Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

More than five years after closing, it looks as if the R&S Strauss auto parts store is finally being prepped for demolition on the southeast corner of East 14th Street and Avenue C.



On Friday, a reader said that the DEP was there to disconnect some of the utilities. However, despite this action, as well as baiting for rodents, there aren't any demo permits on file with the city just yet.



As for what's next, there are plans waiting for approval to build a 15-story, mixed-use retail-residential complex.



New York Yimby had some details in late April about this Karl Fischer-designed building, which will total 61,789 square feet. DOB permits show 8,578 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The remainder of the first five stories will host a community facility, which will span 18,937 square feet, and 50 apartments will sit above — some even with views of the Con Ed plant.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Remembering poet Frank O'Hara's joyful spirit on East 9th Street

Tonight at 6, the Greenwich Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), Two Boots and the Poetry Project will host a celebration of poet Frank O'Hara with a plaque unveiling outside 441 E. Ninth St.

O'Hara lived at this address just west of Tompkins Square Park for four years with his on-and-off-again lover Joe LeSueur.

From the GVSHP blog Off the Grid:

From his window on East Ninth Street he could see the Church of St. Brigid (which he called St. Bridget’s) across Tompkins Square Park on Avenue B at East Eighth Street, and mentioned it in several poems. Here’s part of “Early on Sunday,” 1961:

…how sad the lower East Side is on Sunday morning in May
eating yellow eggs
eating St. Bridget’s benediction
washing the world down with rye and Coca-Cola and the news
Joe stumbles home
pots and pans crash to the floor
everyone’s happy again

O'Hara died in a car accident on Fire Island in 1966. He was 40.

Read more about O'Hara and tonight's dedication at Off the Grid here.

Also, tomorrow night, the Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery will host a reading of O'Hara's 50th anniversary edition of "Lunch Poems." Find the details here.

Dunkin' Donuts-branded door handle arrives on Cooper Square

As we first reported back on May 16, the city's 34,000th Dunkin' Donuts is taking over the former Norman's Sound & Vision space at 67 Cooper Square.

We happened to notice one small detail of DD's arrival: the door handle…



Norman's Sound & Vision closed after 22 years in August 2012 … with high rents chasing them to Williamsburg.

Previously on EV Grieve:
But of course!: Former Norman's Sound & Vision space becoming a Dunkin' Donuts

The Bowery and East First Street, now marked by bright neon

A reader asked if we had any information about the new neon signage that arrived on the Bowery and East First Street above the Hamptons-based Blue & Cream boutique … one for the First and the Bowery side to light up the night sky…





Perhaps some branding by Avalon Bowery Place to create excitement or something for Extra Place around the bend?

Anyone know what this is all about?

City apparently selling these ornamental light poles on Cooper Square

[Image via Google August 2013]

Yesterday, EVG contributor Derek Berg noticed an electrician removing the handful of ornamental light poles that lined the west side of Cooper Square.

The worker said that the city was going to auction off the lights …



… which are no longer needed with the Cooper Square/Astor Place revamp … the area right here will be known as the Village Plaza — "Sunny, open plaza with diverse seating options and tree planting; serving both students and local residents."

The F train will be screwed up (more than usual) this week

A reader just passed along a heads up ... noting that, starting tonight at 10, the F train won't be stopping around here this week as part of the MTA's "Fastrack" program (subway maintenance, cleaning, etc.).

This is only from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. At other times the F will be just perfect!

Visit the MTA website for more on the maintenance and some shuttle-bus alternatives and what not.

Some love for the Stage Restaurant

[Photo by Michael Seto]

Oh, just catching up to this love-piece on the great Stage Restaurant at Fork in the Road from Thursday.

From Why Stage Restaurant Might Be the Best Diner in NYC:

Mid-afternoon, Roman Diakun, proprietor of the East Village's Stage Restaurant (128 Second Avenue, 212-473-8614), walks down from his apartment above to check in on his customers and items being prepped for dinner. Raised in Poland via Ukraine, Roman has owned the restaurant since 1980, and over the decades, he has seen the East Village become home to David Schwimmer's townhouse, green juice bars, and Momofuku. This city is still full of diners, and Stage remains one of the greatest.

