'Ludlow Street Masacre' continues: 27-year-old rehearsal space below Max Fish next to close

Spencer Wilking at the Voice reports that the 27-year-old rehearsal space under Max Fish at 178 Ludlow street will have to close this summer... Ken Caldeira and Sal Principato (vocalist for Liquid Liquid) opened the space in 1986.

But the end is very near. Landlord Arwen Properties has told Max Fish and Principato that they'll both need to vacate the building by early summer. (That's different from the August date we heard for Max Fish, who's moving to Brooklyn.)

"They're in no mood to bargain because they stand to make a killing in the anticipation of the hotel," says Principato, referring to the Hotel Ludlow, the latest boutique hotel that will soon open next door to Max Fish. "We're a liability. Who's gonna pay those big bucks with a bunch of musicians in the basement?"

As Wilking wrote: "Call it the Ludlow Street Massacre — the rehearsal space, Pink Pony, Motor City, and Max Fish, all closing."

Read the whole article here.

[Image by Spencer Wilking]

Noted

Tompkins Square Park today... via Bobby Williams...

May 14

EVG reader Chris spotted this late this afternoon along East 10th Street by the Park... While there isn't a newspaper included to date the shot, we checked in with our friends at the Astronomical Applications Dept., U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. They confirmed that the Altitude and Azimuth of the sun as seen in the photo lines up with the projections for this date.

Bummer

"Sorry I hit your bummer"? Anyway, nice of the worker to leave a note with a phone number and his license plate... Would have been too easy to simply drive away, leaving behind a dented bumper. Spotted on East 11th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C today by Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Zoltar entreating the children, by Bobby Williams]

Future of Katz's looks solid (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Not everyone wants to see Beyonce's bikini-clad privates (BoweryBoogie)

The green community gardens of the East Village (Gog in NYC)

At look at Preserve24 on East Houston near Allen (The New York Times)

Suspect wanted in shooting of cop on LES nabbed in Virginia (The Lo-Down)

Fewer pot busts in NYC (Runnin' Scared)

The sites and and sounds of the East Village, but no cats (Slum Goddess)

And tonight... via the EV Grieve inbox... at 7:30, the Tryptych Reading Series presents filmmaker poets Stephanie Gray and Jonas Mekas. Gray will also show super 8 film. At: Envoy Enterprises, 87 Rivington (bet Orchard & Ludlow)

Tinto Fino is closing on First Avenue

Several readers have told us that Tinto Fino, the speciality wine shop at 85 First Ave. (just north of East Fifth Street), is closing... here is part of the note that the owners sent to its customers...

A Tinto Fino Farewell

To our Beloved Customers of Tinto Fino:

Those of you that have not been by the shop in the past few weeks are perhaps wondering why it seems like you haven´t heard from us in a while. Please know and understand how incredibly difficult it has been to form the words it takes to tell you all, our amazing clientele and friends, that with great humility and infinite sadness, Tinto Fino will be officially closing its door Friday, May 24th.

A small business like Tinto Fino faces many obstacles over the course of its life, which in our case is seven years. This past year has proved to be particularly challenging, and sadly, we’ve come to realize that Tinto Fino will not be able to overcome the accumulative woes and blows it has faced throughout this incredible journey of becoming your neighborhood wine shop.

Amazingly, we’ve sold a LOT of Spanish wine here, thanks to all of you, our loyal customers. Truth is, we’ve been only kept alive, in every way, by your constant support, patronage and love for what we do. The relationships this store has developed and so effortlessly nurtured are the most valuable asset it ever had — we have nothing but love for this amazing community of neighbors and wine lovers.


Please note our upcoming hours of operation:

Tuesday, May 14th – Friday, May 17th, 1pm – 10pm

May 18th - May 22nd – CLOSED

NEXT Thursday May 23rd & Friday May 24th, 1pm-10pm

Tinto Fino's LAST TWO days of inventory clearance and Memorial Day Stock up/Sip up. OR just an excuse to stock up for the long weekend and give Tinto Fino a proper goodbye.
Wine (and likely, tears) will be flowing!

