Avenue A food-cart fight now with flyer campaign

The campaign against the Halal cart that recently relocated to the southeast corner of Avenue A and East Second Street continues… we spotted these flyers on East Second Street this past weekend… which urge residents to call a lot of different people…



Meanwhile, the Post covered the story yesterday… with a pretty good Post-y headline…



From the article!

East Villagers are up in arms over a Halal food cart stationed on Avenue A, where residents are complaining of foul-smelling falafel, generator noise and filth — in just three days since its unwelcome arrival.

Per a resident..

“It’s already noisy to begin with. There’s already the sh–tiest bars on earth on this corner, so you’re already getting everyone who is obliterated here, and now you add this.”

[Editor's Note: Not 2A?!]

And from the cart folks…

“They need to understand that we’re in a free country — and we can’t please everyone,” Maribel said. “Legally, we have a right to be there — we’re not bothering anyone, and I don’t think it’s fair that we move.”

Unrelated, we also spotted an unattended Citi Bike outside the cart during the weekend…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Angry residents don't want this food cart on Avenue A and East 2nd Street (35 comments)

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Now that the deal to reopen the Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A is officially dead … a for rent notice arrived on Saturday… with the familiar "Call Harvey" sign of Croman Realty… The Odessa Cafe and Bar closed after service on Aug. 31. Odessa co-owner Mike Skulikidis has been running the place since 1980. (The Odessa dates here to 1965.) The Odessa Restaurant remains open next door.



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Meanwhile, a few storefronts away on the corner of St. Mark's Place… the for rent signs came down… along with the sign of the former tenant — Sushi Lounge. (The gate got a paint job too.)



Empellón chef Alex Stupak plans to open his third restaurant at this location. The Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

Karl Fischer-designed condoplex comes into full view on East 12th Street

Over at 427 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, the Karl Fischer-architected condos are free of the construction netting, the sidewalk bridge, etc. And — ta da!



And according to Streeteasy, nine of the 10 units — that range in price from $850,000 for a one-bedroom home to $2.395 for the penthouse — are in contract.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

427 E. 12th St. back from the dead?

Workers making a pit stop at incoming Karl Fischer-designed building on East 12th Street

Listings arrive for Karl Fischer-designed luxury homes at 427 E. 12th St.

Karl Fischer-designed condos seem to be a big draw on East 12th Street

Late-night fire reported on Third Avenue

We received multiple reports of a fire last night around 11:15 on Third Avenue between East 17th Street and East 18th Street…

MAN ALL HANDS 194 3 AVE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON 3RD FLR

— FDNY (@FDNY) December 30, 2013

MAN ALL HANDS 194 3 AVE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON 3RD FLR, UNDER CONTROL

— FDNY (@FDNY) December 30, 2013

There weren't any immediate reports of injuries or extent of the damage… EVG reader Kevin, who took these two photos, noted that the FDNY removed one woman on a stretcher, though she appeared to be OK…



And another photo via @amybraun7

North River now open on First Avenue

North River opened on Dec. 19 at 166 First Avenue near East 10th Street… Per Eater, the chef is Adam Starowicz, who worked at Hearth and Momofuku Ko. "The menu is mostly American comfort food, with dishes like ham salad, grilled salmon with kale and farro and fried chicken." You can find the North River menu here.

Previously the space was home to La Zarza Lounge.

OK, who wrapped this car with toilet paper on East 2nd Street?

Here's the scene today on East Second Street just east of Avenue B… this car is adorned with toilet paper … with plastic wrap holding it in place (and keeping it dry?).



Theories?

Thanks to Bobby Lebrini, proprietor of Lebrini's Pizzeria, for the photos.

