Saturday, January 25, 2025
Friday, January 24, 2025
Friday's parting shot
In 'Memory' Of
NYC's Pop Music Fever Dream — veterans of Show Brain's summer shows in Tompkins Square Park —just released this new video for their song "Elegy for Memory" (from the Songs for Emotion EP).
PMFD will be playing the New Colossus Festival around the neighborhood in early March. Check them out if you can.
From repairing to storing cars: A new era for the former Ludlow Garage
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
The decades-spanning business at Ludlow Garage has officially come to an end.
The keys to the building at 151 Attorney St. between Houston and Stanton are now in the new owner's possession. As we reported in November, he will use the space as a private garage for his luxury car collection, with a state-of-the-art security system. The new owner will keep some exterior signage here for "decorative use only."
Owners Jerome Vasconcellos (below right) and his brother-in-law, Mario Marques, wrapped up 50-plus years in business and are ready to enjoy retirement. (Ludlow Garage was on Ludlow between Rivington and Stanton before moving to Attorney Street in 1982.)
They invited me inside for a last look...
Despite the neighborhood's continued transformation in recent years, the single-level shop persevered for decades, serving as a steadfast reminder of the community's more blue-collar roots.
While the garage and repair shop are closed, their body shop across the street at No. 152 remains in operation and managed by a few long-term employees.
Per their recommendation, Mario and Jerome's customers looking for a tune-up, state inspection, electrical, transmission, and brake work can get their vehicles serviced by Edwardo and Domingo at Cibao Auto Repair, located uptown at 73 E. 130th St.
You can read our previous post for more about the business and why the two decided to retire.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
A two-evening tribute to Gary Indiana at Anthology Film Archives
Anthology Film Archives is on the SE corner of Second Street and Second Avenue.
An afternoon with Ray
Photos by Stacie Joy
This month, Ray Alvarez turns 92, and 2025 marks the 51st year in business for his NYC institution — Ray's Candy Store.
I stopped by the shop on Avenue A and spent a recent afternoon with Ray as he diligently worked on orders of deep-fried Oreos (sorry, we can't share the recipe!), beignets, and other specialties of the house...
... and chatted with customers...
Ray's Candy Store is at 113 Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
Reminders: The next informational session about the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center is TONIGHT
Photo by Stacie Joy
In case you missed our post about this last week:
"We're hoping to see a diverse group of community members join us," Q Impact Solutions founder Quamid Francis, who led the first discussion on Oct. 25, told EVG. "We anticipate that a plurality of the same information will be covered, as there are no new
significant updates to share at this time. Still, we thought of having another session to accommodate community members who missed the last session during the day." (See our recap post here.)
Speakers include representatives from Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Denham Wolf Real Estate, who will speak on behalf of the property's buyer.
Per the invite:
Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to the cause and neighborhood, this informational session will provide valuable updates. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with your fellow community members and engage in meaningful and collaborative discussions!
Previously on EV Grieve:
A tribute to David Lynch at Village East by Angelika
Updated: The screenings are all sold out.
Just-announced screenings:
• Blue Velvet
Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
Tickets
• Mulholland Drive
Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
Tickets
• Eraserhead
Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.
Tickets
Village East by Angelika is on Second Avenue at 12th Street.
A look at East Village boutique Pink Lion, a recent arrival on 9th Street
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Pink Lion is one of the newer businesses to open along the eclectic block of small specialty shops on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
I recently stopped by to talk with Debbie Mangual, the owner, and Alex William, the shop's marketing and strategy director.
Mangual, originally from New Jersey, always dreamed of owning a shop in NYC... and it all came to fruition with the clothing boutique's opening at 318 E. Ninth St. this past fall...
Why did she choose the East Village?
"I love the vibe ... the mix of cultures, young people with their own style. The East Village gives 1980s-1990s vibes," Mangual said.
Daily hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You can follow the shop on Instagram here.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Wednesday's parting shot
Noted
We first saw the item at Sneaker News the other day:
The "NIKE" on the heel is modified to replicate the original CBGB font that stood on the awning. Behind the tongue are "Bleecker" (Nike spelled it incorrectly) and "Bowery," the cross-streets in which this venue stood for decades. The insoles are a messy mosaic of Nike stickers set to mimic the walls of the claustrophobic restrooms.
No word on a release date.
This isn't the brand's first shoe collaboration. You may recall the limited-edition 1460 Dr. Martens-CBGB boots.
A visit with Anne DeVita
Photos and story by Stacie Joy
For over 40 years, Anne DeVita served as manager of the First Avenue Laundry Center.
She presided over the day-to-day activities into her late 80s until the business closed for good in late 2022. (The owners first billed this as a renovation, but the three-building assemblage on the NW corner of First Avenue at Second Street was later predictably demolished to make way for luxury housing.)
DeVita has been recovering from some recent health issues.
Last week, her longtime friend and neighbor, Scooter LaForge, and I visited DeVita at her current home.
DeVita hopes to be able to return to her East Village apartment one of these days. She also thanked everyone for all the good wishes.
As we've noted, DeVita grew up in the neighborhood. Before entering the laundry business, she worked as a barmaid at the long-gone Club 17 on Avenue D and Third Street and a bar on 14th Street that she described as having an upstairs neighbor featuring "girls for sale for a dollar."
Taking a look at the all-new Baker Falls, now in soft-open mode on the Lower East Side
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Baker Falls (pop. 192) is now in soft-open mode in its new home at 192 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton (the former Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2).
The performance venue debuted on Jan. 13 with its weekly Anti-Hoot open mic night (carrying on a tradition from the late Sidewalk Cafe).
We stopped by this past Thursday for what owner and East Village resident Nick Bodor (below) called the first proper rock show of Baker Falls 2.0.
There are several nooks and crannies where you can sit and enjoy a beverage like you're at The Great Northern Hotel. Several chandeliers help illuminate the stage area.
On this night, the music was improvised, with bands eschewing their usual set lists for, well, whatever they felt like playing.
We arrived just after the first act, OpenExit, and walked into the post-post-punk universe of Prints...
So far, aside from the Anti-Hoot open mic night, there's a weekly "Avant Clown Variety Show"...
Visit the Baker Falls website for a list of upcoming shows and entertainment. Follow BF on Instagram for updates on other expected developments.
The full liquor license is on its way, so the menu includes beer, wine, and coffee for now.
The now-former Korean Street Foods space is for rent on Avenue A
Photo by Steven
Yesterday, workers placed a for-lease sign at 147 Avenue A's retail space between Ninth Street and 10th Street, marking the official end of Korean Street Foods.
The quick-serve business offering Korean street foods opened in the spring of 2023, taking over the space from corn dog specialists Two Hands.
The asking rent for the 800-square-foot space (plus basement): $9,995.
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