Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

A pleasant surprise late this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park... with a set by Pinc Louds. 

BTW, the band is at Knitting Factory at Bakers Falls on Avenue A this coming Saturday...

Your faceless Charlie Brown mural update from 12th Street

The Faceless Charlie Brown(s) mural appears to be going, going ... here on the east-facing wall at 402 E. 12th St. near First Avenue.

As noted, a crew here is working on the bricks, though we don't know the extent of the project.

Jerkface created the wall-size mural back in the fall of 2014.

Thanks to EVG reader Charmaine for the photo!

The NYPL's archive of the legendary East Village Eye now available to the public

Images from the NYPL

The New York Public Library's extensive archive of the East Village Eye is now processed and available to researchers. 

In February 2023, the NYPL acquired the East Village Eye archive from founder and editor Leonard Abrams. The collection consists of documents, manuscripts, artworks, videos, ephemera, and a complete run of the original printed publication (72 issues in total), which was published from 1979 to 1987 and covered the neighborhood's arts, politics, and social currents during a transformative decade. 

The collection also documents the daily workings of a small publication – advertising, correspondence, datebooks, financial records, and more. Contributors included resident advice columnist Cookie Mueller, Richard Hell, and David Wojnarowicz, and the newspaper featured images from dozens of acclaimed photographers early in their careers.

"The Library's acquisition of the East Village Eye archive is the perfect outcome of our years-long search for the best home for these materials," Abrams said upon the purchase last year. 

"We are looking forward to seeing the creative ways that the collection will be used by scholars, students, educators, artists, activists, and anyone passionate about the history and culture of downtown New York City,"  said Julie Golia, associate director, manuscripts, archives, and rare books and Charles J. Liebman curator of manuscripts, in a statement.

Highlights of the collection include: 

• A full print run of all 72 issues of the East Village Eye in pristine condition (no other public institution possesses a complete print run of the periodical)
• Extensive administrative records and founding business documents for the magazine, including correspondence with staff, contributors, advertisers, and readers throughout the Eye's eight-year run
• Abrams' handwritten pocket planners showing his relationship with artists, musicians, businesses, and writers across the neighborhood and beyond
• Promotional materials created by the Eye, including maps and guides of the East Village and invitations and flyers for Eye-affiliated parties, openings, and events
• A collection of photography of the downtown scene by a roster of acclaimed photographers employed or engaged by the Eye, including Marcia Resnick, Eric Kroll, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, and others
• Candid and behind-the-scenes snapshots of Abrams and the Eye staff and contributors at work and as participants in the neighborhood's vibrant nightlife

Per the NYPL: "The records of the Eye will be essential to researchers studying the evolution of the punk movement, the growth of hip-hop, the rise of HIV/AIDS, and the early careers of artists like Basquiat, Mapplethorpe and Fab Five Freddy."

Researchers can access the East Village Eye records in the Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room for Rare Books and Manuscripts at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 Fifth Ave. at 42nd St. (Find more info here.)

You can learn more about the East Village Eye records from the collection guide and this blog post by the NYPL's Golia.

Sadly, Abrams (above left with Fab Five Freddy) died suddenly last April, only a few months after the collection came to the NYPL. He was 68. 

The NYPL "is proud to provide access to the archive that represents Abrams' important cultural and journalistic legacy."

Previously on EVG:

• Q-and-A with Leonard Abrams, publisher of the East Village Eye

Boris & Horton reopens on Avenue A

Boris & Horton returned to service yesterday on Avenue A. 

The business was closed for the previous 10-plus days for a deep clean, new AC installation, and reorganization following a successful crowdfunding and subscription plan that kept the city's first dog-friendly cafe (as well as the Williamsburg outpost) open.

Ahead of the return, daughter-father co-owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman emailed patrons with a few of the changes:

• We brought on a General Manager to ensure the smooth running of both locations and an Events Manager to expand our dog-friendly programming 

• We started a loyalty program for guests to earn cafe discounts and rewards

• We're now laptop-free on weekends after 10 a.m.

• We're offering tableside ordering during busy times

On Feb. 16, Mikhly and Holzman announced that the cafe was closing on Feb. 26 after six years of anchoring the NW corner of Avenue A and 12th Street. 

