Signage alert: Krave It on 2nd Avenue

Photo by Steven 

An outpost of Krave It is coming soon to 141 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

The quickly expanding business, founded in 2015 by husband and wife Vishee and Jenna Mandahar (high school sweethearts born and raised in Queens), specializes in "creative, out-of-the-box sandwich and pizza options." Like the seasonal Thanksgiving slice — "all three courses on one perfect bite." 

Krave It also has several locations in the metropolitan area, including Bayside, Huntington and Astoria, with more on the way next year. 

The space was, until March, Planet Taco. Recent past lives include Otto's Tacos for seven years. Before that, many things came and went here, such as Good Guys, a Subway (sandwich shop), part of a Max Brenner outpost and Burritoville (sob).

Signage alert: Burgerhead on 2nd Avenue

Photo by Steven

Signage for Burgerhead went up Monday on the NW corner of Second Avenue and Ninth Street. 

This will be the second Manhattan spot for the brand that sells burgers, chili dogs, fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, etc. (Menu here.)

A fast-casual restaurant, Balkan StrEAT, was in the works for the corner space. However, the owners closed their Sixth Avenue outpost and pivoted to the burger biz. (Burgerhead took over the former Balkan StrEAT space at 353 Sixth Ave.

This Second Avenue address was also home to a Starbucks until April 2019.

Tuesday's parting shot

We still always take this photo coming back into Manhattan on the Williamsburg Bridge (especially if in the right-hand lane). 

We were out of town for a few days and will be getting back into the EV groove here soon. 

P.S. 

A nice view of the remains of East River Park...

December trees

Thanks to Cáit O'Riordan for sharing this photo from Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... where, outside Tokio7, "the trees are hanging on to their leaves! The elm replaced a beautiful ginkgo tree that used to be there."

Previously

When is the annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park?

Now that Thanksgiving 2024 is in the books... the 33rd annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is set for this Sunday afternoon from 4-5.

The event, sponsored by C&B Cafe, features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments via Veselka.

An illegal smoke shop bust on 10th Street

Photo by Steven 

According to police and published reports, law enforcement officials confiscated "100 pounds of pot products" over the weekend from an illegal dispensary on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The shop, not named in the media accounts, was said to be a newish space at 279 E, 10th St. Per 1010 WINS: 

An inspection at 279 East 10th St. was prompted by 311 complaints from the community, and upon searching the location, law enforcement officials discovered 43 pounds of THC flowers and pre-rolls, 30 pounds of THC vapes and 27 pounds of THC edibles.

We want to thank the community for being our eyes and ears for illegal activity throughout the five boroughs!

The Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force sealed another illegal smoke shop today, seizing over 100 pounds of cannabis and other unregulated products! pic.twitter.com/TDGGUR6WeK

— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) November 30, 2024

The seizure was part of the city's "Padlock to Protect" program.

Monday's opening shots

Photos by Lola Sáenz 

The latest in the occasional and ongoing witless pink-out at 57 Great Jones St., including painting over the commemorative plaque for one-time resident Jean-Michel Basquiat...

Sunday's parting Instagram post

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A post shared by Jesse Malin (@jesse_malin)

Previously on EV Grieve:

East Village musician Jesse Malin provides an update on his spinal stroke and thanks everyone for their ongoing support

At Night 1 of TV on the Radio's residency at Webster Hall

Photos by Daniel Efram 

TV On The Radio is back ... celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut release, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, with a deluxe version of the album with previously unreleased tracks. 

The Brooklyn-based band just wrapped up four nights at Webster Hall on 11th Street (Nov. 25-26, Nov. 29-30), the first live shows in five years (not counting the surprise TV Eye gig last Sunday or the Vans-Max Fish celebration in September).

Dan Efram, who shared these photos, called Monday's kick-off show a "mesmerizing, rejuvenating and affirming performance."

Here's a look at the band, including core members Tunde Adebimpe, Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton (Dave Sitek was not part of this residency)...

Read an oral history of the great East Village zine shop See Hear

Photo by Jerry B. via Yelp! 

A weekend read for your consideration via Animal New York. Freddy Alva delivers an oral history of See Hear, the (late) great zine shop down a few steps at 59 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Alva, a one-time employee, spoke with owner and founder Ted Gottfried as well as co-workers Reuben Radding, Chesley Hicks, Rob Price ... and longtime customer Thurston Moore. Find the post here. 

The shop was around from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s... including a brief revival on St. Mark's Place. Alex has a tribute from 2013 to See Hear at this link.

Saturday's parting shot

Thanks to Robert Miner for this variation of a favorite East Village view — the Empire State Building through the trees in Tompkins Square Park...

6 posts from November

A mini month in review... 

• A new community fridge for the East Village (Nov. 21) 

• $400,000 revamp planned for the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run (Nov. 20)

• After over 50 years, Ludlow Garage on the Lower East Side to close its doors (Nov. 14) 

• The Avenue A 7-Eleven is now closed. The reason why may not surprise you. (Nov. 12) 

• Lower East Side indie mainstay Rockwood Music Hall abruptly closes, musicians say (Nov. 11) 

• At the sneak preview of Mary O's Irish Soda Bread Shop on 7th Street (Nov. 10)

The 'Ghosts' in you

 

Seattle's KEXP recently released this video of an in-studio performance by EVG faves Cults. 

