Week in Grieview

Posts from this past week included ... (with a photo outside the recently reopened Nowhere on 14th Street)

• RIP Penny Rand (Wednesday) 

• Tenants: Pigeons have made empty apartment a health hazard in this Steve Croman-owned building on 7th Street (Tuesday) 

• You can own the shuttered Avenue A diner Odessa, now for sale on Craigslist (Friday) 

• Cinema Paradiso trying again with CB3 for Avenue A theater-cafe concept (Thursday) 

•  787 Coffee is opening a new location (and office) on 10th Street at 2nd Avenue (Wednesday) 

• Department of Buildings: 202 Avenue A does not have a "valid certificate of occupancy" (Tuesday) 

• Gaia Italian Cafe teases a return (Tuesday) 

• Think Coffee's brand-new curbside dining space catches fire on 4th Avenue (Thursday) 

• Uprooted tree in Tompkins Square Park (Friday) 

• Spiegel said to be returning to 1st Avenue (Wednesday) 

• Food Emporium has closed on Union Square (Monday) 

• Parks Department clears out the encampment from the Tompkins Square Park chess tables (Saturday) 

• Something to sing about: Planet Rose is reopening on Avenue A (Tuesday) 

• Rockwood Music Hall returns with live music (Thursday) 

• Gia signage arrives on the Bowery (Monday) 

• Marinara Pizza makes this corner of 10th Street and 2nd Avenue their own (Tuesday) 

• Stickett Inn bringing its cider to 1st Avenue (Thursday)

• Tony's Pizza debuts on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) 

• New alt.coffee concept vying for former Meatball Shop space on Stanton Street (Tuesday) 

... and yesterday, we're told that the 3CD Block Association planted flowers in the tree pits along Third Street between Avenue C and Avenue D ... said one resident: "An incredible effort on the part of people on the block."

H/T Bobby G!

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Tenants: Pigeons have made empty apartment a health hazard in this Steve Croman-owned building on 7th Street

Tenants at 127 E. Seventh St. say that a "toxic health hazard" exists in this building owned by convicted felon Steve Croman between Avenue A and First Avenue.

According to the residents, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation by the landlord, four rent-regulated apartments remain vacant (since 2019) in the 12-unit building.

One of the residences, apartment 4A, is said to be in deplorable shape. 

Tenants say that someone left a window open inside the apartment. As the photos below show, the apartment is now home to several pigeons... as well as several dead pigeons. The apartment is also "filled with feces, flies and maggots on the dead animals," per the tenants, who have dubbed this space "Croman's Poison Pigeon Coop."

Croman's management company and the New York State Attorney General's office were made aware of these conditions on May 8. However, neither side responded to the conditions, the tenants said. (The tenants also said they were disappointed with the lack of action by the AG's Tenant Monitor, established as part of Croman's settlement with the State.)

Meanwhile, at least one city agency is investigating the conditions in the apartment... which you can see for yourself ... 

Croman was released from jail in June 2018 after serving eight months for mortgage and tax fraud. In a separate civil case with the AG's office, Croman agreed to pay $8 million to the tenants he was accused of bullying out of their rent-regulated apartments. 

Croman agreed to relinquish direct control of his 100-plus rental buildings — including 47 with 617 units in the East Village — for the next five years as part of a settlement agreement. NYC Management — a division of the Besen Group — serves as the property manager for the portfolio. 

According to a published report at The Real Deal in October 2019, "The notorious landlord is back in action and hasn't changed his ways" since his release from behind bars.

Neighbors address the rooftop parties at this 6th Street building

Some residents on Sixth Street have launched a flyer campaign to help address the rooftop ragers at 330 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Per the flyers spotted on the block...

"We are a group of tenants living on 6th Street determined to address the issue of noise disturbances occurring every weekend — crowded parties on the rooftop with blasting music and guests yelling until late night."

Apparently, these have become a Friday-through-Sunday ritual these past few months.

There's an email address to receive updates on the group's action... as well as a prompt to file a complaint with 311. 

The landlord is Centennial Properties, which is the new name of convicted felon Steve Croman's 9300 Realty. 

