Stargirl 2020

You've likely seen these flexing, amorphous figures around on various buildings, construction sites, sidewalk cellar doors and at least two USPS trucks in recent weeks.

Here's just a sampling from the past week-plus...





People recall first seeing these in early to mid January...









The figures are growing in popularity, at least among a few Instagram users who have referred to the character as Super Girl (or Supergirl) and Power Puff Girl. We don't know who the identity of the artist, but the person calls these figures Stargirl.



The spray-painted drawings are pretty consistent — a smile, flexing arms and a star on the belly. Sometimes she is alone. Other times in packs. She has been spotted on the Lower East Side. We've had a sighting via a reader on 14th Street and Sixth Avenue. We haven't spotted many, if any, east of Avenue B...



Once she did the splits...



Several times the name Gwen appeared nearby...



























The photos of these on Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place are from late January. They've been painted over.





But there will be many more, no doubt.

The former Manitoba's space receives the plywood treatment on Avenue B

Workers yesterday put up a plywood front outside the former Manitoba's bar at 99 Avenue B ... something they did the previous day at the currently vacant space next door (East Side Ink moved from here to the adjacent storefront in early 2017) ...



One of the workers told EVG correspondent Steven, who took these photos, that they are renovating the exterior of the two empty storefronts. He didn't know about any possible new tenants.

A mystery applicant was on the CB3-SLA docket last October for the Manitoba's space, but they withdrew before the meeting.

Manitoba's closed here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street last June after 20 years in service.

P.S.

To recap, East Side Ink is open at 95 Avenue B, next door to their former home.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Manitoba's has closed

Cover letters: Signage comes down at the now-closed Zum Schneider on Avenue C

As you likely know, Zum Schneider wrapped up 20 years of business on Avenue C and Seventh Street on Tuesday night (more like early Wednesday morning).

This afternoon, a worker was spotted removing the biergarten's letters from the exterior (thanks to @michaelfrias27 for the photos!)



Presumably that's someone affiliated with Zum Schneider removing those letters for use in their new location. Owner Sylvester Schneider has said he will find a new NYC outpost for his bar-restaurant.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More details about Zum Schneider's February closing date on Avenue C

In bloom

The daffodils are coming up in Tompkins Square Park ... and Goggla notes that we're on crocus alert too...



Happy February!

Here's a look at the new Half Gallery exterior on Avenue B and 4th Street

Workers are removing the plywood from the retail space on the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Avenue B... revealing the all-new storefront that will soon house the the Half Gallery...



In mid-December, the gallery announced it was relocating from the Upper East Side to 235 E. Fourth St.

The gallery, which has worked with Rene Ricard, Louise Bonnet and Nathaniel Mary Quinn, started on the Lower East Side in 2008 before heading north. Here's more via ARTnews:

Bill Powers, who founded Half Gallery, said that many of the artists the gallery has worked with “have a real connection to [the East Village] and that art scene,” adding that the move is “a little bit of a homecoming.”

With the Swiss Institute, the Brant Foundation, and other art institutions opening in the East Village recently, the neighborhood remains a hotspot for art, Powers said, adding, “We used to get a bigger crowd for openings when we were downtown because I think the gravity of the art world, spiritually, is downtown or in the outer boroughs.”

The space is expected to open soon featuring Tanya Merrill's first-ever solo exhibition.

The gallery takes the space of Tapanju Turntable (and Kate's Joint until 2012!).

The exterior is already a marked improved over the Turntable front, which had the warm, inviting look of a visitor's center at a North Korean prison.

JUICE is a new gallery on St. Mark's Place, and its first group show debuts tonight

Tonight marks the first group show at JUICE, a gallery space adjacent to the Dr. Brendan computer repair shop at 8 St. Mark's Place just east of Third Avenue...



Brendan McElroy and his brother Daniel McElroy are behind JUICE, described as a "non-profit gallery dedicated to long-term community building in the instant age."

Brendan, the founder of Dr. Brendan, is now a partner in the new location of St. Dymphna's on Avenue A.

Tonight from 7-10, you check out the group show featuring pieces by Lucien Smith, Spencer Sweeney, Harif Guzman, Jim (The Mosaic Man) Power, Maggie Lee, Perry Khalil, and Eric Smith.



