Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

From earlier this week... your choice on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place — NY Sitty or NY Shitty...

A look at 2nd and B in 1986

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Monty Cantsin (@neoism.news)

We came across this Instagram post (via Monty Cantsin — EVG flashback)...  showing Jack Vengrow's sculpture at the Gas Station on the NW corner of Avenue B and Second Street from 1986. 

The venue, home to the gallery 2B, was here from 1986 and was demolished in 1995 to make way for the residential building The Villager and a Duane Reade. 

On Dec. 21, musicians taking part in Ghost Band Plays Ghost Venues (see EVG link below) marched in the aisles of the Duane Reade to pay respects to the Gas Station.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A ghostly parade for long-lost local music venues

Saturday's opening shot

A sunrise view today from Tompkins Square Park along Avenue A.

The wind chill is in the teens now (17)... otherwise, the sun is giving way to clouds this afternoon. High of 35. Maybe.

Friday's parting shot

Looks like the fruit vendor has packed it up for a winter hiatus here on the SE corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street. 

In past years, the vendor returned in March. (And we wouldn't mind it being March.)

The killing moon

 

Another track from an album we really liked in 2025... here's "Blackest" from Pa'ahi II via The Raveonettes, the indie-rock Danish duo who also put on a great show at the Bowery Ballroom in October.  

Bands we like: Homade

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy 

We finally caught Homade live last month, catching an early set at the Mercury Lounge on Dec. 17 — and it was well worth the wait.

We've featured the band here before in our weekly Friday at 5 video posts this past year ... "New Girl" and "Blue Fish." 

However, seeing them in person added another layer. Their sound leans punky alt-rock with a strong quiet-loud dynamic (especially on "New Girl"). 

Homade is made up of Lola Daehler (lead vocals, bass)...

Maya Ruth (guitar, vocals)...

Suzie Ciftcikal (guitar)

... and Addie Vogt (drums) ...

While only Daehler currently lives in the East Village, the neighborhood remains central to the band's story. 

Before the show, Daehler talked about rehearsing at 6/8 Studios on Second Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Streets. 

"We started playing at Mr. Barnes' studio, down the blue staircase," she said. "It was exciting because Sonic Youth used to play there. We played in the Sonic Youth Room always! You may get electrocuted, but it's totally worth it. And Mr. Barnes is the best."

The band has been rehearsing there since its early days and even filmed the "New Girl" video there. 

"Anytime we're in the East Village playing, it's at Mr. Barnes'. So shout out, Mr. Barnes — 6/8 Studios!"

Homade says new music is on the way in 2026 — an EP for sure, and possibly an LP — with a noticeable shift in direction. 

"We're heading in a much shoegazier direction," Daehler said. "Out of alt-rock and into doomy shoegaze." 

Based on this set, that evolution sounds like one to keep an ear on.

Keep tabs on the band via Instagram.

Openings: Justin's Salt Bread on 2nd Avenue

Justin's Salt Bread debuted back on Sunday to lines at 58 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

The bakery-café is said to be NYC's first dedicated Japanese-style salt bread shop. 

Salt bread, which originated in Japan before becoming a trending topic on social media, resembles a cross between a croissant and a dinner roll. It's made with more than twice as much butter as most breads and finished with salt on top. The result is a crisp exterior with a soft, fluffy interior. 

Justin's sells them three for $12, and that includes a side for dipping. 

The business comes from the folks behind Okiboru House of Udon at 124 Second Ave., between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place ... another food establishment that enjoyed early positive word-of-mouth.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9–3, Saturday 10–4, and Sunday 10–3. 

You can find them on Instagram here.

Jan. 1's parting shot

The Detritus of 2025 as seen on Seventh Street and First Avenue... photo by JackflashNYC...

Jan. 1's opening shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A New Year's greeting from Queen Loca and King Geronimo on Avenue A last night...

The most-viewed EVG stories of 2025

A favorite photo... from August by Stacie Joy: Day 1 of the Tompkins Square Park riot reunion shows 

And now, the 10 most-viewed EVG posts of 2025 (posts we published this year — this one still finishes in the top 13 years later) ...

• Mass e-bike seizure sparks tensions and debate on 11th Street (July 31) 

• Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns for its 35th year on Oct. 19 (Oct. 2) 

• On Christmas Eve morning, ICE agents take East Village restaurant worker into custody on 7th Street (Dec. 24) 

• About Banshee, the Irish-leaning bar debuting on 1st Avenue (Nov. 12) 

• Madonna endorses Baz Luhrmann's new East Village bar Monsieur on 4th Street (Jan. 27) 

• 2nd man sentenced for East Village assault spree that included Ray's Candy Store (Dec. 4)

• Neighbor steps up to care for dog injured in 2nd Avenue fire that claimed owner’s life (Feb. 3) 

• Checking out the newly reopened area of East River Park (May 29) 

• Giving thanks: A final word on the stranded East River Park squirrels (Oct. 22) 

• Housing lottery is underway for 49 apartments at the all-new 280 E. Houston St. (March 31)

Metro Acres Market confirmed for former East Village Rite Aid

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The grocery conversion of the former Rite Aid on the SW corner of First Avenue and Fifth Street continues. 

And now we can reveal the brand: Metro Acres Market. 

Ennis Said, an owner, confirmed the name and said they are aiming for a mid-February opening.

While it is not related to the other Metro Acres Markets, residents may be familiar with the brand. One opened several years back at 175 Clinton St. between East Broadway and Grand Street in Seward Park. 

A Metro Acres Market also opened in the Bronx (in a space that housed a Rite Aid and later a Walgreens) in July. A review of that location in The Market Report referred to it as "a pleasant, attractive store." 

This outpost has a deli with grab-and-go items. The Bronx market doesn't have a bakery, though it carries items from local bakeries like Terranova and Zaro's. No word yet about a bakery in the EV store. 