According to Streeteasy, units range in price from $4,100 to $7,600 for three to four bedrooms. Amenities for a few units include balconies with at least one having a private roof deck.

H/T @vanishingny 

EVG Etc.: NYC businesses struggling with anti-Asian violence; new vendor replacing the Hester Street Fair

• Business owners struggle with unrelenting anti-Asian violence in NYC (Eater) 

• Scenes from the vigil against anti-Asian racism at Union Square (Gothamist) 

• Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera advocates for an extension on Local Law 1932, which has helped NYC restaurants hang on during the pandemic (Grub Street)

• A report from the pop-up pantry yesterday at Most Holy Redeemer Nativity Church on 3rd Street (NY1 ... previously on EVG)

• A look at the NYC jobs market amid the pandemic (The City)

• How the Strand lost its workers (Vulture ... more on Instagram)

• Convicted felon Steve Croman receives two-year extension to pay off his remaining $2 million restitution to tenants (The Real Deal)

• After 10 years, the Hester Street Fair is without a home in Seward Park (Curbed ... there's a petition in place to give the Fair another season here) 

• A review of the new documentary on iconic East Village artist and activist David Wojnarowicz (IndieWire)

• East Village-based photographer Sally Davies on her portraits of New Yorkers in their homes (The Guardian)

• A more subdued St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's (Gothamist) 

• Village Preservation is now accepting nominations for individuals, institutions, organizations, businesses, public spaces, or renovations that make special contributions to Greenwich Village, the East Village or NoHo. The Village Awards Nominations window closes on Friday, April. Awards will be presented on June 16. Learn more about the Village Awards here ... and nominate a local business, institution, community group, restoration, renovation or hero at this link.

• ICYMI: The Iggy Pop commercial for Marshall (Muse by Clio) 

Deli in the works for the SE corner of Avenue C and 10th Street

After years of use as a bar-restaurant, the storefront on the southeast corner of 10th Street and Avenue C will soon be home to a deli.

According to the @TradedNY site, the new tenant is Green Land Gourmet Deli. No word at the moment when they plan to open or what they might have to offer (aside from the usual deli-type fare!).

From July 2018 to the end of 2019, the space was a reincarnated East Village Tavern (in name only) and, briefly, Daytripper (same owners). 

Prior to this, a different set of owners ran East Village Tavern, which closed in November 2016 after eight years following a reported rent dispute with landlord Steve Croman. 

Photo via the EVG archives

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included... 

• East Village Loves NYC prepares 1st holiday feast; tops more than 70,000 meals made for hungry New Yorkers in 2020 (Wednesday) 

• A Visit with Frank "Frankie Christmas" Bianco (Tuesday) 

• This East Village resident is holding a one-man protest against landlord Steve Croman (Tuesday)

• High winds takes down the B&H Dairy awning (Friday) 

• About Evil Katsu, a pop-up ghost kitchen now open on the Lower East Side (Monday) 

• East Village season's greetings (Friday)

• Gallery Watch: Mrs. Evan Williams by Jamian Juliano-Vilan at JTT Gallery (Wednesday) 

• This week's NY See panel (Thursday) 

• The Village Voice is returning, and is this a good thing? (Wednesday)

• You may now drive — or jump up and down on — 1st Avenue at 7th Street again (Wednesday ... Monday) 

• Sweet Generation is leaving the East Village (Thursday)

• MiGarba shuts down on 4th Avenue: "We close due to New York restrictions and unsustainable rent" (Monday) 

• The now-closed Bleecker Street Bar looks to relocate to Broadway (Monday) 

• Sauced Up! spreads its wings on 2nd Avenue (Monday) 

• Medan Pasar now serving Malaysian cuisine on 7th Street (Thursday) 

• Signage reveal for Greenwich Marketplace on 4th Avenue (Thursday) 

• Teso Life is open on St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• EVG turns 13 — thank you for the kind words! (Monday)

... and a scene from outdoor dining early last week on Sixth Street...

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Personal ad as seen on St. Mark’s Place. Must hate Vincent Gallo. pic.twitter.com/HphpMmXDyx

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) December 26, 2020

This East Village resident is holding a one-man protest against landlord Steve Croman

Updated 12/28:

The management company has replaced the toilet with a working one, and did some cosmetic paint cover up in the bathroom. However, the tenants say there are still 16 outstanding HPD violations to address.

