Where's Pitbull?

Yesterday afternoon, Derek Berg spotted a cardboard cutout of the rapper Pitbull on Seventh Street near Avenue A... by this morning, Pitbull was enjoying one of the remaining payphones on Second Avenue...



It is too soon to tell if we have another concrete horse head bust on our hands.

Curlie

EVG reader Bill Buchen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, shares one of the reasons why he loves the East Village...

This is Curlie, who holds court most days at Hartman Square, a narrow strip between Houston and Second Street on Avenue C playing Old School Doo-wop hits of the 50s and some 60s on his boombox.

Always a sonic treat to hear these rhymes of yesteryear played by an elder. It was too cold for his dogs, but they'll soon be back...

Ciao For Now is closing after 17 years on 12th Street; will continue with catering business

[Photo via Instagram]

Ciao For Now, the homespun cafe at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is closing after 17 years in business. They will serve their last meal next Wednesday (Jan. 31).

However, the owners will continue on with their catering business as well as use the space for community events.

Here's a letter than they shared with me last night...

Dear East Village Community,

It is with heavy hearts that after 17 years, we close our cafe doors on February 1.

Moving forward, our primary focus will be our catering business and hosting community events.

We look forward to continuing to serve delicious handmade food to you by way of our online catering store at ciaofornow.nyc where you can order catering platters, cakes, pies, pastries and beverages...and yes...that includes our ginger green tea with lemon and honey :)

It is difficult to put into words all of the emotions we are feeling. We feel like we gave it everything we’ve got but as we are seeing all over NYC, the retail small business model has become nearly impossible to sustain. We have met so many incredible people along the way.

Raising our children in the cafe has been a great joy for our family. Ciao for Now has been a second home to many, and we couldn’t have made it this far without our amazing staff and all of your love and support. Thank you for your friendship and loyalty. Our family will always cherish all of the beautiful memories made here.

With much love & gratitude,

Ciao for Now
The Miceli Family

From 2008-2015 Ciao For Now had an outpost in the West Village. (Read about that here.) They closed that spot to focus on the original East Village location. As Amy Miceli said at that time: "It is brutal running a business in the city. I love it and hate it every day."

Ciao For Now will be open per usual for brunch this weekend 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Che Cafe returns as Benny's Burritos & Empanadas on 7th Street

Back on Jan. 10, Derek Berg spotted workers installing the Cafe Che winterized doorway on the front of the new East Village Playhouse on Sixth Street.



Not a good sign, at least for Cafe Che, which then went dark.

I asked owner Mark Merker, who launched Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, what was happening with Cafe Che. He started selling empanada pocket and other items last April at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue.


[Photo of Merker from last April by Steven]

"Right now we are in a pause," he said, and that he hoped to return in a few weeks with an expanded menu.

And yesterday, Cafe Che was back. As Jeremiah Moss first reported, the space is now going as Benny's Burritos & Empanadas.

The expanded menu will eventually include burritos and empanadas, along with tacos, chicken tortilla soup and more. Merker told me last night that the burritos will be on the menu in a few weeks.

So some good news for fans of Benny's, which closed on Avenue A and Sixth Street after 27 years in business in November 2014. (The Benny's to-go space next door closed in February 2015.)

Oh, and what about the Cafe Che winterized doorway? "That needed to come down because of a complaint called in to 311," Merker told me.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at Che Cafe, home of empanada pouches

Oishi Village Sushi has gone out of business on 2nd Avenue

That's it for the all-you-can-eat-sushi spot on Second Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Per the sign on the front door: "We're closed. Out of business."



The restaurant, from the owners of Oishi Bay Sushi Restaurant on Second Avenue and 29th Street, opened back in March.

Thank you to @afuseld for the tip!

King Kong Lives (on 13th Street)

Been waiting to get a daylight shot of this mural that Dragon76 created this past weekend on 13th Street at First Avenue... Ichibantei next door commissioned the work...



It takes the place of the Godzilla v. Gamera mural that had been here the past three years...

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

[Photo via EVG reader Shiv]

Signage is now up at the P.C. Richard on 14th Street at Irving Place announcing their upcoming move to 23rd Street. (It seems as if this location has been going out of business the past three years.)

As you likely know, the city owns this site, and there are plans to turn the property into a "workforce development and digital skills training center" — aka tech hub.

In February 2017, the de Blasio administration unveiled the renderings for Civic Hall featuring "a tech-focused work and event space" that will anchor the 20-plus story building.

