Blek has a new show at West Chelsea Contemporary on 10th Avenue through Sept. 25.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Wednesday's parting shot
Reports: Dan Goldman is the Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District
The Associated Press called it just after midnight...
Goldman also declared himself the Democratic nominee for the open seat...BREAKING: Daniel Goldman wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in New York's 10th Congressional District. #APRaceCall at 12:39 a.m. EDT. https://t.co/2nlgpjiEZK
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) August 24, 2022
According to published reports, Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou trails by a little over 1,000 votes. She has yet to concede the race, waiting until all the absentee ballots are counted, per Gothamist.#NY10, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am humbled to be your Democratic nominee for Congress. I have immense respect for the other candidates in the field and look forward to working with them to achieve our shared progressive vision for this city and our democracy.
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) August 24, 2022
The crowded field for the open seat saw Mondaire Jones (18.09%) in third and local City Council member Carlina Rivera (16.87%) in fourth, as City & State reported.
Rivera posted her speech to her supporters from last night...
City & State has more election-night coverage here.
Meanwhile, here's a breakdown of how people voted in the different neighborhoods making up the 10th Congressional District...Still proud, still grateful, still here to serve the communities and the city I love. Thank you. I love you. Pa'lante siempre ✊🏽
— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) August 24, 2022
Carlina Rivera: Election Night Remarks https://t.co/KYWVASrXDU
The next iteration of the Knitting Factory coming to the East Village
Photo of cumgirl8 at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn from 10/21 by Stacie Joy
After 13 years of hosting live music and comedy on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn, the Knitting Factory shut down on Sunday night.
In the Instagram post announcing the live music venue's closure in June, the company ended with: "Don’t fret, you'll see us again in the coming months." (Management said the landlord wanted to double the rent in Williamsburg.)
Multiple tipsters have told us that the Knitting Factory would be opening a concept in the East Village in the months ahead.
Morgan Margolis, president and CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment, confirmed to EVG that the Knitting Factory will be coming to the neighborhood.
However, Margolis, who was born and raised in the East Village, was not ready to reveal where just yet, stating that an announcement would be coming later this fall.
In June, he told Brooklyn Magazine that the next iteration is "going to be a little different in that it's going to be more of a neighborhood bar … we're partnering up, so it's not just going to be Knitting Factory."
Michael Dorf and Louis Spitzer opened the original Knitting Factory in 1987 on Houston Street near Mulberry. The venue decamped for Tribeca before moving to Brooklyn in 2009. (Read more detailed history here.)
Today, the Knitting Factory's operations include venue ownership and management, festivals and events, artist management, recorded music production, and distribution.
A retail wine and spirits store is in the works for the former Black & White space on 10th Street
Christopher Freund, formerly the head sommelier at Gotham Bar & Grill on East 12th Street and Betony on West 57th Street, is behind the retail concept. In an Instagram message, he confirmed that he had applied for a license for the storefront. He didn't have an opening date right at the moment.
Neighborhood bar Black & White was at the address for more than 20 years, closing in October 2020 with plans to relocate (those plans haven't materialized to date).
And not sure at the moment who's renting the second-floor office — space that was once used by Wiz Kid Management (onetime manager of the Strokes).
Here's more about Rabbit and the Fragile Flour, opening next month on 7th Street
A rep for the plant-based hospitality group shared more details about each concept at 122 E. Seventh St. ...
Rabbit:
Exploring the world of raw vegan cooking, Executive Chef Xila Caudillo, takes a global approach offering a 13-course tasting menu, aided by hospitality veterans, Lo Serrano (sous chef) and Katy Blank (GM).The space explores the opportunities of raw ingredients; complimented by a small but intentionally curated beverage program with low-ABV cocktails, non-alcoholic options including fresh juices and infused-waters, and a curated wine list featuring Latinx winemakers.Rabbit seats 12 indoors at the chef's counter. It will be open Wednesday to Sunday, with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. You can find the Rabbit website here ... and some food pics @rabbit.newyork.
