Condo conversion picking up at former East 6th Street synagogue

The condo conversion continues at the landmarked Congregation Mezritch Synagogue on East Sixth Street between First Avenue and Avenue A ... construction signage arrived last week, though various crews and contractors have been on the scene dating to the spring...



A reader also noted a few pieces of broken furniture (left in front of the neighboring building) a rusted dumpster with a hole ...





... and discarded prayer books ...



The DOB approved the interior demolition in June. On July 29, the DOB disapproved the following:

CHANGE OF USE, OCCUPANCY, AND EGRESS FROM THE EXISTING CELLAR, 1ST, 2ND & 3RD FLOOR, AND CREATE NEW 4TH FLOOR & 5TH FLOOR, OVER EXISTING ROOF, AS PER PLANS FILED.

As previously noted, the historic building was in bad shape and the congregation has apparently dwindled. Synagogue leaders reportedly signed a 99-year lease with East River Partners worth some $1.2 million. The renovations include a penthouse addition and an elevator. The synagogue will reportedly retain space on the ground floor and basement for their use.

Rabbi Paul (Pesach) Ackerman, the popular longtime rabbi of the synagogue, died in June from complications of pneumonia, The Villager reported. He was 84.

Per this article:

In his final days, Ackerman was instrumental in working out a development deal for the badly deteriorating synagogue building that will revitalize the landmarked structure and also guarantee that space will be reserved there for the synagogue for the next 99 years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Plan to add condos to historic East Sixth Street synagogue back on

Play spot the potential penthouse atop the East Village synagogue

The Summer Antifolk Festival starts tonight at Sidewalk Cafe

From the EVG inbox...

The 10-day Summer Antifolk Festival at Sidewalk Cafe will feature performances by more than 90 acts in a jam-packed showcase of music and other performing arts that characterize the ongoing creative scene at the renowned East Village venue. The Fest, which runs August 6 through 16, is the concluding event in the year-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of Antifolk at Sidewalk Cafe. It brings together a large cross-section of performers who have been part of the close-knit Sidewalk community over the last two decades, many of whom are returning to the club for rare appearances.

It also features some of the brightest newcomers in the scene. The Summer Antifolk Festival runs August 6 through 16 at Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Avenue A (at Sixth Street). There is no cover charge for shows, although there is a one-item food or drink minimum.

Check out the Sidewalk website for more details and complete list of performers.

When you received 'no finer service anywhere' at this cleaners

Yesterday, EVG reader Patrick noticed that Aura Cleaners on East 14th Street just east of Avenue B was getting a new sign... not really newsworthy (except for on this site — woot) ... However! In pulling down the old awning... the workers exposed a little ghost signage... "No finer service anywhere" in a fine font...



Curious about the date of the original... Patrick found a tax photo dating to 1983 showing the sign in place...



The two-level building was erected here in 1949... and the first commercial tenant was a restaurant, according to the Certificate of Occupancy.

That photogenic St. Mark's Place

Photo this afternoon via Bobby Williams

Just after midnight in Tompkins Square Park

A reader submitted photo from late last night on the lawn in the Park.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Painting the exterior of the Theater for the New City yesterday. Photo by Bobby Williams]

Soho House Ludlow vs. LES Dwellers on Thursday (BoweryBoogie)

Interview with the co-creators of Centre-fuge on First Avenue (The Lo-Down, photos of the new murals at GammaBlog)

Watch the surf-punk of the Coffin Daggers in Tompkins Square Park (Gog in NYC)

The No 7-Eleven skit (Save the Lower East Side!)

Revisiting "Raising Victor Vargas" (The A.V. Club)

Magic Shoe Repair shop on Carmine Street closes (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

And tonight as part of the ongoing MoRUS Film Festival:

"Home in Loisaida" Films! Featuring LES, directed by Coleen Fitzgibbon; HEART OF LOISAIDA, directed by Marci Reaven and Beni Matias; VIVA LOISAIDA, directed by Marlis Momber. Filmmakers Marci Reaven and Marlis Momber in attendance!

Fitzgibbon’s LES features striking footage of the Lower East Side’s buildings and people in 1976. A fake documentary, LES investigates the Island of Manhattan’s fiscal problems, which have resulted from the nefarious activities of the John Dough Cult. (16 min)

HEART OF LOISAIDA focuses on efforts to form tenant associations in buildings that have been ravaged by neglectful slumlords. (30 min)
VIVA LOISAIDA explores the strong identity of Loisaida through the eyes of the neighborhood’s prolific photographer, Marlis Momber. (40 min)

The program runs 86 minutes. Doors open at 7:30pm and the films begin at dusk. All filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their films. Show up early for a good seat (or bring your own chair or blanket). $5 (suggested) at the door.

