Rite Aid signage arrives at the Niko East Village on Avenue D

The Rite Aid signage arrived back on Friday in the retail space of Niko East Village, the 12-story retail-residential complex via L+M Development Partners on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...



To recap: 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 had signed a lease to return to the retail space in this building.

The former Rite Aid at the site of Niko had a pretty cool underwater theme painted on its walls, courtesy of The Royal Kingbee UW.

A flashback to September 2013 to these photos by Goggla, whose work includes serving as the EVG Senior First Avenue Rite Aid Correspondent...









As for Niko, the rentals are underway. Rents start at $2,800 a month and go up to nearly $6,000.

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

7th Street residents angered after developer cuts down the wrong tree

NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street

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

Rentals underway at The Niko on Avenue D

Möge Tee bringing bubble tea and other teas to Cooper Square

There's a hiring sign up at 69 Cooper Square, where an outpost of Möge Tee is presumably opening here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...



This will be the third location for the Flushing-based bubble-tea business. (Franchising is available.)

Here's part of their menu...



They'll have some competition around the corner, where there are already four businesses on St. Mark's Place that sell similar products between Third Avenue and Second Avenue. (And a fifth, Mi Tea, is on the way.)

This space at 69 Cooper Square was previously Cafe Zaiya, the Japanese bakery-cafe that closed back in the spring.

Window treatment at the Moxy East Village

The latest development to note at the 13-story Moxy East Village here on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue: the arrival of the windows...





The 285-key hotel for Marriott's Moxy brand has a late 2019 opening date.


[Stonehill & Taylor Architects]

Previously on EV Grieve:
6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million

Report: 300-room hotel planned for East 11th Street

Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district

Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)

New building permits filed for 13-story Moxy Hotel on East 11th Street across from Webster Hall

There will be several eating-drinking choices at the incoming Moxy hotel on 11th Street

A few more details about the incoming Moxy East Village on 11th Street

ICYMI: Westville Bakery opening this fall on 9th Street

[Photo by Steven]

A repost from way back on Friday afternoon...

Signs for Westville Bakery just went up on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue ... where this storefront will be selling the cakes, pies, cookies and seasonal desserts offered at the six Westville locations, including on Avenue A and 11th Street. (The baking is done in Chelsea.)

Jay Strauss, Westville's founder, told EVG correspondent Steven they hope to be open in six weeks.

This space was Zucker Bakery for the past seven years. Zucker's owner decided to retire from the business on July 1.

Westville, the vegetable-centric restaurant, first opened here in 2003.

Updated 9/5

Eater has more details:

Westville’s longtime pastry chef Meital Cohen will be in charge of the food, focusing on sweets such as carrot cake, apple and blueberry pies, assorted cookies, and seasonal specials like a dragon fruit smoothie bowl with berries, almond butter, and granola. But there will also be a savory menu featuring sandwiches, tartines, quiches, and salads. Specific tartines include ones with smoked trout, crème fraîche, and chives or marinated fennel and chickpea salad with whipped feta, while quiches may have roasted vegetables and herb goat cheese or grilled onions and mixed mushrooms. Expect vegan and gluten-free options too.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Baking news: Westville Bakery coming to 9th Street

StuyFitness shaping up on 14th Street

Here's an exterior look at StuyFitness, the new gym on 14th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C for residents of Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village...



As previously noted, the gym — "7,500 Square Feet of Awesome" — will feature four Peloton spin bikes and a GYM RAX Storage and Suspension system, among other things ...



The gym is expected to open this month. (This site has membership info for residents of Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
A gym for Stuy Town on 14th Street — aka '7,500 Square Feet of Awesome'

Weekend hunting trip with the juvenile red-tailed hawk in Tompkins Square Park

Christo and Amelia's hawklet was quite active this past weekend... with numerous sightings as the young red-tailed hawk continued to hone his food-gathering skills.

On Friday, Christo brought a mouse by for a snack. Unfortunately, as these photos by Steven show, the mouse fell off the branch and into the bush below during the exchange from father to son. The young hawk spent considerable time looking for the mouse...









In the end it was just easier for Christo to drop off another mouse...



By Saturday, the juvenile was on to larger food sources... this photo is by peter radley...



Yesterday, the young hawk caught a squirrel ... these two photos are by Steven...





And it also appears that the young hawk has (hopefully) recovered from his recent malaise...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The EVG podcast: More hawk talk with Laura Goggin

Free things to do at the Tompkins Square Library branch in September

As always, there are like 500000000 free activities — classes, screenings, workshops and discussion groups — at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here is a partial list for September, in case you're planning your month out today... via the EVG inbox...

• Wednesday, Sept. 5, 4 pm-7 pm: Meet your Assembly Member: Harvey Epstein. 74th District Assembly Member Harvey Epstein will be visiting Tompkins Square to meet constituents. Epstein represents the East Side of Manhattan, including the East Village.

