Ai Weiwei installation work underway at Cooper Union, Washington Square Park

[Photo by EVG reader Ronnie]

In recent days Ai Weiwei's two-dimensional banners arrived on parts of Cooper Square and the Bowery... ahead of Weiwei's citywide installations titled "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" that debuts on Oct. 12 (and on view through Feb. 11, 2018)...


[Photo by EVG reader Ronnie]

Around here, installations (called "site-specific interventions") will be on view at 48 E. Seventh St., 189 Chrystie St., 248 Bowery, Cooper Union and the Essex Street Market. (Read more about all this here.)

According to The New York Times, "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" is "a reflection on the growing hostility toward immigrants and the rise of nationalism throughout the world."

Work continues on the installation at the Cooper Union Foundation Building ...



The work here is titled "Five Fences," and "will fill the open arched spaces on the north portico façade of the building, simultaneously covering these open spaces but remaining porous," according to the description at the Open Art Fund.



EVG reader Ronnie also sent along a shot of work at the arch in Washington Square Park...



As the Washington Square Park Blog first reported, some members of the Washington Square Association are upset about the placement of the installation in the arch. Community members contend that the installation will compromise the arch’s own artistic integrity and disrupt the annual holiday tree lighting, a tradition since 1924.

In the end, Community Board 2 reportedly voted last month in favor of erecting Weiwei's work under the arch. The Park's holiday tree will be moved closer to the fountain for this year.

The installation was commissioned by the Public Art Fund in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Former L'Apicio space being gutted to make way for new Indian restaurant

Gut renovations have been underway in recent weeks at 13 E. First St. in the Avalon Bowery Place complex between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

L'Apicio closed here on May 20 after five years of serving high-end Italian.

Back in March, noted chef Sujan Sarkar got the OK for a liquor license here in a sale of assets to bring "upscale modern Indian cuisine" to the space.

RSVP Hospitality was the name of the LLC behind this venture... and one of the names on the front door now...



Anyway, workers look to be stripping the place down ...



There is no word on an opening date (or name) of the new establishment.

Sarkar is the chef partner at Ek Bar, "India's first Artisanal cocktail bar." He is also the chef of Rooh, a similar-sounding restaurant that opened in San Francisco early this year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chef Sujan Sarkar bringing 'upscale modern Indian cuisine' to the Bowery

L'Apico ends its 5-year run tomorrow night

The return of Hitchcocktober

Time again for the slate of Alfred Hitchcock films (Hitchcocktober!) on Thursday evenings in October at the Village East Cinema on Second Avenue and 12th Street.

Things begin tomorrow night at 8 with a crop duster of a thriller — "North by Northwest."

Then!

Oct. 12 — "Notorious"

Oct. 19 — "Vertigo"

Oct. 26 — "Rebecca"

And on Oct. 31, Halloween night, there's a screening of "Psycho."

You can buy advance tickets here. All films start at 8.

Art on the street

Joe Grimy working on First Avenue today... photo by Grant Shaffer ...

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Just part of a work in progress this afternoon on St. Mark's Place at First Avenue by Ron English ...

Updated

Turns out to be an ad for New Balance and the New York City Marathon...



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Artist unknown... spotted this morning near Tompkins Square Park by Angela Moore Bovino...

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And these are from last Thursday along Avenue A... courtesy of Abe Lincoln Jr. ...





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And someone shared this collection outside Tompkins Square Park yesterday... photo by Derek Berg...

'Blacklist'ed on 4th Street

Crews for NBC's "The Blacklist" are filming on parts of Fourth Street (and elsewhere...) today. Previous "Blacklist" shoots in the East Village have included a SWAT team in Tompkins Square Park.

This morning, Pageant Print Shop gets a new look... please welcome помnн to the block here between Second Avenue and the Bowery...



Meanwhile, the craft services table features watermelon-infused water...



Photos by Derek Berg

[Updated] Steve Croman due back in court today to start jail time

Landlord Steve Croman is expected in court this morning to begin his one-year sentence at Rikers Island.

He was originally expected to be sentenced on Sept. 19. However, Judge Jill Konvisor postponed that so Croman could observe the Jewish Holidays with his family.

