@JessNepom spotted this on East 12th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue this morning... seems a little warm for yarn, no?
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Morning yarn
@JessNepom spotted this on East 12th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue this morning... seems a little warm for yarn, no?
Incoming Empire Biscuit on Avenue A launches Kickstarter campaign
Renovations continue at the former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A near East 12th Street ... where Empire Biscuit will be serving country-style biscuits and biscuit sandwiches 24 hours a day (and no liquor license) ...
Now founders Jonathan Price and Yonadav Tsuna have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $62,500 by the end of the month to help with the opening costs.
Per the campaign:
Besides potential construction delays, the major risks for our restaurant are post-opening. We have a strong team in place, a carefully developed concept and menu, a great location and space, and a nuanced financial model. So the basic challenges/risks that remain are controlling food cost and labor once we're up and running.
You can find more info here. Or you can watch the above video ... (they discuss the need for $$$ at the 4-minute mark).
Empire Biscuit is expected to open in 6-8 weeks.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: biscuits and jams for former Habibi Lounge space on Avenue A
More about the 2Bn2C sculpture garden
We've written before about how much we enjoy the empty lot on East Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C ... And in recent weeks, the lot has continued to go under some transformations... featuring new plantings and artwork...
Unbeknownst to us, 2Bn2C sculpture garden now has a website...
Per the site, the revamped sculpture garden is being directed by Nature and Ken Cro-Ken, an ecosystem artist who lives nearby. At the site, Ken explains his art philosophy ... and encourages people to share their photos of the garden.
The site is just getting under way... and there will be a few events in the garden, such as a performance by oboist Matt Sullivan later this month...
Previously on EV Grieve:
The last interesting empty lot in the East Village
New 7-story residential complex makes 1st appearance above ground on Avenue B
Work continues on Avenue B at East 12th Street, where a 7-story mixed used residential building is going up that will house the new home of the Elim Pentecostal Church, among other things.
The construction is now visible above the plywood that lines the site. Perhaps this phase is better for nearby residents, who had to endure months of relentless pile driving and other building-rattling noise.
The address was a movie theater for many years, first the Bijou in 1926, then the Charles. (The theater closed in 1975, and a church took over the space.) A fire broke out in the building in October 2006.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Inside the Charles
Former landmark countercultural theater now for rent on Avenue B
7-story building in the works to replace former countercultural theater/church on Avenue B
Construction site at 185 Avenue B remains shut down for now
[Updated] The 'insane' noise and pounding are back at 185 Avenue B
'First resale' at the the Brownstone East Village
Over in the Brownstone East Village, the four-unit architectural wonder at 224 E. 14th St. near Third Avenue, a floor-through loft is now on the market. According to the listing at Blu Realty Group: "This condo loft unit can't be missed. It’s the first re-sale in the building so it really is a rare opportunity!"
Last year, it was reported that Bill Peterson, the architect behind this, was selling his second-floor unit for $2.499 million. (Unsure if that ever happened.) Among other amenities, this unit featured the retractable facade that allows you to gaze out onto East 14th Street.
The new unit for sale for $1.45 million doesn't have that deluxe feature... But, there is plenty more...
The abundant cabinetry is streamlined with a beautiful white lacquer finish, giving the space a touch of a contemporary spirit in a classic space. The kitchen can also accommodate a breakfast nook for your quick morning bite and coffee.
Spacious Bathroom features Lefroy Brooks Enamal dual sinks with Vola fixtures, Zuma Deep Soaking Tub and a Duravit Wall-Hung Toilet.
The listing also notes that the building is "close to all Subways including the 'L' to Williamsburg."
Showings start on July 25.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Finally, your chance to own the 3-level penthouse at the Brownstone East Village
More photos of the apartment with the garage door for a living-room wall on East 14th Street
Goloka Juice Bar & Health Shop now open on East 5th Street
Goloka Juice Bar & Health Shop opened yesterday in one of the empty storefronts on East Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (It's at 325 E. Fifth St., two doors east of the 9th Precinct.)
Here's info on the shop via their Facebook page:
Goloka was started with the intent of creating a peaceful getaway amidst the busy streets of New York City where people can take a small break from their day to enjoy healthy treats.
Goloka also has a full service custom organic juice bar.
Founded by yogis, Goloka has created a menu and store atmosphere reflective of the spiritual practices of yoga lovers.
It has been so hot that cactus plants are now growing in the East Village
Well, as part of a new window display outside Louis 649 on East Ninth Street near Avenue C. Photo yesterday by Bobby Williams.
About Shiti Bikes and Citi Bikes
You probably heard about the outbreak of "Shiti Bike" stickers around the city in the last 48 hours or so... EVG reader Brad212 spotted these on East Ninth Street and Avenue C yesterday morning ...
A "Shitibike" website launched on Sunday... where you can download your very own stickers... there's also the month-old Shiti bike Facebook page that announces it is "Reclaiming NYC streets from corporate appropriation of Bike culture."
Meanwhile, a reader pointed us to this info graphic at Mayor Bloomberg's website from last week ... which provides a statistical report card of Citi Bike's first month of operation...
Monday, July 8, 2013
Rite Aid continues to evolve on First Avenue
The transformation continues here at First Avenue and East Fifth Street ... there's now a garden theme on the exterior... the plants and flowers will actually grow a foot or two while you stand in the check-out line...