Thomas Hasler lives at 127 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Hasler, a public high school teacher who has been working remotely, and his roommate, Brian Kenner, have not had a properly working toilet since Nov. 12 ... the latest indignity on behalf of the building's landlord, Steve Croman ... which prompted Hasler to launch a one-man protest outside No. 127 on Sunday.

"I will go out every day after I finish my remote teaching to let the neighborhood and folks in our building know," Hasler told me via email.

Aside from the toilet, Croman's management company also removed the lock from the building's front door at the height of the looting this past summer, Hasler said. (The reason given: "There were complaints that packages can not get delivered inside.")

Croman was released from jail in June 2018 after serving eight months for mortgage and tax fraud. In a separate civil case with the AG's office, Croman agreed to pay $8 million to the tenants he was accused of bullying out of their rent-regulated apartments. 

As part of a settlement agreement, Croman agreed to relinquish direct control of his 100-plus rental buildings — including 47 with 617 units in the East Village — for the next five years. ... with NYC Management — a division of the Besen Group — serving as the property manager. 

According to a published report at The Real Deal in October 2019, "The notorious landlord is back in action and hasn't changed his ways" since his release from behind bars.

"Harassing rent-controlled tenants in our building has a long history," Hasler said. "The goal is to get us out and to convert the last remaining units into market-rate units. That's it in a nutshell."

Kenner, the leaseholder on the apartment, has lived in the building for 36 years. During the holidays, he has been working seven days a week. 

"So Thomas was bold and fearless enough to organize himself," Kenner said. "I will gladly participate in anything that takes place after my work is done for the day."

According to the two tenants, NYC Management reps have stated there is a "process" to go through to replace the toilet, now scheduled for Christmas Eve. (After seeing our tweet yesterday about this, local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office contacted Hasler as well as the AG's office.)

However, the roommates aren't expecting much. "The date seems pretty meaningless," Kenner said. "Who is there to enforce this date? I believe [their] style would be to promise 'relief' on the day before Christmas, and then not show up."

And how have they been making do these past seven weeks?

"So we use buckets to flush the toilet with hardly any water pressure ... while the market-rent tenant below us who was flooded by our broken toilet on Nov. 11 or Nov. 12 got his damage repaired immediately," Hasler said. "So you end up feeling powerless and harassed. And they think they can get away with it."

Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C

Multiple readers have pointed out that Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C at Eighth Street... a reader who lives nearby reports that workers emptied this space this week... 

There isn't any mention of a temporary or permanent closure on the bar-restaurant's website or social media properties.

Loverboy, specializing in pizza and slushy drinks, opened in June 2017 ... from the team behind Mother's Ruin on Spring Street. 

As previously noted, this corner space — in a building owned by Steve Croman — has been home to many concepts in recent years, some forgettable ... the list includes Lumé, the "Epicurean drinkery," ... Life — Kitchen and Bar … which had taken over for Verso. Other restaurants here in the past nine years include Caffe Pepe Rosso and Caffe Cotto. 

Before all this, the storefront once housed an excellent neighborhood bakery … (which apparently Iggy Pop frequented for cake and strong coffee in the early 1990s).

A visit to Raul's Barber Shop

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Like most local businesses, Raul’s Barber Shop at 11 Avenue B (between Houston and Second Street) is struggling during the pandemic.  

Raul Velez Sr., 78, has been at the head of his eponymous barber shop on Avenue B for 59 years, and he and his son Junior show me around space. 

I meet barber Cesar Barros, 63, who has been cutting hair here for 32 years, and learn more about the space, which was separated into individual sections for increased COVID precautions. Business has been slower recently and the shop is working to adjust.

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the barber shop no longer bears Raul’s name on the awning, nor the phone number, and the mural of Puerto Rican fighter and entertainer Hector “Macho” Camacho that used to grace the gate is also missing. 

The building (in a package deal along with its neighbor at 9 Avenue B), which was previously owned by Michael Chang now belongs to notorious landlord Steve Croman, and the shop was told to paint over everything. Junior tells me there has been no rent increase yet but they are concerned about changes might be forthcoming.

