EVG Etc.: Ridership surge swamps Citi Bike; Velazquez endorses Rivera

Photo on 1st Avenue by Derek Berg

• The latest on the Open Restaurants Program, with comments from East Village restaurant owners (The City) 

• Labor shortage keeps Veselka from being open 24/7 (Insider) 

• At Zaragoza Deli & Grocery on Avenue A: "An East Village home for Mexican family recipes" (CBS New York) 

• Police look for hit-and-run scooter rider who struck 2 year old on Suffolk and East Houston (1010 WINS) 

• Ada Calhoun reflects on her East Village childhood (The Post ... previously on EVG) 

• Ridership surge swamps Citi Bike (Streetsblog) 

• Early voting underway (Gothamist) 

• Rep. Nydia Velazquez endorses Carlina Rivera in crowded NY-10 primary battle (Daily News via AOL) 

• Hanging with the red-tailed hawk fledglings in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• Lawsuit: Russian oligarch throws NYC developments into disarray, including 238-240 E. Third St. (The Post) 

• A profile of Mia Yoo, artistic director of La MaMa Experimental Theater Club (The New York Times) 

• Suspect in LES subway attack arrested in Baltimore on rape charge (The Post)

• Man starts fire inside Eldridge Street spa, injuring two people (CBS New York) 

• More about Loisida, the new LES-based clothing brand via Carson Lovett and cumgirl8's Veronika Vilim (Paper ... previously on EVG) 

• A Chinatown dining guide (Eater) 

• The Egg Rolls, Egg Creams & Empanadas Festival is coming back for its 21st edition (Thrillist)

Local grocery stores with special hours for people 60 and over

Here's an expanded list of local supermarkets with senior-specific shopping hours... via local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera...

We compiled a list of supermarkets in District 2 with seniors-only shopping hours. See below 👇🏽

🛒 Union Market (240 E Houston St): 7-8 AM
🛒 Westside Market (84 Third Ave): 7-8 AM
🛒 Whole Foods (94 E Houston St): 7-8 AM
🛒 Whole Foods (4 Union Sq E): 7-8 AM

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) March 20, 2020

When there was a bank building in the middle of East Houston at Avenue A

EVG reader Steph Romeo was watching "The Naked City" from 1948 when she spotted this...



...and a view from East Houston near Norfolk looking west to Essex and Avenue A... a thin building in what is now the middle of East Houston...



On the left, you can spot the Provident Loan Society Building, which is still there today (not for long, though) on the southwest corner of Houston and Essex...



Steph look further, and found this image from the comprehensive digital collections at the NYPL... here's a shot of the building's front entrance circa 1929 ... showing the Community State Bank (not another bank branch!) and a dental office in the address that is listed as 2-4 Avenue A aka 240 1/2 E. Houston. ...


[Via NYPL]

I didn't have a chance to do any further research to find out when the building was razed ... it's also a good reminder to rewatch "The Naked City" and the subsequent TV series inspired by the film, which has many Lower East Side locations. I've haven't watched any of that in more than 10 years.

EV Grieve Etc.: DA takes on crooked contractors; 'Polarized' by Richard Kern

[Dismantled bike rack pic on 4th Street via Derek Berg]

Mount Sinai Beth Israel patient diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease (DNAinfo)

An interview with longtime East Village artist Anton van Dalen (Hyperallergic ... previously)

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. continues to crack down on crooked contractors (Commercial Observer)

Photographer Brian Rose on his latest book, a photographic history (of sorts) of the World Trade Center complex (Curbed ... previously)

Molly Ringwald sells her East 10th Street home (New York Post ... previously)

A look at Joie de Vivre Hotel at 50 Bowery (The Lo-Down)

Wrapping up the 100 Gates Project on the Lower East Side (The New York Times)

Some Summer in the City '16 pics via Alex (Flaming Pablum)

A visit to Suffolk Arms on East Houston (The New York Times)

Documenting young kestrels on the Lower East Side (Laura Goggin Photography)

12-story mixed-use building set for Delancey and Orchard (NY Yimby)

Hwa Yuan returning to Chinatown (Grub Street)

First day of NYC schools in 1915 (Ephemeral New York)

The U.S. theatrical debut of "The Apostate," the latest film by Uruguayan film programmer-turned-director Federico Veiro (Anthology Film Archives)

1979's "Mad Max" this weekend (Metrograph)

Diversions: The weirdness of the (almost unwatchable) "What is Royal Trux?" (Dangerous Minds)

...and several things going on starting tonight...

