On the CB3-SLA docket: Applicants for the former Mermaid Inn and Cheese Grille spaces

Photo of the former Mermaid Inn by Steven 

Here's a look at a few of the many applicants who will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee this evening. (See below for info on watching online — or in person.) 

New Liquor License Applications 

 • Wonderland (Feichangchengong Inc), 96 2nd Ave. (op) 

Wonderland is the proposed restaurant offering an "Asian fusion menu" at the former Mermaid Inn space on Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

The proprietors also operate Chili, a Sichuan restaurant on East 37th Street. You can find their CB3 questionnaire here, which includes a sample menu and proposed hours of operation (indoors, 4 p.m. to midnight daily). 

The Mermaid Inn arrived in the East Village in 2003, with several outposts to follow... they closed here during the pandemic, only to reopen then close again in the fall of 2022 after just seven weeks. 

• Sunflower East Village (RJM Hospitality LLC), 88 2nd Ave (op) 

This is a holdover from last month... we previously noted that the NE corner of Second Avenue and Fifth Street will be home to another location of Sunflower, a cafe serving breakfast-brunch on Third Avenue between 25th Street and 26th Street. 

The EV location looks to have the same menu/vibe, though with dinner service. Find the questionnaire here. 

Sunflower is owned and operated by the same folks as the previous tenant here, Eros, the Greek restaurant that quietly closed in August 2022 when a "temporarily closed" sign arrived on the front door. Eros took over for their diner concept, The Kitchen Sink, in September 2021.

• Idleflora LLC, 188 Allen St (op) 

Idleflora is the name of the proposed "plant-based tea shop and tapas bistro" at 188 Allen St. between Stanton and Houston. 

According to the questionnaire on the CB3 website, the space will also include a retail flower shop. The proprietors operate several East Village restaurants, including Shinn East and Thirteen Water on Seventh Street and Appas Pizza on First Avenue. 

This long, narrow storefront was previously home to Cheese Grille for nearly 10 years. 

• Made in Houston Inc, 205 Allen St (wb) 

The owners of C as in Charlie on Bleecker Street are behind this new restaurant serving Korean cuisine from the SW corner of Allen Street and Houston. You can find the questionnaire here, which includes a sample menu and other details. 

The arrival of the unnamed new restaurant means the end of Mi Salsa Kitchen, the Cuban eatery, at this location. (We contacted Mi Salsa for info about a possible relocation.)

Items not heard at Committee

• MT 121 St Marks LLC, 123 St Marks Pl (wb) 

This applicant will not be heard this evening — they've already received conditional approval for a beer-wine license based on their method of operation, hours (11 a.m. to midnight daily), etc. 

The owners of Chicago's Moody Tongue Brewing Company are behind this venture, a still unnamed Japanese restaurant that will serve a variety of sushi platters and entrees. You can find more details and a sample menu here. 

The team opened Moody Tongue Sushi on West 10th Street earlier this year. The Dining Room at Moody Tongue in Chicago boasts two Michelin stars. 

This space on St. Mark's Place just west of Avenue A last housed Pop's Eat-Rite, the veggie burger joint.

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Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here. This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.  

Almost-opening report: Memphis Seoul on 1st Avenue

Memphis Seoul is moving closer to a grand opening here at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Thanks to Steven for the photos!)

Door signage stated how excited they were to be joining "this amazing and vibrant community." 

The sign, recently removed, also mentions that their opening was "slightly delayed by building issues with Con Edison."     

An Instagram post from Saturday says they will be open later this month.

This is the second location for the restaurant, which describes itself as "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" (You can check out the menu here.) Founder Bart Hubbuch opened his first Memphis Seoul in Crown Heights. 

Our previous post has more about the restaurant and ownership. 

This address became available after Organic Grill relocated to West Third Street last spring. 

Memphis Seoul announces itself on 1st Avenue

Signage arrived Monday for Memphis Seoul, coming soon to 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

This will be the second location for the restaurant, which describes itself as "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" (You can check out the menu here.) Founder Bart Hubbuch opened his first Memphis Seoul in Crown Heights. 

Our previous post has more about the restaurant and ownership. 

This address became available after Organic Grill relocated to West Third Street this past spring. 

Memphis Seoul coming to 1st Avenue

Ownership of Memphis Seoul has signed a lease to open its first Manhattan outpost at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. News of the deal was first reported by the @TradedNY account. 

This will be the second location for the restaurant, which describes itself as "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" (You can check out the menu here.) 

Founder Bart Hubbuch opened his first Memphis Seoul in Crown Heights. 

In case his name sounds familiar... Per Grub Street: "Originally from Dallas, Hubbuch was a career sportswriter who’d spent 27 years in the business before getting fired from the New York Post for a tweet about Donald Trump winning the 2016 presidential election." 

