Today, we're 4

Today marks the four-year anniversary of EV Grieve.

Many thanks for being part of this — reading, commenting, sharing, laughing, crying, making "Is that Lady Gaga?" jokes. Thank you for helping inspire me to keep the site going. Thank you for whatever you do to help keep this neighborhood interesting.

And now, on this occasion, an inside look at how we create a post.

First, we place our process information in the relationship below.

(Conveyor speed of _____ feet per hour) X (Dwell time of _____ hour) = (Heat zone length of _____ feet)

... and, well, you get the idea...

UPDATED:
Thank you to Rosie Gray for the nice write-up today at Runnin' Scared. You can read that post here.

Envisioning a new-look First Avenue nightlife scene

For better or worse, changes are likely for three nightlife establishments on the east side of First Avenue between First Street and Second Street. Let's take a look.

On the corner, there's the long-dormant Cafe Rama space...

In the fall, The Bean announced that it would take over this space. Since then, however, The Bean decided to focus on their new locations on Second Avenue at Third Street and First Avenue at Ninth Street instead. The space is now for rent.

Meanwhile, people have been buzzing about the anticipated departure of Lucky Cheng's (and Bento Burger around the bend on Second Street).

[JVNY]

As Grub Street first reported, owner Hayne Suthon is planning to relocate to Midtown. And her First Avenue empire is on the blocks. (By the way, if you haven't already, then you should really read Jeremiah Moss's post on the recent history of this address at Vanishing New York.)

And then there is Sutra, the lounge-club owned by Community Board 3 member Ariel Palitz.

As we first reported on Nov. 7, Palitz decided to put the space on the market "to explore its value and interest."

So that's three of seven businesses on one short block where we may see some changes.

The possibilities are probably endless. Which isn't always a good thing.

The last holiday tree for sale at Sunny and Annie's

Aww, it's OK little fella. Someone will take you home... Sixth Street and Avenue B last night.

A red-tailed hawk atop the Big Red Machine HQ

Spotted at the Hells Angels HQ on East Third Street today... the hawk had the good sense not to sit on the bench out front...

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Today in suspicious-looking items bound in trash bags on Seventh Street

Between Avenue B and Avenue A. Photos by Dave on 7th.

Perhaps a pharaoh? Or a planking casualty?

145 Avenue C sells for $9.7 million

A reader told us that residents of 649 E. Ninth St. (aka 145 Avenue C) recently received notification that their building had been sold. (Indeed, Streeteasy notes that the sale was for $9.7 million.)

According to the reader, an entity named Ninth and C LLC now owns the building, but that the previous owner, Marolda Properties, would remain the managing agent of the building.

City property records show that the address for Ninth and C LLC is in Houston.

The address listed is 1919 Post Oak Park Drive, home of the Post Oak Park Luxury Apartments.

Per the Post Oak Park website: "Enjoy the convenience of a premier Uptown address while living in a community that provides a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. ... Experience luxury living in your own private sanctuary from the outside world overlooking streams, ponds, scenic gardens and a five-acre wooded park."

Winther Investment, Inc., "an upscale multifamily lifestyle development company" based in Houston, owns Post Oak Park.

Winther, whose address is 1919 Post Oak Park Drive, has "upscale multifamily lifestyle developments located throughout the United States," including Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Little Rock and Columbus, Ohio.

The Winther website describes most of these properties as an "oasis" of "luxury" in the "shadow" of the respective downtowns. Most of their properties appear to be new. Not sure just yet what Winther's interest is in 145 Avenue C. (An investment? Chance to expand the portfolio?) We're still connecting the dots.

According to the Winther website, the privately held company "excels at identifying the ideal urban setting, and then carefully integrates neo-traditional architecture, resort-style site design and lush terraced landscaping themes to create a warm and inviting community to live, work and play."

Perhaps Winther had identified 145 Avenue C as a future fit for "resort-style site design."

The New Charlie's closes on Avenue C

[JVNY]

Back in 2008, the changing economics of the neighborhood forced the 41-year-old Yes! This Is Charlie's out of business on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The neighborhood favorite variety store that sold a little bit of everything — greeting cards! activity books for kids! school supplies! — closed on March 31, 2008. (Read about the store at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York and The Villager.)

As manager Danny Rodriguez told The Villager: "Mostly outsiders are moving in, and they couldn’t care less about us. All the new shops don't cater to the people here. You feel like an outsider in your own neighborhood. To be honest, I don't think they even want us here. They would love it if little by little we would just get out so they can move into our apartments."

However, with help from some loyal customers, Charlie's was able to relocate to 167 Avenue C several months later in June 2008. (There's more on the move via Jeremiah's Vanishing NY here.)

[JVNY]

Unfortunately, we noticed that the store had seemingly disappeared the last time we walked on this stretch of Avenue C... Indeed, a salon has now taken over the space... advertising a Grand Opening as of yesterday...

As a longtime customer told The Villager upon hearing that Charlie's was closing in March 2008: "I've been coming here since I was 7 or 8," said a 46-year-old Hispanic woman. "We need to have our community stores. This is what keeps the neighborhood healthy. There is so much greed that is destroying the neighborhood."

