[Updated] At Empellón al Pastor, with graffiti on the outside and Charles Bukowski on the inside

[Photo Sunday by Richard Kopperdahl]

Work continues on the exterior of Empellón al Pastor, the bar meets tortilleria opening soon on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place.

Not sure exactly what's going on out here… a graffiti tribute of sorts…





Meanwhile, as Eater pointed out yesterday, the interior includes a wall adorned with a Charles Bukowski quote …


[Via Instagram]

The third restaurant from Alex (Empellón Cocina, Empellón Taqueria) Stupak is expected to open soonish.

Updated 10-8

Workers installed the new awning yesterday...





Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place

CB3 OKs liquor license for Alex Stupak's new restaurant on St. Mark's Place

More about Empellón al Pastor, opening this fall on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

Report: Aside from complaining neighbor, Yaffa Cafe endured a 9-hour DOH inspection

[EVG photo from February]

More details have emerged about the closing of Yaffa Cafe at 97 St. Mark's Place.

In a Facebook post last week, the folks at Yaffa said, "The city closed our garden, one of our not friendly neighbours complained to the building department, and they came and put 35 families out of work."

In an interview yesterday with DNAinfo's Lisha Arino, Yaffa manager Ron Ramati elaborated.

As previously reported, Yaffa was hit with the double whammy of a DOH temporary closure as well as a notice to discontinue use of their backyard garden.

To DNA:

Ramati ... said he was puzzled by the timing of a recent health inspection, as well as a partial vacate order the city slapped on his backyard dining area, since the patio had been in use for decades and advertised publicly by the restaurant.

“Suddenly, after 31 years, it’s illegal?” Ramati said.

Ramati said the combination of the fines and the ban on using the 100-seat backyard space, leaving only 75 seats inside, meant the longtime restaurant could no longer stay in business.

As for the inspection...

Ramati also complained that the inspector also spent nine hours at a restaurant, a move he found unusual, he said.

“I’ve never seen ever the health department being there for nine hours and being so vicious and rude,” he said, explaining that the inspector spoke "very brutally" to the kitchen and wouldn't let staff serve meals to customers.

If you're not Yaffa-ed out, then you can check out this essay at Brooklyn Magazine. "[I]n the midst of the bank construction and the influx of NYU frat bros, there was a shining light: The Yaffa Cafe."

Previously on EV Grieve:
A Google ad now covers the iconic Yaffa Cafe mural on St. Mark's Place

Yaffa Cafe will be back, though likely without its backyard garden

Yaffa Cafe is officially gone; back garden dismantled

More about Yaffa Cafe closing

The changing of the facade at 9 Bleecker St.

Signage is up now at the former longtime home of the Yippies here near the Bowery.

The new tenant, Overthrow, named for one of the countercultural newspapers that the Yippies published here, aims to be a boxing gym/training facility.

This past week, Throwback NYC partner Joey Goodwin, aka "the Soho Kid," a Golden Gloves contender, sent us information about the club's Indiegogo campaign (looking to raise $50k).

The crowdfunding page includes a lot of details about what to expect from the space, such as:

Overthrow New York will create a brand and a flagship location, which offers a high intensity anaerobic workout based on classes using boxing as a foundation. overthrow nyc provides a base for those in need of a high intensity work out in an equally cool and historical venue.

Stemming off of the neighborhood’s long history, Overthrow New York will take cues from CBGBs, the Bowery, underground boxing fight club Friday Night Throwdown, and 9 Bleecker street’s own rich counterculture history.

The club

The main level at Overthrow is the first impression for both the fascinated taste-maker and the intrigued passerby. The walls are adorned with framed counterculture and underground posters celebrating the activist history of 9 Bleecker and the punk scene on the Bowery. The main floor will feature the boxing club which will include a branded ring, unique heavy bags and one of a kind speed bags. This area will allow members to check in for group class, shop the Overthrow New York retail concept, grab a juice, or workout with a private trainer.

The locker rooms

Overthrow New York's locker rooms allow members to change and shower before or after their workout. The steamed glass wall dividing the men's locker room from the women's locker room makes for one of the cities sexiest yet grittiest bathrooms.

