New thrift store on Third Street to open next week

Last week I mentioned that the former Dance Tracks on Third Street near First Avenue is becoming a thrift/vintage store... Last night, I noticed that workers were filling the stores with clothes...






All I know is the shop is expected to open next week... the following week at the latest...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Long dormant Dance Tracks soon to be home to a vintage clothing store

Smell like gentrified railroad tracks

You may have seen this over at Racked yesterday... worth calling attention to....



For only $145 ($220 for 100ml), you can buy Bond No. 9's new High Line fragrance.

Per the Post today:

"This is a real, local, New York railroad-track fragrance," Rahme said. "Eighty percent of the notes come from plants and flowers that grow on the High Line."

But as much as New Yorkers may love grazing weeds, purple love grass and oak, many had doubts about wearing them.

"Gee, I hope it's not based on some of the dog poo that lies around here a lot of the time," said Gretta Baker-Allen, 27.

An inspired Thomas Verlofski, 24, said, "Maybe I'll design an after-shave based on the smell of the public toilets in Penn Station. I'm sure that would be a best-seller."

Noted

Via BuzzFeed: "The New Orleans nightclub Republic instituted a new dress code this month, refusing entry to anyone dressed like the kids from Jersey Shore."

Grieveslist: Roommate wanted for great two-bedroom apartment on East Fourth Street

Every so often we hear of a nice, easy-going person looking for a nice, easy-going roommate... you know, no whackjobs... Here is such one nice person looking for a roommate...

I just moved into a gorgeous, well-renovated two-bedroom apartment in the East Village and would like to rent the spare bedroom out to someone by March 1. The apartment has a great layout, real windows in every room including bathroom, kitchen and living room, lots of sunlight throughout, and a full bathroom w/tub. The spare bedroom is lovely and fits a full-size bed, small desk and chair, cabinet, and it has a closet in it with overhead storage space. This room is currently fully furnished but can come unfurnished. It has a large window, great light and exposed brick and the entire apartment has gorgeous brand new hard-wood floors.

I have two cats, so cat-friendly people only please. I am female, 30-something, friendly and social, very chill. This place is for someone looking for an airy, light, sunny apartment in a very well-kept old East Village building. It’s on 4th street, which is a great block, and is a couple blocks from the F/V trains and a 10 minute walk from the L train. Lots of bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, etc if you don’t know the area, but also it is a quiet and lovely street. The apartment is in the back of the building so no street noise. It is super cute. Please get in touch if interested.

She's asking $1,350.

Interested?
E-mail:
rschlam@hotmail.com

[Update: By the way, this is legit... there's no punchline or Lady Gaga jokes here....]

2 Cooper Square looking for some "masculine, attractive, intelligent" Clive Owens types with kids — but, lordy, not kids who actually live with them!

Well, if you've been following along, then you seen our little 2 Cooper Square grow up right before eyes on Cooper Square at Fourth Street.... The 15-story rental-retail combo is coming along nicely....



Now! The difficult part. Getting people to move in. So we'd better get some sexy dude types to make us swoon... The casting call has gone out for the "2 Cooper Building Brochure and Web footage" project. An EV Grieve Reader and actor sent along the notice....



And the lead: Male / 40 to 50 / Caucasian

"Masculine, attractive, intelligent, a Javier Bardem or Clive Owen type occupation is not easily guessed, possibly has teenage kids who don't live with them"

They're also requesting submissions for extras from "New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico."

More floors for Seventh Street and Avenue D

In his Mixed Used column this week in The Villager, Patrick Hedlund reports that 91 Avenue D at the southwest corner of Seventh has sold for $1.32 million (or $443 per square foot!) ...

To the story:

The buyer purchased the 2,982-square-foot building, which features about 2,400 additional square feet of air rights, as an investment property and plans to construct additional floors, according to Phillip Huang, a senior associate at Massey Knakal.

"I think that those smaller deals are just getting a ton of interest now," he said, adding that the site, located on the fringes of the East Village next to large housing projects, generated about 10 offers in two months on the market.

And later:

With properties selling for "under a million and a half, $2 million, you get a lot of people who probably were looking at residential [units] and now they're looking at some cheaper buildings," Huang added.

Uh-huh.

