Soft opening at Maiden Lane on Avenue B

Maiden Lane is in soft-opening mode now on Avenue B at East 10th Street... Shawn Chittle took a quick look inside...







The cafe is awaiting its beer-wine license at the former Life Cafe space. The partners in this new venture are East Village residents Nialls Fallon and Gareth Maccubbin. This is what Fallon told us about leasing this space last fall:

"We decided on the space for two reasons, the first being we didn't want to see the 7-Eleven-Starbucks scenario you mentioned happen there. Second, we wanted to be in an iconic space that carried on some form of community identity and East Village-ness. I am excited to create something new and make sure that the corner remains owned and operated by locals."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Maiden Lane hopes to open by the end of the week for lunch service

Maiden Lane coming to East 10th Street and Avenue B

Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

[Updated] Oh, the Hyatt Union Square is open

Five-plus years in the making!

And I swear it didn't look open yesterday... Last we heard they were opening May 1. But they are now accepting reservations! And I saw people bringing luggage in and all that kind of hotel stuff here on Fourth Avenue and East 13th Street...





Updated:

Apologies — We were wrong. The restaurant with the crazy bed frame installation won't be open for a few more weeks... They are currently just serving coffee.

Checked out a room online... rates start at $459.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Through the years with the sunlight-blocking Hyatt Union Square, opening Nov. 15

(Shh! Zoltar is working again)

Be gentle.

And I took a Vine of him TALKING LOUDLY this morning right here.

East 10th Street, 10:20 a.m., April 28

Photo by Shawn Chittle.

Prepping for Cheap Trick on the Bowery

This morning around 9, the first truck rolled up to the John Varvatos store on the Bowery... to start preparing for tonight's Cheap Trick show ... where the band is celebrating the 35th anniversary of "At Budokan."

This area promises to get a lot more active as the day progresses... the NYPD already posted No Parking signs... so move that cart.



Deluxe boxset tickets were going for $500 tonight.

Monkey business

Oh, c'mon.

Photo in Tompkins Square Park today via Bobby Williams.

Noted

East Ninth Street and First Avenue this afternoon... via EVG regular William Klayer...

Anyone?

And another shot via Janko Puls ...

[Updated] Looking at the Astor Place Citi Bikes docking station

... that arrived Tuesday... Via an EV Grieve Vine...





I recommend muting this... and don't stare at it for too long... ... I removed the Vine ... and replaced it with photos...

Citi Bike docking station magically arrives overnight on E. 2nd. St.

Ah! @BennyPack reports that a Citi Bikes docking station was there waiting this morning on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Second Street. Anyone else wake up to a docking station in front of their building or street?

Noted

EVG reader Galwegian notes that someone is not impressed with one of those dumb surveys that you've been seeing around the last month or so ... this one on Avenue B near East Second Street...

Papaya Dog back open

Meant to note that Papaya Dog on First Avenue and East 14th Street is back open after a brief bout with the DOH earlier this week. Violations included "Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations," among other things you may not want to know about.

Doomed DOOMED

Officially at a loss now here outside Gem Spa.

Tonight in Tompkins Square Park

Filming the HBO series "The Newsroom."

Jeff?! Jeff! I love Jeff Daniels! Jeeeffffff! I love you! Shit, I lost my phone. I gotta pee. Oh shit...

C'mon, Get Happy

Captain Sensible backed by the Dolly Mixture with a cover of "Happy Talk" from 1982.

Workers spotted clearing out East Sixth Street synagogue awaiting condofication

Last we heard, there were still plans afoot to convert the Congregation Mezritch Synagogue at 415 E. Sixth St. into condos. The historic building in the new landmark district is in bad shape and the congregation has apparently dwindled.

Last month, CB3's Landmarks Subcommittee heard a proposal about the renovations, which include a penthouse addition and an elevator. Synagogue leaders reportedly signed a 99-year lease with East River Partners worth some $1.2 million.

The committee tabled the discussion for another meeting, as DNAinfo's Serena Solomon reported. (The proposal was set to go before the Landmarks Preservation Commission on April 9. We never heard what transpired at that meeting.)

There still aren't any permits on file with the city related to the latest project. Meanwhile, several readers have noted activity here between First Avenue and Avenue A... this afternoon, EVG reader Stephanie spotted workers removing items from the synagogue...



Yesterday, a resident complained to the city that: "ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION BEING PERFORMED WITHOUT VALID PERMIT."

According to the DOB, when an inspector arrived for a second visit, "ACCESS DENIED BY MALE AT GROUND LEVEL ENTRANCE DOOR."



Previously on EV Grieve:
Play spot the potential penthouse atop the East Village synagogue

More details on plans for the former P.S. 64

[Bobby Williams]

As the photo from yesterday shows, workers continue to clear out the former P.S. 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center. Per the building permit on file with the city: "INTERIOR DEMOLITION OF NON LOAD BEARING PARTITIONS."

As you know, there are plans on file to convert the building into a 500-bed dorm called University House on East Ninth Street just east of Avenue B. Earlier in the month, developer Gregg Singer said that he already had a 15-year agreement for 200 of the beds with Cooper Union, as The Wall Street Journal first reported.

And Singer sat down with The Villager for a lengthy feature in this week's issue.