According to the Indiegogo campaign, the Overthrow folks are currently pitching "Off the Bowery," a television show about the building, concept and team, to production companies.

After a protracted legal battle, the Yippies had to vacate their home of 41 years this past Jan. 17.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Yippie Museum Cafe is in financial trouble

The Yippie Museum Cafe will reopen next Wednesday

A bad sign at the Yippie Museum

Last day for the Yippies at No. 9 — for now

Fights of a different kind coming to 9 Bleecker St., longtime home of the Yippies

About Overthrow NYC, the boxing gym coming to the former home of the Yippies at 9 Bleecker St.

Learn the history of the NYC greenmarket program tonight

[Greenmarket guy Barry Benepe]

From the EVG inbox…

Greenmarkets: A Presentation by Barry Benepe
Tonight 6:30-8
Church of St. Brigid, 119 Avenue B at East Eighth Street
Free! Reservations required

In 1976, planner and architect Barry Benepe co-founded the Greenmarket program in New York City with a fellow planner, Bob Lewis. Their open air farmers markets offered a solution to two pressing problems: regional farmers were struggling to make a living and losing farmland to development, and New York City consumers had a hard time finding good, fresh produce.

Barry will join GrowNYC and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation to discuss the history and development of several iconic open air farmers markets, including the Union Square Greenmarket, Tompkins Square Greenmarket and the Saint Mark’s Church Greenmarket.

To register, please call (212) 475-9585 ext. 35 or email rvsp@gvshp.org

Let the 'Twin Peaks' references commence

Outside Everyman Espresso on East 13th Street near Third Avenue.

Earlier today, David Lynch and Showtime announced that they will air nine new episodes of "Twin Peaks" in 2016… coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the show's demise after two seasons on ABC in 1990 and 1991.

Dear Twitter Friends… it is happening again. http://t.co/r0l9rhK4eB #damngoodcoffee

— David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) October 6, 2014

Excuse me — a DAMN fine cup of coffee…

Noted

Tompkins Square Park this morning

The Whitehouse Hostel has closed for good on the Bowery

As we first reported on Sept. 2, a sign appeared on the front door at 338-340 Bowery pointing out that the Whitehouse Hostel was no longer accepting reservations …


[EVG file photo]

Given that hotelier Sam Chang had sold the property, there was not going to be anything temporary about this closure. (Public documents point to The Renatus Group, a Greenwich, Conn.-based privately held real estate investment firm, as the new owner.)

Sure enough. The Whitehouse announced the permanent closure on Facebook back on Sept. 12. (No mention of the closure on the Whitehouse website.)



Plans were filed in April to "convert 4-story lodging house into a 9-story hotel," according to DOB records. The city disapproved the plans again on Sept. 9, records show.

It's not clear if the Whitehouse would be demolished for the new hotel, or if new floors would be dropped on top of the existing structure.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More tenant meetings for White House residents; plus the bed bugs will be exterminated

Another round of plans to convert the Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery into a 9-floor hotel

The Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery is 'temporarily closing down'

137 Avenue C, hollow on the inside

The inside of 137 Avenue C just south of East Ninth Street is pretty much gone…



As previously reported, there's a building-wide gut renovation underway (obviously), which will see the addition of an extra floor all via architect Ramy Issac.

The renovations include shoring up the exterior wall … which resulted in the (temporary) destruction of the sliver of a garden to the south of No. 137...





As we understand it, the regulars who tend to the garden are unfazed by the construction. They were made aware of it and plan to restock the garden once the work is complete next door.

One last note. The ground-floor space was previously home to the Sunburnt Cow, which closed on April 27 after 11 years.

There is a potential new tenant for this storefront. An attorney for the applicant had filed paperwork with CB3 for the October SLA committee meeting, accidentally citing 137 Avenue A on the paperwork. (Result of the confusion is here.) The applicant subsequently withdrew for the October agenda.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Renovations in store for 137 Avenue C, home to the Sunburnt Cow

The Sunburnt Cow closes for good at the end of this month

Centre-fuge Cycle 15 is ready for viewing on East 1st Street

Here is the now-complete Centre-fuge Cycle 15, the rotating outdoor gallery/construction trailer here along East First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.









