EV Grieve

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Good night: Mattress Firm closes up shop on East Houston

The Mattress Firm recently closed at 250 E. Houston St. in the row of one-level businesses here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously it was a Sleepy's ... and before Sleepy's, the address served as a Halloween pop-up shop for a few years.

And before that! Blockbuster!

Blockbuster bid adieu in March 2012.

The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square, changed ownership in the fall of 2016 ... and underwent extensive renovations.

Apparently, not all of the retail space was part of the deal.

You can tell by where the new paint stops — right at the former Mattress Mart. Other current tenants in the unpainted zone include the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo, Subway (sandwich shop), China Town Chinese restaurant, the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, H&R Block and Kapri Cleaners.

There are several vacancies in the old and renovated retail sections. And the Y7 Studio has yet to reopen (to the left of Mattress Mart) from the PAUSE of March 2020.

Previously on EV Grieve:

You've had your last Blockbuster night on East Houston

Monday, May 17, 2021

Monday's parting shot

Amelia and Christo were taking a quick break from nest duties in Tompkins Square Park late this afternoon atop the St. Nicholas of Myra Church on Avenue A and 10th Street... but a dive-bombing blue jay ruined the vibe... photo by Steven...

May 17

As seen earlier today on First Avenue and 10th Street... thanks to Goggla for the photo!

Report: Police seek 2 suspects in lobby shooting on Avenue D

The NYPD is searching for two suspects who shared a gun while opening fire from the lobby of a building at 132 Avenue D at Ninth Street.

Fox 5 and ABC 7 have the surveillance video. No one was injured during the shooting, which took place just after midnight on Saturday.

Descriptions of the suspects were not provided in the media reports.

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.

Screengrab via ABC 7

On Union Square, Food Emporium makes the upcoming closing official

Closing signs arrived late last week outside the Food Emporium at 10 Union Square East ...

As we first reported back in March, this location will close on May 30, according to a WARN notice filed on Feb. 25 with the New York State Department of Labor.

The WARN filing says that the Food Emporium lease is expiring. The closure will impact 50 employees, per the notice.

For now, everything in the store is 30 percent off. (And if you are looking for a Coinstar replacement.)

What's next for the Food Emporium space? In February 2020, Lois Weiss at the Post reported that Target signed a lease for the 32,579 square feet here on 14th Street. At the time, the Food Emporium was said to stay here through the end of April 2023.

Sources told Weiss that, despite the wait, Target wanted to lock in the location along 14th Street. The nearly 16-year lease had an asking rent of $183 per square foot, she reported.

In December 2015, Key Food acquired the Food Emporium banner name and related intellectual property assets, per published reports.

A few blocks away, Chef's Local Harvest, a 10,000-square-foot grocery store, is opening early next year in the former Associated on 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

A new era for Good Time Pilates

Good Times Pilates, which got its start at the onset of the pandemic in instructor Meg Broome's Avenue C apartment, debuts its new Lower East Side storefront studio today.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy caught up with owner Sam Miles (below left) and Broome at 158 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington...

Stacie interviewed Sam and Meg back in January (link here). Nice to see that they were able to realize their dream of growing their small business and opening their own studio.

You can find info about Good Time Pilates here.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A visit to Good Time Pilates

New sidewalk debuts on the northwest corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

Workers finished putting in the new sidewalk around 45 E. Seventh St., offering a full look at the 21-unit condoplex with retail space here on Second Avenue.

As reported previously, the building sits on two of the three lots destroyed during the deadly gas explosion here on March 26, 2015.

EVG reader Alex R. shared this photo and video clip from late last week...

... and bonus video footage...

The return of a sidewalk and departure of the sidewalk bridge is good news for the nearby residents who had grown tired of the scene on this intersection in warmer-weather months. In recent years, this corner has been a gathering spot in the summer-fall for travelers/crusties. (The outside of the currently closed Orpheum Theatre across Second Avenue remains a spot for an encampment.)

Meanwhile, sales commenced last summer for the units in the Morris Adjmi-designed building at 45 E. Seventh St. 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 property will reportedly include a commemorative plaque that honors the two men who died here during the explosion: Nicholas Figueroa and Moises Locón. (In October 2017, city officials unveiled new street blades that co-name this northwest corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street after the two men.)

