About the Citi Bike docking station outside the New York City Marble Cemetery

We noted the arrival of a Citi Bike docking station the other day outside the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



For starters, it is only temporary, having moved from Second Avenue and Second Street outside Rosie's to make way for ongoing work by the city's Department of Design and Construction.

We wondered if maybe Cemetery officials requested this. (Handy for their Neighborhood Open days.) Or if not, how a Citi Bike docking station ends up in your front yard, so to speak.

Here's what Colleen Iverson, director of the New York City Marble Cemetery, had to say about it.

"No, we very much did not request this. We were contacted by a Citi Bike rep in April regarding a temporary placement and we requested to meet on site with them to discuss it. The meeting never took place as we were told the temporary location looked like it was no longer needed. We relaxed and thought we'd had a narrow escape. But, it seems it was only a postponement. We received zero notice of the installation."

A Citi Bike rep who contacted the Cemetery in April apologized for "an internal communication failure." Still, Iverson described the process as "being informed, not consulted."

"I did mention, to no avail, that part of the operation of a historic landmark site that doesn't have the resources to be open every day is to ensure a clear view from the sidewalk and that an eye catching row of bright blue detracts significantly from a visitor experiencing a view showing both the historic nature and the natural beauty of the grounds," Iverson said.

The docking station for 31 bikes is expected to be outside the historic cemetery founded in 1831 through the end of August.

Said Iverson: "We are not anti-bike but as far as the pros and cons and relative merits of different forms of transportation goes, the cemetery would have to say it sees itself as firmly pro-horse and buggy."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Picturesque New York City Marble Cemetery getting a Citi Bike docking station out front (50 comments)

Kati Roll Company still coming to 128 2nd Ave.

As we reported on July 1, the owners of the Kati Roll Company have designs on opening their fourth Manhattan location at 128 Second Ave., former home of the Stage. According to paperwork filed ahead of this month's CB3-SLA committee meeting, they are seeking a beer-wine license here.

However, a look at tonight's meeting docket at the CB3 website shows that Kati is now a scratch...



A cancellation is a fairly frequent occurrence. As CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer said, "It is generally because information or paperwork is not finalized or negotiations with the landlord are not finalized to point where the applicant is ready to appear."

We asked Chris Coffey, a spokesperson for landlord Icon Realty, if Kati Roll was still coming to the space here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

"Kati Roll is moving forward with the space at 128 Second Avenue and we are excited to have them," he said via email.

While the liquor license paperwork is finalized, the former diner was gutted last week, as these photos via EVG correspondent Steven show...









Workers were also able to finally scrub off the spray-painted call for a boycott of this space...


[Photo from July 4]



The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed March 30, 2015. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with Icon. (You can read that background here.)

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Per Steven, the Stage signage came down today as workers put up the plywood for continued gut renovations...

Peter Kane looking to bring Out East to 6th Street

Veteran restaurateur Peter Kane (Bowery Meat Company, Stanton Social, Essex & Beauty, among others) is one of the applicants behind a new project in the works for 509 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

According to the paperwork (PDF) filed at the CB3 website ahead of tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting, Kane and company are bringing "new American cuisine" to Out East.

The configuration for the two-level restaurant space shows 38 tables for 104 diners plus two small bars seating 16 people total. The proposed hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday with an 11 a.m. opening on Saturday and Sunday.

The applicants are seeking a full liquor license for the premises. The space was previously home to the sketchy Kion Dining Lounge. As far as we can recall, the last tenant here was a pop-up bar from the folks behind the Buenos Aires Restaurant during the 2014 World Cup.

The July CB3-SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Closures on East 10th Street: Cafe Silan and Spirit and Matter

Two closures to note at 280 E. 10th St. near Avenue A.

Cafe Silan has closed. The cafe, which served a variety of coffee and house-made pastries with natural sweeteners (like silan, a Middle-Eastern date paste), opened in late 2014. We didn't hear any reason for the closure. It was a nice spot, and owner Guy Jacobovitz and his staff were always friendly.

Next door, the eclectic gallery/shop Spirit and Matter, which specialized in antique tribal art and folk art, has also closed...



We hear that the owner's wife has plans for a new shop in the space.

In more positive news at 280 E. 10th St., Thirstea is celebrating its eighth anniversary this week...


[Photo from April by Stacie Joy]

You can read our interview with co-owner Winn O’Donnell here.

Capital One® departs 14th and 3rd (bank branch down!) for new Union Square home

The Capital One® on the southeast corner of Third Avenue and 14th Street has closed... ahead of a move a few blocks to 14th Street and Broadway...



