Gas service restored at C&B Café on 7th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

It was high fives all around yesterday when ConEd restored gas service to C&B Café.

ConEd crews arrived at 9:30 a.m. to inspect the lines and perform pressure tests, then returned before noon to restore service. 

Gas service was shut down early the morning of Aug. 19 after an alarm went off in the basement of the building at 178 E. Seventh St., between Avenue A and Avenue B. ConEd traced the problem back to what C&B owner Ali Sahin described as shoddy work on a previous gas line nearly a decade ago. 

The turnaround was unexpectedly fast: licensed plumbers installed new gas lines late last week, and with yesterday's approvals, the café is back in full operation. 

Meanwhile, Sahin said that some of the cold menu items that debuted during the outage — including the tuna sandwich — may remain. However, the regular lineup is expected to be back in operation today. 

It might take another day or two to get everything fully operational, but Sahin and his team appeared confident.

Reminders: Free screening tonight of 'Summer of Soul' in Tompkins Square Park

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Sushi and coffee for the vacant storefronts at 106 Avenue B

There are new tenants for the gut-renovated storefronts at 106 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. 

The northern space (see EV Arrow above) will be home to Shinzo Sushi, per the TradedNY account. Meanwhile, Delah Coffee has signed a lease for the southern storefront, also according to the TradedNY transaction wire. 

We hope to have info about both businesses soon. 

And we'll just say this is a coffee-heavy corridor, with three excellent options within a few hundred feet — Thayer across Avenue B, and Café Chrystie and C&B Café around the corner on Seventh Street (not to mention Sunny & Annie's on Sixth and B). 

The northern storefront was previously Anwar/Akter Grocery, which sold a wide range of items, including sodas, snacks, religious amulets, sombreros, school supplies, and adult DVDs with titles such as "Anal Pleasures." The grocery suffered an unceremonious ending in July 2022. 

Fabano Florals used the southern space for pop-ups.

H/T Stacie Joy!

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Enjoying the slightly cooler temps for August today on St. Mark's Place...

Police looking for 3 suspects in Sunday afternoon slashing on Astor Place

Police are looking for three men who they say robbed and slashed another man on Cooper Square at Eighth Street this past Sunday afternoon. 

The 24-year-old victim was standing on the southwest corner of Eighth Street at Cooper Square near Cooper Union when three men grabbed his iPhone from his hand, according to police and published reports. 

When he tried to retrieve the phone, the attackers punched him repeatedly and slashed his left hand.

EMTs treated the victim at the scene before taking him to a hospital, where he was reportedly in stable condition. 

The NYPD released this info about the suspects...

🚨WANTED FOR A ROBBERY: On Sunday, 8/24/2025 at Approx. 3:35 P.M., on the Southwest Corner of Cooper Square and East 8th St. in the Confines of the 9th Precinct, 3 unknown individuals slashed a 24-year-old male and forcibly removed his property. pic.twitter.com/PHdIl58f3X

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) August 25, 2025

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online. All calls are confidential. 

Top photo via Steven; second photo by William Klayer

Monday's parting Instagram shot

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At the prayer vigil for Most Holy Redeemer

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

On Friday evening, dozens of residents gathered outside Most Holy Redeemer-Church of the Nativity on Third Street for a prayer vigil. 

The event, organized by the Facebook group Save Most Holy Redeemer Historical Church, included a call-and-response chant of "Hail Mary/Sancta Maria" by candlelight.

There were no speeches or flyers handed out — just steady prayer filling the block between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

The candles lit up the front steps and drew curious passersby on this pleasant summer evening. Several attendees quietly shared concerns about the church's future. Some spoke of rumors that the Archdiocese might sell or demolish the 19th-century building, like it did with Mary Help of Christians on 12th Street in 2013. That church and school yielded Steiner East Village, the block-long luxury condoplex with an indoor pool. 

Others worried that priests had been silenced, or that settlement costs from abuse claims were driving the closure. Many expressed frustration — and devotion. 

"I'm not even Catholic, and I come here to pray; it's such a beautiful space," one woman said. A handful of people pointed to the departure of Father Sean last summer as the moment the parish began to decline.

The vigil follows July's announcement that weekly masses at Most Holy Redeemer will end after Aug. 31. Going forward, the church will host only occasional ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

Parishioners are being directed to St. Brigid's on Avenue B for regular services. Church leaders cited a shortage of priests and the building's deteriorating condition, including falling plaster, as reasons for the shift.

Meanwhile, Village Preservation, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, and the East Village Community Coalition are pushing for landmark status for the 1851 church, its rectory, and former school to protect them from redevelopment.

Supporters argue the complex is a vital part of the neighborhood's cultural and architectural heritage. 

Find the petition here.

Carlina Rivera officially steps down from her City Council seat

Photo from April by Stacie Joy 

Last Wednesday marked the last day in office for District 2 City Council Member Carlina Rivera. 

As previously reported, the term-limited Rivera was stepping down before the end of the year to lead the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, the trade association for New York's affordable housing industry. 