A few highlights of what Singer says will be a state-of-the-art facility:

The basement — formerly home to a 400-seat auditorium where F.D.R. once riled the masses, and where the Fringe Festival was staged — would now house a bike room, fitness center, TV lounge and game rooms outfitted with pool, ping-pong and foosball tables, along with Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

And how about the idea of bringing 500-students into a residential neighborhood?

“Manhattan has almost 2 million people. These kids are already coming to the East Village,” [Singer] said.

“They are putting three to four students in studios around here,” he noted. “This is a safe and managed environment. Isn’t that better than cramming them in all these brownstones?”

And!

“Unused as an elementary school since 1977, the century-old structure sat empty for the past 11 years,” reads an April 18 press release on the University House dorm. “The building occupies much of the city block, where its vacancy has inhibited local development and the growth of small businesses in the neighborhood.”

Councilmember Rosie Mendez is not pleased with the developments here.

Mendez said she met with Cooper President Bharucha to voice her displeasure.

“I told him I’m not happy with this dorm plan, the community is not happy,” she said. “There will be protests, and I will be joining in when that happens.”

Read the whole article here.

Meanwhile, as we noted Tuesday, the East Village Community Coalition started a petition campaign that reads:

COMMUNITY USE - NOT DORMITORY

Respect our community. Respect this community treasure: Old P.S. 64 located at 605 East 9th Street.

Old P.S. 64, a designated New York City landmark, has a long and valued history serving our community. This building could easily serve our community again. Dormitory use of this building does not serve our community. Cooper Union should not house students in old P.S. 64.

We ask that old P.S. 64 be returned to use for our community.

Find the petition here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
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

Deed for 'community facility use only' at the former P.S. 64 now on the market

2 new sidewalk bridges arrive as city disapproves latest plan for P.S. 64

Former Lucky Cheng's honky tonked; let's graze the menu!

Workers continue to transform the former Lucky Cheng's on First Avenue into Pride and Joy BBQ...



Meanwhile, MenuPages posted their menu, which includes "snacks & big bites" and "Grazin'" sections...


[Click image to enlarge]

There is a Guy Fieri vibe here with items like Myron's "Cupcake" chicken ... Bowl 'O Burnt Ends ... Pulled Pork Egg Rolls...deep fried 'smores brownie... you can wash it all down with a Big Texan or Mountain Cooler. Welcome to East Flavor Town!

Remembering Bobby 'Books' Brooks

EVG Facebook friend Roy Lee shared this photo from the mid-1990s of Bobby 'Books' Brooks, proprietor of Reborn 14, the ramshackle used bookstore that once lived at 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

"His store was a mess. I offered more than once to come in and help him straighten it up but he said he knew where everything was," said Roy, who recalled Bobby as part of a late-night group of old-timers who drank at O'Hanlon's.

The store was open from roughly 1987 to the late 1990s. Here's a review of it via The ARChive of Contemporary Music:

Reborn 14
Now this is a real junk shop. Books and vinyl smelling of fresh cat pee. Albums as marked inside the covers and singles at $2 reflect pricing while intoxicated. They actually have a toilet in the back which is available to all who can find it. Unique. Recover at the Beauty Bar across the street.

Unique indeed, the kind of store that really can't exist here anymore for several obvious reasons.

"I found a death record that almost has to be him," said Roy. "Still, it would be fun to see who remembers him or his weird little store."

Anyone?

Pre Citi-Bike launch, DOT introduces 'Street Safety Managers' to the streets

Early yesterday morning, we noticed a group of DOT employees congregating outside the Bean on First Avenue and East Ninth Street...

A DOT news release offers up an explanation:

Managers complement commercial cycling education and enforcement efforts, come in advance of May Citi Bike launch
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced that DOT Street Safety Managers (SSM) are assigned to key bike and pedestrian corridors and bridge paths in Manhattan to help enhance safety among pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, further enhancing street safety as bike ridership grows, as DOT starts enforcement of commercial cycling laws and in advance of the 6,000-bike launch of the Citi Bike system. The SSMs will monitor locations with dense pedestrian and cyclist activity to reinforce existing traffic rules, advising bike riders to ride in the direction of traffic, yield to pedestrians and stop at traffic signals; instructing pedestrians to await traffic signals on the curb and not stand in bike paths; and discouraging cars from parking illegally in bike lanes. Shifts of four SSMs will be assigned to different locations in Manhattan weekdays during the morning and afternoon rush hours from April through October.

“Our streets have never been safer and we’re educating everyone on how to use them safely, and enforcing against those who don’t,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “With more people out in the warm weather we’re committed to doing even more to get out the message that safety is the rule of the road.”

EVG reader @malusbrutus passed along this photo from yesterday at Second Avenue and East Ninth Street ...



He notes that the DOT personnel are not issuing citations, rather just offering warnings.

Also!

"In related news, police officers regularly stand on the north side of 14th street and 1st avenue to ticket cyclists who break traffic laws on their morning commute."

Updated:

The bike haters at the Post has a piece on this today.

Taxpayers are forking over cash so a small army of city DOT employees can baby-sit rogue cyclists, reminding them of the basic rules of the road so they don’t pedal into pedestrians.

Read more, including some local reaction, here.

In the midnight hour: Citi Bikes docking stations arrive near Union Square

At the strike of midnight (or close enough) @sandwichboarder noted the arrival of another Citi Bike docking station ... this time on Broadway near East 14th Street...



Didn't know about the late-night docking action. So be warned. You may wake up with one on your sidewalk. At least if you live around here.