Press pause: Gov. Cuomo says all non-essential workers must stay home

As you have likely heard, Gov. Cuomo today ordered a statewide stay-at-home directive that will shut down most of the state, including New York City, during the coronavirus pandemic.

The restrictions take effect Sunday night at 8. Per Cuomo's office:

New York State on PAUSE: In New York we know that Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone
Governor Cuomo will sign an Executive Order mandating that 100% of the workforce must stay home, excluding essential services.

Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, health-care providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.

Enacting Matilda’s Law to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems
Remain indoors
• Can go outside for solitary exercise
• Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
• Wear a mask in the company of others
• Stay at least 6 feet from others
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m.

The Governor's office did not provide a projected timeline for how long this stay-at-home directive will last.

Meanwhile, because several EVG readers have already asked: LIQUOR STORES HAVE BEEN DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND MAY REMAIN OPEN.

This info. comes from the suddenly loved New York State Liquor Store Association. (Thanks David for this link!)

Materials needed for mask-making at Mary O's on Avenue A

Friends and family of Mary O's, the pub at 32 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street, are making masks to donate to people who may want or need them. They are asking for any donations of 100-percent cotton clothing or material (unused) ... you can drop the materials at the bar.

San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Earlier this week, several thoughtful people in the neighborhood ordered food from San Loco to be delivered to the workers at two local hospitals.

I tagged along with San Loco owners Jill and Kimo Hing as they — and their team — created, packaged and delivered hot lunches on Tuesday to two area hospitals, including Beth Israel’s emergency room.













The staff at both hospitals — on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak — were clearly tired and stressed, though grateful for the meals. I could see firsthand the conditions today and having the gift of food delivered was appreciated.





San Loco has set up these grab-n-go burrito grande meal packages (beef, chicken, pork, tofu, roasted veggie or rice and beans) along with a side of guacamole and chips and can do the same if you’d like to order food for some local first responders, hospital staff or nursing home/senior center employees.

To purchase meals, please call San Loco at its Stanton Street location at 212-253-7580 or email via this contact.

San Loco's Avenue C location is currently closed, but the outpost at 111 Stanton St. is open for takeout and delivery.

The 1st Avenue fruit cart has departed

The fruit-vegetable vendors here on First Avenue and Sixth Street outside Village View packed up and left last night. (H/T Janet!)

Noticed yesterday afternoon that they had an ample supply of produce. Were people just not buying any?

These East Village institutions are now currently closed

After a to-go sandwich service on St. Patrick's Day, McSorley's is now closed over at 15 E. Seventh St. for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak ...



Meanwhile, Veselka, 144 Second Ave. at Ninth Street, decided to shut down operations starting yesterday. Here's part of their Instagram post:

Veselka has closed indefinitely. That was not a fun decision to make, but it was an easy one. The safety of our staff and customers comes first.

Rest assured that we’ll be back! We may be suspending operations before some other places, but we’ll start boiling the borscht as soon as the scientists and regulators give us the all-clear.

And B&H, 127 Second Ave., is also closed now. Tuesday was their last day, in which they were giving out some menu items.

Their future seems less clear, and there is now a crowdfunding campaign in place to help them in the interim.

Street signs of the times

On the Bowery at East Houston, and several other NYC intersections: "Stay In, Sane." As in: Stay In. Stay Sane. (Not to blogsplain or anything...

Via @plannedalism

Thursday's parting shot

Photo from Union Square via jdx ...

It won't be a self-quarantine Christmas after all

Today, the first day of spring, on Avenue A...

Checking in on Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery

EVG regular Lola Saénz reports that Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery is up and running at 215 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Pompeyo and company are making their Mexican food (to go) ... the small shop also has other grocery items (beer! milk! rice!)



For now, the shop is open from 9 a.m. to late evening.

The return of Grant Shaffer's NY See

After a brief hiatus, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's NY See — an observational sketch diary — is back.

Working 9 to 5 at East Village Organic

[Photo by Steven]

So you know the hours for Whole Foods. (See previous post.)

