Noted

Ah, we hadn't noticed this sign outside Village Veterinarian on East 11th Street...



Thanks to EVG Facebook friend Dian Crystal for sharing the photos this week...

Lucy's will return on Dec. 10

Over at 135 Avenue A, Lucy if off for her customary holiday break... as you can see from the sign, the bar will be back open on Dec. 10.

And is Lucy's the only bar in the East Village with a VFW sticker on the front door?

Report: Suspect in 3 sexual assaults pleads not guilty

[From NYPD surveillance footage]

The East Village man accused of assaulting three women in separate attacks pleaded not guilty today.

Last month, police arrested Juan Scott, 26, for the attempted rape of a 20-year-old woman in an elevator at 600 E. 14th St. in Stuy Town. Scott was later linked to two other attacks, one on East 11th Street and one on East 13th Street.

According to the Post this afternoon:

[He] pleaded not guilty Tuesday to attempted rape, burglary and sexual abuse raps for three separate attacks on women in Manhattan while his latest victim’s teary-eyed parents watched from the gallery.

Prosecutor Brendan Tracy recommended a sentence of 20 years behind bars if the dangerous creep pleaded guilty to all three attacks.

The Villager had previously reported that Scott is a cousin of Rosario Dawson. Her mother and father and other relatives still live at 544 E. 13th St., where police arrested Scott.

There goes The Alamo

Well, no wonder the Alamo was back in plain view on Astor Place... EVG reader John M. just got a quick shot of workers carting off the Cube on a truck ... apparently for safekeeping during the reconstruction of Astor Place.

And here's a little video action via Gothamist...

A video posted by David Johnson (@david_johnso) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:16am PST

[Updated] Benny's Burritos is closing; will offer take-out only service

[Photo yesterday by Riley McCormick]

Word started circulating yesterday afternoon that Avenue A mainstay Benny's Burritos is closing after Saturday.

However, fans of Benny's Mexicali food here at East Sixth Street will still be able to order it via a to-go storefront that workers have been carving out of the existing corner restaurant and D-Lish Pita next door...



We haven't heard any official word about the closure from management just yet. Apparently Benny's had been struggling lately to make it work here. Employees received the news about the closing yesterday.

Benny's opened in the East Village in 1988... and is the latest comfortable spot to close along Avenue A ... joining 7A and the Odessa Cafe and Bar, among others.

Updated 2:43 p.m.

Lisha Arino at DNAinfo talked with owner Mark Merker about the closure.

“The world has changed,” said Merker, who opened Benny’s in late 1988.

The restaurant has had trouble staying afloat, as costs and rents rose while competition increased from Chipotle and other restaurants that served burritos, Merker said.

“It’s actually been pretty good, that’s the killer,” he said. “I would say that our traffic has been pretty consistent for the past four [or] five years, but that’s a problem. With rising costs, you need more business. It’s just the way things are going.”

The take-out space will include a few tables for diners, he said.

Updated 2:55 p.m.



EVG reader Riian Kant-McCormick notes that workers are currently loading a truck with scrap metal and equipment from Benny's...

City gives Native Bean a moving gift on Avenue A

A few weeks back we reported that Native Bean is moving after tomorrow from 50 Avenue A to 36 Avenue A.

Several days before closing for the move, the DOH came calling … and found enough violation points to immediately closed the cafe here between East Third Street and East Fourth Street.



The inspection, dated Friday, found 59 violation points. The top two listed violations:

1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.

Not sure what happens next given that they were ready to move from this space.

Native Bean's new home will be in the former space that Angelina Cafe used before moving across Avenue A.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Space that houses Native Bean on Avenue A is for rent

Native Bean space apparently back on the market

Native Bean will be moving on Avenue A

The Alamo comes back into full view

[Michael Paul Photography]

On 15, workers boarded up the Alamo to protect it during the reconstruction of Astor Place... the cube is now temporarily back into view... just mind the backhoe ...



Updated noon:

And now the whole thing is gone.

Noted

The person who has been leaving the "cool" graffiti around the East Village has added this to a building on East Seventh Street and First Avenue — "Kushner is mold" …



We're not sure if this particular building is one of the many bought up by developer/New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner.

To date, he hasn't been very popular around here with all the allegations and subsequent media reports of tenant harassment and quality-of-life issues brought on by gut renovations in the buildings.

Cool also left this one above the former 98-100 Avenue A…



[Top photo via EVG reader Elle Sturm]

Thanksgiving at Odessa

We've eaten our Thanksgiving dinner at Odessa several times now in recent years ... and this year will likely be no different.

They've finally upped the price a few bucks ... still a good deal for all the food that you get here at 119 Avenue A.

