Activity at Nino's, and brown-paper action

Late last week workers placed paper over the windows at the former Nino's, the pizzeria that closed in the fall of 2015 on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.

EVG reader Peter D. shared these photos from Friday...





As previously reported, owner Nino Camaj accepted a low six-figure amount to walk away from his remaining 10-year lease and surrender the pizza shop that he opened in 1989. He had been in a dispute with the landlord over back rent and a closure due to a gas leak in the building.

No word on what might be coming here. There aren't any work permits on file that match up to a storefront renovation.

James Morrissey, who owns The Late Late on East Houston and now VNYL on Third Avenue, had been after the Nino's space to combine with the former Hop Devil Grill next door to create The Honey Fitz. Those plans were put on hold, though Morrissey told DNAinfo back in February the he "remains interested in the location, assuming all outstanding lease issues have been resolved."

There is also brown paper up in the windows in the same building at the long-vacant spaces on St. Mark's Place that housed Ton-Up Cafe and The Belgian Room... No word what might be coming here either.


[Photo by Steven]

And while we're looking at brown paper in windows on St. Mark's Place... that's the case at the former Box Kite Coffee at No. 115...



After a rather dismissive goodbye in early August, a help-wanted ad appeared inside the storefront for an experienced manager "to reopen"

The demolition of the Mobil station and full NEKST reveal

In early September a crew busied itself taking down the former Mobil station on Avenue C and East Houston... These photos are from Sept. 11...





...and by this past Friday... the station was gone...





The demolition provides a full view of the NEKST tag...





Aby Rosen's RFR Realty actually had the NEKST preserved out front of 190 Bowery. (Read more about Sean “NEKST” Griffin here.)

There won't be any tag preservation here. Permits are pending for a 9-story retail-residential building with 46 residences. This!


[Rendering by Rotwein + Blake]

Looks like an awfully large building for the size of the lot. There have been rumors that 249 E. Second St., which had been for sale with air rights, would be gobbled up as part of this development. There's nothing on file with the DOB about any new work here.

The Mobil station closed on Sept. 2, 2014. It was the last one in business in the East Village.

Previously on EV Grieve:
You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C

Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C

State seizes Mobil station on Avenue C and Houston for nonpayment of taxes

New residential building for former Mobil station lot will be 10 floors with 0 zero affordable units

A look inside the last East Village gas station

The former St. Mark's Bookshop is for rent

[Photo by Steven]

We spotted a listing for 136 E. Third St., the last location of St. Mark's Bookshop here in the NYCHA-controlled First Houses between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The listing at LoopNet notes a few details:

Good glass frontage, former bookstore.
No venting, no bars,
No basement. No outdoor use.

The space is just over 1,300 square feet... with an asking price of $60 per square foot. So roughly $7,800 a month.

After 38 years at four locations, St. Mark's Bookshop closed last Feb. 28 (with an "epilogue sale" on March 5).

Among other things, the long-struggling store reportedly owned some $70,000 in back rent to the NYCHA.

The store's previous location, 31 Third Ave., has been tenant free since the St. Mark's Bookshop moved out in 2014. The space has held several pop-up events for the students of landlord Cooper Union.

Steve Croman is set to return to court tomorrow (Tuesday!)

Landlord Steve Croman is due back in court tomorrow ... he is under criminal indictment for mortgage fraud in a probe launched by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

In addition, a civil suit alleges that Croman "directs an illegal operation that wields harassment, coercion, and fraud to force rent-regulated tenants out of their apartments and convert their apartments into highly profitable market-rate units."

Tomorrow morning at 9, Croman tenants are holding a rally outside Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street. After the rally, tenants are going to Judge Jill Konviser's chamber, 13th floor room 1322, to witness the proceedings.

After his last court appearance in June, Croman's defense attorney, Ben Brafman, said that his client was close to reaching a plea agreement.

