Taiwan Bear House bringing bento boxes and bubble tea to 10th Street

Taiwan Bear House will be opening an outpost on 10th Street at First Avenue (between Snowdays and United Copy & Print in the same building that houses Tarallucci E Vino).

The cafe sells a variety of bubble tea, bento boxes and fried chicken.

The restaurant opened its first outpost on Pell Street in 2015, and earned a "Critic's Pick" at the Times.

Per the Times:

The fried chicken is inspired by the “popcorn” style of chicken sold at night markets in Taiwan, boneless hunks of meat perfumed with Chinese five-spice and slightly feverish, with a chewiness just under the surface. The pork chop is dredged not in the usual sweet potato starch but in panko. Purists may object, but the sheath of crumbs comes out well bronzed, somehow crispy and wispy at once.

Still, if I had to choose, I would forgo pork chop or chicken for a larger heap of that minced pork, the cheapest bento option, and the best.

You can find their menu here.

Thanks to Steven for the photo and tip!

Tribute to a fallen tree on St. Mark's Place

[Top 2 photos via Steven]

The city this morning deemed it necessary to remove the Callery pear tree from outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Yesterday morning, a large branch fell, which, miraculously, missed the pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity.

According to this site, the "Callery pear has a weak wood and branch structure ..." The tree appeared to show signs of rot.

Here's a look at what's left behind...




[Photo via @PerchNewYork]

... and there is a tribute, which begins "Dearly Beloved," on the stump...


[Photo by Chris Rowland]

Tater in the morning

A Tater sighting on Ninth Street this a.m. via Steven...

After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Tony Scifo, who opened Foot Gear Plus at 131 First Ave. and St. Mark's Place in 1980, recently made the difficult decision to close his family-fun business at the end of the month.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the store yesterday and spoke with Scifo. Here are excerpts from the conversation...

"The 31st of July is the last day at Foot Gear Plus. I made the decision to close about three months ago. After several years of peaks and valleys in business there were just too many valleys. Companies now sell direct to consumers and once they started offering free shipping it was all over. This is happening everywhere, not just locally.

We offered great merchandise and great service — no gimmicks. But we just can't compete with online.

The landlord wanted us to stay. She offered us a fair price and she's been great. We just couldn't make it.

We're cleaning out merchandise now — everything is 20 percent off with limited stock/sizes. Prices might drop a little bit more before we close for good, but we might not have too much more inventory. Come in now if you need shoes but there's no hard sell. You can save a few dollars.

We have no plans to have an online store and no plans to reopen. After 40 years I want to spend time with my family and see what's next. You know in 40 years I don't think we ever opened even a few minutes late."

Village Kids Footwear, which Tony's sister Linda Scifo-Young operated a few storefronts away, closed late last summer.

Report: LPC wants some revisions to the proposed condoplex for 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviewed the proposal yesterday to erect a 7-story condoplex on the Second Avenue gas explosion site at Seventh Street.

The 21-unit conodplex with retail space reportedly isn't too far off from what the LPC will approve. Here's part of the coverage via 6sqft:

After reviewing the plans ... and deciding that the proposal is “close, but not quite there,” they’ve sent [architect Morros] Adjmi and Yaniv Shaky Cohen’s Nexus Building Development Group back to the drawing board over concerns regarding the windows, storefront, and coloring. Neighbors and those affected by the tragedy are also calling for a commemorative plaque to be incorporated into the design.

And about a way to commemorate the two men who died in the explosion — Moises Ismael Locon, 27, and Nicholas Figueroa, 23:

[T]he one thing everyone seemed to agree on is the necessity for a commemorative plaque. Adjmi said the owner originally considered a tree to serve as a marker, but the LPC would like to see him work with the community on this addition.

The lot sits within the the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, and requires the LPC's approval to move forward.

