Wednesday, December 28, 2022
The city's first legal, regulated adult-use cannabis shop opens Thursday on Astor Place
The business, Housing Works Cannabis Co., "will initially stand out among a sea of unlicensed vendors as the only retail location in the city selling regulated, pre-tested marijuana products," per Gothamist.
The grand opening tomorrow is at 4:20 p.m. (For real.) Housing Works Cannabis Co, will then be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and provide in-store service and delivery. Hours will adjust in the coming weeks. Learn more here.
Here's more about the business and building via Gov. Hochul's office:
The storefront operated by Housing Works is located at 750 Broadway in the Astor Place neighborhood. All proceeds from dispensary sales will be directed to parent organization Housing Works, Inc., founded in 1990 to address the dual crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness. The self-sustaining nonprofit provides job opportunities, legal advocacy, and comprehensive housing and health services funded, in part, by revenues from its thrift stores, SoHo bookstore, and now its cannabis dispensary.With a focus on compassion and dispelling stigmas, Housing Works endeavors to move the cannabis industry forward by supporting the practical needs of its community through an equity-driven and harm-reduction approach.Spanning 4,400 square feet, the iconic building where the dispensary will be, known as 1 Astor Place, was completed in 1883. Housing Works Cannabis Co will welcome patrons with an introductory shopping experience upon opening, with plans to carefully build out an expanded and thoughtfully curated space as cannabis products become more available.
To date, the New York State Cannabis Control Board has approved 36 Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary Licenses, including 28 for qualifying businesses and eight for nonprofits.
That's all for East Village mainstay Dallas BBQ
Photos by Steven
Staff previously told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that the BBQ joint would close after service this New Year's Eve. Perhaps they ran out of onion loaves... signage is now up noting the closure, with a note to would-be Dallas BBQ diners to try the outpost on 23rd Street and Eighth Avenue in Chelsea...
... and the interior is in disarray as workers prepare to move out the remains of the restaurant that has anchored this corner since the mid-1980s...
According to staff, the building's landlord would not renew the chainlet's lease and opted to rent the space to another business.
The EV Dallas BBQ staff has been offered jobs at other locations, which include a dozen in the metropolitan area.
News of a closure had been expected since an applicant for a new bar-restaurant appeared before Community Board 3 in June. Hospitality vet Curt Huegel, whose portfolio includes concepts such as Bill's Townhouse, Campagnola and Printers Alley, received approval for the unnamed establishment.
There was some debate over closing time, and the committee wouldn't approve a 4 a.m. close. Huegel didn't respond to our previous request for comment to see if he was still taking the prime corner space.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Yo La Tengo celebrates Sun Ra Arkestra at its annual Hanukkah show finale
Photos and reporting by Daniel Efram
Yo La Tengo capped off its 2022 Hanukkah shows by bringing on The Sun Ra Arkestra for its Dec. 25 finale, providing a mischievous and trippy end to this year's Festival of Lights benefit series at the Bowery Ballroom.
Tickets for this yearly event sell out very quickly and brighten many a mood for those remaining in the NYC area for the holidays.
Each show has a different beneficiary, and the South Bronx's Word of Life International was the target of this Sunday's final series performance. The organization's Feed The Community Program provides food support to individuals and families at risk of hunger, addressing food insecurity and inequity that has persisted in the South Bronx for decades.
According to Todd Abramson, the talent buyer for White Eagle Hall and series production confidant, "the event has run most years since the inception in 2001 with the exception of a number of years off after Maxwell's [in Hoboken] closed."
"2022's Yo La Tengo Hanukkah shows were another triumph," Abramson continues. "I am amazed every year by the amount of work. Each YLT show is different and not just in regards to the setlist. It's very rare when they don't have at least one extra musician, if not an entire band, join them for at least part of their set (and the encores). They really strive to bring the audience something special and unique. Mazel Tov!"
The Sun Ra Arkestra has been playing yearly since the Hanukkah shows moved from Maxwell's (ending in 2012) to the Bowery Ballroom in 2017. Led by Marshall Allen, who at age 98, has complete control of this Afro-futurist group of 12. Allen has played in the group since 1958.
Encore songs included "Take Care" (Alex Chilton), "3/5 Of A Mile In 1/10 Of A Second" (The Jefferson Airplane) and "I Can't Stand It" (The Velvet Underground).