Grub Street also states that "Hubbuch had always been a home cook... and had long been interested in running his own business." 

A Memphis Seoul Instagram post lists a 2023 opening. 

This address became available after Organic Grill relocated to West Third Street this past spring.

East Village vegan standby Organic Grill is moving to the West Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Organic Grill, the rustic health-food cafe with a vegan menu, is leaving its longtime home at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place this month for a new home in the West Village. 

In an interview this past Friday, co-owner Vlad Grinberg said the Organic Grill has a new larger space opening later in April at 133 W. Third St., next to the Blue Note Jazz Club in the West Village.

While Grinberg had been planning to open a second outpost, their EV departure was not in the cards... and coming after their First Avenue building was sold twice during the pandemic. Organic Grill had until the end of the summer left on their lease, but the new landlord didn't want them to stay and negotiated for an early release from the lease. 

The First Avenue OG will close by the end of April, which will — hopefully — coincide with the debut of the West Village location. This WV spot will eventually feature refrigerated prepare-at-home foods like the OG's vegan burgers. The West Third Street space will also have several new menu items, including a variety of pasta dishes

Grinberg owns the restaurant with his wife, Olga Grinberg, and stepdaughter Julia Chebotar. 

The restaurant opened in August 2000 as an homage to Grinberg's mother, who turned to vegan and macrobiotic foods when diagnosed with cancer. Grinberg, a former social worker, said that a macrobiotic and vegan diet extended his mother's life by nearly 10 years. 

Grinberg called this a bittersweet moment as he wanted to stay in the East Village. However, he is actively looking for another space in the neighborhood. We hope to see them here again soon.

LES Convenience is coming soon for your convenience on Avenue A

The proliferation of smoke-snack shops continues. 

Signage for LES Convenience arrived late last week at 105 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. The signage promises an ATM, snacks, drinks, hookah and more. 

No. 105 was previously home to Hub Thai, which moved to 50 Avenue A this past March. 

LES Convenience will mark the third deli-snack-smoke establishment to open on the west side of Avenue A within three blocks. A more-upscale looking deli-market is coming to 93 Avenue A ... while a mystery deli-market is said to be in the works for 123 Avenue A. 

Meanwhile, I would have been happy if East Village Farms had never vanished at 100 Avenue A.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo from 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg)... 

• Corinne Neary checks out of the Tompkins Square Library branch (Thursday) 

• Catching up with Sabrina Fuentes of Pretty Sick (Thursday)

• A Visit to Made Up There Farms (Wednesday) 

• Workers have demolished the East River Park amphitheater (Thursday) 

• Cornerstone Cafe postscript (Monday) 

• Happy 10th anniversary to Tompkins Square Bagels (Wednesday) 

• Closing time: 1 month remains for Dress Shoppe II (Wednesday) 

• The new Urban Wine & Spirits is now open (Monday) 

• Virginia's is closing on 11th Street; owners will look for a new location (Thursday) 

• Citi Bike docking stations arrive on 5th Street, 7th Street (Wednesday) 

• City posts notice of a clean up in the abandoned curbside dining structure on 6th Street (Monday) 

• Brownout at the former St. Brigid School (Thursday) 

• Renovations underway at the long-vacant retail space at 123 Avenue A (Thursday) 

• Openings on 14th Street: Mad for Chicken, The Tree Shop NYC (Tuesday) 

• 'Very Expensive' Flordel Florist is leaving 3rd Street for new LES home (Tuesday)

• ICYMI: Zero Irving signs up first tenant (Tuesday)

... and on Third Street near Avenue B, Book Club has extended its hours starting today (thanks Stacie Joy for the pic!) ...

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to midnight; Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to midnight.

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Follow EVG on Instagram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics. 

Honoring the memories of Nicholas Figueroa and Moises Locón on 2nd Avenue

Family members of Nicholas Figueroa and Moises Locón came together outside 121-123 Second Ave. yesterday morning for the dedication of a memorial plaque in honor of the two men who died here during the gas explosion on March 26, 2015.

Retired (2017) FDNY battalion chief John Dunne joined the families ... Dunne, the third-highest-ranking member of the FDNY at the time, was part of the massive response to the explosion that leveled three buildings here at Seventh Street.  

State Sen. Brad Hoylman, City Councilmember Carlina Rivera and her predecessor, Rosie Mendez, who was in office at the time of the tragedy, were also on hand to pay their respects to the family members.

The Village Preservation advocated for the inclusion of the plaque here on the new residential building at 45 E. Seventh St.  

Thank you to Steven for the photos 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• RIP Nicholas Figueroa

• RIP Moises Locón

• Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street 

It's nearly show time as NYC theaters prep for reopening

After being dark for nearly a year, movie theaters in NYC are permitted to reopen tomorrow at 25-percent capacity. 