Read more from yesterday at Curbed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Here's the 1st look at the new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Some breakfast and lunch for 10th and 3rd

Workers were putting up the signage yesterday afternoon on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Third Avenue... as you can see, the wraparound signage boasts breakfast and lunch offerings, including sandwiches, salads, smoothies and a juice bar.

Not sure what this venture will be called — that part of the signage wasn't in place just yet.

This storefront was previously the Red & White Spa, which closed at the end of 2017...



Updated 7/14

The deli is called Healthy Greens Gourmet...



Updated 7/20

The place is now open.

Report: Proposed tech hub appears 'in question' without zoning protections

A number of organizations and local residents both for and against the proposed tech hub on 14th Street made their case earlier today during an hours-long public hearing in front of a City Council subcommittee.

You can find nice recaps at The Lo-Down ... Curbed ... and amNY.

There's support for the hub's training facility that would provide skills to local low-income residents. However, some local residents and preservation groups have called for a larger rezoning of the area to ensure that the proposed 21-story Union Square Tech Training Center doesn’t prompt massive development on Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue that would potentially displace tenants and small businesses.

District 2 City Council member Carlina Rivera holds the crucial vote for the zoning changes to make the project a go at the site of the former PC Richard complex on 14th Street at Irving Place. During her election campaign last year she indicated that she'd sign off on the tech hub only if the city agreed to downzone the surrounding area.

As the Lo-Down reported, Rivera said in her introductory remarks that she considers it part of her mission to create good jobs for residents in her district. However: "the vision for this area must include protections from continued out-of-scale and financially out-of-reach development."

And later...

.@CarlinaRivera says vote on Tech Hub is “seriously in question” following negotiations with City Hall where “the community’s requests have not been seriously considered.” https://t.co/iEPOLU6F92

— Jeremy Unger (@jeremyunger1) July 10, 2018

The final City Council vote will be later this summer.

Updated 7/11

RAL Development Services, who's partnering with the city on the project, released this statement after yesterday's hearing:

We’re pleased to continue through the ULURP process with the broad support of the community and elected officials. We are committed to making the 124 East 14th Street Tech Training Center a reality; an innovative and inclusive project that will stimulate local business growth and community interaction, and promote the next generation of companies, not for profit organizations, and industries. We will continue to work with community representatives and local officials in making sure the project responds to the community’s needs and look forward to the Tech Training Center’s addition to the iconic Lower Manhattan area.

Image via @GVSHP

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

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

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

No injuries reported as large tree branch comes crashing down on St. Mark's Place

This tree branch fell this morning outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... EVG reader Maegan Hayward shared these photos...



Thankfully, despite being a busy corridor for pedestrians and vehicles (especially deliveries), the damage was minimal. Per Maegan: "Luckily it seems like no one was injured and nothing was damaged other than the tree."

The sidewalk bridge outside 19-25 St. Mark's Place across the street prevented the tree from possibly damaging the storefronts or hitting the pedestrians who were there at the time.





And 7 seconds of video, which shows just how large this branch is...



"It just seemed to fall out of nowhere," Maegan said.

Updated:

Steven shared these photos... after the branch was (mostly) removed from the street...







...and a photo of the branch attachment...

Mono + Mono reopens on 4th Street after 5-year absence

More than five years after a fire destroyed its space, Mono + Mono officially reopens tonight in its former home at 116 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.


[Photo by Elissa Jiji]

A fire swept through the single-level structure in April 2013. The restaurant's extensive collection of jazz LPs were reportedly spared, and, based on some recent Instagram posts, the records will be put to use in Mono + Mono 2.0.

At various times through the years, Mono reps said that they would be returning. CB3 OK'd the new liquor license in March 2017. The menu submitted with the CB3 questionnaire at that time featured a variety of Asian-fusion tapas. (The sample menu did not list the double-dipped Korean fried chicken, a speciality of the previous incarnation of Mono + Mono.) Recent Instagram posts show small-plates-type menu items.

