The East Village photography of Martin Mahoney

Earlier this year, East Village-based photographer Martin Mahoney invited me to his upcoming group show at Westbeth Gallery, which was to take place March 19 to April 19.

Given the COVID-19 crisis, Westbeth cancelled the show.

Mahoney had planned to show a selection of his photographs. I asked him if I could share some of his work here (find more at his Instagram account) ...



Mahoney moved to the East Village in 1985 from Wexford Town in Ireland.

"While I’ve always had an interest in photography, I’ve lost many pictures of the old neighborhood and it’s characters and regret not taking more of the rapidly disappearing buildings and people who are being replaced with soulless glass boxes," he told me. "So I decided about two years ago to try to capture the essence of what is left of the old neighborhood and preserve it as best I can before it’s lost forever."











... and here's a selection of his black-and-white shots ....

Odessa is back open for takeout and delivery

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Like me, maybe you panicked a bit when you saw that the Odessa Restaurant at 119 Avenue A was closed in recent days.

Luckily, it was only a temporary staffing issue and longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos says they hope to stay open as long as they can get delivery people in. The affordable diner is down to one delivery person, with new hires starting soon.



Dennis says they’re going to take things day by day and hope to stay open. Hours now are 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. until 5 a.m. weekends, but he cautions some days they might not open until 5 p.m., so call first.



"Times are difficult, and uncertainty is part of our lives. People are afraid. I hope everything works out and we are all healthy," he says before showing me a fresh Boston cream pie, available for $5 a slice.



Previously on EV Grieve:
A Visit to Odessa Restaurant

East Village Organic now closed until April 10

[Photos by Steven]

Last Friday, we noted that East Village Organic was closing for the next week on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Unfortunately for EVO fans, the closure has been extended for another week, as the sign outside the market notes.



Here's their message via Instagram last evening:

View this post on Instagram

We love you each. We arent ready to come back yet. Please support any small businesses that are still opperating this time, and show kindness and compassion for the employees of the larger grocery stores that we are all depending on right now. Edit: the EVO fam is healthy. No worries there. #stayhome

A post shared by East Village Organic (@eastvillageorganic) on Apr 2, 2020 at 6:56pm PDT

Sauce Pizzeria deliver free pies to hospital workers; landlord chips in and freezes rent

[EVG file photo]

The crew at Sauce Pizzeria, 345 E. 12th St., has been making and delivering up to 400 pizzas at no charge for hospital workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

Owner Adam Elzer said he got the idea after hearing from a nurse who said she and her fellow workers didn't have time to eat, as NBC New York reported.

When Elzer's landlord discovered that they've been delivering to 40 different hospitals in all five boroughs, he reportedly offered to help.

Per NBC New York:

"I saw what Adam was doing on social media honestly and when we noticed what he was doing it was very clear that we needed to help him," said Ben Kraus of A&E Real Estate Management. The group also donated more than $20,000 to help Adam get more pizzas to more medical workers.

Sauce opened here between First Avenue and Second Avenue in September 2018.

Updated 3:45 p.m.

A few people asked when Sauce is open for takeout-delivery. The answer! 5-10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Whole pies only...


[Photo by Lola Saénz]

---

The pizzeria isn't the only local restaurant helping out. Frank Prisinzano, the owner of Supper, Frank and Lil' Frankies, and his team have been delivering meals to local hospitals.

Ho Foods, Kura and 886 teamed up to donate and provide meals for hospital workers. Their goal is 2,000 bentos by the end of this week.

Previously on EV Grieve:
San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals

B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance

Layoffs have, unfortunately, been commonplace in the battered NYC restaurant industry in recent weeks as restaurants and bars were ordered to close except for takeout or delivery during the COVID-19 crisis.

For example, Danny Meter's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), one of the city’s most prominent restaurant companies with 20 eateries, laid off a reported 2,000 employees. (Meyer did announce that he was forgoing his compensation and donating it to a relief fund for all USHG employees.)

Countless other restaurants have followed suit with layoffs. Last Thursday, employees of the B Bar & Grill on the Bowery at Fourth Street learned that they had been terminated, effectively immediately. There wasn't any extension of benefits or offer of severance pay.

One of the now-unemployed B Bar staffers shared the letter sent to employees, and signed by owner Eric Goode, that provides insights into how some of the city's restaurant staffers have been blindsided by layoffs in recent weeks ...


