EV Grieve

Thursday, January 26, 2012

[UPDATED] But of course! Bleecker Bob's is becoming a Starbucks

[Ken Mac]

Hey! Let's just keep the bad news coming!

Spotted this at Jeremiah's Vanishing New York first... Our friend Ken Mac at Greenwich Village Daily Photo has the scoop that venerable Bleecker Bob's Records is closing and will become a — Subway? Dunkin' Donuts??? No — Starbucks!

The manager of Cafe Reggio confirmed the atrocity to Ken, noting: "Starbucks will take 30% of our business. All the NYU kids want their mocha frappuccino."

UPDATED Jan. 30, 7:05 p.m.
Starbucks says that they are not taking over the space.

[Updated] Reader report: Renovations begin in earnest at 315 E. 10th St.

[Last week outside 315 E. 10th St., photo by Bobby Williams]

After beating the clock and getting the OK to add a rooftop addition to 315 E. 10th St. in the East 10th Street Historic District*, workers quickly dismantled the building's chimney, as nearby resident Jose Garcia noted.

And this is only the beginning as workers continue to convert the circa-1847 building from nonprofit to residential use.

Jose shared this with us last night:

so today was the first really bad day. up until now they've just been demolishing the chimneys. today they started drilling into the walls between the two buildings. now there is dust and concrete chipping off into our living rooms as the walls they are drilling (through?) are just a thin wall of very old bricks. this is going to be a long, long winter. when they start to seriously add another floor i predict our entire building will fall down.

Speaking of walls ... these came into the Garcia apartment during renovations this morning around 8...

Previously on EV Grieve:
A bid to protect the integrity of 315 E. 10th St.

Landmarks Preservation Commission expedites hearing on East 10th Street Historic District

Workers quickly start dismantling roof of historic 315 E. 10th St.

Bob Arihood briefly appears in the February Harper's

The February issue of Harper's includes an article titled "Some Assembly Required" by Brooklyn-based writer Nathan Schneider. The piece examines the rise of Occupy Wall Street.

And Bob Arihood makes a brief appearance early on in the article, where Schneider describes the scene last Aug. 13 during a General Assembly meeting in Tompkins Square Park. As you may recall, some of the attendees requested a ban on photographs... and how Bob explained "the nature of public space."

[Bob Arihood]

Bob wrote about the episode here at Neither More Nor Less. The post attracted many comments.

And the Harper's piece reminded me that Bob died just as Occupy was really just getting started.

The Harper's article is online, though you must be a subscriber to access it.

Thanks to Pluto for letting me know about the article.

Here's a look inside the new Nevada Smith's on Third Avenue

Work continues at 100 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street... The address, which once belonged to the Lyric Theatre in 1910 (and much later the men's XXX Jewel then the Bijou and eventually the mainstream Cinema Village Third Avenue), has been under renovation for years. ... looks like an additional five floors.

Some day, the address will also be the new home to Nevada Smith's, which vacated its previous location one block to the south last November ... Nevada Smith's is on the February CB3/SLA docket for a liquor license here.

Anyway, a worker left a door open at 100 Third Ave. and...

Well, looks as if there's a lot left to do on the ground-floor space where, presumably, Nevada Smith's will live...

Per the DOB, the building was zoned commercial ... and it was re-categorized as "F-1B - Assembly (Churches, Concert Halls)." I suppose this is a type of worship.

Anyway, for now, Nevada Smith's is moonlighting at Webster Hall.

Previously on EV Grieve:
100 Third Ave. looks to be Nevada Smith's new home

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smith's

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

100 Third Avenue's lonely add-on

Workers spotted at previously dormant 100 Third Ave.

Report: Millennium Film Workshop faces eviction on East Fourth Street

Steven Thrasher checked in late last night at Runnin' Scared with some troubling news: Millennium Film Workshop is being evicted from its longtime home on East Fourth Street after falling being on rent.

