork, and were approved for a lease," Rosa said. "The lease was drafted and reviewed by both parties. We set a date for the lease signing, which would give us less than a week to vacate our current location and move in, a tight timeline but something we thought would work." 

The two will now move everything to a storage unit on Second Avenue and hunt for a suitable space to continue their business. 

Thursday is the last day here.

We previously reported that the rent at 160 First Ave. had increased to the point that Gizmo could no longer afford to stay here. 

Hossein also said it wasn't just rent; the landlord (Baumrind & Baumrind) wanted them out. They were not offered a new lease. 

In addition, after a recent leak, which caused damage to fabrics and sewing machines, they were not offered any assistance from the landlord.

When I asked Hossein what would become of the space after Gizmo leaves, he said, "I don't know, a smoke and vape shop?"

During our conversation, Rosa teared up several times about Gizmo, which they opened because she needed more room for her alterations business.

"For over 30 years, it has been an absolute joy operating our small business. This neighborhood welcomes Gizmo and our family with open arms," she said. "We have enjoyed every second of being part of the fabric of the Lower East Side. Above all, we want to thank the neighborhood and our patrons for an amazing tenure, and we hope to see you all again as we evolve to a new location."

While the merchandise will go into storage, Hossein plans to keep offering sewing machine repairs.

"Hossein has made house calls and will continue to do so," she said. "That will not change. Hossein will do his best to continue servicing the machines."

Rosa asked community members if they knew of any space in the neighborhood that might work for Gizmo, specifically: "A small storefront, with easy accessibility for differently-abled patrons. We would love to stay on the Lower East Side!" 

Contact info for them: (212) 477-2773 or email: gizmocorp@aol.com.

And here are some scenes from Gizmo during its closing days...   

On 5th Street, Etérea announces a March 30 closing date

Etérea, the vegan Mexican restaurant in Overthrow Hospitality's portfolio, will close at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B at the end of March. 

In an Instagram post, Overthrow said the restaurant that opened in April 2021 "has not achieved the level of success we had hoped for." 

They also cited the death of Etérea Chef Victor Hernandez, who suffered a stroke on Dec. 26, as "a void that cannot be filled."

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Overthrow Hospitality (@overthrowhospitality)

Starting March 4, Etérea will only be open for dinner, Wednesday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m. The last day is March 30. 

Overthrow will be unveiling a new concept for the space this summer.

Openings: YGF Malatang on 3rd Avenue; Conor's Goat on Avenue A

YGF Malatang has debuted at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Per the brand's Instagram account: "The restaurant specializes in malatang, a type of hotpot very popular in the streets of China, often confused with ramen. But make no mistake, malatang is a totally different concept."

The chain is said to have more than 6,000 outposts in China, Japan and Korea ... this is the first in NYC.

Signage out front explains how it works... and what you'll pay, roughly...

Hours: Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Meanwhile...

Conor's Goat is now open at 23 Avenue A between Houston and Second Street. (First mentioned here.)

The Irish pub from Mike Droney, whose credits include the now-closed Gleason's Tavern on West 41st Street, serves various bar food, including a Cubano sandwich, tomato soup with grilled cheese, and French dip beef sliders. 

The hours are below...      

The last tenant in this space, Brooklyn Bean Roastery Cafe, closed in July 2021 after 15 months in business. And previously, we had Yerba Buena, which shut down at the end of 2017.

Conor's Goat image via Instagram

Signage alert: Sugar Mouse on 3rd Avenue

Signage for Sugar Mouse is now above the entrance at 47 Third Ave. ... at the NE corner of Third Avenue and 10th Street. 

This game-hall concept has been in the works for the past 18-plus months ... reps for ownership appeared before the CB3-SLA committee meeting in September 2022. 

The bar, offering pizza and snacks, will feature various table games (foosball, billiards, shuffleboard, etc.) Ownership also operates Sour Mouse on Delancey, billed as "the hottest underground social club in the LES." 

As we understand, Sugar Mouse is taking part of the retail space, which was made available when TD Bank downsized in early 2022. A previous listing for the corner storefront noted, "Join Game House/Entertainment Venue and Bar Sugar Mouse." 

No word on a Sugar Mouse opening date.