As is traditional at these YLT events, the Arkestra also joined Georgia Hubley, James McNew and Ira Kaplan on stage to help bring the musical space trip to its climax with evergreen renditions of "Speeding Motorcycle" (Daniel Johnston), "Dreaming" (Sun Ra), "All the Glitter is Gone" (Yo La Tengo), "Emulsified" (Rex Garvin & the Mighty Cravers), "More Stars Than There Are In Heaven" (Yo La Tengo) and the rousing "Nuclear War" (Sun Ra) with the timely lyrics:
If they push that button
Gonna blast your ass
So high in the sky
You can kiss your ass
Goodbye, goodbye
And, as always, the grand finale is a lovely version of "My Little Corner of The World, " sung by Kaplan's mom Marilyn. This song was made famous by Anita Bryant (1960) and Marie Osmond (1974) and was later covered by Yo La Tengo on its album I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One in 1997.
Yo La Tengo's new album, This Stupid World, is out on Feb. 10, 2023.
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Daniel Efram is an East Village-based photographer-curator. He is the producer of "The Steve Keene Art Book."
Setlist credit: Jesse Jarnow Frank & Earthy
Excel curb alert
Long-vacant 8th Street building where worker died is being offered as a development site
EVG file photo
The space is being offered for $3 million. Per the listing: "Property is a teardown. Existing structure is unsafe."
On Dec. 24, 2015, a worker — 33-year-old Luis Alberto Pomboza — fell three floors to his death inside the building.
According to published reports, he was an undocumented Ecuadorian immigrant and father of five who lived in Brooklyn.
His death prompted then-Mayor de Blasio and Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler to announce in February 2016 that they were going to quadruple the penalties for serious construction-safety lapses, conduct a wave of more than 1,500 enforcement sweeps, and require new supervision at construction sites citywide to protect workers and the public amid the building boom.
No. 356 had been on and off the market in recent years (here and here). The listings pitched the space for "high-end apartments or a luxury home."
In the fall of 2015, there were approved work permits showing that the building would receive two new floors and a mezzanine.
After Pomboza's death, the DOB issued a stop work order and a full vacate order on the site. Ten different violations were reportedly uncovered at the worksite, including "failure to safeguard all persons and property affected by construction operations." A construction superintendent was to be present at 356 E. Eighth St. at the time of Pomboza's fall, but there wasn't one on site.
The owner is listed as Ingrid House LLC, per public records.
His death prompted then-Mayor de Blasio and Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler to announce in February 2016 that they were going to quadruple the penalties for serious construction-safety lapses, conduct a wave of more than 1,500 enforcement sweeps, and require new supervision at construction sites citywide to protect workers and the public amid the building boom.
No. 356 had been on and off the market in recent years (here and here). The listings pitched the space for "high-end apartments or a luxury home."
In the fall of 2015, there were approved work permits showing that the building would receive two new floors and a mezzanine.
After Pomboza's death, the DOB issued a stop work order and a full vacate order on the site. Ten different violations were reportedly uncovered at the worksite, including "failure to safeguard all persons and property affected by construction operations." A construction superintendent was to be present at 356 E. Eighth St. at the time of Pomboza's fall, but there wasn't one on site.
The owner is listed as Ingrid House LLC, per public records.
Icicle works: Frozen pipes cause damage to several East Village businesses
Photos by Stacie Joy
Several East Village business owners returned to work yesterday to discover an unwelcome gift after the frigid holiday weekend.
We heard that frozen pipes burst in a handful of storefronts, causing damage at Moge Tee on Cooper Square between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place (above) and Gama Lounge, the comedy club in the basement of 50 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street (below) among other establishments...
Other businesses that suffered water damage include Flower Power at 406 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... and Via Della Scrofa, the Italian specialty shop at 60 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.
In an Instagram post, the folks at Via Della Scrofa said they'd be closed for the remainder of the year.
One EV super told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that there were reports of broken pipes "all over the place."
Monday, December 26, 2022
Deal of the day
Photos by Steven
In case you are celebrating Christmas later this year... or want to celebrate it all over again... there are good deals on trees at Saifee Hardware on First Avenue and Seventh Street... where these are free...
Police arrest suspect connected to the Dec. 19 murder on Avenue A
During a press conference this morning, police said Roland Codrington, 35, went on a violent rampage in which he allegedly stabbed two men to death and assaulted several other people before his arrest on Christmas Eve.
Police said that 51-year-old local resident James Cunningham bumped into Codrington and his girlfriend around 1 a.m. on Dec. 19 outside Spike's on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Video footage at the scene, police officials said, shows the two men arguing for about 20 seconds before the suspect is seen slashing Cunningham's throat.
NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said the two men had no prior connection before Dec. 19.