Artists represented in Cycle 15 are Basil, Dasic, Martalicia Matarrita, Miss Zukie, Mr. Prvrt, Object and Sest2. For more information on each artist, go here.

Find more info about Centre-fuge here.

As BoweryBoogie noted, Centre-fuge received a one-year extension last year to continue through 2014. Its fate for 2015 is uncertain at this point. Updated: They are now confirmed for 2015.

People behind Gestations still pretending to be opening a bar for pregnant women on Avenue A

From the EVG inbox from Friday evening…

Hi EVgreive,

People seem to have forgotten their Lamaze techniques and are panicking over the opening of our bar, Gestations.

In light of this recent media coverage, we thought we’d take this opportunity to give you a better idea of where we’re coming from.

Just like any other bar, Gestations’ only objective is to provide a specific segment of the population a place to gather, relax and socialize.

We are not advocating reckless behavior in any way — that is the responsibility of each individual — simply seeking only to provide a judgment-free place where people can congregate and enjoy a drink or two.

We’d love for you to learn more and get to know us a little better before passing any judgments and encourage you do so on Facebook, Twitter or [redacted] for exclusive photos, information, and the latest on bars like us.

Cheers,
Gestations Bar

The broker for the storefront told us that the building's landlord rented the space for the sign for a month. (You have a few weeks left to enjoy.) The bar's supposed opening date is Oct. 25.

The storefront at 72 Avenue A at East Fifth Street remains on the market. According to the active listing, the asking price is $7,800.

Previously on EV Grieve:
No, 'NYC's first bar for pregnant women' isn't opening on Avenue A

Espresso for kids?

Closed for renovation signs remain up on the door of Au Breve Espresso, which closed back in early August here in the retail space of Cooper Union's 41 Cooper Square building.

Meanwhile, the Philip Berley Preschool of the Arts next door has co-opted the space… looks as if they made their own little cafe for the kids…

Dojo Izakaya announces itself on Avenue B

Signage is now up at Dojo Izakaya, which the Post described as "a Japanese gastropub."

It is the latest restaurant from chef David Bouhadana, who opened Sushi Dojo in June 2013 on First Avenue.

No word on an opening date here yet.

Cafe Rakka, the previous tenant here at 38 Avenue B near East Third Street, apparently got Cromanated last November.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chef David Bouhadana looking to open Dojo Izakaya in former Cafe Rakka space on Avenue B

From Cafe Rakka to Dojo Izakaya on Avenue B

Week in Grieview

[Photo yesterday by Luke on Seventh]

The Bowery Mission needs donations (Monday)

A sneak preview of the Westside Market, opening soon on Third Avenue (Thursday)

No, 'NYC's first bar for pregnant women' isn't opening on Avenue A (Monday)

What's going on with the former Mary Help of Christians property? (Tuesday)

The expanding Jehovah's Witnesses on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Yaffa Cafe closes for good (Thursday, 45 comments) for this reason (Friday, 32 comments)

How you can help save Siempre Verde Community Garden from luxury housing (Friday)

Korilla BBQ's interior will include an illustration by East Village artist Terry Galmitz (Tuesday)

PS 64 rally coverage (Tuesday)

Full reveal at the rebranded Eleventh and Third (Monday)

About the Cock moving to Avenue B (Tuesday)

Looking for Dana Scully (Monday)

In case you have some mystery charges from South America (Thursday)

The Os Gêmeos mural returns to view on the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall (Tuesday)

Hitchcocktober! (Wednesday)

Kotobuki has closed on 3rd Avenue (Thursday)

One less dorm in the East Village, but one more luxury rental (Friday)

Cool clouds (Tuesday)

Lou Reed wasn't really feeling this interview (Tuesday)

Neighborhood's priciest rental now selling for $9.5 million (Wednesday)

Menkui-Tei has closed for renovations (Wednesday)

Out and About with Mikey Cole (Wednesday)

… and speaking of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream… just noting the new mural on the gate for October's flavor of the month — Halloween…

Last night's waxing moon

Here's a report from local astronomy buff Felton Davis:

It rained all day Saturday, and that must have washed a lot of soot out of the atmosphere, because the waxing moon came up unusually sharp and clear. Gassendi Crater on the edge of the Mare Humorum was spectacular as the shadow of the sun receded across its sharp edges and central blip. And down and to the left of Tycho was another stretch of jagged craters that will all look smooth on Tuesday night when the moon is full.



