Dining ... and dashing

Bobby Williams caught a hawk enjoying a meal of rodent in Tompkins Square Park...



...while Derek Berg captured one in flight ... in a rather patriotic shot...

[Updated] NYU student jumps to his death from 3rd Avenue dorm

According to published reports, an NYU freshman killed himself after jumping off the roof of the Third North dorm on Third Avenue and East 11th Street early this morning.

NYU released this statement through spokesperson John Beckman:

"It is with great sorrow that we report that a freshman was found in an interior courtyard in the residence hall where he lived. It appears as though his death occurred as a result of a fall from the roof of the building; police and the University are looking into events preceding the discovery of the body in order to determine the cause and nature of his death."

The university has not released the name of the student. Spring 2014 classes begin today at NYU.

Updated 11:40 p.m.

According to the Daily News, citing police sources and fellow students, the 18-year-old victim "was stark naked and apparently high on mushrooms when he plummeted 15 floors to his death."

A look at three possibly endangered restaurants, courtesy of the Daily News

With so many closures of late, the Daily News files a story titled "In New York's tough restaurant marketplace, some fave places are on the endangered list."

The paper's list of five includes three in these parts — The Hat/El Sombrero, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery and the Stage.

The Hat's situation has been well-covered here ... and here. The Ludlow Street classic remains open for now.

Meanwhile, Ellen Anistratov, the owner of Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery on East Houston, insists that she would like to expand the small knishery that opened in 1910. Still, she admits that business has been off. Per the News:

"In 2012, the city cut off two lanes of Houston St. for construction. Since most of Schimmel's customers now come from outside Manhattan, business tanked, and Anistratov feared she might have to shutter. For now, fanatical followers are keeping it afloat."

Finally, there's EVG favorite the Stage Restaurant on Second Avenue. There has been concern here since news broke that Icon Realty, not exactly known for appreciating preservation and EV institutions, bought the building that houses the Stage. We hear that there's five-plus years left on the lease.

Stage owner Roman Diakun told the News: "I haven't had discussions with the new owners. I haven't even seen them. I just keep sending checks." Business, he says, "has been OK, but a little tough. The Polish and Ukrainian people are mostly gone, and their kids left."

Recently, a rumor surfaced that John's Pizzeria in the Village was closing. Fortunately, that's not the case. But as Jeremiah Moss put it last week: "[I]t's a good reminder to take the time to enjoy the authentic New York places we still have. We know now that anything can vanish, no matter how successful and revered, at any time."

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

128 Second Ave. has been sold

An appreciation: Yonah Schimmel's dumbwaiter

So long 7A

[Photo yesterday by EVG reader Thomkat]

After 30 some years, 7A has closed... the owner of the restaurant that had anchored the southwest corner of Avenue A and East Seventh Street since the mid-1980s announced earlier in the month that he was closing the business... we never did hear an official reason for the closure.

Meanwhile, by all accounts, the place was busy yesterday on its last day...

Even on its last day, there's a line out the door at 7A. & it includes me & Jimmy McMillan. @damnrentparty @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/2TibvifWi4

— Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) January 26, 2014

@evgrieve Yep. Festive atmosphere in here. You'd never know it's their last day. pic.twitter.com/OXksvbRYUJ

— Chris F. (@fnytv) January 26, 2014

And there was a late-afternoon happy-hour-till-we-run-out-of-booze special...


[Photo via @fnytv]

... and some other sentiments on the last days of 7A via Twitter...

Had my final meal at @7ACafeAlphaCity last night...so sad to see them close...so many memories there.

— The Daily Guru (@TheDailyGuru) January 26, 2014

It's the end of an era. Just had my last late night drunken meal at #7A Thanks for employing me 15 years ago! #eastvillage #nyc

— bottomlesspitnyc (@foodfreaknyc) January 25, 2014

Today is the last day for 7A. Another win for the blandification of New York. Whether you loved or hated the... http://t.co/aHlNdJSvgO

— JustDean (@deanpkny) January 26, 2014

The rumor is that bold-face namers Serge Becker and Josh Picard are opening some kind of Southern-themed restaurant here. Yesterday, members of the staff said that none of them will have jobs at the new place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: 7A will close at the end of the month

Are Serge Becker and Josh Picard taking over 7A?