• Thursday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 pm: Meditation in Tompkins Square Park. In partnership with Science of Spirituality Center. The group meets outside the library. Please bring a mat, a blanket, or a chair. In case of rain, the classes will be moved inside the library. Use the link to register.

• Fridays, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 at 3pm: Knitting Circle. Not a class, but a knitting group. Participants must bring their own supplies.

• Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 pm: Russian Culture Club. A Russian language discussion of poet Yuriy Mandelshtam.

• Monday, Sept. 10 at 1 pm: Matinee Movie: "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" (1961; 103 mins.) Dir: José Quintero. A faded actress moves to Rome, where a countess introduces her to a virile young gigolo and much to their surprise, the affair between them becomes deeply felt, much to the anger of his madame. Starring Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty.

• Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 am: Walking Tour: Immigrants of Tompkins Square Park. With Tompkins Square Library manager Corinne Neary and street photographer Michael Paul. Register using the link.

• Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6 pm: Speaking Techniques and Vocal Exercises. The quality and use of the voice is a fundamental factor in life. This program can be helpful to anyone interested in making the most of their speech delivery.

• Thursday, Sept. 20 at 5:30 pm: Writing / Performance Lab. The intention is to provide artists in the community the opportunity to develop works-in-progress of writing pieces, theater texts, performance pieces and related projects. In addition to writers and performers, musicians, singers, dancers, etc., are welcome to participate.

• Monday, Sept. 24 at 1 pm: Matinee Movie: "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951; 125 mins.) Dir: Elia Kazan. A faded Southern belle moves in with her sister and brutish brother-in-law in New Orleans, where he torments her delicate sensibilities, and she becomes disconnected from reality. A Best Picture nominee. Starring Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh.

• Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 3:30-5 pm: Voter Registration Table. Are you registered to vote? September 25 is National Voter Registration Day, and we'll be helping people register from 3:30pm-5pm. Just stop by to fill out the form, and you'll be ready to vote on Nov. 6!

Wednesday, September 26 at 5pm: Film Screening: "Purple Noon" (Plein soleil) (1960; 119 mins.) Dir: René Clément. A ripe, colorful adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's vicious novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Tom Ripley, a duplicitous American charmer, is in Rome on a mission to bring his privileged, devil-may-care acquaintance back to the United States. What initially seems a carefree tale of friendship soon morphs into a thrilling saga of seduction, identity theft, and murder. Starring Alain Delon.

Ongoing Tuesdays at 4 pm: Dominoes!

Ongoing Thursdays at 4 pm: Bingo!

Find the full list of activities for kids and adults here.

As a reminder, the Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, is currently closed for upgrades that will keep the branch out of commission until early 2019.

The Squirrel Whisperer

Photos of Naomi in Tompkins Square Park this morning by Steven...

Who let the dogs in: Expanded Boris & Horton debuts on Avenue A

Boris & Horton, the dog friendly cafe, opened its expanded space yesterday at 195 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street...



There's now more space for pups and their parents...

Making the scene at the awesome new expanded @borisandhorton, now with plenty of room for lanky galoots such as myself _ #dogsofinstagram

A post shared by Dusty, the dog (@oneup_onedown) on Sep 2, 2018 at 5:55pm PDT

As previously noted, daughter-father co-owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman created three separate areas in the cafe, including an indoor seating area where dogs can go but food cannot be ordered, and a cafe separated by plexiglass where dogs are forbidden per Department of Health rules.

Boris & Horton opened on Feb. 2.

No. 195 was Gabay's Outlet until the end of 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lucky dog: Boris & Horton expanding on Avenue A

Sunday's parting shot

Squeegee traveler on Second Avenue and Seventh Street via Derek Berg...

Week in Grieview

[Weekend view of the Odessa on Avenue A]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Tuesdays at Sophie's (Tuesday)

Local elected officials urge Boys' Club officials to postpone sale of the Harriman Clubhouse (Monday)

A look at the East River Park Track, due to reopen Sept. 10 (Wednesday)

The EVG podcast: More hawk talk with Laura Goggin (Friday) ... Health scare for remaining red-tailed fledgling in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday)

Report: DOB fines Kushner Cos. for falsifying dozens of permit applications (Tuesday)

Reader report: Body found in car on 12th Street (Friday)

An empty lot awaits the future home of the new Mt. Sinai Beth Israel Hospital on 13th Street (Monday)

Baking news: Westville Bakery coming to 9th (Friday)

Check out this week's NY See strip (Thursday)


[The front doors of the former Grassroots Tavern on St. Mark's Place]

The Village Voice has ceased publication (Friday)

Summer's end (Wednesday)

Churro Cone by ChikaLicious bringing another dessert option to Avenue A (Monday)

Video: The dog days of summer (Wednesday)

Renovations for rooftop cottage on 1st and 1st (Friday)

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company opens Tuesday on 8th Street (Thursday)

A good happy hour (Tuesday)

A new look outside for the 11th Street Bar (Tuesday)

How you all doing tonight? Grand opening at the New York Comedy Club on 4th Street (Thursday)

Chi Ken, the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Store, no longer coming to St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

New lobby unveiled at 250 E. Houston St. (Monday)

All about EVE, the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office-replacing rentals on 14th Street (Thursday)

... and speaking of EVE...

