Masking the East Village

[La Sirena owner Dina Leor]

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

If you're in the market for a well-made, reusable, nonmedical face mask, then you're in luck. Several East Village shops and artists have a variety of homemade creations available for sale. Here's a look at some of them in honor of World Mask Week:



La Sirena Mexican folk art store, 27 E. Third St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery, is selling handmade masks by Mexican artists, including sugar skull masks designs from the Chiapas region and Lucha Libre wrestling-style masks. You can also shop online for them here.



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Kadette from Pretty Decorating & Upholstering Company sells her handmade masks at a table on Sixth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. You may also email her at skaydette@yahoo.com or call 212.674.1310 to place an order.

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Jane’s Exchange, the secondhand and consignment shop for kids at 191 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, has homemade kids’ masks by Frank New in stock.

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Spark Pretty at 333 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenues carries Laura Texter’s homemade masks, including a popular rainbow design and some colorful and pastel prints.



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Modeling a couple of his designs, East Village-based artist Scooter LaForge offers his decorative, painted custom and bespoke masks via Patricia Field.



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East Village-based costume designer Laura Texter can sometimes be found selling her homemade masks outside Tompkins Square Park or by contacting the artist directly for pickup on St. Mark’s Place.

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East Village Vintage Collective at 545 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B features handmade masks by Frank New and Sara Ann Rutherford available in a range of sizes and patterns, including some NSFW...



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New barricade placement along the Open Streets of Avenue B

[Photo last weekend by Vinny & O]

In an effort to improve access for the FDNY along Avenue B, the
Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition announced new placements of the wooden and metal barricades that help keep the Open Street free for pedestrians and cyclists.



Per their social media posts from yesterday: "Please don’t move them out of these positions. We want #Loisaida Open Streets to continue & we need your help to ensure that!"

Reps for Engine 28/Ladder 11 at 222 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C had previously expressed concern about accessing Avenue B with barriers placed in certain positions. (Not sure how they navigate Avenue B between Second Street and Fourth Street when it is closed for outdoor dining on weekends.)

The local volunteers came together last month to form the coalition, painting and repairing the barriers that are up along the Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The city announced the Open Street plan in late May to help residents safely get some fresh air while social distancing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• New community coalition helping keep Avenue B safe for cyclists and pedestrians

Renovations at the former Provident Loan Society building

Workers recently covered parts of the former Provident Loan Society building with sheets of plywood on the southwest corner of Houston and Essex... as interior renovations picked up ...



This marks a new era for the old (circa 1912) building that has been on redevelopment/demolition watch these past five-plus years.

As you may recall, longtime owners Elsa and Dunnie Lai unveiled plans several years ago — amid neighborhood opposition — to enlarge and convert the property into a 38-unit residential building with a 12-story addition atop the existing bank structure ... remember?



Anyway, those plans never materialized (the DOB did approve the building permits) ... and by July 2018, the building went on the market for $20 million as a "prime development opportunity," as BoweryBoogie reported at the time.

No. 225 never sold, and, according to approved DOB permits from this past January, workers are here for a "general renovation of existing cabaret" with "no change to use, egress or occupancy."

It's not known at the moment what the owners have in store for the under-renovation space. They have not responded to an email asking for details on the building's future.

In the past 25 years, a string of clubs and concepts have come and gone here. The space served as a studio for Jasper Johns in the 1970s.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• New renderings for the luxury building that will hang out over the Mercury Lounge

• Then and now: The Provident Loan Society of New York

Good news if you're done with summer

EVG Fall Holiday Decoration Correspondent Goggla spotted Halloween items out at the Kmart on Astor Place... not to be outdone, the Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street trotted out the Thanksgiving decor...



Look for the Christmas trees by Labor Day.

Report: Psychics seeing an uptick in business

[EVG photo from March]

While all types of businesses have been struggling in recent months, there's apparently one medium that's booming: psychics.

Per the Post:

While storefronts are going bust across the Big Apple due to the coronavirus pandemic, New York’s psychics and fortune-tellers say they are seeing more clients — and making more money — than ever before.

And locally...