However, don't expect to see all of the local movie houses up and running right away. 

Here's what to expect, starting with the Village East Cinema on Second Avenue at 12th Street (marquee photo above by Doug) ... which will have a new name...

We’re reopening Friday March 5, and we are excited to welcome @CityCinemasNYC to the Angelika Film Center family, as Village East by Angelika and Cinema 123 by Angelika!
For more information, visit us at https://t.co/K3mu1MJiw8.
See you at the movies! pic.twitter.com/T1W311Xu6p

— Angelika Film Center (@AngelikaFilmNY) February 26, 2021

Before the pandemic, the Village East Cinema showed movies that originally opened at the Angelika Film Center. Plus, the Village East Cinema is owned by City Cinemas, a branch of Reading International. The Angelika is also under the Reading International umbrella. So they're keeping it all in the Reading family.

Find the cinema's website here. 

Elsewhere in the downtown film community... (and masks are required to be theaters)...

• Angelika Film Center., Houston Street. Opening on March 5. Website here. 

• Anthology Film Archives, Second Avenue at Second Street. No reopening date. Will continue with virtual cinema. 

• Cinema Village, 12th Street. The small theater is hoping to reopen around April 1, per the Post. 

• Film Forum, East Houston. Opening on April 2.

• IFC Center. Opening on March 5. And per IndieWire: "Mandatory mask-wearing at all times, no concession sales, and no eating and drinking allowed in theaters." 

• Loews Village 7, Third Avenue at 11th Street. Opening March 5. Website here. 

• Metrograph, Ludlow Street. No reopening date yet. Will continue with virtual programming. 

• Regal Cinemas, Union Square and Essex Crossing. No return date just yet. 

• Quad Cinema, 13th Street. Opening on March 5. (Updated)

Details on the guilty verdicts in the 2nd Avenue gas explosion case

[Image via the DA's office]

On Friday afternoon, a jury found landlord Maria Hrynenko, contractor Dilber Kukic and unlicensed plumber Jerry Ioannidis guilty of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and related offenses for their role in the March 2015 Second Avenue gas explosion that killed two men.

In addition, they were also found guilty of assault charges for injuries to 13 people in the blast that destroyed the buildings at 119, 121 and 123 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Prosecutors said that an illegally installed gas line triggered the explosion.

The three will be sentenced on Jan. 10.

Here is the specific information on the defendants and their convictions via the DA's office:

MARIA HRYNENKO, D.O.B. 11/26/1959
Rockland, N.Y.
Convicted:

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, D.O.B. 6/15/1956
Queens, N.Y.
Convicted:

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count
• Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

DILBER KUKIC, D.O.B. 6/9/1975
Bronx, N.Y.
Convicted:

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

Michael Hrynenko Jr. was charged for his role in the scheme, but he died in 2017 before the case went to trial. He was 31.

Hrynenko, Ioannidis and Kukic face up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter counts, according to the Daily News.

The Times provided the best recap from the two-plus-month trial:

Ms. Hrynenko who had taken over her husband’s housing stock after his death in 2004, hired Dilber Kukic, a general contractor, to renovate apartments at 121 Second Avenue in 2013. By the summer of the following year, Ms. Hrynenko had leased the apartments to 16 people, but Con Edison had not yet approved a new gas line.

Prosecutors said Ms. Hrynenko risked losing tenants and $24,000 in rent per month if she could not provide gas. That is when, prosecutors said, she devised a plan to siphon gas from Sushi Park, a ground-floor restaurant in the building to provide gas to the apartments above.

And...

But, prosecutors said, the explosion in the East Village was the result of something else: a landlord’s greed.

“What was it that made these three defendants circumvent all the rules they were aware of?” the lead prosecutor, Rachana Pathak, said in her closing remarks this week. “Money, money, money.”

And...

Jose Gomez, a cook at Sushi Park, said he had to crawl out from underneath a pile of debris. He said his eyes and ears are permanently damaged. A firefighter who had been injured while responding to the scene was forced to retire because of his injuries.

Randolph Clarke Jr., an assistant Manhattan district attorney, said the defendants “took a chance, they rolled the dice, and the cost was paid for by Mr. Figueroa and Mr. Locon and 13 others.”

In the days after the explosion, prosecutors said, Ms. Hrynenko did not tell investigators about the illegal gas line and she shredded nine garbage bags full of documents pertaining to her real estate business.

The landlord's greed — as the prosecution put it — was responsible for the deaths of these two men: Moises Locón, 27 ...



... and Nicholas Figueroa, 23 ...



Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. provided this statement:

As construction and development continues to boom, today’s guilty verdict puts property owners, contractors, and managers on notice: my Office will pursue criminal charges against those who place expediency and financial gain over life and limb. I thank the jury and the tireless prosecutors in our storied Rackets Bureau for holding these defendants accountable for the tragic and preventable losses of Moises Locon and Nicholas Figueroa.

I also want to thank the Figueroa and Locon families, who demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience through the duration of this trial. While today’s result will not bring these young New Yorkers back, I hope the Figueroa and Locon families take a measure of comfort in knowing that this case will change the way that landlords and contractors do business in New York.

Meanwhile, construction of the condoplex on two of the gas-explosion lots continues. Workers have been quickly erecting the Morris Adjmi-designed building at 119 Second Ave. — officially 45 E. Seventh St. — that will feature 21 condo units and ground-floor retail. The new building will include a commemorative plaque that honors Figueroa and Locón.

Here's a look from Saturday...



Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and No. 121 that Hrynenko owned.

In a transaction from late 2016, Ezra Wibowo paid $6 million for the adjacent property at 123 Second Ave. that was owned by a different landlord who had no role in the explosion. There isn't any development planned there for now, according to previous reports.

There are still civil actions making their way through the courts. Hrynenko and her companies have reportedly been hit with nearly 30 lawsuits.

---

Below you'll find a selection of EVG headlines about the explosion from the past four-plus years...

Previously on EV Grieve:
• [Updating] Explosion on 2nd Avenue and East 7th Street

• How displaced residents are faring after the 2nd Avenue gas explosion

• Moving on — and feeling lucky — after the 2nd Avenue explosion

• Updated: 2nd Ave. explosion — landlord, 3 others charged with 2nd degree manslaughter; showed 'a blatant and callous disregard for human life'

• RIP Nicholas Figueroa

• RIP Moises Locón

• A family continues to feel the loss on 2nd Avenue

• Remembering Nicholas and Moises: the Figueroa family marks the 4-year anniversary of the 2nd Avenue gas explosion

• Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

• LPC OKs condoplex for gas explosion site on 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

• Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

• Report: Probation for plumber indicted in deadly 2nd Avenue gas explosion

• Michael Hrynenko, Jr., awaiting trial for his role in the 2nd Avenue gas explosion, dies at 31

And read our interviews with two longtime residents who lost their homes in the explosion — Mildred Guy and Diane McLean.

No one seems to want to keep these historic Anglo-Italianate townhouses on 10th Street

Off and on through the [EVG] years, those beautiful single-family Anglo-Italianate townhouses that date to the 1850s at 123-125 E. 10th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue have been for sale.

And now they are both back on the market here in the St. Mark's Historic District. The listings arrived yesterday on Streeteasy. (No. 123 is here... and No. 125 is here.)

The Post first took note of this. We'll let them do the lifting:

One, at 123 E. 10th St., listed with Mark Amadei of Sotheby’s International Realty for $7.69 million. The other, 125 E. 10th St., hit the market for $8.3 million and is represented by Jason Haber of Warburg Realty.

But together, according to the Warburg listing, both can be sold together for $15.99 million.

“123 E. 10th St. was built at the same time as [125 E. 10th St.] and they share one of the largest private gardens in Manhattan,” the Warburg listing adds.

Fun cost-of things fact: In 2011, the two-townhouse combo price was $12.95 million.

A few pics now. These are from No. 125... inside and out...





As TMZ Grieve reported off and on in 2012 and 2013 and, what the hell, 2014, Mary-Kate Olsen and her beau Olivier Sarkozy bought No. 123, and they rented No. 125. Eventually they sold No. 123 and went off elsewhere.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your chance to see inside a historic townhouse on East 10th Street tonight (complimentary wine alert!)

Report: Historic Anglo-Italianate townhouse on East 10th Street to serve as Olsen twin love nest

Someone has bought the former Olivier Sarkozy, Mary-Kate Olsen 'love nest' on East 10th St.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Mr. Sarkozy

2nd Avenue gas explosion defendants due back in court on Monday

There's another court date for Maria Hrynenko and three other people accused of manslaughter for the deadly explosion that destroyed three buildings at 119-123 Second Ave. in March 2015.

According to public records, Hrynenko, who owned No. 119 and 121, and the other three defendants will appear in court on Monday.



Records show that Hrynenko and the other accused have appeared in New York County Criminal Court 19 times since February 2016... and the outcome was the same — "adjourned/bail continued" — since their initial appearance...



To recap...In February 2016, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance's office charged Hrynenko and four others with manslaughter and negligent homicide for their alleged role in the blast that killed two men and injured more than a dozen other people in the buildings between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Vance's office charged Maria and her son, Michael Jr., along with contractor Dilber Kukic and plumber Jerry Ioannidis with manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide and assault in the second degree, among other charges. (The final defendant, licensed plumber Andrew Trombettas, was charged with offering a false instrument​,​ for allegedly lending his name and license number to paperwork.)