Looks as if this block will be getting spruced up. The new home of the Lower Eastside Girls Club will be built on Avenue D between Seventh Street and Eighth Street. (This 12-story building -- a new development that will actually give something back to the neighborhood -- will include a community center and 72 apartments.) According to a recent column by Scoopy, the Girls Club will be breaking ground in April.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Will Avenue D finally turn into Avenue C?

Meanwhile, before we christen Avenue D the next Greenpoint...

At 401 E. Eighth St. just a few steps off Avenue D, a new six-story apartment building was slated to go up in this lot...



However, the lot appears to be abandoned now... I haven't seen any activity here in months...




Shiming Tam Architects are listed with the DOB. A search of their site doesn't turn up any plans for this space.

And some photos of the lot from this past October...Because, dear reader, I enjoy nothing more than taking photos of empty lots.

Another million dollar A Building home back on the market

At the A Building, 425 E. 13th St., between Avenue A and First Avenue, another unit has hit the resale market. Yesterday, Corcoran listed unit 4C for $1.385 million.

According to the listing:

Feel like you're on vacation in this LUXURY Two Bedroom, Two Bath plus a BEDROOM SIZED Home Office and Terrace located in "The A Building". You are guaranteed to never be bored, In this full service building you have a 24 hour Doorman and Concierge, Engaging Rooftop Pool, a Health/Fitness center, Courtyard Garden and Floor to ceiling windows. Rooms are wired for internet and cable.

Apparently the previous owners got bored. The unit was originally sold in March 2008 for $1.27 million. You can see this unit for yourself during an open house Sunday noon to 3 p.m.



Hope that booze is still on display in the kitchen... (Whoa, did we just walk into a bachelor pad?!)



According to StreetEasy, there are six other active sales at the A Building, including the penthouse with the zebra skin rugs... Five of the units are resales. Aside from 4C, which was discussed above...

Unit -- Resale Asking Price
5A -- $1.47 million -- (sold in April 2008 for $1.275)
PH -- $2.1 million -- (sold in March 2008 for $2.05)
5N -- $920K -- (sold in May 2009 for $790k)
4B -- $795k -- (sold in March 2008 for $670k)

Dolphin Gym hangs it up on Avenue B

Thanks to an EV Grieve reader for pointing out that Dolphin Gym on Avenue B near Second Street has closed effective last night... the sign explains it all...



The reader echoed my sentiments: I don't know how the owners can expect to rent out a basement space under a Duane Reade for much...

Noted

Somehwere on Broadway downtown.

The cat's meow on Avenue B

If you get over to the corner of Seventh Street and Avenue B, then you still might be able to claim this humongous cat tree/scratching post seen a little big ago...

Please no

Via. (Thanks to Lux Living)

Something IMPORTANT looking happening this evening in the Cooper Square Hotel's penthouse

Feel free to guess...because I have no idea.

EV Grieve Etc: Mourning Edition

Busy Bee manager speaks out on bust (StreetsBlog)

Jill stands up against rubber stamped liquor license transfers (Blah Blog Blah)

Somehow I missed Goggla's Chico mural collection (The Gog Log)

Luc Sante's "Folk Photography" (BoingBoing)

People behind Avenue A's Common Ground open new location on West Third St. (via press release)

Lady GaGa says she has a dick (Gawker)

An amazing home on Avenue A (The New York Times)

"The Vanishing City" trailer (Flaming Pablum)

The Pleasure Chest circa 1972 (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Life magazine looks at NYC's "doomed palaces of iron" circa 1970 (This Ain't the Summer of Love!)

A workshop on affordable housing (BoweryBoogie)

Noted

From Page Six today:

East Village institution Lit may be under fire from the city over smoking violations, but it didn't stop the hipster masses from swarming the club for its eighth anniversary party Monday night. "It was wall-to-wall packed," says one guest. "For some reason, [porn star] Ron Jeremy was there and the NYU girls were going nuts."

[Image via]

What $10,000 a month gets you in "East Greenwich Village," aka East Eighth Street near Avenue C

In which we continue our obsessive occassional look at really expensive homes in the East Village.