Week in Grieview

[Tompkins Square Park via Derek Berg]

2 music shops leaving the East Village (Monday)

Con Ed reviewing how it responds to reports of stray voltage (Thursday)

Holiday greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street (Friday)

Holiday greetings from Iggy Pop (Wednesday)

This Third Avenue building fetches $57 million (Tuesday)

Residents upset by the arrival of this food cart on Avenue A (Friday, 38 comments)

Stairs Bar climbs into former Il Bagatto space (Thursday)

Box Kite Coffee opens on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

David Schwimmer's East Sixth Street home makes this year-end listicle (Monday)

More details about Black Ant, opening next month on Second Avenue (Monday)

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Finally, look what EVG regular Pinhead got me for xmas!



Unfortunately, Pinhead didn't include a docking station (malfunctioning or otherwise), so now I owe $8,995 in overtime fees.

(Also, this image is via Photoshop… no such thing as a Citi Bike lego … yet!)

At Mee Noodle Shop and Grill

Mee Noodle Shop and Grill had a soft opening of sorts last night… where the restaurant at 223 First Ave. welcomed back customers with free food. Everyone we talked to about last night at Mee — loved it.

From EVG regular William Klayer:

"We walked past the long line of people clogging the sidewalk to get into Momofuko. Mee was filled but we had a table in five minutes. The whole time we were there no one came in who wasn't seated virtually right away. The staff and the vibe was super neighborhood friendly. Order any dish you want (no fresh fish because they didn't have it yet) all free with a smile and a thank you for coming in. Awesome."

From EVG Facebook friend Michael Hirsch:

"It was great. The staff was wonderful too. Really into opening again in the neighborhood. Quite a few old regulars showed up for their return."

Also last night… Miron Properties broker Conrad Bradford, who represented the landlord and the tenants, presented owner Li Zhu Wong with a painting of Allen Ginsberg, one of Mee's most devoted customers from the previous location on First Avenue.



Mee has its official grand opening tonight, according to a sign on the front window. Mee had to move away from its old First Avenue space when the building was sold seven years ago.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Starbucks confirmed for 219 First Ave., former home to Allen Ginsberg's favorite Chinese restaurant

Mee Noodle Shop returning to First Avenue (28 comments)

Rather annoying Santa still feels compelled to wave on Avenue C

Taking the 'WINNING' Lambo out for a spin today on Second Avenue

We've posted photos of this jalopy before … EVG contributor peter radley spotted it today in the wilds of Second Avenue…







According to Jalopnik, the car belongs to a divorce attorney who lives on Long Island. Read about him here.

Mee Noodle Shop is back

Mee Noodle Shop has its grand (re)opening tomorrow here on First Avenue just north of East 13th Street ... and they will have an open house tonight, as the flyer shows ... let us know if you go… Mee had to move away from its previous First Avenue location when the building was sold seven years ago…

Photo via William Klayer…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Starbucks confirmed for 219 First Ave., former home to Allen Ginsberg's favorite Chinese restaurant

Mee Noodle Shop returning to First Avenue (28 comments)

Check out 'Mixed Blood' tonight — 'Mean Streets about to detonate!'

Thanks to EVG reader Steven Sonnenblick for sharing this with us… At 2 a.m. tonight (early tomorrow morning?), Turner Classic Movies is playing Paul Morrissey's "Mixed Blood" … the LES cultish classic from 1984.



Here is the IMDB description:

Brazilian drug dealers in the lower east side of Manhattan start a war with a rival gang of Latino drug dealers. Their soldiers are Latino kids all under 17 because, as Rita La Punta says, "They can kill and not go to jail." The war escalates to include their German heroin supplier, his sexy English girl friend, a Puerto Rican ex-cop, and the Japanese police captain. This movie is about racism, police corruption, junkies and drug dealing. There is plenty of killing and even a visit to a store dedicated to the Latino pop group "Menudo."

And the trailer!



Trivia! This was John Leguizamo's feature film debut… Morrissey, a longtime Andy Warhol associate, shared this photo from the shoot in Tompkins Square Park … (Leguizamo is on the far right…)

There is a Save Jerry's Newsstand Rally today

[Photo by Michael Paul]

There is a rally today from 4-6 at Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place outside the downtown 6 entrance.

On Dec. 9, the Department of Consumer Affairs shut down the stand that Jerry Delakas has operated the past 26 years before he could file an appeal with the city to stay in business. (Find more background about this ongoing legal battle here.)

