At an East Village benefit for Washington Square Park Mutual Aid

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On Sunday, La Plaza Cultural hosted a benefit show and collection drive for the Washington Square Park Mutual Aid group. 

An array of performers and residents came to the community garden at the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C on a sweltering day to show their support. 

The entertainment included Federico of Pinc Louds and Crackhead Barney & Friends (featuring Matthew Silver).

Here are a few scenes from the afternoon...

WSP Mutual Aid, now in its third year, distributes food and clothing to people in need every Friday evening in Washington Square Park. Learn more about their work here.

[Updated] East Village singer-songwriter Jesse Malin will return to the stage this Dec. 1

Tickets for a second show on Dec. 2 are now on sale.

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East Village singer-songwriter Jesse Malin will return to the stage for the first time since early 2023 on Dec. 1 at the Beacon Theater, billed as "the largest hometown show of his career." 

Via the EVG inbox: 

Jesse Malin will perform a full set with his longtime band, and then the show will feature special guests Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Jakob Dylan, Butch Walker, J Mascis, Adam Duritz and David Immergluck of Counting Crows and Alejandro Escovedo, with hosts Michael Imperioli and Mary Louise-Parker, and support from WFUV. More guests are to be announced! 

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday. A presale is underway now with the password PATRONSAINTS. Link here. 

Malin, who has been undergoing rehabilitation, including daily physical therapy, was left paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a rare spinal stroke in May 2023. 

A Queens native and longtime East Village resident, Malin is a partner in several local establishments, including Niagara, 96 Tears and the Bowery Electric.

Now people are stealing Invader's mosaics in the East Village and elsewhere

Art and plaque theft season continues in the East Village. (See here and here.) 

In recent weeks, two men have been removing Invader's mosaic tile art from around walls in NYC. 

The French street artist addressed it in an Instagram post on Monday:

For the past few weeks, some guys in New York have been destroying my work by trying to rip it off the walls, probably to resell it. Shame on them! Street art belongs to the street, and in my case, once ripped from the walls, it is nothing more than broken, unsigned tiles that you could find in any tile store. They will never be authenticated. 

Buyers should think twice of what they buy, not only are they being duped but they are also depriving other people of enjoying free art on the street. 

He followed up yesterday with a photo of a theft someone took, showing two men removing a classic invader above the signage at Ralph's Famous Italian Ices on the NW corner of Avenue A and Ninth Street...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Invader (@invaderwashere)

We asked the folks at Ralph's about it. Unfortunately, they didn't see it happening, as the theft occurred after store hours. 

As Invader noted, the mosaics likely have little resale value. Plus, when he installed these, he reportedly used larger, thinner tiles that would chip apart upon contact with a tool. 

An array of mosaics arrived in NYC and the East Village, some in collaboration with the LISA Project, in 2015. A few were immediately vandalized, though there are still several around if you know where to look.

The Rite Aid on 1st Avenue doesn't look like a store that will be in business much longer

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

According to multiple published reports, Rite Aid plans to close 92 stores nationwide in 2024 as the chain continues to work through a bankruptcy proceeding. 

Since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last October, Rite Aid has been grappling with its financial woes, which have led to the closure of numerous locations. However, the East Village outpost on First Avenue at Fifth Street has managed to escape the hit list. 

Here's more about why the company has struggled via Forbes:

Multiple factors contributed to Rite Aid's bankruptcy. It was larded with debt and faced more than a thousand opioid-related lawsuits. Yet its business has been deteriorating for years as it struggled to compete against larger companies like CVS, Amazon, Walgreens...

During a recent visit, I saw barren shelves throughout the store. Management here told me they are having a "tough time getting any product or supply right now." When I asked if they were closing, I was told, "Right now, we're OK, but we really don't know." 

On another stop-by, staff said that the company is saving money by not stocking shelves; they only restock or receive supplies once a week. They also said that, for now, the store is safe and not closing. They did not rule out a closure in the future, but no one's heard anything. 

They said that if the store were to close, the patrons/pharmacy clients would be informed immediately.

Here's a look at the store... where even the COVID-era lockdown shelves were barren...

The 101 Avenue D location had a similar barren look before it eventually closed in 2022. 

The First Avenue location has a special place in our hearts because of its Headless Santa. 

The one-story First Avenue location also sits on a prime East Village corner, and developers would likely pay top dollar for another sliver of luxury housing. 

Check out an aerial view of the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts

So the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts returned to public use on Monday after a multi-week closure ... and with a dedication ceremony featuring the collaborators — Glossier, a beauty website, Project Blackboard, the WNBA, artist Na Chainkua Reindorf and the Parks Department. 

The Glossier Instagram account posted the two aerial shots here...

Here's more via Fast Company ... and Kyle Leahy, Glossier’s CEO: 

Glossier didn’t just sponsor the art; it also paid to refurbish the court so it is more functional. It mended the nets and repainted the backboards. It also sponsored a women's league that uses this court regularly to practice, paying for all of their equipment. "We wanted these young women to realize that they are worthy of this investment." 

