Convive Wine & Spirits now open on Avenue A

Convive Wine & Spirits has opened for business at 196 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The store's Instagram account notes this: "National wine & spirits retailer located in East Village of New York. We pride ourselves on our customer service, our selection and our many opinions."

Also from the store's Instagram account...

our refrigerated wall of wine. #thoughtfuldesign #coldwine

A photo posted by Convive Wines & Spirits (@convivewines) on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:38am PST

A photo posted by Convive Wines & Spirits (@convivewines) on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:52am PST

The shop is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Avenue A Wine & Liquor was the previous tenant here.

Latest By Chloe takes shape on Lafayette

[Photo from December]

Heading outside the usual coverage area for a moment... Back in December 2015, we noted the arrival of the branded By Chloe signage for a new location on Lafayette Street near Spring... yesterday an EVG reader pointed out that the plywood came off the windows, and the next location of the popular Bleecker Street vegan restaurant looks close to being open...

This is the last week for the Redhead on 13th Street

Early last month we reported that the Redhead, the unassuming, Southern-flavored restaurant on 13th Street, was closing in early January.

A staffer told us that the Redhead would be open for a New Year's Eve service/celebration.

Apparently those plans have all changed. The restaurant yesterday announced a new closing date on Twitter...

It is bittersweet to announce that this will be our final week of service. Please join us as we celebrate an amazing 10 years. pic.twitter.com/aql14YUqBS

— The Redhead (@theredheadnyc) December 11, 2016

The 10-year lease at the Redhead between First Avenue and Second Avenue is up (and there is a rent increase)... plus, the partners have apparently been living out of state. Chef/founding partner Meg Grace Larcom is now in Colorado.

Saturday is the restaurant's last day of service.

[Updated] Jared Kushner apparently didn't pay the ConEd bill on 9th Street

ConEd has placed turn-off notices on the front doors at 329-335 E. Ninth St., the buildings operated by the Jared Kushner-owned Kushner Companies here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.


[Click image for larger view]

At No. 329, the notice states that "because KUSHNER VILLAGE 329 has not paid past due bills for $700.47 and a $525 security deposit... we will have to turn off service unless we receive payment by January 4, 2017."

As previously noted, only Steve Croman owns more residential buildings in the East Village than Jared Kushner does. Kushner, 35, who is married to President-elect Donald Trump’s elder daughter, Ivanka, reportedly may have some kind of role in the new administration.

Photos by Steven

Updated 12-13

DNAinfo has more on the story here ... including:

A representative of Westminster Management said the company was in the midst of transitioning the management of utility payments to a different company, likely causing a delay in payments, and added that the bill had been paid on Monday.

Report: Man reportedly shot moving orange cones outside Hells Angels HQ on 3rd Street

[EVG file photo]

Update 12/13. We have a follow-up post with more details here.

According to a report in the Post, a 25-year-man was shot in the gut after moving orange traffic cones outside the Hells Angels HQ on Third Street early Sunday morning.

The victim, identified as David Martinez, and his friends were looking for a parking spot when they spotted the space between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

A biker came out of the club’s headquarters and told them to stop what they were doing, sparking an argument between him and Martinez, police sources said.

Their dispute then turned violent, and other bikers spilled out of the clubhouse.

One of those men ran up to Martinez and shot him in the gut, sources said.

The Daily News reported that Martinez's friends "loaded him into their Mercedes-Benz and drove him to Bellevue Hospital, where he’s expected to survive."

As for descriptions of the suspects. The Post noted: "Cops were looking for three suspects, described only as white men most likely riding motorcycles."

#notourpresident storefront not coming to 2nd Avenue

[Reader photo from Nov. 18]

As we first noted on Nov. 19, coming soon signage arrived for #notourpresident on an empty storefront (No. 64) on Second Avenue between Fourth Street and Third Street.

The #notourpresident sparked some speculation, especially when there was a cafe sign in view as well. (Maybe this would be another attempt at satire like the dearly departed 'Merica on Sixth Street.)

In any event, the signage is gone, and the for rent banner is back in view ...



The asking rent here is $13,000, per the listing.

The space previously housed NYC Velo, who moved next door in March.

Velo was curious too about what might coming next door...

In non-bike news, it looks like our former shop space is getting a new tenant. While we try to be apolitical (it's #allaboutthebike) it will be interesting to see this one unfold #notourpresident

A photo posted by @nycvelo on Nov 27, 2016 at 2:24pm PST

PokéVillage opens today

PokéVillage is ready for poké action today here at 250 E. 14th St. near Second Avenue... as you can see, there is a 50-percent off deal coinciding with the grand opening...



Aside from a variety of the Hawaiian raw-fish salad, PokéVillage is serving burritos, nachos (!!!) and Korean-fried chicken wings...





This is the second new poke place to open in the neighborhood this year, joining PokéSpot, which debuted on Fourth Avenue and 12th Street on Aug. 12.

No 250 was previously home to Saving$ Paradise, which merged with I.Q. Decor back in the spring.

At the 25th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting

East Village residents gathered late this afternoon for the 25th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting.

The Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition, East Village Parks Conservancy and Third Street Music School Settlement hosted the event, which featured, as always, music by Mandel & Lydon Trio (Ellen Mandel, Michael Lydon and John Hagen) ... and the Carolers of Olde New York from Theatre for the New City. Veselka served food and drinks. Angelica's Kitchen, C&B Cafe and Jimmy's 43 also chipped in on snacks for the lighting.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and shared these photos...




[Artist Albert Fabozzi planted the tree 25 years ago to commemorate the loss of his friend, Park advocate Glenn Barnett]

The first dusting of snow this season can only mean 1 thing

Photo on 9th Street by Steven...

Santa comes down the ladder on 2nd Street

Courtesy of Engine 28/Ladder 11 between Avenue B and Avenue C... Photos by Bill Buchen...

SantaCon 2016 in photos

A few scenes from SantaCon yesterday in the East Village...



















Above photos by Derek Berg...


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...and some photos by EVG reader Cheyenne...









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Will update later with any reports of arrests, donation totals, etc. (Two SantaCon protesters were reportedly ticketed yesterday for using megaphones without a permit.)

Perhaps we'll find out more about all this at One and One ...



Or this...



Updated 2:19 p.m.

From Gothamist:

An NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist that there were no SantaCon-related arrests made last night. NBC caught footage of two "SantaCon Is Cancelled" protesters who appeared to be arrested before noon, but an NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist that there was no record of their arrests. Officers did issue 100 summonses though, most of which were for disorderly conduct.

H/T NOTORIOUS

Reminders: tree lighting, cookie walk and holiday fair

[Tree photo Friday by Steven]

• The 25th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is today from 4-5 p.m. Details here.

• Day 2 of the 8th annual Cookie Walk at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church (Avenue A at 10th Street) is noon to 3 p.m. today. Details here.

From the Cookie Walk website:

The baking team kept baking Saturday so there are delicious cookies waiting for you today. Come early! We may not make it until 3 pm but we have plenty of varieties to start the day.

• The Neighborhood School's annual Holiday Fair is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 121 E. Third St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Details here.

Speaking of the school, workers yesterday removed the last of the sidewalk bridge and construction materials on the Fourth Street side of the building...





...marking the end of a long three years of renovations here.

A note from super Eddie

Welcome home.



Photo on Ninth Street yesterday by Steven.

PS
Because someone will ask — this is not one of the buildings on the block owned by Jared Kushner that have had other reported issues.

The Christo pounce

Red-tailed hawk dad Christo was spotted yesterday in Tompkins Square Park... hunting and gathering ...



...and eating...



Photos by Bobby Williams