Monday, December 12, 2011
The Bean is open — and busy
Just after 9 a.m. at Second Avenue and Third Street, where The Bean opened today... photos via jdx...
A bid to protect the integrity of 315 E. 10th St.
On Friday, we reported that Ben Shaoul's Magnum Real Estate Group bought 315 E. 10th St. from The Educational Alliance. Renovations are currently taking place to convert the building into residential use. There is also a pending permit to add an extra floor to the existing structure.
Area preservation groups had already been alerted to this possible development. Leaders from the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the Historic Districts Council, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative and the East Village Community Coalition sent a letter dated Dec. 6 to Robert Tierney, chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The letter reads, in part:
It has come to our attention that a permit application has been filed with the Department of Buildings to add a 5th floor to a 4-story building at 315 East 10th Street located within the calendared East 10th Street Historic District. We urge the Landmark Preservation Commission to intervene to ensure that these permits are not issued prior to designation.'
As you know, this block north of Tompkins Square Park was selected by the LPC as an historic district due to its high degree of intactness and distinctive architecture. This mid-block building is very much intact and such a modification would certainly negatively impact its character and the defining features of this building, which research completed by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation indicates dates to 1847. The level of architectural integrity for this 160-year old building at 315 East 10th Street is incredible, with details including an ornate galvanized iron cornice, window hoods and doorway frieze and entablature still intact.
Per the GVSHP, because the proposed district has been calendared by the LPC, the city has the power to stop the permits from being issued if they act quickly enough.
So far, though, the LPC has seemingly been unsympathetic to East Village architecture. Witness the demolition of, among others:
• 326-328 E. Fourth St.
• 316 E. Third St.
• 35 Cooper Square
• 331 E. Sixth St.
Click here for a petition to help save 310 E. 10th St. from further development. And this about more than simply saving one building... this is about preserving the integrity of the entire north side of East 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. If the city allows this addition, then there won't be much stopping any developers from doing the same to other buildings along here in the future...
How was your SantaCon?
So we heard a lot of negative anecdotes about SantaCon on Saturday. Actually, we didn't hear anything really positive about the whole experience. Several people chastised us in emails or DMs via Twitter about the good that SantaCon provides — that some of the bars that SantaConners visit donate a portion of their SantaCon proceeds to Toys for Tots.
Well, that's nice. Of course, it's difficult to tell who is actually taking part in the official SantaCon and who is simply wearing a Santa suit and being obnoxious.
On Sunday, we heard more grumblings about the Santas from various bartender friends and residents and ...well, a quick recap of some of the comments that we received....
Stephanie Ratcliffe said...
I don't think we'd complain if they dressed like Ramones.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 3:27 PM
Shawn Chittle said...
It would be great if they instead did a SantaCon at area hospitals, bringing small gifts and smiles to the children in pediatric ward. Little children, for whom Santa means so much. Little children, who are victims of cancer, fire, crime, abuse, and violence. Little children, for whom Christmas and holidays are really all about anyway. Imagine what good all these Santas could do. Until that day, this event is a colossal waste of humanity and a menace to society.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 3:44 PM
Anonymous said...
In a way I envy the revelers that is to say I sometimes wish I too could just indulge in hollow meaningless merry-making and have fun with it. But that is assuming the people are actually having a good time in their heart of hearts.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 4:00 PM
Alex in NYC said...
Maybe the concept of "SantaCon" was mildly amusing about a decade ago, but now it's just another abject display of fatuous douchery (see also Halloween). Pathetic and sad.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 4:14 PM
Anonymous said...
or you could just remove the stick from your ass, relax, and realize santacon is only one day a year.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 5:42 PM
Anonymous said...
Oh, for God's sake. Didn't we all used to love the E Village because people could feel free there to be weird? Now you're full of fear & loathing about people who are being weird in a way you personally don't approve of? Why don't you all just grow up — and move away to some gated community where everyone is just like you!
DECEMBER 11, 2011 1:11 AM
argie said...
This was a rough day! It also highlighted how many of these fraternity/sorority types have moved into my building in the last couple of years...there were 2 post-santacon parties going on here until very very late...uuuuggggghhhhh....I actually heard people chanting "Chug it! Chug it! Chug it!" It's Sunday morning now. Hope they all have vicious hangovers.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 7:37 AM
LvV said...
