11th Street and First Avenue this evening via Vinny & O...
Thursday, October 3, 2019
The Hep Cat T-shirt line debuts Friday night at Metropolis Vintage
Metropolis Vintage is playing host tomorrow night (Friday, Oct. 4) to friends John Holmstrom and Aid MacSpade as they launch their new Hep Cat T-shirt line.
Per the invite: Holmstrom and MacSpade "brainstormed their Hep Cat character back in the 1980s, a beatnik-style creature who loved to get high within the pages of High Times. Hep Cat seemed to have a life of his own, and his enduring popularity has now led them to produce three unique T-Shirt designs, which will be debuting at the party."
The two East Village residents will be doing a signing and hanging out for the unveiling of the ... John Holmstrom dressing room.
Holmstrom, the co-founder, editor and illustrator of Punk Magazine (and creator of the Metropolis logo), adorned the dressing room with a variety of illustrations encompassing his work with the Ramones as well as other publications...
[Sales associate Skeleton Boy checks out the new dressing room]
The event is from 6-9 p.m., where there's free beer and pizza and the punk-garage sounds of DJ Drew Redmond.
Metropolis is at 803 Broadway between 11th Street and 12th Street.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Q-and-A with John Holmstrom, founding editor of Punk Magazine
John Holmstrom on the CBGB movie and the East Village of 2013
A visit to Metropolis Vintage on Broadway
Grant Shaffer's NY See
Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.
More details on the city's new plan to keep East River park partially open during flood protection construction
Yesterday came news that the de Blasio administration was announcing more changes to the city's stormproofing plans for East River Park.
As you know, the entire Park was set to be shuttered for three-plus years starting in March. Now, early East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) work will commence in the spring, with all of East River Park remaining open until next fall. The flood protection construction will be done in phases.
Here's more via a city press release issued yesterday:
“The community spoke and we listened,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Nearly half of East River Park will remain open throughout construction – without compromising essential flood protections for 110,000 New Yorkers. We are building a more resilient city to meet the challenge of global warming head-on.”
The phasing plan will allow nearly half of East River Park to stay open at all times and will still deliver flood protection by hurricane season 2023, one full hurricane season earlier than under the previous project approach.
In order to enable the new park phasing plan, the schedule for completion of the overall project will be extended to the end of 2025, without any delay in delivering critical flood protection to the 110,000 local residents vulnerable to severe climate impacts in the future. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2020.
First Phase of Construction (Fall 2020 to Spring 2023): The vast majority of the park areas from Delancey to Houston Streets will remain open as well as the amphitheater area in the south and the portion from approximately East 10th to East 12th Street in the north.
Second Phase of Construction (Spring 2023 to Late 2025): Newly rebuilt portions of East River Park will be open from Houston Street to approximately East 10th Street, as well as the vast majority of the park areas from Corlears Hook Bridge to Delancey Street.
Esplanade areas will follow a separate construction schedule and will be made available as construction permits. To meet the needs of area residents, in addition to phasing, new and improved open space resources will be made available in the surrounding neighborhoods, including a new park adjacent to Pier 42 to be completed in spring 2022.
Details of the plan will be presented at a City Council public hearing this afternoon at 1 p.m. (Oct. 3) in what marks the final stages of the land use review process. (Want to attend? Details here.)
Advocates at the community group East River Park Action, who organized the Sept. 21 rally, were not pleased by yesterday's news. Here's part of their reaction:
This is not good. Our park will still be completely destroyed — just over a longer period of time — five years instead of the original three and a half years.
The city is ignoring the neighborhood’s demands: 1) preserve as much of the park as possible. 2) Construct a resilient coastline — not a massive wall along the river. 3) Construct flood protection along the FDR. 4) Provide interim flood protection during years of construction.
It looks like the whole promenade will be closed while the city builds an 8-10 foot solid flood wall along the river.
The city will say it’s the neighborhood’s fault the timeline is longer because we asked for phased construction. In fact, it’s because they were never going to be able to get it all done in three and a half years, and they knew it.
The project was also undergoing a third-party review by a Dutch consultant hired by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera. No word on this review's status.
Yesterday's changes marked the second time that a significant alteration was announced for the stormproofing project. Last fall, the city surprised community stakeholders by announcing a complete overhaul of a plan that had been discussed over four years of local meetings.
14th Street busway finally set to get moving today
After two litigation-related delays, the 14th Street Busway finally makes its debut today.
