Photos by Allan Yashin
Monday, November 11, 2024
Lower East Side indie mainstay Rockwood Music Hall abruptly closes, musicians say
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Last night, word spread that Rockwood Music Hall had abruptly closed on Allen Street, just south of Houston.
Yesterday, musicians scheduled to play at the 19-year-old venue beyond Nov. 9 received emails from the venue stating that they had closed effectively immediately.
Last night, when several musicians were on the bill to perform, the space was dark. Concertgoers were not notified of the closure on-site, online or via Rockwood's social media.
While there was no official notice from the club, there were several social media posts from musicians and journalists about the abrupt shutter.
Rockwood Music Hall, facing financial challenges, announced last November that the venue was "getting back to basics" and closing its Stage 2 space, which debuted in 2010 with a 175-person capacity. Nick Boder of Baker Falls is opening at the old Stage 2 address, as we first reported.Another heartbreaking loss for the city's indie music scene. 😢
— Adam Bernard (@AdamsWorldBlog) November 10, 2024
I can't even begin to tell you how many great artists I discovered at @RockwoodNYC.
This is an absolute bummer. pic.twitter.com/ZQMMJK2BTj
Updated 11 a.m.: Bodor told us he has NOT had any conversations with anyone at Rockwood or the landlord about Stage 1. Stage 2 is in a separate space on the same block. While he hasn’t ruled out interest in the former Stage 1, he would consider it if he had investors, though nothing is in place for now.
In June 2023, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles launched a #PreserveRockwood benefit concert series to help keep the indie venue open after the pandemic.
Unfortunately, this effort doesn't appear to have been enough in the long term.
As the June 2023 GoFundMe noted, the closure of Rockwood would end "a vital place for independent and up-and-coming musicians to develop their artistry and give fans the opportunity to discover new music in a live setting."
Boris & Horton seeks new owner to save East Village cafe despite crowdfunding success
Photo from February by Stacie Joy
Nine months after a successful crowdfunding campaign and newly enacted subscription plan, Boris & Horton's ownership announced that unless they find a buyer for the business, the city's first dog-friendly cafe will close this month on 12th Street and Avenue A.
In an Instagram post on Friday, daughter-father co-owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman stated that the financial challenges returned even with hiring additional staffing and enhancing events.
"Despite these efforts, we've experienced a significant drop in our monthly subscriptions, with almost 90% churn, and our sales are slightly down compared to last year when we initially made the difficult decision to close."
Greenpointers noted that a few customers "had concerns about what happened to the money from the fundraiser, considering how quickly the cafe raised the money and made the decision to call it quits shortly after."
Some of these same concerns appeared in the comments section of the Instagram post. (Most comments were positive, with people sharing how much they liked the Avenue A space and enjoyed spending time there with their dogs.)
In March, after a deep clean and reorganization following a customer fundraiser, Mikhly and Holzman reopened the Avenue A location. They announced they had hired a general manager and an events manager and updated the HVAC system and refrigeration.
This past Feb. 16, Mikhly and Holzman announced that the cafe would close 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.
In Friday's Instagram post, Mikhly and Holzman said they've met with potential suitors but have yet to close a deal.
"After almost seven wonderful years, we hold onto hope that Boris & Horton can begin a new chapter, perhaps with someone from our incredible community stepping in to carry on this journey."
Awning alert on the Bowery as Dark Matter Coffee's new cafe comes into view
Awnings arrived for the respected coffee roaster on the SE corner late last week.
They had a sneak preview of the space on Saturday... with a livestream of the International Chocolate Awards World Finals (Dark Matter was nominated for its Sleep Walk chocolate — and they won a Gold, Silver, and two Bronze.)
Dark Matter started on Chicago's west side in 2007, and there are now multiple locations (not to mention an online shop).
Once open, this outpost will serve Dark Matter coffee and other cafe fare and include a Sleep Walk Chocolateria.
Dark Matter, founded by Jessie Diaz, is known for its music-inflected, irreverent branding and transparent sourcing practices built on direct relationships with Latin American farmers.
We haven't seen anything official about this... but given its location a block south of the former CBGB, ¡Adios Amigos! is likely taking its name from the 14th and final studio record by the Ramones.
No word on an opening date. You can follow them on Instagram for updates.
Coming attractions: Fomo Momo on 1st Ave.
Owners Impreet Sodhi and Ankita Nagpal started selling momos (a type of steamed or fried dumpling) via bright pink food trucks in Jersey City in 2021... and later vended at the various Smorgasburg locations.
This will be the brand's second storefront. (They also have one in Jersey City.) You can check out the Fomo Momo menu here.
No. 85 was previously The Chippery, which closed at the start of 2024 after nearly four years.
On 13th and A, corner markets come and go
Meanwhile, on the SE corner... you will have one less place to purchase bongs or exotic flavors of Doritos...
Law enforcement officials have sealed up ZEE Convenience & More...apparently, it was zee unlicensed sale of cannabis products here that got the business into trouble...