Fortnight Institute, 60 E. Fourth St. between the Bowery and Second Avenue, presents "Polarized, an intimate, underground history of New York City in never-before-seen polaroid photographs by Richard Kern from the 1980s and 90s. Polarized is an archival exhibition that serves as a historical record through slides, video footage, books, early experimental publications, and flyers." Through Oct. 9.

Richard Kern | Polarized | Opens on Friday, September 9, 6-8pm at Fortnight Institute. @richardkernnyc #richardkern #fortnightinstitute

A photo posted by FORTNIGHT INSTITUTE (@fortnight_institute) on Sep 5, 2016 at 8:55am PDT

...and an anniversary exhibit at 212 Arts, 240 E. Fourth St. near Avenue B...

A photo posted by Marina (@marinasfavorites) on Sep 7, 2016 at 1:29pm PDT

The 'Beware: Thieves are lurking the L.E.S.' sign of the day

An EVG reader spotted (and noted!) this sign at the Open House club at 240 E. Houston St. near Avenue A.

CB3/SLA January highlights include new projects from Alex Stupak and John McDonald; plus a new applicant for 50 Avenue B

Community Board 3 has released its meeting schedule for the month… here's a look at the SLA Licensing Committee docket…

But first! The meeting is Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. … at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery…

To date, not much is known about some of these applicants … so we'll just have to randomly speculate! (Like usual!) Anyway, to some East Village-related highlights from the agenda…


[132 St. Mark's Place]

Applications within Saturated Areas

• To be Determined, 132 St Marks Pl (op)
Empellón chef Alex Stupak plans to open his third restaurant at this location. The Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October.

• Swauto Ltd, 25 Ave A (op/alt/convert part of basement to lounge with additional bar)
Looks like 2A has some expansion plans…

• To be Determined, 511 E 6th St (op)
This is the former Identity Bar and Lounge, which closed back in October.

• Wafels & Dinges (Degeest LLC), 15 Ave B (wb)

• Love Craft, Johnny Favorite's (Sunrise Shadow LLC), 240 E 4th St (aka 50 Ave B) (op)
There appears to be a new player interested in the former Affaire space on Avenue B… some residents weren't too keen on the previous applicant who wanted to open Brownstone Bar and Grill.

Paperwork on file at the CB3 website lists the applicant as Mario Yagubi, owner of a boxing promotional group, as well as 1849 Restaurant, Bar and Parlor on Bleecker Street.

Here is a promotional flyer for 1849's weekend dance parties:



Alterations
• Everyman Espresso LLC, 136 E 13th St (wb/include alcohol service in theater)



• Brazen Fox Kitchen & Craft Beer (106 3rd Ave NYC Inc), 106 3rd Ave (aka 145 E 13th St) (op/2nd Fl outdoor deck in back)
The new bar-restaurant at East 13th Street … we recall that some neighbors had issues with the previous tenant, Friend House… we attended a CB3/SLA meeting where residents complained about late-night noise from the second-floor bar … but those were different operators, of course …

New Liquor License Applications

• 9 East First Street LLC, 9 E 1st St (upgrade to op)
The former Veselka Bowery space. Eater and Grub Street previously reported that restaurateur John McDonald signed a lease for a steakhouse/oyster place here. This was a scratch from a previous month.

• To be Determined, 325 Bowery (op)
This is the address of Peels… wonder what's going on here… the building was sold last summer for more than $9 million.

• Il Posto Accanto (And Another One Inc), 190 E 2nd St (op)

• Farfasha (Entrez Bar & Grill Inc), 162 2nd Ave (upgrade to op)

• Feast (Two Guize LLC), 102 3rd Ave (upgrade to op)

• Moonstruck (88 2nd Ave Food Corp), 88 2nd Ave (op)

• Robataya (America Ootoya Inc), 231 E 9th St (upgrade to op)

• Mei E Iron Sushi 38 Inc, 212 E 10th St (wb)

• To be Determined, 600 E 14th St (op)
Hmmm… this is AlphaBet Cafe at Avenue B, which has had problems of late with gas and the DOH… appears something new is in the works here.

• 279 E Houston Corp, 279 E Houston St (wb)
This is a vacant storefront between Suffolk and Clinton that last housed some kind of boutique, right?

