A look at Theatre 80 last night before marshals seize the historic East Village venue today

Photos by Stacie Joy 

At some point today, marshals are expected to seize the connected buildings at 78-80 St. Mark's Place, forcing owners and upstairs residents Lorcan and Genie Otway to vacate the property between First Avenue and Second Avenue ahead of a sale via a bankruptcy court.

As previously reported, the Otways have been battling in recent years to save the space, which houses a 199-seat theater, the William Barnacle Tavern and the Museum of the American Gangster. 

Per this December 2021 story in The New York Times, Lorcan said that the theater, which his father bought and started in 1964, and its companion businesses were in good financial health until March 2020 and the start of NY State's PAUSE. 

More background from the Times:

Shortly before then, he had taken out a $6.1 million mortgage against the properties to settle an inheritance dispute, pay legal fees and finance needed renovations. With the pandemic lockdown and a precipitous decline in revenue, that loan went into default and was purchased by Maverick Real Estate Partners about a year ago. The firm, according to court documents, has closed over 130 distressed debt transactions, with a total value of over $300 million.

The Times reported that the original lender later sold the debt to Maverick, which raised the interest rate from 10% to 24% without Lorcan's knowledge. The deficit reportedly ballooned to $12 million, and they filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in December 2021. 

Last night, EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the former Prohibition-era speakeasy for — possibly — a last look at the historic East Village venue.

Lorcan, who has been at the address since age 9, was understandably angry and sad last evening about the pending eviction and the kafkaesque situation that has unfolded here since the start of the pandemic ...

After the space is padlocked today, we understand that the Otways will have a three-week window to raise the rest of the money owed... and hope for an angel investor. 

New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs has also reportedly supported the theater's survival efforts. The office has already expedited granting a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status to Historic 80 Saint Marks Inc. 

To date, more than 5,000 people have signed a petition to save the space.

Memphis Seoul unveils signage, storefront

Workers have removed the plywood from outside 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, revealing the storefront and signage for Memphis Seoul. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

And a night view...

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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. 

No word on an official opening date. 

Our previous post has more about the restaurant and ownership. 

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

This is the new projected opening date for Panda Express

Here's a follow-up to our post from Monday about an opening date for Panda Express on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street. 

A spokesperson for Panda Express tells us the following: 

The projected opening date is 6/5/2023. This is not a guarantee that the location will open on that date and is only an estimate of the time frame.

We're now 16 months into the first report of the PE opening on this corner. 

As noted late last summer, there were issues with permits — as in waiting for the city, Con Ed, etc., to approve them. A PE rep told The Village Sun that this outpost wouldn't open until the first quarter of 2023. (One tipster said to us that management here was very late in completing the necessary paperwork for the various licenses, etc.)

Panda Express launched in California in 1983 ... with more than 2,000 locations today, including a handful around NYC.   

Tuesday's parting shot

From Indict to Indicted on St. Mark's Place...

A new corner of the 'Star Wars' galaxy

EVG contributor Stacie Joy spotted local artist-illustrator Rich Miller starting on a new mural on the NE corner of Seventh Street and Avenue C. 

And a sneak preview of what's to come... a work that includes Grogu, aka Baby Yoda...

RIP Leonard Abrams

Photo from March 23 by Stacie Joy 

Leonard Abrams, the editor and publisher of the East Village Eye, the legendary magazine published from 1979 to 1987 that covered the neighborhood's arts, politics and social currents at the time, died suddenly on Sunday, according to several of his longtime friends. 

Abrams, who started the publication at age 24, had recently announced — much to his delight — that the Eye's archives, consisting of documents, manuscripts, artworks, videos, ephemera and a complete run of the original printed publication, had been purchased by the New York Public Library. (This article in The New Yorker has many more details about the archives.) 

On March 23, Abrams presided over a celebration of the acquisition at the Bowery Electric, an evening that included a performance by the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. 

His friends shared some thoughts on social media about his death...

My friend & former editor Leonard Abrams passed away suddenly yesterday. We met in 1990 when he was the US editor of Soul Underground. I'm in shock; he and I were just writing one another a few weeks ago and now he's gone. https://t.co/19WRYjCB2d @lithub @villagevoice pic.twitter.com/NY0mfpmqRO

— gonzomike (@gonzomike) April 3, 2023

Could EVEye publisher Leonard Abrams really be dead of a heart attack? He was only last week celebrating the NYPL getting the Eye archives. He was a true Tom Sawyer with that thing, getting us all to work for an apple core - but it wouldn’t have happened without him.

— Walter Robinson (@walter10065) April 3, 2023

Saddened to wake up to the news that #eastvillageeye Publisher, #LeonardAbrams has passed away. As a documentarian, I am so thankful of his rich documentation of the East Village Art Scene through his paper. And, he was such a wonderful, giving person.

