Week in Grieview

[Photo outside Gem Spa by Derek Berg]

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston (Tuesday)

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks return of a community garden on Avenue C (Friday)

City says no to landmarking row of Seventh Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264 (Friday)

New life for Bolt, the dog abandoned in Tompkins Square Park (Saturday)

Wayland team opening Drift Inn at former Evelyn Drinkery space on Avenue C (Monday)

Sigmund Pretzel Shop makes closing official on Avenue B (Tuesday)

Blink Fitness is now open on Avenue A (Tuesday)

Another broker for former Chase branch on Avenue A, where the asking rent is nearly $50k a month (Monday)

Virgola is no more on Seventh Street (Monday)

Fall greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street (Tuesday)

Lamia's Fish Market headed to SLA for a beer-wine license for 45 Avenue B (Tuesday)

Three new name possibilities for Church of Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity on Third Street (Tuesday)

Squish Marshmallows signage arrives at 120 St. Mark's Place (Friday)

Out and About with Grant Stitt (Wednesday)

Something new to sit on at Astor Place (Wednesday)

Pit crew preps for 22-unit condo on First Avenue (Friday)

Tiny food for Astor Place (Thursday)

Celebrate Halloween with construction and water service interruptions! (Thursday)

Humongous fungus (Monday ... Tuesday)

Divya's Kitchen now open in the Bhakti Center on First Avenue (Wednesday)

Both storefronts at 111 E. Seventh St. are now for rent (Thursday)

The Dump Trump Collection (Monday)

SantaCon is Dec. 10 this year (Wednesday)

Turning over some new leaves for Cooper Square (Wednesday)

...and this is why we can't leave out nice discarded toilets...


[Photo on 10th Street by Steven]

[Updated] Roaming East Village streets somewhere

EVG regular William Klayer spotted this today on Astor Place... be warned!



Unless this is more new, bespoke seating.

Updated 12:35 p.m.

A clearer picture of what happened is beginning to emerge... EVG coffin contributor Derek Berg took this photo yesterday... (which is what might happen if you carry a coffin through the neighborhood ...)



Officials from the Department of Design and Construction are seeking the identity of the two men in the photo to seek their permission to turn the coffin into an attraction for an upcoming Astor Alive! event.

At East Village Meat Market's 2nd Annual Pierogi Tasting Day

Photos and text by EVG contributor Stacie Joy

The 2nd annual Pierogi Tasting Day event took place today at East Village Meat Market at 139 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.



The lines were long (stretching all the way down the block to St. Mark’s Place), and there had been more than 800 visitors when I arrived around 1 p.m. People patiently waited for free samples of pierogi and blintzes from Veselka, Rosa-Ly Pierogi, Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen, Ukrainian National Home in Jersey City, and a handful of other vendors.

Up for grabs were traditional pierogi flavors like potato, cheese, mushroom-barley, and buckwheat but also newer flavors like short rib, buffalo chicken, arugula-goat cheese, and taco.






[Store manager Andrew Ilnicki]


[Ilnicki family and friends]

Roman Ilnicki, the store’s social media director (and son of manager Andrew), said that he and his family were delighted at the massive turnout and happy to see so many friends, neighbors and visitors at the shop.

Sunday in Tompkins Square Park

Via the EVG inbox...

This is our last show of the season in Tompkins Square Park. Performers include:

• Transgendered Jesus
• Choking Victim
• Ache
• Clitorium
• (A) Truth

The fun begins at 2 p.m. sharp.

Following the bands (roughly 5:30 p.m.), cartoonist/artist Seth Tobocman will be projecting images from his graphic novel, "A War in the Neighborhood." Find more details here.

Checking in on Bolt, the dog abandoned Thursday morning in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo Thursday morning by Derek Berg]

On Thursday morning, someone abandoned the dog in the above photo in the Tompkins Square Park dog run...

Several residents called Social Tees on Fifth Street, and their director Samantha Brody was there within 10 minutes. Social Tees took the dog to the vet ... and had him groomed...

Social Tees provided an update on the dog, named Bolt...

Drumroll please... and TA DA!!!!! You know how we rescued a matted, gnarled, filthy mop of an abandoned dog in the dog run this morning and immediately whisked him away up to our vet and a groomer? HERE HE IS NOW!!! Bolt is in good health and aced his grooming session -- they specifically called to say how incredibly well behaved he was, despite the fact that he'd clearly never even had a bath his whole life let alone a nail trimming and full shave. Bolt is about 10 months old, very silly and energetic, and loves to play. We are so honored to have been able to rescue this boy. Stay tuned for more and thanks again to the amazing group of animal lovers who helped save him this morning! ❤️ #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #shihtzu #shihtzusofinstagram #blackdog #blackshihtzu #thatfacetho #cute #adorable #newdo #gooddog #luckydog #neglecteddog #nycdog #halloween #teamwork #compassion #cooperation #socialtees #socialteesnyc #straypride

A photo posted by SocialTeesNYC (@socialteesnyc) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Catching 'Fire'

Girls Against Boys are playing at St. Vitus in Brooklyn on Nov. 3.

