7th Street awning action

[EVG photo from May]

Back in May, we noted that 113 First Ave. — current home of the 7th Street Village Farm at First Avenue — was on the rental market.

Given the recent modifications here, it appeared as if the space would remain a corner market, as it had been for years ... and this afternoon, workers put up new awnings ... for 7th Street Village Farm Inc., as these photos by Derek Berg show...







We have an unconfirmed report that this is now part of the East Village Farm & Grocery (Second Avenue and Fourth Street) family... Anyway, there are new awnings.

Croxley Ales closes tomorrow (Wednesday) after 14 years on Avenue B

[EVG file photo]

Croxley Ales is ending its 14-year run on Avenue B after service tomorrow (Aug. 30).

Ownership posted this on the bar's Facebook page:

After almost 15 years on Ave B, Croxley's will open it’s doors for the last time Wednesday, August 30th 2017. We’d like to thank our staff and our guests for all the memories. We invite you to get your craft beer & wing fix one last time with us in Croxley Ave B & we sincerely look forward to seeing you at our other locations ... Don’t forget! Croxley’s In Williamsburg is only one short stop away on the L line. See you there for FOOTBALL KICK off Sept 7th…

The owners behind the Irish bars Triona's on Sullivan (est. 2012) and Triona's on Third (est. 2009) will take over the space at 28-30 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street for a similar-sounding venture.

Earlier this month, CB3's SLA committee approved a new liquor license for the yet-to-be-be-named establishment (Triona's on B?). This Triona's will have hours of noon to 4 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The menu is "traditional American-Irish comfort food." The bar-restaurant will also have 20 TV sets.

Croxley Ales opened on Avenue B in 2003.

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB3 OKs Triona's takeover of Croxley Ales on Avenue B

Owners of Triona's lined up to take over Croxley Ales on Avenue B

Croxley Ales beer garden sign finally removed

Croxley Ales reopens on Thursday

Avenue B condos near former heroin hot spot named Poppy Lofts

At the Bowery Market, Parantha Alley exits, Dosa Royale enters

Parantha Alley has not been open this month at the Bowery Market, the year-round open-air food court at 348 Bowery and Great Jones.

Turns out to be a permanent closure for the vendors who specialize in Indian street food. (They opened here in May.)

A rep for the Bowery Market told me that the owners of Parantha Alley had a health issue and needed to end their lease here.

However, the space won't be empty long. Per the rep: "It was clear the neighborhood enjoyed Indian food at the market. Therefore, we are welcoming Dosa Royale of Brooklyn to the market shortly who will carry on with Indian food and bring an even more expanded menu of Indian food offerings."

The Dosa Royale name has been added to the food stall.



Here's New York magazine with some thoughts on Dosa Royale:

The menu is lengthy, with plenty of vegetarian options, dosas, and curries. South Indian favorites like ulunthu vada, a fried lentil doughnut, and kothu parotta — flaky flatbread layered with onion, eggs, spices, and yogurt — are must-orders. (Avoid the idly, a steamed rice cake that’s pucklike with a microwaved quality to it.) Skip the curries in favor of the namesake dish, the gigantic dosa royale, a savory crêpe made from fermented rice and lentils that is quite literally larger than the width of the table and filled with spiced potatoes and a tangy shredded paneer and spinach mixture, as well as mixed vegetables.

The Market launched in July 2016 with five vendors... and since then, the mini outposts of Champion Coffee, The Butcher's Daughter, Pulqueria and now Parantha Alley have moved on.

Dosa Royale will join current vendors Alidoro, Sushi on Jones and Oaxaca Comida Calle.

Scaffolding arrives as demolition nears for Mount Sinai's 13th Street residential building

In recent months, workers have been prepping 321 E. 13th St., a 14-floor building between Second Avenue and First Avenue, for demolition.

Scaffolding is now up at the rear of the building, which housed training physicians and staff of the nearby New York Eye and Ear Infirmary...





That took about two weeks to erect... and workers are making their way around the building...



