Whole Foods Market® Bowery replacing beer with coffee in prime corner spot

Meant to mention this much earlier, given how popular posts about the Whole Foods Market® Bowery are... So, the store has shut down its sizable Beer Room (as of April 17) on the corner of Chrystie and East Houston ... signage points to an incoming Coffee Bar, likely a much better all-day draw than a beer store. (One employee said she thought that the Coffee Bar would be two levels.)

However, WFB isn't done with beer... the sizable suds stock has been moved into the main part of the store... though without any kind of growler service (WFB did away with its homebrew stock in 2013) ...







This is just the latest in WFB enhancements for the 10-year-old store ... including a rebooted bakery and prepared foods region.

There was news yesterday that Albertsons may make a bid to buy Whole Foods.

Sunny's is closed for a day or two (nothing bad no worries)

The gates are down over at the corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street ... home of Sunny's Florist... there is a sign noting being "closed due to family matters" ...



...with a "nothing bad no worries" reassurance ... Sunny's is expected to reopen on Wednesday ("for sure").

The shop is operated by Sun "Sunny" Ja Hwang and her son Edward... and it's a great place for flowers.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo!

Updated 4/26

Sunny's is back open!

'The Story of a Junkie' at the Metrograph this week

STORY OF A JUNKIE: A.K.A. GRINGO is an ace character study / docudrama portraying the gritty street life and shooting galleries of the East Village/Alphabet City circa 1984 and magnificent real-life junkie wreck John Spacely (the self-described "Mayor of Saint Marks Place"). Brutal, tender, and—in its final images of Spacely skateboarding through lower Manhattan—transcendent. One of the greats from director Lech Kowalski (Rock Soup, D.O.A., East of Paradise). Playing this Tues and Weds 4/25 + 4/26 as part of Metrograph A to Z, a collection of films we think everyone should see. #johnspaceley #eastvillage #stmarksplace

A post shared by Metrograph (@metrographnyc) on Apr 22, 2017 at 5:00am PDT

The film is playing tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The Metrograph is at 7 Ludlow St. between Canal and Hester. Details here.

Permits filed for 6-story building in long-empty lot at 89 1st Ave.

[Photo from Friday]

Plans were filed last week with the city for a 6-floor building at 89 First Ave., the long-vacant lot between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

According to the pre-filing info at the DOB, the building will house eight dwelling units in nearly 7,400 square feet of space. The nearly 1,000 square feet per unit suggests condos. There's another 900 square feet listed for the ground-floor storefront.

As you may recall, we heard a rumor in the fall of 2014 that there were preliminary plans in place to build a 7-floor residential building here.

Since then, we've spotted workers clearing the lot of various weeds and trees and taking soil samples (here and here, for instance).

Florence Toledano was the owner of this lot. In 2013, public records show that the deed for the property was transferred from the Florence Toledano Living Trust to 89 First Avenue LLC. The DOB permit lists Daniel Toledano as the manager of the property. (We do not know the relationship between Daniel Toledano and Florence Toledano. One reader said Daniel is a nephew of Florence.) Andrew Fredman is listed as the architect of record for the new building.



Daniel Toledano is also listed as the owner of the lot that housed the 2Bn2C sculpture garden at 231 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. Development plans have been rumored there in recent years as well. There is nothing on file with the DOB for this property.


[231 E. 2nd St.]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Will this long-empty lot on 1st Avenue yield to affordable housing?

Drilling and soil testing commences at the long-empty lot at 89 1st Ave.

Silverstone Property Group gets to work on buildings (previously) owned by Raphael Toledano

News broke (via The Real Deal) last week that Madison Realty Capital was replacing controversial landlord Raphael Toledano as the property manager of 15 East Village buildings while a deal to transfer the ownership was worked out.

A judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York directed all forthcoming rents and managing rights to Silverstone Property Group, the property management arm of Madison.

Per The Real Deal:

As part of the order, the judge prohibited Silverstone from renovating the vacant apartments for the time being aside from emergency repairs.

“Through its initial visits with the properties, [Silverstone] has determined that many of the issues are related to the prior manager’s elimination of staff from the properties, which in [Silverstone’s] opinion are crucial to the smooth operation of the properties,” Silverstone managing director Phillip Lavoie wrote in a court document.

An EVG reader shared the above photo from a building on 12th Street... showing a flyer in which Silverstone reps were to inspect each apartment. "Each inspection will take around approximately 15 minutes. This inspection is to address and identify all necessary repairs within each apartment." Similar flyers were found on the other former Toledano buildings. (We did not hear about how all this inspection business went.)

