The Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park this fall has been cancelled

[Photo from 2017 by Stacie Joy]

There will not be a 28th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade — at least not this year.

Organizers announced on Facebook yesterday that this year's event has been cancelled:

It’s with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will be CANCELLED this year.

Although the parade has grown over the past 28 years, it has always been the creation of a small group of volunteers from the dog park. The Parks Dept is asking for a large insurance & liability policy in order to hold the event this year — and we simply don’t have the funds or sponsor willing to provide it.

Having a means to fundraise (or a park conservancy which Tompkins Square does not) was a pre-requisite to renovating our dog park. Over the years the parade has raised more than $200,000 for the park — and secured twice that amount in matching funds. We are also leaving the dog park with an endowment at City Parks Foundation for it’s maintenance and upkeep for the next 10 years.

We wish to thank all our sponsors as well as everyone who has donated time, money, effort or stayed up to the wee hours getting that super hero cape to fit just perfectly on their dog.

We’re hopeful that the annual dog parade will return in some form in the future.

Some residents (and commenters) have complained that the Dog Parade has just gotten too big for Tompkins Square Park. Attendees from past Dog Parades said last year's crowds were the biggest ever. ABC News put the number at 10,000.


[Photo last year from 9th and A by Steven]

The parade moved from the actual dog run to the ballfields/field hockey arena in 2016.


[Photo last year by Stacie Joy]

A fan of the Dog Parade has launched a GoFund Me campaign to "save the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade! Not only will your contribution go towards keeping this annual fundraiser alive, it will help maintain the Tompkins Square Dog Run year round."

Funtime? 'Stooge,' which documents Iggy Pop's No. 1 fan, debuts next month at Howl! Happening

"Stooge," a feature-length documentary film about Iggy Pop's No. 1 fan, will make its NYC premier next month at Howl! Happening.

Here are details via Howl!

Nominated in 2017 for “Best UK Feature” at London’s Raindance Film Festival, director Madeleine Farley’s epic odyssey has been described as "Spinal Tap" meets "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest." A discussion with director Farley and co-producers Stephen Smith and Martin Kloiber follows the screening.

The film narrates the story of Robert Pargiter, a magnetic, childlike superfan of Iggy and The Stooges, who goes on a fanatical quest to keep rock alive. Like a fly on the wall, we follow him on a trek to London, San Francisco, L.A., and Miami, as the film becomes an intimate introspection into his journey — and more broadly — a study of one man’s personal obsession.

Comedy and tragedy intermingle with the pathos of his personal demons, and ultimately the serious business of dealing with his life offers him a way back to his joie de vivre.

Take a look...



The film screens Sept. 13 from 7-9 p.m. Howl! Happening is at 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

[Updated] Spinner's bringing chicken and Texas BBQ to 14th Street

Spinner's, billed as a chicken boutique, is opening today here at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

EVG reader Michael Paul shared these photos of the storefront (a former psychic, as you can tell from the old awning) ...



The menu shows a variety of chicken dishes ... as well as subs, salads and sides...



And signage points to a noon opening today see update below ...



Don't know too much else about the operators here... the space seemingly came together pretty quickly...



Updated noon:

Michael shared an update from Spinner's — opening day is now tomorrow!

Report: Michael Cohen sells stake in Avenue D building

[133 Avenue D via Streeteasy]

Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer who pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts in federal court on Tuesday, has reportedly sold stakes in two buildings, including one on Avenue D.

According to The Real Deal, Cohen sold four stakes to Vintage Group, his joint venture partner in the ownership of 133 Avenue D, for $4 million.

Back in April, Bloomberg reported that 133 Avenue D, which is between Ninth Street and 10th Street, had at least $5 million of equity not tapped by a mortgage.

Cohen and Vintage Group bought No. 133 — which has 20 apartments as well as two retail spaces — for $10.5 million in 2015. Per TRD: "It’s not clear what percentage of it Cohen owned and how much the value has changed overtime."

Streeteasy lists one unit available for rent in the building — a recently renovated three-bedroom apartment with an ask of $3,195 per month.

On Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts related to tax fraud, excessive campaign contributions, making false statements to a financial institution and unlawful corporate contributions.

B&H Dairy celebrates its 80th anniversary tonight

Tonight, B&H Dairy owners Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed (pictured above) and their many longtime staffers are celebrating the lunch counter's 80th year in business here on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Read details about the celebration here.)

Ahead of that, EVG correspondent Stacie Joy stopped by (during a less-busy time on a recent weekday) to document the cozy atmosphere of the B&H ...





