So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue?

ICYMI. On June 26, we noted activity — workers picking up trash and random bricks — inside the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

As previously reported (first here), there are/were approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

An anonymous commenter previously had claimed: "Their plans were deemed dangerous for the neighboring property by DOB. Gemini is actively trying to sell the lot."

After our post, a rep for Gemini Rosemont Development told us the following: "The project is frozen, and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

DOB records show a variety of infractions, many involving non-maintenance of the construction fence.

In the spring, the DOB posted a "Notice to Revoke" on the approved application...

The address is still on the Gemini Rosemont Development website, though clicking on the address takes you to a random landing page.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

To date, we have not seen any new notices about the sale of this lot. (Maybe you have and want to share?)

So the space will likely remain vacant for a few more years ... by the time someone makes a purchase and gets any new plans approved. 

Openings: Tacombi on 12th Street

Tacombi debuted at 139 E. 12th St. at Third Avenue (NW corner) last week. 

This is the 17th outpost for the brand, though the first counter-service-only location for the brand. 

A few details via a Tacombi rep: 

The menu, from Master Chef Carmen Miranda ... consists of five tacos: Tacos al Pastor, thin slices of marinated and Mexico City-style spit-roasted pork topped with pineapple; Tacos de Suadero, traditional slow-braised beef tacos from Mexico City named after the cut of meat; Tacos de Ribeye, with cilantro, onions, salsa ranchera and lime; Tacos de Longaniza, ground pork seasoned with garlic, dried chiles, achiote, cumin and clove, cooked with the meat of the suadero; and Tacos de Milanesa, a twist on a Mexican staple, this plant-based version is made with a blend of spices, flaxseed, and roasted mushrooms, that are breaded and lightly fried. 

And! 

The East Village location is a departure from Tacombi’s typical dine-in format and will offer a communal standing table for guests on the go ... guests will order when they walk in and then watch the Master Taqueros ... prepare their food.

The taqueria is open for breakfast tacos and coffee from 8 to 10:45 a.m. and lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As previously noted, Tacombi takes over the space from iSouvlaki, which closed last summer after a two-year run.

Next up in 'Classics in Black & White' at Village East by Angelika — 'Double Indemnity'

The monthly "Classics in Black & White" series continues tomorrow (Monday!) at Village East by Angelika on Second Avenue at 12th Street. 

Screening tomorrow (still Monday!) at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. — Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity" from 1944. Find ticket info here. 

FYI: It's MURDER!

 

At the last night of Ink on A

Photos by C M Matias-Cortés

Ink wrapped up 30-plus years in business at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street this past Tuesday night. 

As we first reported here and here, owner Ben "Benny" Dahud has been in a legal tussle with the private equity firm that bought the block-long building last fall for $64 million. 

So Benny decided to step away, noting that his "kids are grown up and have completed their education, and this is the perfect time to retire." 

On Tuesday evening, longtime patrons and various bargain hunters (items were going from between $1 and $3 — except for cigarettes) stopped by for a last visit to pick up some magazines or something from the food-household supplies section that grew during the pandemic.

Benny was there, of course...

...as was his longtime employee Mohammed...

And some more scenes from the last night...

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo by Derek Berg) ... 

• Last day for Ink (Tuesday) 

• Baker Falls is set to debut on Avenue A (Monday) 

• Work set to begin on 14+C, the 24-floor building coming to 14th Street and Avenue C (Wednesday) 

• Huertas is closing next month on 1st Avenue (Wednesday) 

• Construction watch: 270 E. 2nd St. (Thursday) 

• Late night at Key Food (Friday) 

 

• On 5th Street, Tamam is closing (Tuesday)

• The steel base of 1 St. Mark's Place makes its first above-ground appearance (Monday) 

• At long last, the grand opening date is revealed for Panda Express on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Monday) 

• That's Mr. Pizza to you (Thursday)

• Ghost signage at the former New Double Dragon (Tuesday) 

• The Great Jones Crown Affair (Thursday)

• 8-Bit Bites bringing its nostalgic vibes to 2nd Avenue (Thursday)

• Signage day for Jazba on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) 

• First sign of Pig & Butter on Avenue B (Tuesday) 

• On 13th and 3rd, the Ugly Duckling becomes blue bird (Monday)

 ... and a summertime scene on Ninth Street at First Avenue by Steven...

