A bubble tea shop for this long-vacant storefront on 14th Street

Pila de Boba, offering bubble tea, macarons and ice cream, is a new tenant for 328 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The shop was scheduled to open this past Friday, per its Instagram account.

This space — now divided into two storefronts — has been vacant since Artichoke Basille's Pizza relocated across the street in June 2017. Before the move, the pizzeria suffered damage during a two-alarm fire. The FDNY said the fire was accidental — "due to heat from the pizza oven flue."

Various brokers have been trying to lease this space since early 2018. 

Thanks to Steven for the photo, and Pinch for keeping a watchful eye on the space.

Week in Grieview

[Courtside in Tompkins Square Park this weekend]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

New owners set to take over the 33-year-old Sidewalk Bar & Restaurant on Avenue A (Monday)

At the 27th Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lightning (Monday)

Here's the new facility for Barrier Free Living on 2nd Street (Monday)

L-pocalypse now: Recap of Tuesday's rally outside the MTA offices (Friday)

When in rehab: Meet Winston, the new red-tailed hawk in Dora's life (Wednesday)

Tamam now open on 5th Street (Thursday)

Plywood watch: 238 E. 3rd St. (Tuesday)

This week's NY See (Saturday)

On Lafayette Street, former shelter for homeless women is now Showfields, 'the Most Interesting Store In The World' (Wednesday)

Harassed by Steve Croman? Checks in the mail (Friday)

About the New Colossus Festival, bringing new bands to the LES/East Village this March (Wednesday)

The China Star returns to service (Thursday)

Dallas BBQ is here to stay (Thursday)

Yes, China Wok has closed (Wednesday)

On 1st Avenue, Paquito's is closed for renovations until Dec. 28 (Tuesday)

Another disappearing diner (Thursday)

Autre Kyo Ya has not been open lately (Monday)

Marking the arrival of the Alphabet 99-cent Fresh Pizza awning (Wednesday)

On 2nd Avenue, new owners for 12th Street Ale House, Durden (Monday)

Tea time for new cafe on 11th Street (Tuesday)

The incoming Bubbleology Tea now with Bubbleology Tea signage (Monday)

Short Stories shapes up on the Bowery (Tuesday)

ViVi back in bubble tea action on Allen after 2-month DOH-related closure (Wednesday)

... and there is some vigorous debate in the tree-tossing community about the discarded item on Sixth Street at Second Avenue (spotted by Derek Berg and Russell K.)...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Was this someone's Christmas tree last year? Maybe, but it's in a pot, making it more likely that it served a purpose not related to the holiday.

... and hopefully this doesn't become a copycat crime wave...

Oh yeah. pic.twitter.com/NXJ45JYmwG

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) December 16, 2018

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Rockit Scientist Records to become a bubble tea shop on St. Mark's Place

John Kioussis, the owner of Rockit Scientist Records, which closed on St. Mark's Place in the spring, passed along word of the new tenant: A bubble tea shop. Uh-huh. Seems about right these days.

"Thank you NY real estate," he said on Facebook.

Jeremiah Moss first reported on Rockit's departure. Kioussis told Jeremiah, "my lease is ending and i don't want to renew at the current rate, i asked for a rent reduction and was turned down. While business wasn't great, it just isn't worth paying $8500 a month."

Tkettle loses the BBQ Chicken on St. Mark's Place

The Korean-based BBQ Chicken chain at 26 St. Mark's Place that shares space with TKettle....



is now becoming just a TKettle space, and peddling bubble tea and other things...




The BBQ/TKettle place was shuttered by the DOH back in August. Anyway, I don't know a thing about bubble tea, but several people swear by ThirsTea on 10th Street near Avenue A, which opened last summer. There has even been a Courtney Love sighting there, I've been told, which may or may not be a good thing...

Vivi Bubble Tea coming to East 14th Street

Chinatown-based Vivi Bubble Tea is expanding… with a new shop coming this spring to 226 E. 14th St. (previously a small dress shop) between Second Avenue and Third Avenue… a poster announcing this mentions Gramercy…



Which is confusing. Because everyone knows that this area is either East Union Square … or the Northwest East Village …

Also, the check cashing place next door closed … and that space is for rent too…

Bubbleology Tea has gone out of business on 1st Avenue

The East Village outpost of the London-based Bubbleology Tea chain has closed at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Steven shared these photos of the now-empty space, which closed without any notice... (apparently, this happened a few weeks back...)