...(they took the ATMs too)...



The new location, set to open today, was to include a cafe, according to previous reports ...



Not sure of the status on that. The Capital One-Peet's Coffee & Tea® combo in Midtown has closed.

Anyway, thoughts on what might be next for the southeast corner of Third Avenue and 14th Street? Aside from a Duane Reade (so you don't have to cross the street), beer store or another Capital One®?

Parting weekend shot

One of the hawk fledglings playing on an antenna on Seventh Street tonight just outside Tompkins Square Park... thanks to Goggla for sharing the photo. (Find more of her hawk pics here.)

Week in Grieview

[A Teen Vogue photo shoot on Avenue A via Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Man ODs in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday, 78 comments)

Resident: July 4 collision highlights dangerous East Houston-Avenue B/Clinton Street intersection (Thursday)

A memorial for Alton Sterling on Avenue A (Wednesday)

Dorian Grey Gallery space is for rent on Ninth Street (Tuesday)

Out and About with London (Wednesday)

Time for new socks, and a store: Sock Man sighting on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

New First Avenue Ess-A-Bagel will have a TOASTER (Wednesday)

Raphael Toledano selling six of his East Village buildings (Friday)

The new Shops on East Fifth Street are ready for retail (and a coffee shop) (Friday)

An updated facade at Ray's (Saturday)

Looking at the new residential building for 13th Street and University Place (Tuesday)

OK, who left a cab here? (Thursday)

Picturesque New York City Marble Cemetery getting a Citi Bike docking station out front (Thursday, 50 comments)

This may have a chilling effect on the rat population in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

Rose&Basil bringing truffles, breakfast jars and coffee to Seventh Street (Wednesday)

Santos Variety Shop is closing on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Watermelon-tossing assembly line (Friday)

The Dahlia's space will be converted into a salad bar (Friday)

Seventh Street residents angered after developer cuts down the wrong tree (Friday)

La Contrada now open on Second Avenue (Tuesday)

Neighborhood alert for the Third Street Rose Snipper (Monday)

Hanging out on Bodypainting Day (Saturday)

... and one of Christo and Dora's new kids (they grow up so fast) learns to hunt. The pigeon got away...


[Photo yesterday by Bobby Williams]

Report: Jared Kushner evicting tenant who evicted subletter on East 4th Street

The tenant of a rent-stabilized apartment on East Fourth Street owned by Jared Kushner is now facing eviction after she evicted her cancer-stricken subletter.

The New York Post has the story about the apartment at 118-120 E. Fourth St.:

Retired teacher Joy Keith­line sublet her $600-a-month studio to Jeanne DiCarlo for $1,000 a month starting in 2012, court records state.

Meanwhile, Keithline was living at her primary residence — a two-bedroom home near a lake in upstate New York, records show.

Keithline made a hefty 67 percent profit off the scheme until March when she sued to evict her subtenant — the day DiCarlo was scheduled for breast-cancer surgery. “It was horrible,” said DiCarlo, 61. “I had to cancel my surgeries.”

All this ended up in court. Manhattan Housing Judge Michelle Schreiber eventually ordered DiCarlo's eviction because she didn’t have a lease. DiCarlo then lost an emergency appeal this past week. (Keithline was reportedly ordered to pay DiCarlo $25,000 in overcharges.)

However, when the Post contacted the Kushner Companies for comment, a spokesperson said: "We are outraged that Ms. DiCarlo was being taken advantage of. We’re working swiftly not only to remove Ms. Keithline through the legal process, but also to ensure that Ms. DiCarlo can live in the unit."

Court papers also show that Keithline owns a $400,000 house on Staten Island and a $117,000 Florida rental property.

And Gothamist pointed this out:

It's worth noting that the Post, which first reported this story, has endorsed Trump for president, so it's not clear how much of the tabloid's breaking of this story has to do with running damage control for its preferred candidate's son-in-law, who landed himself in hot water this week when he defended an anti-Semitic Trump tweet.

Kushner bought this (and many other East Village buildings) in 2013. In March, tenants at 118 E. Fourth St. went to Manhattan Housing Court as part of ongoing litigation against Kushner. Tenants there had been without gas for cooking since October. There are other issues too, such as collapsed ceilings, overflowing trash and sporadic heat. Kushner eventually settled with the tenants.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tenants claim: Kushner and Westminster want to destroy this building's beautiful garden

Reports outline how Kushner Companies is aggressively trying to empty 170-174 E. 2nd St.