New Yorkers who’ve never turned to the occult before are now seeking out some spiritual guidance. East Village psychic Kathleen Lee used to largely serve tourists — but with visitors gone, her newly reopened business has seen more locals desperate to find their way in this "new normal" than ever before.

"In my 30 years I've never had so many clients from the same block or the same neighborhood," she said.

GrowNYC opens a new greenmarket at Astor Place on Tuesdays through November

[Random Astor Place photo]

GrowNYC is teaming up with the Village Alliance for a new Astor Place Greenmarket on Tuesdays — starting today. (Last week's debut was washed out due to Tropical Storm Isaias.)

The market, located on the south plaza at Astor Place (Eighth Street-Lafayette), will continue through Nov. 24. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some info via the EVG inbox:

With a selection of locally-grown vegetables and orchard fruits, baked goods, cider, jams, maple syrup and honey from regional farmers, this Greenmarket is sure to be a community favorite, especially for those residents who were devoted to GrowNYC's previous greenmarket at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery.

GrowNYC's Greenmarkets work to preserve local farmland, while ensuring that New Yorkers across all five boroughs have access to fresh, healthy food grown right here in our region. A central component of Greenmarket’s mission and operations is product integrity: everything sold at market is 100% farmer grown, produced, caught or foraged.

The vendors include:

• Kernan Farms Vegetables from Cumberland County, N.J.
• Remsburger Honey & Maple Honey & maple syrup from Dutchess County, N.Y.
• Wilklow Orchards Orchard and small fruits, vegetables, cider, baked goods and jams from Ulster County, N.Y.

You can find GrowNYC's COVID-19 safety protocols here.

Updated 9 a.m.

EVG correspondent Steven shared these photos from this morning...

The Athenian will not be reopening on 10th Street

The Athenian NYC, the well-liked Greek tapas bar on 10th Street from the team behind the Immigrant, will not be reopening. It had been shut since the COVID-19 PAUSE went into effect this past March.

"There wasn't enough clarity from the state/federal governments on re-opening plans to give us confidence moving forward," owner Jason Corey told me via email. "Although we loved our space and poured our blood and sweat into it (no tears), our lease was coming due and we decided not to renew."

The Athenian debuted in February 2018 at 224 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Before Corey opened the Immigrant Wine Bar on Ninth Street in 2009, he tended bar at Molyvos, a Greek restaurant near Carnegie Hall, and spent time there getting to know and appreciate Greek wines.

Meanwhile, the Immigrant continues on with outdoor dining (and takeout and delivery) on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. And Athenian fans will recognize Chef Max, who's now helping out behind the scenes at the Immigrant.

Monday's parting shot

Photo in Tompkins Square Park today by Derek Berg...

Checking in with Chico

[Photo from 2011 by Single Linds Reflex]

Over the weekend, rumors started circulating that Antonio "Chico" Garcia, the prolific graffiti artist and muralist whose work adorns dozens of walls around the East Village and Lower East Side, had died.

This is absolutely not true.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy spoke with him by phone last night from Florida, his home these past 10-plus years.

The rumors seemed to originate at a group art show on 11th Street Saturday afternoon, where this tribute was on the wall...


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

"I am still alive and kicking. And I am still creating artwork and new paintings," he told Stacie last night. I took a little break [due to COVID-19] but I'm still here [in Florida] and doing well!"

You can see some of his more recent work on his Instagram and YouTube accounts.

Chico, who still has family in the neighborhood where he grew up, returns from time to time for new work and commissions. He hopes to be back in NYC as soon as travel is safer. He also has some ideas about new wall work to give back to the community.

Meanwhile, here's a look at a few of his murals...
















[Lucy, Chico and Ray via Single Linds Reflex]

East Village Loves Queens expands: Meet East Village Loves NYC

East Village Loves Queens continues to expand its operations to serve New Yorkers in need. This past weekend, the local residents who formed the volunteer group announced a new name, East Village Loves NYC, and a broader mission.

Here's part of their message via Instagram:

Four months ago, when this project began, our goal was to provide direct help to Queens, a community hit really bad by the pandemic. We cooked, week after week, and partnered with the amazing @hungrymonknyc to deliver over 30,000 meals to New Yorkers in need. We promised ourselves to continue working and helping our city for as long as we are needed. What we thought would last only a few weeks turned out to be much more than just a temporary project.