The outpost opened in February 2019 in a crowded bubble-tea market.

Previously, the landlord here, convicted felon Steve Croman, didn't/wouldn't renew the lease of the International Bar ... which closed in November 2017 before merging with the Coal Yard, down the block.

RIP Molly.

More about Bubbleology Tea, possibly coming soon to 1st Avenue

Over the weekend, some Bubbleology Tea backgrounders went up on the window at 120 1/2 First Ave., where applicants are hopeful to open a franchise here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As noted last week, the applicants are seeking a full-liquor license this month for the former International Bar space... the info on the window notes how the London-based chain got its start...



... with info on the variety of bubble teas they serve...



There's also a notice that nine of their 43 bubble teas contain alcohol (in case you were wondering why they were seeking a full liquor license) ...



In addition to the beverage menu, Bubbleology Tea will serve a "variety of authentic Sweet & Savoury Toasted English crumpets, as well as assorted snacks," per their questionnaire on file at the CB3 website ahead of Monday evening's meeting.

We'll take a look at a few other applicant's on Monday evening's SLA committee docket later this week. The CB3-SLA meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on April 16 in the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Bubbleology Tea seeking full liquor license for the former International space on 1st Avenue

Signage alert: N25 on St. Mark's Place; YGF Malatang on 3rd Avenue

Top photo by Steven

Signage arrived last week at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue for N25, a cafe serving nitro coffee and tea ... and Bánh mì.

This will be the second location for the brand that got its start in Taichung City, Taiwan.

N25 takes over for Gong Cha, yet another bubble tea shop to close along this corridor. 

Signage is up for YGF Malatang at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Per the brand's Instagram account: "The restaurant specializes in malatang, a type of hotpot very popular in the streets of China, often confused with ramen. But make no mistake, malatang is a totally different concept."

The chain is said to have more than 6,000 outposts in China, Japan and Korea ... this is the first in NYC.

This Third Avenue retail space has been empty for years, since Beijing Express quickly closed in 2019.

Poke N' Roll debuts on 9th Street

Poke N' Roll made its debut yesterday at 441 E. Ninth St. at Avenue A... they're in soft-opening mode this week, where you can preview their variety of poké bowls, bubble tea and fruit tea ...



You can find more info on them via Facebook here ... or Instagram here.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Poke N' Roll for 9th Street

More about Poke N' Roll, coming soon to 9th Street

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

There's a new sign up for Poke N' Roll at 441 E. Ninth St. and Avenue A. (We first noted this on Oct. 5.)

The new signage and the shop's social media platforms provide a few more details about what to expect here, namely poké bowls, bubble tea and fruit tea. No word though on an opening date... or who is behind this latest poké venture.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Poke N' Roll for 9th Street

Iris Bakery Cafe replacing Rockit Scientist Records on St. Mark's Place

The sign is up here now ... and as you can see, they are hiring... Not sure what kind of bakery this will be ... we heard in the fall that it will be a bubble tea shop... Or perhaps it will be one that sells bread. Or it will be more like Eastside Bakery.net a few storefronts away. Or a bakery that will become a bar after they receive a liquor license just to pair with their croissants.

Rockit Scientist owner John Kioussis decided not to renew his lease here, as Jeremiah Moss first reported.

Not a lot of information about what's next for these 2 former East Village bars

This past weekend someone removed the handpainted Grassroots Tavern sign from here at 20 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...



Kind of surprised no one tried to take it earlier (it was bolted into the wall pretty well). The bar closed after 42 years on New Year's Eve.

As previously reported, the new owner of the bar is Richard Precious, who operates the mini chain of Irish-style pubs called The Ginger Man (including the one on 36th Street).

To date, not much has been made public about his plans for the space. In addition, not much has happened inside the space (aside from some minor clean up and keg removal). An EVG tipster recently found the door open, and ventured inside.