“We are working diligently to try and resolve this matter on a global basis and hope to be able to do so by the next court appearance.”

Croman's real-estate empire includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village. As previously noted, Croman owns more buildings in the East Village than any other landlord.

130 St. Mark's Place is for rent

[Photo by Steven]

The for rent sign arrived late last week at 130 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue... Via Della Pace Pizza quietly closed here back in June after less than one year in business.

Before this, Falanghina Pizza Bar gave the address a shot, but it didn't catch on either.

The previous business here was able to make it for 34 years until a substantial rent hike (as well as decline in business) helped force out Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen in December 2012.

No word on the asking rent for the space.

Checking in on 500 and 524 E. 14th St., where work looks to be past the halfway mark

Workers look to be up to the fourth floor now at the incoming 7-story 500 E. 14th St., the retail-residential complex that will include the small-format Target...





And on the other side of holdout 520 E. 14th St. ... here's 524 E. 14th St. ...





And the view of No. 500 from 13th Street...



This is to serve as the building's loading dock. To minimize traffic on the side street, CB3 OK'd two, 75-foot loading zones for 224 Avenue A and 512 E. 14th St. Each zone will take away four parking spots. However, per the May CB3 meeting minutes, this is a better alternative that "will allow Extell to use commercial zones and not a residential block."

Combined, both buildings will have 150 residences. (Of those, 32 will reportedly be below-market rate.)

The retail listing at RKF for No. 500 says that tenant possession of the space is the fourth quarter of 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Breaking (pretty much!): Target is coming to 14th Street and Avenue A (40 comments)

Week in Grieview

[Drumming on 2nd Street near 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

New building permits filed for 13-story Moxy Hotel on East 11th Street across from Webster Hall (Wednesday)

Swiss Institute moving into the former Chase branch on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Friday)

The Alamo fakes us out again (Tuesday)

Avenue B condos near former heroin hot spot named Poppy Lofts (Monday)

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen is back, and now with extended hours (Thursday)

Condos planned for Third Street development site at the Bowery (Thursday)

Raphael Toledano is selling 444 E. 13th St. (Tuesday)

New 6-story residential building OK'd for Seventh Street (Tuesday)

Here is the Tompkins Square Bagels signage on Second Avenue (Thursday)

The Figueroa family clears the weeds from the site of the deadly Second Avenue explosion (Thursday)

About the East Village Eye show (Friday)

Out and About with Amy Sheridan (Wednesday)

Sugar Sketch softly opens on Second Street (Friday)

It double rainbow-ed again (Wednesday)

Nail salons on 14th Street: 1 up, 1 down (Tuesday)

Web-browsing function shut off at LinkNYC kiosks (Thursday)

The return of an MCA memorial mural (Monday)

Former Tower Records on Broadway will become a studio for AOL (Tuesday)

The loss of a majestic American elm on Third Street (Thursday)

A few more details about the Kati Roll Company coming to Second Avenue (Monday)

347 Bowery getting its zinc supplements (Monday)

Citi Bike rider gets a ticket for not stopping at the crosswalk on 14th Street and First Avenue (Friday, 53 comments)

Former Capital One® space now for rent on 14th and Third (Monday)

...Woody Allen and crew were filming on East Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue on Thursday...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

...the untitled project — Allen's 48th film — is set in 1950s Brooklyn, and stars Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, James Belushi and (below right) Justin Timberlake...


[DB]

...and Goggla shared this from Friday — this little fella is hidden away in Tompkins Square Park... waiting for the Big Day. Again.

The Village View tag sale is today

Village View's Semi-Annual Flea Market/Tag Sale is today ... in the playground just behind 60 Avenue A at the corner of East Fourth Street and Avenue A from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Usually some good finds here. Take a look at the spring sale here.

Props for Load Out today

[Photo by FABnyc]

Via the EVG inbox...

