Yakiniku West looking to reopen soon on 9th Street

Workers recently removed the construction plywood from outside the retail space at 218 E. Ninth St. — home of the currently closed Yakiniku West.

It's a good sign for fans of the restaurant, which offered Japanese barbeque here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

A two-alarm fire broke out in the building in April 2018. Fire officials reportedly deemed the blaze an accident due to wiring on the ceiling of the first level.

Yakiniku West posted on Facebook in September that they'll be returning some time next month...



No word on the rest of the building, where three apartments above the restaurant were damaged. Per CBS 2 at the time, five adults and one child were displaced. Fire officials called the residential units "unlivable."

B Bar & Grill is still open

Rumors started circulating yesterday via a tweet that B Bar & Grill had closed, and demolition was underway on the southwest corner of the Bowery and Fourth Street.

In the video that accompanied the tweet, workers can be seen inside the garden area during usual lunch hours. It's not immediately clear what the workers are doing.

However, the restaurant is still open. A sign on the door for patrons yesterday noted that they were closed for lunch, with a 5 p.m. dinner-drinks service. To date, there haven't been any new work or demolition permits filed for the address, per public records.

In any event, it's easy to see why people might think this is the end for the B Bar. It was recently revealed through public records that CB Developers paid $59.5 million for a stake in 358 Bowery — the current home of the B Bar & Grill.

Hotelier Eric Goode, who owns B Bar, has been assembling air rights to build a larger project on this corner space.

This warehousing of parcels will likely also mean the end of B Bar & Grill, which opened in 1994, some day. News of the B Bar's closure will likely be a Big Media Moment. They will not go quietly into the night without some oral histories and what-it-all-means essays.

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development

So long Dean & Deluca

From over at Broadway and Prince earlier this afternoon ... EVG reader Robert Miner shared this photo showing the auction sign up at the flagship location (circa 1988) of Dean & Deluca.

As we first noted earlier this month, the financially strapped high-end grocer and cafe had put up a "temporarily closed" sign here that no one really believed. The company was up to its green tea truffles in debt.

And this afternoon, the once-grand brand auctioned off all that remained inside the shop.

As of now, only two U.S. locations — both in Hawaii — are believed to be in existence. The Dean & Deluca website has also expired.

Must be the season of the Witches

"A Gathering of Witches" takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) night at Berlin, 25 Avenue A at Second Street...

Per the EVG inbox...

It's Halloween week and the witches are gathering to conjure up some heavy sights and sounds to awaken the ghosts of NYC/LES.

Sabbathwitch
Kembra Pfahler
Steph Paynes
Tracy City
The Buzz & The Hum
Guest DJ: Tony Mann
Celebrating drum goddess Leesa Harrington-Squyres born under the sign Samhain.

Starts at 8 p.m.

Ticket price: "Pay What You Witch"

200 new trees will grow in the East Village

We've received reader reports from around the neighborhood in recent days about city contractors digging up and replacing soil in tree pits.

EVG regular Daniel shared these top two photos from Thursday on 10th Street outside the Tompkins Square Library branch...



Word is nearly 200 trees will be planted in the East Village in the months ahead.

Among the locations receiving new trees — Seventh Street at Avenue A (thanks Paul W.!) ... shade for Joe Strummer...



... and Cooper Square near Seventh Street...



The city has an interactive map that shows you where the new trees will be... and when you can expect them on your block...



The above is just a screengrabs. Find the map at this link.

You can also find the city's current tree map right here.

Kent takes over Vanessa's Dumpling House on 14th Street

Bargain-eats favorite Vanessa's Dumpling House recently closed at 220 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for what the sign on the gate described as a "modernization."

The Dumpling House is back open, though Vanessa's name has been replaced by Kent's on the marquee.

EVG regular Stephen Popkin stopped by on Friday as the Kent's team was prepping to reopen for the weekend...



Here's his field report: "The place was looking mighty clean but not renovated — it was exactly the same inside. The same friendly staff was there to great me ... I’m very happy."





No word at the moment who Kent might be — aside from, presumably, the new owner. (Or it's just a random name.) This location is no longer on the Vanessa's website.

Joseph C. Sauer Park closed now for year-long renovation

The reconstruction of Joseph C. Sauer Park is underway here on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...



We've been reporting on this in recent weeks (see links below)...



To recap: As previously reported, while the $4 million redesign of the Park was welcome, local residents were unhappy with the Parks Department's plan to install a 4-foot fence here upon completion of the rehab. According to a petition that was in circulation, the shorter fence would "make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use."

However, on Oct. 18, local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced a deal with the city that would keep the fence at 8 feet.

The renovations — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — have a completion date of October 2020, per the Park's website.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

A look at the incoming Williamsburg Pizza on 14th Street

The Williamsburg Pizza signage/awning is up now at 226 E. 14th St. between Second and Third Avenue. The opening is expected soon. (Don't have an exact date.)