The five were accused of installing an illegal gas system, which they hid from inspectors, at No. 119 and 121. All five pleaded not guilty.

An obituary posted last August at the Pizzi Funeral Home website stated that Michael Jr. died on Aug. 25, 2017. He was 31. A cause of death was not disclosed for Hrynenko, who was also called Mischou.

In early August, the development team behind the proposed 7-story condoplex at part of the explosion site (the former No. 119 and 121) received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a high-end residential building with ground-floor retail.

The new building will include a commemorative plaque that honors Moises Locón and Nicholas Figueroa, the men who died that March 26, 2015.

Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for the empty lots.

The third site, which was not owned by Hrynenko, sold for $6 million in 2016, but there aren't any development plans for that property, 123 Second Ave., yet.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Week in Grieview

[Photo on 7th Street by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group planning Martina for 55 Third Ave. (Thursday)

At Sugar Sketch, a new bakery on Second Street (Friday)

Grand Sichuan has closed on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

East Village zip codes in the top-5 citywide for illegal Airbnb listings (Tuesday)

Halloween night on Avenue A and Avenue B (Tuesday)

Out and About with Candice Brewer (Wednesday)

The cube/Alamo returns to Astor Place (Tuesday)

Water Witch Mercantile opening in the Box Kite space on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

Video: An in-progress look at Tompkins Square Bagels, opening this month on Second Avenue (Friday)

402 E. 12th St. is for sale (Monday)

N'eat now serving Nordic fare on Second Avenue (Thursday)

A look at the retail listing for the northwest corner of A and St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Spice on First Avenue is now The Sabieng Thai (Tuesday)

'Merica dream fades as Zerza returns to Sixth Street (Friday)

Screaming Mimi's has left Lafayette Street (Wednesday)

Soft opening weekend for Three Seat Espresso & Barber on Avenue A (Monday)

Citibank keeps telling people about their impending closure on Avenue A (Wednesday)

More about the sale of 123 Second Ave. (Thursday)

Work in progress at 14th and Avenue C (Tuesday)


[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

A Drybar opens on Ludlow Street (Thursday)

Attorney General files lawsuit against local landlord Marolda Properties; accused of intimidating rent-stabilized tenants (Wednesday)

A few more details on the East Houston condoplosion (Monday)

Sushi part of plan for former Iron Sushi on 10th Street (Wednesday)

A few more details about renting the former Capital One® on 14th Street and 3rd Avenue

The for rent signs arrived at the former Capital One® branch on the southeast corner of Third Avenue and 14th Street way back in early September.

And we've been waiting patiently for the listing to arrive online at RKF ... and that blessed event finally occurred yesterday.

Well, there's not a whole lot to the listing (like the monthly rent)... here ya go:

SPACE
Ground Floor — 3,000 SF

POSSESSION
Immediate

TERM
Sublease through December 31, 2025

FRONTAGE
40 feet on Third Avenue
85 feet on East 14th Street

NEIGHBORS
5 Napkin Burger, Duane Reade, Dunkin’ Donuts, New York Sports Club, P.C. Richard & Son, Raymour & Flanigan, Sleepy’s, Trader Joe’s, Westside Market

COMMENTS
Immediately adjacent to the Third Avenue subway station serving the L train with annual ridership of 2,386,533 (Ed note: Hopefully it will be a business that can stay afloat for 18 months starting in 2019 when the L train shuts down.) Located at the base of a 19-story luxury condominium building

The Capital One® closed in July with the big move to 14th Street and Broadway.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive first look inside the new Capital One® bank branch at 123 Third Ave.


[Exclusive photo from September 2011]

Week in Grieview

[Cute cat photo by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

123 Second Ave. is for sale (Monday) ... and here is the listing (Friday)

Progress at Astor Place (Tuesday)

Asking rent for the former Stage Restaurant — $15,000 a month (Wednesday)

Car jumps curb, collides with Dunkin' Donuts on First Avenue (Friday)

Douglas Steiner's luxury condos growing up quickly on Avenue A and East 12th Street (Monday)

Residents at 37 Avenue B are still looking for their 'fair share' of the rent from Credit Union (Thursday)

Out and About with Parker Dulany (Wednesday)

Yuca Bar is back open after fire at 133 E. Seventh St. (Friday)

Daniel Delaney proposing Delaney Barbecue for First Avenue (Tuesday)

EV heave: Regal Cinemas debuting 4DX at Union Square on March 25 with 'Batman V. Superman' (Monday)

