How about some more bubble tea for St. Mark's Place

Gong Cha, which describes itself as "one of the most recognized bubble tea brands around the world," is opening an outpost at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

This location is now on the Gong Cha website (H/T Upper West Sider!) ... marking the ninth outpost in Manhattan for the global franchise founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

This block of St. Mark's has seen a variety of bubble tea come and go through the recent years... some still in business (Kung Fu Tea right across the street).... and some not (Mi Tea). 

This storefront (the one on the left) has been vacant since Lab -320° closed in late 2016 after six months of selling ice cream. The previous longtime tenant here, The Sock Man, closed in January 2016 after a reported rent hike via (now former) landlord Raphael Toledano. Sock Man owner Marty Rosen later opened a new location at 99 1/2 St. Mark's Place ... where he remains today.

Photo by Steven

Mi Salsa Kitchen, serving Cuban cuisine, announces itself on Houston and Allen

A worker yesterday unveiled signage for the new restaurant coming to the southwest corner of Houston at Allen... welcome Mi Salsa Kitchen...

The restaurant, which will serve Cuban cuisine, looks to have a modestly priced menu... with meat and chicken dishes, served with two sides and a salad, starting at $11. 

This venture takes the place of the 8-year-old Mezetto, which never reopened after the PAUSE last March, per BoweryBoogie, who also first reported on Mi Salsa Kitchen's pending arrival.

New photos of suspects wanted for brazen attack last month on 3rd Street and 1st Avenue

WANTED for ROBBERY On 1/13/21 @ 12:42 AM, in the vicinity of 1st Ave. & E.3rd St., in the confines of the @NYPD9Pct subjects approached victim and punched him multiple times and forcibly removed property. Any info call us @ 800-577-TIPS or DM NYPDTips Reward up to $2500 pic.twitter.com/ADEeEY1Sb3

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) February 10, 2021

Police have released new photos of the suspects who brazenly attacked a man at 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 13 on Third Street just west of First Avenue. 

According to published reports, the 29-year-old victim, who suffered a broken jaw, was a delivery man. 

Per CBS2: "Police sources [said] he was riding his bike when he stopped to take a picture of a car that apparently hit him. That’s when several men got out, started punching him and stole his phone." 

Aside from distributing new photos of the suspects, the NYPD upped the reward money to $2,500...

The victim's wife set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses. There isn't any word where he works making deliveries. 

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

The remains of Milon

If you're looking for a souvenir from the now-closed Milon, then you're in luck! 

Someone emptied contents from the Indian-Bangladeshi restaurant a little south of the space on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Fifth Street...

Goggla, who alerted us to this stash, nabbed a Milon menu...

As first reported, Milon, which opened here in 1982, quietly went out of business during the pandemic. Upstairs neighbor Panna II is expected to take over the space at 93 First Ave. in the months ahead.

Gallery Watch: 'Friend Zone' at Half Gallery

 Text and photos by Clare Gemima 

Friend Zone

Half Gallery, 235 E. Fourth St. at Avenue B

Friend Zone, curated by Vaughn Spann, consists mostly of contemplative figurative paintings. Some carry a sense of unease and vagueness through their figure’s expressions and body language (Elliot by Sarah Ball), others celebrate passion more directly (Lovers by Taylor Simmons) and some are just downright quirky (One liner — Lambullghini...produce/reuse by Jan Gatewood). 

The age-old conventions of friend-zoning suggest that one person is in love and willing to engage with someone who does not reciprocate these feelings at all. Upon extrapolating the push and pull of this awkward and somewhat painful notion, the 44 artworks in the show appear to embrace reminiscent ideas like uncertainty, longing, and in some cases, torment. 

Seeing works through this lens serves as an enjoyable experience immediately, allowing for creative narratives to form around visualized characters and situations. 

My favorite work in the show was Brianna Rose Brook’s oil and airbrush on canvas called God bless this kitchen. Two figures play against a crazed kitchen scene where items have been chopped up and strewn across a table, a stovetop has been left on and maybe hair is being dyed at home? Is the dynamic between the two strained or suggestive? Sexy or struggling? 