I went over and spoke to one of the guys inside. I asked him when are they going to open. He said kind of laughing "April or May. You know how it is." I then asked are they going to use the name Ginger Man or Grassroots. He said no to Ginger Man and possibly for Grassroots. I have no idea what is the guy’s position in the organization, so you never know what’s really going to happen. To be continued.

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And over at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... the for rent sign has been removed from the former International Bar (the asking rent is $9,955) ...



According to one former employee, a bubble tea shop is moving in. Now this has not been confirmed ... and could merely be a sarcastic (yet seemingly probable) response ...



The latest iteration of the International Bar closed this past Thanksgiving. (Non-renewal of lease, via landlord Steve Croman.) The bar merged with its sister saloon, the Coal Yard, one block to the south between Seventh Street and Sixth Street.

H/T Steven!

Xing Fu Tang is now open on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

The Taiwan-based Xing Fu Tang, a bubble tea chain specializing in brown sugar boba, debuted on Saturday on the northwest corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue. 

There was a line (and crowd!) when we walked by around 8 p.m. This is the second NYC location for Xing Fu Tang, joining the one in Flushing.

Our previous post has more about this corner space (133 Second Ave./37 St. Mark's Place) in recent retail years. 

P.S. 

And we don't know if a foot rub is $32 or $36 upstairs. (Someone asked last time about the dueling signs.)

886, next-level Taiwanese food, in the works for 26 St. Mark's Place

[Photo from Jan. 23]

Last week we noted that a new Taiwanese restaurant is in the works for 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

There was an undated Community Board notice in the window noting that Tasty Taiwan LLC plans to open a restaurant with a beer-wine license...



The questionnaire for the new venture is now online (PDF here). According to the paperwork on file, the new venture is called 886 (or Eight Eighty Six, Taiwan’s country code), a full-service Taiwanese restaurant open daily from noon to midnight. The space, from operators with experience at The Tang on First Avenue, will accommodate 12 tables seating 20 diners.

Co-owner and chef Eric Sze told this to Eater: "I’m really happy to see Taiwanese food popping up everywhere, but the introductory stuff — beef noodle soup, boba, and fried chicken — has been done. There’s a lot more to offer, and we want to take it to the next level."

This item will NOT be heard during CB3's SLA meeting on Feb. 12. The meeting is in the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The previous tenant at No. 26, TK Kitchen, which served bubble tea and various Taiwanese street food, closed in December.

EV Eatery Etc.: Hi Collar, Iris Cafe now open

After a week or so of soft openingness ... Hi Collar opened yesterday in the old Rai Rai Ken space on East 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... it's the latest from Bon Yagi, who owns the whole block. Or so.



Sprudge.com had an extensive preview of the space:

Currently they are open 11-4 for lunch and coffee, and then at 6pm they switch over to a bar menu, offering an expansive array of Japanese beers and sakes alongside a selection of small plates. I talked to to Sakura Yagi, Mr. Yagi’s daughter, and she said that they are planning on incorporating a morning service of coffee and breakfast fare, including the classic kissaten “Morningu Setto” of an egg, small salad, and thick slices of Japanese style “pan” toast.

They are now serving coffee roasted by Porto Rico Importing Co.

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... On St. Mark's Place, the Iris Cafe has opened in the former Rockit Scientist space (RIP)... This Iris Cafe is not related to the one in Brooklyn... a reader stopped by and noted that this Iris Cafe is a Taiwanese-style bakery selling little cakes and bubble tea, among other items ... (there's a location in Flushing too...)


[Photo from early June]

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Angelika's Kitchen on East 12th Street is currently running this polenta special... a portion of the proceedings from the dish will go to The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) on Avenue C...



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Meant to note this earlier... workers have cleaned out Bowery Veselka... the Veselka spinoff closed April 29 ...



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... and several readers have noted that Good Guys, the burger-fries-salad-wraps-waffles-smoothie eatery that replaced a Subway on Second Avenue, has closed ...


[William Klayer]

We noted this on Friday (RIP Anus Beef)... no word on what is taking over the space.

Weekend recap: Japadog has closed

As we first reported Friday, Japadog has closed on St. Mark's Place.

The Japanese-inspired hot dog restaurant by way of Vancouver opened the first U.S. outlet at 30 St. Mark's Place to great fanfare in January 2012.