I like their bio: "out of the ashes of dc punk rock dischord band soulside, moved up to new york, put out a ton of records since 1990, have 2 bass players, did a bunch of stuff with a bunch of people and we eat, drink, sleep and walk around."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of their Touch & Go release "House of GVSB."

From that record is "Super-fire."

Squish Marshmallows signage arrives at 120 St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

A worker today unveiled the signage at 120 St. Mark's Place, where Squish Marshmallows is opening in the long-empty storefront between Avenue A and First Avenue.

This is the first retail outlet for Katherine Sprung, the creator behind Squish Marshmallows. (They are available online and at Abigail's Bake Shop in Brooklyn.)

Per the Squish website:

The goal of Squish Marshmallows is to make a quality, delicious product, using natural ingredients in the marshmallow base, that makes people happy and changes the way they view the humble marshmallow. Whether you choose to enjoy the marshmallows by themselves, or use them to make the most decadent and whimsical s’mores, the idea is to simply eat them and be happy.

pretty in pink 🎀 reminder that a portion of sales during October will be donated to breast cancer research! also, we're HIRING! (site link in bio-info-jobs)

A photo posted by squish marshmallows® (@squishmarsh) on Oct 25, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

The previous tenant, Addiction Ink, left in 2014.

And as you may recall, 120 St. Mark's Place was once the artists collective known as The Cave. (Among other people, it was the home of the Mosaic Man.) Developer Ben Shaoul took over the property in 2006, where he earned his "sledgehammer" nickname from Curbed.

EV Grieve Etc.: Getting catty over a Yelp review; crowning Mr. LES

[Photo by Derek Berg]

71-year-old man robbed inside his apartment in the Wald Houses (Daily News)

Highlights of the Mr. LES Pageant — in Ridgewood (Slum Goddess)

A visit to the EV apartment of photographers Karla and James Murray (6sqft)

Yelper complains about the cat at S.K. Deli Market on Second Avenue; Internet responds (PIX11)

History of the Public Theater on Lafayette (Off the Grid)

Zagat names Kingsley on Avenue B as "top newcomer" (Zagat)

Bleecker Street Records closes for good (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

The birds of Lower Manhattan (Laura Goggin Photography)

A great lineup for "The Medium is the Massacre" series, including "Videodrome," "Demon Seed" and "Poltergeist." (Anthology Film Archives)

Momofuku Ssäm Bar reopens on Second Avenue (Eater)

"Shark Tank" alum sells East 13th Street home (The Post)

Metrograph presents "Trouble Every Day," a Halloween-themed slate of films named "in honor of Claire Denis's bloody film audit" (Official Site)

NYPD looking for suspect who threw a dog into a dumpster (The Lo-Down)

John Cale will perform the Velvet Underground & Nico live in NYC next year (Quietus)

How about a 30th anniversary celebration for Pussy Galore’s Exile on Main St.? (Dangerous Minds)

“The Ramones Way” street naming is Sunday (Gallery98)

...on Sunday, local restaurateur Ravi DeRossi is hosting a fundraiser for his nonprofit animal-rights organization BEAST (Benefits to End Animal Suffering Today) ... the event (it's a Dios de Los Muertos party) is at Mayahuel, 304 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. It's $25 from 4-6 p.m., and includes drinks, veggie tacos, etc. All the proceeds will go to helping put an end to animal cruelty. There's no cover from 6 p.m. to midnight. Details here.

[Updated] City says no to landmarking row of 7th Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264

[EVG photo of No. 264 from last month]

In early September, a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the 3-level house at 264 E. Seventh St between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Preservations rallied to try to have the string of pastel-colored residences here considered for landmarking. However, yesterday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) rejected the request. As Patch first reported: "The city's official reasoning was that there was no precedent for them to designate historic districts when the buildings cover just one side of the street."



For his part, Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, cited "at least eight examples of past historic designations by the LPC that covered just one side of the street, including a row of buildings on East 10th Street that's just a few blocks away."

In 2008, LPC said that the row of houses, from No 258 to 266, "appear to be an LPC-eligible historic district," as Patch pointed out.

Felicia Bond lived in the Garden Duplex when she illustrated the renowned children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" in the mid-1980s.

According to public records, Norris Chumley and Catherine Stine Chumley sold the property to Globalserv Property One, LLC, for $3.775 million.

In 2011, the home hit the market. Here was the broker pitch:

This incredible East Village three unit townhouse has great bones and endless possibilities! Currently set up as a parlor floor duplex with back yard and two floor through apartments, this classic townhouse is a great investment property or could be made into your own single family home!

