And now, your Budget Mart signage on Avenue A

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On Tuesday, we noted that the under-renovation (and long-empty) retail space at 33 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street will be a "Family Dollar-style store," per the workers on the job. 

Yesterday, the Budget Mart signage arrived... the awning shows items such as linen, home goods, toys, furniture and appliance (just one?)...

We lost Kmart but have gained a Budget Mart.

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Rainer Turim 

Hanging around at Saifee Hardware on Seventh Street and First Avenue...

Fall classic

Late afternoon in Tompkins Square Park...

About Sofaclub, a licensed cannabis shop opening this fall on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Sofaclub Cannabis is set to open this fall at 229 Avenue B near 14th Street. 

Ownership has secured a CAURD adult recreational use license from the state for the retail establishment. This marks the furthest east into the East Village for a licensed operation. (Downtown spots include Gotham at 3 E. Third St. near the Bowery and Housing Works on Broadway at Eighth Street.) 

Co-owner Max Tsiring previously founded Artifact New York, an exclusive designer archive. (He also plays in the band Kitten.)

This new cannabis shop will be "design-oriented, classy, minimalist and stylish," Tsiring said. "I'm so excited to be part of a neighborhood I've hung out in and loved my whole life."

Tsiring and his business partner are hoping for a Nov. 1 debut. 

The storefront was previously Everytable.

A look at Walter Salas-Humara's 'Guardians and Realms' at 14BC Gallery

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Paintings by longtime East Village resident Walter Salas-Humara are on view through Saturday at 14BC Gallery. 

Here's more about the show, "Guardians and Realms" ... 

Horses have long been seen as mystical creatures, embodying a deep connection to the spirit world. In many cultures, they are regarded as guides between realms, their power and grace representing freedom, intuition, and strength. Horses are believed to carry messages from ancestors and spirits, acting as symbols of transformation and healing. Their wild, untamed energy mirrors the vast mysteries of the unseen world, making them both guardians and companions on spiritual journeys, helping souls traverse the boundaries of the physical and ethereal planes.

You can read more about the art and music of Salas-Humara, perhaps best known for his work in the rock band The Silos, here. 

"Guardians and Realms" is open for viewing tomorrow through Saturday from 3-7 p.m. at the gallery, 626 E. 14th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Openings: DupBopBro on Houston

Photos by Stacie Joy

DupBopBro debuted last Thursday at 309 E. Houston St. between Clinton and Attorney. 

The business, owned by life partners Gene (seen below) and Veronica Choe, specializes in Korean rice bowls.

The quick-serve bowls start with rice and cabbage, and you can select tofu, chicken (including a choice of really spicy chicken), and bulgogi. Then, you can select two toppings, ranging from sweet potato noodles to Korean pickled peppers, and two sauces. (Find the menu here.)

 

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Daily hours: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with an 11:30 p.m. close on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tuesday's parting shot

Paving action tonight on Third Avenue... as crews are working between Ninth Street and 12th Street... thanks to EVG reader Doug for the shot.

A moment in Tompkins Square Park with Robert Leslie

From last evening, traveling troubadour Robert Leslie played a set in Tompkins Square Park. 

Per Allan Yashin, who shared these photos, "he played Dylan, Neil Young and his excellent originals."

At the Ottendorfer Library, a 16mm film night with 3 works featuring the Bowery

Leading up to its 140th anniversary this Dec. 6, the Ottendorfer Library is hosting a variety of events celebrating the neighborhood's history. 

Noteworthy this Thursday (Oct. 24) from 5:30-7 p.m.: Three films from the Library for the Performing Arts Reserve Film and Video collection that feature the Bowery:

• "The Bowery Men's Shelter" (1972): A portrait of the Men's Shelter on East 3rd Street. 10 min. 

• "How do you like the Bowery?" (1972): Men from the Bowery in New York are interviewed and speak candidly about how they think and feel. Directed by Dan Halas and Alan Raymond.14 min. 

• "On the Bowery" (1956): A dramatization of life on New York's Skid Row. Directed by Lionel Rogosin. 65 min.

The library is at 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Noted

Photos by Steven 

The chess tables inside the Seventh and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park remain behind barricades since the fatal double shooting on July 12. 

And we couldn't help but notice a new barricade on the scene...

And likely not where Gov. Hochul is planning the new pool project for Tompkins.

Openings: Gizmo on 14th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

ICYMI: Gizmo is now open in its new storefront at 626 E. 14th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Rosa Malmed and Hossein Amid, the husband-and-wife owners (far right below), debuted the space last Tuesday. They hosted a small gathering for neighbors ...

The sewing supply and repair business is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The phone number is (212) 477-2773. (A new website is in the works.)

Until the end of February, Gizmo lived at 160 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street for 32 years. Their landlord did not offer them a lease renewal.

Breaking the blockchain: Crypto drama hits East Village stage

Veteran crypto journalist Benjamin Schiller is bringing "the drama and intrigue of the Bitcoin world to life" in a new play opening tomorrow (Wednesday!).

Here are details via the EVG inbox...

Set in the East Village, "Happenstance" follows the story of a man facing prison time for his role in the early development of Bitcoin. As he grapples with his fate, his family and girlfriend pull him in different legal, financial and spiritual directions, exploring themes of freedom, morality and the human impact of cryptocurrency. 

Schiller runs the features and opinion desks at CoinDesk, the crypto-journo outlet that broke the FTX scandal. He drew inspiration from real-life figures like the disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to craft a human story within the often technical world of Bitcoin. 

"Happenstance" breaks new ground as one of the first plays to make Bitcoin a central theme, boldly bringing cryptocurrency to the stage in New York City. 

The play is scheduled for five performances tomorrow through Saturday at the Red Room/KGB Bar, 85 E. Fourth St., between Second Avenue and the Bowery. Find times and tickets here.

A $1 store for Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Incoming new store alert! 

The under-renovation (and long-empty) retail space at 33 Avenue A will be a "Family Dollar-style store," per the workers on the job.

So maybe like the 99-cent store at 73 First Ave. next to Rite Aid? Dunno!

We're trying to remember what was last here between Second Street and Third Street — Venus Body Arts, which closed in 2017? 

Anyway, keep an eye on the storefront between Joyful Nails and 31A Laundromat in the retail spaces of First Houses.

Closings: A-Roll Bar and Grill on St. Mark's Place

After less than a year in business, A-Roll Bar and Grill has closed at 5 St. Mark's Place just east of Third Avenue. (H/T Jacob Ford for the tip!)

A for-rent sign is now in the front window.

The sit-down skewer shop, operated by Nobu vet Kacey Yeh and part of a Chinese chain, seemed to have a lot of potential. (Eater gave it high marks.)

Unfortunately, until very recently, the storefront was mostly obscured by the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding of the neighboring 9-story office building, which has seen a long slog toward completion. Plus, there are many casual food options on this block of St. Mark's Place.