Photo by Stacie Joy
Midtown views from the East Village today...
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
RIP Maryanne Byington
Maryanne left us Friday, Oct. 13, after a long battle with a pulmonary illness.
Maryanne was a resident of East Eighth Street since 1982 and an integral part of Green Oasis and Gilbert's Sculpture Garden. She was one of the founders of LUNGS and served as Vice President from 2011 to 2020.Maryanne was a trophy-winning professional ballroom dancer. She was Emeritus Dean of High Heels at Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls, where she offered students expert instruction in the arts of dressing up, making up, going out, and acting like a lady. Maryanne said, " Do you enjoy wearing high heels? Sometimes, the technique of rumba will create just the right walk for the right situation."Maryanne loved to dance and dress in Oscar de la Renta's most colorful Latin-influenced festive party gowns. She also loved to sit in her garden, watch children carve pumpkins, and listen to the birds sing. She was partial to shrimp cocktails, grilled cheese sandwiches and chilled Negronis served in a pretty cocktail glass.Maryanne's graciousness, sense of humor and beautiful smile are already greatly missed.
The milling of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park is underway
Photos by Steven
Workers arrived this morning around 8 and began milling the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park...
As we've been reporting for the past 13 months, the Parks Department will reconstruct these multipurpose courts along 10th Street and Avenue A, adding various amenities, including a two-lane seal-coated walking loop and new asphalt.
This spot (aka TF) is considered hallowed ground for skaters, where generations have used this space since the 1980s. (It has been called "the last great meet-up spot for skateboarders and their friends in New York.") 
According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), 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."
Posted signage states the work will occur between Oct. 16 and Dec. 1.
Skaters are worried the new asphalt will be either too soft or hard for skating, turning this into a useless spot.
This is the second significant reconstruction currently underway in Tompkins Square Park. Work on renovating the field house began in May... with a September 2024 completion date.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Monday, October 16, 2023
Monday's parting shot
Thanks to Sonya for the photo!
Capturing Monday's rainbow action
A last look inside Wegmans before its grand opening on Astor Place this Wednesday
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Wegmans makes its Manhattan debut this Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. on Astor Place.
Ahead of the big day, Wegmans officials invited me inside for another look as the 87,500-square-foot space comes together for opening day at the landmarked 770 Broadway...
As previously noted, the ground floor will feature the prepared foods ready to eat or heat, and a market offering in-store-made soups, salads, pizza, a mezze station, sandwiches, an Asian foods station with woks and chefs, a bakery, and a flower shop...
There is even a misting cheese cave area. (MISTING CHEESE!)
This past Thursday, the two-level space was teeming with new employees going through a test run... with staff sampling some of the offerings that Wegmans has...
The ground-floor showstopper might be the Japanese sakanaya (fish market), featuring twice-weekly deliveries from Japan.
Wegmans staffer Adrian shows the variety of cuts that Wegmans will offer...
The lower level features the vast grocery aisles ...
... there also looks to be a solid beer selection...
... including an only-at-this-location Astor Place IPA...
See you Wednesday...
Our previous post (see link below) has more details on the space, the home of Kmart for 25 years until July 2021.
Previously on EV Grieve:
This nearly block-long parcel on 2nd Avenue is now for sale
The empty lot along the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, the site of an abandoned development project, is now on the market.
Avison Young has the listing for the lot — billed as a "redevelopment property" for "multifamily development."
Per Avison Young:
The Property currently exists as a vacant lot and owners have purchased offsite inclusionary air rights for the proposed construction of 136,199 gross square feet, including 13,750 square feet below grade. The Property features a curb cut on East 2nd Avenue for on-site parking.
The resulting above-grade gross square footage reconciles to 122,449 square feet. The Property is planned to feature a rooftop deck and units with sweeping views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, ~10-foot ceilings throughout and abundant light and air on all four sides due to its corner location joined at the junction of East Second Street and Second Avenue.
42 Second Avenue presents a true, expansive development opportunity with a prime NoHo / East Village address. The scale and location of the Property offer the blank canvas for a premier mixed-use, commercial or residential condo project.
