Revealed! Avenue A ghost signage!

Photos by Stacie Joy

Yesterday, workers removed the rolldown gate on a vacant storefront on Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street (the former lottery place next to Discount Fine Wine & Champagne's, aka Nizga Liquors). 

In the process, the workers uncovered ghost signage for a long-ago shop that sold carriages, strollers and toys...

... from the days when Avenue A had several like-minded shops along this corridor (like here) ...

Have you seen these banana roller skates?

A new item in the Lost & Found section of Craigslist (thanks for letting us know, Gwynne!) ...

Dearest neighbors, I’m an idiot and left my roller skates outside in a Citibike basket at the intersection of East 7th and Ave C. They are banana yellow with mermaid scale tips, purple stoppers and pinky gummy wheels. PERFECT in every way. 

Did you find them? If I found them I’d probably take them as my own or sell them, but maybe you’re one of the rare goodies that took them to try to find their forgetful owner. If so, please advise! I miss them so much! 

I won’t pay you a million dollars for them, come on they’re mine, but I’ll give you something for your trouble.

A tribute to Tom Verlaine on the Bowery

Someone left a thank-you note for Tom Verlaine outside the former CBGB space at 315 Bowery (now John Varvatos) ... quoting from "Marquee Moon." 

Not sure how long the note has been here. 

Verlaine, guitarist, frontman and co-founder of Television, one of the most influential acts of the CBGB scene in the late 1970s, died on Jan. 28 at age 73.

Life in the hive puckered up my night 

A kiss of death, the embrace of life 

Ooh, there I stand neath the Marquee Moon 

But I ain't waiting...

Saturday's opening shot

The sunrise as seen from Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place...

Friday's parting shot

Moxie Pocket at Heaven Can Wait tonight on Avenue A ... on a bill with the Acute and Hard Nips.

Ring in the new year

 

There's a new (great!) record out by R. Ring, a band featuring Kelley Deal (of the Breeders) and Mike Montgomery.

The video here is for "Def Sup." 

6 Avenue B, long-abandoned, has a new owner

Photos yesterday by Stacie Joy

There's a new owner for 6 Avenue B, the 6-story building on the NW corner of Avenue B and Houston that has been empty/abandoned for years.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy spotted a notice on the front door noting the ownership change... 

The LLC is linked to Penn Capital South, whose portfolio includes multiple EV properties. 

According to public records, the building changed hands for a mere $1.05 million. However, the new owners also had to pay $4.2 million in real property transfer and real estate transfer taxes.

As we've pointed out (here and here), the building is in dismal shape and will need significant work to bring it up to code. (The DOB has cited No. 6 for emergency repairs several times in recent years.)

This was one of the abandoned buildings owned by the estate of the mysterious team of Arthur and Abraham Blasof, both long deceased. However, No. 6 has been generating some income with the cell-phone towers on the roof. 

The liquor store in the retail space closed when the owner passed away in the fall of 2009 at age 89. (Chico created the tribute to her on the gate in February 2010.)

The sidewalk bridge has been here since 2015.

Previously on EVG:

• Because you've always wanted to know what the inside of the long-empty 6 Avenue B looks like

• Let's take another look at the eerie remains of the long-abandoned 6 Avenue B 

About the 3rd & B'zaar Valentine's Market this weekend

Photos by Stacie Joy 

This weekend, 3rd & B'zaar is hosting a Valentine's Market here at 191 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Curators Maegan Hayward, Delphine Le Goff and Sara Ann Rutherford (seen below) gave us a preview what to expect at the mixed-vendor market and event space ...

We have over 25 local small businesses participating and will be selling vintage, locally designed clothing and accessories, infused chocolates, art, cards and much more. 

Also, we are very excited to announce that we will be debuting our special collection of Fashion Brand Company clothing and accessories! We've been obsessed with their amazing creations for so long ... and are beyond happy to offer Fashion Brand Company in person in NYC!

The market is open from noon to 9 p.m. today (with a special sip and shop from 7-9 p.m.) and ... and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Offside Tavern shapes up on Avenue A and 6th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Renovations continue on the NE corner of Avenue A and Sixth Street, where a new outpost of Offside Tavern is expected to open in the months ahead here at 94 Avenue A. (First noted here. Comments from readers who had been to the original OT were positive.)

We spotted owner Nick Costa out front painting the exterior of the highly-tagged storefront...

This is a new iteration of Offside, which had a three-year run at 137 W. 14th St. until the pandemic-related PAUSE of March 2020. 

During the NHL season, OT was a hockey bar — specifically for fans of the New York Islanders. The place made enough of an impression that when the Islanders opened UBS Arena in late 2021, the new venue included an Offside Tavern tribute bar located in Section 217.

Costa said that they hope to debut on A in a few months — as soon as the liquor license arrives... and they hire and train new staff. 

Here's a look inside the space... where there are multiple rooms, including one for a bar and another area (along the Sixth Street side) with a communal table... not to mention multiple TV sets for watching the Islanders — or whatever happens to be in season...