-----

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

Saturday's parting shot

Midtown cloud views today from the East Village...

Noted

Many carpet sightings in recent weeks here on the NE corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place... photo late this afternoon by Lola Sáenz... 

... and now getting the attention of the Citizen app! (Thanks for the screengrabs, Eden!)...

And some background.

A hot summer night with a free screening of 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' in Tompkins Square Park

There's a free screening tonight of "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" in Tompkins Square Park. (The flyer lists "Sonic the Hedgehog" though the Parks website says "Sonic the Hedgehog 2." If you have seen the first one it's very likely you'll catch on to the action in the sequel.) 

The film — "a video game-inspired adventure for the whole family" — will play on the multipurpose courts along 10th Street and Avenue A. 

Movie time is estimated at 9 p.m. Bring a blanket (and some kind of Deep Woods® insect repellent).

The screening is part of the Movies Under the Stars series via NYC Parks.

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

Saturday's opening shot

Summer streets... Avenue A and 13th Street ... (looking south)

[Updated] This evening in sinkholes on 3rd Street

EVG reader Mark White shared these photos early this evening from Third Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... where it "looked like the sinkhole happened just as the car was driving."

During this time, traffic on Third Street was backed up to Avenue B...

And it could have been worse.

Updated 8 a.m. 

How it looks this morning ... after being the life of the party last night...

'gothgirl1' summer

 

Next month (Aug. 18!), local band cumgirl8 will see the release of their new EP on 4AD.

Ahead of that, cumgirl8 released this visualiser video for the single "gothgirl1."

You can see them live on July 28 at the all-new Knitting Factory at Baker Falls on Avenue A.

Check out the EVG Q&A with cumgirl8 here. 

July 14

THIS JUST IN. 

Jackflashnyc spotted this outside 97 1/2 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Per Jackflashnyc: "Seems to have a good string of lights, stand and one glass ornament, though needles are getting a bit dry."

Late night at Key Food

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Key Food returned to a 24/7 schedule last October after shortened hours during the pandemic. 

Ownership — the Mandell family operates this location as well as the Key Food outposts in Park Slope and Astoria, part of the Key Food Stores Co-Operative — invited me into the grocery during the overnight hours... and even provided an all-access tour of the space. 

Aside from knowing EVG's affinity for the grocery (for better or worse!), the store on Avenue A and Fourth Street is trying to encourage people to shop between midnight and 6 a.m. and has a promo through July 27 — $5 off a purchase of $50 or more.

While I didn't receive a laminated all-access badge, I did have a tour guide in Dwyane "Petie" Reddy, who has worked for Key Food since 1987 — starting at the Queens store, and here for the past seven years ...

Also on duty this night — store manager Richie Gaitan, who has also been with Key Food since 1987...

...and away we went ... here are some behind-the-scenes scenes ... away from what shoppers might see... the place is a lot bigger than you might think at first glance rounding aisle 1...

A few things I learned... the ready-to-eat salads and prepared meals you see when you enter Key are made in-house. (The sushi is delivered each day from an outside vendor.) The meat department is staffed daily as well...

Key Food management also showed off a new employees-only T-shirt design (and I pitched them on making merch for the store because we'd buy this)...

And some Key trivia — these 24-packs of Poland Spring water are the store's top-selling product. (I'm told this is a loss-leader item)...

Richie's (iconic?) yellow sale signs and other various notices that are everywhere are designed and printed in-house...

And there's a reason for the seemingly never-ending supply of Keebler Export Sodas canisters and those 18-pound bags of wild bird food by the exit — they are big sellers...

We also cracked the mystery of the store music, often heavy on the semi-forgotten and/or guilty pleasure hits from the mid-to-late 1980s (from Level 42 to Glass Tiger to Mike + the Mechanics). 

However, my editor is making me save this scoop for another post so he can list all the random songs he's heard while shopping at Key. 

Speaking of shopping, the overnight hours proved to be a good time to knock this errand off your to-do list ... if it fits into your schedule.