Last Friday, a panel of judges from New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division overturned an Aug. 9 (Lawsuit No. 2) ruling to block the busway, as Streetsblog first reported.
Here's a quickie overview via the DOT:
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Buses and trucks only between Ninth Avenue and Third Avenue. All other vehicles may make local trips, but must turn at the next available right.
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.: All vehicles may make through trips along the corridor.
This DOT link has more information about the busway, which is expected to be an 18-month pilot program.
The city will install onboard bus-lane-enforcement cameras along the M14 routes this fall. However, DOT officials said that they won’t start issuing tickets for another 60 days.
Streetsblog had more on the enforcement yesterday:
Stationary enforcement cameras on every block to catch drivers blocking bus lanes and for failing to exit 14th Street at the first available right turn after their pickup or drop-off. Those $50 tickets — rising by $50 to a maximum of $250 for every infraction in the same 12-month period — also won’t be issued for 60 days.
As for more backstory: In late June, right before the new busway was to launch on July 1, a coalition of block associations filed a last-minute lawsuit to block the project, arguing that the city failed to complete the proper environmental review for the work. (Lawsuit No. 1!)
The busway was originally to coincide with the arrival of the new M14 Select Bus Service, which debuted on July 1 featuring off-board fare payments and all-door boarding... all in an effort to speed up the notoriously sluggish M14 line during the L-train slowdown.
DOT officials said they hope to improve M14 travel time by up to 30 percent on a corridor that’s one of the slowest in the city.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
NYC premiere of 'The Bitch Movie' takes place at Theatre 80 on Friday night
"The Bitch Movie," a 60-minute documentary that takes a retrospective look at the "Bitch: A Ladies Tribute To Metal" monthly party at the late Don Hill's, makes its NYC debut Friday night (Oct. 4) at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place.
Here's more about the film:
"The Bitch Movie" explores the origins, philosophy, sociology and technical execution of the event, painting a portrait of the vibrant scene around Don Hill's in downtown New York in the early 2000s.
Through firsthand interviews and exclusive footage of the live performances, the film explores the motivations of the women who were passionate about singing heavy metal ... "The Bitch Movie" is both a tribute to pioneering women who smash traditional stereotypes and heavy metal fans the world over.
The screening starts at 10 p.m. There's a Q&A with filmmaker Damian Kolodiy and several of the performers afterwards.
Find advance tickets at this link.
Report: City now opts for phased-in approach for stormproofing East River Park
[Photo Sept. 21 by Stacie Joy]
The City will no longer shut down all of East River Park when stormproofing begins in March, opting now for a phased-in approach.
Here's what Gothamist has:
[T]he city has amended its plan to shut down all 45 acres of the park starting this spring, and instead will phase in the construction so only portions of the park are closed to the public at any given time. According to sources familiar with the new plan, the work is expected to be finished in 2025.
The de Blasio administration will announce their change in plans before they have to present them to a City Council land use hearing on Thursday morning, sources tell Gothamist.
We'll post more information as soon as it becomes available. [Updated: Here's the city press release.]
City officials previously planned to close East River Park for three-plus years, elevating it with 8- to 10-feet of soil from Montgomery Street to East 13th Street. Some residents, referring to it as the Kill Our Park Plan, had asked for the demolition and reconstruction of East River Park to take part in phases so that they continue to enjoy some of the amenities that the public space provides... others wanted the original plan that had been in the works for years before the city quietly changed its mind last fall.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• At the march and rally to save East River Park (Sept. 21)
• An annual reunion in East River Park (Aug. 4)
• A visit to East River Park (July 10)
August Laura is opening in the former Sidewalk space on Avenue A and 6th Street
The new owners of the restaurant space at 94 Avenue A — the former Sidewalk — are close to opening here at Sixth Street.
As previously reported, hospitality vets Laura Saniuk-Heinig and Alyssa Sartor are behind the new venture, which we learned will be a revival of sorts for August Laura, an Italian cafe-cocktail bar that opened in Carroll Gardens in the spring of 2016.
Sartor and Frankie Rodriguez, a former Death & Co. general manager, were partners in that now-closed venture. (It was reportedly named after Sartor’s grandfather, who was raised in Carroll Gardens.)
As for what to expect here starting next week (Oct. 9 is the projected opening date), Saniuk-Heinig said August Laura "will have 'East Village Vibes' as opposed to the Italian-inspired Carroll Gardens location." She promised to share more information soon, including whether they will continue on with an open-mic night, a long-standing feature at Sidewalk. (The EV August Laura is listed in part as a "live music venue" on Facebook.)