Local politicos join residents of 2 Jared Kushner-owned buildings to speak out about poor living conditions, alleged harassment

Jared Kushner's residents at 118 E. 4th St. would like gas for cooking and some heat

Meanwhile at 7-Eleven on Avenue A...

The location at East 11th Street is participating in the Slurpee's 50th birthday.

For a limited time, there's a new birthday cake-flavored Slurpee ... as well as a Birthday Cake Slurpee donut and Slurpee-flavored Chapstick.

Slurpee Week begins tomorrow, FYI.

Not sure if the location on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue has the special Slurpee products. A reader shared this flyer on the door...

Noted

Spotted on Avenue B near Second Street. We appreciate the honest assessment of this discarded Shark Pet Perfect Hand Vacuum.

Also, we looked up this product and learned something about people who buy the Shark Pet Perfect Hand Vacuum via Amazon... they have excellent taste in films...

Today was the 3rd annual NYC Bodypainting Day, as you may have noticed

Maybe NSFW!

About 100 people reportedly took part in today's third annual NYC Bodypainting Day ... two double-decker buses drove the participants around the city... and they made a stop on Avenue B and East Third Street ... where EVG reader David took these photos this afternoon...







And the reaction from the brunch bunch? Per David:

"The sidewalk eaters at Root and Bone just laughed and raised glasses. The B&T crowd at Mama’s Bar, however, screamed, ran out with phones ready, and screamed OMG — a lot. I thought the nude folks handled it well!"

... and a few more photos from Tompkins Square Park and Avenue A via Bobby Williams...







... and a few more photos via Derek Berg...

Noted

A reminder for East Village bar/restaurant owners to continue using industrial-strength trash bags. pic.twitter.com/VZn7i079dA

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) July 9, 2016

An updated facade at Ray's

Chico started work at Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, yesterday... not sure of the status given the late afternoon/early evening rain...

Back in October 2011, Chico created a tribute awning here in memory of the late Bob Arihood.

The previous hand-painted sign was quite weathered ...


[Photo via Forgotten NY]

Car Seat Headrest and the 4Knots Music Festival set times

Car Seat Headrest, shown here with a video for "Vincent," is one of the bands on the bill tomorrow for the sixth annual (free) 4Knots Music Festival at the South Street Seaport hosted by The Village Voice.

The set times are below... head to the 4Knots site for more band info and festival details...

PIER 16 STAGE
1:00pm - Promised Land Sound
1:50pm - Kirk Knight
2:40pm - Mothers
3:40pm - Car Seat Headrest
4:40pm - Protomartyr
5:40pm - The Strumbellas
7:00pm - Guided By Voices

FULTON STAGE
1:30pm - Boulevards
2:30pm - Bayonne
3:30pm - Diane Coffee
4:30pm - Mile High Club
5:30pm - Girlpool

Report: Raphael Toledano selling 6 of his East Village buildings

The Real Deal is reporting that controversial landlord Raphael Toledano is aiming to sell six East Village buildings less than a year after buying them.

Toledano, who has been accused of allegedly harassing his tenants and other predatory practices, bought a 16-building portfolio last September from the Tabak family for $97 million.

Per The Real Deal:

To acquire the portfolio, Toledano took out two mortgages from Madison Realty Capital totaling $124 million for the acquisition as well as planned renovations. The mortgages were an example of multiple financings that led experienced real estate players to describe Toledano as overleveraged.

The six walk-ups – which include 27 St. Mark’s Place and 66 E. Seventh St. – are expected to fetch north of $50 million, sources say. (The article doesn't list the other four buildings.)

No. 27 was home to The Sock Man before a rent hike forced him to close at this location. No. 66 was home to Barbara Feinman Millinery, which also had to relocate.

However, as The Real Deal notes, the landlord isn't giving up on the neighborhood:

Toledano is in the process of buying 11 East Village buildings for a combined $43 million — also from the Tabaks.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'

Report: Residents at 444 E. 13th St. will receive a $1 million settlement over claims of harassment by Raphael Toledano

Report: State investigating East Village landlord Raphael Toledano

Health Department to inspect Raphael Toledano's East Village properties for toxic levels of lead dust

Another look at Village Farm Grocery's watermelon tossing assembly line

On Wednesday, we posted photos from Derek Berg showing the assembly line taking delivery of watermelons outside Village Farm Grocery on Second Avenue and Ninth Street.

Upon seeing that, EVG reader Daniel shared this clip of the crew at work in May...