ZEE debuted in October 2022. Previously, Caffè Bene closed here in December 2021 after nearly six years in business.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
At the sneak preview of Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop on 7th Street
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Earlier today, Mary O'Halloran treated her neighbors with free Irish soda bread scones and coffee or tea from her new shop at 93 1/2 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenues.
And her new neighbors turned out in droves to sample the creations that O'Halloran has served from her Avenue A restaurant, Mary O's.
Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop will officially open at 7 a.m. this coming Saturday.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Week in Grieview
• Election Night 2024 (Wednesday)
• Mixed messages about the future of 7-Eleven on Avenue A (Monday)
• The return of O'Flaherty's, now on Allen Street for the next month with Matthew Barney & Alex Katz (Thursday) ... At the opening of 'The Bitch' at O'Flaherty's (Saturday)
• On Sunday, a sneak preview of Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop ahead of its Nov. 16 grand opening (Friday)
• A new East Village vintage clothing store opens, and a cat is the curator (Tuesday)
• Halloween night with Pretty Sick at Bowery Ballroom (Monday)
• B Cup Café is on the move on Avenue B (Tuesday)
• About the Community Boutique & Café, an inclusive gathering place on 12th Street (Thursday)
• It's not just you — the whole area smells like smoke. Here's why. (Saturday)
• More stabilization work at the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center (Thursday)
• 325 E. 14th St., sells and farewell to the Crocodile Lounge sidewalk awning (Monday)
• Owner of 2 Brooklyn restaurants taking over the Lollo space on Avenue B (Thursday)
• Coming attractions: Mrs. Green on 14th Street (Tuesday)
• Renovations underway at the former Boulton & Watt (Thursday)
• The former Houston Village Farm is for rent (Tuesday)
• A bad sign at the Sunflower East Village on 2nd Street (Monday)
• Stuffed closes and the owners promise 'a brand new, never seen before' ice cream concept (Monday)
Also, this past week, workers removed the sidewalk bridge from Third Street and Avenue A (part of the ongoing work at the First Houses).
Also! The Budget Mart on A between Second and Third is expected to open SOON (photo below by Stacie Joy).
Fabano Florals departs Avenue B for a new home base in Minneapolis
Photos by Stacie Joy
ICYMI: Fabano Florals has left its retail space at 106 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street and is relocating its home base to Minneapolis.
The door signage for patrons states the business will be "focusing on larger-scale events in the NYC area."
Also: "We have loved being part of this neighborhood and will miss it dearly, and truly appreciate all the love and support the community has given us."
Owner Andrea Fabano, who lived in the East Village, originally started the business as a pop-up shop (and online).
Sunday's opening shot
Read some history of the fountain, which dates to 1888, here.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
You'd be out of your gourd to miss this pumpkin smashing event
Photo by Stacie Joy
A. Sorry for that headline.
B. La Plaza Cultural is hosting a Pumpkin Smash tomorrow (Sunday) from noon to 3 p.m. Bring your pumpkins, Jack-o-lanterns and gourds to the SW corner of Avenue C and Ninth Street.
Afterward, the LES Ecology Center will turn the smashed remains into compost for city parks and green spaces.
C. It is a rain-or-shine event, though no worries since it doesn't rain anymore.
At the opening of 'The Bitch' at O'Flaherty's
Photos by Stacie Joy
Thursday night saw the opening of "The Bitch," a new show featuring work by Matthew Barney and Alex Katz at a temporary home for O'Flaherty's at 165 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington...
Artist, curator and owner Jamian Juliano-Villani and gallerist Billy Grant will be here through Dec. 15.
Here's a look at the bi-level space... and some of the gallery-goers who packed the place...
Afterward, there was a post-opening party at the former O'Flaherty's space at 44 Avenue A and Third Street...
... where neighbor Two Boots Pizza came in handy...
"The Bitch" will be on view at 165 Allen St. Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 2-7 p.m.
It's not just you — the whole area smells like smoke. Here's why.
People were asking if there was a fire overnight in the East Village... No, the smoke you smell is due to wildfires in New Jersey... and probably Prospect Park...Due to NJ wildfires, NYC residents may see or smell smoke. Guidance: https://t.co/EOStLz9R6e. A Red Flag Warning is in effect citywide until 6PM today, 11/9. Exercise caution w/ outdoor flames. Immediately report fires to 911. Multilingual & ASL Link: https://t.co/fCMmaLTzmK pic.twitter.com/eqSvrNhY5m
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) November 9, 2024
It’s 70 degrees in November, and Prospect Park is burning.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 9, 2024
I was on the ground tonight in Brooklyn as @FDNY crews battled a brush fire with support from @NYCEmergencyMgt, @NYPDnews, and @NYCParks.
After the driest October on record, NYC is under a DROUGHT WATCH, which highly… pic.twitter.com/xD6rpL7MV7
Friday, November 8, 2024
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