Once again, FABnyc is hosting Load OUT! – a creative recycling and repurposing riot during which we bring together gently used materials from arts organizations throughout the East Village and LES. Take home costumes, props, and furniture for your next artistic endeavor! This edition of Load OUT! is part of SUSTAIN – a day encouraging recycling, reusing, and repurposing in your everyday life, presented by FABnyc in partnership with Downtown Art.

Admission: FREE for artists & students / $5 for general public.
11 am – 2 pm
Rod Rodgers & DMAC Lot, 11 E. 3rd Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery

Maybe Third Street Spidey will end up here.

More on today's Taste of East Village benefit

Today's Taste of the East Village festival includes a free performance by Public Access T.V. outside the Orpheum on Second Avenue.

The four band members, along with their manager, all lived in 123 Second Ave. across the street... one of the three buildings destroyed during the deadly gas explosion on March 26, 2015.

The Times has a piece on the band, who were on tour in Los Angeles at the time of the explosion. The members are all living in the neighborhood again thanks to the Cooper Square Committee.

And today's festival is a benefit for Cooper Square. (Tickets are $30.)

Free show aside, the festival takes place on Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

Per the event website:

Taste of East Village is an outdoor culinary festival ... benefiting the affordable housing preservation and development work, social services, and senior programming of the Cooper Square Committee.

We feature dishes from more than 15 of the East Village’s best restaurants and eateries (see the list below), and live entertainment from local musicians — The Jazz Passengers, Maquina Mono, Public Access TV, Rachelle Garniez, Bill Popp and the Tapes, Bern and the Brights.

Buying a Taste of East Village ticket helps raise money for Cooper Square Committee’s affordable housing development work (including the Bea Arthur Residence for homeless LGBT youth), greening and resiliency programs, tenant counseling, organizing and anti-eviction work, and social services for low income households and senior citizens.

This all takes place between noon and 5 p.m.

Spidey sense

Photo on East Third Street near the Bowery by Derek Berg

The big Fix

NYC's Boss Hog from their appearance back in July in the KEXP studios. The video here is for "Fix Me," from 1989's Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin' EP ... (You can watch the full KEXP set here.)

Boss Hog plays Union Pool on Oct. 27 before heading to Germany for a mini tour in support of a new EP.

The East Village Eye reopens tonight

[Special edition of the East Village Eye]

Here's some news about the East Village Eye, the influential arts newspaper/magazine hybrid that published 72 issues from May 1979 through January 1987. Via the EVG inbox...

We are pleased to enclose an updated schedule of special events surrounding Howl! Happening’s East Village Eye Show, opening tonight from 6-9.

The events point to the Eye’s key role in nurturing talent and giving voice to a generation of artists and writers whose groundbreaking work commented on the art and social history of the period and the unique collaborative spirit that flourished amid the rubble and rumblings of the EV/LES in the 80s.

Sunday, Sept. 18, 7 PM
East Village Art: Scene or Circumstance?
A Panel Discussion with Leonard Abrams, Yasmin Ramirez, Ph.D., Sur Rodney (Sur), Arthur Fournier, and Anthony Haden-Guest
Expanding upon the East Village Eye Show, key figures from the period and beyond discuss the times and the neighborhood that changed the culture forever. Moderated by Leonard Abrams, editor and publisher of the Eye.

Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25 7 PM
East Village Eye Showcases the Films of The 1980s
From The Cinema of Transgression known for its shocking themes and black humor and Sara Driver’s “lost” debut film to a fully restored version of Tommy Turner and David Wojnarowicz’ Where Evil Dwells and films that helped define the No Wave scene by key members of Downtown No Wave Cinema, this evening presents works by some of the most important filmmakers to come out of the East Village in the 1980s.