Rebranding Bowery and Bond

[EVG file photo]

The storefront on the southwest corner of Bond and the Bowery has sat empty since the Washington Mutual closed up in March 2009 ... the space has gone though an assortment of brokers...

Previously, the space was "the new intersection of cool."


It was also a photogenic intersection for Bringing it On...


And most recently — a pitstop for Claire Forlani's disembodied scotch ad hands...

Now, there's a new listing at RKF for the corner space... say hello to "the new 328 Bowery ... where Bowery meets Bond" ...



...and your upscale neighbors...



No word on asking rents. The listing does note that an "all new storefront [will] be delivered Summer 2013."

Meanwhile, last call for our Bowery-Bond nickname to take off — BowBo.

Mee Noodle Shop returning to First Avenue

As you may have heard yesterday, Mee Noodle Shop is returning to the East Village after a seven-year absence, as Eater first reported.

Mee was previously on the northwest corner of First Avenue and 13th Street — now home to a Starbucks and that new stack of apartments.

So Mee Noodle Shop, once a favorite spot for Allen Ginsburg (steamed flounder in ginger sauce), is taking a storefront a few doors up from its previous location of 15 years ... to the space recently vacated by Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery.

Up until last week, designer Demian Repucci had plans to open a pizzeria here at 223 First Ave. Bruno Pizza LLC was on this month's CB3/SLA committee docket. This would be the first time running a restaurant for Repucci, who along with designer Thomas Schlesser, won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Restaurant Design for his work with Blackbird Restaurant in Chicago.

However, the lease didn't work out, and Repucci said via email that he is working on securing another space.

A broker told Eater that the Mee should be open in a month or so, though that seems really optimistic ...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Today in rumors of another Starbucks opening in the East Village

Starbucks confirmed for 219 First Ave., former home to Allen Ginsberg's favorite Chinese restaurant

The East Village Eye archive officially goes online this week

From the EV Grieve inbox...

All 72 issues of the East Village Eye, the legendary magazine published from 1979 to 1987 that covered and was actively engaged in the arts, politics and social currents of the time, are being scanned and preserved in searchable PDFs. While we undergo development of several integrated projects, we begin with ten full issues deemed to contain the most relevant fashion-related content. This launch coincides with the current show at the Metropolitan Museum of New York entitled “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” which we seek to augment with this contribution.

Not every rock'n roll-filled mag covers fashion, but a key part of the reaction to the purposely dressed-down, self-effacing attitude of the previous era was to consciously use clothing to display individual creativity, vitality and viewpoint. This is why the Eye devoted pages to the work of Animal X, Betsy Johnson, Manic Panic, Natasha, Patricia Field, Trash & Vaudeville and many other such leaders in the field, not forgetting the naturally stylish on the streets of New York, from the Lower East Side to the South Bronx.

Keep looking for new developments here, where we will continue to add to the discourse with more issues and other materials about the Eye, the East Village and the era. And don't forget to follow our Twitter page @EastVillageEye for more news and updates.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Q-and-A with Leonard Abrams, publisher of the East Village Eye

9th Street Bakery: still on a month-to-month lease, and serving giant treats

Back in January, we first reported that 9th St. Bakery, which has been around since 1926, will have to close due to a rent hike ... as well as a downturn in business.

However, the longtime bakery is still holding on with a month-to-month lease. Oleg, who has owned the bakery with his wife Tetyana since the 1990s, remains hopeful of staying open through the summer.

The other day, Oleg told EVG contributor Derek Berg that they are still waiting to hear from the landlord about a rent increase.

Meanwhile, they still continue to sell giant treats...