---

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

Here's more of the November CB3/SLA docket

[Root & Bone on East Third Street]

Yesterday we looked at three of the applicants on the November CB3/SLA agenda. (Find that post here.)

And please note that the CB3/SLA meetings are now double the fun, double the drama! The meetings are now spread out over two nights.
So here's a look at some more of the above East Houston (mostly!) applicants... starting with Monday!

Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Brownstone Lounge & Grill, 240 E 4th St (op) (aka 50 Ave B)

That was quick. In the face of neighbor opposition and skepticism from Board members about a rather half-baked business plan, the applicants looking to take over the former Affaire space decided to withdraw their application during the October CB3/SLA meeting. Guess they have it all figured out after a month.

Alterations
• Rockwood Music Hall (Ken Rock Enterprises LLC), 192 Allen St (op/acoustic music in basement)

• Nublu (Tatu LLC), 151 Ave C (op/expand to upstairs)

New Liquor License Applications

• To be Determined, 8 Extra Pl (op)

Most likely the new location for Momofuku Ko.

• DY Schnitz LLC, 177 1st Ave (wb)

The mystery applicants taking over the former Something Sweet bakery.

• Root & Bone (Root & Bone LLC), 200 E 3rd St (op)

As previously reported, "Top Chef" alum Jeff McInnis and current "Top Chef" contestant Janine Boothwas are joining forces to open a restaurant called Root & Bone at the former Mama's Food Shop and Heart N' Soul on East Third Street and Avenue B.

• 9 East First Street LLC, 9 E 1st St (op)

The former Veselka Bowery space. Eater and Grub Street reported that restaurateur John McDonald signed a lease for a steakhouse/oyster place here.

• To be Determined, 269 E Houston St (op)

About the 500th time an unknown applicant has signed up to take over the former Local 269 venue on East Houston at Suffolk. The applicants always seem to withdraw before the meetings.

• Gaia Lounge (Sams 1 Lounge Inc), 103 E 2nd St (wb)

The former Animal Crackers pet shop near First Avenue.

• Moonstruck (88 2nd Ave Food Corp), 88 2nd Ave (op)

---

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

---

Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 pm — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Cantina LES (Black Fish LLC), 8-10 Ave B (op)

The former M&M Variety Hardware between Houston and East Second Street looks to become a bar/restaurant serving Mexican fare... the applicants had previously looked at 1 Ludlow St.

New Liquor License Applications

• To be Determined, 134 1st Ave (op)

This is the address of Simone at St. Mark's Place... anyone know what's happening here?

• Ginger (Gold River Restaurant Corp), 109 1st Ave (upgrade/op)

• Ethos Meze (167 AA Rest Corp), 167 Ave A (op) (saturated area)

As we first reported on Oct. 3, the Diablo Royale Este space will become a Greek place from restauranteur John Kapetanos, who operates Ethos Gallery, Ethos Meze and the Moonstruck Diners, among others.

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)

• Paprika (Inter Pepe Inc), 110 St Marks Pl (wb)

• Croissanteria (Croissanteria Inc), 68 Ave A (wb)

---

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

CB3/SLA September highlights: Mee Noodle Shop, Russ & Daughters and HiFi

CB3 released its September meetings rundown back on Friday... here's a look at the always-popular booze portion with the CB3/SLA committee...

First! The meeting info:
SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 pm — University Settlement Neighborhood Center, 189 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton.

More info will eventually roll in about some of these projects ahead of the meeting... meaning for now, we don't know much about some of these...

Applicant's name follow by current owner if applicable

Renewal with Complaint History

• Caffe Prosciutteria (Ballaro Inc), 77 2nd Ave (wb)

• Heathers (Ariel Inc), 506 E 13th St (op)

• The DL/Dinner on Ludlow (93 Ludlow St Inc), 95 Delancey St (op)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• HiFi (Patty McCarthy Inc), 169 Ave A (alt/op/ windows, interior alt, extend license to backyard)

• Table 12 (188 Ave A Takeout Food), 188 Ave A (wb) (aka 500 E 12th St)

• Papaya King (PKNY II LLC), 3 St Marks Pl (b)

The Papaya Kingers were turned down for a beer license back in May. According to CB3 documents, the St. Mark's Block Association and 8 St. Mark's Tenants' Association submitted letters and testimony in opposition to this application.