The courts were last refurbished in the summer of 2015 with funding from YouTube.

Joey Bats Café has closed on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Over the weekend, the Joey Bats Café signage was removed from 50 Avenue B, marking the official end of the business here between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Joey Batista (aka Bats) opened his eponymous business here in October 2021. He initially sold his signature pastéis de nata from a sidewalk table until he debuted the cafe-bar late last summer.

While the Avenue B outpost is no longer open, Batista (below) will continue to sell his Portuguese custard tarts from several locations, including the Essex Market, Grand Central Terminal and Chelsea Market. (He's also expanding to Boston.) He'll also still use his shipping center on Houston Street near Clinton for nationwide orders. 

Batista was a former partner in the basement business at 50 Avenue B, GAMA Lounge. We hear that GAMA will take over the street-level space, though they have yet to respond to a request for more information.

Lamia’s Fish Market is 'temporarily closed for maintenance'

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Lamia's Fish Market is closed for now at 47 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Door signage notes a temporary closure "for maintenance." 

The restaurant's website and social media properties do not mention the closure, and as of last night, Lamia's was still accepting reservations.

However, multiple sources tell us that the Fish Market will not reopen and that staff has already left for new jobs.

Owner Lamia Funti was previously involved with Le Souk, a longtime trouble spot on this block that eventually had its liquor license canceled by the State Liquor Authority in 2009.

Lamia's made a splash upon opening in the summer of 2019, garnering media attention for its two-level, six-room "aquatic splendor."

Tuesday's parting shots (aka, SCHOOL'S almost OUT FOR THE SUMMER)

Photos by Stacie Joy

The 2023-24 school year is wrapping up this week... and there was a celebration (or an unsanctioned rave?) involving buckets of photogenic powder taking place outside at STAR Academy/P.S. 63 on Third Street...

A plaque dedicated to a former longtime Parks employee is missing from Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven

Last week, someone stole the brass plaque dedicated to former Tompkins Square Park supervisor Harry Greenberg from along the Ninth Street pedestrian walkway...

Greenberg worked in Tompkins from 1987 to 2010. A plaque via the Board of Howl! Arts Inc. arrived here early in the summer of 2012... (photo of Harry from 2012 by Stacie Joy)...

The working theory among Park sleuths is that someone stole the plaque for the materials instead of being a random act of vandalism/mischief.

Howl! Arts co-founder Riki Colon tells us that the organization plans to replace it ASAP.

Last summer, someone destroyed the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree plaque after it was stolen in 2020. 

Away from Tompkins, the plaque commemorating the Fillmore East at 105 Second Ave. near Sixth Street is also currently MIA.

Reminders: Community Board 3 to discuss congestion pricing at public meeting tonight

ICYMI from a June 11 post: 

Community Board 3 has added a special meeting this month to address Gov. Hochul's decision to indefinitely pause congestion pricing.

Here's more via an email from CB3 Chair Andrea Gordillo: 

Community Boards 1-6 have discussed signing on to a letter to all parties involved with the MTA's Congestion Pricing Plan, asking to reverse course on the Governor's decision. Given the unprecedented nature of the abrupt policy shift, its potential cost to the MTA, and public trust in government, Community Board 3 will convene this special meeting after the public session of its June Full Board meeting to discuss and vote on the contents of the letter which would ask the Governor to proceed with congestion pricing. 

We encourage members of the public to attend the meeting and sign up to give public comment, and we ask for your support in reaching out to our communities to inform them of the opportunity to comment on this important decision. 

The full CB3 meeting is TONIGHT — Tuesday, June 25, at P.S. 20, 166 Essex St., between Houston and Stanton. 

The first four public speakers for and against the subject matter are allowed to speak. They may arrive at 6 p.m. Otherwise, members of the public are welcome to email comments to mn03@cb.nyc.gov. The Board meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube here.

In pausing the plan, Hochul expressed concerns about the timing and state of the city's post-pandemic recovery. 

Under the congestion-pricing plan, most people driving passenger vehicles into Manhattan below 60th Street would need to pay a minimum of $15, with larger vehicles incurring higher charges. 

The MTA has already spent tens of millions of dollars to install cameras, sensors, license plate readers, and other equipment on city roadways in preparation for the plan's launch. The anticipated fee was projected to generate around $1 billion annually, benefiting subway and bus systems that serve approximately 4 million daily riders. 

The move also represents a dramatic reversal for public transit advocates, who had supported congestion pricing to raise money for NYC's struggling subway and commuter rail systems and reduce traffic on city streets.

Reminders: It's Primary Election Day

FYI: Primary Election Day is today (June 25). Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The primaries include state-level seats as well as Congressional contests. 

Races here are Representative in Congress 10th Congressional District (Democratic primary) and Judge of the Civil Court — 2nd Municipal Court District (Alice Tam Tien and Harold Bahr). 

As we noted, several statewide candidates are unopposed in the primary and will not appear on the ballot, including Kirsten Gillibrand for reelection to the U.S. Senate, Brian Kavanagh for reelection to the New York State Senate, and Deborah Glick for reelection to the New York State Assembly. 