Per the Post back on Sept. 19:

Steve Croman​ ... ​handed over a $3 million check in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday and a judge agreed to put off his surrender to jail until after the holidays.

The move lets Croman celebrate Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur at home, not behind bars, ​after he copped to charges of ​grand larceny, tax fraud and filing a false instrument​.​

Konvisor​ ​agreed​ to Croman attorney Benjamin Brafman​’s ​request, ​but warned ​his stone-faced client to return to court Oct. 3, when he’ll be sent to jail for a year.

In plea deal announced this past June, Croman pleaded guilty to three felonies for fraudulently refinancing loans and committing tax fraud and will serve up to a year at Rikers and pay a $5 million tax settlement. He was charged in May 2016 with 20 felonies.

According to published reports, Croman avoided facing between three and 11 years in prison when he pleaded guilty back in June.

The Attorney General's office still has a pending civil case against Croman accusing him of forcing tenants from their rent-controlled apartments. His next court date for the civil case is now scheduled for Nov. 13.

Croman's real-estate portfolio includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village.

Members of the the Stop Croman Coalition will be present at the sentencing, set for 9 a.m. at the New York City Criminal Court, 100 Centre St., Room 1333 (13th Floor).

Photo from June

Updated 1:30 p.m.

Here's a report from the courtroom via the Daily News:

"Rikers ain’t the Ritz,” declared Justice Jill Konviser, who last month agreed to delay Croman’s sentencing during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

“I hope that you spend your days thinking about the religious principles that this case was postponed for.”

From DNAinfo:

Tenants of Croman-owned buildings, who had been angered by the delay two weeks earlier, balked at the meager sentence but admitted it was better than nothing.

"I don't think it's enough time — the public needs to be protected from him," said Cynthia Chaffee, a cofounder of Stop Croman Coalition, who lives at 346 E. 18th St.

Chaffee, who says she now suffers from asthma as a result of dust and debris from illegal construction at her building, said the criminal charges have done little to benefit the tenants still living in his buildings.

"Ever since he was arrested he's been as worse as ever," she said. "We didn't have heat, he's dragging people to court still, he's not giving people their leases. I mean, it's business as usual."

And from The Real Deal:

Croman’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman told TRD that under the Department of Corrections’ policy, all inmates receive one-third credit if the sentence is one year or less. “Accordingly, it is anticipated that Mr. Croman will be released after serving 8 months of his one year sentence,” he said.

Updated 7:30 p.m.

Adding a statement from Sen. Brad Hoylman:

“Steven Croman built a criminal enterprise dedicated to making life miserable for tenants in my district and across Manhattan. After years of Croman’s systematic harassment of tenants, I’m elated to see justice finally served. This sends a clear message to landlords: Respect rent-regulated tenants or face the consequences – including jail time. I heartily congratulate Attorney General Schneiderman on this major victory on behalf of all New Yorkers.”

EVG Etc.: Mark Burger cow status; menu update at Ray's; free pizza on Broadway

Workers are breaking down the now-closed Mark Burger at 33 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Management said that higher rents and a changing St. Mark's Place were behind the closure.

And the Mark Burger cow is going to a new home. Derek Berg spotted it on the moo-ve Sunday... apparently the owner's family will take in the cow (and have it restored by the original artist) ...



The cow was designed by Rumiko Tsuda as part of the CowParade New York in 2000. This work was titled "Diversity of People."

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And over at Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, there's a new (plastic) dish on the menu...



Chicken wings, as EVG regular Peter Brownscombe passed along...



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And at 740 Broadway near Astor Place, the Washington, D.C.-based &pizza opens today (Oct. 3) ... they're giving stuff away...

ASTOR PLACE - SHOP NO. 23 // it's all happening tomorrow // first 100 people in line get FREE PIZZA // first 23 people to request the & tattoo get FREE INK from @firstclassnyc + FREE PIZZA FOR A YEAR // big thanks to @maspaz x @misschelove for making their mark on the shop #makeyourmark

A post shared by &pizza (@andpizza) on Oct 2, 2017 at 8:27am PDT

The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is Oct. 21

[Photo by Steven]

In case you didn't see the banners that went up in Tompkins Square Park on Friday... the 27th annual Halloween Dog Parade is Oct. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. rain or shine in case you want to attend or, perhaps, avoid.