The listing, which does not mention the asking price, includes this rendering showing the potential ...
As previously reported (first here), there were approved work permits 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.
However, those plans are obviously officially dead as the city moved to revoke the permits. In August, The Real Deal took a deep dive into what happened:
All that stood in Gemini's way was a small-time landlord next door. Robert Proto, however, proved to be a big-time problem.Proto made unceasing calls to officials for weeks, triggering an audit by the Department of Buildings that found code and zoning issues that had initially slipped past the agency.
In 2020, Gemini Rosemont spent more than $50 million to assemble the development ... buying 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.
The new owners may want to consult with Robert Proto on the project.
On the CB3-SLA docket: A new home for Han Dynasty on 3rd Avenue; a Sunflower for 2nd Avenue
Here's a look at two of the applicants who will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee this evening. (See below for info on watching online — or in person.)
• Han Dynasty (Han Dynasty East Village Corp), 98 3rd Ave (op)
Han Dynasty has enjoyed a successful run at 90 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street for the past 10 years.
The restaurant's ownership is on the agenda tonight (questionnaire here) for a new liquor license for a space several storefronts to the north at 98 Third Ave. — the formal Bar None...
The application on file at the CB3 website doesn't mention whether this is a move or, perhaps, a second location. Ownership did not respond to an email seeking clarification.
Bar None closed in the spring of 2022 after nearly 17 years in service.
• Sunflower East Village (RJM Hospitality LLC), 88 2nd Ave (op)
The NE corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street will be home to another location of Sunflower, a cafe serving breakfast-brunch on Third Avenue between 25th Street and 26th Street.
The EV location looks to have the same menu/vibe, though with dinner service. Find the questionnaire here. (Note: There will only be a service bar here — no bar seating.)
Sunflower is owned and operated by the same folks as the previous tenant here, Eros, the Greek restaurant that quietly closed in August 2022 when a "temporarily closed" sign arrived on the front door. Eros took over for their diner concept, The Kitchen Sink, in September 2021.
Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here. This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.
Storefront signage alert: Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart on 2nd Avenue
Photo by Steven
This is the second outpost in Manhattan after the brand's first arrival in Koreatown in 2021.
Here's more about the company, which first launched in Malaysia in 2016:
Inspired by the distinctly cheesy taste of Hokkaido dairy — and using a traditional recipe from Japan's dairy heartland — it is not surprising that the famed Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart has been a huge hit throughout Asia. We've successfully launched in Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and China.
And!
The appeal of the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart is its combination of a crunchy, shortcrust base and fluffy filling, all pulled together with a deliciously cheesy aroma. Tantalizing and versatile, the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart can be eaten at room temperature, chilled, or fresh from the oven...
Nothing has lasted long at his address since the Dunkin' Donuts closed in early 2010. Recent restaurant concepts have included Meyhane, Medina's Turkish Kitchen, Entrez Bar & Grill, Farfasha, Dinah, Pomodora and Luna Cafe Lounge.
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Week in Grieview
• RIP Richard 'Pete' Peterson (Wednesday)
• Dedicating Frances Goldin Way (Monday)
• Skate ramps depart the multipurpose courts in Tompkins ahead of renovations (Thursday)
• Here's a look at the renovated interior of the long-vacant 6 Avenue B (Wednesday)
• Local band Q&A: A Penny for your punk thoughts (Friday)
• Openings: Downtown Threads on Avenue A (Tuesday) ... Babs Home and Pantry on Avenue A (Tuesday) ... Hello, Yam! on 9th Street and Avenue A (Wednesday)
• What's going on at Connelly Theater Upstairs, the former home of the Metropolitan Playhouse (Tuesday)
• Taking a 'Deep Dive' at Baker Falls (Sunday)
• A cannabis dispensary is the first tenant for this newly created retail space on 7th Street (Monday)
• Key Food would like you to use a basket or cart (Monday)
• The Con Ed City Dancers! (Wednesday)
• The laundromat on 5th and C will remain a laundromat (Thursday)
• A New signage era for Big Arc Chicken (Wednesday)
• The former Bong World is for rent on 14th Street (Tuesday)
• The Dolly Llama remains closed for renovations (Thursday)
• F45 Training next for this 13th Street retail space (Tuesday)
Whatever happened to the Champagne's of East Village storefront signs?
