An EVG reader shared this photo from late this afternoon... spotted on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...
Friday, December 6, 2019
Friday's parting shot
An EVG reader shared this photo from late this afternoon... spotted on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...
'Radio' cure
The Shivas (via Portland, Ore.) released their latest album Dark Thoughts earlier this fall... the video here is for the single "Playing on the Radio."
Debi the Gardener retires
[Photo from Nov. 13 by Steven]
Deborah Hulse, better known as Debi the Gardener to regulars of Tompkins Square Park, retired yesterday after nearly 15 years with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Born and raised in Greenwich Village, Hulse was a musician before entering the world of gardening. She received a Certificate of Horticulture from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens while working at Union Square Park. Hulse started at Tompkins Square Park in March 2009.
In 2012, the East Village Community Coalition recognized her tireless dedication to beautifying the grounds at Tompkins Square Park with its Outstanding Pigeon Award.
EVG correspondent Steven spoke with her yesterday. Hulse said she will miss the flowers and plants that she tended to through the years. "They are my children."
She also discussed the many residents that she has become friends with at the Park. Hulse won't be a stranger though: She has plans to stop by from time to time. Other retirement endeavors include revisiting her music career.
[Photo yesterday by Steven]
The Parks Department has not made plans to replace Hulse just yet.
In the kitchen with Chef Jae Lee at Nowon
Nowon debuted last week at 507 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. This is the first restaurant for Chef Jae Lee, who is serving non-traditional Korean fare here in the 34-seat space.
EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by before the grand opening, and watched Lee create, plate, taste and share his royal kimchi rice dish (dry aged ground beef, egg, bean sprout and seaweed) ...
Lee previously helmed the kitchen — a pop up called Him — at Black Emperor on Second Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street, where he was responsible for the popular guest menu. His dry aged double cheeseburger with kimchi mayo and dill pickles, which Gothamist called "one of NYC's greatest burgers" when served at Black Emperor, is available here too, though only from 5-7 p.m.
He also served as the executive chef of Rice & Gold at Hotel 50 Bowery.
Nowon, named for the residential district of Seoul where Lee is from, pays tribute to the culture of Korea as well as his family.
Nowon is currently serving dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and until 11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. A weekend brunch service is in the works in the months ahead. (Also coming soon: the liquor license, with beer, wine and soju cocktails.) Find more details at the Nowon website ... and Instagram account. And here's a copy of the menu.
Cereal killer: Kellogg's NYC Café shutters on Union Square`
[TT Tiger pic via Instagram]
The Kellogg's NYC Café opened on the northern section of Union Square in December 2017, an event that inspired far too many posts on some local blogs.
Now an EVG reader alerts us that the space on the second level of 31 E. 17th St. (above the AT&T store) — which offered a DIY cereal-creation station as well as Pop Tarts — closed last week.
The announcement came via Instagram...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Crunch time at the Kellogg's NYC Café on Union Square
Oh Gr-r-reat! Kellogg's cafe opening slightly delayed on Union Square
Kellogg's Union Square cafe closer to snapping, crackling and popping
Kellogg’s NYC, will be slinging cereal at an all-day breakfast café on Union Square next month
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Please do not sit on this thing that looks exactly like a chair
Spotted outside East Village Postal today on First Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street ... a new place to rest for a moment?
... or ...
... a writing easel getting some air. (Complete with a warning not to sit!)
Thanks to Steven for the photos!
A memorial for longtime East Village resident Susan Leelike
Susan Leelike, a longtime East Village resident and activist, died on Oct. 26. She was 81.
This Saturday afternoon, there's a memorial for her friends and family ... and any resident who wants to stop by to pay his or her respects and share a memory.
Details:
Peter Jarema Funeral Home
129 E. Seventh St. west of Avenue A
Saturday, Dec. 7
1-3 p.m.
Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Susan Leelike
Former Bean space for rent on 2nd Avenue
[Photo by Steven]
The Bean's sudden departures from their spaces on First Avenue and Ninth Street and Second Avenue and Third Street on Nov. 24 took a lot of people by surprise. For starters, the coffee shops always looked crowded, and they have a loyal neighborhood following.
Owner Ike Escava told us the following: "Due to rising costs the decision to close was unfortunately the only one we could make."
Now the Second Avenue space is on the retail market. (There isn't a listing yet for the First Avenue storefront.) Here's more about 54 Second Ave. via the listing:
Amazing corner retail in the heart of the East Village. High ceilings and a no cooking infrastructure in place. Landlord will consider venting for a qualified operator. Great storage basement with walk-in, storage, etc. Very strong corner in great neighborhood. Potential for a sidewalk café and all uses are considered. Ideal for non-vented or vented food, fitness, bank, retail, salon/spa and many other types.
