Friday, September 8, 2017

The 46th annual 10th Street Block Party is tomorrow (Saturday!)



Tomorrow is the 46th annual Block Party on 10th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... brought to you by the 10th Street & Stuyvesant Street Block Association.... From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be antiques, collectibles, music and Skarsgård gawking.

Image via @GVSHP, who will have a tent at the event...

Transfer of 'Energy'



Thee Oh Sees are back though now as just Oh Sees. John Dwyer and company (a rotating crew of musicians) released a new record (his 19th under the/thee Oh Sees moniker) on Aug. 25 called Orc on Castle Face Records.

They're playing out at the Warsaw tomorrow and Sunday night then the Bowery Ballroom on Monday night.

The above video for "Dead Energy" from a show in France this past summer shows their live vibe. More drums!

Cafe Orlin will close next month after 36 years in business


[Photo from Aug. 26]

After 36 years in business at 41 St. Mark's Place, Cafe Orlin will close at the end of service on Oct. 15.

Jeremiah Moss first reported on the news this morning.

A rep for Cafe Orlin confirmed the closure in an email: "Yes — it's sad but true. The owner asked me to say that he's thankful to all who came to the cafe over the years. Cafe Orlin had a great run of 36 plus years, but he's ready for a change."

Grub Street noted that the Cafe Orlin owner also owns the building, "and a new restaurant will open in its place."

And Grub Street summed up the restaurant between First Avenue and Second Avenue pretty well: "The menu is a grab bag of salads, burgers, lots of eggs, and some Middle Eastern dishes, but it was well-executed and reliable." And... "The restaurant ... never dipped in popularity during this very long run: It’s not one of those older places everyone will miss but forgot to go to for the last five years ..."

Meanwhile, Cafe Mogador, Cafe Orlin's sister restaurant down the block, remains alive and well for now.

CB3 committee exploring link between bar density and public health


[EVG file photo #goodtimes]

On Tuesday night, CB3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee meeting is addressing a topic of possible interest: the impact of bar density on public health.

This meeting notice via the EVG inbox explains...

At its September 2017 meeting, Community Board 3’s Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee will be investigating the link between alcohol outlet density (the number of alcohol serving establishments within a limited geographic area) and adverse effects on local public health and public safety.

The Committee’s primary focus will be on if existing data establishes such a link and, in the event such a link exists, if CB3 should take any future actions based upon the data (potentially with the State Liquor Authority, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and/or New York City’s incoming “night Mayor”).

To guide us through the discussion, the committee will hear presentations from Robert Pezzolesi, MPH, the Founding Director of the New York Alcohol Policy Alliance, and Professor Sigmund Shipp, Director of Hunter College’s undergraduate urban student program, along with two Hunter graduate students who recently authored a report on the link between alcohol outlet density and public health/public safety in an area of the Lower East Side that has a particularly high concentration of alcohol serving establishments.

In connection with the presentations, the Committee is interested in hearing from community members’ and organizations’ about their perceptions of any link (or lack thereof) between the number of alcohol serving establishments in your neighborhoods and declining or improving local health and safety conditions. Please join us.

While CB3 is seeking public input, keep in mind, per the notice: "The Committee will not be hearing complaints regarding individual businesses."

The meeting is Tuesday evening at 6:45, Downtown Art, 1st Floor Theater, 70 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Croxley Ales-replacing bar on Avenue B is called the Hairy Lemon


[Photo from Sept. 1]

Workers have been putting in the OT (last Sunday and Labor Day, for instance) at 28 Avenue B, gutting the former Croxley Ales to make way for a new bar-restaurant from owners of the two Triona locations in the city.

To date, the name of the new establishment hadn't been revealed. (Triona's on B was mentioned as a possibility.)

Yesterday, the new signage went up here between Second Street and Third Street, as EVG regular Salim noted...



It's The Hairy Lemon...



Perhaps this is a homage to Dublin's The Hairy Lemon Pub, which served as a locale for the 1991 film "The Commitments."

In other façade news, it appears that the Ramones mural has survived so far.

Croxley Ales ended its 14-year run on Avenue B after service on Aug. 30.

In August, CB3's SLA committee approved a new liquor license for the establishment. The Hairy Lemon 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.

No word on an opening date for The Hairy Lemon.

Gut renovation reveal on 9th Street


[Image via Streeteasy]

In recent months, the four-story building at 624 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C had been undergoing a full-on gut renovation...


[Photo from June]

Late last month, workers removed the scaffolding and construction netting to reveal the all-new No. 624...


[Photo by Mike House]

Yesterday, retail listings arrived for two, 350-square-foot spaces on the ground floor. The asking rents are $3,500 each. All uses considered.

As for the residential portion, Streeteasy shows two units — asking $6,000 and $6,400 per month for three bedrooms and two bathrooms. (The listing notes that you get one month off the rent, making it $5,500 or $5,600 for the first year.)

Here's the blurbage for the $6,400 jobbie:

Be the very first to live in this brand new, gut renovated boutique building with a roof deck and washer/dryer's in all units. This brand new beauty is perfect for those looking to live in a quiet, sunlit, modern building on one of the best blocks in East Village.