They weren't making enough money, and as Holzman told NY1, "It's expensive to maintain top safety measures for a dog-friendly restaurant required by the Department of Health." 

However, the unwavering support of the cafe's fans turned the tide. They devised ideas to keep the business going, such as selling subscription boxes filled with dog treats and merchandise from Boris & Horton's line of products.

Boris & Horton hit their $250,000 goal from Feb. 23-25.

Openings: Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao on St. Mark's Place

Top photo by William Klayer; 2nd photo by Steven

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao debuts today at 15 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... (there was a private event last evening that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for invited guests)... 

As previously noted, the Michelin-recommended soup-dumpling specialists first opened in Flushing in 2006 and later expanded to include restaurants in Koreatown, New Jersey, and Long Island. You can check out their menu here. 

Daily hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao takes over the space from April 2023 casualty Boxed To-Go (or BT), which offered bento boxes. 

Openings: Not as Bitter brings the fresh fruit lattes to 10th Street

A new venture called Not as Bitter debuts today at 241 E. 10th St., just west of First Avenue. 

According to its website, the coffee shop specializes in coffee and lattes with fresh fruit. ("Yes, you heard that right. Fresh fruit, espresso, and milk? It's pretty darn unique if we say so ourselves.")

NAB is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can check them out on Instagram here. 

The previous retail space here was the dessert shop Snowdays.

Awash in debt, Body Shop shuts down operations

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Body Shop announced that its U.S. operations would shut down immediately. According to published reports, it filed for Chapter 7 insolvency on Saturday, under which assets are sold to clear debts.

The outpost on Broadway at Astor Place was said to have closed on Sunday...

Some background via The Associated Press: 

The Body Shop, founded by Anita Roddick and her husband in 1976, is often hailed as an early champion of ethical practices in business. The retailer of soaps, creams and makeup has promoted fair-trading practices and products that were not tested on animals.

The brand became hugely popular in the 1980s ... and grew to have stores in some 80 countries, including many operated through franchises.

(A show of hands who bought the bath pearls collection as a gift sometime between 1987 and 1993.)

In 2006, Roddick sold the business to L’Oreal ... and the brand changed hands several times in recent years, first to Brazilian cosmetics business Natura and then to Aurelius, a private equity firm specializing in buying and turning around troubled companies.

Good grief! Is this the end of the faceless Charlie Brown mural on 12th Street

From the tipline... a crew has been doing brick on the east-facing wall at 402 E. 12th St. near First Avenue.

We didn't spot any work permits on file with the city, so we're unsure of the project's scope... and whether this might mean the end of the Faceless Charlie Brown(s) on a pitcher's mound. TBD. 

Jerkface created the wall-size mural back in the fall of 2014.

Housing lottery underway for units in this new building on 10th Street

The lottery for the affordable housing units at the recently completed 351 E. 10th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C is open now.

As previously reported, the long-empty lot yielded an 8-floor residential building featuring 28 residences, 11 of which are designated "affordable." Housing news here dates back to October 2019, when an array of city and federal officials came together during a press conference "to celebrate the commencement of the preservation and rehabilitation of project-based Section 8 housing in the East Village." 

There are 11 units — studios and 1-2 bedroom homes — currently available for residents at 70 to 130% of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $55,955 to $198,250.

The building features a virtual doorman system, laundry room, package room, bike storage lockers, intercommunication devices and an elevator. 

Application deadline: March 29.

The NYC Housing Connect site here has all the application details and a breakdown of income restrictions for each eligible unit.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Details on the preservation and rehabilitation of 243 affordable housing units in the East Village  

Full reveal at 14 Avenue C, where the team behind The Commodore is opening a new outpost

The plywood is down around 14 Avenue at Second Street ... and we spotted workers painting the exterior yesterday. 

We go back to December 2022 for news about the next tenant ... when Taylor Dow and Chris Young, owners of The Commodore in Williamsburg (and The Drift Inn in Greenpoint), appeared before CB3 for a new liquor license for the corner space.

The applicant's questionnaire on file with CB3 stated the establishment would be doing business as The Commodore, which means their acclaimed* fried chicken and retro vibes will be coming here. This will mark the owners' first Manhattan business.

No word on an opening date, though The Commodore-esque palm tree neon is on in the window.

