Looking at the penthouses atop Starbucks on First Avenue

I'm strangely curious about the apartments atop 219 First Ave. at East 13th Street... with that addition that looks as if it blew in from another building...

The building, which had structural damage, had been under renovation going back to 2007. (And the corner space was home to Mee Noodle Shop, which is returning a few doors away.)

[Via Flickr]

The apartments here hit the market last June. I never looked at the penthouse, though. Turns out there are two penthouse units, and both are on the market now. One is $4,395 ... the slightly smaller one is $4,095, per Streeteasy.

Here's a look inside the more expensive unit...









Perfect view for the First Avenue $1 slice pizza wars.

Billy Hurricane's now apparently called Station B

[Photo via @danielpmcd]

We've recently noticed some changes to the exterior of Billy Hurricane's on Avenue B near East Second Street... that neon orange is gone, for starters ... Yesterday @danielpmcd pointed out that the bar has a new name — Station B. No word on any of the Billy Hurricane's social media sites about a name change... back in March, we spotted a listing for bartenders that noted:

Tattooed Bartenders Wanted!
Job Description
Upcoming Lower East Side / East Village Bar w/ Kitchen Looking for some New Staff for New Location!
Bourbon... Beers... Burgers... Blastin' Rock!

What we are looking for...

>> Male or Female
>> Age 21- 31
>> Professional, Reliable & Punctual
>> Experienced (Mixology a Plus)
>> Outgoing & Fun
>> Tattoo'd ( not a unicorn on your ankle kind of tattoo)
>> Non-Complete-Alcoholic

Today in posts about 80-foot grills that can slow-smoke 2,000 pounds of meat in Union Square

From the EV Grieve inbox...

HISTORY BRINGS CROSS-COUNTRY COOKOUT TO UNION SQUARE IN NEW YORK CITY ON JUNE 25

World’s Largest Smoker and Grill on Wheels to Serve Up Texas BBQ to New Yorkers

WHAT: The HISTORY® Cross-Country Cookout welcomes New Yorkers

The 80-foot long Ultimate Smoker and Grill, designed and operated by grill-master Trace “Rib Whisperer” Arnold, is the size of a tanker and is hauled by a semi. In the unique smoker chamber, Arnold can slow-smoke more than 2,000 pounds of meat. Hidden beneath the 20-foot hydraulic lid is a wood-fired grill with the capacity to cook 1,000 hotdogs, 500 hamburgers or 200 16 oz. steaks at once.

HISTORY fans passing by Union Square on June 25 are welcome to visit the HISTORY Cross-Country Cookout to sample the Rib Whisperer’s tasty hickory-smoked and jalapeno cheddar sausage and play backyard games like cornhole and ladder golf to win HISTORY merchandise and prizes.

Members from Soldier’s Wish, a not-for-profit organization that grants wishes to soldiers, veterans and their families as a way to honor them for their bravery and sacrifice to our country, will also be on-site discussing their initiatives and how military members can get involved.

When: Tuesday, June 25: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

My 3 favorite photos of the Blarney Cove

Well, just from the EVG site the past few years... As noted, the Blarney Cove closes for good tonight... many businesses on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B are either relocating or closing to make way for some yet-unspecified development.

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Thanksgiving 2011...

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Start of the summer 2011...

[Photo by the long-lost Intern of EV Grieve]

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Easter 2009...


Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

The Blarney Cove will close for good at the end of June

Everyone loves really bad baked brisket!

Spotted last evening outside Louis 649 on East Ninth Street. One way to push the brisket. Photo by Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Everyone loves a really bad meatball sandwich!

EV Grieve Etc. Mourning Edition

[At the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run, by Bobby Williams]

A little history of the East Village name (Flaming Pablum)

At yesterday's No 7-Eleven rally (NY1)

GSQD, the pop-up queer bookstore, leaving Orchard Street in search of a permanent home (The Lo-Down)

A last drink at the Blarney Cove (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Reviving Schapiro’s Wine on the LES (BoweryBoogie)

Photos from the Mermaid Parade (Gothamist)

...and a good day for the pool... via the CBGB Facebook page...

The Blarney Cove closes for good after tomorrow night

Tomorrow is the last day for the Blarney Cove on East 14th Street ... they moved the closing date up by one day. So that's that.

As we've been noting, many businesses on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B are either relocating or closing to make way for some yet-unspecified development.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street exodus continues

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

Bargain Express has closed on East 14th Street

The Blarney Cove will close for good at the end of June

A former East Village funeral home is reborn as Townhouse 49

[Via Flickr]

The former Brettschneider Funeral Home at 49 E. Seventh St. just east of Second Avenue sold last summer for $4 million... and after renovations, Skyway Development Group has been marketing the new homes here, rentals that range from $4,900 to $9,250.



