High of 26 today with more seasonable 2023 temps in the 40s returning tomorrow, per the weather people.
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Saturday's opening shot
Friday, February 3, 2023
'Everybody' wants some
Bass Drum of Death's fifth full-length release, Say I Won't, is out now on Fat Possum Records.
The above video is for "Everybody's Gonna Be There."
BDOD leader John Barrett, along with his band, his brother Jim and Ian Kirkpatrick, will be one L-train stop away at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 31.
An update on Ray
Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.
P.S. Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.
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As previously reported, a man allegedly swung a belt with a rock attached to it, striking Ray in the left side of the face and knocking the 90-year-old store owner to the ground, causing a black eye and gash on his temple.
Ray initially declined to seek any medical treatment in the aftermath, though he was in much discomfort.
Last night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel.
Today, Stella, Ray's longtime friend and co-worker, told EVG regular Lola Sáenz that a CT scan revealed three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw.
The doctor put Ray on antibiotics and told him to go rest. We're told that he still can't chew, so he's on a liquid for now.
The NYPD released a photo from surveillance footage of the alleged suspect (photo at this post).
Photo of NBC New York's coverage by Peter Brownscombe
City removes curbside dining structure from outside AO Bowl on St. Mark's Place
The dining structure was nestled between two that are still in use at the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop and William Barnacle Tavern.
As we recall, there had been a DOT removal notice outside the Japanese health-food cafe, which went dark last summer. Upon closing, ownership put the blame on Sen. Charles Schumer in a parting letter posted to the front door.
Meanwhile, around the corner on First Avenue, @pixelkeg reports that the owners of MáLà Project removed their curbside dining space yesterday.
Why this East Village writer is on an apology tour
Photos and text by Stacie Joy
I was able to catch up the other day with longtime East Village-based writer Majorie Ingall.
She and Susan McCarthy recently (Jan. 10) released a new non-fiction book, "Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies." (The book is a result of all the work they put into the website SorryWatch, which analyzes apologies in the news, history and culture.)
I was previously all set to see — and hear — Ingall speak at her book launch at P&T Knitwear on Orchard Street one evening last month, but she tested positive for COVID that day — and had to cancel.
Instead, I visited her (after she recovered!) at her East Village home as she crafted Sorry Sorry Sorry bracelets for winners of a book giveaway for Go Fug Yourself.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Thursday's parting shot
Photo by Peter Brownscombe
Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.
A scene from today outside Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A as the news spread that the 90-year-old Ray and his employee Gabe were assaulted early Tuesday morning outside the shop. (Story here.)
As previously reported, a man struck Ray with what has been described as a belt with a rock attached to it… causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. The force of the blow knocked Ray to the ground. The man reportedly threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray turned down an offer to buy seltzer water from the man and his accomplice.
Police released a surveillance image of the suspect (also here). Most local news outlets picked up the story, including Telemundo, as seen above.
There has been a movement to get Ray to a doctor — or at least bring one to him. He doesn’t want to stop working, though, like he has been doing here since 1974.
[Updated] Early morning assault outside Ray's Candy Store leaves Ray with a black eye and facial wounds
Photos by Lola Sáenz
The post now includes a photo that the NYPD provided of the suspect (see below) ... Updated 2/3: Ray went to the hospital — details here.
Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.
Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.
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Word is circulating about an assault outside Ray's Candy Store that left Ray Alvarez, the shop's 90-year-old proprietor, with a black eye and a gash on his temple.
Here's what we've been told via several sources: Early Tuesday on the overnight shift, Ray and his employee Gabe walked outside the shop at 113 Avenue A around 3 a.m. for some fresh air. At that point, two men — apparently known to regulars along Avenue A — approached Ray and Gabe here just north of Seventh Street.
The men were apparently trying to sell seltzer water. After declining the offer, the men angrily left. One of the men quickly returned, produced a metal pipe with a ball attached to the end, and struck the pair, hitting Gabe in the chest and Ray across the left side of his face. The man then ran off.