Anon 1:11, regarding old vs. new East Village residents, I think the issue is that there is a big difference between being a true misfit or weirdo as a person, and acting "weird" for one day. Also, mass public drinking isn't really weird behavior, even if it's done in silly outfits. This type of event seems like a staple of fraternities/sororities and sports fans, two of the least-weird groups I can think of. What about SantaCon is strange or oddball or transgressive?
DECEMBER 11, 2011 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...
This infestation spread west as well. I had the unfortunate experience of running into many of them all day around Washington Square Park. The best part was when about four of them chatted around me and began to spray silly string on one another. One of the silly string victims got angry because he was on his phone at the time trying to find out where the next bar was and his fun dudes with the cool 'tudes were distracting him.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 10:14 AM
Anonymous said...
Anon 1:11: This is not "weird" in the great way the E. Village used to be before yunnies arrived, but idiotic. And illustrates how brainless assholes with no imagination or creativity to be authentically "weird" and interesting have taken over the neighborhood. Yesterday was like a bad acid trip.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 11:08 AM
Her, Suzanne76 said...
i ditto a wise sentiment posted earlier in this section: BOMB 2ND AVENUE and i live a few feet off 2nd avenue...but i realise it is the only option to save the east village.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 11:43 AM
LiberationNYC said...
Binge drinking en masse dressed as Santa and letting a Twitter account dictate your destinations isn't weird, it's the most uncool thing I can think of. We shouldn't have to move to the suburbs or a retirement community if we don't like it - THAT'S WHY WE MOVED HERE. To GET AWAY from people like this.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 11:59 AM
HippieChick said...
Grieve, I think that was because SantaCon seemed so much more widespread and intrusive and loathsome this year. Or maybe it just seemed that way because I had to be out in it, stuck in a cab on Second Avenue, with drunken Vandals in Santa suits some fit all too well and staggering chicks in elf costumes that they really should NOT have been in pounding on my cab trying to get in. I fended them off with my cane (yeah, try walking through that vomitous morass of louts with a cane and boot due to recent injury and having them practically knock you over...NOBODY stood politely aside and one little blotto bitch practically pushed through me coming out of Village Farm...I blocked her until I had finished screaming at her and then stomped her foot with my cane) and wished it had been a sword. It's bad enough when we're kept captive in our own apartments on weekend nights by the drunk peeing vomiting hordes, but this is outrageous. Next year...pepper spray! Hey, if the fuzz can do it so can I.
DECEMBER 11, 2011 4:10 PM
Meanwhile, just 362 days until SantaCon 2012.
Why Diablo Royale Este is back open
Diablo Royale was back open for business this past weekend on Avenue A ...
The Mexican-style cantina had been closed for renovations, according to the sign on the door...
(We noticed that someone had removed the sign the following day.)
On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of some neighbors since it opened in May 2010. According to the State Liquor Authority (SLA), the bar's license expired on Nov. 30.
However, they are back open for the time being. Under the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA), bar-restaurant owners can continue serving alcohol for four months while the SLA hears their appeal to have their liquor license renewed.
Earlier this year, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.
[Top photos by Shawn Chittle]
The Mexican-style cantina had been closed for renovations, according to the sign on the door...
(We noticed that someone had removed the sign the following day.)
On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of some neighbors since it opened in May 2010. According to the State Liquor Authority (SLA), the bar's license expired on Nov. 30.
However, they are back open for the time being. Under the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA), bar-restaurant owners can continue serving alcohol for four months while the SLA hears their appeal to have their liquor license renewed.
Earlier this year, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.
[Top photos by Shawn Chittle]
Reminders tonight: CB3/SLA committee meeting; plus, several scratches
The CB3/SLA committee meets tonight at 6:30 ... there have been several changes since we looked at the original agenda.
As you can see from the updated docket, there are several scratches, such as Nevada Smith's bid to take over space at 100 Third Ave. and Nublu to return to Avenue C.