Said, who also owns Food Universe stores in Brooklyn with his siblings, said he is partnering with his brothers here — "just a few young guys eager to grow and get involved with the community." 

The East Village Rite Aid closed on Aug. 24 after five weeks of going-out-of-business sales. The 63-year-old pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy twice in two years before shutting down entirely last month. 

The EV lease for the 8,500-square-foot space was auctioned off this past summer. (The auction was just for the lease, set to expire in January 2032, not the building.)

H/T  to EVG reader Jake Bialer!

6 posts from December

A mini month in review... with a scene from Orchard and Delancey on the LES... 

• Stella of Ray’s Candy Store, remembered by the neighborhood (Dec. 29) 

• NYPD makes an arrest in the hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian on Clinton and Stanton (Dec. 22) 

• The secret life of Key Food’s holiday decorations (Dec. 17) 

• Timeline for reopening northern section of East River Park pushed to end of 2027 (Dec. 16) 

• SantaCon 2025 recap: A quieter crawl through the East Village? (Dec. 15) 

• Scenes from the 34th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting (Dec. 14)

Stocking up for New Year's Eve

Photos and text by Stacie Joy 

Do you need a New Year's Eve air horn? Hello 2026 glasses? Glitter confetti? Portable shot glasses on a necklace? Poppers (not those kinda poppers)? Best Year Ever 🤢 napkins? A tiara with 2026 top hats? Adult diapers, if you're heading to Times Square? 

Well then, the 99¢ Beauty Aids store at 73 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street has you covered... 

Hazy shade of winter

Thanks to the anonymous neighbor for these photos of the snowmelt fog in Tompkins Square Park this morning...

Temperatures rose to above freezing today, melting the snow, and that led to evaporation and the formation of fog. Or something like that. #Blogsplain

Stella of Ray’s Candy Store, remembered by the neighborhood

Photos yesterday by Stacie Joy

In case you missed it over the holidays, the neighborhood is remembering Stella Soltowska of Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A.

Stella, who worked at Ray's for nearly 50 years, passed away over the holidays. She was 80. 

There was an outpouring of tributes to her on the EVG Instagram account (and elsewhere). 

A sampling: 

"Oh, she was such a kind woman. The world needs more Stellas." 

"What a legacy. What a loss."

"She was a beautiful soul. And will be missed by all the EV.

"Stella called my husband and I 'pees and carrots' as we stopped for our egg creams after the Pyramid Club closed. Can't count the cones my 90's kids got from her. She was one of the good ones."

"Oh, this breaks my heart. What a loss to the entire city. Stella is an absolute legend."

"I loved seeing her whenever I passed by - day or night, rain or shine. An anchor in such a quickly changing world. You'll be missed."

The consensus is that Stella was one of those people who made the East Village feel like home, and that feeling doesn't go away.

There is a small memorial outside the shop, and staff say that leaving something modest that reminds you of Stella is a kind gesture — and one that helps Ray see just how deeply appreciated she was by the community. 

Many readers have asked how they can help. Friends say the best way is to stop in and support the store with a purchase. Ray needs the business, and staying busy helps. 

When we stopped by today, he was in better spirits ... talking about Stella and greeting visitors and longtime friends as they came through.

Meanwhile, Ray's, a 24/7 business, has reduced its hours for now to 3 p.m. to 4 a.m., though these are subject to change.

Openings: Moon Coffee Lab on 1st Street

Moon Coffee Lab debuted on Dec. 19 at 45 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

The barista-owned business comes here after a series of pop-ups this year in Brooklyn. 

The menu includes "the usual," which includes various coffee and espresso drinks, as well as some specialities such as a lychee matcha and a beet matcha. Featured food items are avocado toast, salami grilled cheese and a veggie sammie. 

Hours for now: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

No. 45 has been vacant for a few years, ever since Kavasutra shut down.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo yesterday on Second Avenue by Cynthia Reynolds)... 

Never miss an EVG post with the weekly EVG newsletter. Free right here. 

• Stella Soltowska, a fixture at Ray's Candy Store since 1977, has died (Dec. 26) 

• On Christmas Eve morning, ICE agents take East Village restaurant worker into custody on 7th Street (Dec. 24) 

• RIP Stanislawa "Anna" Sulkowska (Dec. 23) 

• NYC retrospective for the late No Wave filmmaker Amos Poe opens Jan. 3 at Metrograph (Dec. 23) 

• NYPD makes an arrest in the hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian on Clinton and Stanton (Dec. 22) 

• Openings: Barryville General on Avenue A (Dec. 22) ... Burgerhead on 2nd Avenue (Dec. 22)

• A ghostly parade for long-lost local music venues (Dec. 26) 

• ICYMI: Fire disrupts operations at Norwich Meadows Farm, a Tompkins Greenmarket regular (Dec. 26)

• The former Rite Aid is looking more like a grocery store every day (Dec. 22) 

• Signage alert: Matcha and coffee for 68 Avenue A (Dec. 22) 

• About the next MulchFest in Tompkins Square Park (Dec. 21) 

• Scenes of the season, lately (Dec. 25) 

• Waiting the whole year to toss your 2024 Christmas tree (Dec. 24)

And thanks to the excellent editorial team at The City for the EVG anniversary shout-out this past week...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Especially when you've been away for a few days... as seen on Sixth Street west of Avenue B...

At play in the fields of the snow

Thanks to Steven for these photos from Tompkins Square Park today...

Saturday's opening shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Our intrepid reporter ventured out into Tompkins Square Park during the latest fizzled Storm of the Century last night around 10 ...

We had a few inches of snow, thought nowhere near the projections. 

In Central Park, officials measured 4.3 inches, per reports.