Silverstone has been accused in the past of predatory practices, allegedly cutting the gas to a building in Chinatown after elderly rent-stabilized residents turned down buyout offers, according to DNAinfo. (The tenants eventually won the right to have the gas restored.)

Madison has reportedly said that Toledano owes some $140 million, including $125 million in loans against the 15 properties, plus interest and attorneys’ fees.

Meanwhile, this message is on the front door of a building on Fifth Street ... next to the five buildings that Madison has taken over from Toledano...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Foreclosure notice arrives on Raphael Toledano-owned building on 12th Street

Report: Raphael Toledano files for Chapter 11; $145 million deal for EV portfolio is off the table

Raphael Toledano tenants take to Midtown streets to speak out against their landlord and his lenders

Pop-up bubble tea exhibit brings crowds to the Bowery

[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

The Boba Room made its debut Saturday at the Open Space Gallery on the Bowery between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Here's more about the pop-up exhibit via Gothamist:

Conceived of by Chaimi Food Studio co-founders Yanqiong Zeng and Iris Danlu Xing, Boba Room is an intersection of art, design and food that combines the duo's appreciation for food with their backgrounds and experiences in visual art, photography and food engineering and science.

And per The Daily Meal: "For those who are in the dark about boba, it’s an edible, chewy ball made from the cooking and cooling of tapioca. Boba is used in bubble tea."

The Boba Room is open through May 6 (from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the week; 10 p.m. on weekends). Tickets are $10 each ($7 for kids or seniors).

A retail vacancy at 51 Astor Place

Back in September 2014, hotelier-developer Ian Schrager became the first ground-floor tenant at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star with the sales office and model apartment for his incoming hotel-condo tower at 215 Chrystie just below East Houston.

That's all built and mostly sold now (just one residence out of 11 left!), so they've packed up and left...



Leaving a nice space for rent on the Ninth Street and Third Avenue side...



There haven't been any for rent signs posted just yet ... and no word on what might be joining the building's other retail tenants — CVS, Flywheel Sports, Orangetheory Fitness, Bluestone Lane Coffee and Chopt.

Thoughts/wishes on a new tenant? Duane Reade? An all-ages venue for unsigned bands?

Previously on EV Grieve:
You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

Ben Shaoul's East Houston Street condoplex makes first street-level appearance

[Photo from Saturday]

It has been about two years since the demolition of the one-level row of storefronts on East Houston at Orchard Street... and now Ben Shaoul's incoming condoplex finally makes it above the plywood (aside from that steel beam).

Here's a look at the site from yesterday...







As noted, the available condos here in the 11-story, 94-unit building range from a 551-square-foot studio for $1.075 million to a 2,069-square-foot three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom apartment asking $5.995 million. There will also be a three-level Equinox (gym) in the retail space.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Making way for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex on East Houston

Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard

Send a salami to your boy next door in the condo

Matcha tea shop opens today on 7th Street

As previously mentioned, there's a tea shop opening at 74 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue... and today is the opening day for Setsugekka...



The storefront will be a shop run by the owners of Tea-Whisk, whose aim "is to introduce the beauty of Japanese Tea Ceremony in NY."

Weekend parting shot — you've lost that loving feeling

Photo off Third Avenue by Rob Halpern...

Today in freebies on 6th Street

A collection of Nora Ephron's writing, an unopened pack of women's briefs by Hanes and three tubes of foot and hand creme with avocado all here between Avenue A and Avenue B... photo via EVG reader Mark White...

Week in Grieview

[Monday morning on Avenue A via]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

NYPD offers explanation into Kelly Hurley's death: "she slipped" (Tuesday)

Madison Realty Capital now managing Raphael Toledano's East Village portfolio (Tuesday)

The owner-founder of JuiceGo on 9th Street dies (Monday)

Checking in on John's of 12th Street (Thursday)

Caffe Bene closes on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches (Wednesday)

Angelica Kitchen space for rent (Wednesday)

Demolition watch: 118 E. First St. (Monday)

A coffee at the Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger (Friday)

Out and About With James the Leather Man (Wednesday)

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St. (Tuesday)


[St. Mark's Place wedding party photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

Time for the Sixth Street Community Center CSA (Tuesday)

On 3rd and 13th, Blue Mercury arriving; dinosaur mural not yet extinct (Monday)

Pizzeria in the works for former pizzeria at 130 St. Mark's Place (Friday)

The Mosaic Man's smokin' tribute to David Peel on Astor Place (Wednesday)

Looking for signs of Artichoke on 14th Street (Monday)

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company coming to 8th Street and Broadway (Thursday)