The eclipse of the moon will take place just before dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as the earth passes directly between the rising sun and setting moon.

We've had a whole lot of partly-cloudy-chance-of-showers in the last week, so don't get your hopes up for anything different on Wednesday. If it is clear, all the way down to the horizon, I plan to get on the #5 Train to Bowling Green at 4:30 am, and walk over to Battery Park. The moon will set long before the eclipse is over.

It's too cold and too far away to bring the telescope, but anyone with a camera and a tripod should be able to get some amazing photos. Will the darkened moon set over the Statue of Liberty, over Ellis Island, or north of Ellis Island? I have no idea!

Report: NYPD looking for a possibly albino suspect in yesterday's Chase branch robbery

[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

As we reported yesterday, someone robbed the Chase branch on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place.

The NYPD have released the following description of the suspect, who left with $1,080:

"white male (possibly albino), 5'10", mid to late 20s, light colored hair with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black and grey jacket, dark rimmed glasses, black sneakers with a red bandana around his neck."

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

H/T Gothamist

St. Stanislaus represents in the annual Pulaski Day Parade

Today is the 77th annual Pulaski Day Parade in New York City. This year's theme: "Canonization of Blessed John Paul II."

And, once again, St. Stanislaus on East Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue will be part of the parade… as you can see from these float photos this morning by EVG Senior Float Photographer Derek Berg …

There is, apparently, a plant thief among us

A reader shared this from a building on East Seventh Street.

Don't make it an issue, OK?

Mystery surrounds faceless cartoon mural on East 12th Street

On East 12th Street near First Avenue.

Last week! (Above!)

Yesterday!



A source will only reveal that the mural will be of a "beloved bald cartoon character."

Well, Ziggy is too short… so it has to be Henry, right?



Updated: Thanks to everyone who confirmed this is the work of street artist Jerkface.

Reader report: Chase branch robbed on 2nd Avenue

[Photo by Ada Calhoun]

The one at St. Mark's Place. (Not the one on East 10th Street.) Officers on the scene earlier this afternoon confirmed a robbery to onlookers. No other details at the moment.

In May 2013, a man named Jerry Gomillion reportedly tried to rob this branch.


[Photo via @Ewingweb]

Today

Photo by Bobby Williams

A block party on East 9th Street today

We're told that the block party is rain or shine here on East Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C, so… looking like rain at moment, according to looking out the window.

It's beginning to look a lot like …ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

EVG Facebook friend/photographer Michael Paul spotted these in the front windows at Dee & Dee on East 14th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue…

Happy Easter.

Flyers warn of a 'sexual predator'

The above flyers are up along Avenue B and East Eighth Street and East Ninth Street.

The person responsible for the flyers said that the incident took place outside 295 East Eighth St. at Avenue B around 2 a.m. Friday. The suspect described in the flyer left the scene when a neighbor intervened and jumped the fence into Tompkins Square Park.

A painting-perfect day

East 10th Street near Avenue A this afternoon… via Bobby Williams

Tie me up, tie me down

Here is Primetime with "Tied Down." The London-based band released their debut 7" EP in August via La Vida Es Un Mus Records.

Doggone it: Someone stole the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade posters

[Photo from 2013 by Derek Berg]

That's the word from organizer Garrett Rosso, who reports that someone stole the FedEx delivery boxes from outside his apartment door yesterday.

It will be another week before more posters will arrive.

Meanwhile, he shared the information with us... the date is Saturday, Oct. 25 ... the rain date is Oct. 26...



Per Garrett: "Runway competition will be from Noon to 2:30 p.m. Then all pawticipants will follow this year’s BEST IN SHOW for a pawsitively posh, costumed canine parade around the entire park. All donations go to City Park Foundation for the maintenance and upkeep of the Tompkins Square dog run."

East Village now down a dorm

Renovations continue at 101 E. 10th St., the former SVA dorm at the corner of Third Avenue.