As you know, the Mount Sinai Health System is in the midst of its years-long project to rebuild Mount Sinai Beth Israel, transitioning to a network of smaller facilities throughout lower Manhattan. The plans include an expanded facility on 14th Street and Second Avenue.

The hospital's downsizing includes shutting down (and selling off) its campus on First Avenue and 16th Street

The new, 70-bed Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital will apparently live where No. 321 stands now and be ready, optimistically, in 2020. This is from a Mount Sinai FAQ page:

Central to the downtown transformation is the new Mount Sinai Downtown Beth Israel inpatient hospital, and a brand new state-of-the-art Emergency Department (ED), located at 14th Street near Second Avenue – just two blocks south of the current MSBI campus. The hospital will feature operating and procedure rooms, lab services and imaging equipment, and will be able to handle general surgeries such as gall bladder, hernia and appendectomies.

The ED will accept ambulances and will be able to handle all of the same emergencies that the current ED handles, including: broken bones, asthma attacks, appendicitis, heart attacks, pneumonia, stroke and all other emergencies. It will also include a pediatric ED. Services at the existing MSBI ED will continue without interruption until the new facility opens, which is expected in about four years.

So far only renderings for the enhanced New York Eye and Ear Infirmary on 14th Street and Second Avenue have been released to the public.


[Perkins Eastman]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Permits filed to demolish Mount Sinai's 13th Street residential building

Temporary closure at Jimmy's No. 43 may be permanent

Jimmy's No. 43 closed without much notice on Aug. 9 over at 43 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

A "gone fishin'" sign appeared on the door noting a temporary end-of-summer closure for repairs.

However, as owner Jimmy Carbone tells Gothamist, Jimmy's No. 43 may not be coming back at all.

The lease has been up for two years — Carbone has been operating on a month-to-month lease since then — and in February the landlord "dialed it up" and told him that Jimmy's could stay but he would have to start looking for a partner to help with back rent and, in the meantime, he'd have to pay more to remain, according to Carbone. He says it's been a long road getting to this point.

Carbone says the financial difficulties started in 2010 when the city began issuing letter grades for bars and restaurants. Jimmy's was inspected five times in six months and Carbone says it took him three years to pay off the $15,000 in fines as a result of those inspections. In 2013, Jimmy's was shuttered twice by the Health Department, first because of rodent issues that stemmed from Hurricane Sandy; another time because Carbone couldn't afford to pay the fines.

For now, Jimmy's, which opened 12 years ago, remains closed. Carbone, who previously owned Mugsy's Chow Chow on Second Avenue, remains hopeful.

"I have to believe that we're closed for a revamp and there's going to be someone who realizes there's a great location in the East Village that people know about that's ready for a business partner."

Heyday bringing facials and skin care to Lafayette Street

Heyday, billed as a one-stop skin care shop, is opening a new location at 382 Lafayette St. near Fourth Street.

When Heyday opens toward the end of the year, this will mark their fifth NYC location.

The storefront was until last fall home to Screaming Mimi's, which left for a new space on West 14th Street after 25 years here.

As owner Laura Wills told me, the building at 382 Lafayette was sold, and she decided to relocate.

To be quite honest, we never considered staying. Lafayette Street was a wonderful home for almost 25 years but it has changed so much. I fear it will very soon be blocks of big glass and steel storefronts with no soul. Mostly everyone who opened when we did is gone."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Screaming Mimi's is leaving its home of 25 years on Lafayette for West 14th Street

Classic tags uncovered at under-renovation Lafayette Street building

[Photo from July 2]

Workers have been converting the former women's shelter at 350 Lafayette at Bond into a luxury retail store.

During the exterior work, the workers uncovered a decades-old DONDI tag as well as a barely visible SAMO© tag ... graffiti blogger/photography Fresh Paint NYC first made the discovery...