• Mikes Burgers & Bar (BAC 115 Corp), 115 St Marks Pl (upgrade/op)

• Flinders Lane LLC, 162 Ave A (op)

This is the address for The Beagle on Avenue A... a tipster told us earlier in the year that the place was quietly for sale. Perhaps they found a buyer.

• Brownstone Lounge and Grill, 240 E 4th St (op) (aka 50 Ave B)

Looks like a new venture for the Affaire space, which closed last month.

• East Village Tavern (Sweendog All Stars Inc), 158 Ave C (op)

Alterations

• Cafe Khufu (Cafe Khufu LLC), 61 E 3rd St (wb/change in hours)

New Liquor License Applications

• Mee Noodle Shop (Mee Enterprise Inc), 223 1st Ave (wb)

Returning to the East Village one of these days...

• Confessional (Kingfish Group LLC), 308 E 6th St (op)

This space east of Second Avenue has been on the market in recent months.

• Caravan of Dreams (The House of Health Healing & Happiness Inc), 405 E 6th St (upgrade/op)



• To be Determined, 269 E Houston St (op)

Again, again, again.

• Bistro Jules (Bistro Jules Management Inc), 65 St Marks Pl (wb)

• Figaro Bistro Grill (La Pasta Presto Grill Inc), 344 E 6th St (op)

• Milosun Sushi Inc, 141 1st Ave (wb)

Looks like a new concept for this carousel of an address... most recently Ippin.

• Russ & Daughters Cafe (Fourthgen LLC), 127 Orchard St (op)

Interesting! A cafe from the legendary Russ & Daughters around the corner. But! Per the Lo-Down: "We checked in with R&D management and were advised that there’s really nothing to say just yet."

-----

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

Union Market signage up; Oct. 22 opening date set

The Union Market Watch continues on Avenue A and East Houston... The sign arrived on Friday...

A tipster now hears that the opening date is Oct. 22.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About Union Market coming to Avenue A and Houston

Mid-summer now at the earliest for Union Market on Avenue A and Houston

Blockbusters: Union Market coming to 240 East Houston; Discovery Wines looking for new home

On the August CB3/SLA docket: Pretty much every East Village storefront will soon be a bar

In August, the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee is the only Community Board 3 group to meet... on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the usual place — JASA/Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at Bowery.

Given the number of applicants, they may need to meet twice in August... there are 45 items in total. (Last August, there were just 16.)

Everyone wants a piece of the East Village Gold Rush... there's no stopping this until every business is a bar. Doesn't it seem that way? It's beyond out of hand.

Here's a look at just some East Village-related items... we don't have much information about any of these applicants just yet... The full rundown is at the CB3 website.

Renewal with Complaint History

• Affaire (Chow Main Corp), 240 E 4th St (aka 50 Ave B) (op)

• The Delancey (ADR Restaurant Inc), 168 Delancey St (op)

• UCB East (Upright Citizens Brigade East Village LLC), 155 E 3rd St (wb)

Sidewalk Café Application

• Mary Anns's (Vargomez Corp), 300 E 5th St

• Bareburger (Bare City Two LLC), 85 2nd Ave

Applications within Resolution Areas

• To be Determined, 172 Ave B (op)

This the is the rumored BBQ place coming to the former Mercadito Cantina space...

• Urge (Prince 28 LLC), 14 Ave B (op)

Ugh. No one will give up trying this space between East Second Street and Houston. CB3 shot down applicants hoping to open various clubs and brewpubs here in the past...

• Croissanteria (Croissanteria Inc), 68 Ave A (wb)

As mentioned yesterday...

• Caffe Buon Gusto (Ave B Buon Gusto Corp), 76 Ave B (wb)

They've been touting a bring your own bottle policy since opening...

• Seiei LLC, 130 St Marks Pl (wb)

Alterations

• NY Tofu House (6 St Marks Restaurant LLC), 6 St Marks Pl (wb/convert storage to dining room)

• Goat Town (511 E 5th St LLC), 511 E 5th St (op/extend front window hours)

• Lakeside Lounge (La Ritt Inc), 162-164 Ave B (op/add bar)

New Liquor License Applications

• Hi Collar (Sobaya Restaurant Inc), 214 E 10th St (wb)

The former Rai Rai Ken space...

• Café Himalaya (Norsang Café Inc), 78 E 1st St (wb)

[Bobby Williams]

• Shanasheel Corp, 124 E 4th St (wb)

This is the former Social Tees space... they moved to East Second Street last December...

