The new old Lucy's sign returns on Avenue A

Sign photos Friday by Steven 

The familiar hand-painted Lucy's sign returned to the storefront on Friday at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street (someone painted over it in early 2024).

The new (old) sign appears to be an exact replica of what was there before...

Under new ownership with Golden Age Hospitality, the bar has been getting renovated in recent months after a decades-long run with proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius. It is expected to reopen in the next week to 10 days.

The questionnaire on file with Community Board 3 for the new liquor license last year included a letter from Golden Age Hospitality CEO Jon Neidich to the local block association. The letter reads in part: 

While we are taking over the operation of the bar, our involvement is solely premised on preserving an East Village institution: Lucy herself will very much still be a part of this project (and will still be behind the bar!). We will not be changing the concept or design of the space (we will be adding some soundproofing in the ceiling and an ADA bathroom). 

The building at 135-137 sold for $19.1 million in January 2024. Many of the residential units are undergoing gut renovations, and a source told us that some of the construction materials spotted inside Lucy's in recent months were for the upstairs apartments. 

Here's a look inside the bar from late January (photos by Stacie Joy)...

Will the "Hurricane Streets" movie poster return to its longtime position behind the bar?

Lucy's has not been open since November 2023. 

The links below detail what has transpired here over the past year.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A few more details on the future of East Village classic bar Lucy's 

• Exclusive: Lucy discusses the future of her iconic East Village bar

Signage alert: HighLife Burgers on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven

The hand-painted signage is up for HighLife, the new burger joint on First Avenue from the owners of Electric Burrito around the corner on St. Mark's Place.

HighLife is taking over part of the former Dan & John's storefront at 135 First Ave. (Dan & John's closed last April after failing to reach a new lease agreement with the landlord.)

The burger place, which will include a standing counter for dining inside, is expected to open on Feb. 26. You can follow them on Instagram for updates.

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Francine Lange 

Steamy Sunday afternoon on Fourth Street...

HBD McSorley's

EVG photo from November

Tomorrow (Feb. 17), McSorley's will celebrate 171 years at 15 E. Seventh St. near Cooper Square, featuring live music beginning at noon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by McSorley’s Old Ale House (@mcsorleysoldalehouse)

Relive some fake EVG-McSorley's history at the 2016 post.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a snow-day photo from Tompkins by Derek Berg) 

• Bella's passing marks another sad chapter in East Village fire tragedy (Sunday) 

• Church to condo conversion underway on 4th Street (Monday) 

• RIP Walter Robinson (Monday) 

• New York Dolls co-founder David Johansen seeks support for cancer treatment (Tuesday) 

• School shuffle: La Salle Returning to 2nd Street as St. George seeks new tenants (Wednesday) 

• Do you have what it takes to be the coolest block in the neighborhood? (Thursday) 

• Checking in on the Hamilton Fish Park Library renovations (Thursday) 

• Willem Dafoe at the Anthology Film Archives (Tuesday)

• Openings: Alison on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday) ... Hatsu Omakase on 4th Street (Monday) 

• Bronx Brewery has closed on 2nd Avenue (Friday) ... Bluestone Lane on Astor Place (Wednesday) ... Hollywood Nail & Spa on 1st Street (Tuesday) 

• Signage alert: Dumpling Xi on 4th Avenue (Thursday) ... Meama on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday) ... Chocolate DIP for St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• Game, set, match: Thirty Love arrives on 3rd and 13th (Monday) 

• Hey, the Heytea signage has arrived (Thursday)

Sunday's opening shot

Random Avenue A skyview... today's weather: Showers, rain and probaby more rain ... and mariners, take heed: A gale warning is in effect from 4 p.m. today to midnight Monday.

Saturday's parting shot

Early this evening in Tompkins Square Park...

Sundays at Bullet Space this month: zine swap tomorrow; 'Signs of Life' ongoing

Bullet Space is hosting a Zine Swap tomorrow (Sunday) from 3-6 p.m. 

Meanwhile, the current exhibit, "Signs of Life," remains on view on Sundays this month...

The urban artist collab is at 292 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Bleecker Street Bar to host winter carnival benefiting former manager’s cancer battle

On Sunday (tomorrow), the Bleecker Street Bar hosts a Winter Carnival and fundraiser. Part of the proceeds will go to help ease the financial burden that Renee, the bar's former manager who has also worked at Coffee Shop and Han Dynasty, has incurred while battling stage 4 breast cancer. 

From 3 to 7 p.m., the bar will hold a raffle with various prizes. There will also be a vintage clothing pop-up. 

Bleecker Street Bar is at 648 Broadway between Bleecker and Bond.

Saturday's opening shot

Outside the uptown 6 on Astor Place, the MTA dropped some salt, like at other subway entrances we saw this morning, ahead of the expected snowfall (1-2 inches) later this afternoon. 

The snow will turn to rain later tonight and into tomorrow, per the National Weather Service. 

Meanwhile, over at the downtown 6 yesterday... this report came in via the Citizen app...

Who's going to blame this on congestion pricing?

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Andrew Jacobs 

Happy Valentine's Day from 10th Street between B and C to one and all...

Mind the gap

We continue to highlight indie acts performing at this year's New Colossus Festival, which will take place in East Village and LES venues from March 4 to 9. 

Here's NYC-based Mahogany with "A Scaffold." Catch them at the all-day shoegaze party on March 8 at Arlene's Grocery.

Find Festival info here.

EVG Etc.: Who's running for mayor this year?; Is curbside dining kaput?