The films show at La Plaza Cultural, Avenue C and East Ninth Street.

Here's the trailer for LES...

Checking in on the 13 Portals, an interactive street art project for the East Village

On Saturday, Nicolina and Pérola Bonfanti unveiled the latest in the interactive street art project known as 13 Portals. Portal No. 5 is at 98 Avenue A. Every Saturday this summer, the pair will unveil a new portal. Participants have an opportunity to find one of 64 keys that gives them access to a final event on Oct. 5 that will reveal what the whole puzzle means.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Cities features Nicolina and the 13 Portals in an article today:

The paintings tell a story rooted in research of numberology, ancient history, and science, according to Bonfanti, who served as an assistant professor at Rio's esteemed Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage. But they are also just to put some beautify out where it's needed, added Nicolina — among regular people in their everyday lives.

This is the core motivation behind the Free Art Society — to free it from institutions, from economic barriers, and in the end, from people's own minds. Asked about the potential actual effects of these projects, she says, "Hopefully this opens other people up to be more expressive themselves. Creative expression is contagious."

And there's plenty of creative expression which each unveiling ... here's the scene for Portal No. 3 on East 10th Street from July 20....



Check out the 13 Portals website for more info. Read more about Nicolina here.

The bell towers of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church

A look at the bell towers at the doomed Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church on East 12th Street via EVG reader Ruth... from last night (above) and this morning...



Workers have prepped the church for demolition to make way for a new residential complex.

A look at the Bowery before it becomes 'one golden strip'

Catching up to this from The Commercial Observer last week... where Billy Gray got "tour" of RKF's properties for lease/sale on the Bowery.

Per RKF Executive Vice President Ariel Schuster: the Bowery will soon be "one golden strip."

And it's well on it's way.

1CO2100A0730

And you can expect more changes in the aftermath of that $62 million deal earlier this summer for 11 mixed-use buildings on the Bowery between Canal and Houston... not to mention the sale of 347 Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A quick Bowery retail inventory

Intermix arrives on the Bowery

Retail space at historic 330 Bowery now on the market

Buying up the Bowery

The Winslow Public House opening next month on East 14th Street

Work continues at 243 E. 14th St., where The Winslow Public House is scheduled to open next month here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (IHOP Way!) ....

According to the Winslow website:

Boasting a warm and inviting aura, the focus of General Managers Aidan Fogarty, Mark Tafoya, and Jeff Winslow is upon capturing the essence of a classic British inspired public house and eatery. Although the bar will be stocked with 20 different types of old world/new world and British beer on tap, a batch of unique cocktails by Dominic Venegas, a talented mixologist and part of a James Beard Award nominated team, will garnish the menu.

There are photos of menu items and the renovated interior on the website.

In fairly quick succession, the space was previously home to Bishops and Barons and Hype Lounge.

82 E. Third St. is for sale

A reader pointed out this "property for sale" sign above 82 E. Third St. ... and asked if we knew how long the building here between First Avenue and Second Avenue had on the market.

We don't know. [Per the comments: It has been for sale about three months.] There's not much info on the listing either — mostly just the $10 million price tag.

There's no mention of the building being for sale at Streeteasy, where there are two active listings for apartments available starting Sept. 1.

Here are the details on one unit that's asking $4,599:

Large Ground Floor 3 Bedroom Flr-Thru Apartment
Hardwood Floors, French Doors, 3pc Bathroom and Shared Rear Garden/Patio,
Close to Colleges
Students Welcomed!!!
APARTMENT SE- Available September 1st
Rent From Only $4,599

Karl Fischer-designed apartment building taking off on East Third Street

It seemed like nothing much was happening at 316-318 E. Third St., the future of a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building. Now, the structure at the site of a former single-family home from the 1830s is ready to dwarf its neighbors...

Soon enough.


[Brody/Amirian]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

EV Grieve Eatery Etc.: Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken opens; so does a new Lula's

After a warm-up this past weekend, Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken officially opens today on Second Avenue and East First Street... an event that hasn't gone unnoticed... Eater, Grub Street, Time Out and Fork in the Road all had previews.