Board member Jay Hudson told Thrasher that the legendary film collective has had its funding drastically cut by the New York State Council for the Arts in recent times. However, you can't blame some heartless condo-eyeing developer for this eviction. According to Hudson, La Mama is the landlord.

Per the article:

The two were not always landlord and tenant. Hudson says that La Mama and Millenium moved into 74 and 66 East 4th Street, respectively, at the same time, with La Mama founder Ellen Stewart and longtime Millennium leader Howard Guttenplan at the helm of each organization. Originally owned by the city, Hudson says, in 2005, La Mama "paid a dollar" and became the owner of both buildings (and Millenium's landlord).

For a long time, Hudson says, "There was a standing relationship between Ellen and Howard. I think that kept La Mama from making a move on Millenium."

Stewart died last year.

You can read the rest of the story here. And it's to be continued as La Mama has yet to give its side of the story.

On the February CB3/SLA agenda: the former 6th Street Kitchen and (gulp) the Holiday

Time again. Time and time again.

February's funfair (aka, the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee) is Monday the 13 at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence, 200 East 5th Street at Bowery.

As always, we take a look a few of the items on the agenda... You can find the whole slate here at the CB3 site.

Corporate Change

• Ugly Kitchen, 103 1st Ave (op)

Didn't they just open in August?

• La Vie (Le Cave LLC), 64 E 1st St (op)

Applications within Resolution Areas

• To be Determined, 6 St Marks Pl (wb)

• JB Sushi (Marco's 88 Inc), 15 St Marks Pl (up/op)

• Lebrini's Pizzeria (Lebrini's Pizzeria Corp), 31 Ave C (wb)

When did Moon Pie close here at East Third St.?

• Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery Inc, 215 Ave A (b)

They used to sell beer, but apparently they didn't have the proper licensing. Long live Zaragoza!

• San Matteo Panuozzeria E Birra (San Matteo Panuozzeria Inc), 121 St Marks Pl (b)

That new panuozzo place opening in the old crepe place near Avenue A.

• Nublu, 151 Ave C (op)

• To be Determined, 116 Ave C (op)

Hmm, this is Kafana, the fine Serbian spot near Seventh Street.

• BK's, 115 Ave C (op)

The former Porch, which has been a scratch on previous agendas.

• Yuca Bar & Restaurant Inc, 111 Ave A (up/op)

• Yong Fa Restaurant Inc, 507 E 6th St (wb)

This is the former 6th Street Kitchen space, which never reopened after that awful fire in Janaury 2011. The space had been for rent. One neighborhood told us they heard it would be "an Asian fusion" restaurant.

[EV Grieve reader Jamie]

Alterations

• Fat Buddha (Lo Eng Inc), 212 Ave A (op)

New Liquor License Applications
• Holiday Lounge, 75 St Marks Pl (op)

Gulp. Been nervous about the beloved Holiday since Stefan died in 2009 ... As I noted last fall, the building housing the bar is for sale. Not sure at this second why they would be going for a new license as opposed to a renewal...

According to the State Liquor Authority, the bar's license is active through February 2013.

We hate that funny feeling...

• To be Determined, 197 1st Ave aka 351 E 12th St (wb)

This is the address of Resto Leon ...

• Izagara Gourmet Inc, 128 1st Ave (wb)

This is the former Kebab Grill that turned into the Mediterranean Grill last month.

• Porsena (Service Bar LLC), 21 E 7th St (up/op)

• Sahara Citi, 137 E 13th St (wb)

Currently a vacant storefront near Tom Cruise's house.

• Nevada Smiths (92 Nuns Walk Inc), 100 3rd Ave (op)

• Sao Mai Vietnamese Cuisine Inc, 203 1st Ave (wb)

• Porcellino (Rar Royal New York Corp), 308 E 6th St (op)

b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations |up=upgrades

Airing out the Coop

Yesterday afternoon outside the Cooper Union Expensive Building. Photo by Bobby Williams.