100 years before 7A, there was L.W. Schwenk

[EVG file photo]

7A is now closed on the southwest corner of Avenue A and East Seventh Street… the restaurant, which opened in the mid 1980s (anyone have the exact date? We've heard several different years), ended service as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, almost 100 years ago, the address was home to L.W. Schwenk… and here's a photo dated July 24, 1914, titled "Depositors at failed bank."



Wow. Seems like 100 years ago! (Ugh, sorry, that was bad.) But to think in better times some of the people in this crowd went to McSorley's ... or Katz's ... or Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery... or Veniero's ... or DeRobertis Caffe... or John's of 12th Street ... or...

beQu now open in the former 9th St. Bakery space

[Photo by EVG regular William Klayer]

beQu — for Beyond Quality — just opened on East Ninth Street... at the site of the former 9th St. Bakery.

Per the beQu website:

Our belief is simple: live beyond Quality.

With this idea, two brothers set out on a journey to bring healthy, nutritious, and great tasting foods to the people around us. We launched beQu Juice Café in the fall of 2008 on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens serving salads, sandwiches, wraps, juices, and smoothies. During our three year period on Smith Street we have developed and perfected our PurePress juice brand and decided to leave the restaurant business and focus our energy on making the best juices on the planet.

We live with the notion that a happy life is a healthy life, and a healthy life is enjoying the basic things that the earth has to offer just the way they are; untouched, unpreserved, untampered with.

A rent hike forced the bakery to close in June 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: 9th St. Bakery is closing after 87 years

Replacement for 87-year-old 9th St. Bakery revealed

Sidewalk Cafe unveils new menu items

There's a new Mediterranean/Middle Eastern menu over at Sidewalk Cafe on Avenue A and East Sixth Street… there's the return of the hummus…



… as well as items like chicken shawarma and hand-rolled couscous. You can find the new menu online here.

In honor of the new menu tonight at Sidewalk, which opened here in 1985 … there's the Menu Monday at the Open Stage starting at 7:30. Per the Facebook event page:

For this special Monday Night Open Stage we'll be promoting the new menu. Order ANYTHING off the menu and get a free beer/well/coffee/tea (happy hour drinks).

Anything? Want fries? Get a beer? Falafel? Beer. Hummus? Beer. Or whatever you want.

WHEN WILL THIS OBSCENE SNOWFITTI END!?

Oh, wait. Sorry! As you were!

Photo on East Fourth Street by Derek Berg

Week in Grieview

[A view Tuesday via EVG regular jdx]

More development plans for East 14th Street revealed (Thursday)

$1 million bail set for driver who crashed into East Village Farm and Grocery; prosecutors consider homicide charges (Tuesday)

This East Village resident helped save Jerry's Newsstand (Friday)

A break-in at 2 Bros. (Monday)

Arcane is closing on Avenue C (Friday)

Sushi Lounge finds a new home (Wednesday)

2 new wine shops coming to First Avenue (Tuesday)

Out and About with Alex Harsley (Wednesday)

Looking for a 6-bedroom "frat house"? (Thursday)

Avalon Chrystie Place is for sale (Wednesday)

First sign of Schnitz (Tuesday)

Peels has closed on the Bowery (Thursday)

Maria's Cafe leaves for West Harlem (Tuesday)

You won't have the "Girls" mural to look at anymore (Tuesday)

Check out the ultra-rare "TV-CBGB" (Monday)

Grifter alert (Tuesday)

Rabbit Season at 51 Astor Place! (Wednesday)

Look at David Schwimmer's new gate (Friday)

And here's one more from jdx from Tuesday… check out his site here.

When will Mayor de Blasio bring an end to this... this... this ...

Just taunting us now. East Seventh Street this morning via Derek Berg.