Photo from June by Stacie Joy
Back in the summer, the new owners of Nizga Liquors, now LES Fine Wines & Spirits, removed the classic signage — Fine Wine & Champagne's — that anchored the NE corner of Avenue A and Fourth Street for years.
Understanding how much people liked the signs (especially unnecessary apostrophe fans!), management there announced the two signs were for sale.
As we noted, Irena Lasenby, a former East Village resident who now lives in Bushwick, bought the smaller of the two signs.
She recently shared a photo of its new home in a garden space outside her apartment... currently paired with an old wheelchair she found discarded on the street...
Long live Fine Wine & Champagne's!
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Harvest time: Happy 40th anniversary to the 6th and B Garden
Tomorrow (Sunday, the rain date), the garden hosts its annual HarvestFest from 2-7 p.m.
What to expect? Via the EVG inbox...
... free food + music for our community + an enormous list of fantastic raffle prizes from our beloved local businesses (raffle tickets are still just $1 and go on sale at 12:30 p.m. outside the garden on Sunday), with all proceeds supporting the garden. The complete list of prize donors can be found on our website at 6bgarden.org, with even more updates forthcoming...
Time again for the Village View tag sale
Photo by Stacie Joy
The rain date is next Sunday, Oct. 22, but the forecast looks to improve tomorrow.
As always, you can find the 30-plus residential vendors — selling a variety of items, including clothes, books, houseware, jewelry, bric-a-brac, and more — on the Fifth Street basketball court between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Friday, October 13, 2023
Friday's parting shot
Photo by Robin McMillan
A little improv after the Parks Department removed all the ramps, boxes and rails from the TF in Tompkins Square Park.
The multipurpose courts close for renovations for three months on Monday.
This is 'Elvis in the Army'
A. Savage, frontman of NYC's Parquet Courts, just released his second solo album, Several Songs About Fire (Rough Trade Records).
The video here is for "Elvis in the Army."
Local band Q&A: A Penny for your punk thoughts
Photos and text by Stacie Joy
From left above:
Kevin Yankou, Steve Yankou, Liz Jones & Jordan DeVylder
It’s raining when the members of the local punk band Penny and I meet up at the Avenue C location of San Loco for a late lunch to talk about their history, bubble gum and local performance venues.
I’m worried that we won’t be able to get our photo shoot in due to weather constraints. Still, guitarist Jordan DeVylder, drummer Steve Yankou, bassist Kevin Yankou and vocalist Liz Jones are game for rainy shenanigans. We had a great time getting soaked at Green Oasis Garden around the corner on Eighth Street before shopping for snacks at the nearby Associated supermarket.
How did the band form, and when? Where did the name come from?
Liz: Penny started as a different band, Fleaspoon, in 2018. Back then, it was me, Jordan, and two other members, Robin Spoon and Fiona Flea. Fleaspoon slowly became Penny through some dramatic and some not-so-dramatic line-up changes.
First, with Robin still on bass and Steve on drums, then with me on bass and doing vocals simultaneously. It took a long time to find someone new to play bass — because my bass parts can be overwhelmingly annoying to play — so I could just sing again, but it turns out Kevin was in front of our eyes the whole time! [Kevin is Steve’s brother.]
I was sitting on the name Penny for years, but whenever I pitched it to people previously, they would say something like, “That’s my girlfriend’s dog’s name.” I am partial to band names that could just be a woman’s name that ends in the letter Y. I also like that pennies, the coin, are essentially worthless, can be lucky or unlucky depending on how they fall, and are everywhere on the ground all the time. “Take a penny, leave a penny,” etc., etc.
Steve: Liz and Jordan asked me to play drums with them at one practice for fun. I agreed only because I missed them and find it impossible to maintain friendships with anyone I’m not in a band with. But I warned them, “I am a TERRIBLE drummer.” They said they didn’t care. Then they asked me to come again the following week. The rest is history. I’m slowly getting over my imposter syndrome.