And we were completely wrong about this place… predicting long lines and the end of humanity, pretty much. (We weren't alone in this feeling!) But the place never quite seemed to catch on. (Remember when they tried a breakfast service for a day or two?)

What do you think? Too much food competition on St. Mark's Place with $1 pizza, sliders, ramen, Chipotle, etc., etc.? Not to mention an already established hot-dog specialist down St. Mark's in Crif Dogs. The arrival of Papaya King back in May could not have helped…



We haven't heard an official reason for the closure. An employee told Eater yesterday that Japadog closed due to "problems with management." There hasn't been a mention of the closure on Japadog's various social media platforms.

As for what's next here… the space is fully vented for a restaurant… we spotted the listing on Craigslist back on Thursday … still, you have to figure ramen, $1 pizza, bubble tea, FroYo or vaping products as possible candidates here…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cue the long lines: Japadog opening first New York City location on St. Mark's Place

Breaking: Japadog is closing for good after tonight on St. Mark's Place

Japadog construction starts; plus, the end of an era for 'the doorshitter'?

Week in Grieview

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park yesterday by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

NYU student discusses random weekend attack: 'He got me right to the ground and kept punching' (Monday)

Demolition permits filed for 99-101 E. 2nd St.; first look at the condoplex to come (Monday)

Report: Proposed tech hub appears 'in question' without zoning protections (Tuesday)

Julie's Vintage is closing on 2nd Street (Monday)

Report: LPC wants some revisions to the proposed condoplex for 2nd Avenue and 7th Street (Wednesday)

NYC's first Fithouse is no longer open on the Bowery (Friday)

Mono + Mono reopens on 4th Street after 5-year absence (Tuesday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

This block of St. Mark's Place lost 2 trees this week (Friday)

There are new plans to expand the mysterious 84 2nd Ave. (Monday)

Young hawk flies the nest (Saturday)

Grey Lady owner looking at new venture for the old Out East space on 6th Street (Thursday)


[Crossing the Bowery the other day via Derek Berg]

A few more details about the new Emmy Squared (Saturday)

East Village Tavern officially (re)opens (Monday)

Taiwan Bear House bringing bento boxes and bubble tea to 10th Street (Thursday)

Dry cleaners where Kim's Video got its start on Avenue A is closing (Thursday)

The Silky Kitchen signage arrives on 13th Street (Tuesday)

Rue St. Denis bids au revoir to Avenue B (Tuesday)

Eggloo closes 1 year in on Avenue A (Monday)

... and workers removed the sidewalk bridge from outside Search & Destroy on St. Mark's Place this past week... a few residents were hoping the bridge next door outside 19-23 St. Mark's Place would come down too... seems as if it's been up for an awfully long time...



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Shiina opens on 3rd Avenue

Shiina, a women's boutique selling clothing, accessories and makeup, has opened at 83 Third Ave. at 12th Street...



Don't know too much about the store just yet... nice to see someone try to make a go of it with a retail shop, though. (Perhaps they could have timed the opening around NYU's schedule. School has adjourned for the summer.)

The space had been vacant here in the base of NYU's Third North dorm since November 2015, when Pushcart Coffee closed after just five months in business. The address was previously home to Just Sweet, which sold bubble tea and desserts.

H/T EVG reader Laura K.

Some Tasty Taiwan for the former TK Kitchen on St. Mark's Place

TK Kitchen, which served bubble tea and various Taiwanese street food, closed in December here on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The goodbye noted posted to the TK Facebook page left the door open for a return: "[W]e have a new idea [that we are] planning at the moment, we will be back soon!"

There is now a Community Board notice up in the window (the February meeting hasn't been announced yet) ... noting that Tasty Taiwan LLC plans to open a restaurant ... and they will be applying for a beer-wine license...

MAD Toast House has gone out of business

MAD Toast House is, well, toast here at 332 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

A tipster noted that paper arrived on the door and window yesterday, officially bringing an end to the shop that served a variety of bubble tea, sparkling water and toast-related creations. Yelp and Google both list MAD as permanently closed.

MAD opened early last June, and lasted 43 (and a third) years less than the previous tenant, Clayworks Pottery, which was forced to close in the fall of 2017 thanks to predatory landlord Raphael Toledano.