You can read more about what to expect here over the next five nights at this link.
Monday, August 15, 2022
About the 188 Allen St. Takeover this week
Volunteer litter cleanup around Tompkins Square Park scheduled for Thursday
Jonothon Lyons, creator of Buddy the Rat, is launching a community litter clean initiative called "Buddy's Brigade: Litter Exterminators."
Lyons and NYC entrepreneur Michael Quinn are hosting a series of volunteer community litter cleanups around New York City with material resource support from the Department of Sanitation.
The first cleanup will be around the perimeter of Tompkins Square Park this Thursday (Aug. 18) at 5 p.m.
Volunteers can meet at the corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A on Thursday. You don't need to bring anything: Quinn said that the Department of Sanitation will be supplying all of the necessary resources and equipment. They will also be coming back to pick up the trash, he said.
On 12th Street, Hi Noona says goodbye
Photo from last summer for EVG by Stacie Joy
After a year of serving unique Korean-influenced juices, smoothies and small menu items, Stella Pak has decided to close Hi Noona at 515 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Pak made the announcement on the shop's Instagram account:
I have the deepest gratitude and love for the beautiful people I've met and the lessons I've learned in this space. My intention with Hi Noona was to explore my identity of what it means to be Korean American through the lens of health and food.Looking back on my explorations, I'm proud to say I've fulfilled that intention and will continue to do so through different expressions.
Moving forward, she'll be working at Noona Noodles, her family's restaurant on West 32nd Street.
In her 12 months on the block, she made a positive impression on those around her. On the Instagram post, she received good wishes from several nearby businesses, including All The Kings Horses Cafe, the East Village Vintage Collective and SLCT Stock NYC, who wrote: "the best neighbors we could ever ask for!"
Days of wine and closures
Updated 8/17: A new report suggests TJ's shut the store after learning employees wanted to unionize.
The closure prompted a surprising amount of nostalgia for the shop, many related to buying bottles of Two Buck Chuck ... to spurring some existential crises, as one Twitter user asked, likely rhetorically: "Why God, why????"
It sounds like a Trader Joe's Wine Shop will return someday and somewhere. The signage on the door mentioned that. And in an email to staff, management stated (in part):
It is now time for us to explore another location that will allow us to optimize the potential of our one and only license to sell wine in the state of New York. In addition, the space currently used for the wine shop will be used to improve the overall operations of store 540, our grocery store in Union Square.
Read the letter sent to employees at 12:01 a.m. here.
A few readers got a jump on suggesting new locations for the shop, such as at the Trader's Joe's on 14th Street near Avenue A...
For people who shopped at Trader Joe's Wine Shop, there were also discussions about wine-store alternatives in the neighborhood. There are several solid choices around here... which will be for a good future post.
A smoke shop for this block of 4th Street
The local smoke shop openings seem to be averaging about 2-3 a month of late...
H/T Stacie Joy!
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Reader report: A chaotic scene as man drives car into Tompkins Square Park; no arrests
Reader-submitted photo
Updated 8/16: We posted a video of the car in the Park here. Updated with comment from the NYPD below.
--
An EVG reader described a chaotic and frightening few minutes this morning in Tompkins Square Park just before 11.
The reader was sitting in a car on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. Inside the Park, just past the recently barricaded chess tables, a sanitation truck from the Parks Department was stopped while workers were collecting trash.
According to the reader, a man grabbed one of the shovels off the back of the truck "and started beating a woman who was sitting on the bench screaming 'don't tell me how to handle my woman.'"
Several men sitting nearby jumped to the woman's defense, chasing away the attacker. Moments later, the man entered the Park in a car — "a gray/silver sedan, maybe a Nissan" — at the entrance to Seventh Street and Avenue A, "going down different rows while everyone is diving out of the way."
Another EVG reader told us this: "He drove into the Park right in front of me across from Niagara. He was moving fast."
The first reader said the car made a few passes up and down the rows of benches and weaved around Temperance Fountain before exiting again on Seventh and A. The vehicle eventually stopped on Avenue A near St. Mark's Place. There's speculation that the car broke down.
It's not immediately clear if the man was arrested. The second EVG reader said police let the man walk away. There are no further details available at this time.
Thankfully, despite a busy Park day with the Greenmarket set up along Avenue A, there weren't any reports of injuries. (We don't know the condition of the woman who was hit with the shovel. Witnesses said an ambulance was in the Park.)
"I have no idea how no one was hurt, but it seems like everyone was OK," the first reader said.
Updated 6 p.m.