Zi Pep starting weekend brunch service on Saturday

From the EV Grieve inbox...from the folks at Zi Pep on East Ninth Street...

Zi Pep will be starting brunch service Saturday. It will run both Saturday and Sunday.

We will also be doing a Valentine’s Day dinner for $49 per person.

And the brunch menu...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Grifting the night away

It seems of late that more people are trying to stop me on the street than in the past few years ... asking for money because, say, their car broke down and they need to go visit their mother in the hospital, etc. Same schemes, just greater frequency. And the same fellow keeps asking me for directions to Sloan-Kettering (twice in the same day, once on Avenue A and once on Avenue B 30 minutes later).

A reader just noted this on East Second Street between A and B.

Some guy approached me with a story that he was trying to get home but left his wallet in a cab.

It was a typical enough, but something was odd about it, so when I got home I mentioned it to my husband as a "something funny happened to me on my way home from work."

Seems as though he was ALSO approached about 45 min prior on the opposite side of the street by a woman claiming she needed help because she left her purse in a cab.

Wondering how many other people they approached...

Something to crow about

At the New York City Marble Cemetery on East Second Street today... photos by Bobby Williams

And please — no counting crows jokes, OK?

Earlier today on Avenue A

At 11th Street. Photos by Shawn Chittle.

Here's the perfect space for the new CBGB

So as Gothamist reported this morning, there's some sort of movement to bring back CBGB.

Let's jut gloss over whether this is even a good idea... If the new CBGB people need a space, here's an option: 313 Bowery, once home to the CBGB Gallery... right next door to CBGB, of course.

The space has been on the market for months. (See the listing here.)

The Morrison Hotel Gallery checked out of 313 Bowery at the end of September. Recently, the space became home to Riff, which sells the rock-and-boa inspired clothing line called Andrew Charles, created in part by Steven Tyler. Apparently, though, that store is only here on a temporary basis.

The lower level can be leased separately, where that secret club was for a bit.

Can you come home again?

Is CBGB back from the dead?

[Corbis]

First Marky Ramone's (probably fake) leather jacket, now this?

So Gothamist is reporting this morning that somebody or another will be opening a new outpost of CBGB. Per Gothamist:

We have it on good authority that the legendary venue is still alive in spirit, and angling to take over a new space in Manhattan. With the contents of the original club still around in a basement somewhere, if all goes according to plan it will even look like the old space.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn Vegan notes a tweet from an alleged official CBGB Twitter account that asked, "who would you like to see at the #CBGB Music Festival this summer? No band to big or to small."

Hmmm... so where does all this rate on the idea scale — good, bad...

h/t @saywhatagain

Another look inside the East Village Farms and the old Hollywood Theatre on Avenue A

[Kevin Shea Adams]

The East Village Farms on Avenue A between Seventh Street and Sixth Street is on the clock... we now understand that the closing date has been moved to Feb. 5, with a sale starting next Wednesday. (The owners will take any leftover inventory to their new store on 48th Street.)

The staff here says the building's owner will demolish the structure. There still aren't any permits on file with the DOB ... and still no official word from the landlord.

Anyway, as you know, the space was originally a theater in operation from 1926-1959. EV Grieve reader Lambert Jack got a look at the sort-of-secret theater a few weeks back ...

Now, East Village-based photographer Kevin Shea Adams shares his photos from a recent trip inside the bowels of the store. (You can read his post and see more photos here.)

Find more of Kevin's photography here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

There is no news about 51 Astor Place

Well, except that it's gone. Per Bobby William's shot yesterday...

Meanwhile, at the Post yesterday, Steve Cuozzo checked in on several high-profile projects around the city... "We gave owners, brokers, p.r. reps and inside moles a chance to share good news about the following projects, representing billions of dollars of private investment, some bolstered by public subsidies."

He couldn't find any good news about the projects including at 51 Astor Place, which he notes is being built entirely on spec. So the incoming 430,000 square-foot building remains tenantless for now...

And, as you know, it will look like this some day.