Here's part of New York magazine's recap of the kosher dairy restaurant:

Midweek is more Hopperesque, the profiles of solo diners washed in the sallow glow of the diner’s hanging milk-colored lights. No matter when you step up to the counter, a double stack of sweet-soft challah, schmeared with butter and served on a small Dixie plate, accompanies every order.

Tina Barth has been a regular at B&H since 1965...



Here's a condensed version of B&H's history via Facebook:

It was opened in 1938 by Abie Bergson and Sol Hausman (B&H) and the interior and menu has changed little since. In 1970, Bergson & Hausman sold the restaurant, which since has had two subsequent owners before being purchased May 1, 2003 by Fawzy Abdelwahed, who runs B&H with his wife Ola, who he met when she worked at the Stage Diner (now closed), across the street. (She cleaned his glasses one day, and that was it!)

You can read more about B&H Dairy at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York ... and Off the Grid.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A grand reopening at B&H Dairy

Rentals underway at The Niko on Avenue D

[Photo from Sunday]

The rental period (h/t Curbed!) has kicked off over at The Niko, the 12-story retail-residential building via L+M Development Partners on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (The previous businesses here were part of the 79-89 Avenue D parcel, though the Niko is using 751 E. Sixth St.)

And let's head to the website for what's in store here...

Curate Your East Village Life at The Niko

The birthplace of downtown cool, the East Village is one of the most diverse, creative and eclectic neighborhoods in New York City. From its enviable location on quiet East 6th Street between Avenues C and D, The Niko offers sweeping views of New York City, from the World Trade Center to the Empire State Building to the glinting East River.

The Niko’s twelve stories feature 82 residences that range from alcove studios to spacious three-bedrooms. The building’s brick exterior resonates with warmth and character and the residences have a crisp, contemporary design. And at The Niko, you are minutes away from Tompkins Square Park, a retreat from the bustle of the East Village.

You're also minutes away from East River Park — adjacent to the glinting East River — though that's not mentioned here. Amenities at the address include a fitness center, landscaped roof deck and an outdoor terrace.

Here's a look at a model unit...



... and the roof deck...



Units range between $2,800 to nearly $6,000 per month. (The Niko also includes 28 permanently affordable units. The affordable housing lottery ended on June 26.)

The lots previously along here housed one-level storefronts that included a Rite Aid, which relocated one block north to the ground floor of Arabella 101. Rite Aid signed a lease to return to the retail space in this building.

The Niko is the latest new development along this corridor, joining The Adele, The Robyn and Arabella 101, among others.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street

The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Molecule has closed on 10th Street

[Photo from Saturday]

Last month, the owners of the Molecule Project, which offers a variety of clean drinking water alternatives, announced that they were closing their shop on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue in mid-August.

Molecule is now closed, as of this past Friday...


[Photo by Steven]

The shop opened in July 2012, and lasted probably five and half years longer than some people expected.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Molecule Project closing next month on 10th Street

Now playing: The East Village Queer Film Festival; Utterly Winona; Bowie as Ziggy Stardust

[The Wild Project on 3rd Street]

The East Village Queer Film Festival is underway (as of last evening) at the Wild Project on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. You can find the lineup of films and accompanying events, playing through Sunday, right here.

And here are a few more films that may be of interest...

• "Madonna: Truth of Dare" — Hedda Lettuce is hosting an interactive cinematic experience for the documentary that chronicled Madge's Blond Ambition tour in 1990. Aug. 22 (tomorrow!) at 7:30 p.m., City Cinemas Village East (Details here)

• Larry Clark retrospective — The Metrograph down on Ludlow Street is hosting a slate of Clark's films, including "Bully," "Wassup Rockers" and "Another Day in Paradise," starting on Saturday. (Details here.)

• Utterly Winona — The Quad Cinema's Winona Ryder retrospective continues on 13th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Upcoming screenings include "Edward Scissorhands," "The Age of Innocence" and "Mermaids." (Details here.)

• Rock 'N' Film — The Anthology Film Archives, on Second Street and Second Avenue, has several titles left to screen in its rock 'n' roll retrospective including the documentaries "Wattstax" and "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars." (Details here)

• "Suddenly, Last Summer" — The 1959 Southern Gothic classic with Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift plays for free tomorrow evening at 5 at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. (Details here)

An Evening at Ray's Candy Store

Last night saw another Evening at Ray's Candy Store: A Special Restaurant Week Chef's Tasting Event.

For $10, attendees could enjoy a five-course tasting menu featuring a selection of Ray's finest and favorites — prepared by Chef Ray himself...