As for more history here: In the spring of 2017, Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and No. 121 that landlord Maria Hrynenko owned.

In a previously recorded transaction, Ezra Wibowo paid $6 million for the adjacent property at 123 Second Ave. that was owned by a different landlord who had no role in the explosion. There isn't any development planned there for now, according to previous reports.

In January 2020, Hrynenko, contractor Dilber Kukic and unlicensed plumber Jerry Ioannidis were found guilty of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and related offenses for their role in the blast. They were each sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. Hrynenko is out on bail as she awaits an appeal of the case.

Hrynenko, who took over ownership of the buildings after her husband Michael died in 2004, and her cohorts rigged an illegal system to funnel gas from 119 Second Ave. to 121 Second Ave. to cut corners, according to prosecutors.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• How displaced residents are faring after the 2nd Avenue gas explosion

• Moving on — and feeling lucky — after the 2nd Avenue explosion

• Updated: 2nd Ave. explosion — landlord, 3 others charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter; showed 'a blatant and callous disregard for human life'

• Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

[Updated] Irving Plaza has an announcement to make today

The recently renovated Irving Plaza is announcing something this morning at 10... likely reopening plans for the venue here on Irving Place at 15th Street... (Updated: They announced 41 shows starting in August.)

The 1,200-capacity music venue closed back in July 2019 for what was to be an eight-month rehab, which ended up putting the potential reopening right at the start of the pandemic PAUSE in March 2020.

As for the renovations, here's what Pollstar reported:

Improvements at the 150-year-old Union Square building will include revamps of the lobby area and the music hall, new bars on all levels of the venue, a new downstairs VIP lounge, and the remodeling of the mezzanine including a new box-seating section configuration located on the mezzanine.

The venue has been in use for concerts for the past 41 years. The Polish Army Veterans of America have owned the building since 1948. Here's more history via the Irving Plaza website:

Originally, the building was four separate brownstones, which were eventually combined into a hotel in the 1870s. In 1927, the building was gutted and turned into a ballroom-style theater and christened Irving Plaza.

Over the next few decades, Irving Plaza would serve as a union meeting house, a performance space for folk dance troupes, and a Polish Army Veteran community center, as well as a venue for the Peoples Songs Hootenannies with Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.

In 1978, Irving Plaza was converted into a rock music concert hall, where EVG once saw Dogstar for some reason.

In late 2017, Michael Swier, co-owner of Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge and an original founder of the Bowery Presents, and Live Nation Entertainment created promotions and booking venture called Mercury East Presents. Their combined venues include the Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Irving Plaza, Gramercy Theatre and Warsaw. The other facilities already have shows books in the months ahead.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Irving Plaza is now closed for renovations

New Bagel Boss location now with Bagel Boss signage

Bagel Boss signage/branding is up now on 55 E. Houston St. at Mott Street (the former Oddfellows space).

This will be one of two new BBs in the neighborhood (first reported here). There's also one coming to 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, though no sign of signage there just yet. Both are expected to open this summer.

The owners of Bagel Boss recently discussed their expansion plans with Forbes:

Founder Adam Rosner explains that "At the beginning (of the pandemic), we got our teeth kicked in like the majority of New York City. We innovated, did a lot of shipping and now see a little spark in walking traffic."

Andrew Hazen, a partner, says it opted to expand during a pandemic because "We believe in the future of New York City, and we felt now is the perfect time to invest in it while rents are currently tenant-friendly."

In fact, Rosner asserts that he was able to secure two long-term leases in Manhattan with rents that were 35 percent to 40 percent below previous market levels.

Bagel Boss, founded in 1975, will now have 15 locations in NYC and on Long Island.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Week in Grieview

Posts from this past week include (with a photo from Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg)...

