A visit to the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen on 7th Street

This past Friday morning, EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen, the basement cafe that helps generate income for the St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church up the block on Seventh Street.

On this day, as with previous Fridays spanning nearly four decades, volunteers — parishioners from St. George's — gathered in the subterranean space at 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square to help prep the cafe's specialities, such as vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings).




[Volunteer Daria Rekucha]




[Rekucha and Anastazia Baran]

Dima Kovalenko, here in the orange shirt, is the chef and oversees the kitchen...






[Volunteer Anna Sinchuk]






[Volunteer Tetiona Grygorash]

Streecha, which is an old Ukrainian word for meeting, is a perfect place for doing so. The decor is, well — church basement, but the food is hearty and inexpensive...





Streecha reopened last Wednesday after the usual summer hiatus. The cafe is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a 9 a.m. start time on Saturday and Sunday. Visit Streecha's Instagram account for daily specials.

Looking at two dormant Bowery storefronts

In June 2017, there was news that The New Stand — a hipsterized convenience store — was opening a retail outlet at 306 Bowery, Patricia Field's former storefront.

Fifteen months later, the space between East Houston and Bleecker sits very empty... without any signs of activity...or any signs at all...



The New Stand didn't respond to an email query about the address. The company, with several NYC locations, is reportedly expanding elsewhere in the country.

Meanwhile at 347 Bowery at Third Street...



The ground-floor retail is still vacant. Early this year, signage arrived for Pilotworks, which was planning a "culinary incubator" for its food businesses to sell products.

The market was set to be open by now. The Pilotworks signage is gone... and the space sits empty...



A rep who gave me the information in February is no longer working with Pilotworks. The new contacts did not respond to questions on the status of the project.

Also, the COOL tag that arrived on or about Aug. 12 remains on the side of the retail-residential complex, where the penthouse fetched $17 million...



Updated...

Ah, a new tag arrived in the past 24-48 hours...



Previously on EV Grieve:
The New Stand coming to Patricia Field’s former storefront on the Bowery

More about the new venture from Pilotworks on the Bowery

'Afro-Punk' screens at MoRUS Thursday night

Via the EVG inbox... this is happening Thursday evening...

Prior to its emergence as a global brand, Afro-Punk was a grassroots community of Black musicians, artists, skaters and activists existing within the punk rock scene as captured in the eponymous documentary shot and released by James Spooner in 2003.

As part of its Political Punk Exhibit, the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) will screen "Afro-Punk," the 66-minute film that inspired the AfroPunk festival, co-founded by Spooner and Matthew Morgan. Spooner will be in attendance to introduce the film and for a post-screening talk; all of which will take place on Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 per person.

MoRUS is located at 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street. Read more about the screening and the Museum's political punk exhibition here.

Today on St. Mark's Place

A Con Ed crew here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... a bike ready for more rain...

Photo by Steven

Full reveal at 253 E7

We have a full reveal now at 253 E. Seventh St., the new 6-story condoplex — aka 253 E7 — here between Avenue C and Avenue D.



You can see how it stacks against the rendering...



Two of the units hit the market a few weeks back, as noted here.

Per the Streeteasy building description: There are "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."

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

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

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.


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

Met Fresh now open on Avenue D

The Met Fresh Supermarket opened Saturday at 119 Avenue D between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

Met Fresh is part of the Associated Supermarket Group, whose brands include Associated, Compare, Met Fresh, Met Foodmarkets, Pioneer and Gourmet a'Fare.

Anyway, here's a look at the store... the produce looks pretty solid... there's also a small deli counter...







The cereal selection is fairly limited ... most of the Kellogg's brands are represented ...





They also carry the Avenue A brand of products (exclusive to the Associated Supermarket Group) ... like the seltzer water (four for $3)...



There are grand-opening sales, like, four 10-ounce packs of Café Bustelo for $10 and two boxes of Kellogg's Raisin Bran (13.7 ounces) for $4. Oh, and these are 10 for $5...



Lastly, they don't have any beer just yet. A worker said it will be another month before it arrives. THEN maybe we can do an all-important price comparison!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Met Fresh Supermarket announces itself on Avenue D

About Joya Loves Louie, opening soon in the former Café Orlin space on St. Mark's Place

Work continues over at 39-41 St. Mark's Place just east of Second Avenue... where Joya Loves Louie is expected to open this fall in the old Café Orlin space...


[Reader-submitted photo]

New York magazine featured the new establishment, a vegetarian cafe-market combo, in its fall preview.