Anyway, we always liked the homemade sign that they must stow away for every Thanksgiving ...

2013!



2009!

A call for a SantaCon Free Zone on the LES

Now that SantaCon is apparently a free agent, one block association is doing its best to ensure that the annual pub crawl/sign of the apocalypse won't be welcome on the Lower East Side.

According to an article by Lisha Arino at DNAinfo, the L.E.S. Dwellers wrote letters asking bar owners in Hell Square to decline from participating in SantaCon. (The group also sent out the SantaCon Free Zone flyers.)

The group is worried that since Bushwick is out of the picture, the SantaConners will be calling on the East Village/LES this Dec. 13.

But! Per the article:

SantaCon organizers responded Monday afternoon that the event would not be held in Community Board 3 area, which includes the East Village, Lower East Side and Chinatown, according to board chairwoman Gigi Li and Assemblyman Sheldon Silver.

"I am glad that the organizers of Santacon have listened to the legitimate concerns of our local residents and have agreed not to hold their event on the Lower East Side," Silver said in a statement. "I expect them to honor that commitment."

Report: Rent hike forcing the Bourgeois Pig out of its East Village home

[Photo from November 2011]

A rent hike has KO'd the Bourgeois Pig from its 10-year-old home at 117 E. Seventh St., Eater reports.

The fondue-wine place between Avenue A and First Avenue will close after its lease expires in February. However, the Bourgeois Pig faithful can take some solace in that a new location opens next week in the West Village.

The Bourgeois Pig enjoyed worldwide acclaim in 2010 after the front the building (complete with a temporary sidewalk cafe) served as a backdrop during filming for multiple Academy-Award winner "The Smurfs Movie."

Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5

[EVG file photo]

Last week, we noted that 174-176 First Ave., home the past 110 years to DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, was in contract.

The building arrived on the market in June 2013 with an asking price of $12 million. The DeRobertis family owns the building, so it seemed likely that the bakery would remain despite the sale... until a real-estate listing circulated in May showing that the retail spaces in the basement and first floor of No. 176 would be delivered vacant once the buildings sell. (However, workers there denied they were closing.)

Since last week's post, readers heard several different closing dates for the bakery — Nov. 25 and Dec. 6 among them. The family has now officially said they will close for good after Dec. 5.

The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four De Robertis siblings to sell the building.

John De Robertis, one of the grandchildren, discusses the bakery's rich history in a post at Bedford + Bowery, who first noted the Dec. 5 close date.

Meanwhile, depression has set in...



Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave. is in contract

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

How about some more dumplings?

Workers have been gutting the former Shima space on Second Avenue and East 12th Street.



Now EVG reader Michael brings us word about the new tenant: DumplingGo.

We don't know too much about the restaurant, other than this blurb on their website:

DumplingGo is a fast casual dynamic restaurant experience which prepares and serves premier made dumplings to our guests. DumplingGo's focus is to create a memorable experience for our "DumplingGo'ers" by providing a variety of dumplings to choose from that were prepared with only the finest ingredients. Our focus on simplicity results in top quality with each dumpling enjoyed by our guests.

DumplingGo is part of the NYVA Restaurant Group — "an owner, operator, and proud franchisee for multiple brands."

There now won't be any shortage of dumplings on this block. The well-regarded Mimi Cheng's Dumplings opened up across the Avenue in July. And there's Plump Dumpling down on Second Avenue and East 11th Street. (Right? Slightly confused about what's going on there now with like three different restaurants in one.)

DumplingGo was also on last week's CB3 SLA docket for a new beer-wine license. (Not sure how that one went. They likely got the approval given that it was a sale of assets.)

Shima abruptly closed in January. The asking rent for the prime corner location had been $25,400 per month.

Condos at 45 Great Jones wooing art collectors and people who dislike foggy bathroom mirrors

The branding has arrived at the condofied 45 Great Jones Street between the Bowery and Lafayette …





Plans have been in the works at least back to 2007 to add extra floors of residential above the landmarked building, the former home to the Great Jones Lumber Corp.

There's now a 45 Great Jones website up with details on the residences. So far, just one of the five condos is listed for a spring 2015 occupancy.

Per the 45 website:

Designed by the renowned architectural firm Beyer, Blinder, Belle, 45 Great Jones Street draws from its historic NoHo roots while capturing today’s innovative aesthetics to create a distinctive new residence. Granted approval by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the City of New York, this 7-story building embodies the highest principles guiding new urban construction today.