• Ramen and Gyoza House Zen 6 (Zen 6 LLC), 328 E 6th St (wb)

• To be Determined, 224 E 10th St (wb)

Merciel is the boutique that sold wedding dresses... they recently closed, and something booze-related hopes to take its place.

• To be Determined, 139 E 12th St (wb)

Something coming to the long-closed D&M Convenience store at Third Avenue.

• Alder Restaurant LLC, 157 2nd Ave (op)

Hmm... this is the address for Plum Pizzeria and Bar...

• Feast (Two Guize LLC), 102 3rd Ave (op)

The New York Central Framing Annex has moved around the corner to East 12th Street... and a restaurant-bar is in the works for the old space...

• The Sterling Room, 189 E 3rd St (op)

This is the Le Caire Lounge space...

• To be Determined, 179 E 3rd St (wb)

Something in the works for the string of newly remodeled storefronts between Avenue A and Avenue B...

• To be Determined, 79 St Marks Pl (op)

Something new for the former Typhoon Lounge space... which closed in March.

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)

• Flea Market (Alouette Corp), 131 Ave A (op)

We discussed this matter back here.

• Spice Cove (CNR Enterprises NY Inc), 326 E 6th St (wb)

------

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations |up=upgrades

Late summer opening date now for Union Market

We continue to watch the northeast corner of Avenue A and East Houston... where workers have been renovating/rehabbing the space for a new Union Market. Various construction issues have delayed the opening, once set for last fall.

Here's the latest, via an email sent to residents of 240 E. Houston:

The contractors for Union Market have nearly completed their foundation work and are moving quickly forward to build out their interior space. The store's exterior work is scheduled to commence in the next week and the UM owners will be installing new brick, full-height glass panels, and a clean, continuous signature awning that should give our Building a much improved look!

In addition, unlike the previous Commercial tenants, the UM contractors will be weatherproofing all seams, to minimize the street-level erosion that occurred in the past. This Board is partnering with UM to make certain the 240 east Houston entrance to our residences is clearly delineated.

The current goal is for a Grand Opening in late August or early September.

We understand the East Village storefront will look similar to the Seventh Avenue location in Park Slope...

[Via the Union Market website]

Previously on EV Grieve:
About Union Market coming to Avenue A and Houston

Mid-summer now at the earliest for Union Market on Avenue A and Houston

Fire-ravaged Gut-renovated apartment at 240 E. Houston now on market

A new listing appeared Friday for a two-bedroom apartment at 240 E. Houston St. at Avenue A... Here are the details via Synergy New York:

Gorgeous GUT RENOVATED 1050 Square foot Penthouse One Bedroom + Home office 2 full bath apartment in Prime East Village Location.Open Living/Dining/Kitchen with brand new stainless steel appliances and W/D in suite, top floor with 2 dramatic skylights make this space bright and welcoming. Private 500 SF roof terrace with stunning views of the city. Master bedroom 12x21 with large walk in closet and built in storage cabin, Large Home office 11x14, 7 East Facing Windows. Beautiful prewar 5 Storey Elevator Building with original details and New York Charm.

The rent is $5,500 a month, and this is what it looks like... Very nice!

GUT RENOVATED? Indeed! Perhaps enough time has passed in which there isn't a need to mention the four-alarm fire that scorched the building in July 2010...

[Josh via Twitpic.]

The morning after the fire...

[EVG reader Chris]

According to multiple published reports, the fire was caused by the "unapproved use of electrical wiring," according to a FDNY official, who explained that residents had extended various cords to the roof, and stretched wires beneath roofing materials.

(You can watch video of the fire here.)

FDNY on the scene at 20 Avenue A

RyanAvenueA notes that firefighters were on the scene this morning at 20 Avenue A at Second Street. Residents said that they smelled smoke. One firefighter on the scene said that everything was OK, though he didn't provide any further details.

A major roof fire broke out next door at 240 Houston back in July 2010.

Last day for Houston Deli & Grocery

As I first reported last month, Brooklyn's Union Market will open a fancy new shop on Avenue A and Houston that will include a beef-aging facility and personal shopping services...

Meanwhile, the current tenant at 240 E. Houston St., Houston Deli & Grocery, closes today...

I stopped by during the weekend. I asked about the closing date. The owner, shaking his head and fighting back tears, said several times, "They wouldn't offer us a lease..."

Not much left...

Union Market makes their East Village move official with an Official News Release!