The blow left Ray, who fell to the ground bleeding, with a black eye and facial wounds... 
So far, Ray has not sought any medical treatment and continues to work. Last night, he officially filed a report with the 9th Precinct. Two officers stopped by Ray's to take his statement and begin an investigation.
Ray, who turned 90 last month, opened the shop in 1974. We can't recall anything like this happening to him before... [Updated: See comments — I forgot about the time Marlene (aka Hot Dog) slammed the sidewalk gates on Ray's head.]
The NYPD released this image of the suspect... the police report also lists the weapon as "a belt that had a heavy rock affixed to the end" ...
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.
What's going on with Pop's Eat-Rite on St. Mark's Place
The quick-serve plant-based burger joint had been closed the past year, prompting occasional queries from several EVG readers. So we reached out to Robert Ceraso, owner and creative director of the Endless Hospitality Group, about the status of Pop's, which debuted in September 2020.
For starters, he said that this was always meant to be a temporary pop-up between Avenue A and First Avenue ... "utilizing the space during the pandemic and getting our employees back to work following the shutdown."
However, Pop's did build a following during its time here.
"We have been talking to some landlords in the neighborhood about a smaller space to re-open Pop’s. We think that it would be better served in a smaller space with fewer seats inside and more of a focus on to-go and delivery," said Ceraso, whose other East Village establishments include the Wayland, Good Night Sonny and the Wild Son. "People still ask about it all the time, and we would love to get it back open as soon as possible."
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Det. Jamie Hernandez honored after 34 years with the 9th Precinct
Photos by Stacie Joy
Yesterday morning, East Village and NYPD community members came together to honor Det. Jamie Hernandez, who was retiring after 34 years at the 9th Precinct.
Hernandez, who headed up Community Affairs, took part in a walkout ceremony at the station house on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
... where he was joined by his family...
... members of the 9th Precinct...
... and representatives of the neighborhood's religious community...
Deputy Inspector Ralph A. Clement, the 9th's commanding officer, presided over the ceremony...
Here's part of the longtime detective's farewell...
Hernandez, who told residents he'd be taking an extended vacation, then rode off in a unique NYPD cruiser...
Wednesday's opening shot
Packing up Café Cortadito
As we first reported, Ricardo Arias and Patricia Valencia, the husband-and-wife owners of the popular Cuban restaurant, were facing a rent hike from $8,000 to $15,000 per month.
On Monday, EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by to find the owners packing up the space.
On the positive side, they have identified a new location not too far away... though the owners haven't signed a lease just yet. Stay tuned.
280 E. Houston St. prepped for new building construction
For the foreseeable future, pedestrians and cyclists will both be using the roadway to pass this property...
There are a few pieces of equipment on-site, though it doesn't appear to be a full-blown operation just yet...
As a reminder, here's what in store... still no word on the number of units... 
In October, as The Real Deal first reported, landlord Samy Mahfar 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."
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.
Openings: Bobby’s Night Out on Avenue C
East Village resident Bobby Gonzales is behind the establishment, which he described as "Tavern-style but more of a bar with great food." The menu includes a variety of tacos and burritos, including vegan options.
Despite the "Night" element of the name, the space at 145 Avenue C opens at noon... and features a daily brunch service until 5 p.m. There are several projectors and big screens in the space, though he said they go up at night — leaving a lone TV behind the bar — "so people can engage with each other."
Hours: Noon to 4 a.m.
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.
Esperanto quietly closed in this space sometime in 2021 after 22 years in service.
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Tuesday's parting boots
6 posts from January
• Soul mates: Meet the members of East Village-based band Sauce City (Jan. 21)
• Report: The Regal Union Square multiplex to close after bankruptcy filing (Jan. 19)
• The remaining structure of the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate Church will be demolished (Jan. 13)
• After 29 years playing in the East Village, I finally decided to see "Stomp" before it closed (Jan. 9)
• The future of the unlicensed weed vendors (Jan. 3)
• A happy birthday mural for Ray on Avenue A (Jan. 2)
Report: The former Charas/P.S. 64 is headed to auction this March
According to The Real Deal, a court-appointed referee last week set an auction for the property at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue on March 22. (As previously noted, the 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use." Any conversion to a condoplex or residential housing would require a time-consuming zoning variance.)
