Prepping Avenue A for a new dedicated bus lane

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The DOT has started putting down the markings for the new dedicated southbound bus lane for the M14A on Avenue A below Fifth Street... 

As previously noted, parking is no longer allowed between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week in select corridors on Avenue A and Avenue D. (The bus lanes have already been marked on D.) 

This is one of the transit improvements the city announced as part of the "Better Buses Restart" campaign in May 2021. Per then-Mayor de Blasio's announcement during "Streets Week!" at the time:

Both new and improved bus lanes will serve bus riders citywide, with changes including new red paint and markings, signals improvements, pedestrian safety and clearer signage. 

The city identified the M14A and M14D as a "bus priority" in 2019... when the 14th Street Busway went into effect between Third Avenue and Ninth Avenue. (According to the city, the Busway improved bus travel times by 36%, among other improvements.)

Still, according to the city, speeds on the 14A and 14D are consistently slow throughout the day and early evening. (DOT presentation from June 2021 here.)

There's also a budding sinkhole on Avenue A at Second Street that could swallow a bus that Keanu and Sandra couldn't even save...

Once again, a pesky blue jay tries to annoy the hell out of Christo in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

It's hot and humid out. You just want to sit and in a tree and enjoy a breeze in Tompkins Square Park. 

For Christo, one of the resident red-tailed hawks, this comfort zone was ruined by the always annoying dive-bombing blue jays today...

Police looking for suspect in attempted sexual assault in apartment building on 11th Street and 3rd Avenue

The NYPD is searching for a man they say tried to sexually assault a 23-year-old woman Sunday night. 

 

According to police and media accounts, the man crept up behind the woman inside her building near 11th Street and Third Avenue at about 11:40 p.m. Police said that as she opened her door, he pushed the woman into the apartment and tried to sexually assault her. The woman reportedly got the attacker out of the apartment, and he left with her wallet.

Police released surveillance of the suspect at an unnamed business...

   

A description of the suspect has not been released.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

And now, a word from our adverti...

Photo by Stacie Joy 

As seen on Seventh Street... an Acne Stuidos ad with a message from a passerby: "These ads are disgusting."

Not to worry, it's probably already covered by another wheatpaste ad... these seem to have a 36-48-hour lifespan, if that.

A very public eviction for Anwar Grocery on Avenue B

First 2 photos by Miriam Abrahams; the rest by Stacie Joy

On Tuesday afternoon, workers cleared out Anwar (going recently as Akter) Grocery at 166 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

The clean-out preceded a visit by the Marshal, noting the business is now in legal possession of the landlord... (an eviction notice arrived on July 5).

Anwar Hossein had owned and operated the shop since 2005. He and his family have lived in an apartment upstairs dating to 1998. (His father had been a tenant since 1988.) 

Hossein previously owned two other stores in the neighborhood — A&H Grocery at 204 Avenue A and Ahn Newsstand and Candy store at 500 E. 12th St., both long shuttered. 

He previously told Stacie Joy that things were difficult for the shop in recent years — the pandemic only adding to the woes. A new landlord bought the building in 2018, and his lease expired in December 2019. 

There have been multiple court dates between the two sides before Tuesday's action. 

This was one of the more public evictions we've seen recently. Workers emptied out the store, placing its contents, including beer, cigarettes, rolling papers and personal-care products, on the sidewalk for passersby to take ... (The Hosseins were not seen during this time, and it's not known what their housing status is.)

The old-school-style shop had some unusual items for sale, such as DVD copies of a Nickelback concert, blank TDK cassette tapes and VHS videotapes. There were also religious amulets, sombreros, school supplies and some hardcore adult DVDs with titles like "Anal Pleasures" (and left on the sidewalk).  

 And a final look inside the shop...

However functional, the more recent delis and groceries have a bland sameness with the ambiance of an airport galleria. 

Anwar, with the owners who lived upstairs, was definitely the last of its kind in this neighborhood. 

And from this spring... Sheila and Anwar Hossein...

A new East Village home for Virginia's

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Virginia's looks to have a new East Village home at 200 E. Third St. ... the former Root & Bone space...

The restaurant's ownership will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for a new liquor license for the address just west of Avenue B. 

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows proposed hours of 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, with a 10 a.m. start Friday through Sunday (with a midnight close). A sample menu with the questionnaire shows a brunch service. The plans call for seats/tables for 52 diners with a four-seat service bar. 

Virginia's closed on 11th Street at Avenue C this past New Year's Eve. Their lease was up, and ownership decided to look elsewhere for a new space for the bistro that opened in May 2015.

The Virginia's website lists a fall opening here. 

Root & Bone shuttered in April after eight years in business.  

Don Ceviche opening an outpost on 1st Avenue

Don Ceviche, which offers authentic Peruvian ceviche at the Essex Market, is looking to open an outpost at 57 First Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

DC is on the July CB3 docket for a new liquor license. However, the applicants have already received administrative approval given the method of operation (restaurant wine license with hours from 11 a.m. to midnight) and limited capacity (7 tables and a 3-seat service bar). 