Take a ride up the 3rd Avenue EL in the early 1950s

In case you've never seen this… EVG regular Pinhead shared this video… here's the YouTube description:

Hosted by the late transit historian Roger Arcara , we take a nostalgic ride up the eastside 3rd Ave. EL in the early to mid 1950's in color, which by that time was MANHATTAN's last surviving elevated line. Please note this film covers the line north of CHATHAM SQ. which is at the tail end of THE BOWERY, on up to the north Bronx. The section south of CHATHAM SQ was abandon in 1950. and this film covers the years 1953- 1955.

The video is 57 minutes long… you will find a few familiar scenes starting with Cooper Union at the 9-minute mark… up to 10:15… The 3rd Avenue EL closed in May 1955.

Same old snow story today

Photos from Tompkins Square Park via Bobby "Yukon" Williams...

An ugly 2-car collision on Avenue B and East 7th Street

For the second consecutive Saturday... there has been a nasty collision on Avenue B... late this morning at East Seventh Street...


[Photo by Shawn Chittle]


[SC]

No one saw what happened... just the aftermath... it appears at least one person was taken away on a stretcher. We haven't heard any reports of the extent of the injuries...


[Photo by Joan Pantesco]


[JP]

Check out the 'Sturgeon Queens'

The trailer for "Sturgeon Queens" has been making the rounds lately on the blogs… Filmmaker Julie Cohen's documentary takes a look at the 100-year history of Russ & Daughters on East Houston… featuring a mix of regulars as well as celebrity customers like Maggie Gyllenhaal … Eater notes a screening coming up on May 20 at the JCC CineMatters festival on the Upper West Side. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until PBS airs it in the fall…

Meanwhile, Russ & Daughters is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year… a time when they are expanding with a new cafe around the corner on Orchard Street…

The nexus of the universe in 1975

Here's a photo by Dean Lapinel that Dirty Old 1970's New York City posted on Facebook yesterday…

From East First Street at First Avenue, facing northeast, circa 1975. On the corner now is Juicy Lucy and Golden Cadillac (and Boca Chica before)… Now who's up for some bocci?

How soon is not?

A poppier something by the Throwing Muses ... with "Not Too Soon" circa 1991 ... the band is back together and playing March 8 at the Bowery Ballroom ... featuring an opening set by band co-founder and former member Tanya Donelly, who sings the above song...

Citi Bike snow removal

[Tuesday night on Lafayette via EVG reader 8E]

Have you wondered who shovels out the docking stations for the Citi Bikes? (If no, then you don't need to keep reading!)

EVG contributor Derek Berg spotted workers clearing the station on East Fourth Street and Second Avenue this morning ... they work for DynaServ out in Maspeth.

Now you know!

Arcane is closing on Avenue C; owners raising funds for Cafe Cambodge

[Photo via EV Eats]

A reader told us that Arcane is closing on Avenue C between East Seventh Street and East Eighth Street. However, it sounds as if the folks at the French-Caribbean restaurant have some new plans. Here's the message on the Arcane Facebook page:

Following five and a half years of nostalgic memories at Arcane, we now inform you that we are coming to a close. We continue to struggle financially at Arcane, and unfortunately, we are no longer a profitable pursuit.

However, we have recently committed to embracing a new concept and are immediately putting effort forth toward creating a more expansive business. In approximately one month from now, we are planning to open a french cambodian restaurant called, "Cafe Cambodge". On Sunday, January 26th between 4pm-7pm, we will be hosting a party to help raise the required capital to launch the construction, we will be selling pre paid vouchers for redeemable dinner.

We are sending out immense gratitude to all, for the continued support and loyalty to Arcane, and we hope to see you accompany us on the 26th as we embark upon this exciting new beginning. We will be also raising funds on the Internet via gofundme.

If you are interested, then here are the details via GoFundMe.

On Oct. 24, 2012, the body of Christine Ebel, who owned Arcane with her brother Benjamin Alter, was discovered in the empty lot adjacent to the restaurant. Ebel, who was 52, lived above Arcane and reportedly fell off her balcony.

