As seen on the eastbound Third Avenue L platform this afternoon ... thanks to Adrienne Dee-Olsen for the clip!
Monday, October 18, 2021
Signs of new development along the retail strip of 250 E. Houston St.
As we've reported, there was a storefront shuffle along this stretch between Avenue A and Avenue B. Kapri Cleaners and the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center moved from the unrenovated spaces to new storefronts closer to the entrance to the 13-story residential building at No. 250. Other businesses, including the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins and China Town, have closed.
And there is actually a demolition permit on file with the city for the address dating to July. (Not sure how we missed it in previous tours of this DOB bin.) The permit has not yet been approved, per public records.
In the ALL-CAPS style of the DOB:
PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF 1 STORY BUILDING (COMMERCIAL SPACES). PARTIAL DEMOLITION TO BE COMPLETED PARTIALLY BY HAND AND EQUIPMENT (EXCAVATOR).
And back on Thursday, a crew was here between Avenue A and Avenue B with a Davey drill... presumably taking soil samples (thanks to Salim for the photo!) ...
There has been a Davey drill sighting before the start of every new development in recent years (like here ... and here... and here) in the neighborhood.
And this Google Maps aerial view shows how much space there is at the property should the developer desire to drop in a new building ...
Via Della Pace owners opening an Italian deli on 4th Street
Photo by Derek Berg
Turns out co-owner Giovanni Bartocci and company have another venture on the block. Work has been taking place at 60 E. Fourth St. in recent weeks on an Italian deli/cafe going by, we're told, Via Della Scrofa.
The handpainted signage lists items such as espresso, biscotti, tramezzini, chinotto and porchetta.
No word on opening dates for either business.
The 17-year-old Via Della Pace lost its home during the devastating fire on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street in December 2020.
The Italian restaurant had been closed since the previous fire on Feb. 10, 2020. At the time, the owners were unsure if they would ever reopen on Seventh Street. The fire last Dec. 5 took care of that, as workers had to demolish the five-floor building.
A campaign to landmark the building that housed A Gathering of Tribes on 3rd Street
There's now a campaign to landmark the federal-style building that housed the arts and cultural organization.
Here's more via the Gathering of Tribes website:
The Landmarks Preservation Commission recently made a commitment to "ensure diversity and inclusion in historical landmark designations, to make sure that we are telling the stories of all New Yorkers."
Let’s hold them to it. Currently, the vast majority of historical landmarks in NYC honor the accomplishments of white, cis/het men from affluent backgrounds.
Landmarking A Gathering of the Tribes would honor Steve Cannon’s legacy of radical inclusion, and protect a space that served as a second home and one-of-a-kind creative hub to countless diverse, revolutionary NYC artists for decades. Landmark status would protect this already historic building from demolition now, and in the future.The organization, with the help of Village Preservation, is collecting letters of support for the landmarking through this Wednesday. (A previous effort to landmark the building was not successful in 2011.) This link has a sample letter and info about where to send a letter.
Cannon, a blind poet, playwright, and novelist, was evicted from the building following a lengthy legal battle in April 2014. Cannon died in July 2019 at age 84.
A Gathering of Tribes continues on today, providing "a platform for diverse, traditionally under-represented artists and writers, amplifying the emerging and established revolutionary voices of our time."
Image via
A speakeasy and restaurant concept slated for 221 2nd Ave.
Reps for Best Speakeasy NYC will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee tonight to discuss their speakeasy, Sincerely, Ophelia, and restaurant, Chicken & the Egg, for the space.
According to the questionnaire posted on the CB3 website (PDF here), the space will feature 11 tables for 44 guests and a 10-seat bar. Proposed hours for the restaurant are noon to 4 a.m., with the bar serving from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The questionnaire includes this sample menu (click on the image for more details)...
The previous tenant at 221 Second Ave., the 11-year-old Bay-Area sports bar Finnerty's, never reopened after the PAUSE of March 2020.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Tonight's sunset rainbow
The top one is via @cecilscheib ...
And from Robert Miner...
Here's one more via Jeanne Krier...
... and a great shot via Rob D. ...
Week in Grieview
• RIP Dee Pop (Monday)
• The Compost Yard in East River Park is on the move (Thursday)
• A visit to Lovewild Design (Tuesday)
• Duo NYC now open in its new 9th Street storefront (Thursday)
• Souen reopens after late-September kitchen fire (Monday)
• Demolition continues along 2nd Avenue to make way for an 11-story mixed-use building (Wednesday)
• Cinema Salons — 'a mini-festival of radical films' — coming to the Anthology (Tuesday)
• Ankara Turkish Restaurant announces itself on East Houston (Monday)
• LiveSounds return to the Third Street Music School Settlement (Wednesday)
• Tom's Juice debuts on 4th Street (Thursday)
• Belse Restaurant makes it sign official on the Bowery (Wednesday)
• And now the full reveal at 141 E. Houston St. (Monday)
• Con Ed puts more energy into power washing its substation on Avenue A (Monday)
• A for-rent sign at the renovated former home of Black & White on 10th Street (Tuesday)
• Night Market is a place for artists to meet (Friday)
• David Flores next up for the Bowery Mural Wall (Wednesday) Motorcycle diary: In-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall (Saturday)
• Farewell to the locksmith-CBD shop on Avenue B (Monday)
... and a hello from Ray and Stella at Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A (thanks Lola Sáenz for the pic!)
A Tim Ho Wan line check
The Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor officially opened here in January 2017. And they've been able to keep the crowds coming back (except when they were closed for indoor dining during the pandemic).