Touch-screen kiosks that do not take cash will be the order at Shake Shack's Death Star branch

The Shake Shack opening any day now at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star will be a cashless and (mostly) faceless experience.

Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti offered what Shake Shackgoers can expect here during an interview with CNBC yesterday:

[T]his Shake Shack won't have a cashier's counter. Instead, guests will use digital kiosks or their mobile phones to place orders. Manning these kiosks will be "hospitality champs," Shake Shack employees who specialize in making customers' time in the restaurant as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Orders will go directly to the kitchen, which has been rearranged to "eliminate friction time," Garutti told CNBC.

Eliminating "friction" is a big piece of this new Shack location. In addition to streamlining the back of house operation, the Astor Place Shake Shack will not accept cash. Garutti said many customers still pay with cash in its restaurants, but the company wants to see if removing that option will make the dining experience more seamless.

In addition, instead of the traditional Shake Shack buzzer, diners will receive a text from the restaurant letting them know when their food is ready. This way customers are no longer tethered to the restaurant while their food is being prepared, Garutti said.

Garutti said that the Death Star Shack "will be a playground where we can test and learn the ever-shifting needs of our guests."

A few other things from the interview:

In order to hire the best staff, Garutti said the company will be paying workers at this location a minimum of $15 an hour.

And...

Garutti said company officials expect a few hiccups, but they are just excited to see what elements of this restaurant work best. In particular, he said the restaurant made sure to have a backup plan in case of internet malfunctions or Wi-Fi issues.

As Eater reported, Shake Shack has 17 open and upcoming locations in NYC and over 135 worldwide.

Updated 8 a.m.

The crinkle cut fries are being delivered...

Monday's parting shot

A tribute to Tom Petty at Black & White on 10th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue... The singer-songwriter was reportedly in grave condition following a heart attack last night at his Malibu home. (Earlier reports erroneously stated that Petty died.)

Updated 5:30 a.m.
Petty's family has confirmed his death. He was 66.

Photo by Dan Krupin via Instagram.

Along came some spiders on 7th Street

[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

This apartment building on Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue is feeling Halloween. (Or the super needs an exterminator.)

Accidental art

Spotted on Ninth Street via Grant Shaffer...

Eastville Comedy Club looking to move to former Chase space on Avenue A

The corner space at 20 Avenue A and Second Street has sat empty since the Chase branch closed in November 2015.

And after at least five brokers showed the space, it looks there's potential new tenant. According to CB3's SLA agenda for Oct. 16, Eastville Comedy Club, currently housed on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery, is proposing to move into some part of 20 Avenue A. (This is a pretty large space, and the various listings said that it could be divided.)

The full questionnaire for this application isn't online just yet. Will update when that is available.

This CB3-SLA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The drama starts at 6:30 p.m. (The SLA committee meeting agenda is split up over two nights. The second meeting is Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

The retail space at 20 Avenue A no longer looks like a bank branch

Joe & Pat's hiring this week on 1st Avenue

[Photo Friday by Steven]

Joe & Pat's is hiring this week — Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all positions.

The Staten Island pizzeria, which got its start there in 1960, is expected to open later this fall, serving a variety of thin-crust pies and pastas.

As previously noted, Lanza's was the longtime tenant here at 168 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Find previous posts on this topic here.

Also coming soon and hiring: Szechuan Mountain House on St. Mark's Place

There's a new Coming Soon banner on the upper level at 19-23 St. Mark's Place for Szechuan Mountain House, an offshoot of the establishment with the same name in Flushing.

The restaurant is hiring, per the sign on the front door here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



Szechuan Mountain House is next door to Mango Mango, serving desserts from Hong Kong ... they are still in the Grand Opening phase...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Mango Mango bringing more dessert to St. Mark's Place

Szechuan Mountain House coming to St. Mark's Place

Dian Kitchen bringing food from the Yunnan Province to 9th Street

[Photo by Steven]

Dian Kitchen has announced itself at 435 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue ...


[Photo by EVG reader Dennis]

According to the restaurant's Instagram account, "Dian Kitchen will serve mixian (Rice Noodle) and small dishes. Inspired from the providence of Yunnan." (The account notes that the owner is a native Yunnaner.)

