Tuesday, November 24, 2020
A break in at B&H Dairy
Someone smashed a hole in the front door and broke into the 82-year-old lunch counter around 3 a.m. at 127 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
The thief (or thieves) made off with the cash drawer.
Owners Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed outlined their struggles here at the end of the summer. They're currently relying on pick ups and delivery ... as well as a few outdoor seats ... to stay in business during the pandemic.
They had to cover paying employees, rent, utilities, and buying food for the restaurant on only 10 percent of their previous income.
On May 30 someone smashed in their front window during a spate of vandalism along Second Avenue.
B&H was able to open today at 11:30 after the police made a report...
Thanks to Steven for the photos!
With gas shut off, Tompkins Square Bagels owner wonders why the city isn't helping small businesses during pandemic
On Nov. 13, we told you that ConEd shut off the gas at the Avenue A location of Tompkins Square Bagels.
At the time, a carbon monoxide sensor went off related to the storefront's hot water heater. Workers discovered a hole in the flue that brings in replacement air. Because of the hole, replacement air wasn't getting into the basement, thus the high carbon monoxide reading, owner Christopher Pugliese said.
Regardless of the find and fix, ConEd still turned off the gas to the storefront at 165 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.
To keep the popular shop running, Pugliese, who helped feed the homeless and essential front-line workers during the pandemic's worst days in the spring, spent $7,000 to buy three electric grills and have three 220-volt power lines installed so his team could cook.
Pugliese provided an update.
It has been an incredible struggle to keep the doors open at the Avenue A location. We are basically working around the clock at [the Second Avenue location] to feed Avenue A. My staff, guys who have been fighting and pushing with me since April, are absolutely shot.
The cost of running an entire store on electricity as opposed to gas is also extremely costly. I'm not sure how much longer we can keep this up. At the same time, I have 15 full-timers and 10 part-timers who depend on their jobs to feed their families, pay rent or get through school.
There is no end in sight and this is all extremely frustrating especially since the original issue was not gas related. Somehow, I've still had to file permits with the DOB, amendments with the DOB, and apply for gas with ConEd as if I were a brand new operation. I've heard stories of similar issues from other shop owners who waited months or even a year to have their gas restored.
It makes no sense and seems incredibly unjust. Small businesses who have already jumped through the hoops and paid filing fees shouldn't be forced to start from scratch when a gas issue arises. Further, I believe we should be given some sort of expedited preference as our livelihood, and the livelihood of our employees depend on keeping the doors open.
Pugliese is hopeful that a local elected official or community group will help advocate for small businesses like Tompkins Square Bagels and others in similar situations. (Pangea on Second Avenue is said to also be having gas issues with ConEd.)
At the very least, in their own self-interest, the city should be wise enough to help the few small businesses left who are still creating jobs, paying sales, state and other taxes, and keeping neighborhoods vibrant and alive. It almost seems like they don't want us around and I just don't get any of it.I'm hoping someone out there with enough power might be interested ... to help us, and make it so others don't have to go through the same ordeal. I know I'm one of the lucky ones. Many were not able to recover and lost their businesses. It has to stop.
A good hair day: Investors pitch in to save Astor Place Hairstylists from closure
A group of wealthy investors has come together to save the Astor Place Hairstylists. The nearly 75-year-old NYC institution was set to close this week after business dropped by 90 percent during the pandemic.
However, as the Post reports, enough money has been raised to keep the subterranean barber shop "open for at least another 75 years."
Financier Jonathan Trichter and a group that includes Mike Bloomberg adviser and former Hillary Clinton aide Howard Wolfson, pollster Jefrey Pollock and gaming mogul Jeff Gural put in the money to keep the business afloat. (PIX 11 reported that the current owners are leaving; that "some of the new owners are clients, as well, keeping things in the family.")
Trichter said that he has been a customer since 1983. Gural owns the building at Astor Place and Broadway, and waived the rent for the time being.
Gural told the Post that both Trichter and Mayor de Blasio separately reached out to him to see if he could help stop the store’s shut-down — and it was a no-brainer for him."Nobody wanted to see it closed," Gural said. “They’ve been a great tenant."
Today is the last greenmarket at Astor Place this season
The Astor Place Greenmarket wraps up its inaugural year today... the market, done in conjunction between GrowNYC and the Village Alliance, arrived back in August on the south plaza at Astor Place (Eighth Street-Lafayette).
The hours today: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
By all accounts, people seemed to like this greenmarket, especially among the residents who miss the greenmarket at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery. That 26-year-old market did not return after the 2016 season.