Here's the listing via Streeteasy:

Townhouse 49 is a first class boutique residential building …In a wonderful turn of the last century brownstone building, built in 1900, there is intimacy with exceptional style…the building, now meticulously renovated from top to bottom features tasteful condo quality finishes, unlike any other rental on the market..No expense has been spared to give the tenant the feeling of LUXURY in a very hip downtown location.. Perched on a tree-lined street, reminiscent of Old New York, but yet, a new vibrant and happening neighborhood, the East Village, Lower East Side , Union Square & Greenwich village are all in easy access..A new Day for the East Village.

Here are a few shots of a unit going for $8,450.







A "New Day for the East Village"?

The funeral home moved out in 2005/2006.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another former East Village funeral home now on the market

Life-sized silhouette of former homeless man arrives in Tompkins Square Park

The life-sized sculpture of Christopher Gamble's silhouette arrived in Tompkins Square Park this past weekend. French artist Fanny Allié created this in honor of Gamble, who was homeless for nearly 28 years.

As Serena Solomon at DNAinfo reported back in May:

The sculpture will consist of a metal outline of Gamble, according to Allié.

"I like it because it has some hope. It's a positive," the artist said, of the silhouette's open stance with arms outstretch to the sky, like “he is about to fly."

Gamble now lives in an apartment run by the Bowery Residents' Committee.

The sculpture will be up through the summer.

Find an update here.

Croxley Ales reopens on Thursday

[April 22]

The FDNY evacuated residents from 28 Avenue B on April 16 after debris started falling from the building's fifth floor ... The six-story building that houses Croxley Ales on the ground floor was evacuated about 3:15 p.m. after a crack was discovered running all the way up the back of the building.

Joe Ferrante, an FDNY battalion chief, told DNAinfo that excavation for a 6-floor apartment building next door "possibly contributed" to the damage at No. 28.

In any event, according to the Croxley Ales Facebook page, the bar will be back open Thursday for the first time since April 16.

Per their giddy message:

We have the best news of the SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our grand re-opening is this Thursday! Thank you for your patience! See you soon ale fans!

No word when residents are moving back into No. 28. According to DOB records, there is still a partial Stop Work Order on 26 Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: 28 Avenue B has been evacuated

Full-stop work order served at construction site adjacent to evacuated Avenue B building

[Updated] 6-story apartment building ready to rise from the former Croxley Ales beer garden

On East 9th Street, Tacos Morelos taking over Empanadas Bar space

The Empanadas Bar that took over the former Itzocan Café space on East Ninth Street has closed ...

...and the sign on the door notes that the Queens-based Tacos Morelos, which serves delicious food from the cart on Second Street and Avenue A, will be moving in soon...

No word on if this means the end of the cart on Second and A... (hopefully not...)

Thanks to East Ninth Street neighbor Michael Sullivan of WINESHOP for the tip...

Chico creates new mural for Wafels and Dinges on East Houston and Avenue B

We spotted Chico working on a new mural yesterday morning on East Houston and Avenue B... for the incoming Wafels and Dinges, which is likely to open this month on Avenue B and East Second Street...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is Wafels & Dinges opening a café on Second Street and Avenue B?

First sign of Wafels & Dinges on Avenue B

Everyman Espresso closing for a 'face lift'

Everyman Espresso on East 13th Street will be closing soon for a renovation. Here's the official word via the EE website:

So excited to announce that we’ll be closing down to give our 13th street location a face lift! June 25th through approximately July 25th we will be under construction. We will keep you posted on our progress and hope to re-open swiftly!

Meanwhile, starting today, you can find a pop-up Everyman Espresso at Bikini Bar, the vintage surf shop place in Tribeca, through August.

[H/T Eater]

Hawa Smoothies opening on East 14th Street

Signs are up now on a previously vacant storefront at 422 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Avenue A for Hawa Smoothies ...



There was also a Hawa location on East Broadway, though that is now closed ... the shop is reportedly named for owner Michael Wang's native Hawaii...

Sun, Moon

Above via EVG reader David...

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...and from last night via Bobby Williams...

Today in photos of bouncy castles

Earlier today out back of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer ... on the East Fourth Street side ... wish I would have known about their festival earlier... good time.

