Late afternoon discarded piñata break

On Second Avenue at Fifth Street via EVG regular Lola Saénz ...

Oops! And adding: AND A CHRISTMAS PINATA AT THAT! (Thanks Bruce!)

Southern Cross Coffee has closed on 5th Street

[Photo by EVG reader Sheila Meyer]

You may have noticed the for-rent sign that recently arrived in the front window of Southern Cross Coffee at 300 E. Fifth St. near Second Avenue.

Obviously not a good sign... and after service on Monday, the Australian-Argentinian coffee shop closed ... the owners left a note of thanks for patrons...



No word on why Southern Cross Coffee, named in honor of the Southern Cross constellation, decided to close.

As noted before, this is a coffee-rich zone with numerous nearby choices, including (but not limited to!) the Coffee Project on Fifth Street just off the Avenue... the new 787 Coffee on Second Avenue at Sixth Street, Cafe Mocha on Second Avenue and Seventh Street, the Bean on Second Avenue and Third Street, Kona Coffee and Company on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street, and Porto Rico Importing Co. on St. Mark's just east of Second Avenue ... and Spiritea opened in May a few storefronts away on the corner.

Southern Cross debuted in February 2017 in these newly renovated storefronts. Jamie the check-cashing guy previously worked from this space before the renovations.

Offensive Fences, the 7th annual MoRUS Film Festival, starts tomorrow night

The annual film festival by the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) has a slightly different feel this year. Per their invite: "Unlike our past festivals, this one is an art show, a dance party and a film festival!"

Here are highlights of the 7th edition, titled Offensive Fences, which begins tomorrow (Thursday!) evening ... descriptions via the EVG inbox...

On Thursday, Sept. 26 join MoRUS at La Plaza Cultural Garden on 9th Street and Avenue C at 7 p.m. for a screening of “The River and the Wall.” In addition, there will be three visual art installations on display, Ryan Legassicke’s immersive sculptures will be set up in in the garden in the screening area. Andrew Sturm will introduce the group exhibition “elcatsbO Obstacle” with Jill Marie Holslin. The exhibit is available for viewing at MoRUS through Oct. 26.

On Friday, Sept. 27, MoRUS will present a selection of shorts starting at 7:30 p.m. at the community garden on 6th Street and Avenue B followed by a dance party at the Museum. The dance party will also celebrate the opening of the ongoing art exhibit: elcatsbO Obstacle. This exhibit considers the far-reaching spatial, cultural, political, and environmental implications of the US/Mexico border and beyond.

Find ticket info and details on the rest of the fest at this link.

MoRUS is at 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Plywood tumor marks the future home of Sanpoutei Ramen on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from yesterday morning]

It's plywood tumor time over at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street where interior renovations continue for the new tenant — Sanpoutei Ramen.

As noted back in March, the Sanpou Group, which operates 30 restaurants worldwide, including Sanpoutei Ramen, was opening an outpost in this long-vacant space. Last fall, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license (they were originally seeking full liquor).

Reviews of Sanpoutei Ramen, which started in Niigata, Japan, in 1967, note that the restaurant "is defined by its authentic Niigata-style ramen, a shoyu-ramen in a clear fish stock-based broth."

Sanpoutei joins a crowded ramen market in the East Village... other recent arrivals include Tatsu Ramen on First Avenue and TabeTomo on Avenue A. In addition, Strings Ramen is opening at 188 Second Ave. at 12th Street.

As for 92 Second Ave., Kabin Bar & Lounge closed here in March 2015. While there were a few potential suitors, the storefront has sat empty these past four years.

And by the end of the day yesterday, the plywood received a coat of green paint...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
The first sign of Japanese ramen shop Sanpoutei arrives at former Kabin space on 2nd Avenue

Tuesday's parting shot

Window-washing (presumably) day on the 12th Street side of Steiner East Village today... thanks to Christine Champagne for the photo!

