[Updated] Birthday wishes for Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Nicholas Figueroa, who died in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26, would have been 24 today.

A Figueroa family member stopped by the site of the blast on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street this morning to hang the Happy Birthday banners.



Moises Ismael Locón Yac also died during the explosion that leveled three buildings at 117-123 Second Ave.

Updated 7 p.m.

Nicholas's friends and family are gathering on the sidewalk this evening to celebrate his birthday…




His mother made cupcakes for passersby…



… and here is a birthday greeting from his parents…



Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos

Out and About in the East Village

In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.



By James Maher

Name: Sharon Jane Smith
Occupation: Shopkeeper and Writer
Location: A Repeat Performance Antiques, 156 1st Ave. between 9th Street and 10th Street
Time: 2 p.m. on June 4

I’m originally from a little town in Minnesota. I came here in 1982. Art and love brought me to the city. We are familiar with the city from movies. We saw it always in movies. We’re not conscious of it but it was the background to many movies in the 1940s or 1950s. We’ve absorbed it, those of us who didn’t live here ... and when we come here it’s familiar. That’s what I felt, amazingly, when I got here and it surprised me.

I started to do theatre work with Beverly Bronson, the British woman and our illustrious owner and boss who started this shop. Beverly has branched out into a home in Kathmandu, Nepal, where she is on her way to now to do renovations and hunker down for the monsoon season. It’s the place that had the earthquake. The house is still standing and the kids are camped out in the yard, waiting for the house to be retrofitted. She’s there to offer support and she doesn’t even like to camp, but she’s camping out in the monsoon. God bless her.

I started at this little neighborhood theatre, WOW Café Theatre on East 4th Street. That was great. It was basically what you would call autobiographical theatre. I got to work with a woman named Holly Hughes, who became notorious amongst writers, and Carmelita Tropicana. I got to work with quite a few illustrious underground theatre personas. Oh it was a great time. There was more freedom because you had more time, because your rent was lower. There was a formula there with how much time you had to spend to make your rent.

I did all types of things there, including the tile jobs in the bathrooms. Jim Powers and I got the tile bug at the same time and we egged each other on. Jim moved on to the larger world and I stayed put as a shopkeeper.

So I’m a shopkeeper who writes and works in the glass world. I write basically stories that get adapted to the stage. It is the storytelling format. You know the Moth storytelling series that happens on public radio? That has been going on for years and I am of that school, theatrically speaking, with additional props and, of course, a set.

I got involved in this shop in 1987. Beverly started it with her partner around 1980 on St. Mark's Place and then she moved it over here and bought out her partner. We started with lampshades from England and lamps here from New York and expanded out from that theme. It’s a combination of our tastes. She goes to London and other outer areas of England to shop and I go to the Midwest to shop, and of course the best is already here in New York. We do props for theatre and for movies. That can really save you. Of course the arts are in our best interests. I think it’s in all our best interests, in all its forms.

I dream of finding, and I do find, that art of New York artists who’ve perhaps been undocumented in the world of art. That’s what I seek out. It’s perhaps a sublimated version of my own artistic needs, but nonetheless I’ve seen it happen a few times. It’s exciting. I have some paintings where I don’t know that I’ll ever know who these artists were, although in New York there’s always the possibility of finding it out. Some of my theatre works are based upon experiences like this, the uncovering of a person based upon their objects.

I sold 20-30 — maybe more — paintings that were all done by this gentleman [referring to a painting not seen in the photograph]. I will be sexist in that judgment. All of the portraits were of African-American New Yorkers. I never knew his name and I have not been able to find it out. The painting here dates back to 1926. None of them had a signature. They were a gift to Theatre for the New City and we were helping them run a shop there. My assessment was that a storage unit was emptied and no one had any attachment to it and no one knew the name of the artist. I know all those portraits are out here in the neighborhood. I don’t know where they went in the last 20 years, but they’re out there.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

At 37 Avenue B, residents want their Credit Union retail tenant to pay more rent

[Image via]

The residents of the 37 Avenue B HDFC are calling on the Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union "to pay a fair rent or move out."

Board members released a statement last evening with their version of the situation.

Their building on Avenue B at East Third Street is broke because the Credit Union, which occupies the 5,000-square-foot commercial space, rewrote their own lease in 1996 to skip paying future mortgage payments and real-estate tax increases.

