[Updated] Verameat closes on Feb. 22

Updated: Vera has decided to close the shop on Tuesday, Feb. 22 — with a 65-percent off sale going on until then.

While on the topic of Ninth Street ... several EVG readers have noted the for-rent sign hanging in the front window at Verameat at No. 315 between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Owner and designer Vera Balyura announced (via Instagram) last month that her lease was up here in April... and she was debating what to do next. Perhaps close her physical locations (here and in Brooklyn) and go online only? 

As for staying in this spot... unfortunately,  the landlord apparently isn't interested in negotiating a deal for her to stay (she also had to pay full rent during the pandemic when the shop couldn't even open). 

Balyura has been selling her unique jewelry designs from here since 2011. 

You can follow the shop on Instagram for updates... and visit the store in the weeks ahead.

Measure what you eat at DM Restaurant

DM Restaurant opened earlier this month on the SE corner of 10th Street and Fourth Avenue... officially 71 Fourth Ave., the first retail tenant for the deluxe 10-floor cantilevering condoplex that arrived here in 2019.

This month, ownership received administrative approval from CB3 for a liquor license at this location. The online questionnaire describes DM's food as "Asian fusion (both Chinese and Korean)."

Several EVG readers pointed out this opening ... though no one we know has eaten here just yet.

The DM's Yelp page notes that this is the first North American outpost for the brand with 200 locations worldwide. 

And per the name, you order your food by the decimetre/decimeter. The menu features a variety of wings, fries, beef patties, etc. ... not sure exactly how this all works if someone wants to go investigate...

Some happy campers on 10th Street now as NYPD relocates RV

The camper that had been parked on 10th Street east of First Avenue is no longer on the block. 

Updated 11:30 a.m. 

The NYPD explains what happened in a tweet...

RV illegally parked = tracking down the owner, explaining the violation, & having him relocate the RV to private property. Your Transportation Safety Officer is always out, making sure the East Village Streets are safe. @NYPDPBMS pic.twitter.com/vuO9N2dcTu

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 16, 2022

As noted here, some unhappy residents who lived nearby painted messages outside (and on) the camper late last week with directives such as "move" ... "leave" ... and "Camper time to go."

Those messages remain on the sidewalk.

Photo today by Steven

Uncle Johnny is closing on Avenue D

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated: Uncle Johnny's last day is now Feb. 21.

Uncle Johnny Grocery Deli Supermarket is closing at the end of the month on the SW corner of Avenue D and Fifth Street. 

Sources told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that the lease is expiring at this grocery where the hot prepared foods, such as roasted chicken, rice and beans and tostones, are a draw. 

We don't know how long Uncle Johnny has been here (a long time) ... Stacie recently stopped by the store as the shelves were starting to empty ahead of the March 1 close date...

Avenue D is also served by Met Fresh Supermarket, Food Emporium, USA Super Stores and various small markets-delis.

9th and C looks to be home to the second coming of former LES cantina La Flaca

An EVG tipster shares these photos of the former Esperanto space, which apparently has a new tenant.

A sign on the door here on the NW corner of Avenue C and Ninth Street for the USPS includes the names La Flaca and Robert Gonzales ... 

Gonzales, a native of New Mexico, operated La Flaca — billed as "New York's premier New Mexican bar and restaurant" — during a 10-year run (2010-2020) down on Grand at Suffolk. Looks as if they're just starting to settle in here and have yet to appear before CB3 for a new liquor license.

Esperanto quietly closed sometime in 2021 after 22 years in service.

A look at a few of tonight's applicants to appear before CB3's SLA committee

Here are a few of the applicants who are scheduled to appear virtually tonight during CB3's SLA Committee meeting... (we already covered the return of the Brindle Room here).

• Milk Burger, 321 E. Houston St. (Questionnaire here)

The quick-serve burger joint with an outpost in the Bronx is slated for this block of East Houston between Attorney and Ridge (storefront photo above from a few weeks back). 

Erik Mayor, an East Harlem native, opened his first Milk Burger in that neighborhood (since closed, and there was some early drama there). He's seeking a full liquor license for this spot, 

El Maguey y La Tuna closed here in 2018 after the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.

• Salang Group LLC, 225 Avenue B (Questionnaire here)

A bar-restaurant serving an omakase menu is applying for a liquor license for the second-level space between 13th Street and 14th Street that currently houses the closing-soon Pouring Ribbons. 

The still-unnamed establishment is proposing daily hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the occasional jazz musician or two for entertainment, per the questionnaire online for the public.

As for Pouring Ribbons, their last week of service is March 23-26, per Instagram.