At the September 2022 CB3 meeting, several residents who live nearby spoke out with concerns about the business,  particularly the proposed late-night closing times. Block association reps wrote a letter and submitted a petition with more than 100 signatures from nearby residents in opposition to the application, per the minutes from the meeting. (At the same time, 61 people residing within two blocks of the location, including 28 residents who live above the premises at 101 E. 10th St., signed a petition in favor of the application.)

CB3 OK'd the application with several stipulations, including a 1 a.m. closing time and entrance on Third Avenue instead of 10th Street.

An e-bike shop for 1st Street

Signage is up for 52V Primo E-bike in the eastern storefront at 44 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (H/T Mike!)

The signage says "electric bicycle/motorcycle sales and service." 

This will be the second e-bike shop to open in the East Village during the first quarter of 2024. Signage for Daniel's Bike Shop recently arrived on 14th Street near Second Avenue.

There has been a lot of turnover in the two storefronts here since 9300 Realty (aka Steve Croman) purchased the building in February 2011 for $2.3 million...  starting with Julius Klein's studio/gallery space, which moved on in June 2012. 

Sunday's parting shots

EVG's Stacie Joy spotted Jason Birchard, the third generation owner of Veselka, today before a screening of the documentary "Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World" at the Village East by Angelika.

The compassionate and compelling film will be playing all week at the theater on Second Avenue and 12th Street. (Showtimes here. Trailer here.) Updated 2/26: The film has been extended for a second week!

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo on Avenue A by Stacie Joy)... 

• Façade repairs next door have prevented kids at this East Village school from using the playgound (Tuesday) 

• Addressing the asylum seeker crisis; city to update Community Board 3 next week (Thursday) 

• A visit to the new home of Archie's Press on 10th Street (Wednesday) 

• Boris & Horton hopes to raise money through subscription boxes and crowdfunding to stay open (Friday) ... 'Something big is happening' at Boris & Horton, the dog cafe set to close next week (Thursday)

• Flashbacks: A wedding at McSorley's Old Ale House! (Monday) 

• RIP Flaco (Saturday)

• The East Village outpost of Chinatown favorite Dim Sum Go Go has closed (Tuesday) 

• Sidney's Five is calling it a day (Tuesday) 

• Catch some emerging bands at the New Colossus Festival this March 6-10 (Monday) 

• Village East by Angelika is serving up the Veselka documentary (Friday) 

• For sale: the all-new 180 2nd Ave., where a restaurant is in the works (Wednesday) 

• Renovation watch: 175 E. Houston St., soon to be home to a retro space via team MáLà Project (Wednesday) 

• HBD Physical Graffiti (Saturday) 

• A moment with mighty Christo, 1 of the resident red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday) 

• Openings: Tacos El Porky on Avenue A (Friday)

... and a moment Stella, Ray and Maria at Ray's Candy Store yesterday (photo by Stacie Joy)...

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Ad week in review

This past Thursday, workers removed the new floors-tall Peter Jarema Funeral Home from the north-facing wall at 108 Avenue B and Seventh Street... prompting several reader emails and photos...

This removal came after a new ad appeared here on Feb. 9. (Back story: During exterior renovations last June, workers sandblasted away the 60-year-old ad for the funeral home that's on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.)

While speculating why workers took down the ad (did they read EVG reader comments about the font?), it went right back up...

And later on Thursday...

Anyway, as you all were! 

Photos 1, 2 — Salim 

Photo 3 — Robert Miner 

Photo 4 — Stacie Joy

HBD Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin's double studio album Physical Graffiti was released 49 years ago today — Feb. 24, 1975. 

Some details via Village Preservation: 

Led Zeppelin immortalized the twin tenements at 96 and 98 St. Mark’s Place between First Avenue and Avenue A on the Physical Graffiti album cover. The award-winning design featured the two buildings (with the fourth floors removed to make them fit the square shape of the album cover) with the windows cut out to reveal the letters of the album title printed on the inner sleeve, or, if the sleeve was reversed, a series of images of different characters seeming to occupy the building, including lead-singer Robert Plant in drag. 

The building's rock history also includes the stoop at No. 96 ... where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met up at the start of the 1981 video by the Rolling Stones for "Waiting on a Friend." 

The building is also home to the basement tea shop Physical GraffiTea ... owner Ilana Malka previously ran the vintage clothing boutique Physical Graffiti here until January 2011.