The uncertainty of the relationship is such a seductive tool in this work, something that is consistent throughout the young artists practice. For more of her incredible paintings, you can visit her website.

All American Girl, aka: Cowboy of Ohio was another work I could not stop thinking about from Friend Zone and I am grateful, as it has lead me to discover more of Oscar yi Hou’s works, which is honestly just to die for. If I could use swear words to exaggerate, trust me there would be a long list of them here.

The artist’s seemingly deliberate and frisky exuberance can be seen through multiple layering and building of form through strong strokes of oil paint. 

Themes of diaspora and the slippage between Western and Eastern culture seen in this painting could be evocative of America’s friend-zoning of everything that is other or sadly not white, but for the artist’s intention, I cannot of course be certain. 

Their exemplary use of contrasting and complementary colors creates a character that is sexy and charismatic, a palette that has been adopted throughout an extremely impressive body of work that you can find here.

Friend Zone is packed to the brim with works that force us to examine the importance of human bonds and relationships we have with each other. The consternation that shadows over relationships that can’t be defined or in some cases do not want to be has exacerbated over the course of our global crisis. Is the world in fact friend-zoning us? Instead of thinking about this too hard, go and see the show instead. 

Friend Zone at Half Gallery will be up until Feb. 24. 

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ 

Clare Gemima is a visual artist from New Zealand. New-ish to the East Village, she spends her time as an artist assistant and gallery go-er, hungry to explore what's happening in her local art world. You can find her work here: claregemima.com 

Construction watch: 302 E. 2nd St.

The 14-story affordable housing complex recently topped off at 302 E. Second St. between Avenue C and Avenue D.

As previously reported, the project — called East Village Homes — will feature 45 affordable apartments and a ground-floor community facility on this long-vacant, city-owned parcel.

Some particulars via a Patch report from the fall of 2019:

Eight apartments will be for formerly homeless people under Section 8 for incomes up to 20 percent of area median income, seven apartments at 47 percent of AMI, 14 apartments at 77 percent of AMI and 15 apartments at 120 percent of AMI — which ranges from annual incomes less than $15,000 to about $90,000 for a single person.

A second phase of the East Village Homes project is expected to create 10 additional affordable rental apartments on a separate site at 276 E. Third St. Construction has yet to commence there between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Here are more details on East Village Homes, the affordable housing set for 2nd Street 

A labor of love: 3rd and B'zaar's latest seasonal pop up open through February on 3rd Street

ICYMI: Sex, Love & Vintage, featuring the work of 30 local vendors and artists, is open through the end of the month at 191 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

This is the latest seasonal pop-up shop at the 3rd and B'zaar space, which debuted this past November with a holiday market.  

Local art aside, the space is also hosting special events this month, such as a burlesque workshop with Pandora, "NYC's Greek goddess of burlesque." She was onsite this past Saturday when EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by for a moment...

She returns this Friday evening (very limited reservations are available — details via Instagram here).

B'zaar co-founder Maegan Hayward and company have the space through April, though they would like to extend the lease to host a spring market in May. They also hope to host more art shows, such as the one the weekend of Jan. 22.

"The plan for the 3rd & B’zaar, in general, is to have more art shows and events in between markets," she said. "And the hope is that we can keep the space and keep with that method of markets every few months that are specialized and small events in-between. But even if we don't stay in that space we hope to be able to travel and do the same thing in other spaces as a pop up."

Sex, Love & Vintage is open Wednesday-Sunday from 1-6 p.m. You can follow the 3rd and B'zaar Instagram account or Facebook page for details on vendors and updated hours. 

A new tenant for the former JAM Paper & Envelope space on 3rd Avenue

After staying vacant for three years, a new tenant is in the works for 135 Third Ave. between 14th Street and 15th Street.