Reflecting the cultural turmoil and the explosion of creative expression of the times, these films illuminate the groundbreaking, sometimes shocking, experimental ethos of the neighborhood. Included are Coleen Fitzgibbon LES (Lower East Side) (1975); Vivienne Dick Liberty's Booty (1980); James Nares Rome 78 (1978); Sara Driver You Are Not I (1981); Tommy Turner Simonland (1984); Richard Kern Stray Dogs (1985); Nick Zedd They Eat Scum (1979); Richard Kern & Nick Zedd Thrust in Me (1985); Tommy Turner and David Wojnarowicz Where Evil Dwells (1985)

And tonight at the Delancey, there's the East Village Eye Party starring James Chance & The Contortions, The Lenny Kaye Connection and the Sic F*cks. Ticket info here.

The East Village Eye show is up through Oct. 9 at the Howl Happening! space, 6 E. First St. near the Bowery.

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

EV Grieve Etc.: DOA on 2nd Avenue; No Wave Out at Joe's Pub

[The view downtown last night via Bobby Williams]

The Taste of the East Village is tomorrow (Saturday!) on Seventh Street (Official site)

66-year-old man found dead on 10th Street and Second Avenue; OD suspected (BoweryBoogie ... Daily News)

More about Guac, now open on Avenue B (DNAinfo ... previously)

Series highlights early female film directors (Anthology Film Archives)

A look at Fishcheeks, the new Thai restaurant on Bond Street near the Bowery (Grub Street ... previously)

No Wave Out at Joe's Pub pairs Lydia Lunch and Umar Bin Hassan (Some Serious Business)

Here's the trailer for Harley Flanagan's book "Hardcore: Life Of My Own" via Feral House...



Check out the films of Robert Aldrich (Metrograph)

"Aliens" at midnight this weekend (Sunshine Cinema)

Ssäm Bar closing for renovation; neighbor Booker and Dax relocating (Eater)

Yuh-Line Niou wins battle for Sheldon Silver’s former Assembly seat (The Lo-Down)

City moves ahead to develop the Elizabeth Street Garden (DNAinfo)

The schedule for the Feast of San Gennaro, which started yesterday (Time Out)

Random diversions: Alice Cooper's Paris TV special in 1982 (Dangerous Minds)

... and happy 30 years in the EV restaurant business to Stephen Shanaghan (pictured left) and Arnoldo Caballero, who own and operate Pangea at 178 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street...


[Photo from March 2015 by James Maher]

Read our interview from 2015 with them here.

Citi Bike rider gets a ticket for not stopping at the crosswalk on 14th Street and 1st Avenue

Via YouTube and Kactapuss today:

On my ride to work I see the police light up a woman who biked past the crosswalk to the corner. They gave her a red light ticket even though she did not cross through the intersection.

Swiss Institute moving into the former Chase branch on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photo from December by Steven]

Looks as if the former Chase branch on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place won't be torn down after all.

Back in February, landlord Icon Realty filed demolition permits for the address, 130 Second Ave.

At the time, there apparently weren't any takers for the space, which had been on the market since last summer with an asking price of $72,000 a month, per the listing. The address was being marketed for use as retail, a restaurants/bar, office space or a gym.

Now comes word that the Swiss Institute, a non-profit cultural center currently located on Wooster Street, has signed a lease for the space. Here is part of the news release:

Swiss Institute (SI) announced that it will be relocating to a new long-term home in New York City’s East Village, moving into a building at the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue. The organization has selected Selldorf Architects to design the renovation of the 7,500 square foot building, due to open in the Spring of 2017.

Swiss Institute has hired Selldorf Architects to oversee the transformation of its new building. The 7,500 square foot space features four levels – basement, ground, second floor, and roof. The design for the building will create spaces for exhibitions, projects and public programs, a library, a bookstore, and a usable rooftop.



SI’s new home is located within half a mile of several prominent cultural and educational institutions including Anthology Film Archives, Cooper Union, Danspace Project, ICP, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, New Museum, New York University, The Poetry Project, and The Public Theater.