[Click to go big]

The letter reads in part:

This unquestionably is the most difficult time in all our lives. The severity of this crisis has put our business and community in an uncharted territory. We regret that this action is necessary and hope that this layoff will be temporary. While we do not know how long this layoff will last, we hope and expect it will be less than six months. You will be provided with COBRA information under separate cover (if you had insurance through garden café associates). Please note that your compensation and benefits from the Company shall cease as of the Layoff Date, March 26, 2020.

And...

The suspension of operations has had a direct and immediate impact on our B Bar family. With most our staff currently without jobs, we plan to do what many in the hospitality industry are already doing and take immediate action with an appeal to our communities to help raise funds that will help our staff in the interim. More information to follow.

Per the former employee:

Eric Goode responded to employee pleas for two weeks paid leave with very little - some directions about how to apply for unemployment and a "yours truly" sign off. This termination without pay was sudden and decisive, leaving many of the staff left with nothing to feed their families. Many of these staff members have worked at 20-plus years. Mr. Goode is currently living on his multimillion dollar ranch in California.

Goode has been enjoying positive press in recent weeks for his role as the co-director and co-writer (along with Rebecca Chaiklin) of "Tiger King," the hit docuseries that recently debuted on Netflix.

Meanwhile, as reported last fall, CB Developers paid $59.5 million for a stake in 358 Bowery — the home of the B Bar & Grill since 1994. Goode, who owns a handful of hotels including the Bowery Hotel, has been assembling air rights to build a larger project on this corner space.

According to the ex-employee: "We're closing for good in August. They said they were going to let us know two-three months in advance before the final closing date, however."

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development

Thursday's parting shot

Along Second Avenue today via Derek Berg...

Coronavirus Urban Etiquette Sign of the day

Spotted on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue by William Klayer.

Signs telling people not to discard their disposable gloves (or masks) are needed. EVG correspondent Steven spotted these late yesterday afternoon on one block — the west side of First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

A visit to High Vibe on 3rd Street

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Editor's note: The interview and visit took place on March 4.

When I arrive to interview Dagger (officially Robert “Bobby” Dagger), owner of the health/natural foods and goods store High Vibe, he and his son Jude are inside creating and playing music together.



After learning more about the guitar Dagger made (it’s a beauty), we take a tour of the shop, where he points out some immunity-boosting supplements, favorite crystals (which he calls rocks), ethically sourced foods and products as well as essential oils.

He tells me the store, located at 138 E. Third St. Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, is not only for raw foodies, vegans and vegetarians, it’s also for everyone.



Can you speak a bit about the history of High Vibe?

High Vibe started in 1993 not as a plan — we saw a need for pure information about raw foods and dietary fasting and cleansing to help heal our bodies from the inside, and to take control of our own health.

You started in a basement space on Third Street next to the Hell’s Angels, and eventually relocated to this storefront in 2003. Did you ever consider moving into a different neighborhood?

I started in a basement space that was my photo, music, jewelry and creative space. I used to make belt buckles, and one of the Angels when he was still alive made the leather belts. I eventually relocated to this storefront.

I have thought of opening in other neighborhoods but I am a Lower East Side/East Village lover. So I will, as long as I can, be part of my community here! It is the best spot in NYC.







You are a musician and a musical-instrument creator, as well as a jewelry-maker. When did you envision becoming a business owner?

As a freelance artist/photographer/musician/jeweler/luthier I’ve always been a part businessperson. As for having an actual retail business I never thought about it and it took over naturally and I am so blessed I let it take me to where we are now.





Why does High Vibe often look like a plant shop from the outside?

I love plants! I actually have had way too many and as I am not a great businessperson per se and treat High Vibe as if it’s my home. I have the plants, objects, crystals, and guitars around so I can enjoy the days we have here and hopefully it transcends to our friends and clients.

As a kid, I was also obsessed with plants and think they are needed to help heal the world. So it’s been a life-long obsession. My retirement job will probably be creating and designing indoor and outdoor plant spaces that can feed and beautify. Plants and music are my joy and comfort and healing. Long live the sound and beauty of the Earth, especially in these changing times.

What items have remained perennially popular through the years? What’s your favorite?

Our popular items have always been our own amazing products, which I designed. “Shine” for one, as it is for hair, skin, nails and overall immunity. Our dried fruits, nuts, and seeds are so great. My personal favorites are our dates, nut butters and all our algae products.



How were you personally able to stick with a raw-food lifestyle through the years? What do you recommend for those interested in a plant-based diet?

