A Citi Bike docking station has arrived on the northwest corner of Avenue A and Second Street... as far as I know this is new within the last few days... can any Citi Biker confirm this arrival?
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
New Citi Bike docking station for Avenue A and 2nd Street
A Citi Bike docking station has arrived on the northwest corner of Avenue A and Second Street... as far as I know this is new within the last few days... can any Citi Biker confirm this arrival?
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Report: NYPD looking for suspects behind several East Village business break-ins
The #NYPD is looking to identify this person who along with another is #wanted for a pattern of burglaries in #NYC. The pair has struck several commercial establishments in lower & upper #Manhattan. If you have any information we ask you to call #800577TIPS pic.twitter.com/EKz8VIACAu
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) January 12, 2018
The NYPD is looking for at least two suspects believed to behind more than 16 burglaries in the city, including several in the East Village late last month.
Here's part of the story today via Town & Village:
On either late December 30 or the morning of December 31, they got into Red House, a Chinese takeout place on 203 East 14th Street and Third Avenue, by forcing open the basement door. There they snatched $1,000 in cash.
On December 31 at 2 a.m., three individuals forced open an exit door at Otto’s Tacos at 141 Second Avenue and East 9th Street. They attempted to pry open the cash register and an office door but were unsuccessful. They fled the location emptyhanded when a store employee entered the establishment. (The owner declined to comment when called about the incident.)
At around the same time, the burglars successfully managed to get inside Mango Mango at 23 St. Marks Place by forcing open the front door. They stole $350 in cash and the business’s surveillance system hard drive.
In total, the suspects have taken nearly $54,000 from the various businesses. The NYPD's descriptions of the suspects are quite vague: white and male, basically.
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.
Head trip
A look at one of the new murals in the First Street Green Art Park ... Kathy Griffin (as Bat Woman) holding the head of Harvey Weinstein, courtesy of SacSix ...
RIP Adela Fargas
[Photo from @casaadelarestaurant in 2015]
Adela Fargas, owner of the Avenue C institution Casa Adela, died yesterday morning, according to friends of the Puerto Rican restaurant.
There wasn't much information immediately available about her death.
Meanwhile, there is a memorial in her honor outside the restaurant here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...
[Photo by Bayou]
And there are several tributes to Fargas, who was born in 1936, on social media ...
Before opening Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C in 1976, she ran a luncheonette one block to the south. It was there, as a feature in The New York Times from 2015 points out, that she perfected the seasoning for her famed rotisserie chicken.
Said her son Luis Rivera, a longtime manager at Casa Adela, in that article:
“She makes people feel like they are eating from Grandma’s hand,” he said. “Many people, their grandmothers are back home,” he said, meaning in Puerto Rico. “So they come here.”
The viewing for Fargas is Friday from 4-9 p.m. at the Ortiz Funeral Home, 22 First Ave. between First Street and Second Street...
The Joint (fka 99 Miles to Philly) has closed on 3rd Avenue
Multiple readers have shared the news that The Joint closed earlier this month on Third Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street. (The first report that I heard was on Jan. 5.)
There's now a for rent sign on the space. The cheesesteak specialists started as 99 Miles to Philly in February 2005. They rebranded as The Joint this past July. Here's what 99 Miles partner Neil Barsky told me at that time:
"After 12 years and outlasting every other cheeseteak joint that did not have a bar attached to it, we could no longer survive the costs of doing business in NYC with only having basically one product," he said via email. "We had a choice — close or take advantage of the vacancies left by the closing of Blue 9 and other restaurants in the area. We felt by rebranding with an expanded new menu, which will ... feature Pat LaFrieda's burgers, specialty hot dogs and monthly specialty sandwiches, we could continue to survive and keep good people employed."
I did not hear back about this closure.
The Joint's neighbor, Blue 9 Burger, closed earlier in 2017. That space remains on the rental market...
Ricky's is closing on 3rd Avenue
The Ricky's location on Third Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street is closing this month. (H/T Goggla!)
Some products at the accessories, cosmetics and novelties store are up to 90 percent off, per the sales signage.
While this location is closing, there is a Ricky's opening on Broadway next to the Strand at 12th Street...
The Ricky's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street closed without any notice in March 2016. The one in Chelsea on 23rd Street near Eighth Avenue closed last May while the Union Square location followed suit in November.
Ricky’s NYC president, Michael Long, told the Commercial Observer last fall that the chain is closing "underperforming stores" and that the company is now profitable.
Ricky's started as Ricky Love in 1989. Today, Ricky's has 17 locations around NYC and one in Miami. (The number was 30 at the time of the First Avenue closure.)
Previously on EV Grieve:
The Ricky's on 1st Avenue has apparently closed
A buffet for 1st Avenue
Signage is up for Goloday Halal Buffet at 222 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street... the signage promises authentic Western African and Mediterrean [sic] cuisine.