The restaurant, which will have a dine-in option with tables and counter space, combined two storefronts here, including the former Krust pizza ...



This will make the third Williamsburg Pizza location... joining the original out on Union Avenue in Brooklyn and the one on Broome Street on the LES. (Chef/owner Nino Coniglio also makes pizza at 310 Bowery.)

As previously noted, the pizzeria has plenty of fans (one example). And a few years back New York magazine gave them the Best Slice Joint nod.

Fat Buddha reopens after early spring fire upstairs

Fat Buddha is back in business (soft open was on Oct. 18) over at 212 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street.



The bar-lounge had been closed since March 29 when a fire tore through an apartment on the third floor of 505 E. 13th St. at Avenue A.

The fire caused extensive damage to this retail space, as the owners documented on Instagram.

[Updated] Daytripper has not been open lately

Updated 12/4: The bar has returned as Grinchy Tavern, a Dr. Seuss-inspired pop-up for the holiday.

Several readers have pointed out that Daytripper, the bar featuring beer pong, darts and foosball on the southeast corner of Avenue C and 10th Street, has been dark for the past month...



There isn't any mention of a closure — temporary or permanent — on the bar's website or now-private Instagram account. Google lists the place as permanently closed...



The owners of the East Village Tavern (the second iteration) changed the name to Daytripper in the late summer. The name change coincided with CB3's denial of East Village Tavern's application to extend their hours to 4 a.m. and add karaoke, live music and DJs.

According to the State Liquor Authority's database, the liquor license for the owners — St. Vince Group LLC — is active through June 2020.

The lone review of Daytripper on Yelp noted the following along with one star: "Very corny, and very out of place. I don't know why you'd open a college douchehole on Avenue C. Narrowing down your clientele that is the opposite of the culture of the neighborhood. Not enjoyable, and the TVs are annoying."

Sunday's parting shot

Down and out for this straw man on Fourth Street... photo by Derek Berg.

I'll be there for you?

A man, described in media reports as a homeless ex-convict, was caught with a brick in the backyard of the home linked to David Schwimmer on Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Per the News:

Police caught Eric Rosa, 29, lurking in the backyard of the actor’s E. Sixth Street home near First Ave. about 12:30 a.m., allegedly trying to break in with the brick.

It's not entirely clear if the actor still lives in this townhouse. The Post reported in 2017 that Schwimmer was house-hunting elsewhere in the neighborhood following the split from his wife.

Reader photo from 2013

Week in Grieview

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park today by Derek Berg]

Posts from this past week included...

Reports: 2 women kicked out of Downtime on Avenue B for confronting accused rapist Harvey Weinstein at event for artists (Thursday)

At the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade (Monday)

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet (Monday)

Gut renovations continue at the soon-to-be-expanded 264 E. 7th St. (Thursday)

Here then, the Lower East Side Quality of Life Improvement Plan (Wednesday)

After 10 years, Luke's Lobster is closing its East Village outpost on Oct. 31 (Monday)

Seems like old times: The post-prison life of Steve Croman (Wednesday)

The Salvation Army Family Store on 4th Avenue is closing next week (Friday)

Will the new Avenue A L-train entrances open soon? (Tuesday)

A sign of love at the incoming Paloma Rocket-Carbone Pizza on 7th Street (Thursday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Positive signs for Gem Spa (Friday)

Afandi Grill closes on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Newsstand arrives on 4th Street and the Bowery (Monday)


[Early evening bat sighting in Tompkins via Steven]

Looking at the Book Club signage on 3rd Street (Tuesday)

Your AT&T store signage on 14th Street and First Avenue (Friday)

The Wild Son shapes up on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Monday)

These 5 East Village restaurants are seeing Michelin stars (Thursday)

Old Fashioned Pizza debuts on 13th Street (Wednesday)

Stormproofing watch: Haven Plaza (Tuesday)

Report: Alleged host of 7th Street sex parties arrested for a probation violation (Monday)

A look at the under-renovation Irving Plaza (Thursday)

... and a peak fall shot from along 10th Street this past week by riachung00...



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Sunday morning street and Park scenes

From 10th and B and Tompkins Square Park this morning... thanks to Vinny & O for the photos...



Also, it's raining. (Should I start a daily weather post?)

Saturday, Oct. 26

[St. Mark's Place this morning]

Among the free things to do today...

• Local tribute band The Meetles will be performing in Tompkins Square Park from 2 to 6 p.m. In addition to the songs from their usual playlist, which contains classic rock music from the 1950s to 1980s, expect some Halloween-related tracks. More details here.