• E. Village Bar, 153 First Ave. (Questionnaire here) 

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop founder Stratis Morfogen is opening a rock club here at the former Coyote Ugly between Ninth Street and 10th Street. (The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website lists the establishment's name as E. Village Bar while the New York Post called it E.VIL Rock Club in an article last fall.)

This concept dates back to 2017 (another flashback here) when E.VIL had designs on 64 Third Ave. (later going to the Ainsworth). 

In any event, E.VIL 2022 has proposed daily hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. in a room with a maximum occupancy of 110. 

--

The public meeting meeting starts tonight at 6:30 via Zoom. Or by Phone:  +1 646 518 9805, +1 929 205 6099 (Meeting ID:  921 9931 7942)  

Former Red Square art hauled away

There hasn't been much happening in recent weeks (so we're told!) along 250 E. Houston St. now that workers have demolished the one-level strip of storefronts here between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

One bit of activity: A reader shared these photos from Saturday... when workers hauled away the street sculpture that had been installed for years above the former Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins...  ... and by the way, does anyone know who created this sculpture with the Einstein license plates (among other items)...?

Our previous posts at this link have more background on what's been happening to date here.

As we first reported on Jan. 18, there is a permit on file with the city for a 6-floor residential building on this property. 

However, sources tell us that this was just a preliminary filing to allow for the demolition ... and that the plans for the building will actually be closer to the size/scope of the adjacent 13-floor residences at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square that opened in 1989. 

Another rally to return the former P.S. 64 to the community

Photos by Peter Brownscombe 

On Sunday afternoon, several local elected officials, community activists and residents gathered on Avenue B at Ninth Street to rally for the return of the former P.S. 64 (aka CHARAS/El Bohio) to the community ...

Last month, Supreme Court Justice Melissa Crane ruled that Madison Realty Capital can move forward with a foreclosure against building landlord Gregg Singer after years of delay. 

When this news circulated, several sources EVG spoke with said that the report was expected. At this point, though, sources said what happens next, or what this means for the future of the building, is anyone's guess. 

However, the answer is clear for the group members — nearly 100 strong — in attendance Sunday afternoon.

"CHARAS was the heart of the community, where all could gather, learn, create and celebrate," said Chino Garcia, co-founder, CHARAS/El Bohio Community Center. "We urge the city to seize this opportunity to right the wrongs of the Giuliani administration in sending CHARAS to auction and restore this once vital institution." 

The building at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C became the CHARAS/El Bohio Community Center after the school left in 1977. The group was eventually evicted in December 2001 when Singer took over as the landlord. (He bought the property from the city during an auction in 1998 for $3.15 million.)

Singer has wanted to build a dorm here.

As Gothamist reported, a rep for Singer distributed a press release at the rally stating that "if approved, the dormitory plan would inject more than $20 million into the economy of the local community. The developer blamed local politicians for halting development and creating 'a vacant eyesore in the community.'"

There has been a call to return the building for community use in years past. Given this movement some hope: then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall on Oct. 12, 2017, that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. According to published reports, the Mayor said he'd work to "right the wrongs of the past." 

Those plans have never materialized, and it has sat empty these past 20-plus years.

It's not known where Mayor Adams may stand on the issue. 

Meanwhile, other local elected officials made their feelings known...

Our treasured CHARAS/El Bohio was and continues to be a galvanizing force for good in the East Village.

Proud to show love today with friends and neighbors, and look forward to working with @NYCMayor to return this cherished space to the community, its rightful owner. pic.twitter.com/V2FrDePaPh

— NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera (@CMCarlinaRivera) February 13, 2022

Looking forward to working with @NYCMayor to preserve our beloved CHARAS / El Bohio Community Center. There is no reason why a precious building should sit vacant for decades while the need to connect families to services and resources is high. pic.twitter.com/0b9nVdidiR

— Harvey Epstein (@HarveyforNY) February 13, 2022

On this Valentine’s Day Eve we aren’t asking for flowers, or chocolate or even a spa day, we’re asking for the return of the CHARAS/El Bohio Community Center!

We’ve been fighting for 20+ years & we won’t stop until it’s once again serving the people of the Lower East Side. pic.twitter.com/9vCChszQCD

— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) February 13, 2022

Tonight at 6:30, CB3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee will receive an update from the Charas Steering Committee. The public may attend via Zoom at this link. (This is the fourth item on the agenda.)

Momofuku Noodle Bar closes for a month-long renovation

Momofuku Noodle Bar closed after service on Sunday evening at 171 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Management announced last week that this flagship outpost in David Chang's empire would be closing for a month-long renovation.

Yesterday, workers were spotted outside the restaurant, hauling out tables, chairs, etc. ... (thanks to Choresh Wald for these photos)...