Oleg says that he plans to start a delivery service in the event that they close. There will be a minimum order of $7. Hopefully it will never have to come to that.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: 9th St. Bakery is closing after 87 years (59 comments)

[Photos by Derek Berg]

Films on the Green return to Tompkins Square Park this summer for 2 Friday nights

From the EV Grieve inbox...

The French Embassy along with NYC Parks and Recreation is thrilled to announce the 6th annual Films on the Green festival. Films on the Green is a free out-door French film festival that brings classic and contemporary French cinema to New Yorkers in different parks around the city, select Fridays throughout the summer, beginning June 7.

Events are free and open to the public. Not to worry there are English subtitles!

This year's theme celebrates love — " à la française," the seduction, the passion, and the jealousy. French DJ’s from WNYU will spin music before the screening, so make sure to get there early! Films begin at sunset (approx. 8:30), we invite you to pack a picnic and bring a blanket to enjoy this summer’s festival.

Oui! Uh, and here are the two screening slated for Tompkins Square Park:

June 28 — "Angel and Tony" by Delaporte

July 5 — "Heartbreaker" by Chaumeil

As for other outdoor movies... DNAinfo had a rundown yesterday of some of the free movies showing around the city this summer. No word yet on any Thursday night screenings in Tompkins Square Park.

Today in Tompkins Square Park

Don't know what was going on... but it was apparently entertaining to watch...







Photos by Bobby Williams.

High-speed chase ends with guns drawn on East 14th Street and First Avenue

...We're awaiting more details on what went down here... James and Karla Murray shared these photos, noting that the chase ended with a multi-vehicle crash at East 14th Street and First Avenue...





More information as soon as it's available...

Updated 11:40

Here are two more photos at the scene via @pycior ...





There is speculation among witnesses that this was about a stolen vehicle... no official confirmation yet... Other witnesses say that the police drove west in the eastbound lane of East 14th Street to stop the Jeep ...

Report: The Joffrey Ballet School will lease 2 floors of the former PS 64 for student housing

The Joffrey Ballet School has signed on to lease the first two floors of the former PS 64 for student housing, The Wall Street Journal reports today. (You may need a subscription to access the online brief.)

Developer Gregg Singer said that the school, which Robert Joffrey founded in 1953, will take 120 of the beds, with a monthly rental rate of between $1,550 and $1,650. While the school has a dorm on Grove Street, there is a wait list for rooms for the dance students, some of whom are high school age.

"The dormitories are important for us because they create a safe, comfortable environment," Lee Merwin, director of operations at Joffrey Ballet School, told the Journal.

Previously, the Journal reported that Cooper Union has an agreement in place for 200 of the beds at the former P.S. 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on East Ninth Street near Avenue B.

Some residents and local politicians want to see the long-controversial building returned for community use. There is a "Save Our Community Center MARCH AND RALLY" scheduled for Wednesday evening. Details here.

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

Efforts continue to fight the dorm planned for the former PS 64 on East 9th Street

Testimony Of Councilmember Rosie Mendez regarding the former PS 64

Former center for the Hare Krishnas for rent on Avenue B

The Hare Krishnas moved out of their home at 96 Avenue B back in July 2011 ... The space has been vacant since then... and, as you can see, it's a sizable space — 1,500 square feet...



The listing doesn't appear to be online just yet at Tower.

Meanwhile, there are plans on file with the DOB from April 2012 for the following:

RENOVATE EXISTING TWO STORY MIXED USE BUILDING BY UNDERPINNING CELLAR TO CREATE HIGHER CEILING,NEW CONCRETE SLAB, PARTITIONS, WINDOWS, PROPOSED NEW THIRD, FOURTH AND PENTHOUSE LEVELS AS PER PLANS FILED HEREWITH. OBTAIN A NEW C. OF O. UPON COMPLETION.

However, per city records, the city disapproved these plans in May 2012. So, perhaps adding the additional floors won't be happening.