Dian Kitchen, which is expected to open next month, will have daily hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Workshop, a body-piercing shop, was the previous tenant at this address

Sara Kay Gallery debuts on 2nd Street

The Sara Kay Gallery is now open at 4 E. Second St., just off the Bowery, in space that previously housed the Rivington Arms gallery.

This is the first gallery for Kay, whose career includes stints as director of the White Cube gallery in London, director of the fine art department at Jan Krugier Gallery and as a specialist for Christie’s, per published reports.

Per the Gallery's website:

Her diverse expertise will drive the gallery’s genre-defying programming, which will span a wide range of art historical periods and movements, and provide an expansive vision for collecting. The gallery will also put a special emphasis on supporting female artists.

The New York Times had more on the first exhibit:

The inaugural exhibition, “A Limitless Vision: The Collection of Audrey B. Heckler,” will show pieces from Ms. Heckler’s exceptional trove of works by self-taught artists such as Martín Ramírez, Aloïse Corbaz, Madge Gill, Adolf Wölfli and James Castle. Ms. Kay will also display hand-painted ceramics by Picasso and a cast by Dubuffet — artists who found inspiration in outsider art. “Dubuffet had an enormous collection of Art Brut,” or raw art, said Ms. Kay, “and was really a champion of this genre.”

Well it's official 🥂Thank you everyone for your support and the warm welcome to the LES!

A post shared by Sara Kay Gallery (@sarakaygallery) on Sep 28, 2017 at 3:47pm PDT

Space Mabi now with an Oct. 10 opening date

Over at 67 First Ave., the opening for Space Mabi has been pushed back. The Korean tapas bar/restaurant (aka gastropub) at Fourth Street originally had a Sept. 19 debut set, per the front-door signage... then it was pushed to Sept. 26 ... and now, Oct. 10...



The proprietors were previously behind a similar venture on Fifth Avenue at 30th Street called Space Nabi, which closed in the spring. It was a cafe in the morning hours, with food and drinks later in the day.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Guayoyo has been closed now for 1 year

Gastropub — 'Your new playground' — slated for former Guayoyo space on 1st Avenue

Week in Grieview

[Photo by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

CB3 calls on the MTA to address poor frequency and reliability of the M14A bus (Friday)

Hurricane Maria relief efforts continue at 2nd Street firehouse (Tuesday)

Icon Realty fined $500,000 in tenant harassment probe (Thursday)

Out and About with Nancy Blum (Wednesday)

Christo and Dora look to be building another nest (Friday)

Frisson Espresso coming to 3rd Avenue (Monday)

As No. 320 turns: 5 restaurants have come and gone in this space in 1 year (Monday)

The latest installment of I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Friday)

A tale of 2 chains on 3rd Avenue (Thursday)

Ciao For Now now open on Tuesdays this fall (Tuesday)

Mani in Pa sta coming to 14th Street (Monday)

Mark Burger won't be back around here (Monday)

Construction watch: 363 Lafayette (Tuesday)

Dog's cafe life: Boris and Horton signage arrives on 12th and A (Wednesday)

Cheers Cut makes it (more) official on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

Here's "Gotti" (Tuesday)

Rent a former Duane Reade on Broadway (Tuesday)

Mayahuel replacement now open on 6th Street (Wednesday)

... EVG regular Jose Garcia came across this in Tompkins Square Park today... a candle on a letter marked "My Love Story" ...



... and if you're in the market for a free Vintage Schwinn Air Dyne Exercise Bike ... someone yesterday left this on Seventh Street just east of Second Avenue... Derek Berg, who took this photo, reports that it is in good working condition...



... and it has moved to the trash bins outside Cafe Mocha ...



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Peep the 2017 collection of dioramas at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park

Peephole Season — late September into October — is here again at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park on the northeast corner of Avenue C... as East Village artist J. Kathleen White has unveiled her 2017 collection of dioramas...



Here's a look at three of the four dioramas ...







These arrived this past week ... and will be up on the fence along Avenue C for six weeks.

White started creating and sharing the dioramas in 2005. Here's her work from 2016 ... 2015 ... 2014 ... 2013 ... 2012 ... and 2011....