“This new building offers tremendous opportunities to expand upon our mission and serve a growing audience, to whom we will continue to offer forward-looking exhibitions and public programs, always free of charge”, said Swiss Institute Director Simon Castets. “We look forward to joining and contributing to the diverse community of cultural organizations and artists that have called the East Village home for many years.”

SI had lost their home in Soho to Jeffrey Deitch, per ARTnews.

As for the Chase branch, which merged with the one two blocks to the north, there were rumors galore about what Icon Realty was going to do to the space. Leasing to an arts organization was not among the predictions. In reporting on this move, ARTnews floated the following:

A rumor going around was that there would be a biergarten up top, which would befit a Swiss art concern, but at this time that tidbit is unconfirmed...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chase space on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place is for rent

2 East Village Chase Bank branches are closing for good on Nov. 12

Chase branch on 2nd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has the potential to get 4x larger with new owner

The East Village is down 2 Chase branches

Icon wraps former Chase branch at St. Mark's Place with retail ribbon

'Good riddance' Chase, and — a development to watch in 2016

The 9th Street Bock party is tomorrow (Saturday!)

For a good time head over to Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (After that, you're on your own.)

As usual, some of the businesses along the block will have tables set up outside... as well as some residents holding stoop sales.

And here is the live music lineup via the EVG inbox...

11.45 — Batucata (Brazillian drumming) with GingaPura
12.15 — The Last Band Ever
1 — BroadBand
1.45 — EV3
2.30 — Bluesco
3.15 — Ruckus Interuptus

Brought to you by the 9th Street A-1 Block Association

CB3 wants your input on 2018 budget priorities this coming Monday (Sept. 19!)

Budget time again...Via the EVG inbox..

CB 3 Public Hearing: FY 2018 Budget Priorities
Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m., Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. (between Second Avenue and the Bowery)

What parks need reconstruction? What programs need funding? Help us assess the needs of our community.

Every year the Community Board submits a list of capital and expense budget priorities to city agencies. This hearing is your opportunity to have input into these district budget priorities. Tell us how money should be spent in Community Board 3.

Organizations, groups and individuals representing all segments of the community are encouraged to participate.

Sugar Sketch softly opens today on 2nd Street

Back in June we mentioned that Sugar Sketch, a bakery (cakery per the sign), is coming to 172 E. Second St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...

Their soft opening starts today... with 20 percent off items through Sunday...



Here's more about the proprietor from the Sugar Sketch website:

Martina Nardo has been a Pastry Chef and Cake Designer for the past six years in New York City. Born and raised in Rome, Italy, her passion for both food and art stems from her heritage. Her grandmother taught her to appreciate the simplicity of Italian cuisine, its flavors, and the cultural value associated with it. Her mother – a graphic designer and illustrator – has played a major influence encouraging her to apply creativity towards her cakes making them true works of art.

Upon receiving her BA in Psychology from the New School, she began her studies of the Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education and finished her studies with a degree in Cake Designs and Techniques at The French Culinary Institute in NYC. After working in several kitchen settings throughout Manhattan, Martina launched Sugar Sketch in 2013.

She has been making cakes, cupcakes and cookies by order... this will be the first retail space.

This post has nothing to do with the East Village, except for the part about 2 Boots Pizza

Workers recently removed the sign from a women's discount boutique on Nassau Street down in the Financial District ... revealing cool ghost neon signage for Loft's Candies...

Per Wikipedia, English immigrant William Loft opened a candy store on Canal Street in 1860... at one point they were the "largest maker and seller of candy in the world in the second decade of the 20th century." In 1941, Loft merged with PepsiCo. By 1990, the last Loft's retail store had closed.

I have no idea when this location ceased operations. The storefront had been home to a Lily's Boutique in recent years. According to the Commercial Observer, Two Boots Pizza will be opening its first Lower Manhattan location here ... complete with a pizzeria and bar/lounge.

Two Boots, which got its start on Avenue A (different location than its current home) in 1987, now has 17 locations in six states.