-----


[Photo from Saturday by Robert Miner]

As we noted Saturday, Blythe Boyd reopened a vegan ice cream shop in the Lula's space on East Sixth Street... no word yet on its new name...

-----



Oh, and Hawa Smoothies has opened at 422 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Avenue A ...

-----



And at this point, we're not sure when Lucy's reopens after her usual summer break... the sign was slightly altered...

[Updated] Week in Grieview

[Avenue A Thursday afternoon]

RIP Walter De Maria (Monday)

Curb-crash driver on Second Avenue pleads not guilty (Wednesday)

Part of the former rolldown gate at the Mars Bar is now art in this East Village apartment (Tuesday)

About Archie & Sons, a new luncheonette on Third Avenue (Tuesday)

The Yippie Museum reopens (Wednesday)

Details on the first MoRUS Film Festival (Wednesday)

So long Max Fish (Tuesday)

How to get your money's worth from a Citi Bike (Tuesday)

AAA Amici Pizza has closed (Wednesday)

A Thai import for Avenue A (Thursday)

Still no tenants at 51 Astor Place (Tuesday)

First sign of Mee Noodle Shop (Thursday)

Tearing down Mary Help of Christians (Friday)

Out and About in the East Village ... at the 4th Street Food Co-op (Wednesday)

Painting over Tu Casa (Monday)

Live on St. Mark's Place for $19,500 a month (Monday)

7B in the movies (Wednesday)

Flooding at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run

EVG correspondent Derek Berg notes this scene at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run today... The area around the doggy pool is taped up like this ...

He recently spoke with a city engineer who was inspecting the area outside the dog run because of complaints of "flooding." He said that there was probably more water flow than the drains can handle.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[This morning on First Avenue]

At the Sun Bright Hotel on Hester Street, "where men pay $10 a night to live in tiny cells bounded by chicken wire" (New York Post)

The MoRUS Film Festival continues all this week (MoRUS)

Video for "Take A Look At That Baby" — from the forthcoming album by Eden & John's East River String Band... and featuring R. Crumb. (YouTube)

Remembering Ronnie Cutrone (The New York Times)

Interview with underground cartoonist Kim Deitch (Comic Book Resources)

A tourist films NYC in August 1980 (Flaming Pablum)

Stoops in the city (Gog in NYC)

Jimmy McMillan endorses Anthony Weiner (The Observer)

Beatbox championship yesterday at Drom (NY1)

End of day

Photo by Bobby Williams

[Updated] Today in Tompkins Square Park

The Bambi Killers — always a favorite... and it was the band's first show of 2013...





And David Peel & the Lower East Side...





And the Damn Kids...





And they were just three of the bands to perform today during the 25th Annual Tompkins Square Park Riot Reunion concert this afternoon... more bands are on the bill tomorrow afternoon.

Bambi Killer photos by peter radley. David Peel photos by Bobby Williams. Damn Kids photos by Edward Arrocha.

We hope to have more photos and video to post later... still collecting it...

Spirit of Capt. America

Tompkins Square Park today. Photo by Bobby Williams.

[Updated] The Shadow returns

Chris Flash let us know that The Shadow has returned... "Our last issue was published EXACTLY five years ago — we'll be publishing every 3-4 months from here on," said Flash, the publisher.

You can find copies of the underground paper, which debuted in 1989, this weekend during the 25th Annual Riot Reunion shows in Tompkins Square Park.

Updated:

Stores carrying The Shadow include: St. Mark's Books, East Village Books (St. Mark's, between First + Ave A), Gem Spa, Blue Stockings, MORUS (Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space) at 155 Avenue C, and more to come.

Per Chris: "The Shadow is all about neighbors supporting local businesses that support the community. We need more stores and venues to sell The Shadow."

[Via Facebook]

[Updated] Lula's Sweet Apothecary apparently reopening today

[From May]

Back in May we noted that Lula's Sweet Apothecary, the popular vegan ice cream shop on East Sixth Street, had been closed for a reorganization.

Fast forward to today.

So happy Blythe Boyd, founder of @lulasweet is opening her new vegan shop at 3pm today at 516 E 6th (A/B). See you there! @evgrieve

— VegChic (@VegChic) August 3, 2013

There's no mention of a reopening just yet on Lula's Facebook page or website.