Raul’s hours right now are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but it may close early so call (212-777-1121 or 212-353-3057) before you come. Walk-ins accepted! Raul’s is pretty old-school, cash only, no website or social media.

9 Avenue B is for rent for the first time in eons

Eons! You may have noticed the recent arrival of the for lease signs outside 9 Avenue B between Houston and Second Street.

No. 9 watchers think that this storefront hasn't been in use for retail in more than 30-plus years. It was an office/storage space for Michael Chang, the previous landlord, according to one source.

Here's how the space was looking on the inside yesterday, courtesy of Stacie Joy...

The new era coincides with the sale of the building this past summer. Centennial Properties — aka the new 9300 Realty owned by convicted felon Steve Croman — is now the landlord. (You can read about Croman's post-prison dealings here.)

The retail space at 9 Avenue B — 1,000 square feet — has a monthly ask of $7,495.

No. 11 next door, also now owned by Croman, has been home for 40-plus years to Raul's Barber Shop. More on them in another post.

Alphabets has left the East Village

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

After 35 years on Avenue A, Alphabets has left the East Village.

Owner Linda Heidinger is moving the novelty-gift shop to Palm Springs, Calif. While there won't be a physical NYC presence, the store's new website will be active for online purchases.


[Staff pack up the shop on Saturday]

In 2014, Alphabets moved from 115 Avenue A to 64 Avenue A. (This coincided with a rent hike courtesy of new 115 landlord Steve Croman.)

Heidinger opened Alphabets in 1985.


[64 Avenue A earlier this month]

Updated 1 p.m.

Here's the official post via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

After 35 years on Avenue A, Alphabets is packing up and moving to Palm Springs. We’re also packing up decades of gratitude for generations of Alphabets shoppers who love ya, supported us, and kept us here. While gone from New York City, you can still shop with us online at Alphabetsnyc.com, and come visit us in Palm Springs. Evermore thanks for loving Alphabets as much as I do. -Linda

A post shared by Alphabets NYC (@alphabetsnyc) on Jun 29, 2020 at 9:12am PDT

Another fire at 204 E. 13th St.

There was another fire reported at 204 E. 13th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. Early Saturday morning, the FDNY responded to a blaze on the third floor at the address...

MAN ALL HANDS 204 E 13 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON 3RD FLR,

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) February 29, 2020

No word on the extent of the damage to the 4-story building (see top photo via a reader) or a cause.

This is the second time in 15 months that a fire broke out at No. 204. Renovations were apparently still in progress in the building following an early morning fire during Thanksgiving weekend 2018.

That fire caused extensive water damage to Bruno Pizza, the retail tenant on the ground floor in the building owned by Steve Croman. Last July, owner Demian Repucci decided that the damage was too much to overcome, and he decided to move on from the business.

Soothr, a Thai noodle bar, was expected to open soon in the space. The most recent apartment rental via Streeteasy is from last May, when a two-bedroom unit on the third floor was listed — then removed — for $5,073.

H/T Jodi!

EVG etc.: Mokyo debuts on St. Mark's Place; The Strand expands to the UWS

[Seeing double on 7th via Derek Berg]

• Concerns mount over the hotel special permit plan below Union Square (amNewYork)

• Some of Steve Croman's tenants still have chronic issues with their apartments (Gothamist)

• Details on chef Kyungmin Kay Hyun’s new restaurant Mokyo on St. Mark's Place (Eater and Grub Street ... previously on EVG)

• The Strand is opening an outpost on the UWS (Westside Rag)

• Affordable housing lottery underway for this Essex Crossing building (The Lo-Down)

• More cities and states are saying no to cashless shops (NPR ... previously on EVG)

• NYCHA's 'RAD' plan (The City)

• Look ‘n Lick, a site-specific collaborative installation, continues at mh Project NYC, 140-142 Second Ave. — open Saturday and Sunday 2-6 p.m. (Official site)

• See "Casablanca" on Valentine's Day in the big auditorium at City Cinemas on Second Avenue and 12th Street Street (Official site)

• RIP Ivan Kral (Dangerous Minds) ... and Andy Gill (NPR)

• Patti Smith helps vandalized Portland, Ore. book shop (The Oregonian — h/t Daniel!)