• Cinema Paradiso looks to bring foreign and independent films to Avenue A, though CB3 isn't completely into it (Monday)

• Report: Now there's an East River Park construction lawsuit (Monday)

• There are 3 (!!!) chicks for red-tailed hawks Amelia and Christo in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday)

• Expanded C&B Cafe nearly ready (Tuesday)

• This East Village Easter footage from 1966 includes a crucifixion in Tompkins Square Park (Friday)

• NYPL plans to expand services at all branches by mid-July (Tuesday)

• Gallery Watch checks out My Snake is Bigger Than Your Snake (Wednesday)

• Mom is sweating in this week's NY See (Thursday)

• Checking in on 2 under-renovation properties along this charming block of 7th Street (Thursday)

• Sunspot! (Wednesday)

• Another Tony's Pizza for the East Village, this one for the former Vinny Vincenz space (Wednesday) More pizza for a former pizzeria (Thursday)

• 32 Avenue C is now shorter (Tuesday)

• Ray's Pizza & Bagel Cafe owner eyes new concept for 2 St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

• The Ukrainian Museum is back open on 6th Street (Friday)

• Coyote Ugly makes it official on 14th Street (Friday)

• Opinion: The overlooked stakeholders and potential bias in the Open Restaurants program (Wednesday)

• Yubu bringing Korean food and beverages to 7th Street (Tuesday)

• Original Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches lives on in a new Avenue A location (Monday)

• Report: Man stabbed, robbed of his e-bike in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

• Openings: Sanshi Noodle House on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

• Little Rebel announces itself on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

• Coffee shop slated for 194 1st Ave. (Thursday)

... and from Friday in Tompkins Square Park, a tree climber (photo by Steven) ...

It sparked a mini-debate — yes, climbing a tree in an NYC city park is illegal.

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Follow EVG on Instagram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

EVG Etc.: The fate of Raphael Toledano's bankrupt EV portfolio; the free fitness classes on Avenue B

• In $153 million deal, Madison Realty Capital closes on Raphael Toledano's bankrupt East Village portfolio (The Real Deal ... previously on EVG)

• A long read on the reconstruction plans for East River Park (Curbed)

• Mayor de Blasio signs Open Streets bill into law (amNY ... previously on EVG)

• New Yorkers on the CDC's new mask guidelines (Gothamist)

• An East Village-focused look back at the pandemic's darkest days (The Nation)

• The new show at the Housing gallery on the LES pays tribute to Steven Cannon, founder of the East Village-based A Gathering of the Tribes (Hyperallergic ... previously on EVG)

• A list of the free fitness activities on the Open Streets of Avenue B (Instagram ... flyer)

• Joyface reopened on Avenue C and Seventh Street this past week (Instagram)

• Rough Trade's new NYC home — after seven years in Williamsburg — will be in Rockefeller Center (Official site)

Photo of a familiar car around the neighborhood from Sixth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D

Checking in on the grocery cart garden

The grocery cart garden that arrived last spring on Fourth Street at the Bowery ... has survived is first year... and as these photos from today show, the garden is thriving...

As the sign says: "Please do not remove plants!"

Sunday's opening shot

For anyone keeping track, the Blondie mural on Bleecker at the Bowery has been restored ... this after being tagged last month... after being restored back in December.

Shepard Fairy's mural has been here since August 2017.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Saturday's parting shot

Thanks to Steven for this photo of the young hawk watchers in Tompkins Square Park... the resident red-tailed hawks, Amelia and Christo, have three chicks in the nest this spring...

May 15

As seen today on Fourth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... thanks to Carol from East 5th Street for the photo!

Crate digging!: A soft reopening today with sidewalk sales at A-1 Records

A-1 Records is closer to in-store shopping again... ahead of that today (Saturday!), the Sixth Street mainstay will be holding a sidewalk sale featuring "tons of cheap LPs and 45s."

The shop has been online only for sales during the pandemic (with curbside pickup too).

A-1, which opened in 1996, is at 439 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Image via Instagram

The Starbucks on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place will be 'opening soon'

Updated: Reopened as of May 17. The Starbucks on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place remains closed (10 to 14 days now?)... however, there is an addition to the "temporarily closed" signage... a handwritten note with a smiley face stating "opening soon" ...

Starbucks opened at this spot in August 2017.

Art in Odd Places (AiOP) 2021: NORMAL, curated by Furusho von Puttkammer, invites artists to critique and dissect the American Mythos for AiOP’s 16th annual public art and performance festival taking place from Avenue C to the Hudson River along 14th Street ...

Visit the AiOP website for more details and a list of participating artists.