Writer Jeremiah Moss has an account of the incident on Instagram. He wrote in part:
I was walking in Tompkins Square this morning when a man drove his car through the park, narrowly missing people, going after the men who'd just beat him up. People fled. Witnesses said the man got beat up because he was beating a woman with a shovel, so hard the shovel head broke off the handle. Other witnesses said he beat the woman with the shovel because she stole from him. The cops talked to the man, and when they didn't arrest him, witnesses were outraged. One man on a bike, who'd nearly been run over, went to the man with the car and got an apology from him — they shook hands and made up. "That's the code," said the man on the bike, meaning the code of the street.
From a reader... the car that witnesses said was used to drive through the Park was still parked on Avenue A last night...
According to @HowsMyDrivingNY, the Pennsylvania plate has a total of 10 parking and camera violation tickets — all issued in the Bronx in 2020 — that resulted in $1,264.03 in fines. 
2 | Bus Lane Violation
1 | Blocking Crosswalk
1 | School Zone Speed Camera Violation
1 | Front Or Back Plate Missing
1 | No Standing - Day/Time Limits
1 | No Parking - Day/Time Limits
1 | No Parking - Street Cleaning
1 | No Standing - Bus Stop
1 | Double Parking
EVG contributor Stacie Joy asked a source at the 9th Precinct for a comment on what happened in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday morning.
"The event in the Park was a result of a dispute between the car owner, who was with his female friend, and another group of men who robbed the car owner. The car owner tried to get back his belongings from the robbers but he was jumped ... The robbers chased him with a shovel and in the process, he got into the car to run away from them. He proceeded to drive into the Park — not knowing it is a Park because he is not from the neighborhood," the source said. "So far the owner of the car and his girlfriend were the victim of a crime and the complaint is still being worked on by the detectives. So there is still an ongoing investigation."
The current NYPD storyline is at odds with what multiple residents said they saw transpire. According to several witnesses, the driver of the car allegedly hit his girlfriend with a shovel before a group of men intervened. Witnesses said they also have seen the man in the Park on several occasions.
Week in Grieview
• Help for Chino Garcia (Friday)
• The Trader Joe's Wine Shop on Union Square has permanently shuttered (Thursday) ... Here's the midnight email that employees of the Trader Joe's Wine Shop received about the closing on Union Square (Friday)
• A visit to Aliens of Brooklyn on 9th Street (Thursday)
• On 5th Street, some residents say they want green space and not senior housing (Monday, 84 comments)
• Cafe Mocha, destroyed by fire in 2020, is reopening in a new East Village location (Monday)
• East Village cafe AO Bowl closes, owner blames Sen. Schumer (Monday)
• A memorial for Jack the cat on 7th Street (Wednesday)
• A look at the remaining red-tailed hawk fledgling in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday)
• TabeTomo owners have new venture planned for St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)
• El Primo Red Tacos primed for 151 Avenue A (Wednesday)
• Here's info about a Virtual Rat Academy for East Village business owners, gardeners and residents (Tuesday)
• Signage alerts: Hi-Note on Avenue B; Le Burger on 5th Street (Wednesday)
• iSouvlaki has closed on 12th Street (Thursday)
• Today in iconic hotel awning sightings (Monday)
• Manhattan Marketplace coming soon to 1st Avenue and 12th Street (Monday)
• [solidcore] bringing the pilates to 14th Street (Monday)
• 5 years later, signs of progress at 180 2nd Ave. (Wednesday)
• Seeing (Empanada Mama) red on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Thursday)
... and earlier this summer, a Janovic Paint & Decorating Center opened at the former Duane Reade on Third Avenue and 18th Street... we missed that the company closed the outpost on Fourth Avenue near 10th Street...
Sunday's opening shot
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Saturday's parting shots (aka, squirrel plays possum in Tompkins Square Park)
Photos by Steven
Earlier today, some Tompkins Square Parkgoers were concerned that the squirrel in the tree (above!) had died... But! In a moment, the squirrel rolled over and opened its eyes...
Updated:
Thanks to the readers for pointing this out... wasn't sure if splooting occurred in trees as well...
If you see a squirrel lying down like this, don't worry; it's just fine. On hot days, squirrels keep cool by splooting (stretching out) on cool surfaces to reduce body heat. It is sometimes referred to as heat dumping. pic.twitter.com/pD1T3lPbBH
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) August 9, 2022
A special screening of 'Grease' at Village East in honor of the late Olivia Newton-John
The classic 1978 musical plays at 7 p.m. in the theater's large auditorium (aka Jaffe Art Theatre).