Half the size but still Fabulous at Fanny's (Wednesday)

New frame shop for Third Avenue (Thursday)

Owners of Eleven B propose to open a Mexican restaurant in the former Mercadito space on B (Friday)

On East Sixth Street, TonkatsuYa is in soft-open mode (and Awash has a new awning) (Wednesday)

Someone stole this poster from Theatre 80 (Thursday)

A pop-up gallery arrives at 95 Avenue B (Saturday)

The former Bago space is for rent on First Avenue (Monday)

'Snowflake dessert' coming soon to Second Avenue (Tuesday)

St. Mark's Place without the Trash & Vaudeville signage; No. 4 in contract (Friday)

Avenue A sinkhole no longer sinking (for now) (Thursday)

Former bar turns into an architect's office on East 13th Street (Monday)

Rent the former Cock space on Second Avenue (Thursday)

At the former home of the Broadway flea market, condos will cost upwards of $22 million (Friday)

Second Avenue residential complex now complete with renderings on the plywood (Thursday)

Epically launching 100 Avenue A (Wednesday)

... and for everyone who says that we don't have enough motorcycle coverage here...


[Photo on Avenue A by Derek Berg]

Updated: 2nd Ave. explosion — landlord, 3 others charged with 2nd degree manslaughter; showed 'a blatant and callous disregard for human life'

[Memorials for the victims on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street]

CBS 2 reports that "officials are set to make a major announcement" this morning regarding the deadly Second Avenue explosion from last March 26.

The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Manhattan’s District Attorney's office. There are no other details about the announcement.

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

To date, the city has yet to file charges against anyone in connection with the explosion. The Post reported last April that investigators have "six prime suspects" — landlord Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., contractor Dilber Kukic as well as an unidentified subcontractor and two workers.

We'll update this post as soon as officials release more information.

Updated 9:50 a.m.

NBC 4 reports that five people are facing criminal charges in connection with the gas explosion.

Updated 10:26 a.m.

The Post reports the following:

Landlord Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., and Bronx contractor Dilber Kukic ... were among the suspects brought by authorities to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office ...

“I’m a good person,” Hrynenko uttered to reporters as authorities brought her in.

Updated 11:19 a.m.



DA Cyrus Vance Jr. is announcing the charges... Among them: 2nd degree manslaughter for the Hrynenkos and Kukic — carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years.

DA Vance announces manslaughter + other charges in EV Explosion investigation. Watch live – https://t.co/zs0Tbcejtf pic.twitter.com/0Zq8ACYGPK

— Cyrus Vance, Jr. (@ManhattanDA) February 11, 2016

Updated 11:27 a.m.

Highly dangerous + illegal gas setup at 121 Second Avenue: pic.twitter.com/7GJw91gX44

— Cyrus Vance, Jr. (@ManhattanDA) February 11, 2016

Updated 11:30 a.m.

Here is part of the official release from the DA's office:

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters, and New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro today announced the indictment of MARIA HRYNENKO, 56, MICHAEL HRYNENKO, 30, ATHANASIOS IOANNIDIS, 59, DILBER KUKIC, 40, and ANDREW TROMBETTAS, 57, in connection with a deadly gas explosion that occurred at 121 Second Avenue on March 26, 2015. The defendants are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Assault in the Second Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, among other charges.

Defendant Information:

MARIA HRYNENKO, D.O.B. 11/26/1959

Charged:

-Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 counts
-Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
-Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

MICHAEL HRYNENKO, D.O.B. 11/30/1985

Charged:

-Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
-Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
-Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

ATHANASIOS “JERRY” IOANNIDIS, D.O.B. 6/15/1956

Charged:

-Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 counts
-Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
-Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count
-Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 2 counts

DILBER KUKIC, D.O.B. 6/9/1975

Charged:

-Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, 9 count
-Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, 2 counts
-Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 4 counts
-Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, 1 count

ANDREW TROMBETTAS, D.O.B. 11/18/1958

Charged:

-Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, 2 counts

Updated 11:31 a.m.

Councilwoman Rosie Mendez responds to the arrests:

"As we're approaching the anniversary of this tragic event I want to thank and congratulate Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance for his continuing investigation that has led to the arrest of these five individuals. The events from last year are still very much with us in the East Village. Everyday we walk by and see empty space where three buildings stood; three buildings that were part of a historic district. Everyday my businesses struggle to recover from the street closures that resulted in financial losses last year.

And everyday, the people of the East Village have been waiting for justice. Today we are one step closer. Maria Hrynenko has told reporters that she's a good person. Apparently this good person's reckless actions led to the death of two young men, led to the homelessness of dozens of families and businesses, and led to the loss of their worldly possessions. Her actions and those of four others were criminal. I look forward to the commencement of the trial and I hope this sends a strong message to other landlords and contractors that you will be held accountable for your actions."