EVG regular Peter Brownscombe shared there photos from the shop at 113 Avenue A...

Flinders Lane closes Sunday after 5 years on Avenue A

[Image via Instagram]

After five-plus years at 162 Avenue A, Flinders Lane is shutting down following service on Sunday.

The owners, who hail from Melbourne, Australia, shared the closing message earlier this month on Facebook:

It’s with a heavy heart after much thought and consideration we feel the time has come to close the doors to our New York location.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved our over the past 5 years bringing life to this little space in the East Village day after day creating memories we’ll never forget — the incredible guests, our beloved regulars, the friends we made, the laughs shared and of course all the amazing staff. Without you none of his would have been possible. You truly are rockstars 🙏❤️

Our last service will be Sunday August 26 and we’d love to see you in to raise a glass one last time.

Thanks for the memories NYC

The Australian restaurant drew praise in the Hungry City column at the Times upon opening.

The Flinders Lane location in Stamford, Conn., will remain open.

The space between 10th Street and 11th Street was previously The Beagle ... and the Italian restaurant Orologio before that.

The first condos at 253 E7 hit the market

The all-new 253 E. Seventh St. is still shrouded in construction netting and scaffolding... however, the first two units in the 6-story condoplex here between Avenue C and Avenue D arrived on the market yesterday.

The building (rendering below) is going by 253 E7 (not to be confused with Seven East Village down the block) ...



Here's a description via Streeteasy:

A brand new, ultra-modern luxury boutique Condominium, designed by renowned master architects, Isaac & Stern. Located in Alphabet City in the heart of the East Village, one of New York City’s most desired and eclectic locations. 253 E7 [is] a six-story edifice featuring 8 superbly appointed apartments with soaring 9’ ceilings, ranging in size from 709 to 1,653 square feet. Most apartments feature a private outdoor space and an allotted few have access to private keyed elevator landings. The Penthouse apartment boasts a private paved roof; the Townhouse apartment features a private grass planted garden.

Here's a look at a rendering of a living room in 253 E7...



The available units range in price from $1.275 million (one bedroom) to $2.795 million (three bedrooms).

Workers demolished the former four-story residence that stood here back in late 2015.


[Image of No. 253 from 2014 via Massey Knakal]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition

New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.

The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.

253 E. 7th St. is now a pile of bricks

Property at 253 E. 7th St. now for sale; perfect for a 'dream custom mansion townhouse'

New plans for a 6-story building at 253 E. 7th St.

Dua Kafe Wine + Beer for 520 E. 14th St.

A new venture called Dua Kafe Wine + Beer is set for 520 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... in a storefront of the tenement squeezed between the all-new EVGB retail-residential complex at 524 and 510 E. 14th St ...



The folks from Dua were on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a beer-wine license, though not required to appear before the committee.

The questionnaire (PDF here) at the CB3 website notes that Dua will sell "finger foods, sandwiches and cold plate bowls." The Kafe/cafe will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Don't expect Dua to open any time too soon — the interior is still pretty much gutted.

Met Fresh Supermarket announces itself on Avenue D

The coming-soon signage is up for Met Fresh Supermarket outside 119 Avenue D between Eighth Street and Ninth Street ...



Met Fresh is part of the Associated Supermarket Group, "a consortium that helps small supermarkets buy in bulk," per Crain's. The store brands of the group include Associated, Compare, Met Fresh, Met Foodmarkets, Pioneer and Gourmet a'Fare.

Not sure what type of products this Met Fresh location will sell. (The renovated Met Fresh in Bay Ridge includes a beer cave with microbrews.)

The work permits on file with the city originally listed Bravo Supermarkets as the incoming tenant.

Avenue D is currently served by Uncle Johnny Grocery and Compare Foods as well as several delis ... not to mention a Rite Aid and Duane Reade.

The previous tenant at No. 119, the All in One Value Center, closed last fall.

An oasis of landlord problems for the Serenity Spa

Over at 33 First Ave. at Second Street ... the Marshal came calling back on Friday at the Serenity Spa...



... which occupies the second level of the corner building.

The legal document on the front door notes that the landlord is now in possession of the space...



Serenity took over for the Water Front Spa, which opened in 2007 and received positive notices for its budget services.

Citi Bike unveils fleet of electric bicycles

[Image via Facebook]

Today, Citi Bike officials debuted a new fleet (200 to start) of pedal-assist electric bicycles.

Here's more about them via the Citi Bike website:

With speeds up to 18 mph, these custom pedal-assist bikes give you the power to tackle bridges, chop your commute in half and experience more neighborhoods in less time. Just start pedaling and the power kicks in.