You can find your poll site here. Vote.NYC has more info here.

3 new bakeries-cafes have opened in the East Village

Here's a quick look at three new bakery-cafe options in the East Village...

• Sweet Cake, 215 First Ave., just south of 13th Street.

The Flushing-based bakery and cafe, which serves coffee, matcha drinks, and Asian-style desserts, is now in service between 12th Street and 13th Street. (Previously.) 

• Oasis Cafe, 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The bakery-dessert shop, which started in Flushing, is now in soft-open mode. The brand also has locations in Astoria and Midtown, and it ships its sweets, such as eclairs, cheesecake, and cookies, nationwide. (Previously.) 

• Red Beard Coffee & Bakery, 194 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street

Red Beard debuted on Saturday. This sibling to the Lazy Llama on First Street serves espresso via Ioannis Coffee Chef and offers freshly baked bread, pastries, and several sandwich options. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Previously.) 

Top photo via Pinch, the others by Lola Sáenz 

This smoke shop won't be reopening after an assault and robbery

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Several weeks ago, two smoke shops were robbed near Fourth Street and Avenue B — the Green Apple Smoke Shop, 240 E. Fourth St., and Best NY Smoke Shop at 46 Avenue B. 

The suspect allegedly assaulted the workers at both locations and has since been apprehended. Police sources tell us that the suspect had a gun, though it turned out to be fake. Per our sources, he was wanted for similar robberies in the Bronx and Uptown. 

Green Apple, one of the many unlicensed cannabis businesses to pop up in the past two years, never reopened after the attack. We're told the worker on duty was severely injured. 

The shop is now permanently closed. Yesterday, management started cleaning out the shop. We were invited inside to see the damage from the robbery...

Monday's parting shots

Felton Davis shares these photos from early this morning, noting: "In the enormous pre-dawn tableau, the rainbow could not be seen, but it was there, waiting for its moment..."

Click on the images for a bigger view...   

High winds bring down a branch in Tompkins Square Park

Late this afternoon, around 5, a tree branch came crashing down inside the Ninth Street and Avenue A entrance to Tompkins Square Park. (Thanks to the reader for the above photo.) '

The branch fell about 10 feet from Derek Berg while walking with Wilfie. 

He took these photos ... including after the FDNY responded to the scene...

According to the Weather Channel, New York Harbor is under a gale warning until 8 p.m. Gusts could hit 40 mph.

Today in parallel parking

Residents along this block of Sixth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B were curious about this parking job.

EVG reader flojo shared these photos of a Mercedes C300, shown with the bottom of the driver's side door pinned against a tree guard.

Per flojo: "[The car] doesn't look like it can come out without pulling one or the other off. But plenty of room to pass on the passenger side and not quite on the sidewalk, so not a total fail."

[Updated] A look at 14th Street this morning after the triple stabbing and homicide yesterday

Updated 4 p.m.

The suspect, 30-year-old Alejandro Piedra of Brooklyn, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder — depraved indifference and two counts of second-degree attempted murder — depraved indifference, according to the NYPD and media reports.

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This morning, the NYPD Crime Scene Unit and various media vans remain on the scene along 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. (Previously.) 

Just before 6 p.m. yesterday, a fight broke out between several people on the block. In the end, police say, a 38-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and later died. A 51-year-old woman was knifed in the leg and taken to a hospital in critical condition, while a 32-year-old man was stabbed in the back and hospitalized. The two hospitalized victims are expected to survive, according to published reports. 

A 30-year-old man is in police custody. His relationship with the stabbing victims isn't clear. 

An employee at the cheap-slice pizzeria at 418 E. 14th St. told the Daily News that she saw a man in a cape and another waving a piece of wood start fighting outside the shop. 

"I was just doing my job and I saw a man with a 2-by-4 and a man with a cape and a knife. I was like, 'This is like Looney Tunes.'" 

Longtime EVG reader Notorious shared these photos from this long-troubled stretch of the East Village. 

A few residents told us they were shocked to see pools of dried blood and rubber gloves from the first responders on the sidewalk this morning ...

City Councilmember Keith Powers, whose district starts on the north side of 14th Street in Stuy Town, issued this statement yesterday, calling 14th Street "out of control."

Statement on today’s attacks on 14th Street. pic.twitter.com/EFgucCe2WK

— Keith Powers (@KeithPowersNYC) June 24, 2024

Updated 11 a.m.:

District 2 City Councilmember Carlina Rivera has released a statement...

Our community faces serious challenges related to homelessness + mental health. I remain committed to working with agencies and community-based orgs to ensure we're connecting people to services and investing in programs that improve wellbeing, quality of life, and public safety. pic.twitter.com/XfSaVqLRXd

— NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera (@CMCarlinaRivera) June 24, 2024

And from Assemblymember Harvey Epstein...

My statement regarding the violence on 14th Street: pic.twitter.com/GhS7WqXdZz

— Harvey Epstein (@HarveyforNY) June 24, 2024