EV Grieve Etc.: Conviction for Bowery hit-and-run; History of East Village name

[Photo on 1st Avenue by Derek Berg]

Man charged with stealing knife from 5 Napkin Burger and threatening pedestrians on East 14th Street (DNAinfo)

Man convicted of fatal hit-and-run on the Bowery (The Lo-Down)

History of the East Village name (Gothamist ... previously)

A Rivington House roundup (BoweryBoogie)

Short film about life at 70 Hester St. (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Activist sues city after cops arrest him for filming them on Astor Place (Gothamist)

Is gentrification really a problem? (The New Yorker)

Sunday brunch was trendy in 1930s NYC (Ephemeral New York)


[Summer scene from Tompkins Square Park via Bobby Williams]

A red-tailed hawk July 4 (Laura Goggin Photography)

A few weeks left for the Ramones exhibit at the Queens Museum (Thirteen/PBS)

Art world feuding over Basquiat’s death (Page Six)

Recalling Goulash Row on East Houston (Off the Grid)

A small preservation victory at the Hotel Chelsea (Curbed)

Musing about the Peculiar Pub and the Dugout... and GG Allin... (Flaming Pablum)

Civil War drama "Men Go to Battle" makes its NYC theatrical debut this weekend (Anthology Film Archives)

A John Cassavetes/Gena Rowlands retrospective starts next Friday, July 15, at the Metrograph. Rowlands will be doing a Q-and-A (Official website)

... and a few tickets remain for this event next Wednesday at Flinders Lane on Avenue A...

The new Shops on East Fifth Street are ready for retail (and a coffee shop)

[Photo from Monday]

The storefront renovations are (mostly) complete now on Fifth Street just east of Second Avenue.

There are three spaces in what are being presented as the Shops on East Fifth Street. A tipster tells us that the middle space will house an Argentinian coffee shop. The other two storefronts are for rent... the bare-bones listing at Coldwell Banker Commercial notes the asking rent is $125 per square foot...



As previously reported, in July 2014, the owners of the previous three businesses had to vacate their storefronts due to a structural issue in the building at 300 E. Fifth St.

S & P Liquor & Wine eventually moved to Second Avenue … while Jamie the check-cashing guy, whose family owned the business for 68 years, had to shut down at the end of 2014 as repairs dragged on. He had been operating for five months from a secure van outside his shop. The Today's Cut hair salon moved to East Seventh Street just west of Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
3 small businesses temporarily closed due to structural issues at 300 E. 5th St.

RUMOR: The Dahlia's space will be converted into a salad bar

Multiple tipsters have told us that the closed-for-now Dahlia's on Second Avenue and Fifth Street will return as a quick-serve restaurant specializing in salads.

Here's how one tipster put it: "It's going to be a salad bar! Saw them bringing in the sneeze guards. Per a super on the block it's definitely a salad bar and no liquor license."

The Mexican restaurant temporarily closed in early May while the State Liquor Authority decides their future booze fate. Back in February, the SLA temporarily suspended Dahlia's liquor license after serving a reported 50 minors one night. Dahlia's stayed open without alcohol after this, though business appeared quite slow.

The State Liquor Authority website shows that the license, set to expire Nov. 30, 2017, is currently inactive.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Dahlia's busted after cops find 43 minors drinking inside locked restaurant

More about the underage drinking bust at Dahlia's; plus, reaction from NYU students

7th Street residents angered after developer cuts down the wrong tree

[EVG photo of 79-89 Avenue D from June]

Over at 79-89 Avenue D, L&M Development Partners have been prepping for a 12-story retail-residential building with 110 dwelling units here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

On Wednesday, residents at 274 E. Seventh St. said they were angered to discover that workers "mistakenly cut down a six-story tree" in the backyard of their co-op building.

A resident with knowledge of the situation said that L&M had a work order to remove one tree — from 278 E. Seventh St. However, the crew cut down that tree as well as the one behind No. 274.


[Behind 274 E. 7th St.]

The residents contacted the Department of Buildings via 311, and were told that it wasn't a DOB matter. The 311 rep suggested calling the police.

As for the loss of the tree, the resident said that an L&M rep confirmed they made a mistake and are prepared to do something for the co-op "within reason."

"What could possibly make whole the loss of the sole grace note of our backyard, shading our apartments in the summer, announcing the arrival of spring when it's buds peeped out, the golden light that filtered through its changing leaves in the fall and the shelter it provided squirrels, blue jays, sparrows and rare hawk visits?"

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

Former Avenue D Rite Aid has been demolished to make way for a 12-story building