Updated:

As we understand it, the shop will have a yet-to-be-determined new name.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Divorce could force closure of Lula’s Apothecary on East Sixth Street

A new sign at Lula's Sweet Apothecary, which remains closed on East 6th Street

For conversation starters, there's always a Bud Light Lime Display Tree

So there's this. A tipster shared this Craigslist post dated July 28 ... Per the all-caps post, it's a "GREAT DISPLAY RACK AND CONVERSATION STARTER."

Seeing as it's Craiglist, you never know if this is for real... Also, the address for pick-up is the St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery.

In any event, not sure if this would start a conversation as much as stifle it...

Takin' it to the streets like the Doobie Brothers

Summer Streets started today...like here on Fourth Avenue at East 12th Street... Per the SS website:

With nearly 7 miles of open streets, 5 rest stops and a seven-block-long art installation in the Park Avenue Tunnel – open to pedestrians for the first time in history – there is plenty to explore at Summer Streets. And remember, everything at Summer Streets is free!

And sorry about that headline. Hey, it's free!

Here is the CBGB movie soundtrack

You may have seen this yesterday ... Omnivore Recordings is releasing the “CBGB: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” on Oct. 8. (The first pressing is reportedly on translucent pink vinyl.)

And, via Billboard Magazine, here's the track listing:

Life During Wartime – Talking Heads
Kick Out the Jams (Uncensored Version) – MC5
Chatterbox – New York Dolls
Careful – Television
Blank Generation – Richard Hell & The Voidoids
Slow Death – Flamin’ Groovies
I Can’t Stand It – The Velvet Underground
Out of Control – Wayne County & The Electric Chairs
Psychotic Reaction – The Count Five
All For the Love of Rock ’n’ Roll (Live) – Tuff Darts
All By Myself – Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
California Sun (Original Demo) – The Dictators
Caught With the Meat in Your Mouth – Dead Boys
I Got Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up) – Joey Ramone
Get Outta My Way – The Laughing Dogs
Sunday Girl (2013 Version) – Blondie
I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges
Sonic Reducer – Dead Boys
Roxanne – The Police
Birds and the Bees – Hilly Kristal

Thoughts?

As Billboard noted, after premiering at the CBGB Festival, the film opens Oct. 11 in New York, Los Angeles and other select cities.

H/T @saywhatagain

Bag from the past

EVG reader Lara Kubovcik spotted spotted a familiar site on First Avenue and East 11th Street yesterday... this Tower Records bag... the store on East Fourth Street and Broadway closed in 2006 (as well as the one on the Upper West Side) ... which reminds me to drop my Gimbels bag on the street one of these days...

Noted

Ahh! Friday night in the #eastvillage. Guy holds gf head as she pukes in front of @SaintsAlp teahouse, 11pm @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/nZedWyZ4d8

— Tenement City (@tenementcity) August 3, 2013

Rare bird

Here are shots of a Black Crown Night Heron ... a rare bird to be found in Tompkins Square Park... photos by Bobby Williams...

Feeling 'Blue'?

Lene Lovich with "Blue Hotel" circa 1982.

Village Fishmonger starting Monday night delivery service to Tompkins Square Bagels

As we've noted, Tompkins Square Bagels owner Christopher Pugliese has expressed interest in opening a fish market somewhere in the East Village.

Until that happens, here's an interim solution... Starting Monday night from 6-8, Tompkins Square Bagels at 165 Avenue A will serve as a pick-up location for anyone who orders from Village Fishmonger.

Samantha Lee, an owner of Village Fishmonger, which launched last fall, said that they are "a sustainable seafood company in NYC that sources local and responsibly harvested seafood."

It works like Community Supported Agriculture, delivering locally harvested seafood to members on a weekly basis. Tompkins Square Bagels is VF's first East Village pick-up location. (They also do a series with the Washington Square CSA at the St Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery Greenmarket on Tuesdays this summer.)

You can find more details about how all this works at the Village Fishmonger website.

Lee, a former East Village resident, told us that "there is a need for more access to better seafood product, which we definitely felt when we lived in the area."

Headless stuffed animal body found in Tompkins Square Park

EVG reader Chris M. made this grizzly grisly discovery this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park. No one has been blamed — yet.

Checking in on the new front gate at Tompkins Square Park

There was welding activity yesterday at the Park's front gate on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place ... the one that dude in a station wagon apparently crashed into on June 27.

The above photo shows (half of) the gate this morning. (And it may not actually be a new gate, just new here.) Anyway! It appears the gate is working — it prevented this bottle of Stella from entering last night... (or early this morning).