Why they'll be dancing now at 55 Avenue C

Olivio's, a homey and unusual little shop (part gaming, part yarn!), closed at 55 Avenue C in July 2009 after 36 years in business. While there was a slight rent increase here near East Fourth Street, the proprietors of this father-son operation said that they simply couldn't make a go of it anymore...




Given that Avenue C of late has attracted fancy drink emporiums such as Summit and Bedlam, we figured a more-upscale business would likely take over the space.

Well, turns out something that we never quite expected is opening here this week...



The East Village Dance Project, in partnership with GOH Productions, is opening the Avenue C Studio ...





The space will offer ballet classes for kids and adults... Check out their website for more information. There are free classes being offered this week... and an open house on Sunday afternoon...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Olivo's on Avenue C.

Eleven now open on First and 11th

The former Village Fabrics Store is now a new/used vintage clothing shop, as we previously mentioned...





We hope that they will be able to make the rent here... We'll check back in a few weeks once they get a chance to get up and running a bit...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Closing sale at Village Fabrics

Village Fabrics to close next month

A canopy fit for a (gyro) King

I always like a good sidewalk canopy... (No really — I do... just look here.)



Anyway, as the newish awning shows, work continues to creep along here at the incoming King Gyro on First Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street ... first noted the incoming eatery back in September.



Previously on EV Grieve:
The canopies of NYC

An Avenue A now and then... from last Monday

Dec. 27...



Jan. 3...



Not exactly lined up... but you get the idea...

Rent rally tonight

From the EV Grieve inbox...

Tonight at 6, tenants and advocates from across the five boroughs will be rallying on the steps of City Hall to show their support for renewing and strengthening New York's rent-stabilization and rent-control laws.

Approximately 2.5 million New Yorkers depend on these laws, which are set to expire on June 15.

What: Candlelight Vigil to Save Our Rent Protection Laws

When: Tonight, Monday, January 3, 2011

Time: 6 p.m.

Where: City Hall Steps

Roger's closing for renovations

Roger's Garden on First Avenue between First Street and Second Street is a handy stop for people waiting for the M15... Unfortunately, the market is closing for an unspecified amount of time for renovations....

Westville East reopens today at 5

As Fork in the Road reported back on Dec. 21, Westville East on Avenue A and 11th Street was closing for renovations... As promised, the restaurant reopens today — at 5, to be exact...

A rare double-double for tabloid cover headlines today

Admiring a new resident on East Third Street

East Third Street resident Frank Franca passes along word of a lovely creature that has taken up residency in his building... A red-tailed hawk moved into the airshaft of his building right after the blizzard. "It makes a tremendous whoosh when it flies from one floor to the other," he says. Frank shared these photos...




Frank notes that his building had a horrible pigeon infestation for years that was out of control. "They were noisy and filthy, and kept everyone awake at night," he says. "Since this creature arrived, not a single pigeon has been seen on our entire block."

An early birthday present for Ray

On Saturday, Ray got a head start on his birthday... Upon hearing he'll be turning 78, Barbara A Solony, who has been going to Ray's since Day 1, brought him cake with candles... It was a festive moment...

[Photo by Barbara A Solony]

Ray turns 78 this Jan. 25 ... here are some photos by Bob Arihood from Ray's 76th birthday celebration... featuring dancer Mini Malicious.

Fresh tags (and Four Loko) on the Verizon building

Well, things have been quiet along the 13th Street wall of the Verizon building at Second Avenue ... until now... EV Grieve reader ~evilnyc passes along photos of fresh tags here...



In this photo, a fellow had passed out leaning against the wall... a precious can of Four Loko by his side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
First tag reappears on the Verizon building

Brownout: Verizon building graffiti painted over

Verizon is going to blow the budget on brown paint

Upscale slices for the former Totale space?

Totale Pizza on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue has been closed of late...

Last May!



Workers have been renovating the space that specialized in Neapolitan-style pizza ... and a tipster reports that this will become a more upscale, quick-slice joint to complement 2 Bros up the street...

Gutting Arlo & Esme

Yesterday, workers were on First Avenue removing the contents of Arlo & Esme, the cafe-club combo that's closing after a three-year run here...






Previously on EV Grieve:
Arlo and Esme closing on East First Street after 3 years

Bread and Butta is toast

Reader Dianeb sends along the photo and news that Bread and Butta on Avenue C near 11th Street has closed... there's a "so long and thanks" sign on the door of the coffee shop...



After a series of setbacks, the cafe finally opened last May...