According to the listing (this, by the way, is NOT a new listing... this home has been on the market for about four months...):


331 East 8th Street (between Avenue B and Avenue C)
E. Greenwich Village
$10,000 / month

Welcome to the East Village's most cutting edge condo Penthouse residence. The keyed elevator opens directly into this spectacular home fully furnished with imported designer furniture including a 65-inch plasma TV in the living room. Blessed with over 3000sf of total space, this 3 bed 2 bath Penthouse has a Private Rooftop with Sun Shower and year long Heated Jacuzzi. Everything is state-of-the-art from the top-of-the-line designer kitchen with Sub-Zero refridgerator and 6 burner Viking stove, to the 4 1/4" wide plank white oak floors and solarium bay windows throughout this extraordinary masterpiece of a home. Aside from the functional private rooftop this Penthouse also has 3 huge terraces and is completely sun-drenched. Spectacular landmark views of the Empire State, Chrysler and MetLife buildings along with views of the blossoming willow trees, parks and East Village charm. All bedrooms easily fit king size beds and are loaded with closets plus walk-in closet in the 3rd bedroom and washer/dryer. Live/work approved and fun layout makes this home a unique living opportunity. Exclusive and private by Manhattan's best kept secret restaurants and happening spots with thrilling views and country peacefulness make this Penthouse home a delightful living experience.

Or if that dump on East Eighth Street is too fancy for you, then try this one...

This unit on Eighth Street and Avenue B is new to the market this week.... In fact, this is where Matt Dillon has been living of late. (OMG! Maybe this is Matt's old rental!)



Per the listing at Corcoran:

Only dream of finding a space and a location such as this!!! You can actually live in it and enjoy it! One-of-a-kind 2,000 square foot loft facing Tompkins Square Park on Charlie Parker Place (Ave. B) with 20' ceilings, 12' windows facing directly West on the Park and South on 8th Street. The unit has brand new kitchen and bathroom. The space could be divided to create a third bedroom or left open to enjoy its splendor. This landmarked building has been part of the history of the East Village and only gets better with time. Live "way outside the box" and be a part of NY history!

And I'm still wrapping my head around this line, "You can actually live in it and enjoy it!"

Anyway, 295 Avenue B was completed in 1887... It was known as Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Lodging House as well as Tompkins Square Lodging House for Boys and Industrial School, Children's Aid Society.

EV Grieve addresses the Coop barf backlash (and yes, the Serial Vomiter struck again)

Two weeks ago, EV Grieve posted a, um, post titled "Devomiting story: No one threw up on the Coop this past weekend, however..." Several e-mailers and commenters thought please, enough, take your obsession somewhere less visible. Said one commenter: "please, enough, take your obsession somewhere less visible."

So, EV Grieve listened. So now if, and only if, you are interested in following the Cooper barf story, then you may click here for the very best in hyperlocal vomiting reporting. Again, you go HERE for the new site. Otherwise, please continue reading the next post. Thank you.

East Fifth Street latest block to get an out-of-place metal-steel-glass box

Back in November 2008, we noted the destruction of the house at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Last summer, we learned that this lot would soon be home to a five-story, 10-unit apartment...

And now Curbed has the details on just what this complex will look like... prepare to burn your retinas...



According to Curbed:

The firm's web site also says the steel and concrete building (with metal balconies) is five stories, but our advanced math skills have us thinking it's more along the lines of six. After checking out the plans, our original tipster wrote back: "Six stories & ten units sounds reasonable, but that building is stylistically out of sync with the rest of the block. Reminds me more of the condos going up in Greenpoint."

Out of sync is right... this stretch of the East Village has always been one of my favorites...

Business opportunity of the day

A business opportunity via Craisgslist:

BDSM CLUB/AGENCY for SALE (Downtown)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BDSM Incall/Outcall agency.

LEGAL, profitable business looking to expand and/or move to a bigger facility.

Mistresses, switchers, submissive girls on staff. Profitable multi-year history.

Staff, dungeon, website (2.1 MILLION hits over two years), current advertisements, affiliate websites, all included.

Moving overseas. Now is your chance to OWN a FUN and Profitable business.

Serious offers only.

More on the Busy Bee Bike bust

Jack Savage at StreetsBlog has a lot more details about the bust at Busy Bee Bike shop on Sixth Street this past Friday...

Busy Bee Bikes, a familiar destination for local cyclists, was forced to close its doors last Friday for criminal possession of stolen property, according to Lt. Patrick Ferguson of the Ninth Precinct.