The space was previously a Joey Pepperoni.
Village Craft Beer and Smoke coming soon to 1st Avenue
The recently closed Classic Gourmet Deli between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street is getting a new name (and owners?) ...
This incoming Village Craft Beer and Smoke is not to be confused with the coming-soon Beer & Smoke Shop one block to the north...
Meanwhile! In other recent vaping and smoking switcheroos, the Exclusive Smoke Shop and Deli on Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street is now ... Vape and Smoke (new owners)... which is not to be confused with Vape N Smoke opening on Second Avenue.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Monday's parting shots
Two views of the sunset this evening from 14th Street and Avenue C ... courtesy of EVG reader Durk Snowden...
MLK weekend at Middle Collegiate Church with Civil Rights icon Ruby Sales
Text and photos by Dan Efram
Middle Collegiate Church, 112 Second Ave., yesterday hosted “Redeem the Soul of America,” a special discussion honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s legacy with Civil Rights icon Ruby Sales.
Sales described her work with The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the critical role of women in the Movement, and gave the attentive audience context as to the foundations of racism and bigotry that have permeated American society.
“For black people, the streets and the fields have always been subversive sites,” Sales contextualizes. “It was the same during the Southern Freedom Movement. The streets that once upon a time where places in the South where black people should not be caught. We transformed them from dangerous places to liberating spaces.
“One of the things that the Movement literally did was to transform sites of terror, sites of oppression, into sites of liberation and sites of honor,” she said. "It was an honor to go to jail. It was an honor to be arrested on the streets of America.”
Though there were many enlightening moments, perhaps the most salient point was her description of a movement.
“A movement is dangerous, it’s not warm and fuzzy and cozy,” Sales said. “It doesn’t happen without a community to cover and guard you. It’s not an action of a few justice elites. It’s a community enterprise. You can’t be in a movement if you are afraid to die.”
The talk was led by Middle Collegiate Church’s Senior Minister Rev. Jacqui Lewis (above, left), who told of Sales’ direct impact on her life. Watch the full discussion here.
EV Grieve Etc.: Tommy Wiseau at the Sunshine; NYC's best bagels — mapped
[Photo on Houston and the Bowery yesterday by Derek Berg]
No-heat complaints at the Max Meltzer Senior Center on First Street (PIX 11)
Firefighter stationed at Ladder 11 on Second Street accused of trafficking fentanyl (The Daily News ... NY1)
City announces new deal to replace facilities lost in Rivington House fiasco (Curbed)
SLA nixes proposed restaurant at Allen and East Houston from Sons of Essex team (The Lo-Down)
SLA suspends liquor license for the troubled Delilah on Rivington Street (The Daily News)
One last glitzy premiere at the Sunshine (Page Six ... previously)
And then there was Tommy Wiseau at the Sunshine (Slum Goddess)
Map: Where to find the city's best bagels (Eater)
U.S. theatrical premiere of "Pow Wow" starts Friday at the Anthology Film Archives (Official site)
Rivington Street deli robbed at gunpoint (PIX 11)
The 1950s-1960s NYC street photography of Jonathan Brand (Creative Boom)
Conflicted thoughts on the Astor Place Kmart (Flaming Pablum)
When Lou Reed and the Talking Heads teamed up for "Femme Fatale" (Dangerous Minds)
Julian Eastman tribute at the Kitchen (The New Yorker)
Lower Manhattan in 1642 (Ephemeral New York)
Some history of Stuyvesant Street (Off the Grid)
And on that note, here's a postcard of the St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery from 1906 ... via the NYPL Digital Collections...
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Week in Grieview
[Friday's fog along the East River]
Stories posted on EVG this past week included...
The Landmark Sunshine Cinema closes on Jan. 21 (Wednesday)
JAM Paper & Envelope is closing on 3rd Avenue (Monday)
PS122 is now Performance Space New York, returns to 1st Avenue (Wednesday)
The nonpayment of rent notice has arrived at East Village Cheese (Friday)
Bella Tile showroom closes on 1st Avenue (Tuesday)
Report of a stabbing on 14th Street at 1st Avenue (Thursday)
Dan & John's Wings looking to expand on 1st Avenue (Monday)
Ayios Greek Rotisserie has closed on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)
Soogil brings Korean dining to 4th Street (Wednesday)
At the opening reception of Samoa's 'Candy Coated Evil' at Howl! Happening (Friday)
Gabay's Outlet has closed on Avenue A (Monday)
The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike (Tuesday)
Unleashed by Petco is unloading its pet supplies as store is closing on 2nd Avenue (Thursday)
Report: LPC rejects glassy addition for landmarked 827-831 Broadway (Thursday)
Polish G. I. Delicatessen signage comes down on 1st Avenue (Thursday)
Sweet Generation turns 3 (Thursday)
... and several people have pointed out this memorial for LES Jewels (Joel Pakela) that arrived this past week in Tompkins Square... he died in September 2013...