For those that want to see an original DONDI tag it's located at Lafayette and Bond. Probably will be gone in a few hours. Also if you have laser beam eyes you can probably make out the SAMO©. #dondicia #dondiwhite @doctc5 @bkstreetart @marthacoopergram @12ozprophet @outlaw_arts @faustnewyork @massappeal @thelisaprojectnyc @boweryboogieuncapped @streetartnyc ✌🏻

A post shared by @freshpaintnyc on Aug 28, 2017 at 10:09am PDT

"If you don't sell your life, how do you buy back your survival? Down With Wage Slavery." -- Many layers of paint were removed from a building on Lafayette Street, revealing some historic graffiti. #streetphotography #graffiti #nycgraffiti #downwithwageslavery

A post shared by TheDustyRebel (@dustyrebel) on Aug 28, 2017 at 2:33pm PDT

As Mass Appeal noted, "By the time of his death at the age of 37 in 1998, DONDI had cemented his legacy as one of the greatest graffiti writers to ever come out of New York City."

As for 350 Lafayette, Aby Rosen bought the building in 2015 for $26 million. The Center of Urban Community Services was the operator of what DNAinfo described as "one of the city's most highly-regarded homeless shelters for 27 years." Rosen intends to sign a single luxury retailer for the space. The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission OK'd the transformation of the landmarked space in February 2016.





Rosen did preserve the Sean “NEKST” Griffin tag during renovations at 190 Bowery.

Trinity's Services And Food for the Homeless hosting a summer fundraiser on Thursday

Trinity's Services And Food for the Homeless (SAFH) on Ninth Street at Avenue B is hosting a summer fundraiser this Thursday evening (Aug. 31) to benefit their food pantry and soup kitchen.

According to SAFH officials: "We recently lost a very large grant that was to be given over the next five years. We need to make up the difference."

Per the fundraising invite: "Join us for Happy Hour in our outdoor garden to enjoy the last days of summer and help your community."

Tickets for the event on Thursday evening (5:30-8:30) start at $40. Find more details here.

Refreshments and food for the event will be provided by nearby establishments Maiden Lane, Brix and Barnyard

Trinity's SAFH has been serving meals for more than 30 years. They are open Monday through Friday and serve lunch to between 200-300 people daily during the summer months. They also operate a year-round food pantry.

Saying goodbye to Clayworks Pottery after 44 years on 9th Street

[Storefront photo from 2009 via Facebook]

Late last week, Helaine Sorgen made official what had been a poorly kept secret among her customers — Clayworks Pottery is closing after 44 years at 332 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The upcoming closing has nothing to do with, say, a decline in business.

"My building has been bought by a predatory landlord who will not renew my lease," she said. "It's been over a two-year fight, and the time has come to close up shop."

She shared with me a copy of her goodbye letter to the community. (The letter is displayed on the front window of the shop.)

Her last day will be around Sept. 15.

---

Well, it’s been quite a ride. When Clayworks opened in the EV in Jan, 1974, it was like an outpost of civilization. Empty stores were everywhere. Clayworks was the kind of unique, individual store that helped build this neighborhood into the desirable commodity it is today. Through four decades, I have been able to watch the EV grow and change from my window. It has been the finest front row seat I could ask for.

Clayworks survived everything the mad universe pitched at it — Hurricane Sandy, blizzards, The Great Recession, swastikas painted across the storefront, the front window being intentionally blown out, water main breaks, ceiling caves, the crack epidemic, and of course 9/11, all come to mind, plus the usual personal real-life challenges. Clayworks has always held its own, with great thanks to the support of this neighborhood and my loyal clientele.

That is, until the recent and well documented invasion of the EV by predatory landlords and perfidious financiers. You see, Clayworks now occupies real estate deemed too valuable to allow it to stay. The new building owner and the plethora of shell companies he hides behind wants me out, and this is a war that I cannot win. I have spent the past 2 years fighting. I am tired and my time is up. Let me be clear — this is not the story of an unsuccessful store hanging on for dear life. This is the intentional stomping out of yet another mom and pop store by predatory real estate weasels. We small businesses are a family. Every store whose light goes out is a small death among us, another cross in the graveyard. There, we are legion.

