Reconstruction of the Tompkins Square Park field house expected to start next month

Reconstruction of the Tompkins Square Park field house is expected to start next month...

... according to the just-updated Parks website...

According to a Parks presentation (PDF here) to Community Board 3 in March 2020, the goals are to:

• Upgrade existing restrooms to code.

• Upgrade Parks and maintenance and operations space.

• Add First Aid, Lifeguard locker room spaces in the building.

• Reconstruct interiors.

• Clean and partially repoint exterior brick

• New windows and doors

• New utilities, including oil-to-gas conversion

Work is expected to last 18 months, with a projected reopening date of September 2024. This also means that the Tompkins Square mini pool will be closed for two consecutive summers.

Meanwhile, the public restrooms have been closed in Tompkins Square Park since early November. Parks officials have said that a malfunctioning boiler and a broken pipe in the basement of the Park's field house are to blame for the closure.

With the renovations looming, some residents figured the city wouldn't make any temporary restroom repairs here. And they were right.  

Sunny's Florist returns after winter break

Photo by Steven 

The fine folks at Sunny's Florist — with arguably the best flowers in NYC — are back after a January hiatus here on the SE corner of Second Avenue and Sixth Street. (They returned last Thursday, though they stayed closed on Friday and Saturday with the frigid temps.) 

Given that Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday this year, the sliver of a storefront — in business for 32 years — will be open for more than the normal Wednesday-Sunday schedule (The shop may close early if she sells out of flowers.)

Phone: (212) 473-0185.

Noted

There is still room for one or two more sets of initials here on this fresh patch of sidewalk on Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street — hurry!

Reposting: A GoFundMe campaign launched ahead of Ray's 90th birthday at Ray's Candy Store

In the aftermath of the assault on Ray last week outside Ray's Candy Store (story here and here), several readers-residents asked us to repost the crowdfunding campaign for the shop from November. 

Ahead of Ray's 90th birthday last month, the shop, which opened in 1974 here at 113 Avenue A just north of Seventh Street, hosted a GoFundMe "to help ensure he can keep his bills paid and his doors open for as long as he wants!" 

February is typically one of the slowest months for Ray ... and given that he may be out of commission while mending the three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw, some Ray's fans have been donating to the campaign.

Meanwhile, we're told that Ray is resting and eating a lot of blended soups. 

The crowdfunding link is right here.

The former Commodities space is now for rent on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven

A for-lease sign now hangs in the front window of the former Commodities.

On Jan. 12, the landlord took legal possession of 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street — which had been home to Commodities for 30 years. 

There was hope for a reprieve, though that didn't happen here. Workers were spotted dismantling fixtures the following week... now comes the leasing notice. (Per the listing, the rent is available upon request for the ground floor, which measures 2,100 square feet... plus a similar-sized basement.)

New owners took over the business in January 2019 and changed the name to Commodities Health Foods from Commodities Natural Market.

Michael Hughes opened Commodities here in 1993. Hughes and his wife Audra opened an outpost in Vermont in 2015. 

Owner of the fire-damaged Gjelina seeking jobs for its staff

As we first reported last week, a fire has temporarily shuttered Gjelina, a popular L.A. import that just opened at the start of 2023 at 45 Bond St. between the Bowery and Lafayette. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the vegetable-centric restaurant will be able to open anytime soon.

On Friday, Gjelina Group CEO Shelley Kleyn Armistead posted an appeal on Instagram to help find positions for her staff. 

Her letter reads in part:

To have persisted for 6 and a half years to open Gjelina NY on Bond Street, and to have experienced a fire 1 day short of our one month anniversary — the only feelings right now are heartbreak. For every human who put so much into creating this restaurant. And it was them that created it — make no mistake.This team are like no other that I have had the privilege to work with. Every single one of them made Gjelina what she was. Every single one of them deserve the most outstanding work opportunity. 

We have no timeline for rebuilding and reopening. Thus I am asking, please, if you have any positions — please email me and I will pass it onto them ...

Shelley@gjelinagroup.com

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gjelina (@gjelinarestaurant)

Retail options on the Bowery

For-rent signage is up now at 32 E. First St. at the Bowery... where Blue & Cream moved out to a new location (on Bleecker Street) at the end of 2022. (First reported here.)

The retailer arrived at  Avalon Bowery Place in 2007.

Not much info as the JLL listing, except that "restaurant use not permitted" and "logical divisions considered."

Meanwhile, across the Bowery, Olde Good Things is now gone (this happened on Jan. 24; we reported on this pending departure in early November).

This outpost of the architectural artifact dealer specializing in reclaimed building materials and antiques opened here in 2013.  

The listing for 302 Bowery between Bleecker and Houston mentions a "cannabis dispensary" as a potential tenant ...

Sunday's parting shot

New sidewalk addition on Avenue A and Sixth Street... Gem Spa RIP 2020.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo outside St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery from 2nd Avenue) ...