The Noodle Bar — Chang's debut restaurant — first opened at 163 First Ave. in 2004 before moving a few storefronts away to this space several years later.

Monday's parting shot

Photo on Second Avenue today by Derek Berg...

The window displays at Blue Door Video

Goggla let us know that the scaffolding/sidewalk bridge came down late last week at 87 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street... which once again provides unobstructed views of the window displays at Blue Door Video ...

The shop continues to attract tourists, families and fashion enthusiasts to watch the unveiling of the window displays ... which radiate the same classic New York elegance that the Blue Door embodies.

And, as Eden pointed out, the details really make the displays, as DC Comics regular Superman is shown in a thirst trap ... and maybe more... 

UPDATED: News about Casa Adela

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated noon:

The news about a new lease for Casa Adela was apparently a little premature. An attorney for the restaurant said that a deal has not been finalized.

Avenue C mainstay Casa Adela, facing an uncertain future during recent rent discussions with the landlord, has a new lease. 

According to Frank Gonzalez of Loisaida Realty, who helped organize the Save Casa Adela Committee, the two sides agreed for now to a two-year lease — with discussions continuing for a longer-term arrangement.

"Thank you to the Casa Adela Committee and our beloved community. Casa Adela was able to renegotiate a better deal," he said. (Locals came out to support the Puerto Rican restaurant at 66 Avenue C between Fourth Street and Fifth Street during a rally on Dec. 11.) 

As reported in early December, the building's landlord — a Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) — was looking to increase the rent on the 45-year-old LES institution to a rate that the current owner Luis Rivera, son of the late founder Adela Fargas, said was not feasible. (This post has background about the landlords and the situation in the building. As local activist Malu told The New Yorker, this "wasn't a story of a big, bad developer kicking out a neighborhood joint.")

Adela Fargas started serving her Puerto Rican cuisine here in 1976. She died in January 2018 at age 81.

Gonzalez said they will next work on getting the corner of Fifth Street and Loisaida Avenue co-named after Adela.

In early December, EVG contributor Stacie Joy was provided access to the restaurant and took these photos of the staff and other behind-the-scenes areas of Casa Adela...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Rent hike threatens Avenue C mainstay Casa Adela

A Taco Bell is coming back to 3rd Avenue for the first time in 15 years (or so)

Renovations continue in the storefront on the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street, where we learned that a — ding! ding! — Taco Bell is on the way. 

DOB records list the new tenant as Taco Bell... (taco emoji NOT part of DOB permit...ditto for the helpful EV arrow)...

In 2017, Taco Bell announced that it would be opening 50 (!!!) outposts in NYC over the next five years. Perhaps this is one of them. 

There was a Taco Bell at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street until sometime in late 2007 or early 2008. 

TB will be right next door to Yellow Rose, which serves really good tacos, tortas and chalupas ...

That SW corner spot was previously Bluemercury, the luxury beauty retailer, which closed during the pandemic.

And previously: Gothic Cabinet Craft shop closed in January 2016 after 47 years in business on this corner.

[Updated] Thai Direct is open for now

Updated 2/19: Thai Direct has reopened amid an ongoing COVID-related rent dispute with the landlord, per the restaurant's ownership. 

Thai Direct has closed at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

A rather stern note on the front door tells would-be patrons that the landlord "has taken possession of the premises effective February 11" ... with a "DO NOT ENTER" thrown in for anyone attempting to access the door with three new padlocks...   

Steven took these photos Friday night — someone removed the sign by Sunday.

There isn't any mention of a closure of the restaurant's website or Instagram account. 

The quick-serve establishment, which billed itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018. It was a nice spot. 

The space was previously Yoshi Sushi, which got the boot in 2015.

For-rent signs arrive on these 2 storefronts on 14th Street and Avenue A

For-rent signs have arrived on two long-vacant storefronts on the SW corner of Avenue A and 14th Street. (The listings are not online just yet.)

The Lower East Side Coffee Shop closed here after 13 years in February 2021. New Herbal World, which offered a variety of herbs, teas and tonics as well as acupuncture, moved to Lafayette Street in September 2019. 

It was a tough time for all the businesses on this corner in recent years. For nearly three years this side of 14th Street was an active construction zone for L-train repairs and Avenue A entrance construction ... with a variety of trucks, drill rigs, pile drivers, compressors and generators. 

Several businesses were forced to shut down due to severely limited access to their storefronts. Outside the now-shuttered Dion and the Coffee Shop, customer access included only 28 inches of sidewalk space — not big enough for a wheelchair in spots. 

In any event, the arrival of for-rent signs might dispel the speculation that this corner is ripe for development (of course there may not be any air rights given the residential building called EVE next door at the former post office).