Here's part of Rivera's message in her final District 2 newsletter (read the full report here) from last week:

This month, I was proud to pass legislation to change our City's supportive housing rules so that New Yorkers who experience homelessness and then incarceration no longer lose their eligibility for housing due to "time homeless" requirements. Supportive housing, offering stable homes and wraparound services, has been proven to reduce recidivism, improve health, and restore dignity, and this change will help thousands rebuild their lives. I also passed a bill improving safety and accountability on NYC rooftops and celebrated the rollout of the first citywide greenway plan in nearly 30 years, which will connect neighborhoods with safe, beautiful, and climate-resilient walking and biking paths.

It's been the honor of my life to represent this district, and I'm deeply grateful for the trust you've placed in me. Born and raised on the Lower East Side, the daughter of a mother who came to New York from Puerto Rico for opportunity, I have carried that same drive into public service, advocating for the same community members I organized alongside long before holding office ... Thank you for the privilege of serving our community. 

The newsletter also offers an overview of her accomplishments over the past eight years, including sections titled "Funding and Budget Wins," "Health and Reproductive Rights," and "Housing and Tenant Protections." This link goes to the full newsletter. 

According to the New York City Charter, "If a vacancy occurs less than ninety days before the date of the primary election in the last year of the term, the person elected at the general election in such year for the next succeeding term shall take office immediately upon qualification and fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term."

In November, Harvey Epstein will face Republican nominee Jason Murillo in the District 2 Council race.

Epstein, the presumptive favorite, confirmed that he can be seated in the City Council after the election is certified. 

District 2 includes the East Village, Gramercy Park, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, as well as parts of the Lower East Side and Greenwich Village. 

Rivera's office will remain open for constituent services until the next Council member takes office. The Speaker's Community Engagement Division will be responsible for overseeing operations, and some of Rivera's staffers are remaining on board through Oct. 20 at the latest to manage inquiries. 

With reporting by Stacie Joy

Farewell to the East Village Rite Aid

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street is now closed. 

The store has been in going-out-of-business mode for the past five weeks. On Friday, we paid a visit to see the most random items left for sale at up to 95% off before the final day yesterday...

Spotted: A very, very, very good price on Opill birth control pills. Nearby, a trifecta of odd shelf neighbors — a cannabis surface detection kit (for vapes, edibles and samples!), laxative suppositories, and a Clearblue Easy "menopause journey" pee-stick kit. 

Also in the mix: Enfamil, diabetes test strips, colic relief formula — plus a bonus pack of electrode TENS pads. Win!

As previously reported, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy (again) in May, citing years of financial struggles and a rapidly changing retail pharmacy market. 

The EV Rite Aid was reportedly leasing the space for upwards of $50,000 per month. 

Here's more on the single-level building's ownership: 

The 1920s-era East Village building has been owned by the New Tandem Equities since 2007, city property records reveal, when it was sold to them for $4.2 million by an LLC under developer Anthony Marano's control. Marano, in turn, had bought the building from grocery store mogul (Gristedes and D'Agostino's) and radio station owner (WABC 770 AM) John Catsimatidis in 2005. 

Again, the auction is for the lease, not the property. The EV lease is set to expire in January 2032. 

No word on a new tenant yet.

Sunday afternoon, Tompkins Square Park

Just before 2 p.m., about an hour before the start of the annual Charlie Park Jazz Fesitval in Tompkins Square Park... until 7 p.m.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a cardboard Tim Gunn on Third Street via EVG reader IzF)... 

• Deliveristas confront new hurdles after 11th Street bike sweep (Wednesday, Aug. 20) 

• Push continues to landmark East Village's historic Most Holy Redeemer (Friday, Aug. 22)

• City Council approves Rivera legislation that creates new 311 category for rooftop activity (Tuesday, Aug. 19) … Carlina Rivera will be stepping down from her City Council seat 4 months early (Monday, Aug. 18) 

• C&B Café trying to make the best of a bad situation after gas shutoff on 7th Street (Thursday, Aug. 21) … C&B Café debuts new menu items as gas service remains off (Saturday, Aug. 23) 

• Pinc Louds fill LPR with joyful abandon and Tompkins Square Park tributes (Thursday, Aug. 21) 

• We talked with the owner of Corner Bistro about what to expect from the East Village outpost (Monday, Aug. 18) 

• 'Caught' celebrating: Why Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz and Darren Aronofsky were at the Double Down Saloon early Sunday morning (Sunday, Aug. 17)

• Godzilla: King of the (aluminum foil) monsters on 4th Street (Tuesday, Aug. 19) 

• HBD Joe Strummer (Thursday, Aug. 21) 

• Old-school BBQ chicken on the menu for Trinity fundraiser this Sunday (Friday, Aug. 22) 

• Openings: A Bay Area-inspired taqueria debuts on Avenue A (Monday, Aug. 18) … Bite & Sip on 1st Street (Tuesday, Aug. 19) 

• Updates on A10 Kitchen, Burgerhead, Kikoo Sushi, Café Skye (Wednesday, Aug. 20) 

• Citi Bike tags, stickers call out NYC 'transplants' (Wednesday, Aug. 20) 

• Signage reveal: Mayberry Marketplace on 1st Avenue (Friday, Aug. 22) … Himawari Café on 1st Ave. (Thursday, Aug. 21) … Conspiracy Café, City Roots Market (Tuesday, Aug. 19) 

• This is why you should not feed the pigeons (Sunday, Aug. 17)

Thanks to the Substack newsletter The New York Edit for including a Q&A with EVG. Find the interview here.