While they controlled the board they made themselves a "rent­-stabilized" commercial tenant and have skipped paying over $350,000 due under the original lease.

Real-estate taxes have risen sharply since 1996 and over the past 19 years the building has been bled dry. In recent years the HDFC has had to borrow money to pay the real-estate taxes or lose the building.

The building needs at least $400,000 in necessary capital improvements, but there isn't any money even for basic repairs.

According to 37 Avenue B residents, Credit Union officials have "refused to accept responsibility for the situation."

According to the latest National Credit Union Administration reports, over the past five quarters the Credit Union's net income was $1.25 million

The Credit Union pays $3,478 a month for 5,000 square feet on a prime corner on Avenue B. Market rate is $15,000 per month.

The Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union prides itself on serving the low­-income community but treats these residents like they have no rights, in their own building. Now the residents say: You want to save Money. We want to save our Homes!

We'll update when/if Credit Union officials release a statement.

Cleaning up 444 E. 13th St.

As previously reported, the remaining rent-stabilized tenants at at 444 E. 13th St. filed a lawsuit against their landlord for deplorable conditions as well as for alleged threats and harassment.

One of the residents told us the other night that Goldmark Property Management hasn't bothered cleaning the building or taking out the trash in several weeks.

So the tenants have been tending to these duties themselves...



... and after the clean-up...





Meanwhile, yesterday, the two sides met in Housing Court.

Among other issues, the building's heat, hot water and cooking gas have been off since April. Tenants also said at a May 28 press conference outside the building between Avenue A and First Avenue that they've had to endure "racist taunts and threats to call immigration from the landlord's aggressive agents," per a report in the Daily News.

A resident in attendance at yesterday's preliminary court hearing shared a few details, such as the judge ordered a temporary injunction against the management's reps from speaking with tenants as well as issued a stop work order for all construction that isn't related to getting the gas restored or repairing other violations.

According to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development website, there are currently 85 open violations in the building, per DNAinfo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'

Give the former Salt and Pepper space a shake as a pop-up shop on 1st Avenue

[Image via Loop Net]

We can't really say for sure when Salt & Pepper on First closed ... the gates of the inexpensive Indian restaurant went down for good some time in March.

In any event, the space at 239 First Ave. at East 14th Street hit the market yesterday. Per the listing: "POP-UP space available. Standard lease terms also considered."

The rent is negotiable, and the space is available starting next month.

So what would you like to see POP-UP here?

Growing up so quickly above Avenue A

EVG reader Bill Massey shared these photos of Christo and Dora's offspring growing up so quickly on the Frigidaire AC at the Ageloff Towers …



Goggla had an update yesterday on the hawklets here on Avenue A and East Third Street:

I'm a bit worried about the next couple of weeks as the baby hawks are so big and clumsy, and the nest is so small. When they flap their wings, they stumble around and it's unnerving to see them doing that so close to the edge. But, they are birds and this is what they do...

Check out her photos and narrative here. And check out how crowded the nest is via the Avenue A Hawk Cam.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Red-tailed hawks nest on the Christodora House

The hawks of Tompkins Square Park have laid an egg at the Christodora House

More eggsciting hawk news from the Christodora House

Breaking (heh) news: The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are officially parents

Hawk (and egg) watch continues on Avenue A, now with the help of a live webcam

Christo and Dora are parents! (Again!)

Look at the 3-week-old hawklets high above Avenue A

16 affordable apartments now available at the incoming 331 E. Houston St.

The Lo-Down points out that the city is now advertising the 16 affordable housing units available at 331 E. Houston St. at Ridge Street.

The building was constructed through the city’s inclusionary housing program — 20 percent of the apartments were set aside for applicants with household incomes ranging from about $30,000 to $50,000, as The Lo-Down reports.



The affordable studios are priced at $847 per month, 1-bedrooms at $909 and 2-bedrooms at $1,101. Half of the affordable units are earmarked for residents of Community District 3, which includes the East Village.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 29. For income guidelines and additional information, please go here.