She did confirm that the two motorcycle murals on the Sixth Street side, created nearly 25 years ago by the artist WK, will remain up. There's also a new mural in progress further east on the building via @EarlyRiser.
The Sidewalk closed back in February after 32-plus years in business. Pini Milstein, who retired, was the former principal owner of the building as well as the operator of the Sidewalk. The building sold for $9.6 million in March.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The building housing the former Sidewalk sells on Avenue A
New owners set to take over the 33-year-old Sidewalk Bar & Restaurant on Avenue A
1-floor expansion planned for Avenue A building that housed the Sidewalk
Not much left inside the once mysterious 84 2nd Ave.
[Photo by Steven]
The gutting of 84 Second Ave. continues.
Per previous posts, No. 84 here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street is in the midst of a gut renovation that will take the building from its current 5,829 square feet to 8,439 total square feet with a horizontal enlargement in the rear of the property. The modified No. 84 will feature new retail space as well as four residences.
EVG contributor Derek Berg got a look behind the plywood the other day. As you can see, the ground level is hollowed out, with construction equipment moving through the building to the back...
This property has changed hands twice in recent years. Highpoint bought the building for $7.8 million in the spring of 2018. According to public records, the building sold in May 2016 for $5.1 million. The Sopolsky family had owned it for years.
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.
The plywood rendering shows the all-new No. 84 looking something like this...
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
There are new plans to expand the mysterious 84 2nd Ave.
Renovations underway at the (formerly) mysterious 84 2nd Ave.
A rendering and vintage erotic playing cards (NSFW) at the under-renovation (and mysterious!) 84 2nd Ave.
Longer hours now for Foxface on St. Mark's Place
[Photo by Stacie Joy]
You now have more hours in the day in which to try Foxface, the small sandwich operation inside the William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80 that East Village residents Ori Kushnir and Sivan Lahat opened late last year.
The owners announced extended hours for Foxface, 80 St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue, starting today. So moving forward: Wednesday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m., then 5:30-9:30 p.m. ... and noon to 9 p.m. (or when they sell out!) on Saturday and Sunday.
Visit this link to see the daily sandwich specials and to order ahead. They've seen an uptick in business since Pete Wells at the Times filed a favorable review of Foxface in late August.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Longtime East Village residents open Foxface, now serving sandwiches at Theater 80
Hitchcocktober is back
It's Hitchcocktober again at the City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street.
On Thursday evenings throughout October, the theater is showing an Alfred Hitchcock classic, culminating with a Halloween-night screening of "Psycho."
Here's the schedule until then...
• "Dial M for Murder" in 3D — Oct. 3
• "North by Northwest" — Oct. 10
• "The Birds" — Oct. 17
• "The Lady Vanishes" — Oct. 24
• "Psycho" — Oct. 31
Find advance ticket info at this link. The films start at 7:30 p.m.
Elsewhere nearby: the flagship Dean & Deluca is closed for now on Broadway and Prince
From outside the usual EVG coverage zone over at Broadway and Prince... EVG reader Robert Miner shared this photo from yesterday. The flagship location (circa 1988) of Dean & Deluca is now temporarily closed.
There have been reports of empty shelves here in recent months (see Gothamist and Eater).
Per Eater on Aug. 20:
Despite its dreary appearance, floor manager Mohammed Rahman says the store isn’t closing but rather undergoing renovations. Several signs that read “Please pardon our appearance as we prepare for renovations” are now strung about the store, located at 560 Broadway at Prince Street. Rahman says he hasn’t been told much about the renovations or when they’re supposed to start.
There isn't any mention of a renovation on the above-sign for patrons — just some "deep regret" about the temporary closing.
As you've been reading in recent months, Dean & Deluca, the iconic gourmet grocer, is on the brink of financial collapse. Complete collapse may be imminent. As of now, only two locations — both in Honolulu — are listed on the Dean & Deluca website.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Tuesday's parting shots
Late-night/early-morning views of 10th Street and Avenue B via Shawn Chittle...
Just desserts
There's probably a good reason why there's a discarded figure made from cupcakes, cookies, brownies and doughnuts on 10th Street near Second Avenue this afternoon.
Photo by Lola Saénz ...