Last Sunday, an estimated 100 people (including Rev. Billy) gathered for a rally here…


[Photo via the Save Jerry's Facebook page]

A few other updates about the situation via the Save Jerry's Newsstand Facebook page:

This past Monday, Arthur Schwartz, Jerry's attorney, petitioned Judge Carol E Hull for a hearing on the violation of his due process ... "and we wait to hear if she will hear his grievances."

Meanwhile, as we mentioned in a previous post, a resident who lives nearby continued to rip down the signs of support from Jerry's Newsstand every night… the resident waited until Jerry left the area to remove the signs… well, one night last week, Jerry apparently stuck around and staked out the newsstand… he caught her in the act. They talked, and she agreed to stop. No word on why she continued to do this.

You can find more information at the Save Jerry's Newsstand Facebook page …

Previously on EV Grieve:
City shutters Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place for 'operating illegally'

The story about the city shutting down Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place actually gets worse

More about saving Jerry's Newsstand

Helping Save Jerry

Noted

On the plywood at the incoming dorm on East Sixth Street and Cooper Square...



Goonsville? Perhaps it's near New Yuppie City?

Have 'Mercy'

Ultra Vivid Scene with "Mercy Seat" from 1988.

Con Ed still making repairs on East 7th Street

Residents on East Seventh Street between Avenue C and Avenue D had been understandably upset and concerned about reports of stray voltage on the block... after several days of non-action, Con Ed crews arrived to make the necessary repairs on Sunday.

Per the New York Post story on this matter:

"The yellow tape is out there to keep people away from the energized objects," Con Ed spokesman Allan Drury told The Post on Monday. Con Ed workers discovered the problem early Friday but had limited access to the area because of tightly parked cars, he said. Repairs were completed on East Seventh Street late Sunday, he said.

Although Con Ed said that repairs were completed on Sunday, crews have been working at the site every day since then. The photos on this post are from yesterday.




Previously on EV Grieve:
Beware of 'stray voltage' here on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

Resident shocked about Con Ed's nonchalance over stray voltage

Noted

Signage tomfoolery on East Seventh Street via Derek Berg

Holiday greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

An almost year-end message from the proud parents of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has been thoroughly enjoying her second holiday season in the neighborhood this year. Times are lean around these parts so less of Holiday Tree wonder but an intense focus on tennis balls and she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the snow.

As much as the snow it seems she has intently focused on tennis balls. She is less into the Tompkins Square Park dog run these days (though she remains a frequent visitor there to do her business) but has developed a taste for the East River Park. She was recently busted there for being “off leash” but she remains a devoted fan. Mostly because she has developed an important collection of stray tennis balls she collects there voraciously.

She (and we) send all of her neighbors the warmest of holiday wishes. Xo

On the next episode: Kita is curious why only Grain-Free Chicken Meal Formula Dry Dog Food is available at this New Year's Eve buffet.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet Kita

The further adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

The further (often truly) amazing adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Happy holidays from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has her first ever annual checkup

Angry residents don't want this food cart on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

Some residents who live on Avenue A and East Second Street are unhappy about the recent arrival of a Halal cart. And there is a movement afoot to get the cart booted from the southeast corner of Avenue A and East Second Street.

Here's a flyer hanging in a nearby apartment building:



According to one resident: "Aside from blocking bike racks, garbage cans (upon seeing me photograph, the cook moved the garbage can further into the crosswalk (ILLEGAL), he has deposited grit and ashes from his grill on the sidewalk."




The resident also talked with the Halal employee about all this. "He simply stated that he knows the residents aren't happy but simply — talk to his boss."

Another couple took up the argument with the employee as well. "All the vendor said was, 'Tony likes our food. Do you know Tony?' Well, we don't know Tony and the block doesn't like your food truck blocking our sidewalks."

Oscar bait at Luke's Lobster

Spotted this week outside Luke's Lobster on East Seventh Street…



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Previously!