Fast forward 15 weeks later, and we are still here, stronger than ever, and now, we’ve got even greater plans for the city we love. Make no mistake, Queens is leaving our name, but not our hearts. Queens will always be part of our DNA, of our history. We will 100% continue helping Queens for as long as we exist!

The idea behind the name change is to show that we are now planning to serve our city as a whole, and not just part of it. Our operation is now larger and with the amazing support of our community, we are dreaming big: dreams of an organization that can lend a helping hand to all communities across the city, whether it is to cook, to paint, or to learn new languages, to play soccer, basketball or to dance together, or simply to be here and listen, when someone needs to share — dreams of a city where togetherness is what matters most.

It’s simple: we want to build bridges.

Friends, we’re EV❤️NYC, and it’s so nice to meet you! We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

This team of East Village volunteers started in late April (as EVG contributor Stacie Joy documented here). Ali Sahin, the owner of C&B Cafe on Seventh Street near Avenue B, donated his space on Mondays for the group to cook its meals for donation ... while there, they were able to prepare up to 800 meals and 100 family-size pantry packs.

By June, they had outgrown the space, and started assembling meals at the Sixth Street Community Center between Avenue B and Avenue C. In addition, the group branched out to supply meals to individuals and families living in the East Village.

And now, they have their sights on NYC.


[Photo from May by Stacie Joy]

Find out more about the group and how to donate at this link. Follow them on Instagram here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• These East Village residents are helping feed families in Queens during the COVID-19 crisis

• East Village volunteers expand their outreach to feed more neighbors in need

Lhasa, the celebrated Tibetan restaurant in Queens, opens an East Village outpost

Lhasa, the celebrated Tibetan restaurant that started with a tiny outpost in Jackson Heights, debuted its East Village location yesterday on the southwest corner of First Avenue and 11th Street. (These photos via Steven are from Friday.)







Here's more about the Jackson Heights spot — first championed by Anthony Bourdain on his show "Parts Unknown" — from Atlas Obscura ... "the Tibetan surprise at the end of a corridor of cell phone shops, a tailoring business, and jewelry stores."

For lovers of momos, Tibetan dumplings filled with pork or beef and heaps of chives or cilantro, Lhasa has been an open secret. ... The decor is sparse, the tableware disposable, but the food is a hearty invitation into Tibetan food culture. Steaming bowls of thenthuk, hand-pulled nubs of noodles swimming in a tomato-chili broth replete with vegetables and beef, are popular, as is shapta, fiery strips of beef fried with mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Bamboo steamers full of momos occupy every table, served with a hot sauce that feels like a call to arms.

Owner-chef Sang Jien Ben grew up in the Tibetan town of Rebkong in what is today Qinghai Province, China, as the Times noted in an enthusiastic write up in 2017. He opened an easier-to-find space in Elmhurst last year called Lhasa Fresh Food.

On First Avenue, Lhasa is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with an 11 p.m. close on weekends.

The previous tenant here, Little Tong, closed after three years in in mid-March. (They did return shortly after for donation-based takeout meals.)

In an Instagram post from March, Simone Tong, Little Tong's chef and owner, cited the coronavirus outbreak as the driving force behind the closure. The Midtown East location remains open. She also opened Silver Apricot to great fanfare in the West Village several weeks ago.

[Updated] SLA suspends Maiden Lane's liquor license; patrons spotted 'with no food other than crackers'

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Updated 9/12:
Maiden Lane had their liquor license reinstated, and they also have new menu offerings.
---

Maiden Lane, the bar-cafe on the northwest corner of Avenue B and 10th Street, is temporarily closed after a visit by State Liquor Authority operatives on Thursday evening...



According to the legal documents affixed to the cafe's door, "patrons were observed sitting in the licensee's sidewalk cafe with no food other than crackers." The paperwork doesn't cite any other infractions.



As we understand it, there wasn't any warning here. The SLA agent made his or her observations Thursday evening and Maiden Lane was ordered to close later on Friday.