This top floor, three-bedroom/two-bath unit offers not only double balconies but has a private, dedicated roof deck just one floor up from where you can bring your guests to view beautiful NYC views. All rooms including the living room have high wall-through AC units operated by remote controls. Stunning kitchen features brand new appliances including dishwasher and microwave, glossed cabinetry, and a breakfast bar. Bedrooms are queen sized with exposed brick and closets.

Bathrooms are luxurious with high-end finishing that will leave you thinking you are in a top hotel. Brand new hardwood flooring and recessed lighting throughout the floor-through unit that meets double balconies on both ends of the floor. Washer/dryer in-unit.

An LLC with a Brooklyn address bought the building last November for $3.3 million, per public records.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Curb repairs continue on Avenue B



Crews were out today (at least on Avenue B) continuing work on replacing curbs/upgrading pedestrian ramps ... Vinny & O shared these photos from this morning on 11th Street and Avenue B...





After the initial work last week, some residents were concerned that, perhaps, this was it — that the new ramps were not flush with the street, with the gap filled in "with some sloppily placed extra concrete," as one resident put it.

... and tonight on Fourth Street and Avenue B via another reader...





Signs on the barrels point to continued work tomorrow.

Previously

A look at 3 condoplexes rising — or topping out

Starting with...

1) 198 Orchard St. at East Houston Street...



Ben Shaoul's 11-story, 94-unit building has units ranging in price from $1.075 million to $5.995 million. And there will be an Equinox Fitness center here too. Previously.

2) 32 E. First St. at Second Avenue...



A 10-story, 33-unit condoplex (with ground-floor retail) on the site of the former BP station. No pricing for the homes just yet. Previously.



3) 80 E. 10th St. at Fourth Avenue...



A 10-story, retail-residential condoplex with 12 residential units. No pricing for the homes just yet. Previously.

About this sponsor unit for sale on 1st Avenue

There's a sponsor unit for sale at 347 E. Fifth St., the walk-up building at First Avenue that also houses Three of Cups on the ground floor.

I don't recall coming across too many listings such as this one on Streeteasy:

Investors only: rent-controlled tenant in place.

This sponsor unit is being sold at a tremendous discount to its market value.

Currently configured as a railroad two bedroom, it can easily be re-configured into a split two bedroom.

This unit features a separate eat-in kitchen area, 9 windows throughout including in the bathroom, and great natural light. Subletting and pets are allowed.

Current tenant paying $90 per month

Not a typo: $90.

As for the address, the 25-year-old Three of Cups recently signed a new lease through 2027.

Spark Pretty bringing vintage clothes and accessories to 9th Street


[Photo of Amanda Dolan, Thomas Knight and Meagan Colby from July]

Back in May, stylist and vintage-thrift enthusiast Amanda Dolan opened 90s Forever, a month-long pop-up shop at 333 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Dolan is back now full time in the space with Spark Pretty, which specializes in rock-n-roll clothing and accessories from the 1970s-90s as well as novelty toys, home goods and, how she describes it, "modern-day apparel from up-and-coming designers."

Spark Pretty has its soft opening on Saturday. Dolan, who's working with her business partner Meagan Colby and in-house designer Thomas Knight, shared these interior shots ahead of the opening...





The store's hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. You can see what else is in store via Spark Pretty's Instagram account here.

Bottom two photos by John Muggenborg ... H/T Steven!

Mr. Throwback will take it across 9th Street later this fall


[Photo by Steven]

While on the topic of vintage clothing on Ninth Street... as you may have noticed, there's new Mr. Throwback signage on the north side of Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue — almost directly across the street from the store's current location at No. 428.

The shop specializing in 1990s-era sports apparel, retro sneakers, video games and toys will be moving later this fall.

Mr. Throwback (aka Michael Spitz) opened here in November 2012. You can check out the online store here.

And soon...

Mark Your Calendars Sept 16th From 11am-5pm Our Annual Block Party Is On!!! Over 300 Jerseys All For $20 each & Sale In Store.

A post shared by Mr. Throwback™Vintage Store (@mrthrowbacknyc) on

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Wednesday's parting shots



Photos today in Tompkins Square Park by Bobby Williams.

... and likely a more economical move by the squirrel than storing single nuts...

Noted



A reader shares this photo from 11th Street near Third Avenue... getting out the vote today — for the mayor of Paterson, N.J.

Board watch and reveal at incoming Wagamama on 3rd Avenue


[EVG photo from July]

Those Wagamama-branded boards in the windows at 55 Third Ave. at 11th Street have been removed... providing an interior reveal for the second NYC location of Wagamama ...



Thanks to Vinny & O for the photos...



Still no word on an opening date for the London-based chain of fast-casual Japanese restaurants. (Looking like late September, early October.) When they do open, their hours will be Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday. The weekend hours will be 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday; until 11 p.m. on Sunday. You can find their menu full of noodles, rice and curry (and more) here.

The retail space in this former dorm-looking building also houses Martina, the pizzeria from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, which opened on Aug. 19.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few details about the Wagamama coming to 3rd Avenue

Here's the rest of the 9th Precinct's Sector Safety Summit schedule



Back on Monday, I noted that the 9th Precinct was hosting Sector Safety Summits for East Village residents.