Updated 1:45 p.m.

Here's some coverage from The New York Times:

Mr. Vance outlined a scheme as contemptible as it was craven, involving a crooked contractor, an unscrupulous plumber, a greedy landlord and her son — all so eager to get tenants into newly renovated apartments with the average rent running $6,000 per month that they were willing to cast aside any concern for safety.

Even in the last moments before the explosion, two of the defendants are accused of running out of the building without warning any of the residents or patrons inside a ground-floor restaurant or even calling 911.

“The individuals involved in the East Village gas explosion showed a blatant and callous disregard for human life,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in an unusually blunt statement.

Updated 6 p.m.

Aside from the two fatalities, Vance said that at least 13 people suffered serious injuries in the blast A 21-year-old student here visiting from Berkeley during spring break lost an eye and fractured his larynx. Two firefighters also suffered serious injuries.

Updated 10 p.m.

A few more details from different sources... ABC News reported that all of the defendants pleaded not guilty today. And DNAinfo wrote that all of the defendants, except Trombettas, were held on a $1 million bail each.

Updated 2/12

The Post today...

Historic carriage house on East 13th Street hits the market for $18 million

First, let's check out the Cushman & Wakefield listing for the building at 126-128 E. 13th St between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue:

A NNN leased three level, Beaux-Arts style, loft building located on the south side of East 13th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. The space is leased to Peridance, a dance studio, until March 2028 with a 5 year option. The rent will increase to $623,673 per year in March 2016 and then have 3% annual increases thereafter. The tenant is responsible for all operating expenses and repairs for the property. The rent of only $40/RSF, is half of market value providing tremendous future upside. The lease is guaranteed by Capezio Ballet Makers Inc.

The asking price is $18 million. In addition, the same seller is offering the adjacent property to the south, 123 E. 12th St., for $8.5 million.

As for 126-128 E. 13th St., this is believed to be the last surviving horse and carriage auction mart building in New York City, according to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), who helped keep the structure from becoming a seven-story condo back in 2006.

In addition, the building served as the studio of artist Frank Stella, and during World War II was an assembly-line training center for women. (Read more about the building's history at the GVSHP website here.)

In May 2012, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to landmark the building. Several months before this vote, a State Supreme Court judge ordered the sale of the property after the condo developers lost a foreclosure suit, according to The Real Deal.

Image via Cushman & Wakefield

[Updating] Explosion on 2nd Avenue and East 7th Street

Crazy explosion on 7 and 2nd east village #fire #explosion pic.twitter.com/U3Z4mx3Wut

— J K (@Jamie_S_Kennedy) March 26, 2015

Just heard an explosion and my entire building shook!! #explosion #manhattan #eastvillage

— Tosha Ryan (@Tosha_Ryan) March 26, 2015

There was just an explosion on 2nd avenue and 7th street east village pic.twitter.com/jvSbfdCSSe

— Jonathan (@jmeyers44) March 26, 2015

[Photo by Jonathan Jones]

3:29 p.m. FDNY says a building collapse at 125 Second Ave. (Officially it's 121 and 123 Second Ave.)

MAN 3-ALARM 125 2 AVE, MIXED OCCUPANCY MAJOR BUILDING COLLAPSE,

— FDNY (@FDNY) March 26, 2015

3:31 p.m. The scene from East Sixth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square

@evgrieve Building exploded. pic.twitter.com/ChTrXe2bRJ

— Liberation Iannillo (@liberationnyc) March 26, 2015

123 Second Ave explosion. FDNY here. pic.twitter.com/fvpeeu6fhp

— Scott Westerfeld (@ScottWesterfeld) March 26, 2015

Second Ave is closed to traffic from 9th Street all the way to Houston. Crowd control underway. No pedestrians allowed from 9th to 7th.

— Scott Westerfeld (@ScottWesterfeld) March 26, 2015

3:47 p.m.

U/D Manhattan: 125 2 Ave FDNY reporting 3 FireFighters missing. Search on the way 10-66 Transmitted. #FDNY #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/AftWTCRNCg

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) March 26, 2015

125 2 Ave FDNY reporting 3 FireFighters missing. Search on the way 10-66 Transmitted. #FDNY #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/OjmROq5CXk @evgrieve

— urban myths, legends (@urbanmyths) March 26, 2015

Building partially collapsed on 7th St and 2nd av #eastvillage @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/ogvrXa20hl

— Hansley Yunez (@hyunez) March 26, 2015

3:54 p.m.

Unreal! Those poor people. @tinman_131: 123 2nd ave Fire @evgrieve #eastvillage #fire #FDNY #NYC pic.twitter.com/tzn5jezwMr

— Liberation Iannillo (@liberationnyc) March 26, 2015

3:56 p.m. The Post reports that up to 30 people are injured. The FDNY is trying to contain the fires from spreading to more buildings on the west side of Second Avenue between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...