The Sunburnt Cow hopes to reopen by New Year's Eve

Last Thursday, as we first reported, the NYPD closed the Sunburnt Cow on Avenue C for "Criminal sale and possession of controlled substances — marijuana." On Friday evening, we received a statement from the owners of The Sunburnt Cow on Avenue C:

The Sunburnt Cow will open this weekend and honor all reservations and specials as usual, including the Endless Brunch. After Sunday, December 18th, we will close and remain so until the police complete their investigation. We plan to reopen in time for our annual New Year’s celebration.

We are working with the authorities to bring about a swift and just resolution to this issue and want to reiterate that we had no prior knowledge of illegal drug activity on our premises. We do not and will not condone, endorse or tolerate such behavior at any of our establishments.

Yesterday, a rep for The Sunburnt Cow confirmed that the Australian-themed bar-restaurant would remain closed, with an eye on reopening before New Year's Eve.

Previously.

Xe May Sandwich Shop now open on St. Mark's Place

The Xe May Sandwich Shop we spotted a few weeks ago opened yesterday at 96 St. Mark's Place just east of First Avenue ...

A worker told us it was a Vietnamese sandwich shop... Well, the menu is broader than that... Here's a look at the menu via their website:

Let us know if you try the place...

7-Eleven playing hide-n-seek again; filling shelves

We spotted workers bringing in the goods to the 7-Eleven on the Bowery yesterday ... Later in the day, workers covered up the windows (again) to ward off any snoops...

Despite the barriers, we got a glance inside via our Tom Cruise approved, "Ghost Protocol" bungee kit that we attached to the top of 52E4 — the 15 floors of condo on the Bowery... we snapped one photo before dropping the camera and straining our trapezius... Look, drinks in the fridges!

Anyway, the fellow carting in the colas yesterday said that he had no idea when the place was opening...

Cheerful people who can walk and stand for a long period of time wanted for the The Standard East Village restaurant

One of our Twitter friends sent us this Craigslist ad posted yesterday afternoon... the "open call" is tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m. at the former Cooper Square Hotel...

THE STANDARD, EAST VILLAGE is seeking experienced Servers, Bartenders, Barbacks, Bussers and Hosts for all shifts in our Restaurant.

Candidates must have experience in high volume restaurants, and steady work history.

About you:

• You have superb communication skills.

• You have a cheerful and outgoing personality.

• You have a sincere desire to serve guests

• You know how to be discreet.

• You are organized and can multi-task without breaking a sweat.

• You thrive in a stylish, fast-paced environment.

• You can walk and stand for a long period of time.

• You have knowledge of Micros.

• You have permission to work in the United States.

We seek highly social and confident individuals capable of relating to our fashion & media-based clientele and who will flourish in our hip, artistic, fast-paced, downtown environment. Our ideal candidate is experienced, reliable, upbeat and friendly; can handle pressure well; and thrives in a high volume, high energy environment.

To be considered please come to 25 Cooper Sq. Wednesday December 21st between 12-2pm to fill out an application and meet some of the team.

About us:
André Balazs Properties is a collection of innovative hotels and residences that provide distinctive experiences for today's traveler with discerning, confident tastes. Visionary hotelier André Balazs has conceived of a new generation of classic properties — soulful and utterly original — that have been established as unrivalled market leaders in the United States. Each is united not only by a carefully considered sense of place, but an unwavering commitment to detail, atmosphere and pioneering design.

Tough times for a rat in Tompkins Square Park

So. Bobby Williams heard that the red-tailed hawk was tussling with a rat in Tompkins Square Park earlier ...

Bobby thought that the rat was dead.

However, in something out of a Coen Brothers movie (Ok, that's a stretch...), Bobby came back later and saw that the rat — with a missing chunk — had dragged itself out of the grassy wood-chipped area and was still alive...

The rat was gone the next time Bobby looked.

[UPDATED] Reader report: Passenger shoots out cab window on Avenue A

Matt LES_Miserable passes along the following... tonight on Avenue A near 14th Street...

As you can see, someone blew out the window of this cab...

The police were on the scene. According to Matt, the driver was very shaken up... He told Matt that a passenger "shot out" his window ... perhaps a dispute over the fare?

UPDATED:

Garth Johnston followed up on this story today at Gothamist... Unfortunately, not much else is known. Per the post:

When we called the NYPD's DCPI they had no information on the incident. Curiouser though, when we tried to reach out directly to the Ninth Precinct this morning nobody answered the phone either on the main line or at the community affairs desk. Finally, the TLC couldn't help illuminate the situation as these sorts of things apparently aren't even reported to them by the NYPD.

On Avenue A, lining up to see (OMG!) Austin Mahone

For unknown reasons, Austin Mahone, the 15-year-old Justin Bieber-inspired YouTube sensation, performed earlier this evening at Drom on Avenue A... and there was a line for the performance/meet-and-greet that stretched around East Sixth Street ...

It's OK if you want to press play. You are mildly curious.



