Photo by Derek Berg
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Development watch: 50-64 3rd Ave. (and TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen is still open)
Demoliton prep continues on the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street, where six buildings will come down in the months ahead.
As we first reported, a residential complex is expected to rise along this parcel — 50-64 Third Ave. (See the rendering here.)
Per previous reports, Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — bought the walk-up buildings over the past three years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel.
Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 5-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner at 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space.
On Tuesday, workers were spotted removing the fire escape from the corner building at 11th Street, where Ainsworth was the last retail tenant in the space ... (thanks to Jacob Ford for these two shots)...
Meanwhile, plywood now covers the other vacant storefronts and entrances on the block...
However, they are participating in the winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 16 – Feb. 4) with a special dinner prix fixe.
Hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan opened the restaurant featuring a healthy, Hong Kong-inspired menu in late 2021.
P.S.
Kotobuki closed in the fall at 56 Third Ave. ... the restaurant is still offering deliveries in the area and plans to open in a new space in the East Village. More here.
Jen the bookseller closes the book on her Avenue A vending days
Photo from February 2020 by Steven
After nearly a 9-year presence during warmer-weather months on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place, Jen the bookseller has announced that she is starting a new chapter in her life and will no longer be street vending here.
She made the announcement yesterday on Instagram:
I deeply loved and appreciated every conversation i had, every exchange of ideas, all the books that we shared, and the friendships and the projects that were born of Vortexity Books. i am forever grateful for all the spontaneous laughter, the tears, the love, the chaos, the rage, and the honesty that the streets revealed. We went through ALOT together ... if you ever stopped by the table — know that i loved you and that this community forever changed how i view the world, and has reconfirmed my belief in the power of books and their ability to unite people.
And...
Long live all of you who made this project exist by being with me on the street ... and in spirit around the world and who read and believe in books as much as i do. i hope to see you all again and work with you on other projects...
Thanks to Jen for all the quality books at reasonable prices through the years... her arrival each year always marked the beginning of spring and warmer days ahead.
Le Dive owners looking to take over the Boiler Room space on 4th Street
File photo by Stacie Joy
On Monday evening, the Golden Age Hospitality reps will appear before CB3's SLA committee.
As for the unnamed new concept for No. 86, there will be food service with various sandwiches (turkey club, BLT, croque monsieur, etc.) and cocktails, according to the sample menu on the questionnaire here. The configuration shows 21 tables for 42 guests (with plans to use the unenclosed roadway space from 5-10 p.m.) The proposed hours are daily from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
After a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments, the Boiler Room announced last summer that it was leaving its home of 34 years ... ownership will be moving to 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street (previously home to the Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu) later this year.
Monday's meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. 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.
Yuca Bar closed for renovations on 7th and A
Photos by Steven
Yuca Bar is now closed for renovations on the NW corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A ... door signage points to a Jan. 25 reopening date for the restaurant offering Latin cuisine and weekend brunches ...
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Wednesday's parting shot
The space has been home to the Half Gallery since early 2020.
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.
----
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)
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