The band with local roots recently released their fifth LP, To the Ghosts, this past summer.

Enjoy the extended live set and interview...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Cults classic: East Village-based duo on the release of their fourth record

A Black Friday look at Budget Mart on Avenue A

Photos and text by Stacie Joy

As we reported, Budget Mart opened on Nov. 13 at 33 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street.

We've gone back for a few visits to look at the well-stocked and organized storefront currently featuring enough Christmas decorations to make your place look like Dyker Heights ...

Budget Mart's owner has other stores in Queens and Brooklyn, such as P&P Discount Furniture. 

During our visits, the staff, including Sahriah (pictured) behind the counter, have been friendly and attentive...

As noted in our previous coverage, there are a lot of slippers available, plus socks and underwear, with familiar brands like Hanes. Not to mention toys, suitcases and gadgets galore.

Don't want to wait for a Duane Reade or Rite Aid employee to un-incarcerate your toothpaste? Budget Mart has got you covered...

Guys, want to be ready for gray sweatpants season? Here are various (although not 50) shades of gray sweatpants...

Best sellers so far? Management cited the holiday-season merchandise, kitchenware and clothing. 

More merchandise, such as household items and winter clothes, will be available soon. The manager noted, "We are open to suggestions and opinions from the community." 

Hours are daily from 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. No social media or website right now.

Reminders: The work of Kenny Scharf is now at the Brant Foundation through February

In case you are looking for something to do (with visitors?) in the neighborhood this weekend... the exhibit featuring Kenny Scharf, a pioneer of the street art movement in the 1980s East Village, is underway at the Brant Foundation next month. 

FYI details: 

... the exhibition brings together over 70 paintings, sculptures, and objects created throughout the artist's expansive career, beginning with works from the late seventies. The survey is compiled from the Brant collections as well as major loans from institutions and private collections, including The Whitney Museum of American Art (New York) and The Broad (Los Angeles). 

Kenny Scharf is co-curated by Peter M. Brant & Tony Shafrazi in close collaboration with the artist. 

Tickets (here) through Dec. 22 are currently available, and the remaining tickets (Dec. 23 – Feb. 28) will be released in the upcoming weeks. The exhibition will be open Wednesday through Sunday. (Tickets remain for this weekend.)

Tickets are $20, $15 for students, and $15 for East Village residents. Admission is 50% off every Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. 

The Brant Foundation's first show at 421 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue in the spring of 2019 featured work by Basquiat — some 70 works collectively valued at $1 billion. Other exhibits include a career-spanning Warhol collection in the spring of 2023.

Thursday's opening shot

One of our favorite East Village views — the Empire State Building from Tompkins Square Park. 

This holiday season, we're grateful for our readers. Your support, curiosity and engagement inspire us every day. 

And now, we're announcing our new paywall. (KIDDING!)

Wednesday's parting shot

Another excellent tree candidate (here and here) ... this one from Stuy Town via EVG reader Jim Mullins...

Watch the Veselka documentary this holiday season

"Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World," the documentary on the iconic Ukrainian diner on Second Avenue at Ninth Street, recently became available to rent or own on streaming services and Blu-ray. (More info here.)

The well-reviewed film (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), directed by Michael Fiore and narrated by David Duchovny, who grew up nearby, opened at the Village East by Angelika on Feb. 23. 

A description: 

New York City's beloved Ukrainian restaurant, Veselka, is best known for its borscht and varenyky, but it has become a beacon of hope for Ukraine. As the second-generation owner Tom Birchard reluctantly retires after 54 years, his son Jason faces the pressures of stepping into his father's shoes as the war in Ukraine impacts his family and staff. 

Late last week, the filmmakers learned that "Veselka" is eligible for consideration in the Documentary Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards. There are 169 films on the list. A shortlist of 15 films will be announced on Dec. 17.

Per Variety: "The race for best documentary feature is always full of surprises, and this year, no single nonfiction film has yet emerged as "the one to beat."

And the trailer...

 

A good film to watch with friends or family... in case you're looking to do so during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Final week for Boris & Horton?

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Boris & Horton is done to its last few days on the NW corner of Avenue A and 12th Street. Or are they?

In announcing their schedule this last week on Instagram, they wrote: "we're hopeful that one of our customers will be taking over and reopening in 2025." 

This has been the home to the city's first dog cafe for the past six-plus years.

Earlier this month, ownership (daughter-father Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman) posted notices that they would close at the end of November. This development happened even after a successful crowdfunding campaign and a newly enacted subscription plan earlier this year. 

From an Instagram post on Nov. 11: 

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. 

Mikhly and Holzman said they've previously met with potential suitors but have yet to close a deal. 

The retail space remains on the rental market. 

Still, it sounds like they are keeping the faith this Thanksgiving week...

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A post shared by Boris & Horton (@borisandhorton)

Tuesday's parting Instagram post

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A post shared by NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project (@nyclgbtsites)