A flower shop has been in the space in the past year-plus, with the recent arrival of a cafe serving juice and coffee. The flower shop will remain in operation during the day, with the space turning over to dinner and drinks in the evenings. No word on official hours just yet. The new Mono doesn't appear to have any web or social-media presence at the moment.

Mono + Mono first opened in August 2010.

Thanks to Elissa Jiji for the tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening

LPC to review condoplex proposal for 2nd Avenue gas explosion site

[Rendering via Morris Adjimi Architects]

During its weekly meeting today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will review the proposal to erect a 7-story condoplex on the Second Avenue gas explosion site at Seventh Street.

As Curbed reported yesterday:

Presentation materials that will go before the LPC offer a glimpse at what [the developer] has planned for the structure: The building itself will rise 78 feet, though the bulkhead will take that up to just under 100 feet. The facade would be made from custom L-shaped bricks, cast stone, and corrugated zinc, all in muted shades of gray and beige. Some apartments would have corner exposures, and there would be one penthouse with roof access.

The Historic Districts Council has weighed in on the proposal, saying the building “could fit in quite well in the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District”; however, HDC takes issue with the corner windows, which they call “extremely out of place,” and the color of the cladding.

Last month, CB3 endorsed a resolution by its Landmarks Committee, as The Villager reported.

The committee’s recommendations also called on [architect] Morris Adjmi ... to create a "permanent, prominent bronze marker honoring those who died at the location" — Moises Ismael Locon, 27, and Nicholas Figueroa, 23 — and telling the story of the event, with review from Locon’s and Figueroa’s parents.

Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group filed plans in February for the development.

According to the Nexus website, 119-121 Second Ave. "is a high-end condominium building ... with seven floors including 21 apartments and a retail space. Residential units are one, two and three bedrooms."

Cohen paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and 121 between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

The defendants in the gas-explosion case, including Maria Hrynenko, the former owner of No. 119 and 121, are still waiting to go to trial.

According to The Villager last week:

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr., said the case had been "administratively adjourned" to July 27. There is currently no trial date set for Hrynenko and her three co-defendants.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Here's the 1st look at the new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site

The Silky Kitchen signage arrives on 13th Street

[Photo by Laura K.]

The Silky signage — touting "Authentic Hunan Delicacies" — is up at 137 E. 13th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Still don't know much about the place, other than it will be an all-day restaurant with hours of 9 a.m. to midnight daily, per their beer-wine application on the CB3 website. Silky doesn't appear to have any social-media presence (or website) just yet.

The space was previously home to Mandolino Pizzeria, which closed in March after a 14-month run.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Silky Kitchen set for 13th Street

Rue St. Denis bids au revoir to Avenue B

Back in April, news surfaced that Rue St. Denis, the vintage clothing and accessories shop, was closing after 25 years on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The boutique, which sold unworn vintage collections, shut down at the end of June.

EVG regular Daniel shared these photos... showing the empty storefront...



Founder Jean-Paul Buthier and his partner Riccardo Bonechi bid au revoir with this sign on the door, including the message: "Keep buying vintage. Save the planet!"



Buthier and Bonechi closed the store for a change of pace, not because of rising rents or declining sales, as The New York Times first reported.

Monday's parting [novelty T-shirt] shot

"Sons of Arthritis" spotted on Seventh Street via Derek Berg...

Noted

Thanks to Alex G for sharing this photo... showing that 13th Street and Second Avenue is now 48th Street and Ninth Avenue... Welcome to Hell's Village.

NYU student discusses random weekend attack: 'He got me right to the ground and kept punching'

EXCLUSIVE: NYPD Says Crime Is Down Despite Recent Spate Of Random Assaults https://t.co/Im44jd3Ixh

— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) July 9, 2018

CBS New York files a report on several of the random attacks that have occurred around the city in recent days.

Marcia Kramer spoke with one of the women who was attacked in the East Village this past weekend.

Per Kramer's report:

NYU junior Cat Heinen says being violently ambushed and beaten by a homeless man in the East Village late Saturday has left her scared and shaken.

