Tuesday, December 13, 2016

More details emerge about reported shooting outside the Hells Angels HQ


[ABC 7 and the NYPD on East 3rd Street yesterday. Photo by Steven]

A few more details are emerging about the shooting that took place outside the Hells Angels HQ on Third Street early Sunday morning.

Per previous reports, a 25-year-old man was shot in the gut after moving an orange traffic cone outside the HQ between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The victim, identified as David Martinez of Spring Valley, and his friends were in a Mercedes Benz on the block. Earlier reports stated that they tried to move a cone to park. However, published reports now say that they were stuck behind a livery cab, and tried to move the cone to pass. Someone from the clubhouse reportedly told Martinez not to touch the cone. A fight ensued, and Martinez sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his stomach.

According to a follow-up report in the Daily News, Martinez kicked the man who shot him, and investigators hope that DNA on his boot might help find the suspect, called a prospect of the club.

The fracas ... started when Martinez and four friends pulled up in a black Mercedes-Benz at about 1:20 a.m. and moved an orange cone in front of the building, sources said.

Martinez's friend, Joseph Gray, 25, was driving ... He didn't realize what the building was.

The prospect confronted Martinez and threw the first punch, sources said.

Martinez's male friends — Gray, Edmond Peters, 27, and Cecil Peters, also 27 — got out of the car, and more of the club's members spilled out of the building, sources said.

The two groups squared off and, at one point, Gray took a chain out of his trunk and started swinging, police sources said.

Martinez got the better of the prospect, punching and kicking him, and knocked him to the ground.

When Martinez moved in for another kick, the prospect sat up, gun in hand, and fired once.

According to the News, police are looking for a suspect who wore a hat with the word "dad" on it.

Meanwhile, the Post is all over the cone story. Yesterday morning, officers sitting in a police cruiser by the HQ noticed another orange cone outside the building.

And then!

[A]ll hell broke loose when a cop removed the orange cone and tossed it into a cruiser, prompting a roughneck lady Angel to burst into tears.

“I don’t know what to do! Why are they doing this?! I’m just trying to do the right thing!” the motorcycle mama sobbed.

The crybaby biker then hopped in a Chevy and nearly plowed into a Post photographer. Cops slapped her with three summonses, including failure to signal, failure to wear a seat belt and reckless driving, a police source said.

According to the Post, the members of the Hells Angels have not been cooperating with the NYPD's investigation.

New at Ray's for the holidays — apple fritters



Over at Ray's Candy Candy Store, 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street, Ray has introduced a new menu item for the holiday season — apple fritters ...



As EVG regular Peter Brownscombe reports, Ray produced the first offering (above) on Sunday. They were well-received. Pricing has yet to be determined.

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As previously noted, photographer Whitney Browne, who works a few shifts at Ray's, is selling prints this month — all the proceeds are going directly to Ray. A set of four prints is $100 or $25 each (plus shipping). Per Whitney: "One print purchase = 2 hours Ray can pay someone to work in the store while he gets some rest." See a gallery of available shots here.

Lucky 7s: Extell's 7-story developments look to be topping out on 14th Street



Construction appears to be 7 stories above street level on the 7-story, mixed-used building under development at 500 E. 14th St. at Avenue A...





...and ditto for its sister building to the east at No. 524...



Extell is developing the two, seven-story buildings that together will offer 150 residential units (of those, 32 will reportedly be below-market rate) as well as 56,610-square feet of retail space.

As previously reported, Target is leasing 27,306 square feet in No. 500's corner space for a small-format store expected to open in the summer of 2018.


[Fast-forward to the summer of 2018, maybe!]

The excavating started on the property in June 2015.

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

Target offers details about its flexible-format store opening summer 2018 on 14th and A

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



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...

Monday, December 12, 2016

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...


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...

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.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

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