Also, we were curious about following item:
Alterations/Upgrades: Death & Co (Little Hands Playcafe Inc), 433 E 6th St (alt/op)
According to CB3 documents (PDF!), D&C is looking to change their hours of operation ... extend the closing time by one hour to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
As you can see from the updated docket, there are several scratches, such as Nevada Smith's bid to take over space at 100 Third Ave. and Nublu to return to Avenue C.
Also, we were curious about following item:
Alterations/Upgrades: Death & Co (Little Hands Playcafe Inc), 433 E 6th St (alt/op)
According to CB3 documents (PDF!), D&C is looking to change their hours of operation ... extend the closing time by one hour to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Bean opens today at the Crazy Landlord building
Third Street and Second Avenue. Featuring mosaic signs by Jim Power.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The Bean opens Monday on Second Avenue; mosaic signs going up now
The Bean will be the Crazy Landlord's new tenant on Second Avenue
Sao Mai now open on First Avenue
Quantum Leap closed on Nov. 17. Workers at the vegetarian restaurant on First Avenue near 12th Street had told regulars that their landlord hiked the rent.
And now, the restaurant that took over the space is open ... several readers noted that the Vietnamese eatery called Sao Mai opened Saturday...
[Via Gamelan]
...and Saturday night...
[via EV Grieve reader Marina Matatova]
We'll definitely try it soon... let us know if you eat here in the meantime...
And now, the restaurant that took over the space is open ... several readers noted that the Vietnamese eatery called Sao Mai opened Saturday...
...and Saturday night...
We'll definitely try it soon... let us know if you eat here in the meantime...
Also on First Avenue: BaoBQ opens this week
On First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street... the latest from Michael "Bao" Huynh, which we pointed out in October...
As the sign shows, they're opening this week — as soon as they hire a few people...
As the sign shows, they're opening this week — as soon as they hire a few people...
A cover-up at St. Brigid's
Last week, workers wrapped a tarp around part of St. Brigid's as renovations heat up... On Friday, workers covered the rest of the church's front on Avenue B (at Eighth Street) ...
Penny Farthing sibling Linen Hall now open on Third Avenue
Here we are at the former Cosmic Cantina space on Third Avenue... The Penny Farthing owners have taken over the space... and it's open... CB3/SLA OK'd all this in November 2010, as Eater reported.
Don't know much about how this place is different from the Penny Farthing next door. (Never been to Penny Farthing.) Early word on Linen Hall: Neighborhoodr called it "very nice" and a "welcome addition to the hood."
Sunday, December 11, 2011
At the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting today
From Bobby Williams...
From ~ Joan ...
And Dave on 7th ...
Meanwhile, I just walked through the Park and the lights weren't on... odd...
From ~ Joan ...
And Dave on 7th ...
Meanwhile, I just walked through the Park and the lights weren't on... odd...
Kabin is back open
The DOH temporarily closed Kabin on Second Avenue on Wednesday night... Via email, a reader said that they were back up and running Friday night...
The DOH website hasn't updated its records yet to show the latest inspection... Meanwhile, our friends at Neighborhoodr posted this photos of Kabin's sidewalk sign from yesterday...
The DOH website hasn't updated its records yet to show the latest inspection... Meanwhile, our friends at Neighborhoodr posted this photos of Kabin's sidewalk sign from yesterday...
4 holiday-related events that you can do today in the East Village
You can:
• Attend the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting at 4
• Shop at the "De-Flea Market" at Bar 82
• Go to the The Neighborhood School’s Holiday Fair
• Visit the Christmas Bazaar at the Ukrainian Museum on East Sixth Street
Let me know what I'm forgetting in the comments... (What I'm forgetting about holiday-related events, that is...)
Tree Lighting this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park
The lights are on the tree...
The festivities get started at 4 ...
As The Villager reported this week, the Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition will dedicate the event to the memory of Kevin Dowd, a former vice president of the coalition who died March 8 after a battle with lung cancer.
It could have been a very different tree lighting this year... Hurricane Irene brought down a tree back in August that nearly took out the Park's Holiday Tree...
The festivities get started at 4 ...
As The Villager reported this week, the Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition will dedicate the event to the memory of Kevin Dowd, a former vice president of the coalition who died March 8 after a battle with lung cancer.
It could have been a very different tree lighting this year... Hurricane Irene brought down a tree back in August that nearly took out the Park's Holiday Tree...
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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