Meanwhile, East Village Organic, 124 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whole Foods allows customers 60 and over to shop an hour before the general public

Whole Foods Market has adjusted its hours of operation and set aside a special time for seniors to shop so they're less exposed to the coronavirus, per a company statement.

All Whole Foods stores are allowing customers 60 and older to shop for an hour before opening to the general public.

“We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment,” Whole Foods said in a statement.

At the Whole Foods Bowery, 60-and-over shoppers can start at 7 a.m. (ditto for the Union Square outpost, which has the same 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours)...



Thanks to Mercedes Sanchez for these photos!

Daily bread at C&B Cafe

C&B Cafe, 178 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is one of the many local businesses who had to dramatically adjust its method of operation in recent days. For now, the cafe, which opened in January 2015, is able to offer sandwiches for takeout.

Chef-owner Ali Sahin has also been busy making 4-pound loaves of sourdough that take three days to prepare.

He discusses it in an Instagram post:

I have been baking bread in the cafe for almost 4 years. Some days bread would come out perfect but for the most part it was inconsistent and I didn’t care as much. Funny enough last 2 weeks my bread is coming out perfect. So I have been baking bread everyday. Bread is holy where I come from. I was thought a wasted crumb is a big sin.

So don’t waste a crumb of it and share it with others. I was told that if my bread rises so would my house. And my house did rise to be a successful cafe. Starting from [March 19], I am shrinking my menu to sandwiches only. I will keep baking bread as long as I have flour so you can keep ordering sourdough if you need bread at home.

C&B will be closed on Friday, so Ali can "go visit city offices to find out what kind of relief they are offering to small business." You can order bread by stopping by or sending a DM via Instagram.

A heartbreaking look at temporarily closed East Village businesses

[Photo by Paul Gale]

On Monday, Mayor de Blasio announced that restaurants, bars and cafes will only be allowed to serve only takeout and delivery. A good number of East Villages restaurants are continuing to operate (find our list here) ... while some bars have gotten creative.

Other bars and restaurants decided to close up for the duration. Here's a look several East Village businesses now on hiatus during the coronavirus outbreak...


[Photo by Vinny & O]


[Photo by Steven]




[Photo by Pinch]

911 calls in the coronavirus era

Reported at the McDonald's on 14th Street near First Avenue via the Citizen app.

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo on Avenue A by Grant Shaffer...

EVG on Twitter

2 examples of East Village bars trying to make it work: Horseshoe Bar/7B on 7th & B and Big Lee’s Hard Swallow at 140 1st Ave. offering a to-go option (with snacks). pic.twitter.com/V7IasWCQvo

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) March 18, 2020

In the weeks ahead I'll also be posting more to Twitter... in case you are on Twitter...

Spot check at the Associated on Ave. C & 8th St. this a.m. A big order of fresh produce was in. A little spotty on a few items (like a few brands of oatmeal). Bread was picked over as was the paper towels & TP. Overall, plenty of items on the shelves though. pic.twitter.com/zU7gDxyZ20

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) March 18, 2020

Loews Village 7 likely closed for 6-12 weeks

The Loews Village 7 on Third Avenue at 11th Street is likely out of commission for up to 12 weeks.

AMC, the country's largest theater chain, made the announcement yesterday.

All AMC locations in the United States will close for at least six to 12 weeks, in compliance with local, state and federal directives, and as a precaution to help ensure the health and safety of moviegoers and theatre staff. AMC will continue to monitor the situation closely, and the Company will remain flexible on reopening, in accordance with CDC recommendations and governmental directives.

No word on the status of AMC employees during that time.

And how long will that stories-high ad for Dave Bautista vehicle "My Spy" remain up...?


[Photos from a few weeks ago]

These 2 East Village mainstays are open for now

• Russo's Mozzarella & Pasta, 344 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue (checking on the hours)

• East Village Meat Market, 139 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Morning messages

Photo from along the FDR and East River Park via Vinny & O...