Kissaki debuts on the Bowery this week

Kissaki opens on Wednesday here at 319 Bowery between First Street and Second Street. (We first reported on this arrival back on Sept. 3.)

Mark Garcia, a former chef and partner of sushi bar Gaijin in Astoria, is among those behind this venture that features a 16-seat Omakase bar and a small dining area. There's a cocktail lounge coming soon.

According to the Kissaki website, they'll offer lunch and dinner service. The omakase menu in the evening runs $160 for 12 pieces of seasonal nigiri, three kaiseki-style prepared plates and one dessert.

As previously reported, the restaurant is the first retail tenant for the former Amato Opera. In January 2009, Anthony Amato, the company's 88-year-old founder, announced that he had sold the building that was home to the opera since 1964. Amato Opera staged its last performance in May 2009. (Earlier history: The four-story brick building was a cigar factory from 1899 to 1926.)

Steve Croman bought No. 319 in December 2008 for $3.7 million. The retail space had been on and off the market since at least 2012.

The retail listing had originally asked $34,995. A post on @TradedNY noted the 1,800-square-foot space went for $200 per square foot.

No. 319 also features three luxury residences, with monthly rents between $8,995 and $10,995.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Life after the Amato Opera

• Costume drama on the Bowery as the Amato Opera empties out

• Amato Opera looks to be getting an encore as city OKs residential use

• Work permits arrive at the former Amato Opera on the Bowery

• Residential rentals at the former Amato Opera on the Bowery start at $10,995

• 2nd acts: Sushi counter for the former Amato Opera on the Bowery

Avenue A storefront watch

Obscura Antiques and Oddities has officially closed, and a for rent sign now hangs in the storefront at 207 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

A variety of factors led to the closure. "Our lease is up at the end of February and we are a bit burned out," co-owner Mike Zohn told us back in November. "The business has changed as has the neighborhood, plus the expense and overhead are high."

The asking rent for the space is $4,995 — all uses considered, per the listing.

And on Avenue A at Ninth Street... a for rent notice is up at the recently shuttered Arepa Factory. The listing hasn't made it online just yet.



Meanwhile, the corner space — the former Gelarto — has been leased. The brokers didn't disclose who the new tenant is, however.

These spaces, overseen by two difference landlords — Icon on the corner and Steve Croman next door — were home to Cafe Pick Me Up until May 2015...



One last nearby storefront to note... Three Seat Espresso is now officially closed (as of Jan. 19) at 137 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street...



No word on what might be coming to this space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A visit to Obscura Antiques and Oddities, closing soon on Avenue A

• After 20-plus years in the East Village, Obscura Antiques and Oddities is closing

• Arepa Factory closes up on Avenue A

• Three Seat Espresso will close by the end of 2019 on Avenue A; founder blames Starbucks

A new East Village home for Social Tees

Social Tees Animal Rescue has secured a new space in the East Village — on Ninth Street just west of Avenue A.

Management of the 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue received the keys to their new home base last week.

Here's part of their message to us:

"We are so excited to make this a fun gathering spot for the community! It’s just an office so no animals will be onsite — all are in foster homes. We hope to do weekly and monthly events open to the public, and we’d love neighbors to stop in to say hi when we’re open."

No word on those office hours just yet.

Social Tees is also under new leadership: currently directors Samantha Brody and Marisa Adler with manager Julie Ainsbury.

They had been on the lookout for new space since moving out of their storefront on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue this past September.

Social Tees has had several storefronts in the East Village, including on Fourth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue and Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. They moved into the former Gimme Gimme Records space in early 2013.

Their new office is in one of Icon Realty's storefronts along 441-445 E. Ninth St. (aka 145 Avenue A), whose newish retail tenants mostly vacated last year.

Despite the retail turnover in Icon properties, Social Tees management said that they are "are in a much safer lease now," thanks to their team of pro-bono lawyers. Social Tees was previously in a challenging situation in a space taken over by Steve Croman.

Week in Grieview

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park today by Derek Berg]

Posts from this past week included...