August Laura had a brief run here, opening in October 2019 ... then a haphazard schedule during the pandemic before finally shutting down in December 2021.

August Laura took over the space from what some people considered an East Village institution — Sidewalk, the restaurant bar and live music venue (home of the Antifolk Festival) that closed in February 2019 after 34 years.

Pini Milstein, who retired, was the principal owner of the building and the operator of the Sidewalk. According to public records, Penn South Capital paid $9.6 million for the property in March 2019. The building's new owners added a one-floor extension here in 2020.

Thursday's parting shots

In case you weren't up at, say, 6:48-6:58 a.m. today  ... here's a look at the fiery sunrise. 

William Klayer shared this photo from Ninth Street looking toward Avenue A...

... and from Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... via Jackflashnyc...

... and 14th Street by Pinch...

Cake and soup at Ray's Candy Store

Photos by Lola Sáenz 

A lot of smiles today at Ray's Candy Store as Stella celebrated a birthday with the help of her sister, Mary. 

Stella started working for Ray in 1977 — three years after the shop opened in 1974. 

Meanwhile, Ray continues on the mend after the assault outside the shop early on Jan. 31. 

With a dislocated jaw, Ray is on a liquid diet. Stella has been making him homemade soup, which she brings into the shop to blend for her longtime friend and boss...

City's fight against unlicensed cannabis shops now targets landlords; 4 East Village shops busted

Photos Tuesday by Stacie Joy 

On Tuesday, Mayor Adams and Manhattan DA Bragg announced that they have joined forces to combat the proliferation of illegal, unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in the city.

For starters, the NYPD filed complaints against four unlicensed establishments selling cannabis in the jurisdiction of the 9th Precinct, which covers the East Village. 

Per a media advisory from the city: 

The complaints allege that an officer observed the sale of cannabis products at these establishments to underage individuals and sought to shut them down for the illegal sale of cannabis products and operating without a license. 

Additionally, the Manhattan DA's office mailed letters to each of the more than 400 known smoke shops in Manhattan, warning them of the potential for eviction proceedings for unlawful cannabis sales. 

The NYPD's lawsuits allege that officers observed the sale of cannabis to underage auxiliary officers at these four establishments in Manhattan: Runtz Tobacco, 14 First Ave; Broadway, 736 Broadway; Saint Marks Convenience & Smoke Shop, 103 Saint Mark's Place; and Sogie Mart Rolls & Puff, 24 Avenue A. 

The NYPD now seeks to shut down these unlicensed establishments under New York City's Nuisance Abatement Law for the unlicensed sale of cannabis, also a violation of New York State's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was present at Saint Marks Convenience & Smoke Shop between Avenue A and First Avenue when a contingent of law enforcement officers from the 9th Precinct, the Sheriff's Interagency Enforcement Task Force, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the state Office of Cannabis Management paid a visit.

Law enforcement officials carried out bags full of confiscated merchandise and left copies of the lawsuit behind. Despite the action, a few of the shops opened later that day. 

New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda told a City Council hearing last month "that this tactic was unlikely to lead to stores being shut down right away," as Gothamist reported. "Nuisance abatement takes a little while because the person has to have due process," Miranda said at that hearing.

The letter to the smoke shops from Bragg informs commercial entities that the DA's office "is prepared to use its civil authority under Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law to require owners and landlords to commence eviction proceedings of commercial tenants who are engaged in illegal trade or business, and to take over such eviction proceedings if necessary." (Find a copy of the letters here.) 

The Real Deal identified the landlords behind the four East Village shops that were busted on Tuesday: 103 Saint Marks Place and 736 Broadway are owned by Bahram Hakakian's Allied Realty & Development, 24 Avenue A is owned by a limited liability company linked to Alfred Sabetfard of Sabet Group, and Runtz Tobacco at 14 First Ave. Per TRD: Jeong Hoon Kim and Son Dinh Tran are linked to LLCs that own two of the properties. 

There are an estimated 50 illegal shops in the East Village; 1.400 in the five boroughs.

Bragg said that his office will determine where evidence exists of unauthorized cannabis sales and other illegal activity and will notify landlords of their requirement to begin eviction proceedings.

If the landlord does not make an application to evict within five days of the written notice — or if, after making the application, the landlord does not "in good faith diligently prosecute it" — then the DA's Office will bring its own proceeding against the tenant as though it were the landlord.

The Housing Works Cannabis Co. store — New York's first legal recreational marijuana market — opened to great fanfare and long lines in late December on Broadway at Eighth Street in a former Gap retail space. Another legal dispensary is expected to open on Third Street near the Bowery this spring.

La Mama officially unveils its refurbished new home today

The La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club family welcomes the return of its renovated original home on Fourth Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today. (We first mentioned this on Jan. 24.)

Restoration work has been ongoing the past few years at the landmarked building at 74A E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. La MaMa founder Ellen Stewart bought the property as the off-off-Broadway institution's first permanent home in 1967.