Don Ceviche takes over the space from Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen, a 1990s throwback that didn't make it out of the pandemic. 

And EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER the Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo that was here during a few glorious months in 2012.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo on East First Street by Daniel Efram...

A longtime home of curiosities and misfits going retail on 7th Street

A retail space for lease sign recently went up in the front window at 102 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

The listing via Meridian Capital Group isn't online just yet. 

This retail conversion brings an end to the space serving as a residence. Anthony Pisano lived in this converted storefront full of antiques and whimsical curiosities for nearly 40 years. He died in 2018 at age 86. Check out some interior pics from his home here.  

There was also this short film about Pisano's home...

   

Not sure who lived here most recently. There were vintage Playboys in the window... and a cat tower with some sleepy kitties. The resident(s) vacated the place in the spring... leaving behind a Misfits Mansion painting...

As writer Jeremiah Moss noted about this space in an Instagram post: "When all the misfits are gone from the East Village, there will be nothing but white hats and White Claws."

A bad sign at Akina Sushi

In early June, we noted that Akina Sushi had been dark in recent weeks at 424 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The restaurant had a lot of fans, some of whom were hopeful for a return here.

Unfortunately, a 14-day rent demand was recently taped to the vacant storefront... noting that a total sum of $149,337.80 for rent, late fees "and other permissible charges" is due on or before July 22... at which time the landlord will "commence summary proceedings" to recover the space.

Akina Sushi opened here in December 2008.

Thanks to Steven for the photo. 

Momofuku Noodle Bar reopening after a months-long renovation

Momofuku Noodle Bar returns to service on Thursday evening at 171 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

The flagship outpost in David Chang's empire closed in February for what was to be a month-long revamp... and that stretched into five months. The Noodle Bar Instagram described this as "a few long months of kitchen renovations."

 

Hours moving forward: 5-11 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

The Noodle Bar — Chang's debut restaurant — opened at 163 First Ave. in 2004 before moving a few storefronts away to this space several years later.

Today in Manhattanhenge pics

Photos by Peter Brownscombe 

The view from 14th Street this evening... weather permitting, half the sun will be visible tomorrow evening at 8:21... and the last Manhattanhenge until next year... 

Monday's parting shot

Today in Tompkins Square Park... photo by Steven...

Last call for Manhattanhenge until 2023!

Tonight and tomorrow are the last chances to witness Manhattanhenge (in person) this year. 

By the time it happens again in 2023, Wegmans may be open on Astor Place! 

Anyway, the action is set for tonight at 8:20, when the full sun will be on view above the city horizon. Then tomorrow at 8:21 p.m., only half the sun will be visible to your Instagram followers. 

Manhattanhenge occurs when the setting sun aligns with the numbered streets that run east and west on the city grid — 14th Street and above, generally.

Photo from 2014 via our friends @AcademyRecords!

New bar-restaurant planned for 132 2nd Ave., the current home of Dallas BBQ

A new bar-restaurant is in the works for 132 Second Ave., the current home of longtime tenant Dallas BBQ at St. Mark's Place.

Hospitality vet Curt Huegel is one of the principals behind this unnamed project. Huegel and company will appear before CB3's SLA committee on Wednesday night for a new liquor license for this address...   

According to the questionnaire on file for public viewing, the restaurant has proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. The menu posted with the questionnaire features a variety of burgers, sandwiches, bowls and salads ... including a weekend brunch service.

Huegel's portfolio includes concepts such as Bill's Townhouse, Campagnola and Printers Alley ... closer to home, he's part of the ownership team at Jackdaw on Second Avenue and 13th Street. 

If all this goes through, then this likely means the end of Dallas BBQ — at least at this location. We reached out about a possible closure or relocation. 

The family-owned Dallas BBQ has 11 locations in the metropolitan area. The original Dallas BBQ opened on the Upper West Side in 1978, and the EV location debuted in the 1980s (1984?). They have a solid following who enjoy the enormous platters of reasonably priced food (onion loaf!) and supertanker-sized drinks. 

There were rumors in 2018 that this outpost would relocate, but management decided to stay put after a few protests from regulars.

The Dallas BBQ on University Place and Eighth Street shuttered in 2007... the original UWS outpost closed in December 2014 — both the result of rent hikes.  

Íxta announces itself on the Bowery

Storefront signage is now up for Íxta at the long-vacant 299 Bowery between First Street and Houston. 

Last August, CB3 OK'd a liquor license for restaurateur Akbarali Himani, whose credits include a Chickpea in Penn Station and NISI Mediterranean in Times Square. 

A job listing for an executive chef here describes Íxta as a "trendy upscale Mexican restaurant." As previously noted, the space in the Avalon Bowery complex is quite large, with a capacity of 194 patrons, who would be treated to "live Mariachi performers," per the restaurant's questionnaire at CB3.