Wooden siding and framed reviews from the early 1990's cover the walls at the Stage, and there's no bathroom here. There are also no tables, just one long, Formica-topped counter running the length of the narrow restaurant where first timers mingle with locals, Eastern Europeans, old-school East Village-beatniks, and hipster urban professionals. No one gets special treatment here. As a friend said, it's like a clubhouse with an open admission policy — all you need to do is walk in.

As we first reported, the building here just south of St. Mark's Place that houses the Stage was sold to Icon Realty last fall. Per Fork in the Road on this development: "Roman says the restaurant's future is uncertain, but it's got at least a few more good years left on the lease."

Back in October, we heard that the Stage had six years remaining on their lease.

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

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

About all those bank branches

Anne Kadet filed an enlightening (and depressing!) article this past weekend at The Wall Street Journal that explores a question we all ask: Why are there so many *&^%%#&*(#()!!@ bank branches in NYC? (You may find the article here, though you may need a subscription to access it.)

The TD branch at the former Mars Bar space on Second Avenue and East First Street is the jumping off point for the piece, which tells us that, in the past 10 years, "the banking gods" dropped 461 new branches on the city, bringing the total to 1,763. Per the article: New York City has one bank branch for every 4,700 residents, more than twice the national average.

To the article:

The most obvious reason for all the banks in the Big Apple? New York is where the money is. Gobs and gobs of money. According the latest FDIC report, bank branches in the five boroughs hold a collective $850 billion in cash — that's 21% of the nation's deposits.

Of course, a lot of that cash is corporate savings stashed in commercial banks. But even when it comes to consumer cash, New York is hot. The typical retail bank branch holds just $35 million in deposits, which is roughly the break-even point. TD's typical NYC branch, meanwhile, holds $125 million. That pretty much explains why it can outspend the city's mom-and-pop shops when it comes to paying rent.

TD, in particular, is aggressively expanding and opening new branches in the city.

Regional President Chris Giamo, who is in charge of TD's New York operations, tells the Journal about a customer survey that the bank conducted.

[C]ompared to the rest of the nation, New Yorkers are obsessed with branch convenience. While folks in other towns value frivolities like friendly service, New Yorkers more often rank convenient ATMs and branches a top priority. They want locations near their homes, their offices and the offices of their spouses, says Mr. Giamo. They want to see their bank everywhere they go.

From the sound of it, you soon will see a bank branch everywhere.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The former Mars Bar is becoming a fucking bank branch

So where's that fucking bank branch that's taking the former Mars Bar space?

The fucking TD Bank signage arrives at the former home of the Mars Bar

The fucking TD Bank branch is now open on Second Avenue

Gut renovations underway at 324 E. 4th St., most recently the makeshift gallery for Hanksy and Co.

The gut renovations recently started at 324 E. Fourth St., where there are approved plans to add three new floors to the existing building here between Avenue C and Avenue D.

DOB plans documents show that No. 324 will eventually be home to 11 apartments.



In December and January, the empty tenement served as a makeshift gallery for Hanksy and a group of 40-plus artists.





There was talk that Hanksy would return here for one last show before the renovations started. However, as far as we know, that never happened.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2 new floors, gut renovation in store for empty tenement that last housed a Hanksy art show

At Hanksy's 'Surplus Candy' art show in an abandoned East Village tenement

321 E. 3rd St., now with boxy rendering

Back on May 28 we pointed out that the plywood had arrived at 321 E. Third St. near Avenue D, where a 6-floor, 30-unit apartment building will rise from the empty lot.

Since then, this thing showed up on the lot…



… and someone was kind enough to add the rendering to the plywood… not a lot of detail here. Looks like a cinder-block box…



Queens-based Venetian Management LLC is listed as the owner on DOB records. Gerald J. Caliendo is listed at the architect of record.