Previously, from 1990-1995, 96 Avenue B was home to Metropolis Vintage Apparel...

[1994, via Richard Colligan]

...which has been at 43 Third Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street since 1995

Attention East 5th Street neighbors: 'We will never be a bar!'

On East Fifth Street, Risotteria Melotti is taking over the short-lived Ballaro Bakery near the 9th Precinct, as we first reported. And they are on this month's CB3/SLA docket for a beer-wine license.

Ahead of that, this sign appeared on its front window earlier last week... (Unfortunately, we never saw it before the Block Association meeting Thursday night...)


[Photo courtesy of Goggla]

The sign reads, in part:

"We, their managers and chef, applied for wine/beer only license because we would like to be able to serve a glass of wine with our risottos.

We will never be a bar! No people screaming outside! We live in the East Village and we would never expose our neighbors to such things!"

Ah, the old "we would like to be able to serve a glass of wine with our risottos" line, eh?

Ha, just kidding!

This is the first American outpost for the Melotti family, who live in Isola della Scala, in the south of Verona, and who has always produced, processed and sold their rice in Italy. (As we cut-n-paste from their website.) They opened a restaurant near Verona in 2002. (Read their story here.) You can find a menu and see photos of the food here.

So ... Are such notes/signs necessary today in a neighborhood where the thought of a new place serving alcohol sometimes brings about unmitigated hysteria?

Chefs Danny Mena and Julian Medina joining forces for East 13th Street Mexican restaurant

Noted chefs Danny Mena and Julian Medina appear to be joining forces to open a Mexican restaurant on East 13h Street, according to documents on file on the CB3 website. (PDF here.) An entity titled Masombrado LLC is looking to take over the space at 432 E. 13th St. that last housed Masak.

Mena is the chef and co-founder of Hecho en Dumbo while Medina is chef-owner of Toloache, Yerba Buena and Yerba Buena Perry. The new restaurant is called Sembrado en Mexico, according to the paperwork filed ahead of the month's CB3/SLA committee.



The restaurant, described as "classic Mexican food [with] grilled sustainable meats," has proposed hours of: Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. ... with 12 tables seating 34 people.

The restaurant will be seeking a full liquor license.

51 Astor Place's Fourth Avenue entrance is actually on East Ninth Street

Over on the Fourth Avenue side of the incoming 51 Astor Place building... (sidebar: Woo — balloons!)



The entrance has come into view... As EVG regular Terry Howell points out ..."I did notice that they seem to have built it wrong way round. The sign says "100 East 9th St." when the door is obviously on 4th Ave. This will really confuse the tourists."



Perhaps. Meantime, we're still confused by our headline.

A new sign at Lula's Sweet Apothecary, which remains closed on East 6th Street

On Friday, we noted that Lula's Sweet Apothecary, the popular vegan ice cream shop on East Sixth Street, had been closed of late. At outgoing voice-mail said that they were currently closed during a reorganization. The above sign arrived on Lula's gate this past weekend. Not many more details, but fans can sign up for progress reports via a mailing list or Twitter.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Divorce could force closure of Lula’s Apothecary on East Sixth Street

Demolition of 35 Cooper Square began 2 years ago (almost) today

Actually it was May 12, 2011 ... and the historic 186-year-old house was gone by May 25, when the funeral was held ...

Anyway, you know the story. (You can revisit one of our 34,231 posts on it here.)

Meanwhile, as we first reported last Aug. 21, developer Arun Bhatia filed paperwork for a 9-story dorm for an unspecified school in this space. Then, in April, subsequent paperwork filed with the DOB points to a 13-story dorm instead... All plans remain pending with the DOB.

For now, enjoy the graffiti.


[Saturday]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Something 28,998 square feet or so coming to Cooper Square (and goodbye Cooper 35 Asian Pub?)

Doom and doomer: More of Cooper Square primed for development

Cooper 35 Asian Pub part of development deal on Cooper Square