According to the @TradedNY account, a business called Third Avenue Discount signed a lease for the large space. No word on the moment what kind of discounted items that the shop will sell. Stay tuned. (H/T Upper West Sider!)

Longtime tenant JAM Paper & Envelope closed here in January 2018 after 25 years in business. The company closed its storefronts in a shift to e-commerce.

Meanwhile, next door at 133 Third Ave., the carcass of an in-progress 16-story residential building remains ... way back in December 2012, a construction mishap "sent wet concrete oozing through a wall and into an NYU dorm next door," as DNAinfo reported at the time. The owner of the building that NYU leases the dorm from subsequently sued to halt the project.

And here it sits...

Superiority Burger reopens on March 12

More restaurants are working on reopening plans after a winter break.

Last evening, Superiority Burger on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue announced that it will reopen for to-go service again on March 12. 

The popular quick-serve vegetarian restaurant went on hiatus after service on Jan. 9.

Superiority Burger has plans for some time later this year to put the former Westville Bakery space to use across the street.  

Doctor's orders: 'New Amsterdam' film notices arrive along Avenue A

Here's advance notice of a TV shoot happening in and around the Key Food region on Avenue at Fourth Street... cast and crew for the NBC medical drama "New Amserdam" will be filming around here next Wednesday, Feb. 17. 

This is the second production to set up here in recent months... crews for the Disney+ series "Hawkeye" — via Marvel Studios — were filming on Fourth Street at Avenue A in early December.

Local elected officials, NYCHA reps get firsthand look at the problems at Mariana Bracetti Plaza

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

In a follow up to our initial story on the living conditions at Mariana Bracetti Plaza housing, local elected officials, a representative from Community Board 3 and NYCHA deputies met with tenant activists Kanielle Hernandez and Yvette Maria this past Thursday to view the buildings and grounds and map a plan for change here on at the complex on Third Street and Fourth Street along Avenue C. 

Present were District 2 City Councilmember Carlina Rivera and her assistant Irak Cehonski, NYCHA Deputy Director for Security Safety Strategies Andre Cirilo, NYCHA Regional Asset Manager Brenda Allen, State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and his Chief of Staff John Blasco (who has been particularly active in assisting people living in public housing) and Community Board 3’s District Manager Susan Stetzer. 

The group did a walkthrough to inspect the conditions of the buildings, making note of what needed to be done on both city and state levels to effect change. 

During the tour, the group witnessed and discussed flooding, leaks, sewage and infrastructure issues, broken door locks, cracked pavements, sidewalk shed safety concerns, trespassing, nonfunctioning elevators, biohazards, and PSA4 (housing police) response, drug use and busted locks.

The tenant activists are hoping to start a tenant patrol and resident association, as well as partner with NYCHA and elected officials to bring about change in the quality-of-life conditions. 

After the tour, I talked with Kanielle to see what has happened after our story was published this past Jan. 14, what is currently occurring, and what she sees in the future.

How did you feel when your tenant activism brought together city, state, and NYCHA representatives to help fix the conditions you detailed in your interview?

I felt great. I walked away feeling hopeful and thankful. I know everyone is busy but having them all come and hear us was amazing. The energy was one of unity. We took turns talking and listening. It felt nice to meet them in person and actually interact with one another. 

A divided community doesn’t get heard. It gets abandoned and taken over. The more we come together and unite our skills and resources we can identify, understand, and resolve the issues more effectively. 

Can you speak a bit about what happened after the story was published?

 

Since the story has published it seems like a lot has happened. Sadly, though a man was shot and killed on the corner of Third Street and Avenue C. There has been a lot more police presence in the building and the community since the shooting. Our front door was also fixed. And there seems to be fewer drug addicts waiting around in front of our building.

 

The walkthrough was put together by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein’s team. They reached out to me after the story was published and set up a conference call. Harvey, Aura [Olavarria] and John [Blasco] have been great. I also met Carlina Rivera and her team and two NYCHA representatives. I have connected with a lot of new people from the neighborhood. Most of them also dealing with a lot of the same issues.

