The 'Daze' of our lives: Adam Zhu's new photo book chronicles today's downtown youth culture

Photos by Stacie Joy

East Village native Adam Zhu started shooting on film nearly 10 years ago at age 16. 

As he recently wrote: "Even then, I knew I'd like to see the work physically rather than rush to share it online."

Since his teen years, Zhu, who now lives in Chinatown, has been documenting his downtown experiences and friends, a multi-generational group of skaters, musicians and artists, through his camera. 

You can now see the results of his photography in his first book, a seemingly timeless collection of youth culture titled "Nice Daze." The book "is an homage to Zhu’s formative years populated by friends, lovers, contemporaries and mentors." (You may recognize Zhu's name. In 2019, he successfully launched a petition and raised awareness of the city's plan to cover the ballparks/skate area in Tompkins Square Park with artificial turf.)

This past Saturday, Zhu celebrated the book's release, which coincides with a solo exhibition of his work at CCProjects, a gallery space and cultural center on the second floor at 17 Allen St. (at Canal).

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the opening to meet up with Zhu ...

... and his friends and contemporaries who stopped by...

Attendees included Pretty Sick's Sabrina Fuentes, who's featured in the show and book...

CCProjects is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The show will be here until Jan. 8.

The exhibit is curated in collaboration between Zhu and Daisy Sanchez. Copies of the 176-page book, co-published by CCProjects and Paradigm Publishing, are available at the venue as well as online here.

Memphis Seoul announces itself on 1st Avenue

Signage arrived Monday for Memphis Seoul, coming soon to 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

This will be the second location for the restaurant, which describes itself as "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" (You can check out the menu here.) Founder Bart Hubbuch opened his first Memphis Seoul in Crown Heights. 

Our previous post has more about the restaurant and ownership. 

This address became available after Organic Grill relocated to West Third Street this past spring. 

Crab Du Jour sleeps with the fishes on 1st Avenue

That's all for Crab Du Jour.

After nearly a year in business, this outpost of the chainlet has closed at 225 First Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. Google lists them as permanently closed. Workers have been breaking down the interior...

The restaurant, described as a Cajun Seafood Boil & Bar, never got the chance to serve beer and wine...  which a sign on the door points out is coming soon... 

This address was previously a Checkers, which closed in late 2020 after six years in business.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Have you seen Sarah Hatman?

Sarah Hatman, an unhoused resident staying on Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square for the past year, has gone missing from her usual spot. 

Clara Favale, a friend who lives on the block, reports that Sarah was last seen on Sunday. 

"She would never leave her post for more than a half hour to get food," said Clara, who has been in contact with the NYPD, Homeless Services Outreach and area hospitals to no avail.

Anyone with information can call or text Clara at (917) 620-8220. You can also reach her via email at cfavale@stillpointcst.com.  

"I am depending on our East Village community to help me find out what happened to her," Clara said.

Before Dallas BBQ

Top photo by Stacie Joy

News of Dallas BBQ closing after service on Dec. 31 prompted several reader queries: What was on this NE corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue before the BBQ arrived in the mid-1980s? 

Longtime St. Mark's Place resident and photographer Godlis responded to the request...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Godlis (@godlis)

Renovations underway at the former Whitehouse Hotel on the Bowery

Top photo by EVG; all others by Stacie Joy 

Renovations are underway at 338-340 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond. 

In August, a "retail opportunity" banner arrived by the front door of the former Whitehouse Hotel, the last of the flophouses on the Bowery. 

Management is offering 2,000 square feet on the ground floor, with an "optional 500 SF cafe + courtyard." 

The work to create the retail space is happening. Permits show the scope of the work includes replacing windows, cleaning the brick, and repainting fire escapes, all with the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. (The building is located in the NoHo Historic District.)

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, who was 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." (Sources tell us that Sir Shadow no longer lives at this address.)

Ahead of the renovations, the residents were moved to space at 338 Bowery... where the tenants can access their small room via security... 

There is a shared bathroom on the floor as well.

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 a 4-story lodging house into a 9-story hotel," according to DOB records. Those plans never materialized. The Renatus Group now owns the property.

Retail space aside, it's not immediately known what the plans are for the upper floors of the former hotel.

The New Museum is collecting coats for the Bowery Mission

Photo courtesy of the Bowery Mission 

The New Museum's coat drive continues through Dec. 31 ... with everything collected going to their neighbors at the Bowery Mission. 