You can buy advance tickets here.
Coffee talk
"Caffeine [or caffiene] is a drug! And expensive shit. Smoke pot. Ha! ha!"
Caturday's news: 'Bad Pussies' mural tagged on 3rd Street
Summer Streets Saturday No. 2 TODAY
Today is another Summer Streets day ... in which nearly seven miles of NYC roadways are closed to vehicles for people to run, walk, bike, reflect on all the good in the world, etc.
As you likely know, this car-free zone includes Lafayette, Astor Place and Fourth Avenue from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can find more details about Summer Streets at this link.
Friday, August 12, 2022
Friday's parting shot(s)
Photos by Stacie Joy
We're just admiring the newly painted and looking fine and fresh checkouts at Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street... still, the checkouts are on the list to be replaced in the ongoing Key renovation period ...
The live music in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow (Saturday!)
Touch me I'm 'Dick'
Ladies and gentleman, the very first video from local band Girl Dick ... with "Girl Dick."
Help for Chino Garcia
Photo of Chino Garcia for EVG from September 2021 by Stacie Joy
Friends have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help longtime neighborhood activist Carlos "Chino" Garcia.
Here's more via the GoFundMe:
Everyone in Loisaida the Lower East Side knows Chino Garcia. He has been an activist and community volunteer since he was a teenager. He has helped individuals, community groups and served on numerous boards and commissions.Now Chino needs help from the community. Over the past year, he has had numerous medical issues. We are looking for a decent, affordable senior-assisted living facility in the community that he loves.We would appreciate your assistance in helping Chino secure that housing. Also, the funds to keep him comfortable and happy. The way he has helped our community for so many years
You can find the campaign link here, which includes some video interviews with Garcia.
This article at Village Preservation has a lot more about Garcia, who moved to the neighborhood in 1959.
Here's the midnight email that employees of the Trader Joe's Wine Shop received about the closing on Union Square
Photo yesterday by Max Uhlenbeck
Updated 8/17: A new report suggests TJ's shut the store after learning employees wanted to unionize.
As reported yesterday, the Trader Joe's Wine Shop on Union Square — the brand's lone such establishment in the state — shut its doors after 15 years on 14th Street ... surprising patrons and, apparently, staff in the process.
A tipster told us that employees — including management — were not informed this would happen until 12:01 a.m. yesterday.
Here's the email to staff...
The email reads in part:
Effective Thursday, August 11 our NYC Wine Shop in Union Square will be closed.It is now time for us to explore another location that will allow us to optimize the potential of our one and only license to sell wine in the state of New York. In addition, the space currently used for the wine shop will be used to improve the overall operations of store 540, our grocery store in Union Square.You will be paid for all days through __________.During this time, we will be working with the Mates, Merchant, and the Crew, and will talk indovidually with each of you about the opportunity to transwer to another Trader Joe's store in New York City.
A Reddit user, ID-ing himself as a former store employee, left this comment on the site:
The store still gets plenty of foot traffic, even after the pandemic - so I promise that isn't the issue here. Both the wine store and the grocery store next door are in a building owned by NYU, which is fine for the grocery store, but the wine store had to jump through hoops constantly to keep NYU happy. In fact, the wine store even has the license to sell their TJs brand liquor that you see in other states, but NYU wouldn't allow them to sell it due to their proximity to underage college students.
If anything, we'll see the wine store pop up somewhere else in Manhattan, probably adjacent to one of the existing grocery stores, and I promise it'll be a way better store than it was now that it's out of NYU's grasp.
Thursday, August 11, 2022
The Trader Joe's Wine Shop on Union Square has permanently shuttered — effective today
Updated here. Updated 8/17: A new report suggests TJ's shut the store after learning employees wanted to unionize.
A note on the door thanks patrons for the 15-plus years of business... and states that employees will be paid through Aug. 28. There is also a tease of "an even better wine shop experience"to come somehwhere ...
A Reddit post claims that employees received no warning of the closure.
Meanwhile, TJ wine shop fans are NOT pleased...
The Trader Joe's outpost next door remains open.NYC TikTok is outraged that the Trader Joe’s wine store in Manhattan is closing pic.twitter.com/npdZsW9Gsv
— Benjamin Goggin (@BenjaminGoggin) August 11, 2022
H/T Brandon
A visit to Aliens of Brooklyn on 9th Street
Photos and interview by Stacie Joy
It’s 7 p.m., and I’m meeting Joseph Angel Tijerina, the artist/owner behind the Aliens of Brooklyn clothing and accessories brand, which recently opened its first storefront at 305 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, as he closes up for the day.
