Punto Rojo looks done for on 1st Avenue

Last month we noted that a homemade restaurant for sale sign was hanging in the front window at Punto Rojo, the reasonably priced bakery-restaurant that serves traditional Colombian food at 221 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street.

Punto Rojo has apparently closed for good. As you can see in the top photo, the signage was recently removed, and the space looks as if it was cleared out.

These actions also coincided with a closure at the hands of the Department of Health on Nov. 12 ...



Inspectors found 86 violations points, including "Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations," per public records.

Punto Rojo took over the space from Señor Pollo, which specialized in Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, in the spring of 2018.

Dig debuts on 4th and 13th

Dig opened last week on the southeast corner of Fourth Avenue at 13th Street.

And this outpost of the health-conscious fast-casual chain is taking part in a pilot program for its take-out food containers.

Per Forbes:

The program called Canteen by Dig allows customers to checkout a reusable bowl (for $3 per month) made of a BPA-free melamine, take their food anywhere and then return the container once they’ve finished.

“More than ever, people are conscious of their everyday impact on the environment and looking for ways to actively reduce their footprint,” said Elizabeth Meltz, Head of Environmental Health at Dig.

Dig will test the program for the next few months and eventually extend it to other partner restaurants and businesses, per Forbes.

Meanwhile, this storefront has been reusable in recent years. This has been a challenging corner for businesses since the longtime deli was rent-hiked out of here in November 2012. The space has been home to Fresh & Co. and Pie Face and, most recently, Sandwicherie in the past five years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Dig Inn confirmed for 13th Street and 4th Avenue

The former Steamy Hallows space is for rent (the back rent is also due)

The former Steamy Hallows (and Cake Shake!) space is now for rent at 514 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Harry Potter-themed coffee and dessert shop closed at the end of October. According to the Steamy Hallows Instagram account, the owners couldn't come to an agreement with the landlord on a new lease.

Meanwhile, the landlord legalese taped to the front window shows that the Potterheads owe back rent of more than $12,000...



Steamy Hallows debuted in February in the storefront that briefly housed Cake Shake, the dessert shop that debuted in August 2018.

Sunday's parting shot

The view down Second Avenue via EVG reader Tobias...

Week in Grieview

[The Con Ed plant as seen from Avenue C]

Details on the guilty verdicts in the 2nd Avenue gas explosion case (Monday)

Here are more details on East Village Homes, the affordable housing set for 2nd Street (Monday)

The city is removing the garbage trucks that were parking overnight on 10th Street (Thursday) ... No parking signs remain after garbage trucks leave 10th Street (Friday)

A 'build-to-suit' opportunity for the long-dormant development site at 14th and C (Wednesday)

With petition, El Sol Brillante Jr. Garden volunteers hope to protect their green space from demolition next door (Tuesday)

Financing comes together for the office building planned for the gateway of the East Village (Wednesday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Taking stock of the neighborhood's disappearing single-story buildings (Thursday)

2nd Avenue about to get Sauced Up! (with wings) (Monday)

Is it Nov. 28 yet? Turkey time again at the Odessa with the $18.95 Thanksgiving Special (Thursday)

The Ben's Deli t-shirt (Wednesday)

Openings: The Dip on St. Mark's Place; Jell & Chill on 7th Street (Friday)

The Subway (sandwich shop) closes on Avenue B (Tuesday)

The Union Square Holiday Market opens (Tuesday)

Former Neapolitan Express space for rent on 2nd Avenue; or buy the whole the whole building (Monday)

As the Bean moves on Broadway (Monday)

Koko Wings waiting to take flight on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Holiday pop-up bar season underway with arrival of Miracle on Ninth Street (Monday)

... and a carving by George in Tompkins Square Park...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

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Saturday's parting shot

Christmas at Stuy Town, as seen on 14th Street and First Avenue...

Holiday Joe

The holidays have arrived at the Joe Strummer mural outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A...



Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Schiti no more

On Thursday night, as Eden pointed out on Twitter, the "Schitibank" signage was removed from outside Gem Spa on the corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

The satirical advertisements for Schitibank arrived in September ahead of the Cash Mob for the shop, which has been struggling financially this past year. (The signage was only expected to be up through September. One piece of it remains behind.)

As you know, "Schitibank" was a play on Citibank, who was rumored to be interested in buying out the lease. (Citi has denied they had any interest in the storefront.) You can read more about the art installation that Tommy Noonan and Doug Cameron of the design firm DCX Accelerator created at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York.

Meanwhile, the shop, now run by owner Ray Patel's daughter Parul, is working toward profitability again. The financial turnaround has been aided by the sale of Gem Spa-branded hats and t-shirts.

And now, hoodies are available...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
• At the Gem Spa Cash Mob (Sept. 16)

• Gem Spa is now a 'Schitibank' (Sept. 12)

• Get your Gem Spa t-shirts or photos of Madonna — at Gem Spa! (Aug. 16)

• Will you buy a Gem Spa T-shirt? (June 28)

• "Gem Spa is open!" (June 18)

• What is happening at Gem Spa? (June 11)

• A visit to Gem Spa (May 10)

8th Street sunrise

Thank you to @RealPKeys for sharing the sunrise shot from Eighth Street and Avenue B today...