---Updated 8/11---

Here's the official allegation via the SLA:

On August 6th, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed the restaurant selling alcohol for consumption on the premises and 'to go' with just a 0.5-ounce package of oyster crackers — in flagrant violation of state requirements that substantial food be served to limit mingling in bars. Investigators documented six customers being served at a walk up bar at an outside window, approximately seventeen patrons drinking on the premises with only crackers, and another patron ordering two margaritas served with straws and no food, who then proceeded to walk across the street and get in a car.

---

Gov. Cuomo's recently enacted mandate directs that bars and restaurants must offer a "substantive" amount of food for patrons sitting outside their establishments ... including bars who previously didn't offer a full menu. Cuomo expounded on what constituted a meal — more than wings! — during a July 23 press conference...

Earlier today, Governor Cuomo said chicken wings are not substantial food for bars to be allowed to sell alcohol. He added that sandwiches were the "lowest level" of substantive food. #Buffalo His comments: pic.twitter.com/zaSXgfEq6S

— Stephen Marth (@StephenMarth) July 23, 2020

As some bar owners have said privately, the SLA agents don't even seem to know what the rules are (is a salad a meal?) ... and the enforcements can be at the capricious whim of the agent.

Even before the COVID-19 PAUSE, Maiden Lane had a European-style food menu that included small plates of spreads and dips served with toast or crackers, salads, sandwiches and retail tinned seafood, which they sell through an advertised Tin Shop.

We reached out to Maiden Lane founder Gareth Maccubbin for further comment.

With reporting by Stacie Joy

A hopeful sign at the future (and former) ABC No Rio on Rivington Street

An EVG reader shares this from Rivington Street, where there's now DOB signage on the plywood outside the future (and former) home of ABC No Rio here between Clinton and Suffolk...



There's now an anticipated completion date of spring 2022 for the new sustainable building to go up at the site of the collectively run arts organization that was founded here in 1980...



Work onsite has yet to begin...



This project has been a long time coming, to say the least. ABC No Rio first unveiled plans for a new building in March 2008. Demolition of the four-story building that was in disrepair started in March 2017 while their programming went into "exile" at other arts organizations around the city.

The last we heard about the project came via a Facebook post from Director Steve Englander in December 2019. He addressed the latest setback at the site: "After excavating additional test pits to confirm existing conditions at one of the adjacent properties, we determined a redesign of our foundation and support of excavation plans was required." (Demolition of the Streit's Matzo Factory next door and the subsequent construction of the new condoplex on the site complicated ABC No Rio's plans.)

He also stated: "We know that progress with the new building has seemed slow, but please be assured, we are moving forward. It's been tough and we're glad that you’ve had our back."

You can read more about the new building and check out the renderings for the environmentally friendly structure at the ABC No Rio website.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• At ABC No Rio's last HardCore/Punk Matinee on Rivington Street (for now)

Zero Irving getting closer to the top; first sign of the glassy exterior

Workers have reached the 18th floor here at Zero Irving (aka tech hub) on 14th Street. When completed, the building at Irving Place will feature 21 floors...



Also! The first section of the large glass curtain wall on the north-facing front is now in place...



In other recent news here, food-hall specialists Urban­Space officially signed the lease for 10,000 square feet on the ground level.

Per the Post on Friday:

The new Urbanspace, the fifth in Manhattan, will differ from the others in having interactive online ordering in addition to traditional "curated" food stands. It is set to open in the first or second quarter of 2021.

And of arriving in what will likely be a difficult food-retail environment? "We have the ideal business model to help the New York culinary world recover," Urbanspace founder and president Eldon Scott told the Post without offering specifics.

The building, developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL Development Services, will feature 14 floors of market-rate office space as well as "a technology training center and incubator, co-working spaces and state-of-the-art event space ... on the seven floors beneath," per the Zero Irving announcement issued last October.

The new building — long contested by local preservationists and community groups (see links below) — sits on the former site of a P.C. Richard & Son on city-owned property.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

• Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

• City Council unanimously approves tech hub; some disappointment in lack of zoning protections

• The conversation continues on the now-approved tech hub for 14th Street

• P.C. Richard is gone on 14th Street; preservationists want answers about tech-hub commitments