Local stories of interest from other sources this past week include... 

• Trump administration claws back $80 million sent to NYC to house migrants (The City) 

• Fact-checking FEMA's payments to NYC to house migrants (The Associated Press) 

• Danielle R. Sassoon, a Republican and acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned after being told to drop the corruption charges against Mayor Adams ... five high-ranking DOJ officials followed suit (CNBC ... The Associated Press) 

• Good time to mention this: Who is running for mayor this year? (City & State) 

• Park Service erases 'transgender' on Stonewall website (NPR)

• Down: Vehicular traffic. Up: pedestrian traffic (Gothamist) 

• Outdoor dining might be doomed as just 40 of 1,400-plus applicants for the new roadway dining have made it through the city's labyrinth process (Grub Street ... Streetsblog) 

• New Yorkers were more likely to be killed in traffic crashes than in shootings in 2024 (Gothamist) 

• Local landmarks and landmarks-to-be of Black History (Village Preservation) 

• A Q&A with Jamian Juliano-Villani, "the Chaos Agent of the New York Art World" (Interview ... previously on EVG) 

• About "Danger and Opportunity," a new play set to open at East Village Basement, 321 E. Ninth St. (Playbill... official play site... East Village Basement site) 

• Three nights of Paul McCartney at the Bowery Ballroom (Brooklyn Vegan)

• Inside Dirt Candy's trademark dispute (The New York Times) 

• A visit to Cuts & Slices on East Houston (ABC 7 ... previously on EVG) 

• A global coffee price spike will soon hit your wallet, or however you pay for coffee (NBC News)

... and eggs remain crazy expensive right now... so beware of these obvious traps, like on Fourth Street... sure, it's just an unattended case of eggs...

Bronx Brewery has closed on 2nd Avenue

Photos by Steven

After three years at 64 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street, Bronx Brewery has closed its East Village location. 

Monday was the last day in service...

Ownership posted this on Instagram: 

After three unforgettable years, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our East Village location. 64 Second Ave was meant to be an extension of our Bronx roots, but it quickly became something so much more — a sanctuary, a gathering place, a second home. 

To our staff, friends, family, community partners, guests, and even that one squirrel who ran inside—we are endlessly grateful. Thank you for filling this space with your energy, your laughter, your stories... and, of course, your cheers. 

The space also featured the first U.S. location for Swedish brand Bastard Burgers.

The original location in the Bronx (b. 2011) and the newer one in Hudson Yards will remain open.

This retail space had been vacant since NYC Velo moved a storefront to the north in 2016.

Friday's opening shot

Happy Valentine's Day from Key Food (and Little Debbie) on Avenue A...

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Francine Lange 

Pre-Valentine's Day eve at Sunny's Florist, Second Avenue at Sixth Street...

Do you have what it takes to be the coolest block in the neighborhood?

So, do you think your block is cool? Here's a chance to prove it.

This month, the Lower East Side Ecology Center is launching "The Coolest Block in the Lower East Side" (and NOT a Magnetic Fields song), billed as "an exciting new initiative designed to encourage community stewardship of street trees in the East Village, Lower East Side and Chinatown neighborhoods.''

OK! What else?

... this community-driven contest fosters environmental awareness, local engagement, and a healthy dose of competition, bringing together neighbors, schools, and organizations to transform their blocks into vibrant, green spaces. 

Residents, community groups, block associations, schools, and local organizations are invited to compete for the title of the Coolest Block in the Lower East Side. Participants will focus on key street tree care activities such as soil aeration, mulching, watering, and general cleanup, all while showcasing creativity and community spirit. 

Interested? Then, fill out this Interest Form.

There will also be a kick-off event on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Sixth Street Community Center. For event information, click this link. 

Checking in on the Hamilton Fish Park Library renovations

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Hamilton Fish Park Library, located at 415 E. Houston St. between Pitt and Columbia, has been closed since the end of 2023 for "building improvements." 

The library is expected to reopen at the end of 2026 following the $19-million gut renovation, which includes a new open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows for better lighting. 

Per a CB3 presentation on the renovations: 

This goal will be accomplished by replacing existing translucent glass brick masonry units with new fully transparent windows on the Houston Street façade. This strengthened visual connection between the library exterior and interior improves the space's quality and draws in more visitors. The surrounding community will benefit from a revitalized and modernized public space, which accommodates the needs of the library patrons and improves its overall functionality. 

Here's a look at the work in progress the other day...

During the closure, patrons have been using: 

• Tompkins Square Library 

• Ottendorfer Library 

• Seward Park Library 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Hamilton Fish Park Library closing for a 2-plus year renovation

Signage alert: Dumpling Xi on 4th Avenue

Photo by Jeanne Krier 

Signage for Dumpling Xi is now on the SE corner of Fourth Avenue at 10th Street.

The China-based company has 800 outposts. As far as we know, this is the first one here. There is one in Flushing as well, per a reader email.

Plenty of dumplings and dim sum around here, like at Bites of Xi'an a few storefronts away on 10th Street and Tim Ho Wan right across the street.

Several restaurants have come and gone in the retail space of the new-ish 10-story cantilevering condoplex. Most recently, Hou Hot Pot closed on Jan. 1.

Hey, the Heytea signage has arrived

Photo by Steven 

The Heytea signage arrived Monday at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

As we noted in October, the brand started in China in 2012, and now there are 4,000-plus locations worldwide selling a variety of milk and fruit teas... including a handful in NYC. They are known for drinks topped with a layer of cream cheese foam.

No word on an opening date.