Per the city's news release on Civic Hall:

“This new hub will be the front-door for tech in New York City. People searching for jobs, training or the resources to start a company will have a place to come to connect and get support. No other city in the nation has anything like it. It represents this City’s commitment to a strong and inclusive tech ecosystem,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

[Rendering via NYCEDC]

CB3's Joint Economic Development Committee and Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee will be discussing the matter during its meeting on Feb. 7. (We'll have more on this closer to the time — 6:30 p.m. at the Henry Street Settlement, Youth Services Gymnasium, 301 Henry St.)

The tech-hub project will eventually need Planning Commission and City Council approval.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) has been leading efforts behind a rezoning of the area to enforce some height restrictions and affordable housing requirements. GVSHP officials make their case here.

Report: Gregg Singer heads to federal court to clear way for his 9th Street dorm project

[Image via]

Developer Gregg Singer is now headed to court to try to turn the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on Ninth Street into student housing.

The Wall Street Journal has the story (subscription required):

After a 20-year fight, Mr. Singer filed suit Wednesday in federal court complaining he has been illegally blocked by a “conspiracy” of local elected officials in New York City, a preservation group and a hedge-fund manger who lives next door to the school.

The suit cites emails alleging that the opponents worked together to block building permits for the project. “This is a case of seller’s remorse as much as it is a case about a vindictive political plot aimed at improperly reclaiming property legally sold by New York City,” the suit said.

The claims are “ludicrous,” said Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, who was named in the suit. “The reason why he hasn’t been able to get a permit for the last five or 10 years is because he hasn’t filed one that is actually legal.”

According to the Journal, the hedge-fund manger in question is Christodora House resident Aaron Sosnick, who is chairman and manager of A.R.T. Advisors LLC with $3.7 billion under management.

Singer bought the property from the city in 1998. He wants to turn the landmarked property into a dorm called University Square, and continues in a holding pattern while the DOB maintains a Stop Work Order on the building. (This website has background on the building from Singer and company's perspective.)

Community activists, preservationists and some local elected officials have long been opposed to Singer's plans, and want to see a return to use as a cultural and community center. The building became a community center after the school left in 1977.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Not fake news then: Pro-dorm rally organizer admits some participants were paid, report says

Last call for JAM Paper & Envelope on 3rd Avenue

Saturday is the last day in business for JAM Paper & Envelope on Third Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street. (One of the owners said that the sale was going well, and they decided to extend it for a few more days.)

"Store is closing" signs appeared in the windows in early January.

Per the JAM Paper website on Jan. 15:

After nearly a quarter of a century in the East Village of New York City, JAM Paper and Envelope’s last remaining brick and mortar location on Third Avenue between 14th and 15th Street, will be closing this month. Before you hit the panic button, business will continue as normal via its e-commerce website: www.jampaper.com

There are several jokey signs up in the windows...



...and this one...

So my wife of 40 years says... Honey (I know I'm in trouble when I'm honey...) no one shops retail anymore.

That's why we are online. Fine I say!

She then says... Now can we go to Florida.

EVG reader Harry Weiner shared these photos from Tuesday...





JAM represents the first letters of the owners' first names — Janet, Andrew and Michael Jacobs, the family members who run the company.

The website notes that JAM has had over 10 different Manhattan locations. Their New Jersey warehouse remains in operation.

Previously on EV Grieve:
JAM Paper & Envelope is closing on 3rd Avenue

Boticarios opens on 1st Street

Boticarios is up and running now at 58 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Don't know too much about the restaurant at the moment. (The CB3 minutes from the September SLA committee meeting described it as a "Pan-Latin" restaurant.) The applicants have experience at Casa Mizcal on Orchard Street and the Black Ant on Second Avenue.

The restaurant has a Facebook page here and an Instagram account here.

And here's the menu posted on the front door...



Esperanto Fonda lasted nine months here, closing in May 2017. Before that, the First Street address was home to BARA for two years and Prima for three years. The Elephant, a Thai restaurant, was previously here for 17 years.

Keeping up with the Kardashianisms

Several readers have pointed out that the Continental expounded on their (tongue-in-cheek) ban on the word literally. Their stated goal now, per the updated flyer above, is to stop “Kardashianism.”

Bar owner Trigger Smith told Grub Street yesterday that the sign is not meant to be serious, though he does hate the word literally.