Week in Grieview

[Waiting for the M9 on Avenue C]

Alleged drunken driver causes mayhem on Second Avenue, injures 4 (Wednesday, 62 comments)

Campaign launched to raise money for gravely injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker (Friday)

Demolition continues at Mary Help of Christians (Saturday)

Permits filed to demolish 100 Avenue A (Tuesday)

51 Astor Places opens its public plaza (Friday)

Out and About with Yadi Maria (Wednesday)

LaVie has finally closed; neighbors rejoice (Friday)

Tour the East Village with Iggy Pop in 1993 (Monday)

The Halal Guys are coming to the East Village (Tuesday)

David Lynch doesn't want you to litter (Monday)

Minnie, 10-month-old blind dog, is missing (Wednesday)

Jillery is moving to 7th and B (Friday)

Mars Bar replacement now leasing at Jupiter 21 (Tuesday)

Kembra Pfahler and The Girls of Karen Black perform at Participant Inc. (Monday)

Davey's Ice Cream opening soon on First Avenue (Wednesday)

New chain-link fence outside La Estate de Schwimmer (Friday)

Noted

Seemed inevitable that someone would do something like this... Shawn Chittle spotted this on Avenue A today...

Reminders: Motor City Bar will be burning today (and tonight)

Here's a reminder about Motor City Bar's closing-night party that we first mentioned back on April 30...



From the EV Grieve inbox...

The once vibrantly creative and bohemian Lower East Side is a thing of the past, with the final nail in the coffin coming next month, when Motor City Bar closes its doors for the last time. The bar is open over the next few weeks, so make sure you stop by for a few cocktails in the meantime.

On Sunday, June 23rd, come and celebrate 17 years of sex, drugs and rock n roll with some of the best people you'd ever care to meet. Come and give a long kiss goodbye to the amazing owners, bartenders, dancers, DJs, Detroit memorabilia, and those infamous bathrooms!

A big thank you to all those who have lived, loved, laughed, cried, danced, yelled, fallen down, met future partners, found jobs, been inspired, or just generally had a great time in this wonderful establishment these past two decades. To say it will be sorely missed would be an understatement. RIP.

Note: The bar will remain open until midnight on the 30th of June, when the keys are finally handed over.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: Motor City Bar is closing on Ludlow Street

Motor City Bar to remain open through June

Suspicion

Spotted on East Seventh Street and Avenue C this morning... a chunk of rock suspiciously lying in the middle of the street near what appears to be the remains of a car window...

Art Around the Park

Spotted this morning in Tompkins Square Park.

Flea market at St. Nicholas today

From 11 to 4. Entrance on East 10th Street at Avenue A...



... and please return the L and T ...

The New York Punk & Underground Record Fair is today at the Beauty Bar

Crap. Meant to post this earlier in the week. Anyway. Today!

What: NYC Punk & Underground Record Fair
Where: Beauty Bar 231 E. 14th St.
Show Hours – 11 am-6pm
Admission – $3

Verizon's freshly painted brown wall nearly lasts the weekend

We almost thought that Verizon had given up on painting over the graffiti along East 13th Street at Second Avenue ... been nearly a year ... but workers did just paint over all the tags... and this arrived during the weekend...



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

Reminders: There is a 'No 7-Eleven' rally this afternoon

[On the plywood on 11th and A]

As posted Thursday...

Today in Tompkins Square Park

You may have seen the flyers around for the Tompkins Square Greenmarket's Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest... today at 1. Prizes include for the messiest, cleanest and fastest eaters...

Ask and...

East 11th Street today. Photo by Shawn Chittle.

Man with last name of Gomillion tried to rob East Village bank

The NYPD Daily Blotter in the Post today notes a botched robbery attempt at the Chase branch on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place. A man named Jerry Gomillion, 63, passed a "demand note" to a teller on May 23.

To the Post.

But when the teller, instead of cooperating, showed the note to a co-worker, Gomillion abruptly turned around and fled, perhaps forgetting about the bank’s video cameras.

He was later arrested.

A little 'Soul' returns to the East Village tonight

From the EV Grieve inbox... from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Otto's...

Come join us for the launch of our Monthly Mod/Soul Dance Party. Let's bring some Soul back to the East Village! So tailor your mohair, and get your 2 stroke smokin', we'll be spinning all the grooves that will make you move!

Spinning nothing but the best of 60s Soul/Motown/Mod/Beat/Grooves/FrenchPop/Yé-Yé

Courtesy of DJ HeavySoul, who told us that many people have been for something like this since the end of Subway Soul at Rififi on East 11th Street.

Continuing to chip away at Mary Help of Christians

The sidewalk shed arrived outside the the Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church and rectory on East 12th Street yesterday... today, we spotted a few workers atop the church ... this one had some kind of hammer and was banging away on foundation holding up the cross in the center...







Developer Douglas Steiner bought the property last fall for an unspecified residential complex.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Permits filed to demolish Mary Help of Christians church, school and rectory

Preservationists call for archeological review of former cemetery at Mary Help of Christians site