The 5-story building that houses a TD bank hit the market back in the spring. However, it appears that real-estate investment firm Atkins & Breskin still retains the property.

Regardless, the job site has a partial approval from the DOB, which notes a "gut rehabilitation of existing apartment building and change in the number of dwelling units. Obtain amended [Certificate of Occupancy]." So we're looking at a conversion to residential.

The Real Deal originally reported in March that "an additional 7,802 square feet of as-of-right air rights" existed for the building. There's nothing yet on file with the DOB to note any extra floors.

SVA students reportedly left the dorm after the spring term. A school official told The Villager that the school would use a new residence on East 24th Street at First Avenue.

More about Yaffa Cafe closing

[Photo from 1997 by @JenniferKellow]

As we first reported yesterday, Yaffa Cafe is now officially closed at 97 St. Mark's Place.

The DOH temporarily closed the restaurant on Sept. 5. In addition, the city ordered Yaffa's owners to shut down the backyard garden.

Last night, ownership posted this statement to their Facebook page:

Yes, Yaffa is closed. We really want to thank everybody who came to Yaffa and kept it open for 31 years.

I know we helped a few families to start a relationship at our establishment.

We had a great years and some not great, but now its time to go.

The city closed our garden, one of our not friendly neighbours complained to the building department, and they came and put 35 families out of work.

I am sure she is very happy.

Thank you all for supporting us.

Throughout the day yesterday, Yaffa fans took to Twitter to express their feelings.

I wouldn't care if the backyard was on fire or a rat was tap dancing on my tuna melt. I wish I could sit down at @YaffaCafe one more time.

— Francine (@FrancineD) October 2, 2014

Heartbroken over the closure of @YaffaCafe. It held a very special part of my soul. #stripperinmanhattan #nyc pic.twitter.com/qb0r2kpGcr

— Bella Luna (@bawdybelle) October 2, 2014

I have lots of fond memories from @YaffaCafe in #NYC; so much good conversation and carrot-ginger salad dressing. Now it has closed :-(

— Elizabeth Landau (@lizlandau) October 2, 2014

Grub Street has a collection of the tweets here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A Google ad now covers the iconic Yaffa Cafe mural on St. Mark's Place

Yaffa Cafe will be back, though likely without its backyard garden

Yaffa Cafe is officially gone; back garden dismantled

How you can help save Siempre Verde Community Garden from luxury housing

[Photo from June via Facebook]

The following news release is via the EVG inbox from Wednesday evening...

The Siempre Verde Garden – located at 181 Stanton Street and 137 Attorney in the Lower East Side – is threatened by new residential luxury development proposed by a city agency, HPD.

The issue is coming before the Community Board 3 Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 pm. We are calling on community members to join us there to make their voices heard. A petition can be signed here.

Siempre Verde Garden was created by the community in the 1980s. In the summer of 2012, a diverse group of volunteers began transforming two rubble-strewn city-owned lots into an oasis where neighbors, children, plants, trees, birds and bees congregate. New foliage, plants and raised garden beds were put in. With the support of Greenthumb and the unanimous support of Community Board 3, Siempre Verde was given a license by November.

Since then, pounds of tomatoes, greens, herbs and other vegetables have been harvested and shared with neighbors. The garden has held over 70 community workshops and events including worm composting, children’s story time, art,
music & yoga workshops. Green space for residents is sorely lacking in the garden’s vicinity and the garden is home to some of the only trees in the immediate area.

The luxury development is backed by the Gottleib Bender family who own an adjoining lot bought for $5,000 in the 1970s. Since their lot has no street access and is too small for any development, they are proposing to add the garden’s small two city-owned lots to their parcel.

Even the combined lot would remove light and air from nearby tenements with limited income residents. Siempre Verde is calling for all those who support the garden to go to the CB3 meeting to show their opposition to more luxury housing being built in a community with very little green space. The meeting will be held at University Settlement, at 184 Eldridge St (between Rivington nd Delancey Streets) on Oct. 14 at 6:30 pm.

For more information about Siempre Verde Garden:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Here's more on the story via The Lo-Down ... and BoweryBoogie.