Police looking for suspect accused of taking $6,300 in jewelry from the Cure Thrift Shop

Via the EVG inbox..

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public's assistance identifying the male depicted in the attached photos wanted for questioning in connection to a grand larceny that occurred within the confines of the 9th Precinct. The following was reported to police:

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at approximately 1400 hours, a unidentified individual did enter the Cure Thrift Shop located at 111 E. 12th St. and removed jewelry from over the counter as store clerk was helping other customers. The individual then fled the store on foot with property valued at approximately $6,375. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

The individual is described as a male, Black, with a medium build and last seen wearing a red and blue jacket, dark-colored pants, dark-colored hat, tan boots and wearing eyeglasses.

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. All calls are strictly confidential.

My friend Edgar

The NYC-based Lunachicks are playing their first shows in 15 years — April 11-12 at Webster Hall on 11th Street. (Tickets went on sale today. That first show is already sold out.)

The band — led by Theo Kogan — formed in 1988, recording six albums between 1990 and 1999. The video here is for "Edgar" from their 1995 release "Jerk of All Trades."

Falling tree in Tompkins Square Park

A tree (was this the crabapple?) has fallen in Tompkins Square Park at the chess tables near the Avenue A and Seventh Street entrance... EVG regular Daniel shares these photos...



No word on any injuries.

Updated 11/23

Another view of the tree via Vinny & O...

EVG Etc.: More bus passengers on 14th Street; another food hall downtown

[Ageloff Towers on 3rd and A on Wednesday afternoon]

• At the NYCHA town hall in the East Village (Fox 5) ... Thanksgiving without gas for cooking for some residents in LES NYCHA properties (Patch)

• Speeds and ridership increasing on the 14th Street Busway; camera enforcement arriving (amNY)

• The Market Line food hall opens today in Essex Crossing (Crain's)

• Local developer-landlord Michael Shah, who has been arrested twice over alleged domestic incidents with his girlfriend, claims that "the DA’s office has shown gender bias that only women and not men can be victims of domestic violence, even in the face of copious evidence." (The Real Deal)

• More about Giovanni Destefano, who died after a mugging on Fifth Street (Daily News ... previously on EVG)

• A stabbing at the East Broadway F stop (The Lo-Down)

• A chilly morning in Tompkins Square Park with red-tailed hawks Amelia and Christo (Laura Goggin Photography)

• Sietsema likes that Japanese omelet rice at the just-opened Aoi Kitchen on Sixth Street (Eater ... first on EVG)

• The French classics at Brasserie Saint Marc on Second Avenue (Frenchly ... previously on EVG)

• That Noah Baumbach residency continues (Metrograph)

• A retrospective featuring the work of French composer Luc Ferrari (Anthology Film Archives)

• Study: Starbucks’ open bathroom policy may be hurting foot traffic (Yahoo! Finance)

• Details on the long-awaited SoHo and NoHo planning study (Gothamist)

• The footwear of the Ramones (Flaming Pablum)

🙄 Poll: Bloomberg most popular of last three New York City mayors (The Post)

... and EVG reader Sylvia G. spotted these giveaways last night on Sixth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D...



... it was not immediately clear if the "it works" sign referred to the microwave or penis-shaped Trump bottle opener...

No parking signs remain after garbage trucks leave 10th Street

For the first time last night in more than 14 months, there weren't any garbage trucks parked on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

As reported here yesterday morning, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is temporarily relocating the trucks to Pier 42 along the East River for the next three months. It's not immediately clear where they will park after those 90 days.

In September 2018, the DSNY started using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., including on Sundays. The DSNY no longer had use of their garage on 30th Street, and the solution was to relocate their fleet to residential blocks.

This move sparked numerous complaints from residents and merchants alike who called out the problems with the smell, noise and negative impact on business.

Meanwhile, the "Authorized Vehicles Only" signs remain up along this corridor, reserving parking for DSNY vehicles...



As of now, no one is parking here... but the open spaces did attract a few idling motorists.

H/T Steven!

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

• More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

• Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern

• A waste of space: 10th Street still waiting for the garbage trucks to move on

• Garbage truck parking situation on 10th Street still stinks, residents say

• Waste land: Local elected officials tell the city to move the garbage trucks from 10th Street

• State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

Openings: The Dip on St. Mark's Place; Jell & Chill on 7th Street

Two new quick-serve concepts to note...

• The Dip, 58 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue

The Dip is now serving a variety of sandwiches, including, as you may have guessed, a French dip (shaved beef, horseradish, gruyere and cherry peppers on garlic bread).

Have a look...