— Make Me Famous Movie - ART documentary (@famousartdoc) April 3, 2023

His post-Eye career included opening Hotel Amazon, which brought warehouse-style parties to a former LES school featuring, among many others, De La Soul, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys. He also made the documentary "Quilombo Countr," narrated by Chuck D, about a community founded by escaped slaves in Brazil. 

However, in recent years, his main ambition was to find a home for the Eye archives.

As he wrote: 

NYPL's acquisition of the East Village Eye archive is the perfect outcome of our years-long search for the best home for these materials. I can't think of another institution with the breadth and depth of interest, the institutional strength and the dedication to the common good that compares to the New York Public Library — not to mention where it lives. New York deserves to keep this essential trove of materials. It covers a time when it wasn't always easy to love New York City, but we always knew how important it was to bring these voices to the public and to preserve them, even if it meant dragging them from one storage space to another for some 35 years.

In a 2012 interview with EVG, he discussed the legacy of the 72 issues of East Village Eye. 

I'm most proud of having gotten so many of them out. And hearing someone say something like "I moved to NY because I read the Eye in my home state." I was gratified to have published columns by David Wojnarowicz and Glenn O'Brien and Cookie Mueller and Richard Hell. And to have been told that the term "hip hop" was first printed in the Eye. And to have presented so many idiosyncratic voices in such a deadpan manner, as if what they said was as obvious as the weather. That was fun.

Food City coming to Avenue D

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Workers are stocking shelves for Food City, a new supermarket to open this spring at 85 Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

Not sure at the moment if this Food City is any relation to the longtime shop that closed on the UWS in 2013. 

This space was previously a Rite Aid, which closed late last spring. Avenue D could use another grocer after Uncle Johnny closed in February 2022 at Fifth Street last year to make way for a new 13-floor development. 

Food City will be just steps away from the Food Emporium on the SW corner of Avenue D and Sixth Street...

Captain Cookie takes a break on Astor Place

After a year on Broadway at Astor Place, the Captain Cookie & the Milk Man shop has decided to close up for now. (Thanks to Chelsea Frazer for the initial tip and photo!) 

In a message to EVG, a company spokesperson said: 

We have taken a step back from retail after our past year of serving East Village and Times Square and appreciate all the fans who came out to share our joy of cookies! We hope to be back in NYC with shops in the future...

NYC Captain Cookie fans can order for delivery on the company's website. 

The Washington, D.C.-based mobile business operated by Neil Hershman serves "fresh-baked cookies, local milk, and made-to-order ice cream sandwiches." There are storefronts in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, N.C. 

They opened here at the end of April 2022.

Monday's parting shot

Currently in bloom inside the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ...

ICYMI: Superiority Burger debuts in new East Village home

On Saturday night, the Superiority Burger team unwrapped and illuminated the signage at its new home, 119 Avenue A ... officially launching a new era here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

ICYMI, EVG contributor Stacie Joy got the first look at the space, the former Odessa Restaurant. You can check out our post here from yesterday for more. 

For now, SB is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, Thursday through Monday. They plan to expand the hours in the weeks/months ahead to include lunch and, one day, breakfast service. 

And about the sign: Tamara Shopsin designed it. (She and her husband Jason Fulford also created the SB placements and menus.)

At the incoming Panda Express, the lights are on but there's no Orange Chicken

Updated 4/5: June is the new target date for the opening.

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The Panda Express Watch continues on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street. 

The latest development: THE LIGHTS ARE ON...

This comes two weeks after a ladder inside the quick-serve chain's space moved from one spot to another.

We're 16 months into the first report of the PE opening on this corner. 

As previously noted late last summer, there were issues with permits — as in waiting for the city, Con Ed, etc., to approve them. A PE rep told The Village Sun that this outpost wouldn't open until the first quarter of 2023. (One tipster told us that management here was very late in turning in the necessary paperwork for the various licenses, etc.)

Anyway, we're now at the start of the second quarter of 2023. We reached out to PE for an update on the opening status.

In any event, the PE still looks ready for Orange Chicken action ... though this location hasn't appeared on the PE website.  

Panda Express launched in California in 1983 ... with more than 2,000 locations today, including a handful around NYC.  

H/T Steven

[Updated] Expired health permit temporarily sidelines Joey Bats Café

Photos by Stacie Joy

Updated 4/4: Joey Bats reopened today after paying the fines.

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Joey Bats Café is temporarily closed at 129 Allen St. 

A posted notice from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene noted that the business was operating without a permit.

Owner  Joey Batista (aka Bats) responded with a message for patrons:

"I forgot to renew the health permit and it expired (Doh)! This means that despite my 'A' rating, I have to stay closed until Monday when the fine can be paid..."

We've seen similar DOH notices at Downtown Bakery on First Avenue (dated Feb. 21) and Mochinut on Second Avenue (dated March 21). Both of those businesses remain closed ... apparently, the city isn't able to expedite these permits any more quickly than five-plus weeks. 

On Avenue A, Two Hands turns over to Korean Street Foods

Signage is up now at 147 Avenue A for Korean Street Foods, which is apparently serving as both the business name and a description of the food likely to be found here in the future. 