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

Plywood arrives at East 3rd Street lot, site of incoming 6-floor apartment building

347 Bowery wrapped and ready for demolition

We first spotted the permits to demolish the Salvation Army's former East Village Residence on the Bowery at East Third Street back in January.

Now workers have apparently finished with the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding at the site. (The first of the demo gear arrived on May 28.)





Bowery Street?



The sidewalk bridge partially collapsed on June 1. Witnesses said it was struck by a box truck.

The three-story building will give way to a 13-floor, 30,000 square-foot mixed-use residential development that may or may not include same-floor parking privileges.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Whatever happened to that really ugly hotel planned for the Bowery?

Permits filed to demolish former Salvation Army residence on the Bowery

The Salvation Army's former East Village Residence will be demolished on the Bowery

Looks like 347 Bowery will be home to a 13-floor mixed-use residential development

Oh and another $1 (99 cent) pizza choice for the East Village

This one just opened at 71 Second Ave. near East Fourth Street.

An aside, kinda: Any idea why the fresh is so small on the sign?

The space was previously home to the Cool Gear shop.

Purple Rain on Avenue A

Just noting the rather awesome new roll-down gate art at Mikey Likes It, the four-week-old ice cream shop at 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street.

The Prince mural, created by Bronx-based artist Andre Trenier, is in honor of the shop's Flavor of the Month: Purple Rain (double blueberry ice cream with cheesecake chunks).

The Mikey is the owner Mike Cole, a lifelong resident of Stuy Town.


[Photo via Instagram]

Read more about the shop here.

Raising Keith McNally's Cherche Midi sign on the Bowery

We entertained ourselves for a few minutes Saturday morning watching workers hoist signage for Keith McNally's Pulino's replacement on the Bowery and East Houston …









Dunno too much about Cherche Midi. Eater says they will feature French food from Shane McBride, who's currently executive chef of Balthazar. Zagat reports that they are taking reservations starting on Friday.

As for the sign, much more understated than the red beacon that was Pulino's.

Bugs is temporarily closed for now on East 12th Street

Bugs, the well-regarded, 15-seat sushi restaurant at 504 E. 12th St., is now closed … though it is only temporary …



As you can see, the sign on the front window here between Avenue A and Avenue B mentions a bereavement leave … with a return next month.

Puke Island 2014

Here are a few photos from Puke Fest 2014 today in Tompkins Square Park via John Penley … the first two photos are of Tibbie X and Gash …



… and Spike Polite of Sewage …

Fight Night on St. Mark's Place

Someone posted this to YouTube today … it's a brawl of sorts on St. Marks's Place near Second Avenue … the YouTube description: "Held It Down: Man From NYC Is Outnumbered In A Fight But Comes Back & Stands His Ground!"

The video is not too recent. The 7-Eleven is still open across the way … and the sidewalk shed remains outside No. 32 and 34 …

So it you want to watch some testosterone in action …

Week in Grieview

[AM/PM in Tompkins Square Park Friday]

NYPD searching for suspect who tried to assault East Village resident (Wednesday)

A new home for Gino the tailor! (Monday)

Plans filed for the 8-floor hotel next to the Merchant's House (Thursday)

Part 2 of our interview with retired police officer Christopher Reisman (Wednesday)

Why yes, there are a lot of bars and restaurants here (Friday)

BP station on Second Avenue is closing (Monday)

RIP Dok Suni (Monday)

THINK BIG arrives at Union Square (Friday, 31 comments)

What it costs to rent a storefront (Thursday)

"Sharknado" sequel salutes the Citi Bike (Thursday)

Saint Mark’s Church Greenmarket returns (Tuesday)

Sidewalk shed safety (Wednesday)

Big Pink on the CB3/SLA docket for former Company Bar and Grill space (Wednesday)

Union rat arrives outside Shaoul-owned building on East Fifth Street (Wednesday)

The future of the former home of the Yippies (Tuesday)

Citi Bikes are safe, says Citi Bike (Tuesday)

Construction watch at 185 Avenue B (Tuesday)

RAINBOWS, yay (Tuesday)

Liquiteria opens on Fourth Avenue (Monday)

Coyote Ugly grand re-opens (Tuesday)

Après closes three weeks after revamp; Unidentified Flying Chickens taking over (Monday)

How often does your mail get delivered? (Thursday)

Today in photos of cats in Tompkins Square Park

Thanks to Facebook for telling me this is the Sphynx, a breed of cat known for its lack of a coat.