As for the building, here's a description via the website of project architect Stephen B. Jacobs:

The ground floor includes the residential lobby, a lounge, and apartments in the rear of the building which have access to outdoor space. A large skylight brings natural light to the gym in the cellar, and stairs provide access to recreational outdoor space in the rear yard. A mix of studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments make up the bulk of the building. The top floor includes a three-bedroom apartment with a balcony. The rooftop is designed as an amenity space for the building, complete with deck seating, projector screen, bar, and outdoor shower.

The interior design was inspired by the raw nature of materials in the Lower East Side, such as exposed concrete and blackened steel, and includes touches of color such as the graffiti tiled accent wall in the lobby.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at 331 E. Houston St., with a rooftop deck for outdoor showers and 'Live Free or Die Hard'

A mini-pitch for East 12th Street

[Photo by Greg Masters]

This past spring, workers started prepping the empty field adjacent to East Side Community School on East 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue… all under the watchful eyes heads of Charlie Brown…


[GM]


[GM]

Fast-forward to Friday…


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]



The mini-pitch is courtesy of the New York Red Bulls, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the NYC Parks Department, who collaborated "to provide both critical afterschool programming and a safe place to play for New York City youth."

And the ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place this afternoon at the site.

The space will be known at the Lower East Side Playground Field.


[Photo from the March groundbreaking via Facebook]

Rumors and sales at New York Central Art Supply

There's been some talk of late that New York Central Art Supply on Third Avenue near East 11th Street is hurting for business. (Jeremiah Moss had a post on this last Thursday.)

"No one is buying art supplies the way they used to," a tipster here told us. "Now that there are so many online shops and NYC is turning into a gigantic mall people aren't going to the little tiny art supply store."

The tipster continued: "Basically it's going under and it's way more of an issue for the employees than the owners. The owners own three buildings, and can make plenty of money for themselves."

We heard that several longtime employees of the store were let go. The Observer reported that the store could close by the end of the year.

DNAinfo had more on this yesterday:

New York Central Art Supply began offering up to 50 percent in discounts on Friday to eliminate its low- and mid-level products so it can focus on more “high-quality, hard-to-find and unique” materials, said Doug Steinberg, whose family has owned the Third Avenue business since 1905.

“We’re going to get away from things you can get anywhere and only focus on stuff you can only get at New York Central Art Supply,” said Steinberg, who insisted the store was not closing, despite rumors.

“We’re just limiting our selection to a highly curated set of materials.”

The owners also plan on renting out their warehouse location around the corner on East 12th Street. Another family property, the New York Central Framing Annex, moved from 102 Third Ave. into the warehouse space in August 2012.

[Updated] Babu Ji opens tonight on Avenue B

We've been writing about Babu Ji, the new restaurant coming to 175 Avenue B at East 11th Street.

The wife-husband team of Jennifer and Jessi Singh, who own a popular spot in Melbourne, Australia, are opening their first U.S. restaurant tonight.

Here is some info that the restaurant's reps sent us via the EVG inbox...

Babu Ji … offers a bright and airy atmosphere, adorned with Hindi proverbs, eclectic Indian photography and Bollywood films projected on the walls. The restaurant will be open for dinner six nights a week (5 PM - late; closed Mondays), as well as for lunch on weekends (11 AM - late), serving the inspired and unexpected dishes that have earned Jessi an avid following in Australia.

Incorporating outstanding, fresh ingredients, including aromatic herbs, chickpeas, scallops, yogurt, pork belly and goat, sourced from local farmers markets and specialty purveyors, Jessi's menu at Babu Ji NYC will showcase his motherland's cuisine through thoughtfully prepared, aromatic and colorful dishes.

Some highlights from the new restaurant’s menu include:

• Papadi Chaat: a lively Indian dish similar to nachos, topped with chickpea, cucumber, tamarind, mint and yoghurt chutney, and pomegranate seeds

• Gol Gappa: a favorite Indian street snack enjoyed by millions in India every day, but unknown to most Americans, this dish it is a tangy, spicy, sweet and surprising favorite

• Yoghurt Kebab: a house-made hung yoghurt croquette with spiced center, served with a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce boasting the flavors of the Middle East that have influenced Indian culinary tradition

• Scallop Coconut Curry: Blue Moon of Eastern Long Island scallops served raw in a coconut milk based curry with turmeric and mustard seed – a must-try

• Kulfi: a refreshing and delicious dessert, this Indian equivalent to ice cream is house-made from milk, cardamom, pistachio and honey

• Chef’s Table: Eat like a real Babu Ji! Chef’s selection of entrees, curries, naan, rice & kulfi.