[The backyard at No. 264]

Globalserv Property One, LLC has yet to make their intentions known for the-soon-to-be-demolished home.

Updated 10/29

Here's more about the homes via GVSHP:

Once part of what was known as “Political Row”, these five ca. 1842 houses, located between Avenues C and D, have rare and beautiful intact Greek Revival ornament, and are linked to the history of the early development of New York’s waterfront and to critical political figures of the 19th and early 20th century in New York.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in the house that inspired the art for 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'

Pit crew preps for 22-unit condo on 1st Avenue

Crews have started digging into the pit at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...



Doing the preliminary work for the foundation of an 8-story condoplex — featuring 22 residences in total.

And please mind the cattle pen and porta-potty set up on the bike lane...



As previously noted, here's what the Colonnade Group has planned for the lot:

Designed by HTO-Architect, the building will rise 8 stories and will stand out with its contemporary and timeless glassy structure. Comprised of 22 residential units, ranging from 1 to 3 bedroom condominiums, 75 I˚ AVE is the ultimate destination for New York sophisticated buyers looking for all the comforts of a high-end residence in a young and dynamic environment.

All of the units will benefit from a number of amenities, including Fitness Center, Lounge and Library, Private and Common Roof Deck, Storage, Bike Storage & Doorman and a no-wait express line next door at Rite Aid.

Still haven't seen the full rendering — just this thumbnail of an image...



And Ryan Serhant's team is responsible for the condo sales... here's a photo of some suits and shovels during the official groundbreaking at No. 75 a few weeks ago...

We have officially broken ground at 75 FIRST, our newest East Village condominium project on the corner of 5th Street. 22 beautiful homes with gorgeous finishes and stunning amenities designed by H. Thomas OHara. @serhant_team

A photo posted by Ryan Serhant (@ryanserhant) on Sep 28, 2016 at 2:03pm PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering

Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands

Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks return of a community garden on Avenue C

[Image via @RosieMendez]

As we've been noting in recent months, the empty lot between Eastville Gardens and 115 Avenue C (between Eighth Street and Seventh Street) has been renovated to create a new community garden.

On Wednesday afternoon, local elected officials, led by City Councilmember Rosie Mendez, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the Carmen Pabon Garden ... named for the longtime LES activist and community gardner. (She is in the above photo to the right of the sign.)

There's some contentious history here... Eastville Gardens, the apartment complex whose official address is 342 E. Eighth St., is on the site once occupied by El Jardin de la Esperanza. The 22-year-old garden was bulldozed in February 2000 to make way for the new development via Donald Capoccia of BFC Partners. (You can read more background here.)

According to the Lo-Down, who attended the ceremony:

Before the ribbon cutting, Capoccia made brief remarks, telling community activists gathered in the newly opened space, “It’s really the beginning of my rehabilitation” in the neighborhood. Capoccia said he’s now an, “embracer of community gardens.”

DNAinfo reports that local architect Paul Castrucci designed the garden, which features Magnolia and Pink Dogwood trees, cherry laurel and holly shrubs. It will reportedly be open year-round.

Carmen's Garden finally reopening to the public today Lower East Side #CommunityGardens this Garden help save all the gardens long story learn your history #directaction #corporatemedia

A video posted by Museum of Reclaimed UrbanSpace (@morusnyc) on Oct 26, 2016 at 1:45pm PDT

You can watch a video biography of Pabon here.


[Photo from last month by Dave on 7th]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Part of a community garden reappears 16 years after it was bulldozed

95 E. 3rd St., former home of the Edge, is for rent

The for rent signs are up now here between First Avenue and Second Avenue... can't recall seeing this broker around here before — Green Pond Real Estate (based in Clifton, N.J.) ...



We didn't spot any listing yet for the space, which is 1,300 square feet on the ground floor with another 650 square feet in the basement.

The neighborhood bar the Edge closed here in late September after 29 years in business.

Someone abandoned this dog in Tompkins Square Park this morning

EVG contributor Derek Berg reports that someone "dumped" this dog in the small dog run this morning ... Derek's photos are from around 9:30.

Residents called Social Tees on Fifth Street, and someone was there within 10 minutes. Social Tees is taking the dog to the vet for chip information and a check up. Derek guesses that the dog is between 1 and 2 years old...



Updated

Here's more ...