How 1 resilient East Village resident helped save Jerry's Newsstand

[Photo by Michael Paul via Facebook.]

On Dec. 10, East Village resident Kelly King read the news that the city shut down Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place. She was devastated. For her, Jerry Delakas was a familiar face in a neighborhood that continued to quickly evolve, and not always for the better.

A subsequent photo that Jeremiah Moss published that day at Vanishing New York brought her to tears.


[Photo via Jeremiah Moss]

Jerry told Jeremiah that the city did not tell him they were seizing his stand he had operated here outside the downtown 6 entrance since 1987. (Jerry sublet the newsstand, and the city later reportedly blocked his attempts to transfer the license to his name.)

On Dec. 11, King made flyers and hung them on the shuttered newsstand. She decided to hold a rally the next day for Jerry, who was still coming to the newsstand every day as he always did.

"I am going to stand up for him. I am going to give what I have to give," King, who first moved here in 1985, told us that day.

The early rallies were sparsely attended… A Fox reporter showed up on Astor Place, though it turned out that she was doing a story about customer names on the cups at the Starbucks behind the newsstand


[Photo by Michael Paul via Facebook.]

Still, King and several residents, including East Village photographer Michael Paul, Judy Rosenblatt as well as CB2 member Marty Tessler, continued to stand out in the cold and hand out flyers and encourage people to call the Public Advocate's office. They also created a Save Jerry's Facebook page.

Anyway, you likely know the rest of the story. Jerry's plight eventually picked up momentum in the media. With the help of lawyer Arthur Schwartz, who worked pro bono, and the intervention of Mayor de Blasio, the city agreed to reopen the stand (though Jerry has to pay a $9,000 fine).

Now that Jerry's Newsstand is back up and running, we asked King a few questions via Facebook about why she decided to fight on his behalf...

What initially inspired you to help Jerry?

Jerimiah Moss's photo on your site of Jerry locked out in the cold made me cry. I saw Taylor Mead being aggressively forced out of his home. I regretted not protesting [what was happening] to Taylor Mead. When I saw Jerry, I was so sad — and mad.

Was there a point where you thought that there wasn't any chance to get a new license for Jerry?

I never felt there wasn't a chance. Never. I just made the commitment to try as long as it took. You have to be committed.


[Photo from Dec. 22 via the Save Jerry's Facebook page]

What do you think was the turning point for Jerry?

Rev. Billy and his choir were a real turning point for Jerry. [Rev. Billy turned out for a rally on Dec. 22.] It helped balance out the abuse that Jerry was suffering. That really rebuilt his spirit. Something lightened up. He made more people aware of the situation in the community.


[Photo via the Save Jerry's Facebook page]

Personally, what was the highlight for you in helping Jerry this past month?

The highlight was Jerry giggling to himself ... after the open house at Gracie Mansion on Jan. 5. He was giggling over my pushing past all the "no's" at the gates of the open house with the little Jerry's Newsstand that we made to give to the Mayor. There were all these "no's," but somehow we got to "yes." He was giggling thinking about it. Seeing him appreciate the odds, and the results, to giggle thinking about it. That was the best.


Photo by Michael Paul via Facebook.

Previously on EV Grieve:
City shutters Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place for 'operating illegally'

The story about the city shutting down Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place actually gets worse

More about saving Jerry's Newsstand

Helping Save Jerry

City says Jerry Delakas can operate Astor Place Newsstand

Are you going to rent out your East Village apartment for the Super Bowl?

[A welcome on Avenue C]

As we first and exclusively reported, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., is hosting Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2. Which means thousands and thousands of football fans from Denver (go Nuggets!) and Seattle (go Mariners!) will be descending upon NYC for food, lodging, alcohol poisoning, etc.