Per Grub Street:

"I had a woman from Miami the other night tell me it's happening down there," he says. "And it’s not just millennials. Now you hear newscasters using 'literally' every three minutes on the Sunday news shows. What’s annoying is people aren't even aware they're saying it. How could you be so unaware of your words that it's coming out every couple minutes?"

There are also posted notices stating that the bar's last day here on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place is July 1...



Also updated: it is now six shots of anything for $12. Previously five shots for $12. And five for $10 before that.

Anyway, as previously reported, Real Estate Equities Corporation plans to demolish the existing low-rise buildings at 3 St. Mark’s Place, 23 and 25-27 Third Ave. to make way for a 7-story office building.



H/T Eden to way back when!

Wednesday's parting shot

In the window this afternoon at Academy Records on 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... RIP Mark E. Smith of the Fall. He died today at age 60.

Report: Discrimination suit claims principal overlooked racial issues at Tompkins Square Middle School

A Tompkins Square Middle School teacher says in a Manhattan Federal Court discrimination suit that Principal Sonhando Estwick "put his career at risk by failing to address racial issues at his school," the Daily News reports.

Per the News:

The 34-year-old teacher, who is black and has 10 years of experience, seeks $5 million from the city.

Doe says his relationship with Estwick soured in 2012 when he asked during a meeting whether the school would be celebrating Black History Month.

Estwick, who is also black, replied the school doesn’t celebrate the month because it celebrates diversity year-round, according to court papers.

The teacher alleges that the principal said that "his radical views are not welcome at the school," and that he was "an affirmative action hire."

And then...

In October 2016, a parent complained to Estwick that a teacher cracked a joke about a Muslim student who dresses conservatively, the suit says.

The teacher, who is white, joked about the classroom needing a Muslim ban — but replaced the word “Muslim” with the student’s name, the suit says.

Despite some complaints, that teacher was never reprimanded.

According to the News, the suit was filed as a John Doe case "to protect a vulnerable student." The John Doe is still employed at the school, on Sixth Street at Avenue B.

Taco Bell premiering its Nacho Fries on the Bowery; reservations available

Taco Bell recently announced that it was adding Nacho Fries to the $1 menu.

Today and tomorrow, you can head to 212 Bowery near Rivington for a sneak preview — or premiere.

Here's more info via OpenTable, where you can get a reservation for the fry seating:

Live Más Productions presents Nacho Fries, debuting in Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on January 25 for just $1. The most-anticipated menu item release of the year will be available crisped to perfection with bold Mexican seasoning and served with a dippable side of warm Nacho Cheese. Ahead of their nationwide release, Taco Bell will host fans in New York City for a complimentary, advance screening of Nacho Fries and the trailer “Web of Fries” that will leave fans hungry for more – more Nacho Fries that is. A five-star menu item like Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries is worthy of its own red carpet, and that’s exactly the treatment Taco Bell is rolling out with its first “big screen” debut.

The pop-up is open today from 4-8 p.m. and tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. and again 5-9 p.m.

$10 million minimum opening bid today at auction of former building that housed Lucky Cheng's

[Photo from Dec. 31]

As I reported on Jan. 2, the potential development sites at 24 First Ave. (the onetime home of Lucky Cheng's) and 99-101 E. Second St. are headed to the auction block.

The bidding action begins today at 1 p.m. at the Hotel on Rivington. The minimum opening bid is $10 million. (Find more details at the auction site here.)

Landlord Carmar Development, LLC, had put the two-building parcel up for sale in February 2017. (We wrote about that here.) The L-shaped properties were seeking $26 million then.

Uri Marrache, a principal at Carmar Development, was reportedly at risk of defaulting on his $11 million loan against the vacant buildings.

As Crain's reported, while the bidding will start at $10 million, a winning offer must at least exceed the $11 million owed to the lender.

Per Crain's:

“The owner was behind with the lender on payments,” said Richard Maltz, chief executive of Maltz Auctions. “Going through an auction process like this allows a property owner that needs a quick exit to execute on a sale.”