Re-covering Cover Magazine at the Tompkins Square Library
Per the Library's website:
The magazine’s slogan was "We Cover All the Arts" and the monthly featured art, music, literature, dance, fashion, performance, and theater in every issue. Later issues also contained stories about the community garden struggles.
Most of the staff and production team was recruited by publisher and editor Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, from his literary and artistic contacts in the East Village. The 64-page monthly journal circulated nationally until 2000, and the complete set of Cover issues are archived at NYU Fales Library and at MoMA.
Local heroes were touted, often before receiving mainstream attention. Penny Arcade, Colette, Eileen Myles, and Afrika Bambaataa were all part of featured cover stories. The magazine often broke new talent: for instance, the iconoclastic fine artist Andres Serrano received his first cover story in Cover.
The opening reception is tonight (Oct. 1) from 6-8 p.m. There are several other related programs in the weeks ahead.
The exhibit will be up at the Library, 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, until Nov. 30.
After a late-summer hiatus, Tuesday Soup Night is back on at Ciao for Now
The soup is back on at Ciao for Now on Tuesday evenings at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B following a late summer hiatus.
Here's what to expect tonight (Oct. 1) ...
The family-owned cafe shut down its dining room after 17 years at the end of January 2018. However, ownership was continuing on with the catering business ... and in March 2018, they announced a Tuesday evening dinner service with a variety of soups and salads.
Ciao for Now is open Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m.
The 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is scheduled for Oct. 20 in East River Park
[Photo yesterday by Edmund John Dunn]
This year's Halloween dog parade is once again scheduled for the East River Park Amphitheater. The year's date: Sunday, Oct. 20 from noon to 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, Parade organizers are hopeful that the Parks Department might waive their sponsorship fees.
Parade organizers are currently holding a fundraiser via Facebook to cover the additional $6,500-$11,000 in fees from the city as well as to to raise money for ongoing upkeep of the dog run. You can find the fundraiser info on Facebook.
The 28th annual dog parade almost didn't happen last year. You can read about what happened at this link.
Given the city's plans for stormproofing East River Park starting in March 2020, this will likely be the last time the amphitheater can host the parade in the years ahead.
Here then, the cantilevering condoplex on 4th Avenue and 10th Street
ICYMI, 80 E. 10th St., the deluxe cantilevering condoplex at the southeast corner of 10th Street and Fourth Avenue, recently came into full view as workers cleared away the remaining plywood and sidewalk bridge.
Here's a look along 10th Street...
The next photo, taken a few days after the two above, shows that the 10th Street sidewalk is back open (and the street is finally clear of construction equipment after 28 months) ...
The 10-floor condoplex — called Eighty East Tenth — features 12 units, ranging from one to five bedrooms. The three remaining residences on the Eighty East Tenth website fall in the $7.5 million range.
Some details on the building from the website:
“Eighty East Tenth Street sits at the heart of a historically significant stretch of Fourth Avenue formerly known as Book Row, once the center of the rare and antique book trade in America. Inspired by this unique history, NAVA began an intensive creative process of transforming and expressing the written word into a physical pattern on the building’s façade. The resulting metal surface features a circular grid pattern of discreet concave and convex impressions which make each panel a distinct manifestation of the neighborhood's rich heritage.”
There's also 2,900 square feet of retail space on the market.
As noted before, a one-level row of businesses were on this corner, including the Green East deli and St. Marx Music, until 2007.
The storefronts sat empty for years, waiting for development. Here's the corner in 2013...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Demo permits filed to raze southeast corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street
The 'tremendous retail potential' of East 10th Street and 4th Avenue
10 stories of condos in the works for the long-vacant corner of 4th Avenue and East 10th Street
With new building OK'd, corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street finally ready for razing
Selling Eighty East Tenth
Gem Spa expanding its product line
Given the success of its branded T-shirts, Gem Spa proprietor Parul Patel now plans to add to the shop's streetwear merchandising with the upcoming arrival of sweatpants, hoodies and long sleeve tees.
Yesterday she showed EVG contributor Stacie Joy the Gem Spa hat.
As previously reported, the corner store on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place as been struggling in recent months, in part due to its six-month ban (set to end soon) on selling cigarettes and lottery tickets.
With the cash mob on Sept. 14 and the interest in the Gem Spa T-shirts, Parul told Stacie that she is feeling optimistic at the prospects of getting through this rough patch.
Parul’s father, Ray, bought Gem Spa in 1986.
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