Daniel Boulud closed DBGB here in August 2017 after an eight-year run. 

La Mia Pizza remains closed for now

La Mia Pizza remains closed at 124 Fourth Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street... a board still covers the front window... (thanks to Steven for the photos)

On July 3, firefighters responded to a report of a gas leak at the building and called for ConEd to inspect the property. 

Initial reports indicated that a small explosion occurred in the pizzeria's kitchen, causing a minor injury to a ConEd worker (who declined a trip to the hospital). There were also accounts from passersby that the blast knocked out La Mia's front window. 

However, according to NBC 4, the explosion took place in a boiler room; that first responders broke the front window trying to access the restaurant. 

A look through La Mia's front door shows that there isn't any damage to the interior...

An employee told 1010 WINS that it was "just a little bit of fire." The cause of the leak has not been publicly identified.

There isn't any signage about a temporary closure, and there isn't an outgoing voice-mail message at the shop. Delivery apps list Friday as a reopening date, though that's far from official.

La Mia opened here in September 2020.

Fast-food chain getting ready to Express itself on 1st Avenue and 14th Street

Several EVG readers have pointed out that the Panda Express Chinese Kitchen is looking closer to opening on the SW corner of First Avenue and 14th Street.

Workers have removed the paper on the front windows, offering a view inside...

No word on an opening date (and this outpost has yet to make the PE website).

News of the PE arrival first surfaced in January. 

This marks the latest outpost for the quick-serve Chinese restaurant chain that launched in California in the early 1980s ... with more than 2,000 locations today (with a handful around NYC).  

An AT&T store was here for a few months... taking over for the Vitamin Shoppe.

And previous posts about PE's arrival have brought out comments of support for the delicious and affordable Mee Noodle Shop & Grill down the block at 223 First Ave. (between 13th Street and 14th Street). It was Allen Ginsberg's favorite restaurant (when it was at the former location at 219 First Ave.). You can find their menu via all the online delivery platforms. (212) 260-7838.

CannaCulture NYC opens in former St. Dymphna’s space on St. Mark's Place

Cannabis lifestyle brand CannaCulture NYC is now open at 118 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. (H/T Steven!)

We don't know too much about the business model at the moment. 

Meanwhile, last Thursday, the state's Office of Cannabis Management State regulators sent cease-and-desist letters to "52 unlicensed merchants who are illegally peddling marijuana ... before New York has even issued licenses to sell cannabis," as the Post reported. 

Among the local merchants who received letters: The Empire Cannabis Club on Allen Street ... as well as the uptown locations of Paint Puff 'N' Peace, which also has an outpost on Second Avenue near St. Mark's Place. Read more at Gothamist here.

As for 118 St. Mark's Place, this space was previously home to St. Dymphna's, which closed in October 2018 after 24 years in business. The tavern later reopened at 117 Avenue A.  

Week in Grieview

Posts this past holiday week included (with a photo on Seventh and A by Derek Berg)... 

• Steve Croman sells 8-building portfolio (Wednesday) 

• Thrift NYC sets up shop on 14th Street (Tuesday)

• Plywood removal at the former P.S. 64 (Thursday) 

• City raises hourly wage for lifeguards to ease pool staff shortage (Thursday) 

• Unarrested development: activity at the long-stalled corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue (Friday ... Saturday) 

• Openings: A'more Caffè on 2nd Street at Avenue A (Tuesday) ... Murphy's on 9th Street (Wednesday)

• Giving Tuesday: the return of twice-a-week alternate side parking (Tuesday) 

• Report of a gas explosion at La Mia Pizza on 4th Avenue (Sunday)

• HAGS sets July 20 opening date on 1st Avenue (Tuesday) 

• Workers remove this elm in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday) 

• Comings and goings on 10th Street: Montauk Salt Cave closes; and a new restaurant from 2 Momofuku vets (Thursday) 

• 4.5 years later: A tenant for the former Noho Star space on Bleecker and Lafayette (Tuesday) 

• Full reveal at El Churro on Houston and Allen (Wednesday) 

• Puff & Puff Convenience debuts on Avenue C (Tuesday) 

• The Ainsworth closes East Village location (Tuesday) 

... and speaking of the Ainsworth closing... a few readers asked (once again): Who's responsible for removing the curbside dining structure when a restaurant shuts down? The one outside the former Ainsworth on 11th Street at Third Avenue is one of the largest in the neighborhood...

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Saturday's parting shot

The dumpster furniture of Second Avenue today via Derek Berg...

Detour alert: The FDR will be closed overnight

In case a drive along the FDR was in your plans overnight and into tomorrow morning... both the northbound and southbound lanes of the FDR will be closed from midnight to 10 a.m. between Houston and Fulton so workers can remove the Corlears Hook Bridge as part of the ongoing East Side Coastal Resiliency Project.