Thanks to a blogging friend for the following release...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Union Market to Open First Manhattan Location at 240 East Houston Street

BROOKLYN, Feb 10th, 2011 –-Brooklyn’s Union Market is set to open a new store location at 240 East Houston Street at Avenue A, bringing their experience-centered brand of grocery stores to it’s new Manhattan customers. The location is at the intersection of the East Village, and the Lower East Side.

Opening next fall, the store will bring Union Market’s unique approach and first-rate selection of goods to the borough of Manhattan for the first time since the store was founded in 2004. With its personal, convenient, and locally focused shopping experience, Union Market at Houston Street will offer all the high quality service and products that Manhattanites expect, with the personal touch of a neighborhood grocery store.

The new store at Houston Street will build upon sustainable business practices established at the LEED registered Court Street store. Union Market stocks organic, local and all-natural products, and will continue the stores’ established reputation as a customer first grocery store that offers superior goods at competitive prices.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About Union Market coming to Avenue A and Houston

Meet your new neighbor on Avenue A

Thanks to a tip from RyanAvenueA, we now know the future of 240 E. Houston at Avenue A. (Read that post here.) Meanwhile, who has been to a Union Market in Brooklyn? And what can you tell us about the stores?

Blockbusters: Union Market coming to 240 East Houston; Discovery Wines looking for new home

240 E. Houston has been on the block now for several months... and there's a taker. EV Grieve reader RyanAvenueA notes that signs just went up here for the Brooklyn-based Union Market.

Meanwhile, Discovery Wines will not be renewing their lease. Their last day is May 31 in this space at 10 Avenue A. Tim at Discovery Wines recently told me this:

"We're not going anywhere — we're staying in this neighborhood for the long haul. And while we have no concrete plans to move into a new space, we are aware of the options in the immediate area. Discovery Wines is a thriving retail shop with an established loyal customer base in the best neighborhood in NYC —" you can count on us to continue to serve our customers on lower Avenue A for many years to come."

Meanwhile, work continues on the upper levels of 240 E. Houston, which caught fire last July.

13 fires in the East Village since May 2010

After hearing about the two fires yesterday in the neighborhood, many people remarked — seems as if there have been a lot of fires here of late.

Indeed, I've covered 13 since May. (I included the manhole explosion on First Avenue... though not the car that caught on fire on East Fourth Street in September.)

Thankfully, in each of these fires, there weren't any serious injuries... and as far as what has been reported, none of the fires have been deemed suspicious by authorities....

Jan. 4, East Sixth Street near Avenue A

[Photo by EV Grieve reader Jamie]

Jan. 4, Second Avenue at East Fourth Street


[Photo by Special Monkey]

Dec. 22, First Avenue near Third Street



Nov. 29, East 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue



Nov. 14, NYU's Barney Building on East Ninth Street



Nov. 13, St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue



Nov. 11, Ageloff Towers, Avenue A and East Fourth Street...


[Photo by Cluglife]

Oct. 26, First Avenue at East Ninth Street


[By EV Grieve reader Jason]

Oct. 24, Otto's Shrunken Head, East 14th Street



July 8, 240 East Houston at Avenue A



July 12, 628 Broadway between East Houston and Bleecker Street


[Photo via Twitpic]

June 8, Second Avenue near Seventh Street


[Via Fairfax Wright]

May 12, East 14th Street at Avenue A


[Photo via Sergey]

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

Info on two block parties this Saturday (East Village Feed)

The swirly door on East Fifth Street returns (The Gog Log)

Patrick Hedlund interviews The Grumbler (DNAinfo)

The Grumbler on the perils of public sidewalks in our reality-show world (The Grumbler)

Price chopping on East 10th Street (Curbed)

The guy from Crowded House was ready to move into 240 Houston right before it caught fire (HuffPo)

115 Norfolk reveals itself (BoweryBoogie)

A hotel room on Bleecker Street for $2.75 a night (Ephemeral New York)

Underground rock scribe Jack Rabid leaves the East Village for Park Slope (Brooklyn Paper) Why? "I got married, and we bought a house. The other half of it was, I started to really hate the East Village. I used to say you’d never get me out of there with a crowbar, but it’s not the East Village I grew up loving in the late 1970s. There’s not a trace of the underground culture anymore."

And EV Grieve reader Blue Glass reports that Kathy's has completed the move a few doors down on First Avenue between 14th Street and 13th Street...




Good news... but what will become of the Tats Cru-painted gate?