Helping celebrate 125 years of Veniero's

Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffé celebrated its 125th birthday yesterday on 11th Street with free mini cannolis, live music and many happy anniversary wishes.

Joining in were two longtime East Village residents, Claudia Flanagan (above left) and Elyse Cogan, who were pleased to get a paparazzi shot in front of the Veniero's step and repeat banner with Robert Zerilli, the fourth-generation current owner and great-nephew of founder Antonio Veniero.

Let's do the time warp again

The folks at Ben's Deli at 32 Avenue B were thrilled to serve as a pivotal location for "Russian Doll" and Natasha Lyonne's character ... and, as a show of thanks, they put out this congratulatory sign today for the Netflix show's Emmy nominations.

The time looping series was actually nominated for 13 Emmys, and received three. The awards were presented this past Sunday.

"Russian Doll" will return for season two. Perhaps Ben's will make a return engagement too.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your 'Russian Doll' reader

Bushwick-based pizzeria Roberta's coming to Avenue A

Roberta's is opening a full-service restaurant on Avenue A due to debut in the spring.

According to the Commercial Observer, who first reported the news yesterday, Roberta's signed a 15-year lease for the 1,300 square-foot retail space at 15 Avenue A between First Street and Second Street.

And per the Observer:

“Both residents and destination diners in the East Village will be excited by this long-awaited expansion of a beloved brand,” Lee & Associates’ Jaime Schultz said in a statement. “Situated right where the East Village meets the Lower East Side, this new Roberta’s location is guaranteed to see lines every day of the week.”

Yay, lines!

Roberta's got its start in Bushwick in 2008. As Eater noted, Roberta's has been on an expansion kick, with openings in several food halls, and adding two locations in Los Angeles and one in Williamsburg ... not to mention its frozen pizza business.

--

Updated 2 p.m.

Grub Street has more details...

[C]hef-owner Carlo Mirarchi has confirmed to Grub that they’ll be opening what he calls Roberta’s Wine Bar. In an email, he writes that there will be wines “from some of our favorite producers. Lots of mags, lots of fun.”

--

The retail space at 15 Avenue A was previously the Family Dental Center, which moved down to Essex Street in 2017. The retail listing at the time noted that this would be a "great location" for a restaurant.

Meanwhile, there are approved plans (as of Aug. 6) on file with the city for a gut renovation and extension of the currently vacant building. No. 15 will receive two new floors, moving from four to six... with five residential units (likely condos) in the making.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Avenue A dental center is 'great location for restaurant'

May the 'Four Force' be with you at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park dioramas

It's now officially Peephole Season at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park on the northeast corner of Avenue C... as East Village artist J. Kathleen White has unveiled her 2019 collection of dioramas.

This year's theme: "Four Forces," featuring Evening Man, Wish, Blob and Dream.



Here's a quickie sneak preview via Vinny & O... you have roughly a month to check them out for yourself here...







White started creating and sharing the dioramas in 2005. Here's her work from 2018 ... 2017 ... and 2016 ... 2015 ... 2014 ... 2013 ... 2012 ... and 2011....

First work permits issued for the former Hells Angels HQ

[EVG file photo]

Better Living Properties, the new owners of 77 E. Third St., have filed the first work permits for the renovation of the former Hells Angels clubhouse here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The permit, dated yesterday, note "minor partition work in Apts 19-20-21-22." More permits will presumably follow.

As previously reported, No. 77 will be converted into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces.

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March. The Hells Angels had this six-story building in their possession since 1969.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

The Hells Angels have left the East Village

Squish reopens on St. Mark's Place after summer hiatus

[Photo by Steven]

The storefront operation for Squish Marshmallows is back open to the public today at 120 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue after a summer hiatus.

In recent months, the Squish online operation was up and running as was their catering operation. In an Instagram post the other day, Squish management thanked patrons for their patience while they did some "necessary behind-the-scenes work."

Squish opened here in late November 2016.