I was totally raw in the 1990s and early 2000s and then went to a more balanced diet. We encourage people to go toward simple diets, not just plant-based diets.

How have you seen the neighborhood change during your time here — for better or worse?

I have been in the ’hood on Ludlow Street and on Third Street since 1980, so it has changed a lot. Some for the better — Tompkins Square Park is now great; and some for the worse, as storefronts are just too expensive for local shops to be here.

What’s next for High Vibe?

We will be continuing the work we do here and maybe open a whole new concept that will incorporate less plastic and waste and a spot where I can have a stage where we can have more music played all the time. We shall see.


[High Vibe employee Erika Barrett]


[Jude and Dagger]

High Vibe is considered an essential service during the COVID-19 outbreak and plans to remain open. Hours are every day from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. You can keep up with the shop on Instagram here.

Tompkins Square Library launches online programming this week

The Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street, currently closed during the COVID-19 crisis, is launching some online programming starting today.

In the weeks ahead, the library will be offering sessions for kids and adults, from book discussions to guitar lessons to yoga sessions via the video conferencing Zoom platform. (You can set up a free account on your computer or smartphone.)

Upcoming programs include:

Thursday, April 2, 6-6:40 p.m.: Book Discussion Group. This is our regularly scheduled monthly discussion, and we will be talking about "In West Mills" by De'Shawn Charles Winslow.
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/329408695.
Meeting ID: 329 408 695.

Monday, April 6, 1-1:40 p.m.: Short Story Discussion Group. We will be reading Edith Wharton's short story, "The Other Two." You can read it for free online by clicking the link.
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/261814141.
Meeting ID: 261 814 141.

Tuesday, April 7, 6-6:40 p.m.: Vinyasa Warrior Yoga. Out longtime yoga teacher, Maggie Frey, has kindly volunteered to lead a class from home! Open to all levels. No experience required.
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/193598517.
Meeting ID: 193 598 517.

Keep this in mind, per branch manager Corinne Neary: "This is very new to us, so we might experience some growing pains as we learn."

Visit the branch's website here for more programs.

Meanwhile, the NYPL's main website has a lot of resources to explore, such as their historical NYC postcards collection and maps.

On Avenue B, Ben's Deli is closing for now; first time in 45 years

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Ben (Ben Gibran, owner of Ben’s Deli at 32 Avenue B near Third Street) greets me at the door of the shop telling me the bad news.

"For 45 years we’ve been on Avenue B and we’ve never closed the store. Ever. Not after 9/11, not after Superstorm Sandy," he says. "But this, this virus is a new thing. Nobody knows what will happen. Every day more places close. My wife, my kids, all worried. I have grandbabies at the house. No one can get sick."

It’s a matter of days, Ben says, before he’ll shutter the store.

For how long? "I don’t know," he says, "maybe a month, maybe two? We will look at it day-to-day."



Ben’s son Haas tells me there’s still a good supply of bleach, which a lot of people have been looking for, and notes that beer has been selling well since the start of the pandemic shutdown.

They both hope people will come get some supplies (they’d like to sell all their perishable dairy supplies ASAP) before the upcoming closure and that everyone remains safe and healthy, so they can see their customers again when the reopen.

Wednesday's parting shot

A thank you to the mail carriers... as seen on Seventh Street by Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C...

Noted

An EVG reader shared this "visitation paradox" from the lobby of a residential building on 12th Street... likely from the Department of the Landlord Department.

This is a list of laundromats and dry cleaners still open in the East Village

Several laundromats/dry cleaners have temporarily closed in recent days in the neighborhood, prompting this inventory of places that remain open.

Some places didn't have their hours posted. Some places had their hours listed, but then closed earlier than stated. Some places were open one day, then not the next. So all hours are subject to change. It's best to CALL AHEAD before lugging your laundry to any place on the list.

Here's the in-progress list in alphabetical order (with thanks to Stacie Joy and Steven for scouting help) ...

OPEN

• Alice Dry Cleaners, 74 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. (212) 673-7434. Posted hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Best Cleaners on A, 99 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (929) 364-9093.

• Bubbles N Go Laundromat, 173 E. Second St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (212) 677-8777. Posted hours: 8 a.m to 8 p.m.; last wash at 6 p.m.

• Choice Cleaners, 24 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street. Google lists them as open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Cosmo's Launderama, 142 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. (646) 602-2557. Self-serve laundry only for now. And they are closed Thursdays and Fridays, open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The Cosmo's at 121 First Ave. closed for several days. The gate was still down on Monday.)