On Dec. 22, Codrington allegedly choked a bartender and stabbed two Good Samaritans at Teddy's Bar and Grill on Second Avenue in East Harlem. Media reports stated that Codrington showed up at the bar with a pit bull and a baseball bat.
Early Friday morning, a 60-year-old pediatrician was found dead in Marcus Garvey Park. Police said that Codrington and the victim, Bruce Henry, got into a verbal spat that ended with the doctor being stabbed multiple times.
The NYPD's investigation led detectives to Codrington and his girlfriend driving Henry's Mercedes-Benz in the Bronx on Christmas Eve.
Essing said Codrington faces two counts each of murder and attempted murder and additional charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief.
Codrington had 12 prior arrests, Essing said. No word yet on charges against Codrington's girlfriend.
Here's a video of today's press conference...
Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell and NYPD executives provide an update on an ongoing police investigation. https://t.co/izdFygSP6O
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 26, 2022
MulchFest begins TODAY
Chipping Weekend then takes place on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Per the Parks Department:
We'll chip your tree and give you your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree.
Given how much more expensive trees were this season, some people may feel obligated to keep them longer than Jan. 8.
Thanks to Steven for the photo!
Monday's opening shot
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Week in Grieview
• Man found dead with a slash wound to his neck on Avenue A (Monday) ... NYPD release wanted poster in connection with Avenue A homicide (Thursday)
• Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu being forced out after 20 years on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)
• Hamilton Fish Park Library reopens for limited service starting (Monday)
• A Punk Magazine-Iggy Pop holiday 'Loser' extravaganza at Metropolis (Thursday)
• Storefront renovations and reveals on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Monday)
• When Santa Claus came to the Lower East Side — with an assist from the FDNY (Thursday)
• Season's Supermarket Greetings (Friday)
• No new trees for these 2 East Village spots (Thursday)
• Dunkin' debuts on East Houston (Thursday)
• An EVG 15-year anniversary (Wednesday)
• The East Village Sauce outpost shutters for now on 12th Street (Monday)
• Jell & Chill peacing out on 7th Street (Friday)
• Signage alert: Caleta on Avenue A, with a Jan. 7 debut (Tuesday)
• FULL reveal at 14 2nd Ave. (Monday)
... and a scene from the New York School of Burlesque student showcase last weekend at Drom on Avenue A (photo by Stacie Joy) ...
A Merry Mystery Lot Christmas
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Saturday's parting shot
EVG Etc.: East Village shroom bust; rent history insights
Photo by Derek Berg
• The DA's office has charged 33-year-old Kenwood Allen with two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of second-degree robbery, and two counts of second-degree assault for causing fatal overdoses of two people Allen robbed in venues on Seventh Street and Ludlow Street (The Post ... Gay City News ... press release from DA's office)
• Police arrest four people during an investigation into the sale of magic mushrooms at East Village stores Come Back Daily on 11th Street and City Clouds on Seventh Street (PIX11 ...
• More about Kōbo by Nai, now open on Avenue A (The New York Times... previously on EVG)
• How to get your rent history in NYC (The City)
• Revisiting the great Veniero's on 11th Street (Eater)
• Adam Zhu on the enduring creative stamina of New York (Document Journal ... previously on EVG)
• Latke time at Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery (NY1)
• Remembering filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.'s influence on the LES (The Daily Heller)
• Winter memories in the East Village (Laura Goggin Photography)
• Riding with the Citi Bike Boyz in Tompkins Square Park (Curbed)
• An oral history of the Pyramid Club on Avenue A (Document Journal) What's next for the space? (EVG)
• The most borrowed books from NYC’s public libraries this year (Gothamist)
• Yo La Tengo pays tribute to the Ramones with Marky Ramone at the Bowery Ballroom (Brooklyn Vegan)
• Recent EV arrival Anna Delvey, still under house arrest, has made $300,000 this year selling her art online (Artnet)
• How the Lower East Side has changed since 1988's "Crossing Delancey" (New York Jewish Week)
Saturday's opening shot
The temperature was in the single digits (9) as of about 8:30 a.m., with wind chills below zero. There's a wind-chill advisory today, as highs will only reach 18, per the National Weather Service.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Friday's parting shot
Photo by Derek Berg
A professional line waiter at work today outside New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street...
It's Xmas time
East Village-based singer-songwriter Jesse Malin has released a new video for "Xmas, etc.," a re-recording of the song that appeared on his debut LP, The Fine Art of Self Destruction ... that record will be expanded and reissued in celebration of its 20th anniversary early next year. (Read more about that here.)
You can catch Malin and his band at Webster Hall on March 25, 2023.
Noted
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