“I don’t think I can walk alone for a long time,” she told CBS2. “I’ve been walking with my keys in hand.”

Heinen also says she’s bought pepper spray after the terrifying ordeal. While the NYPD was quick to catch the man who attacked Cat and two other women, she says the experience has changed her life.

“This has been really traumatic and awful,” she said. “He got me right to the ground and kept punching, I’m pretty sure he was going to rape me.”

Carlos Munoz, 23, was arrested and reportedly charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Police officials tell Kramer that there isn't any crime wave, that statistics for the first six months of the year show overall crime is down another 1.8 percent.

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

Tomorrow morning at 9:30, City Council is holding its only public hearing on the rezoning for Mayor de Blasio's proposed 14th Street Tech Hub.

The upzoning is necessary to allow for a 21-floor building — called the Union Square Tech Training Center — to rise on the current site of the former PC Richard complex on 14th Street at Irving Place.

The approval process tour — the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) — has already received endorsements from the City Planning Commission, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Community Board 3, who included an amendment in their resolution calling for zoning protection. (Note: Brewer’s recommendation also comes with a set of conditions. Read her report here.)

As previously reported, that zoning protection is the key for some concerned area residents and preservationists, who fear overdevelopment south of Union Square along Broadway, University Place and Fourth Avenue.

District 2 City Council member Carlina Rivera said during her election campaign last year that she'd sign off on the project only if the city agrees to downzone the surrounding area. As Crain's noted: "Because the council traditionally defers to the wishes of local members, her vote is crucial."

And more from Crain's, in an article published Friday:

"[Rivera] has been negotiating with the mayor's office throughout the process," a spokesman said. "She's going to be working on securing zoning protections that preserve affordable housing and the character of the neighborhood."

And...

"Our conversation with council member Rivera has been productive," an EDC spokesman said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to gather feedback from her, community stakeholders, and the City Council subcommittee as we present on this important project that seeks to diversify the city's tech sector."

Plans for the 240,000-square-foot Tech Training Center include educational facilities, market-rate office space and a food hall. Read more about the project via the city's Economic Development Corporation here.

Meanwhile, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation makes their case for zoning protections here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

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

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

Julie's Vintage is closing on 2nd Street

[Photo by Goggla]

The closing signs are up at Julie's Vintage, the eclectic vintage/thrift shop at 84 E. Second St. at First Avenue.

The store is expected to close at the end of the month, with a possible relocation to the Bushwick Market. A store source said high rents are behind the closure. (Thanks to Goggla for the photo and info!)

Julie Erinc, a former designer, opened up shop here during the winter of 2016.

Here's more about the place from a Sideways NYC post:

After one steps into Julie’s Vintage, it does not take long to realize that Julie, the owner, is more of an artist than a retail vendor. Headpieces adorned with recycled flowers and deer antlers, dashing 1920’s style dresses with encrusted jewelry, and incredibly creative Halloween costumes overflow the small space ...

And...

Even more impressively, she uses mostly recycled materials that she has collected in her years spent traveling the world (since the early 1980’s), a time period which includes fourteen years working as a lingerie designer.

Demolition permits filed for 99-101 E. 2nd St.; first look at the condoplex to come

As previously reported, developer Sergey Rybak has submitted plans for a 7-story, 22-unit residential building on the property of the current 24 First Ave. and 99-101 E. Second St.



The demolition permits were filed with the city back on June 1 to bring down 24 First Ave.

And last Thursday, the permits arrived to demolish No. 99-101 — just a formality at this point.

Meanwhile, here's the first look at the rendering for the space via the Rybak website...



According to the site, the residences will be condos (building name for now — 101E2).

No. 99-101 has been vacant for the past six years (there was that whole Pride & Joy BBQ debacle). It housed a variety of short-lived restaurants in recent years, including Bento Burger ... Marfa... and Waikiki Wally's.

The work permits for the new building show that there'll be 600 square feet for commercial purposes.