Diners can enjoy their food with an extensive and rotating selection of local and imported craft beers from the help yourself beer fridge, an approachable yet interesting wine list and some Australian beverages that have not yet made it state side, as a nod to Babu Ji's beginnings.

Updated 6:54 p.m.

Here's the menu via Gothamist…

Babu Ji Dinner Menu

Previously on EV Grieve:
More about Babu Ji, opening next month on Avenue B

Have you tried the Gnocco-Cafe Pick Me Up combo?

Café Pick Me Up on Avenue A at East Ninth Street closed for good after service on May 31.

The owners added the cafe portion to the other restaurant they operate, Gnocco at 337 E. 10th St. just west of Avenue B.

The combined Gnocco-Cafe Pick Me Up opened for service last Wednesday. They're serving coffee, pastries and lunch items starting at 9 a.m. before Gnocco's menu kicks in for the evening hours.

So far we've heard positive comments from readers about the space.

"I think this will be a nice addition for this block," said one EVG regular, who noted that some familiar faces from Cafe Pick Me Up are working here.

A rent hike forced Cafe Pick Me Up from its 20-year home at 145 Avenue A, which is on the market for $15,000 a month via Icon Realty …



The owners still have five years left on the lease in the adjacent space at 147 Avenue A. Co-owner Gian Luca Giovanetti told DNAinfo that they were unsure what will become of this storefront.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rent hike forcing Cafe Pick Me Up into its smaller space next door on Avenue A (59 comments)

[Updated] Cafe Pick Me Up expected to close for good after May 31

Café Pick Me Up closes Sunday night ahead of a move to share the Gnocco space on East 10th Street

More about the new Café Pick Me Up-Gnocco combo on East 10th Street

Fasta has apparently closed on St. Mark's Place

[Photo via EVG reader Steven]

Word along St. Mark's Place is that Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") has closed at No. 36. The quick-serve restaurant between Second Avenue and Third Avenue hasn't been open since last Wednesday. Someone papered over the windows. Calls to Fasta go unanswered.

Fasta just opened on April 23. The space, however, may not be empty for long. Neighbor Jordy Trachtenberg hears that the owners will convert Fasta into a restaurant specializing in chicken.

The previous tenant, the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza, closed in February.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pasta in the works for St. Mark's Place

New butt-friendly Citi Bikes on the way

[Image via Citi Bike]

Some 2,400 newly designed Citi Bikes are on the way.

Here's the Citi Bike blog with details:

The new bike was designed through a rigorous process based on an analysis of years of bike maintenance and performance records. The bikes feature redesigned, and in some cases higher-quality, parts which will improve each bike’s overall durability and the ease of repair. The bikes also feature a new seat to prevent water from pooling when it rains, a sturdier kick-stand and better gearing for urban riding. Citi Bikes will spend more time on the street and less time in the repair shop, improving the experience for every Citi Bike rider.

And!

The new bikes were designed in a collaborative process between world-renowned bike designer, Ben Serotta, and lead mechanics from across the bike share systems that Motivate operates. Mr. Serotta’s bikes have featured prominently in many international competitions including the Olympics.

The Daily News took a new bike out for a spin, and "found the ride smoother, and the gear system easier to switch."

Astor Piano

EVG reader Daniel Root shares these photos from Astor Place... where one of the 50 Sing of Hope pianos is in place through June 21...

Franck de las Mercedes designed the piano's art.

His statement:

This piano is a celebration of the people and the arts of New York City. Growing up here, I was exposed to the visual clash of graffiti, decaying walls, torn-up ads, and the effect that time and the elements had on surfaces. Bright colors are an essential element in the piano in order to depict the diversity and fast pace of the city. I incorporated collage work using my photographs sketches, journal pages and scribbles on pieces of scrap paper. The piano also includes a "piano chords" chart to invite non-musicians to play also. Hoping this interactive and participatory experience with the work can perhaps become gateway into music, the arts and learning an instrument.

As we understand, this song is the most popular here outside the IBM Watson Building/51 Astor Place.