And Waymo was in the news on Friday as the company received its first permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles in New York City. Robert Minder spotted this Waymo vehicle parked on 11th Street near Second Avenue...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Endless summer ... as seen on Astor Place today...

NYU students can now shop for free (with ID) at Swap Shop pop-up on 2nd Avenue

Photo and tip via Jacob Ford 

The NYU Swap Shop debuted today for a week-long run for NYU students at 107 Second Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (Previously mentioned here.) 

The shop will be here through Aug. 30 as NYU students begin moving back into local residence halls. 

Per a description: 

Introducing the Swap Shop, where you can find FREE gently used living essentials and more! The shop is open to NYU students only, who will need a valid NYU ID to enter.

Roughly more than 20,000 pounds of items are collected each year from NYU dormitories through the Green Apple Move Out (GAMO) program in an effort to reduce waste. 

Through a joint effort between NYU Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability, the Swap Shop will aim to redistribute those items collected through GAMO and other sources back to NYU students. 

The previous tenant here in the NYU-owned building was the New Yorkers Food Market. Owner Michael Schumacher told us that a variety of factors led to the closure on Dec. 30, including increased competition from Wegmans on Astor Place and personal health issues. 

Although NYU provided a six-month rent concession, Schumacher wasn't in any financial position to negotiate a new lease for the 38,000-square-foot space, he told us.

A grocery had been in the retail space of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts since 1974. 

No word yet on a full-time tenant for the storefront after the Swap Shop ends its week-long run.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• New Yorkers Foodmarket is closing soon on 2nd Avenue

C&B Café debuts new menu items as gas service remains off

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated: Gas service was restored on Aug. 26.

------

C&B Café is debuting a temporary cold menu today while waiting on ConEd to restore gas service to its outpost on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Owner Ali Sahin and his team have pulled together a lineup that includes turkey and cold ham sandwiches (with ham slow-cooked in-house), menemen, and a mushroom-and-egg salad. 

The café will be relying on two induction burners until the gas is turned back on. 

Yesterday afternoon, Sahin worked on a fried veggie sandwich with eggplant, tomato and zucchini that he recalled from a trip to Italy..

In a bit of good news: A new gas line has been installed and all the pipes are operational — they're just waiting on ConEd's final approval. 

Gas service was shut down early Tuesday morning after an alarm went off in the basement of the building at 178 E. Seventh St. 

Sahin said the issue traces back eight or nine years, to what he calls shoddy work on a previous gas line. 

Aside from the new menu items, C&B is still turning out wholesale orders along with plenty of pastries, bread and coffee. Lots of coffee.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• C&B Café trying to make the best of a bad situation after gas shutoff on 7th Street

Saturday's opening shot

At the Seventh and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park this morning... as barricades await their instructions ahead of the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival here tomorrow from 3-7 p.m. 

Hit this link for info on the performers. 

The weather will be sunny and pleasant today, with the humidity creeping back up tomorrow ... not to mention a possible late-day thunderstorm.

Friday's parting shots

Photos by William Klayer 

On St. Mark's Place between A and First tonight...

Today in trash can fires

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

It was an East Village flashback of sorts today on Third Street and Avenue B with a random trash can fire.

A worker from a nearby business doused the flames with a few buckets of water before the FDNY got there (in a hurry, btw).

So what happens to the melted trash can?

The FDNY says Sanitation will take care of it.

Changes

 

Brooklyn's Nation of Language has a new record, Dance Called Memory, out on Sub Pop next month.

The video here is for the track "I'm Not Ready for the Change." 

Nation of Language's mid-’80s-inspired sound (OMD! Human League!) gains extra punch on stage ... catch them at Warsaw on Sept. 18-20.

Old-school BBQ chicken on the menu for Trinity fundraiser this Sunday

Via the EVG inbox... 

This Sunday (3-7 p.m.) during the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park, friends of Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish and Trinity's Services and Food for the Homeless are offering and old-school barbecue chicken dinner fundraiser to support their work feeding our community. Headed up by Pastor Will Kroeze, Chef Will Horowitz and friends, dinners will be $25 and served to go to enjoy during the festival. 

Copies of the East Village Cookbook will also be available for purchase just in time for early holiday shopping (only four months until Christmas!). 

Established nearly 40 years ago, Trinity's Services provides over 200,000 meals each year through its daily free lunch and food pantry.

Get some zines tomorrow evening in Tompkins Square Park

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The 8 Ball Community's mobile zine truck will be out and about tomorrow (Aug.23), including at 7 p.m. at Tompkins Square Park.