The chef is Joya Carlton, whose résumé includes the Orchard Grocer.

Per New York:

In tribute to its predecessor, the neighborhood standby Café Orlin, this all-day restaurant, bar, and store next door has christened a dish “The Orlin”: berbere-roasted cauliflower with rosehip harissa, olive tapenade, labne, eggs, and greens. It’s not only a nod to Orlin’s North African roots, but an example of the multicultural inspirations on chef Joya Carlton’s vegetarian menu. There’s falafel waffles with whipped maple and fruit, jackfruit osso buco with polenta and coconut gremolata, and an eggs Benedict served with the carrot “lox”...

The magazine notes that Louie "was Carlton’s Italian grandfather and culinary role model."

Aside from a café, there will be a market in the adjacent space (next to Dallas BBQ)...


[Reader-submitted photo]

According to Patch, the other people involved the project are Bob Perl, fellow Tower Brokerage executive Steve Dunaif and restaurateur Darin Rubell (Boulton & Watt, Drexler’s, among others).

Cafe Orlin closed last October after 36 years at the address.

Previously on EV Grieve:
1st sign of activity at the former Cafe Orlin space on St. Mark's Place

No trespassing (or hunting or fishing) at the former Cafe Orlin

Cafe Orlin will close after 36 years in business (34 comments)

Reader report: Avenue B Cleaners Cromanated

Several readers shared the news that the Avenue B Cleaners between Fourth Street and Fifth Street abruptly closed last week... one reader believes it shut down on Thursday evening — with a for rent sign via Steve Croman's 9300 Realty showing up on Friday.

There's still clothing inside the dry cleaner and drop-off laundry ... a sign on the door instructs customers to call Kapri Cleaners on East Houston...

Cholo Noir space now for rent on 6th Street

A for rent sign now hangs in the window at 503 E. Sixth St., which apparently brings an end to Cholo Noir's 13-month run here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Chicano-inspired bar-restaurant had been closed since Aug. 19, with handwritten notes indicating the trusty "closed for renovations."

There's isn't any mention of a closure on Cholo Noir's website or social media properties.

As previously reported, CB3 twice denied a liquor license for the proprietors in 2016 ... among other reasons, there are 20-plus full on-premises liquor licenses within 500 feet of the address. CB3 members also didn't see much public benefit from the concept on a mostly residential block in a nightlife-saturated neighborhood.

Given the amount of work that they already put into the space, ownership went to the State Liquor Authority for a license. As DNAinfo reported in February 2017:

[T]he owners remain positive the eatery will be a good presence in the neighborhood, claiming Cholo Noir will be centered around the food, with cocktails to complement the menu.

“Most people don’t go into a Mexican restaurant and say, ‘Let’s go get wasted,’ but people do go for good Mexican food and they like to have something to complement it,” said Paul Le Mos, who plans to run the restaurant alongside Lennard Camarillo, former operator of West Village eatery Florencia 13.

The proprietors don't want to bring another noisy bar to the neighborhood, he said, but want to serve the community with great food and culture.

To the contrary, a few nearby neighbors felt as if they were, in fact, a drinks-first establishment ... offering all-you-can-drink brunch specials... and other happy hour deals ...

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there. Come celebrate @cholonoir with a special #brunch menu. #eastvillage

A post shared by CholoNoir (@cholonoir) on May 13, 2018 at 11:16am PDT

In 2014, the owners received $15,000 by winning the New York Public Library’s New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another no for Cholo Noir

'Low and Slow' on 6th and A

Sunday's parting shot

The Burberry bear inflatable is gone... Photo of Astor Place today by Lola Sáenz...

Week in Grieview

[4th and A the other day]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Jimmy Carbone is on the mend (Friday)

Report: Developer Gregg Singer says Mayor de Blasio lied about city's P.S. 64 outreach (Wednesday)

RIP Kenny Shopsin (Tuesday)

Last weekend for Matcha Cafe Wabi on 4th Street (Saturday)

On 6th Street, the Brant Foundation's inaugural exhibit will feature the work of Basquiat (Friday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Brick Lane Curry House closes ahead of move down the block (Tuesday)

Time for the new clock faces at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery (Tuesday)

Hardware store replacing hardware store on 4th Avenue (Friday)

Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street (Thursday)

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

Porto Rico Importing Co. reopens after 2-week rehab on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Openings: Pizza Rollio on 9th Street; Afandi Grill on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Möge Tee bringing bubble tea and other teas to Cooper Square (Tuesday)

Gotham Pizza looks closed (Thursday)

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

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

A free buffet for voters at 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

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

The Squirrel Whisperer (Monday)

The Detox Market now open on East Houston (Thursday)

StuyFitness shaping up on 14th Street (Tuesday)

... from the Citizen app this weekend...