Clayworks is as much a part of the EV as the EV is a part of Clayworks. I live here. My heart lives here. The EV is my neighborhood, my community. I want to see thrive. I know there are 2 camps of thought in the EV currently. There are those who want to keep the wild, fierce, gritty, creative, independent EV spirit. There are others who want less edge and attitude and more sameness — tamer, user friendly stores, plus bars and restaurants that are trendy and cater more to the on-demand desires of a new generation. Why can’t we have a balanced mix here is the question.

I believe, if protected and supported by the City, it would be possible to have both — to support change, and yet maintain the unique identity that many of us treasure. But the Small Business Jobs Survival Act languishes in the purgatory of the City Council. Some form of this legislation, which supports small businesses the way other more enlightened cities do, has been moldering in the CC since Miriam Friedlander’s time. Politicians wave it around to get votes, but as soon as they are elected, it goes back into the junk drawer.

Now, we hear there is a movement to form a small-business-only region, and a protective registry for legacy businesses that have been around for 35 years or more. Well, that would be Clayworks, but, ironically, it’s too late for me.

I am not opposed to change but frankly, what is going on here is full-scale rape and pillage. So folks, it’s up to you. You vote with your ballot and you vote with your dollar. The kind of neighborhood and community you want to see is in your hands. If it matters, and it should, then be mindful. Exercise your right to vote and your right to make some noise.

It has been an incredible privilege to have been able to earn a living being a potter in the EV. I’ve always hoped that in a small way, Clayworks helped to make the world a better place, one mug at a time. I want to thank, sincerely and gratefully, every person who laid down their hard earned bucks to buy my work and support me. In my 44 years here, I have gotten to know many of you personally and my life has been greatly enriched by your company.

Everyone who came into this store, who shared their stories and lives, wove a fabric that connected us together, warp and woof, a tapestry of community and friendship. We made magic happen here. That’s really what it’s all about.

My last day will be sometime around Sept. 15. Whatever work I have left is all that there’s gonna be, so if you’ve been looking at something and can’t make up your mind, don’t wait too long! I will pack and store the rest with the intention of starting an online store (anyone out there who can help me set it up?). Or call me- I’ll meet you at the Veselka, you bring the $$$ and I’ll bring the goods!

With sadness and love,
Helaine Sorgen/Clayworks

P.S.

A special shout out of love for Santo and Margaret at The Source, who have generously supplied me with great quantities of packing boxes. Also to GOLES, which has helped so many here to organize and fight back. And to Cooper Square, especially SaMi Chester, who works tirelessly for EV tenants, and has been more than generous in sharing support and information and encouragement in my battle, even though commercial tenants are not really his purview.

And to 9th Street, the best little block in the EV and my home for 44 wonderful years!

Previously on EV Grieve:
29-year-old Gallery Vernon is closing on East 9th Street

Following eviction proceedings, Steve Croman's 9300 Realty has a new office

Over the weekend, these "We're moving" flyers appeared on some of the East Village properties owned by Steve Croman's 9300 Realty.

As noted, the company has a new office on Broadway as of today.

Not noted is that this move follows eviction proceedings against 9300 at their previous location, 632 Broadway. According to the legal papers filed in public records, Croman and company had until today to get out — or the Marshall would legally take possession of the space...





In June, Croman pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny, tax fraud, and an additional fraud charge relating to false statements. As part of the deal, he will reportedly spend one year at Rikers. Croman will be sentenced on Sept. 19.

Meanwhile, last week, the civil case related to his tenant harassment tactics was adjourned from Sept. 18 to Nov. 13.



Croman's real-estate portfolio includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village. He owns more buildings in the East Village than any other landlord.