Recent tenants at 14 Avenue C included Sanatorium, the hospital-themed cocktail lounge ... and the hookah lounge C Lounge.

Updated:

EVG's Stacie Joy also got a few photos from yesterday...

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re: acclaimed*

From Bon Appétit:

People don't "like”"The Commodore. They f*#%ing love the Commodore. People don't think the fried chicken sandwich is "delicious." It's the best f*#%ing fried chicken sandwich in Brooklyn, or New York City, or probably the world — a ridiculously crunchy breast on a squishy roll with just the right amount of cooling, crunchy slaw.

PLNT Burger closes its Union Square outpost

After two-plus years at 139 Fourth Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street, PLNT Burger has shut this outpost... as of this past Friday along this corridor featuring other fast-casual brands like Cava and Dos Toros.

Meanwhile, PLNT Burger fans can get their fix at 1147 Broadway...

Here's more via an Instagram message: 

This decision follows the growth of our other Manhattan locations, leading us to consolidate our operations in New York. 

We are extremely thankful and proud of our team, journey, and accomplishments in Union Square. We are looking forward with optimism and excitement to the continued growth of our Nomad location and the continued expansion of our brand on the East Coast. 

This was the first NYC outpost for the Virginia-based chain via celebrity chef-Food Network star Spike Mendelsohn ... the brand also has locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, among other places.

Perk Espresso & Coffee Bar closes on 14th Street

Perk Espresso & Coffee Bar is officially done at 534 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

EVG readers Russell K. and East Village Tours spotted workers removing equipment on Saturday... this after the shop had been closed in recent weeks during announced business hours. 

Perk has two other locations, in Murray Hill and the UES. 

The shop debuted in March 2019.

Goodbye Dolly

Photo by Steven

An item we didn't get a chance to previously mention ... a for-lease sign recently arrived at 137 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

This marks the official end of the ice cream and waffle shop The Dolly Llama. The business had been closed since last summer, with a note for patrons announcing "temporarily closed for remodeling and a refreshed look." This was odd, seeing how it only opened in March 2023. 

A rep previously told us in October that they hoped to be back open soon.

The Dolly Llama started in Los Angeles in 2017 and has multiple locations in the United States now. 

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo of Nation of Language on Monday during their sold-out 3-night stand at the Bowery Ballroom)... 

• Planned student protest gets the DOB to take action on closed-off school playground (Monday) 

• Veselka looks to ease back into a 24/7 schedule starting with weekends first (Monday) 

• City unveils 3 refurbished East Village buildings with affording housing opportunities (Tuesday) ... Honoring Puerto Rican freedom fighter Pedro Albizu Campos with a mural on 12th and C (Friday) 

• Restaurants can now apply to participate in NYC's new outdoor dining program (Wednesday) 

• A new signage era for Best Housekeeping on Avenue A (Thursday) 

• The Veselka documentary gets a third week at Village East by Angelika (Friday) 

• This is why Most Holy Redeemer is green around the bells on 3rd Street (Saturday)

• To be: Eddie Izzard's 'Hamlet' coming to the Orpheum Theatre in the East Village (Monday) 

• Look at the former Dallas BBQ now (Friday) 

• The Joyce Theater has rehearsal space to rent to nonprofits and freelance dance artists (Tuesday) 

• Checking out just part of the ongoing New Colossus Festival (Saturday) 

• Asian Taste closing in on a reopening (Friday) 

• A now-and-then look at the former Provident Loan Society on Houston and Essex (Circa Thursday)

• Vacant parking garage gets the plywood treatment on 9th Street (Thursday) 

• Apollo Bagels now with signage on 10th Street (Tuesday) 

• Today in discarded finds of the century on 2nd Street (Friday) 

• Former Mad for Chicken spot for rent on 14th Street (Monday) 

• Closures: Wild Rabbit Coffee on 7th Street (Wednesday)

• Signage alert: Bungalow from restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi on 1st Avenue (Thursday) 

• EVG readers had early access to tickets to see The Damned this May in NYC (Wednesday) 

... and neither here nor there, but this Scotch Tape display has been in a different aisle every time we visit Key Food on Avenue A (which is more than we'll admit)...