... and this sounds better at 3 a.m. ...

The soothing sounds of 2nd Avenue (at 7th Street) pic.twitter.com/5C2ij1QBxp

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) September 8, 2018

-----

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter

Summer freeze: City pools close today

[Dry Dock this morning]

With the drizzle and cool temps, it's not really a great day for the pool ... in any event, the city's outdoor pools close today for the season. (Hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a pool-cleaning break from 3-4 p.m.)

So that will wrap up another season at Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston ... and the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and East 10th Street.

The Tompkins Square (mini) Pool closed last Sunday ... and it has already been drained for creative Instagram opps ...

Aeon Bookstore now open on East Broadway

Several EVG readers noted the grand opening Friday of Aeon Bookstore at 151 East Broadway (between Essex and Pike) ...

Per the store's Facebook page:

Aeon Bookshop is an independent bookseller in Manhattan specializing in literature, art, philosophy, occult, music. We have both used and new titles.

The Lo-Down reported that the owners are Karl Bauer, Josiah Wolfson and Benjamin George Friedman.

Anyway, here's a look around the store, which is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. ...







Aeon is the latest new book store for the East Village and LES this year ... joining Codex on Bleecker at the Bowery ... Karma on Third Street ... and Printed Matter at the Swiss Institute on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place ... plus Mast moved to a larger space on Avenue A.

Images via Facebook

Purple reign (or, today in discarded plush, purple couches on Avenue C)

Between 11th Street and 12th Street. #SundayFunday

Saturday's parting shots

Tree pruning this morning in Tompkins Square Park via Derek Berg...

Vintage Day at the Hester Street Fair

Until 6 p.m. down at Essex and Hester... find the list of vendors here.

The good people from the East Village Vintage Collective are there... with this gem to wear to the picture shows...

View this post on Instagram

Where my movie buffs at?! This amazing hand painted denim vest and much more available today @hesterstreetfair Vintage Day! Come by and see us or stop by the store which is also open regular hours! 👀 our stories for the back view of this little number 🎥 🍿

A post shared by E Village Vintage Collective (@evvintagecollective) on Sep 8, 2018 at 8:51am PDT

Last weekend for Matcha Cafe Wabi on 4th Street

[Photo via Instagram]

Matcha Cafe Wabi will close tomorrow after nearly three years at 233 E. Fourth St. near Avenue B.

The owners announced the news on Instagram:

We thank each and every one of you for the wonderful memories and the the chance to make the best matcha for you. It was truly an honor! Thank you for making Wabi your go-to place. I hope one day soon, we will have the opportunity to open up a new place, with the same name and to make sure, there are plenty of tables and chairs 😂. Stay healthy, safe and happy, all! ❤️

The small shop, serving matcha lattes, sencha tea and other Japanese-style drinks and pastries, opened in December 2014. It's owned by the folks at Pirka Salon next door.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Matcha Cafe Wabi now open on East 4th Street

Open house Sunday at the all-new Matcha Cafe Wabi

Friday's parting shot

Second Avenue and Seventh Street today via Derek Berg...

'Reverser' of fortune

The Oh Sees just released this video for "Overthrown" ... off the latest record, Smote Reverser, via John Dwyer and company. If you're counting, then his Oh Sees/Thee Oh Sees tally is something like 21 full-lengths, eight EPs, two live albums, four compilations and assorted 7-inch singles.

P.S.

The "Overthrown" video may cause a seizure. Maybe this live clip from late 2017 is better...

[Updated] 2 days of shows in Tompkins Square Park this weekend

The Shadow and the Time Warp Zine are presenting free concerts tomorrow and Sunday in the Park.

Here are the band lineups (they'll be guest speakers as well) ...

SEPT. 8:
• The Drew Stone Hit Squad
• The Carvels
• Suicide Sister
• Damn Kids / Hammer Brain
• The Minutes

Updated: Rain has washed out Sunday's show.

SEPT. 9:
• Mora Tao
• Love Pirates
• Night Terror
• VON LMO
• (More performers to be announced)

Find more details at the Facebook event page here.