Photo from August by Steven
It's virtual gala time for the Cooper Square Committee
Like many organizations, there's a budget shortfall this year ... along with a greater demand to help tenants, seniors and small-business owners who are struggling with rents and other issues during the pandemic.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Reader reports: Package theft season is upon us
We're hearing from several readers about a rash of package thefts of late — even with more people working from home and being there for a delivery.
For instance, someone placed the above flyers along Avenue B showing a video-surveillance pic of an alleged thief residents say is "looting delivery packages" at several EV buildings.
One reader shares the text of a flyer from a building along Seventh Street:
I had 2 Amazon boxes opened and contents stolen yesterday. (In fact, all boxes in the lobby were opened, some with unwanted contents left on top of the boxes.)
My Amazon delivery notice stated, "Your package was delivered. It was handed directly to a resident." (Never seen that on a delivery notice.) That "resident" was not me. I never even spoke to Amazon.
So either we have a thief in the building or, more likely, some fool buzzed in someone they did not know, who stole our stuff.
Whoever stole the contents of these packages opened them in the lobby. Did no one hear?
Please watch out for your neighbors. If you are feeling particularly kind, consider dropping the package at their door on the way up to your apt.
Otherwise, only buzz in people you know.
Groups petition city officials to protect NYC's community gardens
On Nov. 18, the New York City Community Garden Coalition, environmental law organization Earthjustice, and 52 allied groups submitted "From the Ground Up: A Petition to Protect New York City’s Community Gardens," which urges New York City government agencies to provide greater legal protections to community gardens, including the several dozen in the East Village.
Here's more about the campaign via the EVG inbox...
Here's more about the campaign via the EVG inbox...
To preserve and protect community gardens, Petitioners are requesting that New York City agencies designate City-owned community gardens as Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs) under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Currently, there is only one CEA in New York City: Jamaica Bay in Queens.
CEA designation will help to ensure that projects and activities likely to affect community gardens are subject to consistent and rigorous environmental review that accounts for their exceptional characteristics and provides ample opportunities for public participation. CEA designation of community gardens represents a significant step toward recognizing and preserving community gardens as critical parts of the City's landscape.
Equally important, by designating gardens as CEAs, the City would acknowledge community gardeners as stewards of sustainability and resilience and ensure that they have a meaningful — and necessary — voice in any future decision-making processes that could affect community gardens.
The Petition makes the following three legal requests:
- First, City agencies with jurisdiction over 40 community gardens identified in the Petition designate those City-owned gardens as CEAs under SEQRA within six months following the submission of the Petition, or by May 18, 2021;
- Second, Within 12 months following the submission of the Petition, or by Nov. 18, 2021, the Department of Parks and Recreation's GreenThumb Program conduct an assessment of all remaining community gardens on City-owned land and confirm, in consultation with community gardeners, that these gardens meet the regulatory criteria for CEA designation; and
- Third, Within 12 months following the submission of the Petition, or by Nov. 18, 2021, City agencies designate as CEAs all gardens within their respective jurisdictions that meet the regulatory criteria for CEA designation, based on GreenThumb's assessment, in consultation and coordination with community gardeners.
Last year, community gardens on city-owned land were in danger of closing or relocating due to the ongoing dispute over the licensing agreement from the department's GreenThumb program.
Photo from the Sixth Street and Avenue B Community Garden
Toy story: The March Hare debuts today on 9th Street
This is the toy shop that we told you about last month... they will be carrying on the legacy for Dinosaur Hill down the block.
Dinosaur Hill owner Pamela Pier is retiring after 37 years, with the store closing at the end of November as we first reported here. Veselka plans to expand into the adjacent Dinosaur Hill space in the future.
Current Dinosuar Hill employee Karen McDermott and her husband, Jason McGroarty, are running the the March Hare — with Pier on board as consultant.
Per the shop's Instagram account, they will carry "Puppets, Marionettes, Board Games, Puzzles, Stuffed Toys and More!"
The March Hare is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. And the phone: (646) 422-7747
Updated 4 p.m.
Steven shared some photos from inside the shop today...
Here then, the full reveal at the explosion site condoplex
As reported previously, the building sits on two of the three lots destroyed during the deadly gas explosion here on March 26, 2015.
Sales commenced back in the summer for the units in the Morris Adjmi-designed building. Prices range from $1.35 million for a one-bedroomer and $1.995 million to $4 million for two and three bedrooms ... with the penthouse asking more than $8 million.