Kevin: The band used to practice in the basement of my old spot, so it was just a matter of going down a flight of stairs to get roped into it, and I’m glad I did because it’s been a lot of fun!
Steve and I have been playing in our other band for 22 years, so we already had a decent shorthand when it comes to music stuff, and I was already a fan of Liz and Jordan — as musicians and people — so it was pretty easy to say “yes.”
How do you describe your sound?
Liz: After much internal and external debate, we have arrived at “924 Gilman comp B-side” as the definitive band descriptor. 924 Gilman is a long-running East Bay DIY space, and we definitely feel like our sound is most closely related to Bay Area ’80s and ’90s punk and the subsequent DIY punk scenes in other parts of the country that we all came up in.
Some of our other favorite band descriptions have been: “The Muppet band if they didn’t have to play for the Muppets,” “2006-core,” and “That one song sounds like Rudimentary Peni.” Sometimes people call us a riot grrrl band, but that is just a lazy way to say we sound like angry-girl-screaming, which is not untrue.
Steve: Punk as fuck. Mostly kidding. Mostly not kidding.
Kevin: Fun/fast/noisy-punk.
Your recent cassette tape release — The Bubblegum Tape — comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and a piece of chewed gum by one of the band members. Can you speak briefly about the release and how it came into production?
Liz: I think we started throwing around the name “The Bubblegum Tape” because we recorded a cover of a very twee Heavenly song, and I was thinking of bubblegum pop music. There is, however, nothing twee about the tape itself. We made the tape specifically for a Midwest tour we went on in August, and I corralled the band into chewing 100 pieces of gum and sticking them into each tape as part of the artwork. Some tapes are completely disgusting, and for that, I am sorry. It is also release 001 for my new label, Rizzo.
Steve: The gum-chewing party was harder work than it sounds.
Kevin: We learned that, apparently, I have the dampest mouth; maybe I should smoke weed.
How long have (three-fourths of) you lived in the neighborhood?
Jordan: Off and on since 2001, sometimes moving around the city for more affordable neighborhoods. The three of us in the neighborhood have lived here consecutively since about 2016/2017.
Liz: I moved to the neighborhood in 2017 after living in various other parts of the city. Once I was here, I knew I was home.
Steve: I met my life partner in January 2012 and started staying with her on East Third Street pretty much immediately. I officially moved in a few years later; I always forget exactly when.
Kevin: I crashed with an ex-GF on 12th and A for a few months back in ’06 or ’07. Does that count?
You mentioned booking gigs in Brooklyn, and a successful mini-tour this summer in the Midwest was easier. What are your feelings about the local music scene, and do you feel supported here?
Jordan: Booking shows is always hit or miss, whether in the LES/EV, Brooklyn, or elsewhere. We have all played around here for years in Penny and other bands, but some of our favorite spots to play are community spaces that have not been doing shows recently, like C-Squat and ABC No Rio.
We tend to have less luck with bar shows around here and end up in Brooklyn or Ridgewood a lot because of that, although we have recently had good experiences booking at Berlin and Rockwood Music Hall.
Liz: The punk scene, more generally in NYC, can be challenging to navigate. It has changed a lot in the last few years, and there is a sense of exclusivity that I had successfully avoided in my life of playing music up until this point.
But we feel supported and have a sense of community outside the cool-guy echo chamber. I think the whole social media/everything can be commodified era is bad for community in general, and punk is not immune to it. We all got into punk because anyone could do it, and we hold on strong to those values.
Steve: So me and Kevin —along with many other friends and roommates — booked and ran hundreds of house shows in the Bronx (and later in Brooklyn) from 2010 until lockdown. So I’m here to ask, where are the house shows? I don’t want to have to clean up the next day. Let us play at your house!
Kevin: What Steve said. The only people I wanna clean up after are me and my cat.
The band's new cassettes are available at Limited to One Record Shop on 10th Street and Academy Records on 12th Street.
Penny plays at Rockwood Music Hall, stage 1, on Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. along with Posterboy 2000 and Pig Milk.
You can follow Penny on Instagram here.
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