Thankfully, given the generous nature of NYC residents, there are plenty of people offering up their apartments on AirBnB and Craigslist for a pretty nice markup. For example! There's a nice apartment on Second Avenue going for $1,000 a night — with a living/dining space that can "accommodate up to 50 people." Meanwhile, over in StuyTown, there's a two-bedroom unit asking $6,500 for six nights. Or if you really want to do it up, you can rent this one-bedroom apartment on Second Avenue and East First Street for the entire month – $4,600.

Sure, renting out your place like this (for less than 30 days) violates New York State law, but you can make up for any possible fines by placing some side bets on the game.

The former East Village Music Store is for rent on East 3rd Street

The East Village Music Store at 21 E. Third St. closed for business at the end of December.

Claude Campbell, who opened the shop in 1994, told us earlier in December that he hoped to find a new storefront. There's no word on that status right now.

Meanwhile, the space is now for rent. According to the Massey Knakal listing:

Wide, side street space on the same block as the Bowery Hotel and its acclaimed restaurant Gemma.

Other Neighboring tenants include Bank of America, The Standard Hotel, B Bar & Grill, Phebe’s Tavern, PiccolaStrada.

Dense residential and student neighborhood.

All uses considered.

The rent is available "upon request."

On Jan. 9, the marshal took possession of the space on behalf of the landlord, Cooper Square Mutual Housing Association.



Previously on EV Grieve:
The day the music stores died in the East Village

The East 3rd Street Welcoming Committee Welcomes you

Some longtime residents of 197 E. Third St. near Avenue B have grown tired of the nearby bar scene … and all that comes with it… the loud music, the fights, the students, the weekend wooseekers … the usual.

So this week, one of the residents made this sign and put it up in the front doorway where various bargoers tend to congregate…



Will it work?

This will likely be our last post about David Schwimmer's gate, probably

Hey, just bringing this important story to some closure. Last week we noted that the plywood came down at Chez Schwimm's over on East Sixth Street. A temporary fence of sorts went up… with word of a new, architecturally pleasing new gate to come. Yep, take a look above —— it has arrived. Now just pick a door… any door…

Winter Olympic trials wrapping up today in Tompkins Square Park

Oh, just some kids enjoying the snow. OK then! Photo by Bobby Williams.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Tompkins Square Park via Bobby Williams]

LES murals of the 1970s (BoweryBoogie)

De Blasio's 'ambitious goal' for affordable apartments (The New York Times)

The red-tailed hawks don't mind the snow in Tompkins Square Park (Gog in NYC)

The Fleshtones reminisce on "Remember The Ramones" (The Wall Street Journal)

Remembering El Internacional in Tribeca (Tribeca Tribune via Eater)

RIP Sweet Gifts at Video Cafe in Hell's Kitchen (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

How a lifelong punk turned his personal collection of flyers and zines into museum fodder (The Atlantic)

How punk rock helped this CBGB veteran be a better teacher (Education Week Teacher)

-----



... and the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space on Avenue C hosts the following program Saturday night at 6:

Two Chilean anarchists, Gabriel and Pablo, are touring the U.S. and will speak on "Struggling to Win: Anarchists Building Popular Power in Chile."

Head to the Facebook event page for details.

Here is the next new section of East 14th Street

As you probably know, a new retail-housing development will take the place of eight single-level storefronts on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. We first saw the conceptual rendering for 500 East 14th St. at Avenue A (below) back in November.


[500 E. 14th St.]

Yes, there is more!

Yesterday, the RKF retail listing went live for the second part of this new development — 524 E. 14th St. ... and here is the conceptual rendering for this property, which will also have a loading dock on East 13th Street ...



This is the space last held by ABC Animal Hospital (now at 200 Avenue A), Petland and Bargain Express.

The stated retail possession for the storefronts is early 2016. The city OK'd the demolition permits for the space last week.

520 E. 14th St., which houses Dunkin' Donuts on the ground floor, is the lone holdout between the new buildings.


[Via Google]

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street exodus continues

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

East 14th Street corridor now nearly business-free ahead of new development

Here is the future of East 14th Street and Avenue A: 7 stories of residential and retail

City OKs permits to demolish the empty storefronts along this section of East 14th Street