[Photo Thursday by Bobby Williams]
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Triang hawk relations: Updates on Christo, Dora and Not-Dora/Nora
Steven took this photo of Christo and Not-Dora/Nora (on the right) yesterday atop the Christodora House on Avenue B.
As previously reported, Christo, the red-tailed hawk of Tompkins Square Park, has been spotted several times in the companionship of this hawk while his longtime partner Dora continues to recuperate from an injured wing suffered in late November.
Goggla had an update on Dora back on Thursday:
[A]s of this week, her wounds have healed, but she is still unable to fly. She is still in the care of WINORR and we are hoping she can exercise her wing and regain strength. I really miss her and I think maybe Christo does, too. I try not to anthropomorphize and project my feelings onto him, but he has been acting sullen and surly since she's been away.
Goggla has more on Christo, Not-Dora/Nora and a juvenile red-tailed hawk in this post.
Meanwhile, Christo has been working on a nest (pro tip: complete the bathroom first) ... one can hopefully speculate that this is in anticipation of Dora's return...
[Nest photos by Steven]
And from yesterday, Christo eating something...
[Photo by Bobby Williams]
P.S.
I have not personally seen the opossum in the Park lately ... but there have been several sightings this past week. Perhaps we'll have some photographic evidence soon. Because people have asked about the opossum.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Scandal in Tompkins Square Park as Christo courts new hawk while Dora recuperates
The 'other' hawk
Get well soon, Dora!
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Plywood and a petition at 84 2nd Ave.
[Photo Thursday by peter radley]
On Thursday, workers boarded up the second-floor window of the long-empty storefront at 84 Second Ave. just south of Fifth Street.
This was apparently done to take care of a "failure to maintain" complaint about a crack in the second-floor window, per city records.
As previously reported, the newish owners are looking to make some major renovations to the building that's in the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. (Owners of buildings located within a designated New York City historic district must receive a permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for major work.)
Among other things, there are plans to create four residential units (condos???) at No. 84. The work plans are still awaiting city approval. (The city disapproved them on Thursday, per the Department of Buildings.)
There is also a petition in circulation in opposition to the planned alterations to the rear of the building.
Per the petition:
The proposed changes would:
1 - Alter the building’s footprint by tearing down the rear wall, extending the building 12 feet into the backyard and bricking over 5 windows.
2 - Allow for construction of a one story commercial extension to occupy the remainder of the backyard, with a full basement and a roof terrace.
3 - Alter the rear wall profile by adding two balconies and a roof terrace.
The building’s architectural integrity and the character of the property would be lost if this application is approved.
Its approval would permit drastic and irreversible changes to a 175-year-old property that has historically complemented the surrounding buildings and yards.
Neighbors only within the vicinity of 2nd Avenue & 5th Street and 2nd Avenue & 4th Street are invited to sign this petition. If signing YOUR ADDRESS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMENT FIELD.
This Monday (Jan. 15!) is the deadline for signing the petition.
And to the history... which we've noted several times through the years... the address has a dark past. This is from The New York Times, dated Jan. 18, 1974:
The nude body of a 40-year-old woman propiretor of a tailor shop that rents tuxedos on the Lower East Side was found bludgeoned to death. The victim was Helen Sopolsky of 84 Second Avenue, near fifth Street, whose shop is one flight up at that address. The motive of the attack was not determined immediately....
As far as some longtime residents can remember, the storefront has remained empty since Helen's death in 1974. (Helen was Betty's sister.)
For years, you could see a plastic-covered dinner jacket in the second-story window with the neon sign that reads "DRESS SUITS TO HIRE."
[Photo by Jeremiah Moss]
Previously on EV Grieve:
Workers clearing out the mysterious 84 2nd Ave. storefront
Renovations proposed for mysterious 84 2nd Ave.
Noted
Spotted on the front door of a building on First Street...
If you don't have any
business with Apt. 5 or
deliveries for Apt. 5 STOP
ringing APT. 5 I'm tired of
you FUCKIN' MORONS
bothering me!!!
No word if the occupant of Apt. 5 is speaking for the entire building.
Today in double spills on 14th Street
Actually this unfortunate double spill likely happened last night as the KFC on 14th Street and Second Avenue wasn't open yet today.
Meanwhile, we will work to recreate how this occurred. It doesn't appear to be a drop, given the position of the cups and the integrity of the structure... the spill tracks also suggest a more gentle flow as opposed to a splat (scientifically speaking).
And we'll sample to see if this was, in fact, Tropicana® Fruit Punch ...
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