Robin Raj now has an LED electronic moving message sign

Our friends here on Third Avenue near 14th Street have unleashed a new sign, which is almost big enough to fit the word "special."

I'll spare you the video that I took.

Another East Village deli goes gourmet and food courty

The East Side Gourmet Deli, formerly known as Cibao's, closed on Avenue B at Fourth Street back in early December... The new store is open... same name, new owners, who seem very friendly.

They also have a nice selection of hookah accessories displayed in the front window.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On Avenue C, two new delis, and two bright new signs

The food courting of East Village delis continues

The brunch line at Prune is getting longer

For unknown reasons, I've walked by Prune on East First Street at the exact moment they open for Sunday brunch the past two weeks ... and, for continued unknown reasons, I took a photo from the back of the line...

March 27!

April 3!

Singas Pizza closes for renovation and new management on Avenue C

Singas Pizza relocated to Avenue C and Sixth Street from Second Avenue and 11th Street back in December 2009.

And last week, Singas closed up shop...

...sign says the place will reopen under new management.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Singas Pizza opening on Avenue C

RIP Ziggy

A few weeks ago, several readers reported seeing a small dog that had been hit by a vehicle on 14th Street.

This sign is now up at the Tompkins Square Park dog run, which offers an explanation of what happened...

Photo by Bobby Williams.

Marking the 20th-anniversary of the missing heads

From the April 2, 1991 New York Times:

Whoever it was who stole a box from Dr. William Portnoy's car in the East Village before dawn yesterday got a nasty surprise.

Six parts of human heads, some with recognizable facial features, were in a cardboard box stolen from the car's trunk and then left in a gutter at St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue.

A cabdriver, Gheorghe Casas, saw a crowd around the box and stopped to see what the fuss was about. He turned the box over to the police.

Here's a screengrab of an AP story on the matter:

Week in Grieview

Cherries closed (Friday)

A sign about the Hot Chicks Room (Thursday)

Saving UNDER St. Marks (Wednesday)

Fire on East Ninth Street (Monday)

New hope for 35 Cooper Square (Monday)

Billy gets his MTA signs back (Wednesday)

Houston Deli & Grocery closed (Monday)

Looking at the MLB Fan Cave (Thursday)

Puppies! (Sunday)

Your new CB3 members (Friday)

Be careful that you don't S'mac your head!

Eh, OK... Outside S'mac this morning on 12th Street...

Non-shockers: More bars in 10003 Zip Code than anywhere else in NYC

From the Post today, in a piece titled Booze 'n the hood: E. Village tops tipsy ZIP-code liquor list:

A Post analysis of state liquor licenses by ZIP code has zeroed in on the booziest blocks, with the East Village's 10003 rising to the top of the suds-soaked list.

There were 474 bars, restaurants and corner stores licensed to sell hooch in the hood, beating out Times Square and Hell's Kitchen.

Those who live in the city's cocktail capital have increasingly had enough of the day-to-night debauchery.

"It's like a red-light district," said Andrew Coamey, 44, a CFO who lives in the East Village. "It's honking cabs all night. It's like a bad, disturbing dream."

Jeremy makes a good point in the comments... not really fair to call 10003 "the East Village."

That's some rough

Just looking at an errant golf ball here on East 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

City tossing longtime Astor Place newspaper vendor

From the Daily News:

A beloved newsstand vendor who has presided over Manhattan's Cooper Square for 24 years is getting tossed out like yesterday's papers.

The city is booting Jerry Delakas, 62, from a kiosk on Astor Place and Lafayette St. because he's not the legal license holder.

That decision contradicts the dying wish of the woman who held the license, happily allowed him to operate the stand and designated him as heir.

[Photo by Hagen for News via The Daily News]

April 1

EV Grieve reader Mike sent along this shot from First Avenue between Second and Third streets from late yesterday.

Once again, the shot lacks a newspaper cover for authentication purposes. However, the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring (ICTTS) will allow this tree to enter this year's competition. Why? According to one ICTTS official: "It's clear that this photo was taken from the street in either a fast-moving vehicle or on foot. Either way, we salute this bravery."

Avenue A, 8:49 a.m., April 2

Avenue A near 10th Street.

Window shopping on St Marks Place

Waiting for a friend

At the Tompkins Square Park dog run. Photo by Bobby Williams.

April showers

Avenue A near St. Mark's Place via Bobby Williams.

Damned if you do

The Damned, circa 1985-6 during the Unfortunate Outfits Era, with a Barry Ryan cover. (A video well worth your time watching.)

Which NYC neighborhood has the most happy hours? (One guess!)

We somehow missed this item at Grub Street Wednesday evening. It's info from a Happy Hours app via Village Voice Media. From Grub Street:

Using co-developer GoTime.com’s database of 972 happy hours in Manhattan, the Voice came up with a “happy hour density” (i.e., happy hours per square blocks) in various Manhattan neighborhoods south of Harlem. ... Not surprisingly, the East Village has the most happy hours, so expect to see this graphic presented as “Exhibit A” in a heated Community Board 3 meeting soon!

[Image via Grub Street]

Next stop, Board of Elections!

Earlier today, we brought you the sad news that Cherries, the adult gift-and-DVD shop on St. Mark's Place, has closed.

Thanks to EV Grieve reader Don Stahl for this shot... in which workers are removing the "viewing booths."

And, despite that juvenile headline, there's no truth to the rumor that the Board of Elections in the City of New York bought the old booths.

(See more of Don's photos on his Tumblr here.)

Today in April Fools Day gags on Avenue C

Outside the Sunburnt Cow near Ninth Street...