Meanwhile, EV Grieve reader Terry Howell shared these photos with us... the first is from Jan. 27, 2011...

And this is from Friday...

We echo Terry's feelings about the building:

"I have watched the demolition of the former Cooper Union building with mixed feelings, mostly deep grief for the loss of the trees. The building itself was meh but I was used to it and I fear what will replace it."

Previously on EV Grieve:
51 Astor Place demolition begins July 1; 17 months to build new black-glass tower

East Village — the new Midtown?

Workers chopping down the trees at 51 Astor Place

2 new delis for Avenue C

Well, we've heard from several correspondents — Dave on 7th, Bobby Williams and Matt LES_Miserable — that a new deli is in the works for the empty storefront on the southwest corner of Avenue C at 11th Street...

The last tenant, the Monk Thrift Shop, closed in December 2010. At the time, neighbors heard that a bank branch would open here.

Anyway, nothing in the DOB paperwork suggests any kind of chain, like, say, a 7-Eleven. Of course, there are already two delis on the other side of 11th Street.

Meanwhile, down Avenue C a bit... at 27 Avenue C between Second Street and Third Street... another new deli is opening...

Again, the DOB permits don't show a chain-related store in the works. The DOB shows that the place is going by "Fresno Gourment Deli."

Previously, 27 Avenue C hosted the New York City Poker Tour.

This is what Tompkins Finest Deli will look like

Well, speaking of new delis... The other day, Bobby Williams passed along photos of the new deli coming to Avenue A near 10th Street... the one that is replacing the previous deli here...

Matt LES_Miserable took a look inside...

He notes: "Looks like every other deli that's opened the last few years. Well, at least they were happy and invited me in to look."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ave. A Mini Market abruptly closes

On second thought, Avenue A Mini Market not reopening

Avenue A Mini Market now without part of its front window

Love and a silverware tray

We always enjoy the more Garry Marshall-movie-sounding Missed Connections ...

silverware tray - w4m - 27 (East Village)
hello strange guy - i just walked into a random junk dollar store on 14th st somewhere between 1st and B looking for a silverware drawer tray and the only other person in there was you, and you were looking for the same thing. we both bought one even though the only option was kind of garbage. you were tall and wearing what looked like a motorcycle helmet. i dont know why i'm writing this, i've never used this before - as far as i know the only thing we have in common is that we both use silverware. as good a foundation as any, i guess.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Today in photos of really big tow trucks on St. Mark's Place

Here to tow away the rest of the neighborhood?

Photo by Bobby Williams.

[UPDATED] What it will cost you to dress like Marky Ramone

[RR Auction]

At the City Room blog today, Aidan Gardiner notes that some Ramones paraphernalia, including Marky's leather jacket, is up for grabs in an online auction at RR Auction.

Per the auction site:

Marky’s iconic leather jacket, stage-worn from 1978 to 1983

Marky Ramone’s owned and stage-used jacket. Black leather jacket by Real Leather, New York–London, was used on stage between 1978–1983, features two US pins on the lapels, a single star pin to each shoulder, zip-up cuffs and a buckle at the waist. Jacket is signed on the back in gold ink “Marky Ramone.” In fine condition, with expected wear from stage use. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity ... bearing the printed signature of Marky Ramone.

Current price: $3,146.

An RR rep told Gardiner that the jacket has been "well maintained and bore no scent of stage sweat." And presumably, no scent of pasta sauce.

Meanwhile...

UPDATED:

Caution! The folks at the City Room are now reporting that Marky is calling bullshit on this one. Marky says that the jacket is not his! Read the rest at City Room.

Two weeks (or so) in the demolition of 9 Second Ave.

After demolishing 11-17 Second Ave., workers turned to the removal of 9 (71/2) Second Ave. on Jan. 5.

Bobby Williams and I walked by (almost) every day to keep tabs on the progress... As you know, all was torn down to make way for a 12-story apartment building...

Friday, Jan. 6