The asking rent is between $135 to $155 a square foot for the space, listed at 1,355 square feet.
The Bean opened here in December 2011.
The prime corner space was vacant for years, and home to the infamous "crazy landlord" who "must rent this store."
[Circa 2010]
Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Crazy Landlord sign
'Crazy Landlord' back to being crazy!
54 2nd Ave. has been sold
The 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue locations of the Bean closed for good yesterday
Williamsburg Pizza debuts on 14th Street
[Photo yesterday by Steven]
Williamsburg Pizza is serving slices now at 226 E. 14th St. between Second and Third Avenue.
The restaurant has a dine-in option with tables and counter space ... not to mention a liquor license.
This will make the fourth Williamsburg Pizza location... joining the original out on Union Avenue in Brooklyn, on the Upper East Side and on Broome Street on the LES. (Their pies are also served at 310 Bowery.)
As previously noted, the pizzeria has plenty of fans (one example). And a few years back New York magazine gave them the Best Slice Joint nod.
This pizzeria combined two storefronts, including the former Krust pizza.
Report: 2 homeless men stabbed in fight at the 2nd Avenue F stop
Two men were stabbed in a wild subway brawl in the East Village. https://t.co/skXafDaE6y
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) December 5, 2019
Two men were reportedly stabbed last night around 8:40 during a two-on-three fight on the uptown F-train platform at Second Avenue and Houston Street.
The Daily News reports that police are searching for three men — one black, one Hispanic, one white, all in their 40s, who escaped in the train tunnel. The five men involved in the fight were all said to be homeless.
From the News:
One witness, a homeless man who only gave his first name, Eric, described the wild melee.
“They beat him and cut him bad and dragged him up the stairs,” he said of the 27-year-old victim. “He was leaking heavy. The other guy got cut in the head and he ran like a little b----."
Both of the victims (the other is 24) were taken to Bellevue Hospital for non-life threatening injuries, according to the Post.
Signage and storefront reveal for Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen at 92 2nd Ave.
[Photos by Steven]
We have a combo reveal — storefront and signage — at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street ... where Sanpoutei Gyoza & Ramen is expected to open by the end of the year...
This has been a long time in the making. In the fall of 2018, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor) for the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967.
Reviews of the restaurant note that "Sanpoutei is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."
As previously noted, Sanpoutei will join a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent-ish arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue ... and TabeTomo on Avenue A.
Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 at this address. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront sat empty for nearly four years.
Also of note (maybe?): A sign for Black Star Bar, which closed here in 2004, still remains on the building...
Previously on EV Grieve:
The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
A high mass in honor of St. Nicholas
Here's an invitation via the staff at the Most Holy Redeemer & Nativity Church:
Historic Most Holy Redeemer and Nativity Church will celebrate its origins in the German immigrant community with a special mass in honor of St. Nicholas.
It will be a traditional Latin Solemn High Mass including Gregorian Chant propers and featuring Hayden’s Nikolaimesse (St. Nicholas Mass), under the direction of James Wetzel, director of music at the Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer. The mass starts 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.
The church, which was completed and consecrated in 1852, is located on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. The mass will be followed by a reception with "seasonal refreshments" (egg nog?).
[Church interior via Stacie Joy]
Details on the 3rd annual East Village Arts Festival at the Tompkins Square Library branch
The Tompkins Square Library branch is hosting its third annual East Village Arts Festival.
The two-day event starts on Friday. Here are just a few of the events via the EVG inbox (find the full rundown at this link):
Friday, Dec. 6
• Music Performance: NYPL Sings!
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun sing-along with some fantastic librarians! Musicians from libraries across NYC will perform songs from the New York Public Library children's album, NYPL Sings! The performance will be held in the second floor children's room. All ages welcome.
• Art Opening for the Sixth Street Youth Program
3:30-5 p.m.
Young artists will display their work highlighting the Lower East Side.
• Photographers Karla and James Murray
5-6:30 p.m.
Exhibition Opening: "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York." The opening reception includes live music and refreshments.
• Logo for Jazz Foundation of America
5-6:30 p.m.
Musical Performance: George Braith Quartet
A true original, saxophonist George Braith has brightened jazz with his innovations — from his classic 1960s recordings for Blue Note and Prestige; to his 1970s presentations at the lower Manhattan club, Musart, which he ran; to his own original instrument, the Braithophone, which fuses soprano and alto saxophones into one horn.