Got an email this morning for a new building opening in the EV. It reads:

First the East Village had The Velvet Underground

Then The Ramones

Coming Soon
EVE
Designer Studio, One and Two Bedroom Rental Residences

I'll just leave that there and cc: @evgrieve

— John Norris (@Jonnynono) September 1, 2018

-----

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Last splash

The Tompkins Square Park mini pool closes for the season tomorrow (Labor Day!). All the city's outdoor pools close on Sept. 9.

I posted the top photo on Instagram, where several people said that they were unaware there was a pool in Tompkins Square Park. (It's reserved for kids and their parents/guardians.)

It's right by the basketball courts...







The pool has been there for as long as I can remember. It's open from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3-4 p.m.

[Updated] Suspect sought for sexual assault in 13th Street building

The NYPD is searching for 43-year-old Julio Mendez, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a building on 13th Street yesterday.

Here is part of a report via ABC 7 this morning:

Police say around 11:15 Saturday night the attacker struck up a conversation with a 46-year-old woman inside the laundry room of a building on East 13th Street.

He persuaded the victim to follow him outside the laundry room where he then grabbed her by the arm and neck.

According to police, the victim resisted and fell to the ground, at which time the man covered her mouth and attempted to remove her clothing.

She continued to struggle as he sexually assaulted her, but the man fled the scene when the woman screamed.

PIX 11 reported that the attack happened yesterday at 11:15 a.m.

The victim was reportedly treated and released from Bellevue.

Updated 1:25 p.m.

The Daily News has more details. The attack occurred inside Tanya Towers, which provides housing to low-income residents who are deaf, blind or have other disabilities.

Per the News:

Cops say he is a familiar face to Tanya Towers tenants but could not immediately clarify whether Mendez lived or worked there. He appears to be wearing hearing aids in both ears in the photo released by cops.

Updated 9/4

Patch reports that the NYPD has arrested Mendez.

Per Patch:

Police said Mendez has four prior arrests, including for rape and attempted murder.

He was charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, criminal obstruction of breathing, assault and menacing for the Saturday attack, officials said.

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.

At the Official Animal Rights March

The Official Animal Rights March wrapped up today in the East Village... where Derek Berg took these photos...











... and EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared this photo...

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Derek Berg spotted this discarded item today on Fourth Street... which includes the owner's manual...



Part of the Jaclyn Smith Collection too. (Temporarily unavailable now at Kmart.)

Jazz, food and plants at the Green Oasis Community Garden this evening

This is happening early this evening at the Green Oasis Community Garden on Eighth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D. Per the invite:

Come to Green Oasis this Saturday from 5:30-7:30pm for another day of free live jazz in the garden!

The Eric Paulin Ensemble will be playing, food will be grilling and the plants will be growing.

About the Official Animal Rights March, which ends in Tompkins Square Park

The Official Animal Rights March is today ... starting at 1 p.m. on 23rd and Broadway.

The March ends on 10th Street and Avenue A ... which is why the barricades are along Avenue A ...



This will have an impact on M14A and M8 bus service today...



As for the March, here are details via Facebook:

JOIN US FOR THE LARGEST AND LOUDEST ANIMAL RIGHTS MARCH IN AMERICA.

We will meet at the Flatiron Building at Noon. Guest speakers will begin at around 1 pm.

Event Host: Bob Ingersoll - Project Nim

Speakers:
Anita Krajnc - Founder of The Save Movement
Dan Mathews - Senior Vice President of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Tal Gilboa - Co-founder of Glass Walls and Total Liberation Israel

The Official Animal Rights March is an annual vegan march founded by UK animal rights organization Surge. The march began in London in 2016 with 2,500 vegans and in 2017 the march doubled to 5,000 vegans marching for animal liberation through London. In 2018 we’re bringing The Official Animal Rights March to New York once again to spread the message of animal liberation across the globe.

And here's the route...

Start at 23rd St. and Broadway.
Walk south on Broadway to Union Square.
Stay west of Union Square until 14th Street.
Cross 14th Street and follow University Place until 8th Street.
Turn left (east) and follow 8th Street and St. Mark’s Place until Tompkins Square Park.
Turn left on Avenue A and then right on East 10th Street, the end of the route.

Not sure why the map shows this ending at 315 E. 10th St. ...

Anyway, the March starts at 3 p.m. on 23rd and Broadway.