The space got a test run in late January with show featuring local photographer Chad Moore.

More details made public about the 101 Condominium on 1st Avenue and 2nd Street

Workers put up the broker bunting yesterday at the 101 Condominium, Rybeck Development's condoplex rising on First Avenue and Second Street...



The signage offers more details on this 7-story, 23-unit residential building, including pricing. The studios are starting at $895,000. (No other pricing is mentioned.) The listed amenities include a full-time doorman, fitness center, lounge area, grill & wet bar and an "immaculate indoor/outdoor park" ...



Here's are a few new factoids about the building via the 101 website:

The 101’s facade of charcoal-gray masonry and pristine symmetrical glass surrounds its reinforced concrete structure in subtle curves, boasting a design that is, like the East Village itself, bold enough to dare and strong enough to last.

And!

The 101 developers have gone beyond the building code’s requirements to cushion and shield each residence with spray foam insulation. The absolute standard in modern homes, spray foam insulation seals your walls, floors, and ceiling cavities against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, and where walls meet windows and doorways. Never losing its shape, spray foam provides sound attenuation while reducing air flow, minimizing drafts and cold floors. Save on your monthly energy bill while keeping your home quieter, warmer, and more tranquil.

Sales will commence in the the third quarter of 2020.

Two addresses — 24 First Ave. and its property mate 99-101 E. Second St. — were demolished to make room for the 101.

No. 24 's previous occupants included the cabaret Lucky Cheng's (1993-2012) and Club Baths, the first openly gay-owned bathhouse (1971-1983)... and Cave Canem and La Nouvelle Justine in between.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Building that housed Lucky Cheng's on 1st Avenue now on the auction block

• Onetime home of Lucky Cheng's and adjacent property sell for $12 million

• 7-story residential building pending at the former Lucky Cheng's space

• Demolition permits filed to bring down former Lucky Cheng's building on 1st Avenue

• The 411 on the 101 Condominium

The remains of the St. Mark's Market

There has been a lot of activity inside 19-23 St. Mark's Place where workers are pulling the guts out of the former St. Mark's Market here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Steven shared the top photo from yesterday, showing that the remains of the grocery-deli have been carted off.

As noted back on Feb. 13, Teso Life, a Japanese variety store with several NYC locations, is the new tenant in the subterranean space.

St. Mark's Market closed last October after 16 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
St. Mark's Market is dead

Wednesday's parting shot

Shoe gazing on Second Avenue today via Derek Berg...

Special news report from 1967: 'Hippies change scene in East Village'

Updated 2/28: I didn't realize that my blogging friend Alex at the always-excellent Flaming Pablum posted this back in 2018.

In case you haven't seen this (the clip was new to me — thanks Winn!) ... here's 8 minutes of footage from the Associated Press dated Oct. 13, 1967, and titled "Hippies change scene in East Village." (The AP uploaded the clip to YouTube in August 2018.)

It was apparently part of a report (b-roll?) on the scene here — after the Summer of Love caught the attention of the mainstream media.

Unfortunately, there isn't any sound to the clip. At times, you get the idea that some editor told a crew to "drive around the neighborhood and film some hippies!"

You'll recognize several locations, like a glimpse of the Christodora House on Avenue B and some familiar places inside Tompkins Square Park (Temperance Fountain!). There are other shots of storefronts and businesses of local historical significance, such as the East Village Other office when it was still at 147 Avenue A, and the Diggers' Free Store at 264 E. 10th St.

Also, notice how few storefront vacancies there appear to be.

Anyway, enjoy ... watch it with your choice of music as a backdrop...

Sally Beauty coming to 14th Street

Signage is up for Sally Beauty, the new retail tenant coming to 524 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...



This is in one of the retail spaces of the Extell-developed residential complex called EVGB (the East! Village's! Greatest! Building!).

Per the brand's website: "Sally Beauty is the world's largest retailer of salon-quality hair color, hair care, nails, salon, and beauty supplies."

The global chain started with a single shop in New Orleans in 1964.

Sally Beauty will join next-door neighbor Bright Horizons, the nationwide child-care provider.

There's still one more storefront for lease at No. 524. There's also retail space in the other part of this development at 500 E. 14th St., adjacent to where Target opened in EVGB's corner spot at Avenue A in the summer of 2018...