Tuck Shop closes St. Mark's Place location
The Tuck Shop closed its location for good on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A last night. The locations on East First Street and in the Chelsea Market remain open.
According to the sign on the door, "we decided to close this location for myriad reasons" ... which include:
Surf's Up!
Real-Estate Taxes (my personal fav)
Gentrification
The booze
Sandy (of course)
Rent is too damn high!
Laziness/ennui
Albany/Bloomberg
Gluten-free people
The Australian restaurant opened this location in the summer of 2009.
From April...
[Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.]
[Updated] Female diner decides to go topless last night at Verso
A story from the heatwave.
At Verso last night, two diners entered the Italian bistro on Avenue C and East Eighth Street ... the female diner sat down and immediately removed her top. She sat bare chested while owner Labinot Baraliu asked her to put her shirt back on. She argued that it was "perfectly legal" for her to sit topless in the restaurant... all the while her male companion was taking photos of her.
The staff did end up escorting the couple out of the restaurant.
"In 15 years [in the restaurant business] I've seen all kinds of things, but not this," said Baraliu. "It was funny, but at the same time I was like 'WTF — is this really happening?'"
Updated 7-10
Find an explanation here.
Something Sweet space for rent on First Avenue
[Photo by Blue Glass]
"Space available" signs went up Friday at the former home of Something Sweet on First Avenue at East 11th Street.
The family-owned bakery had been closed since last July. There had been a variety of issues, from problems with the landlord to health-related concerns for a family member.
The owners tired to revive the business back in the spring... and were hopeful that they would be able to reopen with new investors and updated business model.
Given the for rent signs, it's apparent that the space is still up for grabs.
[Photo by Blue Glass]
And it's a tough time here for longtime family-run bakeries here. The 9th St. Bakery closed for good on June 9.
Updated:
Some of the information about future rent/tenants that we received turned out to be inaccurate. We crossed out those sections.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Something Sweet still looking for help to revive its beloved business
An abandoned car in an empty lot that will soon yield a 13-floor residential building
Walking on East Houston near Ridge Street, we noticed an abandoned car in the long-empty lot on the south side of the street... not sure how long it has been there...
Anyway, spotting the car served as a reminder to check in on the status of these lots. Last summer, The Lo-Down reported that an unknown buyer has purchased the two vacant lots at 327 and 329 E. Houston St. for $8.4 million, as well as two adjoining parcels at 331 E. Houston and 163 Ridge St. for another $4 million.
It's part of the portfolio that belonged to reclusive real-estate baron William Gottlieb.
Plans were filed in February for a 13-floor residential building with 78 units for the L-shaped 331 E. Houston St./163 Ridge St. parcel. (The DOB disapproved the first round of plans on June 14.) Records show that Stephen B. Jacobs is the architect for the project. (His firm's East Village work includes the Copper Building on Avenue B and the Village Green on East 11th Street.) Jon Halpern of "East Houston Development LLC" is listed as the owner on the DOB permits. (Halpern is a partner and head of Real Estate Investments at Marathon Real Estate Mortgage Trust.)
There are also demo permits on file for the former laundromat here...
There's nothing on record for 327 and 329 E. Houston St.
As for the car, perhaps a test run for the future parking garage here?
Previously on EV Grieve:
An L-Shaped footprint ready to make its impression on East Houston Street
RUMOR: FroYo for Avenue A
Work continues at 70 Avenue A, part of the storefront that previously housed East Village Pharmacy. (They moved to East Third Street and Avenue A in 2011.)
According to multiple tipsters, some kind of FroYo operation is rumored to be moving into this space. No other details at the moment — just FroYo...
Looking at the retail listing for 19 St. Mark's Place, future home of a Walgreen's?
Supercuts moved away from the mall here at 19 St. Mark's Place at the end of last month... Curious about the rent and what not here, we looked at the Cushman & Wakefield listing...
Curious thing about the listing, which notes the anchor tenants here — Chipotle and St. Mark's Market ... and look at the Anchor Tenant 3 on the listing...
Walgreen's! A mistake? Wishful thinking? Or is a Walgreen's going to be moving into part of this complex one of these days...?
[Updated] Something new for tinkerers on East Fifth Street
Goggla passes along word of a new store that has opened on East Fifth Street just east of Second Avenue...
We don't know anything about Tinkersphere other than what is on its website:
Tinkersphere Corp. is a high-end retailer specializing in robotics, DIY electronics and toys. All products are hand-selected to ensure the utmost in quality. Based in New York City, Tinkersphere is proud to serve tinkerers of every age and skill level.
The previous tenant here, the specialty records shop Tropicalia in Furs, closed in January.
Updated:
The folks at Tinkersphere passed along some more info to us...
Tinkersphere officially opened on July 1 at 304 East 5th Street in the East Village. The president, an engineer herself, opened this store to help serve the growing community of tinkerers and makers in New York City. Tinkersphere hopes to inspire, educate and empower tinkerers of all ages by providing a range of toys, crafts, robot kits, and hobby electronic kits for all skill levels. Tinkersphere is preparing little tinkerers for the digital age we live in while giving grown tinkerers a place to entertain their hobbies and gain new ones.
Updated 7-11
Serena Solomon at DNAinfo has a feature on the store here.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
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