Details are scarce about the establishment between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The new signage arrival comes on the heels of the closure of Two Hands in recent weeks. (A note on the door pointed to a "technical issue" for what was to be a temporary situation.) The Korean corn dog specialists — part of an expanding chain — opened in April 2021. Their other NYC outposts remain in service.

Sunday's parting shot

A morning view from Tompkins Square Park...

A Spring Sunday with Miss Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

A dispatch from Second Street... 

Miss Kita the Wonder Dog availing herself of the warmish weather and the amazing crispy eggs at Supper. Happy Spring everyone.

April 2

Spotted today on 11th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C... someone making space for Palm Sunday palms? 

Thanks to Erin Mumford for the photo!

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo from 3rd and B by Stacie Joy) 

• First look at the all-new Superiority Burger, now open on Avenue A (Sunday) 

• RIP Joseph Bellaflores (Wednesday) 

• The 2nd Avenue gas explosion — 8 years later (Monday) 

• More about the return of Bereket to the Lower East Side (Tuesday)

• At the rally to save Theatre 80 (Saturday) 

• You can vote on what neighborhood projects receive capital funding from City Council (Monday) 

• The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black headlines celebration for the East Village Eye (Monday) 

• There she goes again: Tammy Faye Starlite returns as Nico at Joe's Pub (Thursday)

• Thanks to Rihanna, this East Village deli has become a go-to spot for streetwear events (Thursday) 

• Village Works is moving to St. Mark's Place (Wednesday) 

• Tompkins Square Bagels debuts on Union Square (Thursday) 

• Kinka bringing art, food and plants to 7th Street (Wednesday)

• Green days: About the GetLocalEV small business sustainability campaign this April (Friday) 

• Board report: Former Dallas BBQ prepped for renovations (Wednesday) 

• Thursday's parting movie recommendation (Thursday) 

• What's up with Two Hands? (Tuesday) 

• The cheese slice is $1 at the just-opened 99¢ Pizza (Monday)

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First look at the all-new Superiority Burger, now open on Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Superiority Burger rather quietly — and officially! — debuted for a few hours last night in its new home at 119 Avenue A. 

The restaurant — "the theoretical vegetable restaurant," per its Instagram account — recently passed all its city inspections and got the gas turned on after 20 long months of city bureaucracy... not to mention planning and renovations here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Before last night's opening, East Village resident Brooks Headley and his team had been hosting weekend dinners to train staff ... and develop/test out menu items...

For starters, anyone who visited SB's popular previous location, a mostly to-go operation with six seats around the corner on Ninth Street (b. 2015), will be pleased to see that there is ample room inside for dining... and the space looks very similar to the previous tenant — Odessa Restaurant (1995-2020) right down to the tables, chairs, cash register station and soda counter. (The owners of Odessa remain the landlords of 119 Avenue A.)

The new SB has a classic diner look and feel, though, with the Jam, Slant 6 and the Fall on the soundtrack. (Headley played drums in several punk-hardcore bands and seems pleased by the often-obscure playlist not above dropping in a deep cut from A Flock of Seagulls.)

During two recent EVG visits, Headley (below) seemed to be in constant motion, bussing tables, chatting with customers, fiddling with the PA's volume (it's no Key Food, he admitted of the sound system) and inspecting plates of food from the kitchen...

First, a look at some of the menu items... like the Superiority Burger ("Megamouth" size, pickles, muenster cheese, mustard, roast tomato, iceberg, mayo)...

... the Collard Greens Sandwich (slow-braised collards, Cooper sharp cheese, housemade focaccia) ...

... Yuba-Verde (Hodo City yuba, sausaged ceci, broccoli rabe, Matouk's mayo on a roll)...

... twice-baked potato ...

... burnt broccoli salad...

... and there are a lot of desserts... (check the pastry case!) and ample gelato and sorbet...

SB also has a bar — the exact one from Odessa previously — and a bar area for drinks ...

... featuring homemade bar snacks (if you have a quarter)...

Headley is particularly proud of his hard-to-get Suntory Toki highball machine that dispenses super cold and extra fizzy seltzer water — billed on the menu as Best Seltzer Ever ... (and you never know who might be serving it from the bar area)...

The restaurant has many nice touches... from the placemats featuring local businesses...

... and the menu cover that quotes reviews of the first two Ramones records, as seen in a Rolling Stone ad — "Ramones get noticed..." from March 1977 (Headley found the advertisement in a shop in Japan).

Tamara Shopsin and her husband Jason Fulford designed both the placements and the menus...
 

... to some EV ephemera on the walls... like an ad for See Hear on Seventh Street ... and a photo outside Dojo Restaurant on St. Mark's Place...

For now, SB is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, Thursday through Monday. 

Headley said they would add lunch and eventually a breakfast menu later. Oh, and no reservations.

Noting, part 2

Weather watch continues...