 

What do you see going forward? What are some of the resolutions proposed at today's meeting?

 
Moving forward I see a lot of positive results. I see more unity in agencies, NYPD and the community. 
 
NYCHA has a resident watch division. It’s a part of the tenant patrol program. Tenant patrol is currently inactive due to COVID. The resident watch has created a tip-line number, which can be reached anonymously. It’s for the tenants so they can now report things like homeless addicts sleeping in our hallway, or getting high in the staircases.
 
And for neighbors that allow their guests to disrespect our building with illegal activity or inconsiderate behavior. For example, groups of people smoking, drinking and playing loud music in the hallways. Or neighbors that let their dogs piss and shit in the hallways and don’t clean it up. 

For the tenants who refuse to stop smoking cigarettes in the elevators. Your apartment will be given a warning. The security cameras work and the resident watch department has access to them. 
 
I would hate to see anyone lose their apartment over things that can be adjusted. Wait until you go outside to light your cigarette. Play your music but if the walls are vibrating then it’s just a li’l too loud. I’m not saying stop playing the music, I’m asking to simply lower it to a reasonable and considerate volume. Remind your guests when they visit to act accordingly. 

And if they are visiting you and are caught soliciting in the hallway or staircase then your apartment will receive a warning. A second warning will be an official complaint to management. Hopefully, tenants and their guests will get on board with the new boundaries set in place with the intention to restore peace and safety in our building. 
 
Another NYCHA representative took pictures and noted the building conditions and said she would work on NYCHA’s part. And the elected officials are doing their part by staying on top of the issues and working toward getting outreach programs for the homeless. Everyone seems on board with working together to rectify the issues at hand. 

And I have been busy with research, emails, meetings, and tons of phone calls. Gaining knowledge is imperative to pursuing this the right way. Along with a lot of patience and gratitude. 
 
What are some of the reactions (positive or negative) you received from neighbors?

The story received such positive feedback! And a lot of support, which I’m extremely grateful for. It’s been super encouraging. To the people who left such nice comments, thank you! You’re awesome and appreciated. It showed me that I wasn’t the only one with the same feelings and concerns for the conditions of our building and neighborhood. 
 
There actually hasn’t been much in terms of negative reactions. At least none that I’m aware of. Hopefully, I’m not jinxing it [laughs]. But my intention is not to cause any more negativity. I don’t know what the future holds for our building and our community as a whole, but I do intend to continue speaking up until we see the changes we want and deserve.
 
Anyone — all inquiries will remain anonymous — interested in hearing more or has any questions and/or concerns can email us at ourcommunityisyourcommunityles@gmail.com and/or sign the petition here.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Residents say dangerous safety conditions at Mariana Bracetti Plaza lead to illegal and hazardous activities

• Another look at conditions in and around the Mariana Bracetti Plaza public housing complex  

Reader report: A mini return of the former Stuyvesant Market on 14th Street and Avenue A?

Last month, we told you that a "deli & grocery" is in the works for the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue A. 

Turns out that you may spot some familiar faces here one day: A tipster tells us that employees from the former Stuyvesant Market that was on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Avenue A are behind this new venture. (They've been working at another deli these recent years, per the tipster.)

As you may recall, Stuyvesant Market, as well as several other businesses, burned down in May 2010. According to published reports, the fire started at Pete's-a-Pizza, where a welder was working on a fire-access door.

The shell of the storefronts remained empty... and eventually Extell's EVGB development arrived, where the Target sits in the corner space where the market once stood.

As for the under-renovation storefront (currently paused due to a Stop Work Order), Dion Cleaners held down this corner for 35 years ... until this past November.

H/T Michael Paul!

Village Dream Tattoo & Piercing shop has apparently closed

A tipster shared that the Village Dream Tattoo & Piercing shop has closed at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. Workers were seen removing the fixtures this past Thursday.

No word on if the business moved... or simply closed.