 • First on EVG: Early morning assault outside Ray's Candy Store leaves Ray with a black eye and facial wounds (Thursday) ... An update on Ray (Friday) ... Suspect who allegedly assaulted Ray has been arrested (Saturday) 

• Report: The former Charas/P.S. 64 is headed to auction this March (Tuesday) 

• Fire shutters the recently opened Gjelina on Bond Street (Tuesday) 

• Det. Jamie Hernandez honored after 34 years with the 9th Precinct (Thursday) 

• A youthful exchange of ideas with Dr. Cornel West at Performance Space New York (Monday) 

• Signage alert: O'Flaherty's on Avenue A (Monday) 

• Why this East Village writer is on an apology tour (Friday) 

• Packing up Café Cortadito (Wednesday) 

• 280 E. Houston St. prepped for new building construction (Wednesday) 

• Openings: Bobby’s Night Out on Avenue C (Wednesday) ... Gen Korean BBQ House on 14th Street (Monday) 

• Essex Squeeze has closed its 5th Street outpost (Monday) 

• Signage alert: Saint Pizza on Avenue B (Tuesday) 

• The return of 99-cent pizza?! (Monday) 

• What's going on with Pop's Eat-Rite on St. Mark's Place (Thursday) 

• City removes curbside dining structure from outside AO Bowl on St. Mark's Place (Friday)

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Follow EVG on Instagram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

This is a public service announcement: International Clash Day is Tuesday

This Tuesday (Feb. 7), Seattle's KEXP is hosting its 11th annual International Clash Day. 

The KEXP holiday's 11th annual celebration will be a day of on-air programming all about The Clash, with an exploration of present-day human rights issues that underscore the seminal track's ["Know Your Rights"] relevance over 40 years later. 

You can tune in to the station here from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. All sessions are archived for two weeks here.

Top photo from 2009 shows Ezo's Clash-inspired (and long-gone) mural on Third Street between Avenue B. It was on the wall outside the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

ATM FYI

Photo by Stacie Joy

From earlier this week... DOT reps placed these ATM flyers around (seen above on Avenue B)... reminding merchants/landlords that ATMs are not permitted on NYC sidewalks.

Per the signage, ATM fines are $2,500, as of 2011... and now, property owners "may be charged an additional $5,000 for every five-day period that the property owner remains in violation."

A lost and found rummage sale at the Parkside Lounge tomorrow (Sunday!)

This Sunday (Feb. 5!), the Parkside Lounge is hosting a rummage sale, featuring items that have been left in the bar's lost-and-found the past year as well as items from your "favorite staff." 

The sale will also feature some local merchants, such as the East Village Vintage Collective. 

The event is serving as a fundraiser for the New York Transgender Advocacy Group. 

You can check out the sale from 4-8 p.m. at the Parkside, 317 E. Houston St. at Attorney.

[Updated] Suspect who allegedly assaulted Ray outside Ray's Candy Story has been arrested

Updated 7 p.m. 

A second man, ID'd as 55-year-old Gerald Barth, was also arrested. Luis Peroza and Barth are suspected of several assaults, per published reports. According to the Post: "Barth allegedly pointed a finger at Peroza as the muscle in the unhinged incidents..."

Several EVG readers have emailed us about Barth, and that he is well-known in Tompkins Square Park

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The 9th Precinct this morning announced that an arrest has been made in the assault of Ray Alvarez, the 90-year-old owner of Ray's Candy Store. 

Today we informed Ray that we identified and apprehended the perpetrator responsible for this heinous crime.

Special thanks to Warrants Section, 9th Detective Squad, and Intelligent Division. pic.twitter.com/QM9H2DKwaT

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 4, 2023

[Updated noon] NY1 reported (and amNY) that police arrested Luis Peroza, a 39-year-old East Village resident. 

As EVG first reported, Ray and his employee Gabe were attacked outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, early Tuesday morning. 

A man struck Ray with what was described as a belt with a rock attached to it… causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. Gabe was hit across the chest.

The suspect 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. 

On Thursday night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel. We're told 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. Perhaps he will rest easier knowing that the police arrested the suspect.

P.S. Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.

Updated 3:30 p.m.

Mayor Adams thanked the NYPD in a tweet, linking to the Post's coverage this afternoon...
 

New York’s Finest never rests.

Thank you to the NYPD for their quick work in bringing the suspect behind the attack on the legendary Ray’s Candy Store to justice. https://t.co/QRBlX2g859

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 4, 2023

1010 WINS posted this perp-walk footage from today outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street...

Suspect Luis Peroza is walked out of the 9 Pct station house to face arraignment on assault charges for allegedly striking 90 year old candy store owner Ray Alvarez. Alvarez is resting at home. He has 3 broken facial bones. He plans to return to his store to work #1010wins pic.twitter.com/LDgCiDSWHk

— Carol D'Auria (@CarolDAuria) February 4, 2023

H/T Stacie Joy

Saturday's opening shot

Early morning on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue... sunny and 7 degrees, with a feels-like temp of -9. 

High of 26 today with more seasonable 2023 temps in the 40s returning tomorrow, per the weather people.

'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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Many people have been asking about Ray after the assault outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, early Tuesday morning. 

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

Reps from the DOT and Department of Sanitation removed the small curbside dining space from outside the shuttered AO Bowl at 82 St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue. (Thank you @pixelkeg for the pic!) 

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. 

You can read more about the book in these interviews at NPR (and here!). Ingall and McCarthy also break down the six (and a half) steps to great apologies right here.

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.]

Updated 1:45 p.m. 

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.