Late last year, Judge Melissa Crane "agreed with a report from a court-appointed referee that Madison was owed $89.9 million for principal, interest and other charges."
Per TRD:
Singer disputed the interest and charges, arguing that the report lacked a "breakdown by month of the Prime and LIBOR rates, making it impossible to verify the accuracy of the calculations."Crane quickly shot down that argument. "The note explains the method for calculating the relevant interest rate in its first paragraph," she said.
Singer vows to keep fighting despite the scheduled auction, citing new evidence he was "finally able to obtain," The Real Deal reported.
"We expect our rights will be fully vindicated and we will ultimately prevail and be allowed to have the building be a benefit to the community," he said.
In recent weeks, workers — under emergency orders via the DOB — have been sealing up the building's Ninth Street and 10th Street sides between Avenue B and Avenue C. The former school and community center had been easy to access in recent years, attracting a variety of urban thrillseekers and partygoers. The broken windows and poorly secured doors also exposed the building to the elements — not to mention pigeons and other wildlife.
The property that Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the building into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. (At one point, the Joffrey Ballet and Cooper Union were attached to the project.)
In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building.
Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.
Honoring Det. Jamie Hernandez after 34 years of service to the East Village
Photos by Steven
After 34 years with the 9th Precinct, the East Village community is bidding farewell this morning to Jaime Hernandez, detective first grade who heads up Community Affairs here.
This morning at 11, Hernandez is taking part in a walkout ceremony at the station house on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
Village Preservation selected Hernandez as a Village Awardee in 2020, noting that he "has built a highly regarded reputation throughout his career as someone who builds bridges, listens, and works closely and collaboratively with the communities he serves."
Also:
Jaime has been a finalist for a Village Award for several years now, but he always had other commitments and been unable to accept, including one year he missed because he had just donated a kidney to his daughter.
Fire shutters the recently opened Gjelina on Bond Street
The FDNY responded to a report of a fire here between the Bowery and Lafayette around 11:30 a.m.
According to the @FDNYalerts account, the fire was in the ductwork between the first and second floor... with firefighters on the scene for several hours before announcing the "under control" ...
Manhattan All Hands Box 0365, 45 BOND ST, COMMERCIAL
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 30, 2023
The Citizen app reported that two firefighters sustained minor injuries during the blaze. No other injuries were reported.Manhattan All Hands Box 0365, 45 BOND ST, COMMERCIAL, DUCTWORK 1/2 FLR, Under Control
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 30, 2023
Gjelina, a vegetable-centric restaurant that opened in Venice, Calif., in 2008, debuted here at the start of the year with a breakfast-lunch service. Grub Street noted that Gjelina was "already Manhattan's hottest lunch."Earlier today, a fire broke out at the recently opened Gjelina. We’re thankful nobody was hurt and want to extend a big thank you to NoHo’s own @FDNY station on Great Jones Street, Engine 33 and Ladder 9 for responding so quickly. #NoHo #NoHoNYC #ExploreNoHo pic.twitter.com/15piR42qsA
— NoHo (@NoHo_NY) January 30, 2023
The restaurant's Instagram account noted — via its Stories — that it was closed for now...
A look inside the restaurant last evening didn't reveal much, if any, damage — at least from the front.
Signage alert: Saint Pizza on Avenue B
Photo by Stacie Joy
Signage arrived last week for Saint Pizza at 223 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street.
We mentioned last month that a pizzeria was taking over the former Subway (sandwich shop) here.
Hopefully, it will offer a solid slice/pie for after a visit to Mona's across the street.
Will post more details about the operators when that info becomes available.
Monday, January 30, 2023
Monday's parting shot
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