Previously on EV Grieve:
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

Onetime home of Lucky Cheng's and adjacent property sell for $12 million

7-story residential building pending at the former Lucky Cheng's space

Demolition permits filed to bring down former Lucky Cheng's building on 1st Avenue

There are new plans to expand the mysterious 84 2nd Ave.

Tonight, CB3's Landmarks Committee will hear a proposal on a Certificate of Appropriateness for 84 Second Ave., the circa-1841 Greek Revival-type rowhouse (aka that rather mysterious building with a dark past) just south of Fifth Street.





The new owners of the currently-empty building, reportedly Highpoint Property Group, a real-estate development company, are — in DOB speak — looking to modify and replace the storefront infill; replace windows; construct rear yard and rooftop additions; and install railings.

According to the alteration permits, filed with the city on June 28, the additions would take the building from its current 5,829 square feet to 8,439 total square feet. The modified No. 84 would feature new retail space as well as four residences.

If you're interested, then this 51-page PDF has all the details, including some historic photos.

This property changed hands for the second time in as many years back in May, selling for $7.8 million.

The previous owners were looking to make similar alterations to the building. In January, CB3's Landmark's Committee issued a partial Certificate of Appropriateness for the address.

According to the official minutes from the January meeting, CB3 approved the front façade plan and opposed the rear yard addition. Among other points, CB3 officials said that "great care should be taken to monitor this fragile building and its neighboring buildings." (There was also a petition in circulation in opposition to the planned alterations to the rear of the building.)

However, the previous owner didn't follow through with the plans with the Landmarks Preservation Committee, instead selling the building. (Landlords of buildings located within a designated New York City historic district must receive a permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for major work.)

As we've noted several times through the years, the address has a dark past, which includes the still-unsolved murder of Helen Sopolsky, proprietor of the family's tailor shop who was found bludgeoned to death in 1974, per an article at the time.

The storefront has remained empty since her death in 1974.

The Landmarks Committee meeting is at 6:30 tonight, taking place at the Lee, 133 Pitt St. at Houston.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Plywood and a petition at 84 2nd Ave.

Workers clearing out the mysterious 84 2nd Ave. storefront

Renovations proposed for mysterious 84 2nd Ave.

Mysterious 84 2nd Ave. sells again, this time for $7.8 million

East Village Tavern officially (re)opens today

The next iteration of the East Village Tavern, now a Mexican restaurant and sports bar, officially opens today on Avenue C and 10th Street ...

OFFICIAL DATES!: We are happy to announce, we will be officially opening our doors on Monday, July 9th! We will be hosting a party on Wednesday, July 11th from 5pm-10pm for friends & family (if you don’t fall into either of those categories yet, we’d love to have you anyway!) We’re ready to make some new friends & good memories! We can’t wait to see you! 💀🌹🥂 • • • #eastvillagetavern #eastvillage #fiesta #wereopen #bar #restaurant #hungry #thirsty #happyhour #diadelosmuertos #party #grandopening #specialtycocktails #cerveza

A post shared by East Village Tavern (@eastvillagetavernnyc) on Jul 3, 2018 at 6:09pm PDT

Per the Yelp description: "Conceived in 2018 by 5 friends from the restaurant industry, we are excited to reintroduce the East Village Tavern to the neighborhood as an authentic Mexican restaurant and American sports bar."

The listed hours of operation are 11 a.m. to midnight daily; until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The previous East Village Tavern closed in November 2016 after eight years in business. Bar management blamed a disagreement with landlord Steve Croman for the closure. (A Croman rep reportedly said that the owners were behind on rent.)

Since then, several applicants unsuccessfully tried to open new concepts in this space, including the operators of a Miami-based restaurant called the Irish Times Pub and Eatery as well as a jazz club called the Snow Leopard.

Shawn Chittle shared these photos from a soft opening the other evening at the new EVT ...





Shawn notes that this will be the first bar on Avenue C with a pool table since Duke's closed at the end of 2011.