Today's event begins at 11 a.m. outside No. 74A. Actor, activist, dancer and choreographer André De Shields is the special guest for the ceremonies, which will also be streamed on Instagram via @nyclgbtsites.

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A Korean-style pizzeria for 1st Avenue

Signage recently arrived for a new establishment called Appas Pizza here at 210 First Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street (right next door to the great Gena's Grill — try the jamón y queso).

We hear that this will be a Korean-style pizza parlor via Ume Hospitality Group. No word yet on an opening date.

In past lives, this storefront was a Papa John's (2010-2018).  

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

New mural on St. Mark's Place, south side between Avenue A and First Avenue — "Punk Is Not Dead" by Miki Mu...

Lean on me

EVG contributor Stacie Joy noticed the arrival of a new leaning bar at the M9 stop on Avenue C and Sixth Street...

These have been in circulation citywide, dating to at least 2016. Per the MTA, "Leaning bars offer a place to rest at bus stops while accommodating people who have difficulty sitting and standing up from a lower bench." 

We are trying to remember seeing any other leaning bars around the neighborhood. (They were promised with the new M14 SBS service.)

As Bloomberg noted in 2017 when they arrived at a few subway stations: "some New Yorkers saw the bar as the latest salvo in what could be called the 'War on Sitting.'"

An appeal to help a longtime East Village resident

Photos by Daniel Efram 

Updated 2/9

Dan posted an update to the GoFundMe... thanking everyone for their generous support. Also:

WE NEED: General builders / handy people / painters / wall scrapers / flooring specialists for possible emergency work in the apartment possibly this weekend or next week. 

See the comments below or the campaign for more info.

-----

EVG regular Daniel Efram is helping a neighbor, Ginette Schenck, an 87-year-old resident who has lived in a studio on 12th Street and Avenue A for decades, improve her current living conditions. 

Per his crowdfunding appeal: 

Ginette's health and apartment have seen better days. Funds raised will go toward a deep cleaning (of the apartment), apartment replacement items, new clothing, bedding, towels, etc... which will allow her to heal in a clean and less germ-friendly environment.

And... 

Her health has taken a huge dip in the last couple of months, certainly in no small part due to her horrendous living quarters. It needs a DEEP clean asap, and she will need new everything (clothing, bedding, paint. etc.) to survive. She has been bedridden for months and needs daily help. Her numerous ailments, including painful shingles, neuropathy made worse undoubtedly by her filthy, vermin-ridden studio apartment. 

Though we have been able to get her some aid through the city, she needs much more and any progress seems destined to be stymied by bad fortune and a lack of family nearby to help her make decisions ...

The way she has been left to die on her own, trying to navigate a health care system designed to punish those without extreme financial affluence, family or regular guidance, is a tragedy. 

Find the GoFundMe here.

Work on the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park expected to start in September

Yesterday, we provided information about the timing of the reconstruction of the Tompkins Square Park field house (starting next month). 

The Parks Department has also offered a more specific timeline for the pavement reconstruction of the multipurpose courts (seen above) along Avenue A and 10th Street. 

That work is expected to start in September ... with an anticipated completion in June 2024... (a city official previously said this work would only take three months...)

We covered the city's presentation to Community Board 3's Parks, Recreation, Waterfront, & Resiliency Committee back in September. Find that recap, which includes schematics, here. 

The Parks Department will reconstruct the multipurpose courts, adding various amenities, including a two-lane seal-coated walking loop, and new asphalt.

According to Max Goodstein, a landscape architect with the Parks Department, there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

Other additions: new benches, a kickball court, a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, and three new basketball backstops at the eastern end, replacing the ones that always seem to be damaged. 

So what does this mean for the skaters on the lot (aka TF), hallowed ground where generations have used this space dating to the 1980s? (It has been called "the last great meet-up spot for skateboarders and their friends in New York.") 

Skaters are worried the new asphalt will be either too soft or hard for skating, turning this into a useless spot.

As you may recall, in September 2019, the skateboarding community came together via a petition started by Adam Zhu and signed by 33,000-plus people to show their support for keeping the multipurpose courts free of synthetic turf...  plans apparently only known to residents who attended a Community Board 3 committee meeting in May 2019. 

However, less than 24 hours before a much-publicized rally was to take place, the city announced that it would no longer cover the space in turf, originally proposed to make up for the amenities lost during the years-long gutting of East River Park.

"Tompkins Square Park has served as the epicenter of NYC skateboard culture for decades. As such, we have decided to leave the area previously proposed for synthetic in the park as is and will not move forward with creating a synthetic turf area there," Parks Department spokesperson Crystal Howard said in a statement to Patch at the time. 

And as we've noted previously, the reconstructed layout of the space may make this the end of the epicenter of NYC skateboard culture. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

The latest mural, courtesy of Steve the Bum, outside the Second Avenue F stop at Houston...