The Blind Pig's conversion into Coyote Ugly continues
Renovations (painting, etc.) continues inside the retail space at 233 E. 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... where the address will one day be the new NYC home of Coyote Ugly.
While there isn't any Coyote Ugly signage up just yet, CEO and founder Lil Lovell tweeted a video clip from inside the former Blind Pig last month, noting it was time "to get working."
As we first reported on Sept. 15, Coyote Ugly permanently closed its home of 27 years at 153 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.
In announcing the closure, Lovell had this to say in a video clip: "After sitting closed for six months due to COVID restrictions, we simply can't afford to pay the rent." This was the very first of the Coyote Ugly saloons — featuring bartop dancing and body shots. There are now more than two-dozen global outposts.
The Blind Pig, the sports bar/pub (home to Arsenal supporters in the English Premier League), closed after service in June 2019. At the time, the owners of the 13-year-old Blind Pig said they were hit with an untenable 50-percent rent increase.
That fake McDonald's sign is no longer on the Zum Schneider space
Anyway, so we'll see what might be next for real here. Zum Schneider, the popular biergarten and restaurant, closed here after 20 years in late February. The co-op board reportedly would not renew the lease.
Sunday, November 22, 2020
A car fire on 4th Street
Week in Grieview
Posts from this past week include ... (and photo on Avenue A by Derek Berg)...
• Bluestockings hosting limited-capacity opening this holiday season in new LES storefront (Monday)
• A visit to Van Da on 4th Street (Thursday)
• A visit to Raul's Barber Shop (Tuesday)
• The Bean reopens on Second Avenue (Tuesday)
• Here's a look at the final RBG mural on 1st Avenue and 11th Street (Friday)
• The East Village Holiday Crawl is underway (Friday)
• This week's Gallery Watch column (Wednesday)
• Reader reports: E. 10th St. Finest Deli will close next month (Wednesday)
• San Loco's liquor license has arrived on Avenue C (Friday)
• This week's NY See panel (Thursday)
• Tile Bar returns (Monday)
• Two-plus years after devastating fire, Yakiniku West reopens next week on 9th Street (Thursday)
• AO Bowl softly opens on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)
• A glimpse of the 10-story condoplex to come to 14 2nd Ave. (Monday)
• High winds damage outdoor dining spaces on St. Mark's Place (Monday)
• A full reveal at 639 E. 9th St. (Wedensday)
• Former psychic medium hits the rental market on 2nd Avenue (Monday)
• Former Mace space for rent on 12th Street (Thursday)
And as seen on First Avenue...... be open, be free! 
---
My So-Called tag
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Quest to co-name part of St. Mark's Place after Jimmy Webb continues
As we first reported on Oct. 5, there's an ongoing campaign to co-name part of St. Mark's Place after the late Jimmy Webb.
The online petition is nearing 4,500 signatures, including Jimmy's friend Slash from Guns N' Roses.
Tomorrow (Sunday!), employees from Webb's former boutique, I Need More, will be on St. Mark's Place to collect more signatures to co-name the block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue Jimmy Webb Place
Webb, a familiar figure in the East Village during his long tenure as the manager and buyer at Trash & Vaudeville, died on April 14 of cancer. He was 62.
He started working at his dream destination, Trash & Vaudeville, in 1999, and remained there until the shop relocated from 4 St. Mark's Place to Seventh Street in 2016. He opened I Need More on Orchard Street in October 2017. That store closed this past summer.
The process of co-naming a street within the confines of Community Board 3 is explained on this PDF.
Live from the Fiore Escape tonight
Tonight, Lower East Side-based singer-songwriter Jill Fiore will host another live-music session from her fire escape.
Like her first show on Oct. 24, tonight's mini-concert will feature fellow musicians Jason Taylor and the Baron as well as a special guest.
She got the idea for the shows back in the spring as she was recovering from COVID-19 and went out on her fire escape for some fresh air, as she told Roger Clark at NY1 this week.
You can catch the Fiore Escape at 6 p.m. on Essex Street between Grand and Hester (above Delancey Car Service!) Per the invite: Attendees must wear a mask or face covering and remain at a social distance on the sidewalk below.
The show will also be streaming on Instagram Live via @soundandfiore.
Photo by Bob Krasner
Friday, November 20, 2020
A sidewalk sale on Houston and 1st Avenue
"Pressure' drop
In case you already haven't heard this 500,000 times since it was released late last month... here's Karen O and Willie Nelson ("the Duet We Didn’t Know We Needed in 2020") with their soothing acoustic cover of "Under Pressure."
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