Wednesday, January 3, 2024
A look back at today's sunrise — the best so far in 2024
Longtime East Village sewing shop Gizmo will be relocating in early 2024
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Updated 2/26: Unfortunately, the deal for a new Gizmo space fell through, and Rosa and Hossein are searching again for a new space. Details here.
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After 32 years in business on First Avenue, Gizmo will relocate at the end of February.
Owner Hossein Amid (below) said that his rent has increased at 160 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street to a point where he can no longer afford it.
Amid is considering two smaller spaces, either on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue or 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
"Staying on the Avenue is too expensive," he said. "We are downsizing, a smaller store, but still in the neighborhood."
Meanwhile, there are some sales at the shop packed with fabrics, notions and thread. They also offer sewing machine repair services.
Gizmo is usually open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays. Phone: (212) 477-2773.
2024 development watch: 42-46 2nd Ave.
Our look at potential 2024 development now focuses on the empty lot along the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, the site of an abandoned development project.
The parcel hit the sales market in October... Avison Young has the listing for the lot — billed as a "redevelopment property" for "multifamily development."
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 thanks to the tenacious efforts of Robert Proto, the landlord of 50 Second Ave. The Real Deal highlighted his role in this article.
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.
While it's unlikely we'll see any construction commence on the site this year, we'll likely find out the new owner and their plans.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
2024 development watch: 33-37 1st Ave.
We begin with 33-37 First Ave., a vacant three-building assemblage between Second Street and Third Street.
Demolition permits are already on file. While some asbestos abatement occurred over the summer, we haven't seen much other activity.
So far, no sign of any new building permits — or renderings to provide a clue as to the development in the works. Public records list R.M.H. Estates as the landlord of both properties.
New Double Dragon, the last business in these buildings, closed in July. Perhaps in 2024, owner Shawn Lin will open another quick-serve Chinese restaurant in a new location. At least we know where that great New Double Dragon signage is.
Glizzy's has left St. Mark's Place
Photos by Steven
After a Nov. 1 opening, Glizzy's has already vacated 34 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.
Workers were spotted removing contents from the space last week. We're told that Glizzy's will reopen in Soho.
In an Instagram message, the Glizzy's team cited "partner and landlord" issues behind the EV vacate.
The brand started in Williamsburg in 2022, billing itself as "Brooklyn's best hot dogs." (That Metropolitan Avenue outpost recently closed.)
Meanwhile, Crif Dogs remains the top dog on St. Mark's Place.
Closings: Milk Burger on Houston
Photos by Stacie Joy
A year-end closure to note: The Milk Burger outpost has shut down at 321 E. Houston St. between Attorney and Ridge... no official word on what was behind this closure... 
The burger joint arrived in July 2022, and the Bronx outpost of the brand launched in 2011 remains in service.
El Maguey y La Tuna closed here in 2018 after the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.
Patis Bakery bringing the bread to Broadway
The bakery-café chainlet sells pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, etc., at 15-plus locations in and around the NYC metropolitan area... this outpost might make for a decent post-Strand-splurge spot. (The bookstore is right across the street.)
Monday, January 1, 2024
Monday's parting shot
Photo by Derek Berg
Seventh Street and First Avenue this morning... Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
2024 marks the 50th year in business for Ray's Candy Store
2024 photo by Peter Brownscombe
At Ray's Candy Store, 2024 started with an anniversary as the shop officially turned 50.
Ray Alvarez reportedly bought the shop at 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street in 1974 for $30,000.
Also, this month, Ray celebrates his 91st birthday. (The day seems to be celebrated both on Jan. 1 and Jan. 25!)
So a happy anniversary and birthday to Ray!
Spin city
Photos by William Klayer
From this morning on Avenue A between Fifth Street and Seventh Street at the start of the annual "Isle of Manhattan: One Lap 'Round the Island" event...
P.S.
They meet back here afterward too.