Village Dream was a holdover from the previous landlord, and lasted a surprisingly long time after Icon Realty bought the building in the fall of 2013. (As we've seen, existing businesses don't always stick around too long after Icon takes over.)

The other longtime previous tenant at the address, The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed in March 2016. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with Icon Realty. More recently. Nolita Pizza closed here last June.

Photo by Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Tenants rally for better living conditions at 128 2nd Ave.; file contempt of court motion vs. landlord Icon Realty

Succession to the throne on 2nd Avenue

In a battle for the crown, Vic has apparently lost out... an EVG reader shared this photo from Second Avenue and Fourth Street, where the queer-friendly English-style pub Queen Vic is now simply going as Queen.

Queen, from the owners of Boiler Room next door, has not been open since the PAUSE went into effect last March.

Queen Vic opened in September 2010, putting an end to the carousel of bars here, including 2x4, Ambiance and Evolution.

Monday's parting shot

Photo on Second Avenue today by Derek Berg...

Gov. Cuomo to allow the return of indoor dining – at 25 percent — on Friday

After a two-month shutdown, Gov. Cuomo today stated that NYC restaurants can reopen for indoor dining (at 25-percent capacity) starting on Friday... two days earlier than his previous announcement of Feb. 14.

Per NBC 4:

In New York City, new case and rolling hospitalization averages are both down by double-digit percentage points over the last seven days compared with the weekly average for the prior four weeks. Deaths are down, too, though by a lesser degree.

"We respond to the data, we respond to the facts that we face today. The facts may change tomorrow and then we will change with the facts," Cuomo said Monday. "The enemy changes tactics, we adjust with the enemy. But the numbers are down now."

Statewide, data shows daily positivity rates have declined for a full month, while the number of people hospitalized (7,716) is the lowest total since Dec. 28. The state's rolling seven-day positivity rate is the lowest since Dec. 2 (4.42 percent).

Cuomo originally ended indoor dining in the city after two-plus months ahead of an expected holiday-related spike in COVID-19 positivity rates. As Eater and other outlets have noted, the state's own data reported that 1.4 percent of COVID-19 cases came from restaurants and bars compared to nearly 74 percent for private indoor gatherings during the fall.

Meanwhile, according to published reports, 74 NYC restaurants have filed a motion to reopen at 50-percent capacity.

Photo from this past fall of Lavagna by Stacie Joy

City's first plant-based community fridge is up and running outside Overthrow on Bleecker Street

Yesterday saw the debut of what organizers are calling the city's first plant-based community fridge outside Overthrow Boxing Club at 9 Bleecker St. just west of the Bowery.

Power Malu, a community activist and organizer, and Eloísa Trinidad, executive director at Chilis on Wheels New York and Vegan Activist Alliance, are spearheading these efforts here with the help of many volunteers as well as Overthrow.  

In a statement on Instagram, the organizers stated: 

This pandemic has forced us to take a deep look at the effects of food insecurity in our communities and the health disparities that have plagued our families for decades. We are really excited to collaborate with great people who understand the importance of offering healthy alternatives to our communities in need. This will be the first plant-based fridge in NYC and definitely not the last.

The fridge is open 24/7. People can drop off donations, including new or gently used (clean) clothes, at Overthrow from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. 

Here are some common plant-based foods in high demand ...  (per the organizers: no meat, cow, goat milk/cheese or heavily processed foods):

Fresh produce (ALL greens, fruits, and vegetables )
Plant-based milks
Peanut Butter
Fruit preserves (jam)
Whole wheat bread or other whole grain bread
Plain dry pasta
Plain Tomato Sauce or Marinara Sauce
Plain Canned Veggies
Plain Rice
Beans, lentil and other legumes (canned or dried)
Applesauce

Clothes:
All sizes, all genders. (Please no fur coats.)
Coats
Socks (new)
Undergarments (new)
Gloves
Sweatshirts, sweaters and other long sleeve shirts
Pants
T-shirts OK, but no other summer clothes such as dresses, tank top etc.
Thermals
Winter Hats
Water resistant clothing
Boots
Sneakers
Backpacks
Sleeping bags
Hygiene Products/Toiletries

People can volunteer to clean the fridge or help sort clothes and nonperishable foods by signing up via the QR code:

You can also use this email: plantbasedcommunityfridge@gmail.com

There's a link here to donate to a GoFundMe to help maintain this community fridge as well as one in the Bronx and Queens.