The Fragile Flour:
The dessert and wine bar offers plated desserts, wine pours from across the world (from Brazil to Italy), and light savory bites. The 12-seat space ... is led by Pastry Chef Lady Ashton Warren, with wine selections from Overthrow's wine director, Drew Brady.
No. 122 previously housed Overthrow's Cadence, which moved across the street to a larger space in the spring. The Fragile Flour space was previously slated to be a Cadence annex.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
The Li'l Park Drag Show takes the stage at La Plaza Cultural
Photos by Stacie Joy
On Saturday afternoon, La Plaza Cultural on the SW corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C was the setting for the latest (and last for the summer) Li'l Park Drag Show — "an outdoor celebration of queer performance & gender nonconformity."
Double Mx.Ectomy served as the host for the show, billed as the Gender Euphoria GRAND FINALE...
Aside from sets by Claudi from Pinc Louds ... featured performers included Dimez...
... Oliver Herface ...
... Lena Horné... 
... Bertha Vanayshun... 
... Om3n Onyx...
Other performers were Bad News Bear and Glitter Macabre. You can follow the @lilparkdragshow on Instagram for updates.
Previously
City removes several abandoned curbside dining structures in the East Village
The paperwork attached to the businesses reads in part:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the authorization granted by the City of New York's Open Restaurants Program is HEREBY TERMINATED.As observed by a City inspector on several instances, the seating area in front of your restaurant is deemed abandoned and, as a result, violates the terms and conditions of the Open Restaurants Program.
Last Thursday, a sledgehammer-toting Mayor Adams announced that a few dozen abandoned outdoor shelters would be demolished citywide. (City press release here.)
Per Gothamist:
Standing before a deserted shed in Manhattan, Adams emphasized his support for making outdoor dining a permanent fixture of city dining — an outcome officials have been working toward for months. But he said its longevity had to be safeguarded in a manner that is "safe, clean, and respectable to our neighbors and those who live in the communities."In addition to removing structures that belong to now-shuttered restaurants, Adams pledged to crack down on repeat violators of city outdoor dining regulations. Thirty-seven sheds are currently being investigated, according to his office.
The Open Restaurants program has been operating since June 2020.
A group of city residents filed an Article 78 lawsuit to end renewals of the emergency executive orders that authorize NYC's temporary Open Restaurants program and to end its operation.
"If the City wants to make an improved or expanded sidewalk café program, we're all for it. We'd love to be part of that discussion," said Leslie Clark, a petitioner in a legal action challenging the Open Restaurants program, in an advisory sent last week to local media outlets. "Communities throughout the city should have access to sidewalk cafés. But the Temporary Open Restaurants program has become a blight on our city, and it needs to end."
In any local dining-shed news, the still-open Amigo by Nai removed its structure at 29 Second Ave. between Second Street and First Street...
Thoughts on a new tenant for a former laundromat
A sign on the door makes an appeal for the next tenant (thanks to Steven for the top two pics) ...
Someone! Please open this laundromat!! We need one!!!
Meanwhile, while this won't be of help to the residents who live around the former New Phoenix... a new laundromat (Laundry Mart!) opened in early July at 60 Avenue B between Fourth Street and Fifth Street (just realized that we never noted this arrival)...
Delicore: The line to see Diplo at Katz's After Dark Sunday night
This was billed as "Katz's After Dark" — "Invite only, for the industry by the industry" — and presented by Red Bull, as part of their Summer Sessions series, and the clothing brand Mr. Saturday.
Attendees received complimentary Red Bull cocktails from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. ... and the usual Katz's fare.
There were four DJs on the bill, Joey Saturday, Mona Matsuoka, Gonnie Garko and headliner Diplo ...
This appears to be a one-time event, though there is a Katz's After Dark Instagram account in case there's ever a next time.
Katz's previously hosted Vogue's Pre Met Party this past spring.
Signs of dinner life at Prune
Prune officially remains closed to the public at 54 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue — as it has since the NY PAUSE of March 2020.