Photos by Bobby Williams.

Rentals likely at Houston and Suffok

[EVG file photo]

Two weeks ago, BoweryBoogie brought the news that the owner of parcels of land on East Houston — specifically the now-vacant 255 (above) — and Suffolk Street are seeking a rezoning here.

This afternoon, Crain's is reporting that bids are due tomorrow for the L-shaped space, where a building of up to 70,000-square-feet could be constructed. Those involved with the sale believe the new owner will go for apartments here. Per Crain's: "'The site is a great footprint in a next great neighborhood,' said Nat Rockett, executive vice president at Cushman & Wakefield Inc., which is marketing the site.

Here is 255 E. Houston, which will be demolished in the process, from a few years ago...

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition

Kudos for Tompkins Square Bagels (East Village Corner)

Cops nab an LES purse snatcher (The Post)

Another one gone along old Gasoline Alley (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

The nightlife future of 199 Bowery (BoweryBoogie)

Trying out The Toucan and the Lion on East Sixth Street (East Village Eats)

NYC isn't looking at a white Christmas Dec. 25 (Runnin' Scared)

The rats are out front of the Hotel Chelsea (Living with Legends)

[Matt LES_Miserable]

Video of 'CHARAS Comes Home For The Holidays' yesterday, with footage of the arrests

Here's more on yesterday's CHARAS holiday party and community potluck that ended with several arrests. Per the description from YouTube:

A community get together at CHARAS/El Bohio marking the 10th anniversary of the eviction from the building at 605 E. 9th St in the East Village/Lower East Side, New York City.

The party, led by the Hungry March Band, marched over from Tompkins Square Park to the boarded up building. Performers roped off an impromptu stage and began entertaining the crowd. Perfomers included Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping "Earthalujah" choir; Great Small Works performing "the true story of charas"; and several speakers including carlos chino garcia. The occupy wall street statue of liberty puppet also made an appearance.

At the end the crowd was asked to join in on a protest action involving banging on the blue construction fence with wooden sticks. As they did so, the police began mobilizing and several arrests were made. Gregg Singer the developer was also seen walking past the building.

The arrests start at the 21-minute mark. The Observer reported that the NYPD arrested three people.

Previously on EV Grieve:
'CHARAS Comes Home For The Holidays' ends with arrests

Will old PS 64 get a theater for nonprofit groups?

Rebranded P.S. 64 up for grabs: Please welcome University House at Tompkins Square Park to the neighborhood

'Public Assembly' for the former P.S. 64 on Friday

Coming to the former Tonda space: Piccola Positano

The new sign is up at the former Tonda/E.U. space on East Fourth Street near Avenue B...

They already have a profile on Open Table. Luigi Celentano is listed as the executive chef...

Celentano is the executive chef at Gigino Trattoria, which opened in Tribeca in 1994. Bob Giraldi and Phil Suarez own Gigino Trattoria.

Giraldi was also behind Tonda and, before that here, E.U., the first "gastropub" in the East Village. And that was drama city. E.U. battled the SLA for 18 months before finally getting approved for a beer and wine license. (Read more E.U. drama here at Eater.)

Anyway, this is all much different than what reps taking over the space pitched to the CB3/SLA back in April. (Read more on this here.)

Here are the minutes from that meeting, with the information about what was coming in here:

• 4AB LLC, 235 E 4th St (trans/op) (Tonda) VOTE: Understanding that 4AB LLC, with the proposed business name of Fleurie, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the East 4th Street Avenues A to B Block Association, regarding its use of 235 East 4th Street, to deny the transfer of a full on‐premise liquor license to 4AB LLC, with a proposed business name of Fleurie, for the existing business Tonda, located at 235 East 4th Street, unless the applicant agrees before the SLA to make as conditions of its license the following signed notarized stipulation that 1) it will operate as a full‐service restaurant, serving food to within one (1) hour of closing, 2) its hours of operation will be from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M. weekdays and 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. weekends, with the exception that a street facing window will be open from 8:00 A.M. daily from which coffee and pastries will be served for take out, 3) it will install additional soundproofing as needed, 4) it will close any doors and windows by 10:00 P.M. weekdays and 11:00 P.M. weekends, 5) it will not have DJs or live music, 6) it will designate an employee or employees whose responsibilities will include monitoring the sidewalk to discourage patrons from loitering on the sidewalk and will provide a waiting area within the establishment to prevent patrons from waiting outside.

Not sure what all happened to these plans. At least from the Open Table description, we'll have Italian here... and it enters an already-crowded Italian restaurant market right here with Perbacco across the street ... Max around the corner on B ... Il Bagatto and Supper on Second Street ... to name a few...

EV Grieve reader Alexis Weiss took a look inside the other day... here's how it was shaping up so far...

The Mars Bar awaits its turn

Saturday at 11-17 Second Ave.

Someone to watch over me

Meanwhile, Goggla passes along this photo from the sidewalk shed outside the Mars Bar...

"There is a frog? Pig? Gargoyle thing perching atop the construction ... I like to think it's warding away evil spirits..."

Yes!