• Here's your chance to experience the current interpretation of the piece "Live Free or Die" from Michael Shenker's The Squatter's Opera. It starts at 12:30 p.m. in La Plaza Cultural Community Garden on Ninth Street and Avenue C. This link has all the details.

• The latest edition of Paul Tschinkel’s ART/new york series features longtime Bowery resident Curt Hoppe, exploring his work as a photographer and realist painter. Info on the program at this link. The discussion, along with a film, takes place from 7-9 tonight at Howl! Happening, 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Also, this is not free... "Downtown 81" starring Jean-Michel Basquiat is screening today and tomorrow (and next week) down at the Metrograph.

Friday's parting shot

Tight parking on Seventh Street today via Derek Berg...

Some art to Think about on 4th Avenue

East Village-based artist RVEB (aka Russell Butenhof) is debuting a collection of his paintings at Think Coffee on Fourth Avenue tomorrow (Oct. 26) from 6 to 9 p.m.

"I want to get people excited about the idea of art and how it can timestamp our struggles and worries about the complex world we live in," he said in a statement about the show. "The goal is for people who are already thinking about these things to see the canvas as a mirror and know they are not alone."

RVEB will be on hand for the premiere. Moving forward, an abridged collection of his work will remain at the coffee shop, 123 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street. This link has more info.

Here's a look at two of his paintings...

The big heat

Tropical sounds for a fall day. This is an audio clip for the recently released "Hawaiian Noir" by Aporia, a Berlin-based band originally from New Zealand.

Signage for interesting new business arrives on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

Just the other day we mentioned that an AT&T store was coming to the southwest corner of First Avenue and 14th Street.

And just like that, workers started putting up the AT&T signage here next to the MetroPCS and across the Avenue from a T-Mobile, as EVG AT&T Authorized Retailer correspondent Pinch reports...



For now, the storefront is paying homage by keeping up the iconic branding from the previous tenant here, the Vitamin Shoppe...

The Salvation Army Family Store on 4th Avenue is closing next week

In recent years I've been surprised that the Salvation Army Family Store, seemingly out of place along this increasingly upscale corridor, remains open on Fourth Avenue.

Sure enough, as EVG reader David pointed out yesterday, the shop at 112 Fourth Ave. near 12th Street is closing: Oct. 31 is the last day in business.



I reached out to the Salvation Army's NY office to find out why this location is closing. (I also want to know how long this outpost has been here — more than 25 years at least.) Will update when/if I hear back.

Anyway, sorry to see them go. I've also picked up a variety of dishes, records and clothes here through the years...

Updated 1:30 p.m.:

Heard back from Tim Raines, marketing and development director at the Salvation Army: "Our lease has been terminated by the landlord. We continue to search for new properties that will allow us to serve our loyal customers, donors and most important, the people we serve thanks to the proceeds from our Family Stores."

He noted the following: Donors may find additional dropoff locations or schedule a free pickup of their donation by visiting SATRUCK.ORG or by calling 800.SA.TRUCK.

Positive signs for Gem Spa

The suspension period is up for cigarette sales at Gem Spa.

And yesterday, the corner shop on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place received their authorized certificate from the State to sell cigarettes and tobacco products again, a large source of revenue. (They lost their tobacco license back in the spring when a now-former employee sold cigarettes to an undercover minor.)

Now Parul Patel, who is running the store her father Ray has owned since 1986, is also hopeful to become a lottery retailer again. That license was revoked in the spring for an outstanding debt. According to Parul, she is working on an installment plan to pay off that amount in order to offer lottery sales (other big revenue source).

In an Instagram post earlier this week, she wrote:

Today marks the end of the suspension period for the cigarette and lotto licenses. While this is a wonderful milestone, we still have to go through the process of getting the licenses reinstated, pay off our debt and reach profitability.

Given the success of its branded T-shirts, Parul is adding to the shop's streetwear merchandising, as we previously reported.

We are going to be introducing a whole range of Gem Spa merchandise this week including long-sleeve tees, hoodies, beanies, tote bags and more as well as artwork, photography and books inspired by our store. Also we will be hosting a party in the next few weeks to help raise funds toward this end. It will be held at a hot downtown location and will be a fun-filled night of music, entertainment and of course egg creams!

Previously on EV Grieve:

• At the Gem Spa Cash Mob (Sept. 16)

• Gem Spa is now a 'Schitibank' (Sept. 12)

• Get your Gem Spa t-shirts or photos of Madonna — at Gem Spa! (Aug. 16)

• Will you buy a Gem Spa T-shirt? (June 28)

• "Gem Spa is open!" (June 18)

• What is happening at Gem Spa? (June 11)

• A visit to Gem Spa (May 10)

So long Perfect Glow!

The Perfect Glow Beauty Salon is no more... apparently the stylists of the no-frills spa here on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue have moved on to new new salon ventures. (There's a sign out front noting a new address for a shop called Galaxy Beauty.)