The website for Gabrielle Hamilton's popular destination says to please check back for updates about a reopening.
Prune fans remain hopeful that the restaurant, which opened in 1999, will return one of these days. Hamilton's compelling essay — "My Restaurant Was My Life for 20 Years. Does the World Need It Anymore?" — in the New York Times Magazine during the worst days of the pandemic in April 2020 raised doubts.
The site of the lit-up space was a good sign for the reader, who noted: "Hopefully, it means it is reopening soon!"
Monday, August 22, 2022
Monday's parting shot
Reminders: The Virtual Rat Academy for East Village business owners, gardeners and residents is TOMORROW
As a reminder... reposting this from Aug. 9...
Community Board 3, the Cooper Square Committee and the East Village Merchants Association are sponsoring a Virtual Rat Academy on Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 5-7 p.m.
You can register to learn about rat prevention methods via this link.
Here's the first look at the new residential building coming to 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street
As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development is behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, will feature 88 residential units (likely condos given the square footage) and 9,600 square feet for retail.
In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real-estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.
Asbestos abatement to begin at the former East River Park amphitheater — 9 months after it was demolished
The work is expected to take place for the next four to six weeks during daytime hours, according to the weekly construction bulletin.
A little late, the amp was demolished by ESCR last year in December 2021 when, after we raised concerns, the DDC told us there was no asbestos at the amphitheater.For months the earth & foundation have been exposed. Video from March 2022 show no signs of protection against asbestos. @NYCDDC previously claimed there was no asbestos at the amp, yet now they announce asbestos abatement?
For months the path used to access the Corlears Hook Ferry went through this area and is adjacent to the small patch of land, "passive lawn," that was set up as a replacement park which is currently open to the public.
We asked Ian Michaels, a spokesperson for the DDC, about the abatement.
"We had studied that structure and believed it to be asbestos-free. The Parks Department had also worked there in 2001 and said the same," Michaels said. "Then after the demolition of the above-ground structure, a new underground area was found. Work stopped, testing was done and asbestos was found on some pipe insulation in the new area. As a result, the job was stopped and a licensed asbestos abatement contractor has been hired to clean the site."
Michaels shared a diagram showing where the new underground area was found, in a spot behind the amphitheater.
[T]he public's safety is a priority and our team will ensure abatement work will be done in accordance with all local, state, and federal guidelines, and safely contain and dispose of material. In addition to the continued use of air monitors in the work area.The removal of materials containing asbestos will be completed by a subcontractor certified in asbestos removal, with environmental oversight performed by an independent consultant. The public may see workers in Tyvek suits as it is necessary for these individuals to wear protective gear because they will be in close proximity with the asbestos-containing materials on a daily basis.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is also mandatory for their work. All asbestos materials will be isolated and contained in a fully enclosed Containment Zone, and within this zone, materials will be placed in sealed containers and trucked offsite.
Meanwhile, this past Thursday, activists gathered outside local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's East Village office calling for her resignation — and for her to drop out of the race for New York's open 10th Congressional District seat.
To date, work on the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project in East River Park has focused on cutting down trees and demolishing the amenities, mostly below Stanton Street. Workers will bury the 57.5-acre land under fill and elevate it by 8-to-10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges.
The city has said they will maintain public access to a minimum of 42 percent of the park throughout construction, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Wegmans is hiring on Astor Place
WEGMANS IS NOW HIRING.
For starters, the jobs listing states the store is opening next summer... and for now, they are only hiring for full-time positions.
Details via the listing (and H/T Stacie Joy!):
Our first Wegmans store in Manhattan, the supermarket will be located at the corner of Astor Place and Lafayette Street.The store will have all the traditional departments: Bakery, Produce, Pizza, Deli, Meat/Seafood, Sushi and more for customers to enjoy while experiencing the great Wegmans service they know and love.
And as a reader noted, Wegmans opened an office in the former Douglas Elliman space on Broadway between Ninth Street and 10th Street...