The background: Last fall, the 9th Precinct and NYPD  started a new initiative called the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program. The 9th Precinct is split up into four sectors, with two officers assigned to each sector. (Find the sectors and the responsible officers here.)

The NYPD shared info on the other Sector meetings...

• Sector C — Sept. 6 (tonight) at 6 at the Community Board 3 office (Conference Room), 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery

• Sector B — Sept. 7 (tomorrow) at 6 p.m. at Campos Plaza (Community Room), 611 E. 13th St.

• Sector D — Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue

The Sector A meeting was last night. The doors open at 6, and there will be refreshments. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m.

Use this map to find out what Sector you're in, and what meeting you should attend.

The NYPD is billing these as "an open, honest discussion between the local Neighborhood Coordination Officers and the community. We will discuss the NYPD's NCO Program, how it affects you, and any issues going on within your area."

And: "This is an opportunity to become acquainted with the officers who are directly responsible for your area, and to inform them of any problems that you might be encountering at your home or business."

Still in the pit at 14th Street and Avenue C



Checking in on the activity at the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue C...



Ten months later (since the last EVG update on Nov. 1, 2016), crews are still in the foundation stage...



Perhaps they're combatting the elevated groundwater levels here that have impacted the other developments (here and here) along East 14th Street.

As for the new development, here's a rehash of the info I received on the project last September:

Madison Realty Capital (MRC), an institutionally-backed real estate investment firm focused on real estate equity and debt investments in the middle markets, provided a $52.0 million first mortgage loan for the acquisition of a development site in the East Village and construction of an approved 76,259 square foot mixed use development on the site.

The plans for 644 East 14th Street include 50 residential units, 8,064 square feet of retail space with 200 feet of frontage on 14th Street and Avenue C, and 21,575 square feet of community facility space.

The property is located at the corner of 14th Street and Avenue C, along the Northern border of the East Village and directly across the street from Stuyvesant Town. Residential units will offer contemporary finishes and large balconies with East River views. The borrower is currently finalizing a lease with a major New York hospital to occupy the entire community facility portion of the new building.

The East Village is now attracting young professionals and families, in addition to the artists, musicians, and students that established the neighborhood's cultural identity. The area has retained its strong character and remains a dynamic hub of popular bars, restaurants, and shops, with East 14th Street being one of the liveliest commercial corridors.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

14th and C still waiting for its Karl Fischer-designed retail-residential complex

Report: New owners for the empty lot at 14th Street and Avenue C

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen back open after the summer break

The subterranean restaurant serving traditional Ukrainian cuisine is now back open each day for service after its usual summer break here at 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

This fundraising enterprise of the St George Ukrainian Catholic Church is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

You can find more info and daily specials on their Instagram account here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen

Roll it Up looks closed on 7th Street



Roll It Up appears to have closed at 63 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. It hasn't been open in at least two weeks, and the interior looks to have been emptied out.

The nautical-themed shop specializing in rolled ice cream opened on Aug. 26, 2016 ... then closed in November for the season... before reopening in April.

If this is a permanent closure, then this marks the second rolled ice cream casualty out of the three that opened last summer. Lab -320° closed in January after six months on St. Mark's Place. 10Below Ice Cream is still alive and well on another part of St. Mark's Place.

Report: The Film Forum adding new screen; upgrading auditoriums

Of possible interest outside the neighborhood ... not too far away.

The New York Times reported yesterday that the Film Forum at 209 W. Houston St. will add a fourth screen and upgrade its three existing auditoriums next year.

Per the Times:

The new screen will be built using space next to Film Forum and allow for more flexibility in its programming schedule. The updates will also involve a full renovation of the theater’s other three screens, including new seats, more leg room and a more dramatic slope (with stadium seating in the rear rows) to improve sightlines.

These will probably be welcome changes for theater patrons who were surveyed in 2016 and offered feedback (including complaints) about the current setup. But they do come at a price: The improvements are expected to cost the nonprofit cinema about $5 million, though more than half of that budget has already been raised. The Thompson Family Foundation will make a gift to name the fourth screen. And a capital campaign is underway to raise the remaining money and lift the endowment.

Film Forum director Karen Cooper had this to say in a news release about the expansion:

Too often, New York landmarks disappear, only to be replaced by nail salons and chain drug stores. Happily, New Yorkers are committed to seeing films that take risks and break the mold, as well as discovering movie history.

The repertory movie house expects to close in May, with renovations complete in July.

The Film Forum has been in its Houston Street space between Sixth Avenue and Varick since 1990. It was established in 1970.

Image via Facebook

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Cleaning the Cube


[EVG photo from yesterday]

Last Wednesday night/Thursday morning, someone decided to tag/doodle on the Cube at Astor Place. The Village Alliance was able to remove most of the squiggles ... but some remained.

This evening, the Astor Blasting Squiggle Remover was out to clean off the remaining portion of the Alamo ... thanks to the readers who shared these photos...


[Photo by @unitof]


[Photo by 8E]