Mozart in the garden
This free event is happening this afternoon from 3-4:15 in the Campos Community Garden, 644 E. 12th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Find more info here.
Image via
A Sunday edition today of the Nexus Flea
The previously rainy forecast for yesterday prompted organizers of the Nexus Flea to move the sale to today (Sunday!)... so you can find the local merchants with vintage clothes, jewelry, records, etc., on First Avenue and First Street from 1-6 p.m.
The next Nexus Flea is scheduled for Oct. 30.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Motorcycle diary: In-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall
Here is an in-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall.. where David Flores, known for his mosaic style of artwork, started work several days ago on Houston at the Bowery.
According to a description of the work on the scene...
Flores, who started as a graphic designer for several skateboard companies, is expected to finish the piece on Monday.
Milling time for Avenue B moved to Monday-Tuesday
A quickie update on yesterday's post... the DOT has pushed the weekend milling planned for Avenue B to Monday and Tuesday evenings now.
Also! Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling, per the DOT website.
A plant sale today at the Recovery Center on 3rd Street
Per the flyer, "all proceeds go directly to clients of our outpatient substance use treatment center."
The Center, part of Project Renewal, hosts plant sales in its outdoor space several times a year.
Friday, October 15, 2021
'Star' power
Surfbort released a video this week for their latest single, "Big Star" ... from the new release Keep on Truckin'.
How to watch 'Make Me Famous,' a documentary on 1980s downtown artist Edward Brezinski
Here's a description:
Edward Brezinski worked alongside Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the Lower East Side art scene, but never reached the same level of success as his contemporaries. "Make Me Faous" uncovers why such a well-connected yet peculiar painter never made it, despite being so maniacally focused in his quest for fame.
What begins as an investigation into Brezinski’s legacy and mysterious disappearance becomes a sharp, witty portrait of NYC's 1980s downtown art scene. Gallery owners and fellow artists dish on insider gossip, name drop, and contradict each other in telling the story, resulting in an irresistible snapshot of an unknown artist that captures the spirit of an iconic era.The film screens at the SVA Theater on 23rd Street Sunday evening at 7. "Make Me Famous" is also available to stream today through Oct. 26.
Details on the in-person screening and home-viewing options are at this link.
Night Market is a place for artists to meet in Tompkins Square Park on Friday evenings
Starting tonight at 6, she's presenting Night Market in Tompkins Square Park. She's inviting artists to bring their materials (as well as a blanket and flashlight) and meet at Tompkins Square Park — the entrance on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.
Weather permitting, she plans to host these gatherings tonight through Dec. 17... and start them back up again in the spring.
The Stand (2012-2019) was a unique venture, a pop-up gallery and performance space featuring work by mostly unknown artists. You never knew exactly what you'd find there on a given weekend night.
[Updated] It's milling time for Avenue B
Signs note (warn?) that the work will occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. tonight and tomorrow.
The city milled Avenue C in early June. That roadway stayed in a fillings-rattling state until late July. Hopefully, Avenue B can be repaved more quickly than 7 weeks.
Thanks to Dave on 7th for the pic!
Speaking of Dave on 7th... he notes that the milling machine lurks nearby...
Updated 10/16 The milling has been moved back to Monday and Tuesday... also, Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling...
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Thursday's parting shot
Check out the art by Count Slima today at Sophie's
Slima also worked for the Two Boots family for 30-plus years, starting with helping build the original location at 37 Avenue A in 1987.
These days you can find him kicking some ass on the pool table at Sophie's, 507 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...
The Compost Yard in East River Park is on the move
The Lower East Side Ecology Center had been facing an uncertain future in trying to secure a suitable alternative for its 30-year-old composting program. In June, the city announced that the Compost Yard could return to its current location after the demolition/rebuild of East River Park over the next 3-5 years.
Here's an update via the LES Ecology Center website on what is happening...
Our priority is to continue operating the existing drop-off sites during this transitional period. With the loss of the Compost Yard, we have begun hauling food scraps from our drop-off sites to the Staten Island Compost Site. This shift in our operations also means we’re using a new green bin at our drop-off sites.
We are working with the City to build out a temporary compost site so that we can compost the food scraps we are collecting again in spring of 2022.
Our compost yard volunteer workdays, compost donation appointments, and compost site tours are suspended until further notice. Our 24/7 Compost Yard drop-off will be moving. More details soon!
You might be curious what is happening with all the compost currently at the Compost Yard. The freshest, active compost piles are being moved to the Staten Island Compost Site where they will finish their composting process. The finished compost will also be moved, we hope to donate as much of this material to neighborhood Parks as possible.
Meanwhile, the LES Ecology Center will be working from Seward Park over the next few years.
Workers are expected to start razing the 57.5-acre East River Park in the weeks ahead, cutting down the 1,000 mature trees and eventually rebuilding the park atop eight feet of landfill.
East River Park Action and other advocates say there are better ways to preserve the park and provide flood protection, such as the one mapped out in the years after Sandy. In late 2018, the city surprised community stakeholders by announcing a complete overhaul of a plan discussed over four years of local meetings.
During a weeklong series of protests outside City Hall last week, the advocates (finally) got the attention of Council Speaker Corey Johnson to ask for him to hold an oversight hearing on the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. PIX11 and The Village Sun covered the advocates' impromptu meeting with Johnson.
You can also watch a video of the exchange right here... it's not clear what, if anything, might transpire from the conversation...
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