A reinterpretation of 'The Jazz Singer' on the Lower East Side

[Art by Jarrett Key @jar.key]

Abrons Arts Center is staging a production of The Jazz Singer, directed by East Village resident Joshua William Gelb.

Some details via the EVG inbox...

Abrons Arts Center is proud to present the world premiere of jazz singer, a theatrical exhumation of the first feature-length “sound film” The Jazz Singer, reinterpreted by director and performer Joshua William Gelb and composer and performer Nehemiah Luckett.

Set on the Lower East Side, the 1927 film tells the story of a “jazz crooner” forced to choose between his immigrant Jewish heritage and his aspirations of becoming a Broadway star. Though the film is historically significant for its integration of synchronized sound, it is most remembered for its controversial use of blackface. Gelb and Luckett’s musical rendering offers a contemporary take on this distinctly American story, one that interrogates appropriation, assimilation, atonement, and whether escape from the specter of blackface is possible.

The production opens tomorrow (Tuesday) evening and runs through Oct. 12 at the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St. in the Henry Street Settlement. Find more details on tickets and the staging at this link.

Last-minute notice about a PS 64 town hall tonight

There was very little advance notice about this... Community Board 3's Arts & Cultural Affairs Subcommittee is hosting a town hall this evening about the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.

It happens from 6:30 to 9 at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The flyer promises an array of local elected officials, including State Sen. Brad Hoylman and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, as well as city officials. Is the Mayor really going to be there?

CB3's September meetings included mention that the Arts & Cultural Affairs Subcommittee was finalizing plans for a town hall tonight. But we never heard anything about the event. There haven't been any notices in the local press or email invites from CB3. I found the flyer on the bottom of the CB3 website — only after seeing it this morning on the La Plaza Cultural Instagram account.

On Feb. 7, local elected officials gathered outside the building and urged the city to reclaim the property for community use. Read more background about the long-vacant property here.

Property owner Gregg Singer recently filed another lawsuit against the city.

At the march and rally to save East River Park

On Saturday, a crowd — estimated between 300 and 500 community members — gathered in Tompkins Square Park for a march and rally to protest the city's plan to bury East River Park with eight feet of landfill starting this March as part of protecting the east side against future storms and rising seas.

East River Park Action organized the rally.

"We support a plan that will provide much-needed flood protection," Howard Brandstein, director of the Sixth Street Community Center and a rally organizer, said in statement beforehand. "At the same time it should expand the park and reduce greenhouse emissions in response to the climate crisis."

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared photos from the event starting in Tompkins Square Park...







Reverend Billy was on hand to lead the parade...



The group moved on toward East River Park...





... crossing over the FDR at Sixth Street...















Speakers on Saturday included Adam Zhou (pictured below), the East Village resident who successfully challenged the city's plan to put down a synthetic turf on the ball fields in Tompkins Square Park...











In keeping with the cries of "Bury the plan, not the park," the rally concluded with a burial of the city's current stormproofing plan... EVG reader Brucie took these two photos...





----

The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) is a coastal protection initiative jointly funded by the city and the federal government aimed at reducing flood risk due to coastal storms and sea-level rise. ESCR is the first element of the city’s "Big U" plan to protect Lower Manhattan from surges like those seen during Superstorm Sandy.

As part of the project, city officials, starting next spring, plan to close East River Park for three-plus years, elevating it with 8- to 10-feet of soil and chopping down trees, etc., from Montgomery Street to East 13th Street.

City officials have said that this is a better course of action compared to the previous plan that was in the works with community input before Mayor de Blasio's team changed course last fall. Among other things, city officials claim that the new plan will shave nearly six months off of the projected timeline and will be less disruptive for residents living in the area.

The project is now undergoing a third-party review by a Dutch consultant hired by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera. (The review is expected to be delivered soon.)