It’s his birthday, but he’s agreed to chat with me about the history of the pop culture brand, his Mexican heritage, his ’90s-era Taco Bell inspiration, and his love of collabs with other brands — all before heading out to celebrate.
What is the origin of Aliens of Brooklyn? How did you arrive at the name, and what was the inspiration behind the brand?
As a child of the ’90s, I recall watching the original “Ghostbusters” movie, going to my mother and telling her that I would live in New York City one day. And she then would shoot me down with a simple “No.” I would ask why, and she would say, “It’s too far and too big.” Plus, she’d miss me too much. But in my mind, all I did was dream big.
I would later graduate from Wade College art school in Texas, and my mom would pass away from a heart attack. That was the catalyst that led me to move to New York. I had never even been to the city, just watched movies and dreamt about it.
Aliens Of Brooklyn came alive the moment I moved to Crown Heights in 2012. The culture, the vibe, the space where an artist could complete their puzzle of whatever it was that they couldn’t convey anywhere else. All my puzzle pieces were finally connecting. I was finally healing.
The people in Brooklyn were so vibrant, and everyone dressed however they wanted. I never knew I could come to a place where trends were ever-changing and there felt like no rules. I think this is what they meant when they said to find your tribe. And I have no idea who “they” are.
This brand is absolutely inspired by the people I’ve met and the ones I people-watch. I did Google to see if actual aliens were living in Brooklyn, and some articles popped up about sightings. I sort of knew this name was special, and so it stuck.
It’s something about constantly feeling like an outsider and creating a world where everyone is actually invited to the party. Being in Texas was great, but I realized being in NYC was better. I could be OK with where I came from, who I’ve become, and who I was becoming.
And although there is so much more to me than my race and sexual orientation, I absolutely embrace that I’m a Mexican American and an LGBTQIA+ brand. It makes me brave, and it might make people struggle to be brave too. I think the thing I’m really proud of is that I’m a Mexican who owns a successful business. I’ve always wished my mom could see me at this stage of my life because of how far I’ve come. I’d like to think that she’s around working through me somehow.
You recently opened a shop in the East Village. How has a brick-and-mortar location differed from your pop-up and Artists & Fleas vending background?
Well, the locals are this tight-knit community who basically have welcomed my brand with open arms, which is something I’ve always needed. We don’t always have to be pushed away. We can treat each other with respect and kindness. It shows with the East Village, and I was pleasantly surprised. I think they might recognize that I’ve come with an interesting point of view. And to me, art is exactly that. In my eyes, the East Village is always a place where the artists migrate, and I find that sacred and want to honor the history already created here.
Pop-up markets can be really hard but also fulfilling once you hit your sweet spot of being satisfied with your brand, and it’s not always about the money. I think those are big lessons that many artists struggle with because what you love may not pay the rent at first, although it can. You just have to go back to the drawing board and problem solve for a bit.
Doing markets for almost 10 years gives you a lot of experience. I’m so happy that the customers helped the brand become so successful by buying hats and beanies at our pop-ups. But having a hit item in markets doesn’t always translate to having a hit brick-and-mortar store. I am still learning, but with a store, I get to have a fully realized concept and aesthetic. I’m enjoying every moment of it.
Your Instagram teased the inspiration for your shop décor was ’90s Taco Bell. Has that come to fruition?
[Laughs] A picture of Taco Bell in the 1990s was actually on my vision board for the store. I was inspired by the pastel motif, so I painted those exact colors on our walls. My brand is known for neon colors and tie-dye, but it is always evolving and ever-changing.
I love the 1980s, 1990s and Y2K era. So, Taco Bell walls one day, and then we might be inspired by Blockbuster the following week. Who knows? I just know I’m going to try to make the customers smile and laugh when they walk by.
You have done some collabs with other brands. Do you foresee future collaborations? And what’s next for the brand?
Collaborations are so fun and a lot of work as well. But it is great working with other small businesses or artists and cross-promoting your audiences. You gain all these wonderful people who only discovered you because of that collaboration.
I for sure can see myself doing many more collabs in the future. I will always pay it forward — some of my first gigs were popping up in front of another small business boutique and selling hats outside their front window on the sidewalk.
I want to grow the business in a way that customers can customize anything they see in the store.
Leonardo da Vinci said, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” So, to me, that leaves space for all of us to make things happen.
And there’s still so much art to be made and work to do. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the brand!
You can keep up with what’s happening with Joseph and the shop here.
Aliens of Brooklyn is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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