View this post on Instagram

What makes our French dip sandwich so special? Our beef is cured overnight, slow roasted all day, sliced thin, then cooked in a delicious jus. It’s served on garlic bread with melted gruyere to warm you up this winter! Grab one at The Dip. We’re located at 58 St Marks Pl in East Village between 1st and 2nd ave.! #thedipnyc #frenchdip #sandwiches #sandwich #sandwichshop #beef #aujus #beefaujus #gruyere #cheese #meltedcheese #soup #eastvillage #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #newyorkeats #newyorkrestaurants #eastvillageeats #eastvillagerestaurants

A post shared by The Dip (@thedipnyc) on Nov 18, 2019 at 8:06pm PST

You can find their menu here.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight, with a 1 a.m. close on Friday and Saturday.

Previous coverage here.

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• Jell & Chill, 110 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue

The shop is now serving traditional handcrafted Bīng Fěn Ice Jelly, a Sichuanese cold dessert jelly. You can find their Instagram account here.


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Previous coverage here.

Thursday's parting shot

Chadwick Boseman views from Third Avenue...

Get an early start on Christmas this Thanksgiving

The tree stand has arrived outside the Bueno East Mart on Avenue A and Third Street — one week out from Thanksgiving and possibly the earliest that we can recall live trees go on sale.

And this is an actual stand and not a backdrop for a Netflix series.

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 as well as other parts of the city (like today!)

NY See is going on hiatus for the holidays... with a return in early 2020!

The city is removing the garbage trucks that were parking overnight on 10th Street

[EVG file photo]

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is moving its fleet of garbage trucks away from 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

DSNY officials said that the trucks will temporarily relocate to Pier 42 along the East River starting today for the next three months.

The move came nearly a month after Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick introduced legislation to ban overnight garbage truck parking for residential streets citywide.

"We are so thankful that DSNY has relocated the trucks to a more appropriate location and grateful for the help of our local elected officials ... for making this happen," 10th Street resident Michelle Lang told me in an email. "While we just learned that this is a temporary fix, we hope that the trucks will not return to residential streets in the city."

In a statement issued last night, Hoylman called this "the sweet smell of success!" He continued: "Hopefully, life will resume to normal for the residents and small businesses along East 10th Street who’ve been dealing with this stinky situation for over a year."

As I first reported on Sept. 18, 2018, the DSNY started using this section of 10th Street to park up to seven garbage trucks from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., including on Sundays. The DSNY no longer had use of their garage on 30th Street, and the solution was to relocate their fleet to residential blocks.

City officials had promised to look into this parking practice, but nothing ever happened. In September 2018, shortly after the trucks arrived, Mayor de Blasio promised to "relieve the immediate pressure" on 10th Street. "Do we want garbage trucks parking on residential streets? Of course not," said de Blasio, as CBS 2 reported on Sept. 26, 2018.

Despite meetings and direct pleas from residents of 10th Street and local elected officials, the city never took any action to relocate the trucks. With the city's inaction, officials turned to state legislation to get something done.

And why park here? The Theater for the New City complex at 155 First Ave. near 10th Street was previously used by DSNY for storage, and they still maintain space in the facility for crews.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

• More trash talk about those garbage trucks parked on 10th Street

• Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern

• A waste of space: 10th Street still waiting for the garbage trucks to move on

• Garbage truck parking situation on 10th Street still stinks, residents say

• Waste land: Local elected officials tell the city to move the garbage trucks from 10th Street

• State pols introduce legislation to ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on city streets, like on 10th Street

Taking stock of the neighborhood's disappearing single-story buildings

Several years back, Adam Friedberg was crossing Third Avenue and Ninth Street and noticed how strange the block looked — with Cooper Union's 15-story Student Residence Hall towering over the neighboring single-level buildings.

What started as visual stimulus for Friedberg, a photographer and 30-year-resident of the East Village, became a project about six months later as he set out to take photos of every single-story building in the neighborhood.

Starting tonight, Friedberg's work can be seen in a new exhibit titled "Single-Story Project" at the Center for Architecture.

Here's more about the project:

He noticed how quickly these most humble structures were disappearing, a reflection of the rapid development and gentrification of the neighborhood. He completed the project this past fall, and over the course of the documentation many of the buildings have already disappeared or will soon be demolished.

In order to capture the buildings unobstructed, Friedberg mostly shot very early in the morning before cars and trucks obstructed the street-level views. In the process, he got to know many of the people who own or work in these buildings.

In so doing, he came to understand that not only were the buildings being sold, but an entire primarily working-class economy (workshops, garages, fast-food joints) and culture (storefront churches and community centers) was disappearing. Friedberg’s Single-Story Project forms an alternative geography of changing city and captures an urban erasure happening right before our eyes.

The exhibit, featuring 54 prints from his series, will be on display through Feb. 29. The Center for Architecture is at 536 LaGuardia Place between West Third Street and Bleecker Street. The opening is tonight from 6-8.

Gallery Hours (no admission fee):
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The galleries will be closed from Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. through Dec. 1 in honor of Thanksgiving.

Also, if you're on Instagram, you can follow Friedberg here. All photos courtesy of Friedberg.