Report: Avenue A deli clerk arrested for assault; allegedly calls customer a tranny (Wednesday)

A new vendor for the Bowery Market (Thursday)

EV photographers James & Karla Murray hosting workshop on capturing disappearing storefronts (Thursday)

Full FULL reveal on 1st Street, Avenue A and the Bowery (Tuesday)

Disc-O-Rama closing on 8th Street (Monday)

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Neon by Cheng opens on 7th Street

Neon by Cheng opened last week at 66 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue... the boutique is via designer Cheng-Huai Chuang

@chenghuaichuang debuted his own fashion line in 2010 and has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, WWD, Interview, V Magazine, Nylon, Essence, and more. His clothes have also been worn by famous celebrities like Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Khloe Kardashian, Taraji P. Hensen, Zendaya, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Osbourne, Brandy, Christina Ricci, Justine Skye and Debbie Harry, to name a few. Now you can buy his designs at NEON boutique. #cheng #chenghuaichuang #neonbycheng #oneofkind #couture #7thstnyc #eastvillageloves #makeinnyc #madeon7thst #fashion #style #love

A post shared by neonbycheng (@neonbycheng) on Apr 16, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT

The space last housed Barbara Feinman Millinery, who moved down the block... and now goes by East Village Hats...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo on Second Avenue at Fifth Street by Derek Berg ... Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!

Happy Earth Day!

Hop in and we can catch the end of the March for Science!

Photo on Lafayette by Lola Sáenz

Zero wasting

Noted

Not sure how long this plywood has been here on Third Avenue at 14th Street. Did someone really place it here yesterday and will pick up today? Or is it like one of those wacky Free Beer Tomorrow signs you might see in a bar? Tomorrow never comes.

Or maybe someone at the Dept. of Transportation has a cousin who owns a sign company

Earlier this week, a worker was putting up new signs about the parking meters along Seventh Street... EVG Street Sign Correspondent Derek Berg captured the two versions of the signs...



The new posted sign features upper- and lower-case letters that are slightly larger. Easier to read? As I recall some years ago (WNYC story here), the feds were requiring the city to use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters as part of a safety move. Outrage!

Anyway, font commenters please chime in!

Aside from Record Store Day, it is also Earth Day

Perhaps after picking up that Superchunk "Cup of Sand" compilation on vinyl at Academy Records, you can head out for some Earth Day activities...as the above flyer shows, there's a parade starting at noon at the 6B Garden on Sixth Street and Avenue B... ultimately arriving for an Earth Day Celebration from 2-4 (p.m., though you never know) at El Jardin Del Paraiso on Fourth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D. Find more details here.

Hey, it's Record Store Day

Every day is Record Store Day... but tomorrow (Saturday!), is the official day this year. Here is the local action...

• Turntable Lab, 84 E. 10th St. between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue

EVERY DAY IS RECORD STORE DAY: But really, there's only one that people line up for... Swipe right 👉🏽 to see how deeply we're going in this year. A slew of our favorites DJs will be playing vinyl all day, 10% off storewide (including RSD titles), free high quality tote bag with purchase, discounted coffee courtesy of our friends City of Saints, and many positive vibrations throughout the day! All happening this Saturday at our NEW location: 84 E 10th between 3rd & 4th Ave in the East Village.

A post shared by turntablelabnyc (@turntablelabnyc) on Apr 21, 2017 at 6:39am PDT

• Good Records NYC, 218 E. Fifth St. between the Bowery and Second Avenue

just some of the rare original titles going out tomorrow for #recordstoreday in addition to the exclusive RSD stuff. Pay a visit, if you dare #HellAwaits #SupaDupaFly #Trainspotting #NoHolds

A post shared by Good Records NYC (@goodrecordsnyc) on Apr 21, 2017 at 8:18am PDT

• Academy LPs, 415 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Avenue A

Mono Madness at 12th st for RSD tomorrow. SWIPE In addition to 100+ official RSD 2017 titles we are putting out a premium selection of used titles including OG mono presses of these titles. Our apologies if one of the two butcher covers is stereo! One of the Dylan Lps is still sealed... #beatles #thebeatles #butchercover #dylan #zappa #milesdavis #mono #deepgroove

A post shared by Academy Records NYC (@academyrecords) on Apr 21, 2017 at 3:04pm PDT

• A-1 Records, 439 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue

Shoulder to shoulder affair

A post shared by A-1 Record Shop (@a1recordshop) on Apr 4, 2017 at 3:23pm PDT

Find the official Record Store Day website here ... and the list of special Record Store Day releases here...