The City Planning Commission will vote on the plan today (Sept. 23) in the next step of the public review process before it heads to City Council later this fall. (The meeting is at 1 p.m. in the Lower Concourse, 120 Broadway. Find the meeting agenda at this link.)

Updated 6 p.m.

As expected, the Planning Commission approved the plan. Find a recap at Patch.

----

On the way to East River Park, the group stopped by Rivera's office on Fourth Street...


[Photo by Dave on 7th]

There, the group sang a modified version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia" — "Carlina, you’re breaking our hearts, don’t bury the park [baby]."

According to Patch, Rivera has advocated "for staged construction to avoid a full park closure but has not outright opposed the plan." She holds a key vote when the plan comes before City Council this fall.

Flyers posted around the neighborhood have called out Rivera ... and urged residents to contact her office about the plan...

Veniero's celebrates 125 years today

Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffé, the East Village and city landmark, is celebrating its 125th anniversary tonight (Sept. 23!) here at 342 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Here's what to expect, via the shop's Instagram account:

Veniero’s is throwing a party with live music by the Creswell Club jazz band, and the event will be hosted by comedian Eddie Brill from 4-9 p.m.

Free mini cannolis are available all day while supplies last.

In addition, Veniero's is offering an 18.94 percent discount on everything in the store and online.

Antonio Veniero founded the bakery at this address in 1894.

Robert Zerilli is the fourth-generation current owner and great-nephew of Antonio Veniero.

“I’m so proud and honored that our once little Italian bakery is part of the great city of New York for the last 125 years,” Zerilli told Time Out. “Veniero’s success lies with our exceptional history with the neighborhood which drives us to uphold our excellent reputation.”

This 6sqft post has more on the history of Veniero's.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Veniero's to celebrate 125th anniversary on Sept. 23; free mini cannolis for all (while supplies last)!

Soothr, a Thai noodle bar, coming to the former Bruno Pizza space on 13th Street

Coming soon signage is now up at 204 E. 13th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for (what looks like) Soothr, described as a "Thai Noodle & Bar" ...



Don't know anything else yet about this venture, other than what the sign notes: "From our hearty family recipes to your table."

The previous tenant here, Bruno Pizza, never reopened after an early morning fire broke out in the top-floor apartment last November. The fire caused extensive water damage to the pizzeria, which first opened in July 2015.

Post-fire renovations continue in the residential portion of landlord Steve Croman's building.

Thank you to EVG reader Laura K. for the tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
The former Bruno Pizza space is for rent on 13th Street

What's new below 14th and B?

Here's a street-level look at 14th and B...



Preliminary work started in the summer of 2017 on building new entrances at Avenue A and a new power station at Avenue B.

The weekly L Project newsletter provided an update on what's happening below the streets here ...


[Photo by Trent Reeves/MTA Capital Construction]

Our new substation on 14th Street and Avenue B has floors, walls and a ceiling. That means it's time to start installing the equipment. Here the industrial grade fans arrive, which will help maintain the right temperature in the substation.

The L-train slowdown began on April 26, and is now expected to be finished within a year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nightmare scenario for residents who learn that 14th Street and Avenue A will be the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction

Strings Ramen signage arrives at 188 2nd Ave.

As noted last month, Strings Ramen was prepping to be the next tenant for 188 Second Ave.

And yesterday, the Strings signage arrived on the scene here at 12th Street.

According to materials at the CB3 website, the proprietors were previously involved with the now-closed Lotus Blue Dongtian Kitchen and Bar on Union Square West. The liquor license application didn't mention any connection to Strings Ramen, a regular on the best-of ramen lists in its home turf of Chicago and the United States.

The logo that arrived at No. 188 is the same as the logo of the expanding Chicago-based shop

The restaurants at 188 Second Ave. haven't fared well in recent years. Lumos Kitchen lasted three months in 2018. Others to make quick departures in the past four years were Hot Pot Central, DumplingGuo and Dumpling Go.

H/T to the Bagel Guy!