Reports: 2 women kicked out of Downtime on Avenue B for confronting accused rapist Harvey Weinstein at event for artists (Thursday)

At the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade (Monday)

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet (Monday)

Gut renovations continue at the soon-to-be-expanded 264 E. 7th St. (Thursday)

Here then, the Lower East Side Quality of Life Improvement Plan (Wednesday)

After 10 years, Luke's Lobster is closing its East Village outpost on Oct. 31 (Monday)

Seems like old times: The post-prison life of Steve Croman (Wednesday)

The Salvation Army Family Store on 4th Avenue is closing next week (Friday)

Will the new Avenue A L-train entrances open soon? (Tuesday)

A sign of love at the incoming Paloma Rocket-Carbone Pizza on 7th Street (Thursday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Positive signs for Gem Spa (Friday)

Afandi Grill closes on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Newsstand arrives on 4th Street and the Bowery (Monday)


[Early evening bat sighting in Tompkins via Steven]

Looking at the Book Club signage on 3rd Street (Tuesday)

Your AT&T store signage on 14th Street and First Avenue (Friday)

The Wild Son shapes up on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Monday)

These 5 East Village restaurants are seeing Michelin stars (Thursday)

Old Fashioned Pizza debuts on 13th Street (Wednesday)

Stormproofing watch: Haven Plaza (Tuesday)

Report: Alleged host of 7th Street sex parties arrested for a probation violation (Monday)

A look at the under-renovation Irving Plaza (Thursday)

... and a peak fall shot from along 10th Street this past week by riachung00...



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Seems like old times: The post-prison life of Steve Croman

[60 Avenue B]

ICYMI: The Real Deal recently took a deep dive on the post-prison business life of landlord Steve Croman.

Croman was released from the Manhattan Correctional Facility on June 1, 2018 after serving eight months of a one-year jail sentence and paid a $5 million tax settlement following separate criminal charges brought by the AG's office for fraudulent refinancing of loans and tax fraud. In a separate civil case, Croman agreed to pay $8 million to the tenants he was accused of bullying out of their rent-regulated apartments.

A supposed independent management company is now overseeing Croman's residential properties — including 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village — for the next five years.

However, per TRD, it's pretty much business as usual for Croman. The piece starts with an anecdote about three NYU students getting the boot from the Croman-owned 60 Avenue B.

To some excerpts:

Croman’s prison stint was widely seen as a turning point in how New York pursues criminal and civil cases against alleged predatory landlords. Since his release, though, little seems to have changed for Croman. The landlord remains a regular presence at his properties, sources say, and is facing a fresh crop of lawsuits accusing him of violating New York rent laws and backing out of deals, among other claims.

As part of a settlement with the state attorney general’s office, he gave temporary control of more than 100 buildings to Michael Besen’s New York City Management last year, and the firm took over the East Village property this past July.

But while Besen’s firm was picked to oversee Croman’s properties until 2023, it’s far from a victory for tenants. In some cases, the properties are managed by former employees of Croman’s 9300 Realty, who jumped over to NYC Management soon after the deal with prosecutors was announced.

“You have individuals who worked in a corrupt culture,” said Sean Madden, the father of one of the NYU students [at 60 Avenue B]. “All they did was trade their business cards … but the business practices didn’t change at all.”

And...

According to a TRD analysis of city records, Croman’s Manhattan properties raked in an estimated $47.5 million in 2018.

The landlord also continues to visit his buildings, giving orders to supers and porters, essentially ignoring the state’s five-year ban on managing his properties, said Cynthia Chaffee, a founder of the Stop Croman Coalition who lives in one of his buildings on East 18th Street.

A spokesperson for New York AG Letitia James told TRD that Croman is allowed to visit the properties but should have “minimal, if any, contact with tenants.”

But Chaffee said tenants have already started meeting with James’ office about the time he spends at his buildings.

“We’ve been stuck with the same property managers and supers that worked for Croman, and then they were hired by NYC Management,” Chaffee said. “We have to deal with these abusive people all the time.”

And...

“He’s ferocious. Nothing has changed,” said one broker who has worked with Croman on deals. “He’s buying [properties] left and right, and it’s not like he’s using a shill or a fake name. His name is right on the contract. This guy isn’t afraid of anything.”

Read the full article here.