H/T Upper West Sider!

Updated:

EVG reader Brian Carroll shared this photo... showing activity inside the storefront...

Construction watch: 238 E. 3rd St.

Work appears to be moving along at a quick pace here at 238 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

As previously reported, a 7-floor, 20-unit residential building is slated for this property.

We still haven't seen any renderings of the new No. 238. Landlord Vinbaytel Property Development has put up several East Village condos in recent years, including at 227 E. Seventh St., 67 Avenue C and 26 Avenue B.

Workers demolished the previous building on the lot, a two-level structure once owned by the Blue Man Group, early last summer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
7-story residential building planned for former Blue Man Group facilities on 3rd Street

Live look-in at National Pancake Day on IHOP Way

Here's a noontime look at the police barricades lining 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (IHOP Way!) on this National Pancake Day at IHOP.

So free short stacks of pancakes until 7 p.m. New this year: Pancake Day Prizes! Including! Free Pancakes for Life. (Presumably you will need to eat those at an IHOP... and they won't magically appear in your apartment whenever you wanted. Doesn't hurt to ask for clarification, though.)

Thanks to Pinch for the photo!

Crowdfunding campaign launched for fire-damaged Via Della Pace on 7th Street

[Photo by Steven from Feb. 11]

A friend of Via Della Pace owners Giovanni Bartocci and Marco Ventura launched a crowdfunding campaign yesterday to help the restaurant reopen after the three-alarm fire on Feb. 10 severely damaged the space at 48 E. Seventh St. near Second Avenue.

Per the campaign:

We all know how difficult it is to survive in NYC these days, let alone having to deal with such devastation. Giovanni and Marco as well as their amazing team of employees, friends and family, have supported their community for so long. It's time for us to come together and lend a helping hand for them now. Let's help them rebuild!

There's a fundraising goal of $25,000. Find the info here.

Zum Schneider ends its 20-year run tonight on Avenue C

As we first reported in December, Zum Schneider was leaving its home of 20 years on Avenue C and Seventh Street at the end of February.

And we've reached the end: Tonight (Feb. 25) marks the biergarten's finale as it concludes its six-night Karneval Final. The hours are 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. (In case you were going to drop by, the invite says that Karneval costumes are mandatory.)

The landlord, listed as 229 East 7th Street HFDC, reportedly decided not to renew the retail lease.

Zum Schneider opened on Avenue C in August 2000, and soon became a destination for World Cup and Euro Cup matches as well as events such as Karneval and Oktoberfest.

Owner Sylvester Schneider is searching for a new NYC home "with a landlord who appreciates our tenancy." He has already announced that Zum Schneider will host its annual Oktoberfest tent along the East River this fall.



Previously on EV Grieve:
• Last Christmas for Zum Schneider on Avenue C: Biergarten on the move in 2020

• More details about Zum Schneider's February closing date on Avenue C

Someone tagged the steps at the Merchant's House Museum

On Sunday night, someone tagged the stairs at the landmarked Merchant's House Museum on Fourth Street with the word Zealot.

Staff at the Merchant's House posted about the vandalism on Instagram:

The 1832 stoop, urn pedestals, entrance surround, and window sills and lintels are all made of “Tuckahoe marble,” from quarries in the lower Hudson Valley. The marble was nearly pure white in color and considered the finest grade. #shameonyou

The steps have been vandalized before, most recently in 2015.

Merchant's House, between the Bowery and Lafayette, is the only 19-century family home in New York City preserved intact on the inside and out.

The Black 6 Coffee Trading Co. takes up temporary residency on 4th Street

The Black 6 Coffee Trading Co. arrived at 124 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue back on Feb. 10.

The veteran-owned company, which was created to fund the nonprofit organization the Black 6 Project, is currently sharing space with street-food specialists Tac N Roll whose owner, Eric Wong, previously served in the Marine Corps.

This pop-up featuring coffee and a variety of breakfast parathas will be here until July.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tac N Roll (@tacnrollnyc) on Feb 10, 2020 at 6:55am PST

You can read more about the Black 6 Project's efforts to fund humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions at this link.

Monday's parting shot

A moment on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place today via Derek Berg...