Meet our rescue of the morning!! Bolt was found abandoned in the rain in a nearby dog run, he is very sweet but underweight and so extremely dirty and matted, his knotted coat is pinching his skin with clumps of junk that are inches deep. Who could let this happen to such a lovely, happy soul? He's at the vet now and on his way to a grooming next. This boy is so hilarious, we can't wait to see him looking and feeling more comfortable. Stay tuned for updates, and huge thank you to @emmy_park | @stylepup and Whole Health Veterinary Hospital for helping us scoop this boy up and get him the care he desperately needs!! #rescuelife #animalrescue #rescuedog #neglecteddog #shihtzu #goodboy #gooddog #nycdog #teamwork #compassion #socialtees #socialteesnyc #straypride

A photo posted by SocialTeesNYC (@socialteesnyc) on Oct 27, 2016 at 8:10am PDT

Updated 10/29

Find an update on Bolt here.

Something Tiny for Astor Place the next few days

Crews were setting up for something this morning on the all-new Astor Place...

Here's more about what's happening today through Saturday... a Zagat-sponsored "Tiny Cafe" concept featuring Brooklyn's Pizza Loves Emily... and chocolate-chip cookies from "Master Pastry Chef" Jacques Torres, among other items ...

In NYC tomorrow through Saturday? Join us at our #TinyCafe in Astor Place for bite-sized versions of some of your favorite dishes including chocolate chip cookies from @jacquestorres, tacos from @lostacos1 and burgers and pizza from @pizzalovesemily/@emmysquaredpizza. We hope to see you there for some #TinyFood! #zagat

A photo posted by Zagat (@zagat) on Oct 26, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

Per Zagat:

At this one-of-a-kind pop-up cafe, visitors can taste these mini creations, snap Instagram-worthy photos of a tiny food display featuring additional Zagat rated restaurants such as Magnolia Bakery and watch hands meticulously assemble tiny food.

And if you need any seating options. Here's one.

Updated 9:15 a.m.

An updated look via Vinny & O...

Celebrate Halloween with construction and water service interruptions!

[EVG reader photo]

Just a heads up if you haven't seen these flyers... advising "that on or about the week of Monday, October 31, 2016, the New York City Department of Design & Construction will begin replacement of water mains at various locations."

As you can see, the "actual work boundaries" include 10th Street between First Avenue and Avenue B, Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street and First Avenue between 10th Street and 12th Street.

And there will be some water service interruptions in some of these areas, the flyers warn. (The city is supposed to allow 72 hours notice of any water shut off)... no word on just how long this will take. Feel free to leave your guesses in the comments.

East Village Meat Market hosting the 2nd Annual Pierogi Tasting Day on Saturday

Via the EVG inbox...

We will be giving out FREE samples of some of the best pierogies that the Ukrainian community has to offer. We will be serving Potato, Cheese, Buckwheat, Sauerkraut, Short ribs, Pumpkin and many other varieties. Pierogies will be available for purchase as well!

We are all very excited about partnering with Veselka, but most important we can't wait to spread the "Pierogi Love" to our customers and East Village neighbors.

The event will take place all day (9 am-6 pm) at our store on 139 Second Ave.

Find more details here. And check out photos from last year's event here.


[2015 photo via Stacie Joy]

Both storefronts at 111 E. 7th St. are now for rent

As we reported on Monday, the wine bar Virgola has cleared out of its home of 10 months at 122 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The for rent signs arrived on Tuesday...



Both storefronts at the address are on the market. (Village Style moved out in late September.)



Per a listing, the asking price for each storefront is $7,500. (Each space is 1,000 square feet, plus 600 square feet in the basement.)

The address is world famous, of course, for its cameo in "The Smurfs," the quadruple-Oscar winner from 2011.

Hitchcocktober move of the week: 'The Trouble With Harry'

Tonight's Hitchcocktober movie of the week at Village East Cinema on Second Avenue and 12th Street is ... "The Trouble With Harry."



And upcoming:

Oct. 31 (Halloween night!) — "Psycho"

You may buy advance tickets here. The movies start at 8 p.m.

Turning over some new leaves for Cooper Square

In our post earlier today about the new zipper bench on the reconstructed Astor Place, a commenter mentioned the arrival of new trees for the plaza around Cooper Square... EVG regular peter radley passed along these photos of the trees (nearly two dozen) on the scene today...



Here's a link to a weekly bulletin (PDF) noting what's happening this week.

Community forum tomorrow night (Thursday!) on the new Mount Sinai Downtown Beth Israel

As you likely know, Mount Sinai Beth Israel is creating a new “Mount Sinai Downtown” network, which includes a 70-bed facility at 14th Street and Second Avenue.

And tomorrow night, officials will be holding a community forum about their plans. Here are the details (the location has been changed — those flyers you've seen around the neighborhood have the wrong location...)

Learn More About the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Transformation.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
6:30-8:30 PM
NEW LOCATION
Mason Hall Auditoriun at Baruch College,
17 Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street

And MIGHT that new complex look like on 14th Street and Second Avenue? Here are two renderings...



And here's a rendering via the architectural firm Perkins Eastman showing the view from Second Avenue looking to the south...


[Click for the glorious details]