4:04 p.m.


[Image via @brittanyTvisser]

4:13 p.m. Coverage from WABC-7...

The FDNY arrived on the scene to find a sushi restaurant on the lower level collapsed and smoke pluming throughout the building. Then flames began shooting through the roof and quickly spread to a neighboring building.

Firefighters were pouring water onto the flames, but they had to pull back due to the intensity, and fire officials expected one or both of the buildings would eventually fall.

[Photo via @mesh_mellow]

4:20 p.m. The scene now looking north on Second Avenue by peter radley...









The scene from East Fifth Street and Second Avenue...



4:22 p.m. The scene from East Seventh Street and First Avenue via John Iz...



4:33 p.m. The scene from East Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue via John Iz...



4:43 p.m.

In East Village, firefighters draw water from a block away. pic.twitter.com/InD683Exhh

— Stephen Nessen (@s_nessen) March 26, 2015

LOOK: Aerial view of East Village explosion via @NYPDSpecialops; more coverage on @CBSNLive http://t.co/FRGD8IS3m1 pic.twitter.com/YtHXmSAEdx

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 26, 2015

#BREAKING: Aerial view of building collapse @NYPD9Pct. Numerous rescue units on scene #SOD #ESU #K9 #Aviation #FD pic.twitter.com/d9iX4GOBUd

— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) March 26, 2015

More from the NYPD Special Ops...





4:53 p.m.

@evgrieve from my roof now. pic.twitter.com/VN9hYYYh61

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) March 26, 2015

4:55 p.m.

#RedCross is at the scene of the #EastVillage fire/collapse to support affected residents. #RCDAR

— NY Red Cross (@redcrossny) March 26, 2015

#NYC get ready to help with clothes, etc and help the @RedCross as there were 20 apts.. People displaced, all is gone. Pray.

— Katie (@TalkerNewYorker) March 26, 2015

5:05 p.m. A reader just shared this video ... not sure of the exact time...



5:06 p.m. From The Wall Street Journal:

A preliminary investigation indicated the fire and building collapse was due to a gas explosion, the official said.

The scene created chaos in the East Village, a neighborhood filled with apartment buildings, restaurants and bars. Perry Kroll, who lives a block away, said he felt his whole building shake, and all of his neighbors spilled out into the street.

“There’s an epic smoke column rising from the block,” he said. “I can see really big flames everywhere and chunks of ash falling from the sky. It looks like a building just blew out into the street. It’s just absolute chaos.”

5:10 p.m.



5:13 p.m. From The Neighborhood School on East Third Street between Avenue A and First Avenue

Dear Families,

By now I am sure you've heard about the building collapse/fire in the Lower East Side. Our school will be used as a Red Cross Shelter for displaced families starting tonight. If you, or anyone you know needs any kind of assistance, please let me know.

5:20 p.m. The view now from 190 E. Seventh St. via John Iz...



5:23 p.m.

Video shows East Village building collapsing after explosion and intense fire. (courtesy of Daniel Berkowitz.) Watch updates LIVE on NY1: http://bit.ly/1ACyxrg

Posted by NY1 on Thursday, March 26, 2015

6:09 p.m.

The Red Cross is setting up at The Neighborhood School on East Third Street… we haven't heard anything about donations for those residents who lost their homes this afternoon…


[Photo by Yenta Laureate]

6:15 p.m.

Clarification from FDNY. blast inside 121 2nd ave. that five story building and 123 next door collapsed, damage to 119 and 125. #1010wins

— Al Jones (@aljoneswins) March 26, 2015

6:27 p.m. The Times has updated its story.

A powerful explosion in the East Village on Thursday caused two buildings to collapse and ignited a large fire that quickly spread to neighboring buildings, leaving at least a dozen people injured, at least three of them critically.

Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York, speaking at a news conference at the scene, said that “preliminary evidence suggests a gas-related explosion” was caused by plumbing and gas work being done at 121 Second Avenue, near Seventh Street.

The explosion and ensuing fire destroyed that building and led to the collapse of an adjacent building, 123 Second Avenue.

Two other buildings were damaged, and one of those buildings was still in danger of collapse, officials said.

The buildings that house Pommes Frites (No. 123) and Sushi Park (No. 121) have been destroyed.


[Photo via @nypost]

7:37 p.m.

This is my street right now #EastVillage pic.twitter.com/FGjDWOTLUP

— Julia (@juliabackon) March 26, 2015

7:47 p.m. Here is the full text of Mayor De Blasio's press conference earlier… as well as comments from other city officials...