The direct entry elevator opens into the spacious living area. The airy loft-style interiors featuring 9” solid white-oak floors and refined finishes throughout, are flooded with natural light from the traditional large-scaled windows, framed in custom millwork. Collectors will rejoice at the expansive wall areas, 10’ high ceiling heights, and custom-designed LED lighting in recessed coves, allowing the ideal presentation for one’s art collection.

This 2-bedroom 2-bathroom residence includes individually controlled HVAC system, in-unit Miele washer/dryer, and a private balcony off the master bedroom.

The kitchen features custom paneled built-in refrigerator and dishwasher, stainless steel cooktop, glass convection oven, all from Miele. Calacatta gold feature walls, counter-tops and back-splash give the kitchen its clean yet warm feel.

Lefroy Brooks fixtures, a Kohler soaking tub with separate walk-in shower, and Calacatta gold vanities define the modern bathroom along with radiant floor heating and recessed Robern medicine cabinets with electric defogger and nightlight.

The asking price is $2.875 million.

And some photos…





Built in 1893, 45 Great Jones served as the home of Great Jones Lumber Corp. from 1934 to June of 2008, when the company merged with Michbi Doors Inc. of Long Island.

Building owner Joseph Lauto also ran the lumber business. (He worked at the lumber yard as a kid dating to the late 1940s.) In March 2012, he told The Local that the changing landscape of NoHo contributed to his decision to develop the building.

"One of the reasons we merged the businesses was because forklifts and trucks moving lumber had to stop because of baby carriages," he said. "We never had that before."

Previously.

[Updated] Little Joe's Pizza now serving up slices on 1st Avenue

The pizzeria opened Friday at 26 First Ave. just south of East Second Street.

The proprietors are all veterans of the original Joe's Pizza on Carmine Street … and struck out on their own.

A slice is $2.25. Find the whole menu here.

The space was previously home to zPizza, which was not related to ApizzA.

Updated 6:45 p.m.

Eater has more details about Little Joe's.

Natalia Ramirez is the sole owner and her husband, Sergio Ramirez, who worked at Joe's for 13 years, "is now working the ovens at Little Joe's, but is not an owner."

Golden Crêpes coming to 2nd Avenue

Just the other day we were mentioning to no one in particular that crêpes have been a tough sell around here (RIP: Motek Creperie, La Belle Crepe).

Perhaps Golden Crêpes will make it work at 82 Second Ave. between East Fourth Street and East Fifth.

No opening date yet… just…



They have another location on West 15th Street.

This space was previously home to the Turkish restaurant 7 Spices.

Oaxaca Taqueria is 'closed for renovations' on East 7th Street

Paper is up in the windows now at the taco shop at 125 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue… a note on the door points to renovations…



A tipster tells us that Oaxaca won't reopen here, that the space had quietly been on the rental market.

Oaxaca moved here from Extra Place last fall. With the foot traffic, you'd think that this was a much better spot for a quick-serve restaurant than the dead and dead-end Extra Place. However, there are so many (too many?) taco choices now in the neighborhood … someone isn't going to make it…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Oaxaca Taqueria opening a new location on East Seventh Street

Twist might actually really be closed on Avenue A

Twist, the FroYo-gelato spot at 70 Avenue A near East Fifth Street, had been keeping pretty random hours.

The moment you think Twist was closed for good… it reopened for business. We heard in recent weeks that the place was really dead, but like Jason Vorhees, it seemed a sure bet to come back to life for a sequel.

Last night, EVG reader Alexis Weiss saw the empty storefront. Workers were cleaning out the space, loading equipment into a van parked the wrong way on East Fifth Street.

Twist opened in September 2013.

Jum Mum becoming another Spot for dessert on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Jordy Trachtenberg from Nov. 10]

Earlier in the month, Jum Mum at 5 St. Mark's Place closed for renovations. According to the quick-serve Thai-Chinese restaurant's Facebook page: "Hold on to your VIP cards WE ARE COMING BACK. Getting ready for a new look this fall!"

Apparently there is more than a new look… there's also a whole new concept… the banner now hanging outside advertises an annex (Spot 2) for the Spot Dessert Bar …



… which is just a few storefronts away…



Jum Mum, which opened in May 2012, was run by the owners of Spot.

Boarding up Sutra

Sutra Lounge closed for good back on Sept. 10.

The bar/lounge at 16 First Ave. between East First Street and East Second Street had been on the market for several years. (Sutra, owned by Community Board 3 member Ariel Palitz, reportedly had 659 311 complaints — apparently the most for any bar in the city.)

Coming together behind the plywood is a sports bar from the owners of Murray Hill's Mercury Bar and Tonic East, as BoweryBoogie reported in July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sutra has closed; big sports bar on the way