Jennifer Esposito's Jennifer's Way Bakery is moving from 10th Street; destination unknown

An EVG reader who lives on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue shared this... Jennifer's Way Bakery is moving, per the sidewalk signage spotted yesterday... owner Jennifer Esposito, the Brooklyn-born actress (currently on "NCIS"), was selling off some items (stools, tables, etc.) from the small bakery...



She reduced her hours here in May due to an increase in online orders for the organic bakery that makes its products without gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar or peanuts, per store signage at the time.

The reader who lives nearby said that the bakery was closed last weekend and Saturday.

To date, there isn't any mention of the new location on the bakery's website or social media properties. The online bakery currently isn't taking any orders.

Esposito wrote about the situation on Facebook:

Only a handful thought I could even stay open for more than a few months, never 5 years. I am so very proud of not only what I managed to withstand here but so beyond thrilled how many of you I was able to help and feed safely. I celebrated birthdays, weddings and holidays with you and served your children their first safe cookie. My heart is full. However it's is time to move forward now. My lease on this magical little space is up and I must move on now. I am FAR from done with bringing you safe, reliable, TRUST WORTHY delicious food, it's just time to regroup ... stay tuned, I am not done.

The bakery opened in March 2013. Esposito was later reportedly sued by her investors, though she said in a tweet that the case was dismissed.

Her book, "Jennifer’s Way Kitchen," is set for release next month.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Jennifer Esposito responds to reports that she fled East 10th Street for Denmark

Little Tong Noodle Shop taking an end-of-summer break

Since opening in late March on First Avenue at 11th Street, Little Tong Noodle Shop has racked up some pretty solid reviews. (Like from Pete Wells at The New York Times.)

Now chef-owner Simone Tong and her team are taking a break. The restaurant closed after service last night... and will reopen after Labor Day on Sept. 5.

Per Facebook: "Coming back fresh and rested for more exciting mmmmiiiiixxxxxiiaaaannnnnn on Sept. 5th!"

Momofuku Ko remains closed as expansion-related work continues in Extra Place

As first noted back in May, David Chang's Momofuku Ko was expanding in the extra quiet Extra Place off of First Street here between the Bowery and Second Avenue.

The restaurant remains closed with the renovations in progress...



The plans submitted to CB3 show a bigger waiting area, six or seven more tables and an expanded bar/chef counter. There will also be a new entrance.

The sign on the door notes a closure until Sept. 6. According to the Ko website, "our re-opening date may change. We encourage you to revisit our website for the latest updates." In May, Chang told Eater that he did not anticipate the restaurant having to close during renovation.

Momofuku Ko relocated to 8 Extra Place from First Avenue in November 2014. To date, this is the only business to succeed in Extra Place since its debut 10 years ago.

Previously on EV Grieve:
With new restaurant opening, will Extra Place finally become a dining destination?

Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Extra Place and Heidi currently 'closed for renovation' in Extra Place

Red Hook Lobster Pound in the works for Extra Place

A few more details on Momofuku Ko (aka, TBD) coming to Extra Place

David Chang's Momofuku Ko is expanding in Extra Place

Côte opens a 'quick Côte' shop on 13th Street

Côte, "a luxurious nail care destination," opened its first NYC location last week on 13th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Here's more about what to expect: "Understanding the Manhattan woman's busy lifestyle, we'll be offering 'quick côtes' ($20) as our signature service (it’s a polish change, but with a little extra love) at our new york location."

Here's more about the L.A.-based founders:

côte founders mary lennon and leah yari created côte to provide a safe, transparent, quality product and an elegant nail care experience that could be shared with their families and friends without worry. they set out to take the “toxins” out of the nail treatment experience; from the shop environment, to the technician / guest interaction, to the actual products themselves. with that in mind, all of côte's polishes are created free of the major toxins and allergens that are often associated with nail polish: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, camphor, formaldehyde resin, TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens and gluten.

The space was previously an office for Mirador Real Estate.

Sunday's parting shot

EVG reader Ronnie shared this photo from today's Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park ... Ronnie noted, "it was a lovely, beautiful evening with a crowd I have not seen since the early 1990s and Wigstock!"