Anyway, it was a great (Perfect?) business sign that retained its street style through the years...



Perfect Glow took over from Saloon (not a typo!) Success.

Meantime, the 400-square-foot retail space is for rent with an ask of $4,500 monthly.

Reports: 2 women kicked out of Downtime on Avenue B for confronting accused rapist Harvey Weinstein at event for artists

I spoke to the Zoe Stuckless, who confronted Harvey Weinstein last night, called him a "fucking rapist," and was then kicked out of Actors Hours — meant to be a safe performance/networking space for young artists — by the event coordinators themselves: https://t.co/KgzhRvrsaS

— rachel handler (@rachel_handler) October 24, 2019

In case that you didn't see this story from this yesterday — outlets from BuzzFeed to TMZ covered it.

Disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein showed up Wednesday night at an event called Actors Hour ("The first speakeasy dedicated to artists"), which took place at newish basement venue Downtime at 25 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street.

According to various published reports, Weinstein, sitting at a reserved table with an entourage, was mostly welcomed in the space.

From The Cut:

The women — comedians Kelly Bachman and Amber Rollo, and actress Zoe Stuckless — say they were attending a showcase ... when they spotted the disgraced producer in the crowd. Weinstein, who has been accused by over 80 women of sexual misconduct, is currently out on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to rape, a criminal sex act, sex abuse, and sexual misconduct charges for incidents involving two women in May 2018. At the event, he was flanked by several companions, male and female, and his group was sitting at one of the only tables in the low-lit, small room. “To me it seemed like old-school Weinstein, surrounded by actors,” said Bachman, who was there to perform.

Bachman is a rape survivor, and felt panicked. When it was her time to go onstage, she considered leaving. “But I got up there,” she said, “and he’s staring at me with shark eyes — maybe that’s just his face. So I just tried to address it as best as I could.”

Keep getting new followers today is it because my tweets are so fire? lol fuck Weinstein and thanks @ambercrollo ILY #mysecondtweet pic.twitter.com/hLjWn5VM8Y

— Kelly Bachman (@bellykachman) October 24, 2019

In the above clip, you can hear several people boo Bachman. According to Stuckless, the hecklers included event organizers and bartenders.

Eventually Stuckless and Rollo confronted Weinstein, who showed no emotion. "I went in and called him a fucking monster and told him he should disappear. His friend/body guard/goon/family member called me a cunt and I really really wanted to lunge over the table and strangle him..."

Both Stuckless and Rollo were kicked out of Downtime.

Let me explain that one more time, an event that was supposed to support actors and artists invited a serial rapist who has ruined at least 87 actors lives and supported that monster over an actor in the room. They supported HIM over all the actors in the room.

— clever, but make it spooky (@ambercrollo) October 24, 2019

As Gothamist reported, Actors Hour released (then deleted) a statement claiming that Weinstein "was NOT invited by the organizer or anyone associated with the organization."

However, other sources have stated "that he was personally invited by the organizer and had a table reserved especially for him ..."

Downtime released the following statement on Facebook:

Dear Patrons,
We want to address some concerns about a recent incident at Downtime.

A company called Actors Hour rented our bar for a private event, with a guest list all their own. Shortly into the evening, one guest began heckling another, causing a disturbance to everyone in attendance. After several requests to stop were ignored, we kindly asked the heckler to leave.

Please know that our goal at Downtime is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. We respect the privacy of our patrons and event partners, and want to ensure that all guests are treated equally, with the same service and respect.

In keeping with this goal, we made a decision that would allow the evening to continue as planned.

Thank you,
Downtime

Commenters weren't really letting them get away with that tone-deaf response...



Updated 9:30 p.m.

A reader shared this photo ... showing the entrance to Downtime...

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

Gut renovations continue at the soon-to-be-expanded 264 E. 7th St.

The gutting of 264 E. Seventh St. between Avenue C and Avenue D is in full swing...





According to the approved permit filed with the city, the owners plan to gut renovate No. 264 and convert it to a two-family dwelling (from three units), apparently leaving the exterior of the building in place and adding an extension in the rear.

Things didn't look so good here in September 2016, when a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the three-level, circa 1842 townhouse.

Preservations rallied to try to have the string of pastel-colored residences here considered for landmarking. However, in late October 2017, the Landmarks Preservation Commission refused to consider them for such a designation.

This past April, word came via the Village Preservation (GVSHP) that new owners purchased the property and were doing away with a full demolition. (Public records show an LLC paid $7.7 million for the address.)

We haven't seen any renderings for the all-new No. 264 just yet.

And as noted before, Felicia Bond lived in the garden duplex at No. 264 when she illustrated the renowned children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" in the mid-1980s.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in the house that inspired the art for 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'

City says no to landmarking row of 7th Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264