Wednesday, May 4, 2011

UPS can't even afford the East Village

EV Grieve mailbox correspondent Blue Glass notes that the UPS store at 168 Second Ave. near 11th Street has closed...


...the sign on the door explains why....

The Bowery gets a little more class


At Great Jones.

First the 'Black Swan' Oscar snub, now this for Mila Kunis

EV Grieve reader Kurt notes that a worker was painting over one of the far-too-numerous Mila Kunis tags in the neighborhood... this one on 11th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...


Previously on EV Grieve:
The Mila Kunis 'Black Swan' Oscar campaign heats up

A new canopy for Gallagher's Steakhouse, eventually

A new canopy for Gallagher's Steakhouse, celebratings its 81st year on 52nd Street, arrived yesterday...


... the old one was looking rather worn...


...however, there appeared to be some issue with the new one (or maybe it was just a fitting?) ...


...so it was back to the shop for both...


Previously.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Fun with HBO in Tompkins Square Park

HBO was filming a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" promo something documentary in Tompkins Square Park today... EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams was on hand for the fun...




...which involved a mime...or someone dressed like one...


... and the ping-pong table...


So the ping-pong table is going to be famous then?

After school on First Avenue

Gone but not forgotten


[dwg]

Superdive sign removal today. Previously.

Breaking: Superdive sign coming down this morning

From the EV Grieve inbox...



From SuperdiveBar:

... in t-minus 30 minutes... the glorious lights on Ave A that have been illuminating off the infamous SUPERDIVE sign will be taken down!
thought you might like to witness the end of an era!

Long Live SUPERDIVE

First the liquor license, now this.

Superdive's liquor license has expired

Actually, the license for Rapture Cafe & Books has expired... In any event, Shawn Chittle sent along this page from the State Liquor Authority, noting that the license for 200 Avenue A expired on Saturday....


Meanwhile, on this month's CB3/SLA docket:

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades

• To be Determined (Not A Bookstore LLC), 200 Ave A (trans/op) (Superdive)

The art gallery with a full liquor license is back. Last month, the committee told them to do more (and better!) community outreach.

However, now that the license for the space has expired, this can no longer be considered a transfer... and "Not a Bookstore LLC" would have to apply for a new liquor license. And a new liquor license in these parts of Avenue A? Good luck.

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

ZP Auto Repair moves out of NoHo; condo on the way in?

We've been keeping an eye on ZP Auto Repair on the southwest corner of Lafayette and Great Jones , which had been on the market for several years ...

Last Friday, Goggla noticed that the guys were sweeping out the shop with a bit of finality... and today, the shop sits empty...



They'll be working from Brooklyn now.


Meanwhile, we don't know for sure what's coming here. The listing is no longer active at the Massey Knakal site, which stated "the property has Landmark’s Approval for a 6-story steel and glass building for residential, commercial or hotel-use." The property was listed at $4.4 million.

And this was the last rendering we saw:

Extra Place plaza finally taking shape, sort of

More than four years ago, we first heard of the plans the developers of Avalon Bowery Place had for Extra Place — "a slice of the Left Bank, a pedestrian mall lined with interesting boutiques and cafes."



Now, Brooklyn-based Oaxaca Tacos recently added some outdoor seating...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

This dog was stolen

Flyers spotted on Avenue A...


According to the fine print, the pup was stolen by the CVS on Third Avenue and 22nd Street. The owner doesn't mention the dog's name... and there is a $500 "or more" reward.

Things that go clunk-clunk, CLUNK! in the night (and day) on East Sixth Street

Here are some signs on apartment buildings along Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...


The signs provide a detailed report of the situation ...



... a "noisy manhole cover."


"[A]s the weather has changed, the gasket seal that's supposed to prevent movement of the manhole cover has disintegrated, and now the noise problem has grown completely deafening. If you live in an apartment facing the street, and live at or near 335 East 6th Street, you are likely being driven crazy by the sound of the rattling manhole cover."

And here's what you can do about it...

Another East Village boutique is closing

Signs are up at the Amon-Ra Showroom on East 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Previously.

Down on the farm with the Lower Eastside Girls Club

Lyn Pentecost of the Lower Eastside Girls Club passes along word that they still have a few shares left with their CSA. Pick up is every Tuesday 4-7 at 56 E. First St.


For info, contact: green@girlsclub.org
For more details, visit the Farm Girls CSA site.

A yellow brick ad returns

And on St. Mark's Place at Avenue A, the return of hand-painted ads... this time for Umbro, the longtime English sportswear company owned by Nike...

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Umbro has been around since 1924 ... and their name is now part of the local vernacular, as in, "Um, bro — get me a shot and a Coors Light!"

Anyway! A quick look at other recent ads on this corner...

May 2009!



November 2009!



Previously on EV Grieve:
Goodbye yellow brick ad

Monday, May 2, 2011

34 Avenue A is for sale

34 Avenue A has just hit the market. Living Real Estate Group has the property listing. Via Streeteasy:

Own a piece of East Village History!! Originally home to the famous live music venue Mo Pitkins, this is a rare opportunity for a user or investor to acquire a unique mixed use 4 story walk up building in the heart of the East Village. The property is newly renovated and has a vacant ground and 2nd floor retail space with full basement. The ground floor is built out as a restaurant with full kitchen and appliances and storage in the usable basement. The 2nd floor was previously duplexed with the first floor and has a large open space with a bar and private lounge area. The 3rd floor (currently leased mo mo) is a floor through 1425 sqft live/work space with exposed brick, high ceilings and newly renovated kitchen and large floor to ceilings windows. This unit could also be transformed into a 2 bed 1.5 bath apartment. The top floor is a duplex penthouse with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, brand new kitchen and 2 very large private outdoor spaces. This is a Unique Building loaded with charm and character including exposed brick, high original tin ceilings, large windows, multi levels and large lofty spaces throughout.

Price: $4.65 million.

CB3 has rejected recent plans — including a group featuring Phil Hartman of Two Boots — to turn this space back into a performance venue after its turn as Aces & Eights.

As the Observer reported in November 2008, 34 Avenue A was sold to an entity called LAMNG Corporation for $4 million. The building had been on the market for more than a year, with an initial listing price of $5.5 million.

On May 16, an unknown group will make another pitch for the space before the CB3/SLA committee.

Neither More Nor Less returns

Bob Arihood continues to take provocative photos of the people and places of the East Village at Nadie Se Conoce. However! By popular demand! Bob has decided to revive his crucial Neither More Nor Less site, where he will continue posting photos and selected news items, such as Cowboy Stan celebrating his 60th birthday and LES Jewels discovering water.

East Village city limits


Spotted by Dave on 7th... on Seventh Street...

To no surprise, 35 Cooper Square will be torn down

On Friday afternoon, we posted photos of the new scaffolding at 35 Cooper Square. EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams was also on the scene. Bobby tried to ask one of the crew members what they were doing. The worker's reaction was all we needed to hear about what would be happening next: "It ain't me."






In a nonshocker, crews will soon begin tearing down the 186-year-old building. Both Jeremiah and the Local East Village posted the letter from developer Arun Bhatia (via an attorney) to council member Rosie Mendez about his final decision on the fate of the historic building:

"Unfortunately, it was concluded that it would not be feasible to develop the site with the building or any significant portion of it remaining."

Meanwhile, the developer will be making a financial contribution to the Landmarks Conservancy to help document the histories of Federal buildings such as 35 Cooper Square for which "creation of an historic record is all that can be done," as Jeremiah reported.

Let the condo/hotel/dorm building begin!

Previously on EV Grieve:
35 Cooper Square, 'this much-beloved little building,' dies at age 186