One Busy Bee employee was arrested at the store that day after purchasing stolen property from an undercover officer, Ferguson said, adding that the owners of Busy Bee will appear in civil court on Wednesday.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Busy Bee Bike shop busted on East Sixth Street

Slacktivist leader to NYU: We have had enough

In response to some earlier NYU-related news today.... A message from Slacktivist leader John Penley:

Attention NYU students: Tell your University We have had enough! Can't take no more. I have decided to organize a protest against out of control NYU dorm expansion. No date set yet... Tell people who support this to friend me on Facebook. Slactivists are gonna be at Washington Square Park. Count on it !!!!!!

Penley's Facebook page is here.

Liquor license transfer in the works for Superdive

The Lo-Down has the early word on the CB3 March Liquor License Applications... and as they note:

Superdive on Avenue A (transfer of full liquor license – this will get the EV’ers going)

Indeed!

More on this later, of course!

Meanwhile, as Eater reported yesterday, Superdive's kegmaster has moved on...

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB3 didn't approve a liquor license for Superdive; "a nice neighborhood Internet café-bookstore" becomes a bar with keg service at tables

After helping ruin the East Village, NYU turns its attention to covering it

With the help of The New York Times, the East Village is officially now a hyperlocal journalism experiment at NYU. Not content to just gobble up real estate all over the neighborhood, decapitate churches and fill the streets with obnoxious students, NYU has now teamed up with The New York Times to gentrify the EV blogosphere. Here's the official release:

NYTimes.com announced today a collaboration with New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute to create a new Local community news and information Web site covering the East Village in New York City.

The Local East Village site will be developed by N.Y.U.'s journalism faculty and students and is scheduled to launch later this fall. Richard G. Jones, an award-winning veteran journalist and former New York Times reporter, will serve as the editor of the site. Mr. Jones will work with students, faculty and the East Village community to cover the news of everyday life in the neighborhood.

Together with N.Y.U. professors Yvonne Latty and Darragh Worland, Mr. Jones will also manage "The Hyperlocal Newsroom," a course that will allow students to engage in a variety of ways, including reporting and writing for the site. Summer courses will also be available for students of other journalism institutions.

Awesome that the Times thinks enough of the East Village to assign the beat to some NYU grad students who have lived here for a short time. (The Times has two other Local community news sites: one for Maplewood, Millwood and South Orange, N.J., the other in Ft. Greene and Clinton Hill.)

Per Choire Sicha at the Awl: "[M]y third and minor objection is that most of the reporters are going to be young people who actually don't know anything about the history of the area they're reporting on. But that's fine, if they are smart or have time to learn things or have a good editor."

Jay Rosen, who directs NYU's Studio 20 program, has a lengthy explanation of the project here. An excerpt:

Permit to say what I find so fascinating about this project. Man, it has everything in it — everything I’ve been studying since I gave my first talk to newspaper editors in Des Moines, Iowa in 1989. It’s neighborhood journalism; it’s cosmopolitan too. It’s about innovation; it’s about the classic virtues, like shoe leather reporting. It combines the discipline of pro journalism with the participatory spirit of citizen journalism. It’s an ideal way to study the craft, which is to say it’s an entirely practical project. It’s what J-school should be doing: collaborating with the industry on the best ways forward. It’s news, it’s commentary, it’s reviewing, it’s opinion, it’s the forum function, community connection, data provision, blogging — all at once. LEV I said is a start-up, but it’s starting with the strongest news franchise there is: the New York Times.

And!

[T]he thing I really love about it… NYU is a citizen of the East Village, a powerful institution (and huge land owner) within the frame. Our students are part of the community; they live there, or at least a lot of them do. Because we’re located there; we can’t really separate ourselves from our subject. Look, not everyone is going to be thrilled that NYU is doing this with the New York Times. We’ll have to take those problems on, not as classroom abstractions but civil transactions with the people who live and work here. You know what? It’s going to be messy and hard, which is to say real. But what better what is there to learn what journalists are yet good for in 2010?

I have a lot of mixed feelings about all this... too much to try to process at the moment... I wasn't thrilled with the earlier incarnation of this project. (And I'd still like to know what happened to the comments on this article. And how the reporter first heard about the incident.)

In any event, the editor at the NYU site who sent me the news release about the local East Village site? She lives in Brooklyn.

For further reading:
The 'Times' Comes for the East Village with Another Non-Paying Student Paper (The Awl)

How bad was the Bowery Wine Company?

"it was so bad I didn't even foursquare it"

-- Part of a paragraph-long e-mail from a reader who had to meet friends at the Bowery Wine Company. The ultimate insult for 2010?