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

NEKST Forever on 9th Street

Top photo last week by Steven 

We noted on Thursday the arrival of plywood over the entrance to the closed Little Man Parking garage (also known as LaSalle Parking) on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

There's no new development news, and the plywood is apparently here to keep people from squatting inside (thanks, Notorious!). 

Meanwhile, the first wheat-pastes showed up late Friday...

The backstory to this for anyone interested... last month, two graffiti artists filed a lawsuit against Guess for putting their tags directly onto a new line of "graffiti-inspired" clothing without consent. 

One of the parties to the lawsuit is Patrick Griffin, brother of Sean Griffin, brother of the artist Nekst, who "achieved a kind of remarkable underground ubiquity among followers of street art before he died in 2012," per Hyperallergic, who first reported on the legal action.

Someone has now taken two classic Guess ads — with Claudia Schiffer and Ann Nicole Smith — and added images of the late graffiti artist with "NEKST Forever." These wheat-paste tributes have been appearing around the city ... and elsewhere. 

Macy's, one of the many vendors in the lawsuit, reportedly pulled the product from their website, though the line is still available via various online merchants.

And given the short lifespan of wheat-paste ads, this one has likely already been covered.

On the Lower East Side, the Children's Magical Garden is celebrating a new chapter after developer calls off legal battle

Image via @childrensmagicalgarden 

After a decade-long legal battle, the Children's Magical Garden on the Lower East Side is no longer threatened by development on part of its space at 157 Norfolk St. at Stanton Street.

The Real Deal first reported on this agreement between the garden and developer David Marom: 

Marom, who helms the Horizon Group, agreed to donate the lot ... to the Children's Magical Garden in honor of his mother. As a result, three separate lawsuits between the parties are being called off. 

For more than 40 years, the Children's Magical Garden has occupied the corner space off Stanton Street, using the land to grow produce and host local community events. But Marom's purchase of a portion of the garden from Serge Hoyda for $3.3 million threatened the future of the space, as the developer moved to build a seven-story residence. 

And today at 2 p.m., the garden is hosting an event to celebrate the moment. Per an Instagram post: 

Big NEWS! We did it! The children of LES are getting their community garden back, PERMANENTLY! After 10 years of litigation and many more of advocacy, we've come together with the developer who is donating the land. So many amazing community members, lawyers, neighbors, and gardeners helped make this possible. We are truly grateful. Thank you. Please come on March 10, 2 p.m., and help us start our new chapter. 

They are raising funds to help rebuild and "serve the children and their children to come!" 

This link has some of our coverage of the story.

Checking out just part of the ongoing New Colossus Festival

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Dream Pop was front and center last night at a showcase at Arlene's Grocery as part of the New Colossus Festival. 

We stopped by at the start of the bill for Phantom Handshakes, a local collaboration featuring the ethereal vocals of lead singer Federica Tassano ...

...and Matt Sklar (on the right in the striped shirt)...

Check out their music here. (This piece discusses how the two met during the pandemic and started the band.)

We also really liked the first band up, the timeless D.C.-based indie pop trio Flowers for the Dead...(they're playing at Arlene's again tomorrow at noon)...

The New Colossus Festival continues today and tomorrow at EV/Lower Side music venues. Find the schedule here.

This is why Most Holy Redeemer is green around the bells on 3rd Street

Anyway, you really were seeing green last night on the recently restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Father Seán told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that the church can now add colors (sorry, only one color at a time!) to the clock faces. 

The clocks are green now for Saint Patrick's novena, and they'll remain that way until his feast on March 17. 

The church will change the colors for future civic and religious commemorations, Father Seán said. (Maybe midnight navy blue for opening day at Yankee Stadium on April 5?) 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Up in the under-restoration belltower at Most Holy Redeemer

Saturday's opening shot

At the entrance to Tompkins Square Park at Seventh Street and Avenue A this morning ... there are two new trees the city recently planted here (replacing this one).

Friday's parting shots

An EVG reader shared the top photo... showing the new green-tinged clock faces at Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street (Happy St. Patrick's Day?)... [Updated 3/9: Here's more about the green clock faces.]

Meanwhile at the church between Avenue A and Avenue B...EVG reader Carl Bentsen shares that workers removed the Christmas trees from the façade today... Happy daylight saving time weekend!