As for what a new landlord might be able to do here, we'll go back to the auction site:

Currently Improved with a 7,748 Sq Ft Mixed-Use Building & 4,648 Sq Ft Retail Building
Substantial Unused Air Rights
• 28,540 Sq Ft Buildable Site (3,418 Sq Ft Cellar) – Per Architect Plans, with Inclusionary Housing
• 26,483 Sq Ft Buildable Site (5,297 Sq Ft Cellar) – Per Architect Plans, without Inclusionary Housing & with Full Lot Merge
• 24,610 Sq Ft Buildable Site (5,298 Sq Ft Cellar) – Per Architect Plans, without Inclusionary Housing

Annual Real Estate Taxes: $141,977
Currently Vacant

Hayne Suthon, who owned and and operated Lucky Cheng's, the cross-dressing cabaret, also lived in the building. She died of cancer at age 57 in June 2014.

Suthon had owned the properties since 1986, paying $800,000, city documents show. According to public records, the address changed hands to Carmar Development in February 2015 for a little more than $9.6 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Myron Mixon's Pride & Joy BBQ now in the works for the former Lucky Cheng's space

Fire reported at incoming Pride and Joy BBQ on East Second Street

Myron Mixon lawsuit puts opening of Pride and Joy BBQ in question at former Lucky Cheng's space

More alterations for the Pride and Joy space

Report: Pride and Joy BBQ partners suing landlord Hayne Suthon for $22 million

Report: New owners of building that housed Lucky Cheng's looking to attract restaurant group

Onetime home of Lucky Cheng's and adjacent property on the development market for $26 million
Building that housed Lucky Cheng's on 1st Avenue now on the auction block

Champion Coffee taking over the Madman Espresso space on 14th Street

Madman Espresso has closed its location on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (H/T to EVG regular Pinch for the tip!)

There's now a sign hanging on the door titled Good Bye & Good Luck:

Madman Espresso adventure in the East Village/Gramercy area comes to an end. A nice lady bought our shop. They will renovate and reopen in a couple of weeks.

If you really can't live without us, please come see us at University Place and 10th Street or in one of our Midtown locations.

That "nice lady" is apparently Talitha Whidbee, who founded Champion Coffee in 2006 in Greenpoint.

Champion announced their new location(s) on Instagram back in December...

✖️EXCITING NEWS✖️ • Our Christmas gift to you this year comes in the form of a big announcement: We are kicking off 2018 with the opening of - not just one - but TWO new @championcoffee locations in Manhattan! • 210 E 67th | *Coming January 2018* 319 E 14th | *Coming February 2018* • Can’t wait to see you all there and share our yummy coffee with friends, both new and old ☕️

A post shared by Champion Coffee (@championcoffee) on Dec 23, 2017 at 6:48am PST

Madman Espresso opened on 14th Street, its first location, in January 2013. The University Place outpost arrived in 2015.

Champion Coffee was one of the first vendors at the Bowery Market, the year-round open-air food market at 348 Bowery and Great Jones, but they eventually pulled out for undisclosed reasons.

Some Tasty Taiwan for the former TK Kitchen on St. Mark's Place

TK Kitchen, which served bubble tea and various Taiwanese street food, closed in December here on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The goodbye noted posted to the TK Facebook page left the door open for a return: "[W]e have a new idea [that we are] planning at the moment, we will be back soon!"

There is now a Community Board notice up in the window (the February meeting hasn't been announced yet) ... noting that Tasty Taiwan LLC plans to open a restaurant ... and they will be applying for a beer-wine license...

I.Q. Decor closing on 14th Street

[Photos via EVG reader Shiv]

Several EVG readers have pointed out the IQ Decor is closing on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



Closing signs arrived last week at the store that sells discounted toys, housewares, rubber boots, cleaning products, NYC gifts, luggage, etc., etc. (Last day for now is Feb. 28.)

The Saving$ Paradise shop at 250 E. 14th St. merged with I.Q. Decor in the spring of 2016.

This closure, I believe, brings an end to any discounted shops on 14th Street between Avenue B and Third Avenue.

H/T EVG reader Jen!

Tuesday's parting shot

This mural arrived over the weekend here on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue... Interstellar work by @dirtcobain and @outersource ...

And another angle via @dirtcobain ...

Noted

Multiple media outlets (like ABC 7 and the Post) are reporting on a jacket or bag fire that happened on a northbound F train as it pulled into Second Avenue early Saturday morning.

This social media user captured the fire...

Ahh, New York ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/d6kG7A7AIf

— Stephen (@Stibbanski) January 21, 2018

The incident snarled subway traffic for an hour, as the F trains were rerouted first to the A line, then over to the E line. Service resumed within an hour.

Per ABC 7: "Authorities have not confirmed how the fire started or who caused it."