Santa continues to make the rounds in Tompkins Square Park

Last Thursday!



Today!


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Where will he end up next?

Action in the pits and new renderings along East 14th Street

[Drill team at 524 E. 14th St.]

There is lots of drilling and digging going on at the dual construction sites of 524 E. 14th St. and 500 E. 14th St., where the incoming residential-retail developments will feature 150 apartments and more than 56,000-square-feet of retail between Avenue A and Avenue B.


[Inside No. 524]


[A view of No. 500]


[View of No. 500 via an EVG reader]

There are also new renderings up on the plywood now… showing No. 524 …





… and No. 500 …





The renderings are pretty close to the images that have been associated with Extell's development since October 2013 …


[Rendering of 500 E. 14th St. via RKF]


[Rendering of 524 E. 14th St. via RKF]

According to signage at the scene, Janauary 2017 is the anticipated completion date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

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

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

1st activity at 500 E. 14th St. since the demolition phase, and when the standing water froze

Former Mary Help of Christians lot now ready for 82 market-rate condos

500 and 524 E. 14th St. look to have some construction company soon enough.

Over at the former Mary Help of Christians property, the lot is waiting for a new retail-residental building with frontage on Avenue A, East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

As we first reported, the permits that developer Douglas Steiner's reps filed with the city in October 2013 called for a 7-story, 158-unit 164,720-square-foot structure. The U-shaped building would offer rentals (and a rooftop swimming pool).

However, Steiner's reps told Community Board 3 in February that the residential complex, which would feature 22 affordable units designated as Inclusionary Housing, will now go as market-rate condos. (Several community leaders confirmed that the residences will hit the market as condos.)

The city approved (or at least partially approved) most of the required permits for the project last month. The square footage is now 107,000 for the residential portion, 8,376 for the retail and 961 for the community facility, per city documents. The 6-floor building will house 82 dwelling units and a pool on a lower level.

Meanwhile, last week, local residents spotted Steiner and a group of people walking the site…


[Photo by Meri Micara]

Previously on EV Grieve:
New residential complex at former Mary Help of Christians lot may include rooftop swimming pool

Meet your new neighbor on Avenue A

Permits filed to demolish Mary Help of Christians church, school and rectory

Preservationists call for archeological review of former cemetery at Mary Help of Christians site

The 'senseless shocking self-destruction' of Mary Help of Christians

Residences rising from the former Mary Help of Christians lot will now be market-rate condos

Excel Art and Framing Store relocating nearby on 3rd Avenue

Back in January, we heard that the 21-year-old Excel Art and Framing Store had lost its lease at 38 Third Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street.

According to various tipsters, the Duane Reade on the corner of 10th Street (above) is planning on expanding into the adjacent storefronts, taking up the space the belongs to Excel and East Village Cheese in the process.

Yesterday we reported that East Village Cheese made the relocation announcement to East Seventh Street official. Now fans of Excel will be pleased to know that the frame shop has a new home … a short distance away on Third Avenue between East 11th Street and East 12th Street…





The new storefront should be open in mid-July, per the sign. Visit their website for updates.

The previous tenant here in the storefronts of NYU's Third North dorm was Everything Bagels, which closed at the beginning of the year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Duane Reade expansion will take over adjacent storefronts, including East Village Cheese (74 comments)

East Village Cheese makes move to 7th Street official

Former Luca Bar space for rent on St. Mark's Place

The for rent sign has arrived at 119 St. Mark's Place, former home of the Luca Bar here between Avenue A and First Avenue.



The listing via Jonis Realty doesn't appear to be online just yet.

The landlord took possession of the space back in late April. Regardless, Luca Bar always seemed able to bounce back from tax/landlord-related issues, such as in November 2013 and June 2011.

Luca Bar isn't the only available space on this side of the block. The former homes of the Belgian Room, Hop Devil Grill and Ton-Up Cafe are all currently business-free.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Marshal seizes Luca Bar (again) on St. Mark's Place

Tink's has closed on East 7th Street

On Saturday, an EVG reader told us that Tink's had abruptly closed on East Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

A sign outside the cafe noted: "No more. It's been real."



We don't know what the reason was for the closure. There isn't any mention of the closing on the cafe's social media properties. The family-run business opened at 102 E. Seventh St. in October 2012.