• First Avenue Laundry Center, 33 First Ave. at Second Street.

• Gentle Wash Laundromat, 97 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (212) 673-6886. Posted hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drop-off service and self-wash for now.

• J J Cleaners & Laundromat, 339 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (212) 475-9081. Posted hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop-off service and self-wash for now.

• K & W Best Dry Cleaner & Laundry, 229 E. 11th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (646) 918-7135.

• Kapri Cleaners, 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (212) 420-8853.

• Laundry to You, 34 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. (212) 979-6595. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drop-off service.

• Lavanderia, 108 Stanton St. near Ludlow Street. (212) 228-2423. Posted hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last wash 3 p.m.

• Load Laundromat, 602 E. 14th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. (917) 265-8226.

• Lois Cleaners, 45 Third Ave. at 10th Street. (212) 995-1684.

• Mango Dry Cleaners, 514 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (917) 535-5137.

• Mike's Dry Cleaners & Tailors, 62 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. (212) 674-1957. Posted hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-off service plus dry cleaning and tailoring.

• New Phoenix Laundromat, 199 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street (212) 677-1690. [They were closed on March 31, but back open now.]



• Quality Plus Dry Cleaners, 200 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. (212) 358-8838. Posted hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday for dry cleaning and drop-off laundry service.

• Sew Good Cleaners, 337 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (212) 777-8441. Open for drop off on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunrise Cleaners, 66 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Only open two days a week — Monday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for dry cleaning and drop-off laundry service.

• Up Cleaners & Drop Off Laundry, 185 Avenue C near 12th Street. (212) 677-7982.



• [Updated April 9: Closed until April 18] Wash 'N Clean On 14, 540 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (646) 654-6774. Posted hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last wash at 3 p.m. (They are also closed on Thursdays.)

• Wash Rite Laundromat, 112 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (212) 598-1800. Posted hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for drop-off service only.

CLOSED

• AAA Cleaners, 216 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street

• C & C Dry Cleaning & Alteration (aka Amy's), 178 E. Seventh St. near Avenue B

• Chris French Cleaners, 57 Fourth Ave. at Ninth Street

• G & M Laundromat, 336 E. 13th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue

• Here to Clean, 124 Avenue C at Eighth Street. Open from 7 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday.


[La La Laundry photo by Steven]

• La La Laundry, 180 Avenue B at 11th Street. They closed yesterday until April 13.

• Lin's Laundromat, 194 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street

• Lucky 999 Laundromat, 55 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. Closed as of April 1.

• Michelle Cleaner, 169 Avenue C between 10th Street and 11th Street.

• Pinnacle Cleaners, 299 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue

• Quick Coin Ave B Laundromat, 46 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street

• Quick Coin One Laundromat, 175 First Ave. at 11th Street

• 69 Avenue C Laundromat at Fifth Street

• Supreme Laundromat, 96 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street

• Tenth Street Laundromat, 286 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Undated sign says they'll be closed for another week.

• Up & Up Laundromat, 13 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street

• Zip Laundry Center, 164 Stanton St. between Clinton and Suffolk

NOT VERIFIED YET

• Yang Tze River Laundromat, 324 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D

Construction next door causes Rossy's Bakery & Café to temporarily close on 3rd Street

As if the current health crisis hasn't bludgeoned the restaurant business enough already, Rossy's Bakery & Café, which had been open for take-out service, was forced to close yesterday due to the ongoing construction next door.

A 7-floor, 20-unit residential building is slated for 238 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C — directly next door to neighborhood favorite Rossy's.

Although Gov. Cuomo halted all non-essential construction back on Friday, the damage to Rossy's kitchen from the site next door had apparently been done.

Rossy shared the news yesterday via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Norma Rossy (@rossysbakery) on Mar 31, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery temporarily closes

[Photo from August by Stacie Joy]

In case a knish was in your near future. Neighborhood institution Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery, 137 E. Houston St. at Forsyth, is now closed for at least the next week amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Here's part of their message via Instagram yesterday:

Due to concern of possible exposure for our wonderful employees, Yonah Schimmel will be closed from now through Passover, which starts next Wednesday evening. We'll post again when we know our exact reopening date.

In addition, we will not be filling any Goldbelly orders until we reopen. We're very sorry but we have to put the health and well being of everyone first.

Please be safe, follow social spacing suggestions and together we'll get through this unbelievable time as best we can.