Details: 

Bring your new or gently-worn winter coats (preferably in larger sizes) to the New Museum or the Bowery Mission. Participants will receive two free tickets to the Museum (valid through Feb. 5). Note that we cannot accept children's coats. 

You can drop off the coats at the museum, 235 Bowery at Prince Street, Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Meanwhile, you can check this link for current exhibits at the New Museum.

At the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree is officially lit for the season... the grand finale of the annual lighting ceremony late yesterday afternoon. 

Albert Fabozzi (below) planted the much-loved Christmas tree in Tompkins Square Park in 1992 to honor and memorialize his partner, Glenn Barnett, and others who died of AIDS. The tree was 8 feet tall when he planted it. Today, the tree is well over 50 feet.

There's now a new sign noting the tree's significance for the community. (Someone stole the previous plaque.)

Despite the cold, windswept weather, a festive neighborhood crowd turned out for the event that included the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments courtesy of Veselka and C&B Cafe.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos of some of the attendees ...

Here's the new, larger residential building planned for 280 E. Houston St.

New renderings have arrived for the much-larger residential building slated for 280 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. (Thanks to the reader for the tip and top photo!) 

The new building appears to be 12 stories with a bulkhead. The DOB permit posted with the rendering still lists a "6-story mixed-used building" ...

This past January, we had the scoop on this new building when the permit for a 6-floor, 68,000-square-foot residential building on this property first arrived. At the time, however, a reliable source involved with the project said the building was likely to be taller than 6 stories.

That source was correct. 

In October, as The Real Deal first reported, landlord Samy Mahfar, whose descriptions in the press often include the words "notorious" or  "oft-embattled," and investors picked up the property from members of the Hirsch family for $36.8 million.

Per TRD's report, "the Hirsch family obtained demolition permits and did enough foundation work to qualify the site for the 421a property tax abatement before it expired in June."

The apartment building and retail space [the former Red Square at 250 E. Houston St.] were partially sold in 2016 to a group led by Dermot Company in a condominium structure, with the family entities retaining a percentage. When the site was later upzoned to R8-A, which permitted bonus floor area for voluntary inclusionary housing, it added roughly 65,000 square feet as-of-right to any project, which would nearly double to 127,000 square feet if it qualified for 421a. 

We don't know at the moment how large the new building will be, and how many "affordable" units will be available.

The rendering lists a December 2024 completion date.

In the fall of 2021, workers demolished the one-level strip of storefronts here (Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins, Subway, China Town restaurant, etc.) adjacent to the 13-floor residential building formerly known as Red Square. 

On the CB3-SLA docket: The Commodore aims for Avenue C; an all-day Italian cafe for 12th Street

Here's a look at some of the applicants who will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee this evening. (See below for info on watching online.)

New Liquor License Applications 

 • Corp to be formed by Christopher Buncher, 14 Ave C (op) 

The Commodore looks to bring its acclaimed fried chicken and retro vibes from Williamsburg to its first Manhattan outpost at 14 Avenue C at Second Street (pictured above). 

The EV location has proposed hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, with a 4 a.m. close Friday and Saturday (with an 11 a.m. open on Saturday and Sunday). There are also applying for a sidewalk cafe with seven tables and 14 seats.

You can check out the CB3 application here.

Recent tenants included Sanatorium, the hospital-themed cocktail lounge ... and the hookah lounge C Lounge.

• Entity to be formed by Patrick Joseph Cremin, 99 2nd Ave (op) 

The team behind the Sefton, an Irish saloon on the Upper East Side, is looking to open a bar-restaurant between Fifth Street and Sixth Street (above). 

The proposed hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. They are also vying for a sidewalk cafe, which would end service at 10 p.m. 

You can find the CB3 questionnaire here.

This space was previously Calexico, which went dark in late 2020. The owners were looking to try a new concept here, but those plans didn't materialize. 

• Paradise Lost (Paradise Lost LLC), 100 2nd Ave (op)

Three applicants are looking to open a restaurant called Paradise Lost ... and serving "nouveau contemporary, global influences." 

Proposed hours are from noon to 2 a.m. during the week... with a 4 a.m. close Friday and Saturday.

You can find a sample menu and background on the applicants here. Paradise Lost is proposed for the gut-renovated building between Fifth Street and Sixth Street that last housed Haveli-Banjara.    

• Only Love Strangers LLC, 175 E Houston St (op) 

The team behind MáLà Project on First Avenue (and two other NYC locations) has plans for a two-level restaurant with a "Mediterranean-inspired menu" and nightly live jazz performances.