You don't really need a coat in this weather. Haha. (Sorry!)

Photo by Bobby Williams.

Enjoy Puke Island 2014 in Tompkins Square Park today

The latest edition of the 10th Street Free Press

[Click on image to enlarge]

Between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue … site of the doomed one-level structure.

Check out the archives at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York for more on The Scribbler (prior to the 10th Street Free Press branding).

[Updated] A bloody crime scene on Avenue D and East 7th Street

Multiple readers have pointed out that there's a crime scene at Manhattan Express Deli Grocery on the southwest corner of Avenue D and Seventh Street … from an incident early this morning …



Officers are collecting evidence from the store … no official word on what happened here … one witness was telling onlookers that it was a stabbing. We'll update if/when more details become available.

Police also had the dumpster across Avenue D cordoned off…



Updated 2:06 p.m.

According to the Post, a man was slashed in the face around 4:30 a.m.

"The suspect, who remains unidentified, slashed him with a sharp object across the right side of his face and fled, cops said."

Everything that you wanted to know about the Cadillac with the Tiger in it

EVG readers may know that we've long admired the Cadillac on East Second Street ... the one with the stuffed Tiger in it. In previous weeks we've present three true East Village stories from the view of the Cadillac with the Tiger in it. It comes to an end today, though, as the Cadillac with the Tiger in it moves on to a new owner. There is a farewell for the car today from noon-3 p.m. on East Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Hello from the Cadillac with the Tiger in it
Part 4: Fun Facts about the Cadillac

• My Year, Make & Model: 1978 Cadillac Sedan Deville

• My name: "the Cadillac"

• The Tiger's name: "Tiger"

• Engine: 425 8 cylinder

• Mpg: City 10-12 Highway: 18-20

• Color: Pistachio Green w/White Vinyl roof

• Mileage: Approximately 450,000 (odometer stopped working at 207,362 about 20 years ago) This is almost the distance to and from the earth and the moon.

• Purchased in 1992 for $450

• Current owner is the 3rd owner

• All mechanical equipment has been replaced at least once except the engine and timing chain

• 1st came to East 2nd Street in 1992 when the black locust trees bloom in the cemetery

• Most memorable road trip moment: Crossing the state line into Alabama while my owner sang the line from Neil Young's song, "Alabama": "...Your Cadillac has got a wheel in the ditch and a wheel on the track..." until his cat pawed him in the face to get him to shut up

• Estimated number of photos taken of me by passersby each week: 350-650

• Most mysterious photographer: A woman who took one photo of me every day for a year and then she vanished

• The Tiger decided to get a gold leash when the Lorde song, “Royals,” was released.

• Vandalism damage to car while parked on East 2nd Street 1992 to 2011: $0

• Vandalism damage to car while parked on East 2nd Street 2011 to present: $1,900

• Vandalism damage since the tiger has been in the front seat: $0

• Date of retirement: Today. The black locust trees bloomed two weeks ago.

Previously on EV Grieve:
That Cadillac that we've long admired on East 2nd St. now has a stuffed tiger on the front seat

And now, stories from the Cadillac with the Tiger in it on East 2nd Street

And now, another story from the Cadillac with the Tiger in it on East 2nd Street

Alas, the end is near for the Cadillac with the Tiger in it on East 2nd Street

Also! The Cadillac with the Tiger in it now has its on website. Find that here.

Modern 'Lovers'

The new record from Echo & The Bunnymen (now Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant) arrived this past Tuesday... and here's the first video from Meteorites, titled "Lovers on the Run."

They'll be at Irving Plaza on Aug. 16-17.