Saturday, Dec. 7
• Drag Queen Story Hour with Harmonica Sunbeam
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
DQSH captures the imagination and play of gender fluidity in childhood, and gives kids glamorous and unapologetically LGBTQ role models. A drag queen will read inclusive books as well as storytime favorites, and lead participants in a simple craft. Sponsored by the Office of City Council Member Carlina Rivera. This program will be held in the basement community room.
• Walking Tour: Artists, Writers, Musicians of Tompkins Square
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tompkins Square Park has long been a center of the arts. Please join us for a fun, free one-hour walking tour, hosted by library manager Corinne Neary and local street photographer Michael Paul.
• Children's Arts and Craft Activities
12-4 p.m.
All materials will be provided, just bring yourself! These activities will be in the second floor children's room.
• 16mm Short Film Screenings: Artists in New York
1-1:45 p.m.
We will screen three short 16mm films, from the reserve collection of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts:
"Jackson Pollock" (1951; 10 mins.) Dir: Hans Namuth, Paul Falkenberg
From the straightforward documentation of the artist at work, and his personal explanation of what he is doing, to the original music score, everything in this film is marked with the intense quality of the late Pollock's personality.
"Artist in Manhattan" (1968; 9 mins.) Dir: Barry H. Downes, Linda Marmelstein
A portrait of Jerome Myers, a key figure in the famous Ashcan school of American art and one of the founders of the historic Armory Show of 1913. His paintings and drawings depict New York City at the beginning of the 20th century.
"Andy Warhol" (1965; 22 mins.) Dir: Marie Menken
Warhol is seen in his studio and at gallery showings surrounded by his signature pieces: Brillo and Campbell soup cartons, and his silkscreens of flowers and well-known personalities.
The branch is located at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street
--
On Dec. 1, the branch celebrated its 115th birthday... here's how the building looked upon the grand opening...
[Updated] The Associated on 14th Street in Stuy Town closes on Monday
[Photos yesterday by Steven]
Employees at the Associated on 14th Street in Stuy Town are telling patrons that this Monday (Dec. 9) is the last day. [Updated: Employees are now saying Wednesday, Dec. 10. Updated 2: The store is closed as of Friday (Dec. 13).]
As one reader told us: "It is starting to look that way, though there is no sign of marked-down merchandise."
There weren't any store closing signs posted as of yesterday here between Avenue A and First Avenue ... though there is a notice that sale items/coupons will be honored at the Associated on Avenue C at Eighth Street...
News of this closure first surfaced in September. The final day was expected to be somewhere at the end of November or early December, per Town & Village.
Longtime store manager Norman Quintanilla told this to T&V in September:
“A lot of people are crying and upset about it,” he said. “It especially affects a lot of elderly customers that we help with phone orders. They don’t know where else to go.”
Quintanilla said that he wasn’t involved in discussions with Associated’s ownership and Blackstone regarding why the store is closing but he said that business has been steadily decreasing every year.
Joseph Falzon, the store’s owner, previously told Crain's that a confluence of factors had cut business nearly in half. For starters, construction on 14th Street for the L train obscured the supermarket with a 12-foot fence these past two years.
There's also increased competition, including the Target on 14th and A that opened in July 2018 with a large food-and-beverage selection. In addition, the Trader Joe's is expected to open early next year right across 14th Street. (Per the comments in previous posts on this closure, a good number of residents don't find the Target or Trader Joe's to be an adequate replacement for an old-fashioned supermarket.)
In an email in September, Stuyvesant Town General Manager Rick Hayduk told residents that they are "working on finding a new tenant with full understanding that a local grocery store is important to the community; but this will take some time."
Previously on EV Grieve:
The Associated on 14th Street in Stuy Town is said to close by year's end
169 and 171 1st Ave. fetch $14 million
A Miami real-estate investor opted for both buildings, in a transaction reported at $14 million for the pair, which comes out to "$1,100 per foot, a very high per foot price," per Lois Weiss at the Post, who first reported on the deal.
The residential units are market rate ... as for the retail spaces, 16-year-tenant Momofuku signed a 10-year lease renewal in 2015, per Weiss. No word about Manhattan Eyeworks next door at No. 169, a three-story building that features a 60-foot rear garden, a free-market duplex apartment and — drumroll — 6,508 feet of air rights.
United Copy & Print has apparently closed
United Copy & Print at 241 E. 10th St. just west of First Avenue recently closed ... the interior has been cleared out, as this photo via Steven shows...
United Copy & Print arrived in this space, a former nail salon, in early 2012... they moved down the block here after previously doing business as The American Copy Center.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Tuesday's parting shot
The Christmas lights outside 7B/Vazac's/Horseshoe Bar on Seventh Street and Avenue B ... (and a follow-up to Saturday night's post)...
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