As previously reported, Wegmans signed a 30-year lease last July for what will be the grocer's first Manhattan outpost. (The one in Brooklyn opened in 2019.)
Kmart closed in this space after 25 years in July 2021. Wegmans had agreed to buy out Kmart's lease to make this deal possible.
A 'retail opportunity' at the former Whitehouse Hotel on the Bowery
Management is offering 2,000 square feet on the ground floor, with an "optional 500 SF cafe + courtyard."
There is a lot of history with the Whitehouse, a four-story building erected in 1916 that has served as a single-room occupancy hotel. A handful of residents remain here, and their presence has reportedly hindered any new building plans.
We hadn't heard anything about the building since late 2018, when Alex Vadukul profiled the artist Sir Shadow, one of the six remaining residents of the Whitehouse, in a feature at The New York Times.
As Vadukul noted: "A few residents have died, and buyouts have lured away others. The men who remain in the flophouse have refused these deals. The Whitehouse Hotel's future appears to now hinge on a grim but simple waiting game."
At this point, there aren't any new permits for development. So perhaps retail is the solution for now to generate revenue for the property.
Some recent history: The building was spruced up in 2011 to appeal to the thrill-seeking backpacking set. (For $45, guests could stay in a tiny room where the walls don't go up to the ceiling... while the long-term residents remained on another floor.)
However, the Whitehouse stopped accepting reservations in September 2014. Plans were previously filed via Sam Chang in 2014 to "convert 4-story lodging house into a 9-story hotel," according to DOB records. Those plans never materialized. The Renatus Group now owns the property.
Dunkin' to make triumphant return to 250 E. Houston St.
Photo by Stacie Joy
Don't look now, but a Dunkin' is returning to 250 E. Houston St.
Signage is now up in one of the recently remodeled storefronts here between Avenue A and Avenue B.
The Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo was a casualty late last summer when the storefronts on the eastern end of the retail strip were emptied ahead of demolition for a new residential building. (See those plans here.)
Anyway, this looks to be a solo Dunkin' operation. No sign of Baskin-Robbins. So you'll have to settle for doughnuts/donuts.
Report: Trader Joe's closed the Union Square wine shop after learning of plans to unionize
Workers at the Trader Joe’s Wine Shop ... spent the last four months laying the groundwork to unionize their store. A small organizing committee met regularly to discuss strategy around building support to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union, and they planned to go public with their effort the week of Aug. 15.But in the early morning hours of Aug. 11, Trader Joe’s abruptly informed them it was closing the popular wine shop, its only one in New York City.
In a statement to Gothamist, a company spokesperson said that its decision to close the store had nothing to do with the unionizing efforts.
A spokesperson called the 15-year-old outpost on 14th Street at Irving Place an "underperforming wine shop."
Meanwhile, the workers, whom Trader Joe's said they would pay through Aug. 28, have launched a petition demanding that the store reopen as it heads into the busy back-to-school season.
The petition reads in part:
Like our customers, we were shocked and saddened by the abrupt closure of the Trader Joe’s Wine Shop in Union Square. Most of the staff has been with the company for over 5 years, some since the store opened 15 years ago, and we have loved being part of the neighborhood and our customers’ lives for so long.Trader Joe's is not being transparent about its motives for closing the shop. This sudden closure comes just days after our coworkers in Minneapolis, MN, and Hadley, MA, successfully voted to unionize.Management in our store knew we were having organizing conversations and were planning on signing union support cards. Closing our store is textbook union busting. This kind of retaliation is exactly why we want a union at the Wine Shop — to guarantee we have real job security, consistent schedules, and wages we can live on.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Here's the midnight email that employees of the Trader Joe's Wine Shop received about the closing on Union Square (Aug. 12)
First sign of the new gallery opening in September at 313 Bowery
This space last housed a Patagonia shop.... and the storefront adjacent to the one-time home of CBGB housed the CBGB Record Canteen and, later, the 313 Gallery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)