Introducing the new Citi Bike electric bike!⚡️With a motor to turbo charge your ride, our new pedal-assist bicycle is the best way to get around NYC—without breaking a sweat. Press the power button on the battery to activate and just start pedaling! Check out our insta story for everything you need to know.☝🏼#citibike⚡️

A post shared by Citi Bike (@citibike) on Aug 20, 2018 at 5:52am PDT

Back in April, Mayor de Blasio backed off from cracking down on all e-bikes, which had drawn safety complaints from some residents.

Per CityLab:

E-bikes have been technically forbidden since, though scofflaws are legion. But on [April 3], de Blasio reversed, instructing his Department of Transportation to loosen its ban and recognize “pedal assist” bikes — or bikes that use a rechargeable battery to boost their speeds — as a legal means of getting around the city. Any e-bikes with a motor capable of pushing its speed above 20 miles per hour, however, will remain effectively banned. “With new and clear guidelines, cyclists, delivery workers and businesses alike will now understand exactly what devices are allowed,” the mayor said in a statement.

Transit advocates have pointed out that e-bikes are an increasingly popular mode of transportation in cities worldwide, including Paris, Madrid and Lisbon.

As Streetsblog noted, the city is maintaining the ban on the cheaper, throttle-controlled e-bikes that most delivery workers use.

Spend the evening at Ray's tonight with a special 'Tasting Event'

Via the EVG inbox...

Another Evening at Ray's Candy Store: A Special Restaurant Week Chef's Tasting Event!

Date: Monday, Aug. 20 (Today!)
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: 113 Avenue A at Seventh Street
Cost: $10 per person (cash only)

Join us at the shop and enjoy a most unique tasting menu cooked up by Chef Ray himself! Once again, guests will be served a 5-course tasting menu made up of a selection of Ray's favorites! Your choice of egg cream, coffee, tea or soft drink included.

Come! Bring friends!

More info and RSVP here.

City strikes deal to preserve 243 Section 8 apartments in the East Village

[199 Avenue B]

Some news to note from last week ... when LIHC Investment Group, one of the largest affordable-housing owners in the country, finalized a deal with the city to preserve 669 Section 8 apartments, including 243 in the East Village.

Here are details via a NYC Housing Preservation and Development news release:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) join LIHC Investment Group to announce the preservation of 669 units of project-based Section 8 housing in high-cost New York City neighborhoods where the majority of similar buildings have converted to market-rate.

This preservation is made possible through tax-abatements under Article XI and new 40-year regulatory agreements with the City of New York covering six different properties in Inwood, Hamilton Heights, Harlem, Williamsburg and the Lower East Side.

The agreements were reached through Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan, which outlines commitments to protect affordable housing and created policies and programs intended to fight displacement.

And here are details about the housing in this neighborhood...

Lower East Side I & II Apartments are located at 384 East 10th Street and 199 Avenue B in Manhattan. Lower East Side I contains 152 project-based Section 8 units, while Lower East Side II contains 91 project-based Section 8 units. All units will be maintained as affordable to tenants whose annual income does not exceed 50 percent of AMI.

Co-owners LIHC and Center Development Corporation will execute approximately $7 million in capital improvements including installing new kitchen countertops and appliances; bathroom fixtures, tile floors, and fittings; laminate wood flooring, doors and lighting in all apartments.

[384 E. 10th St.]

On 2nd Avenue, Calexico in the works with Brick Lane Curry House on the move

The owners of Calexico, the Cal-Mex burrito-beer chainlet, is vying for the current Brick Lane Curry House space at 99 Second Ave.

Brothers Brian, Dave, and Jesse Vendley are on tonight's CB3-SLA agenda for a new liquor license for No. 99, which is between Fifth Street and Sixth Street...



The questionnaire posted to the CB3 website (PDF here) shows proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The layout features 15 tables inside and six tables for a sidewalk cafe ... plus a 14-seat bar.

Calexico currently has a handful of NYC locations (Upper East Side, Greenpoint, Park Slope, Red Hook, among them) as well as in Detroit — and Bahrain.

As for Brick Lane Curry House... there is an unconfirmed rumor on the block that they will relocate a block to the south... to the former Heart of India storefront...



Brick Lane Curry House made the move from Sixth Street to 99 Second Ave. in August 2014.

The August CB3-SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Bottom two photos via Steven.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Brick Lane Curry House still planning Second Avenue expansion

World's largest Brick Lane Curry House slated for 99 Second Avenue