Week in Grieview

[Photo on Astor Place by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

The owner of East Village Wines says goodbye to the neighborhood (Thursday)

Solar eclipse! (Monday)

Woman pushed onto F train tracks at 2nd Avenue in unprovoked attack; victim in stable condition (Wednesday)

Starbucks signage arrives at incoming Starbucks on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Out and About with Felix Velazquez (Wednesday)

Landlord makes eviction case against tenant with the Confederate flags, then withdraws (Monday)

Checking in on the former Other Music space, soon to be a health-focused restaurant (Tuesday)

An updated look at that Moxy hotel for 11th Street (Wednesday ... Monday)

From Joey Ramone to Debbie Harry on the Bowery (Friday) And... The Joey Ramone street sign returns to Joey Ramone Place (Thursday)

Thaimee Box brings Thailand's Khao Kang eating culture to 13th Street (Monday)

Capturing lightning on a building (Wednesday)

The Village Voice is ending its print edition (Tuesday)

Montauk Salt Cave now open on 10th Street (Monday)

Watts up with the bright lights inside Key Food? (Monday)

Just For Fen bringing rice noodles to 1st Avenue (Tuesday)

You may now enter and exit Tompkins Square Park at 8th Street and Avenue B (Thursday)

Saltwater now serving on 12th Street (Friday)

Space Mabi sets Sept. 19 opening date on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

On Target for a summer 2018 opening on 14th Street and Avenue A (Tuesday)

Dec. 1 date set for Boris & Horton, Avenue A's new dog cafe (Thursday)

Pata Negra has closed on 12th Street (Thursday)

A Cheers Cut sneak peek on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

Sooooo many "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" filming posts (Thursday)

75 1st Ave. now in bendy thing phase (Thursday)

Look at the former Bowlmor Lanes now (Monday)

... and spotted on Avenue A today...



---

Follow EVG on Instragram and/or Twitter for more updates

Today in street-closure planning

The Fourth Avenue Festival is happening now (Street fair!) ... and the Avenue is closed from Ninth Street to 14th Street ... coinciding with NYU's Move-In Day.

Bird Flies

Bird Flies

Bop! Shout! Fingers Pop!

Another bird flies in the park.

A jazz migration, people Hop!

Music passing through. Mark

that time once a year,

When people smile and cheer,

Saxophones soar, cymbals crash,

Improvisation worth more than cash.

People cool in fun clothes, a slick hat.

Sunday revelry, Angels scat.

Shades in attendance, no shadows cast,

We should have known it wouldn’t last.

Fold up that chair, head for the train,

Come back next year for Jazz, again, again …

•

peter radley

-----

The 25th annual Charlie Park Jazz Festival is today in Tompkins Square Park from 3-7 p.m.

The photography of Ryan John Lee at 9th Street Espresso (on 10th Street)

East Village-based photographer Ryan John Lee has a selection of his work on display at 9th Street Espresso (the location on 10th Street near Avenue B)... you can read more about this exhibit, which is up through Sept. 22, here.

He has shared his work with EVG in the past, such as here and here.

A farewell to Etna Tool & Die on Bond Street

After 70 years at 42 Bond St., Etna Tool & Die Corporation has closed... Gothamist has a feature on what was one of the last tool and die shops in the city.

Tool and die employees are a class of machinists in the manufacturing industry and make a variety of things one doesn’t usually think twice about—jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools and more. Galuppo invented the anti-coin theft device that was installed in most of the city's pay phones. ConEd was also one of Etna's biggest clients, making the tools they use every day in the streets.

Owner James Galuppo, who was born on the LES in 1918, opened here between the Bowery and Lafayette in 1946.

Per Gothamist:

The family owns the building on Bond Street, and Galuppo's daughter Flavia says she intends on "honoring my father’s wishes by maintaining the building" and not selling it, retaining the few commercial tenants it still has.

The position-based David Bowie art by Scott VanderVoort remains on the fence ...