The establishment, whose name is pending, has proposed hours to 1 a.m. during the week and 2 a.m. on the weekend... with a 5 p.m. open during the week and 11 a.m. on weekends.

You can find the CB3 questionnaire, which includes a sample menu, at this link. 

Several applicants have kicked the tires on this space just east of Allen Street (above) through the years to no avail. As far as we can recall, the space has been empty since Preserve 24's eviction in 2014.

 • Chuppa Rustam (Rice Guys LLC), 214 E 9th St (op) 

The owners of Laut Singapura, which serves Singaporean street food on East 20th Street, have plans for a still-unnamed establishment serving "British-Indian pub food" on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

These applicants will be looking for daily hours of 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. (closed on Mondays) for the retail space that was previously a hair salon.

Look for the CB3 questionnaire with a sample menu right here. 

• Corretto LLC, 511 E 12th St (op) 

Two East Village residents are looking to open Caffe Corretta — an all-day Italian cafe with coffee service in the mornings and dinner/drinks in the evening.

The proposed daily hours are 8 a.m. to midnight in space that was most recently Raclette here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Find more about this project here. 

Items not heard at Committee 

• Marinara Pizza (Pizza 10 LLC), 160 2nd Ave (wb) 

The pizzeria, which opened in June 2021 on the northeast corner of Second Avenue at 10th Street, will soon be able to serve beer and wine with the slices.

• Appas Pizza LLC, 210 1st Ave (wb) 

The operator of EV sushi spots Thirteen Water and Shinn East, both on Seventh Street, is opening a pizza-fried chicken concept in the former Kikoo (and Papa John's!) space between 12th Street and 13th Street.

CB3 questionnaire here. 

• Red Onion Foods Inc, 277 E 10th St (wb)

A health-focused Indian restaurant called Red Onion is in the works for this vacant space between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

You can find the Red Onion website here... read the applicant's questionnaire here. 

This space on 10th Street was previously the blink-and-you-missed-them Chichen Itzá and Tompkins Village Cafe.

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Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link at this link. 

A look at the new food hall coming to Zero Irving

Photos by Stacie Joy

As we noted on Nov. 30, coming soon signage is up for the food hall inside Zero Irving (formerly the Union Square Tech Training Center, 14 @ Irving and tech hub) at 124 E. 14th St. 

Per previous reports, there are 13 vendors, including some familiar EV names — Wafles & Dinges and Bobwhite Counter — coming to this 10,000-square-foot space that includes an outdoor patio. 

At least 25% of the food hall — via Urbanspace — is reserved for use by first-time entrepreneurs or start-up companies operating for less than four years. 

Here's a look inside the space between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue at Irving Place ...

The Urbandspace site lists an "expected opening" of December 2022. 

This link has more background on Zero Irving.

Sunday's parting shots

The grand finale later this rainy afternoon at the tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park... and a little later...

Thanks to Steven for the photos... we'll have more from EVG contribuor Stacie Joy in an upcoming post...

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a random skyline shot from the EV)...

• Dec. 31 is the last day for East Village mainstay Dallas BBQ (Monday) 

• DA-hosted East Village gun buyback nets 16 firearms (Tuesday) 

• Part-time New School faculty reach a tentative contract agreement with the university (Sunday) 

• Howl! Happening explores the history of street art and graffiti with 'City of Kings' (Wednesday) 

• Bang a gone: Stomp's long run on 2nd Avenue concludes in January (Wednesday) 

• It's 'Time for Christmas' with the book man of Astor Place (Wednesday) 

• Bye Bye Blondie; hello Bad Brains? (Sunday) 

• Kim's Video, storied film and music retailer in the East Village, gets the documentary treatment (Thursday) 

• Checkpoint Santa (Saturday) 

• Jay Joe's Classic Cuts now open on 3rd Street (Thursday) 

• 1st Avenue old-timer Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant is being replaced by — obviously — a smoke shop (Monday) 

• First Avenue Laundry Center is closed for now (Monday) 

• A walk among the trees on 2nd Avenue and 10th Street (Friday) 

• Hello again: Sidewalk on the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street returns to view (Monday) 

• A Panera To-Go is opening on University Place (Tuesday) 

• The city serves notice to more abandoned East Village curbside dining structures (Tuesday) ... Workers remove Somtum Der's curbside dining structure (Saturday) 

• Sacco has apparently gone out of business on 11th Street (Tuesday)

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