The fridge has an Instagram account here. Artist Andrea Acevedo painted the fridge. And thank you to Danielle for the top photo and information.

This also marks the second community fridge in the neighborhood. The East Village Neighbors Fridge debuted last fall outside S'MAC on the northwest corner of First Avenue and 12th Street.

Our dwindling number of diners

Back on Friday, we reported that the Lower East Side Coffee Shop, which opened in 2008, is now in the legal possession of the landlord here on 14th Street just west of Avenue A. 

Gov. Cuomo's moratorium on commercial evictions expired on Jan. 31 The posted eviction notice is dated Feb. 4...

Cuomo is advancing legislation to extend the statewide moratorium to May 1. 

News of the closure prompted conversations about the dwindling number of diners left in the neighborhood. While the Lower East Side Coffee Shop was on the new-ish side, it had an old-school vibe, thanks in part to the neon signage that was a welcome sight alongside the Domino's, Trader Joe's and Target.

Elsewhere: Little Poland, which opened in 1985 at 200 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street, has been closed since last March. 

At the start of the year, the diner's Instagram account posted a New Year's wish... with a note saying: "We ... hope we get to see all your beautiful faces soon!"

The storefront remains frozen in March 2020 time...

Meanwhile, as you know, Odessa, which dates to the mid-1960s on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, closed in July. Longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos said that Odessa was shutting down after a prolonged slump in business due to COVID-19.

Closer to the last day, however, co-owner Steve Helios told Gothamist that Odessa was only closing temporarily, that the space would be renovated. (The building's landlord is Odessa partner Mike Skulikidis.)

To date, seven months later, no work has been done on the space... here's a look from this past weekend...

As for what remains open. Two institutions, Veselka, 144 Second Ave. at Ninth Street, and B&H Diary, 127 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, are doing their best under trying circumstances. (Noting: Some purists will say that Veselka is more of a restaurant than a diner, having evolved from its 1950s and 1960s roots, and that B&H is more of a lunch counter. You can debate that in the comments.)

Kitchen Sink, a (slightly) more upscale diner, remains open at 88 Second Ave. at Fifth Street...

The former Moonstruck Diner (as of October 2015) turned off a few die-hards with the arrival at the time of flat-screen TVs and drinks served in mason jars. (Pandemic aside, operating a diner in NYC is always a tough business with rising costs and changing tastes.)

---

Updated: Adding Remedy (b. 2007) here over at 245 E. Houston St. at Norfolk.

---

And not too far away, there's the Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger at 739 Broadway near Astor Place... (this photo is from last summer when they reopened after a five-month hiatus) ...

The diner is struggling to afloat with the downturn in activity (students, tourists, office workers) along this corridor. Manager John Stratidis, who has worked here since age 9, was featured on NY1 back in the fall. His father and uncle opened the diner in 1972. 

Cozy fan Adam Sandler gave them a nice shout-out on Instagram in late December, but the hits keep on coming. Last week, the blizzard wiped out their outdoor dining section. 

Their crowdfunding campaign continues. 

Kyuramen debuts on 14th Street

Kyuramen had its soft opening last week here at 210 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

As previously reported, this is the second NYC outpost for the fast-expanding global chain that has 120 locations in Asia. (Four more Kyuramens are slated for the metropolitan area, per its website.) 

Kyuramen is open daily starting at 11 a.m. for takeout and delivery. You can find their menu here. There's also a dedicated Instagram account for the 14th Street shop. 

Chickpea was the last tenant at No. 210, closing in April 2018.