About those New Year's Eve fireworks
Given the noise, a few residents thought the brief (5-to-7-minute?) Macy's-grade show originated somewhere in this neighborhood.
It was, though, coming from Williamsburg and not one of the more-publicized fireworks events. This is via the city's 311 site on the list of legal fireworks displays that the FDNY issued permits for:
- Sunday, December 31 at 8 PM
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Sponsor: Kool Hunter LLC, DBA Heads in the Sky
Here's part of the grand finale ...
Sunday, December 31, 2023
6 posts from December
• New Yorkers Foodmarket is closing soon on 2nd Avenue (Dec. 20)
• Displaced 14th Street tenants seek support after city orders them to vacate their building (Dec. 18)
• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer (Dec. 14)
• Landmarks Preservation Commission approves hotel project that could potentially damage the city's oldest residential landmark (Dec. 13)
• The Joyce Theater Foundation completes purchase of the former Boys' Club on 10th Street and Avenue A (Dec. 5)
• City officials help facilitate successful meal handout for asylum seekers in the East Village (Dec. 4)
Week in Grieview
• Crowdfunding help for the residents displaced by Madison Reality Capital construction on 14th Street (Wednesday)
• 'Everything must go' as the New Yorkers Foodmarket sets Dec. 31 closing (Thursday) ... A last look at the New Yorkers Foodmarket (Saturday)
• Hamilton Fish Park Library closing for a 2-plus year renovation (Friday)
• A super soft opening at Barnyard Cheese Shop, back in biz on B (Tuesday)
• EV classic B&H Dairy is back open with a new front door and windows (Friday)
• When it was time to light up the clocks on the bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer (Sunday)
• A new era for EV mainstay Anna (Friday)
• Archie's Press is on the move (across 10th Street) (Wednesday)
• Openings: Instant Noodle Factory on 7th Street (Thursday)
• A look at the new home of 55 Express Tailor Repair on 4th Street (Thursday)
• Petopia reopens on Avenue A (Tuesday)
• Mr. Pizza ready to announce himself on 1st Avenue (Friday)
• Suds Buds is the name of the rebranded Wash 'N Clean Laundromat on 14th Street (Thursday)
• Stocking up for MulchFest (Monday)
• Now that it's Dec. 26... (Tuesday)
Now that it's New Year's Eve, let's prep for St. Patrick's Day
Photo by Edmund John Dunn
As seen yesterday at Target on 14th and A... still not close to the March 17 merch spread as once seen at the (RIP!) Kmart on Astor Place...
Saturday, December 30, 2023
A last look at the New Yorkers Foodmarket
Photos by Steven
The New Yorkers Foodmarket is winding down business at 107 Second Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
Owner Michael Schumacher put all items in the grocery on sale back on Thursday with a Sunday (Dec. 31) closing date in mind. He told customers on Friday that if he sold enough of the remaining stock, he would not reopen this weekend.
The store did eventually open this afternoon around 2 ... there were a few items left here and there...
As we first reported on Dec. 20, ongoing financial challenges and health issues forced Schumacher to close the store that he has been part of since 1987, when he and his brother bought what was an Associated.
Read more here.
Noted
Photo by Steven
Yesterday we noted the arrival of the Mr. [$1.50] Pizza signage at 186 First Ave.
As you can see, the $1.50 is now taped over. Perhaps the price was meant to be a surprise. Or maybe they've already decided to change the price. Or maybe this is the work of some tape vandals/bandits.
Former illegal cannabis dispensary now for rent on 1st Avenue and 11th Street
This had been the Recreational Plus Cannabis Dispensary, an illegal shop that had been busted several times. (A Restraining Order was visible inside the front window here at 180 First Ave.)
The business' Yelp page still notes, "Recreational Plus East Village is temporarily closed. Scheduled to reopen on January 1, 2024.")
The signage arrived for Recreational Plus in October... it was later removed, though the shop remained in operation.
The previous retail tenant here was Eleven Consignment Boutique, which closed amid a legal battle in November 2019.
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