Week in Grieview

[Double the hawk fun in Tompkins Square Park yesterday via Bobby Williams]

Former La Vie space will be demolished (Wednesday)

Xi'an Famous Foods closes for renovation (Thursday)

RIP Boukiés (Friday)

A return for Sapporo East? (Friday)

Another Ben Shaoul special for the LES? (Tuesday)

Out and About with Margery Teplitz (Wednesday)

Archangel Antiques is calling it a day (Thursday)

FroYo casualty (Monday)

A record deal for the Death Star (Monday)

47-year-old Stromboli Pizza closed on University Place (Tuesday)

Welcome to EV Grieve's (Friday, 31 comments)

Check out this rooftop addition to this East Second Street building (Thursday)

Report of a late-night fire at 145 Second Ave. (Wednesday)

Landmark hearing for East 14th Street synagogue (Friday)

Burkina is now known as Got it 4 cheap™ (Tuesday)

This apartment is not abandoned (Tuesday)

The Tree Chair of East Sixth Street needs some TLC (Monday)

If you were looking for an apartment with a red suspension bridge (Thursday)

RIP El Sombrero

El Sombrero has served its last inexpensive meal and potent margarita on the Lower East Side. The family owned restaurant closed its doors for good after service last night.

Sad, but not surprising … the restaurant, which opened in 1984, had been struggling to stay open the past few years, as Jeremiah Moss first reported.

No official word on what will be taking over the space at Ludlow and Stanton. The deal for an Artichoke Pizza here fell through. An applicant named Two Almontes Corp. was on this month's CB3/SLA docket to take over the space, but they were scratched from the agenda.

RIP.


[Photo by Jeremiah Moss]

Today in photos of a 200,000-pound transformer on Avenue A

[Photo by Allen Semanco]

Woo, here it is. The new transformer for the Con Ed substation that has blocked traffic on Avenue A this weekend.

This will be a painstaking precision operation…



… so the new transformer doesn't end up inside Sophie's.

It was the kind of day where someone was randomly playing a tuba on Avenue A

Avenue A and East 10th Street via Anton van Dalen. Did this have anything to do with the cranes?

And now, 14 photos of the big-ass cranes on Avenue A

Well, what a day! The Spring Social Season began with not one but two cranes anchored on Avenue A between East Sixth Street and East Fifth Street… there to lift (or whatevs) a new transformer into the Con Ed substation …

Here are 14 various views of all this…

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Via EVG regular peter radley…













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Via Tin Can On 5th…



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Via EVG regular Grant Shaffer…



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Via Senior EVG Crane Photographer Bobby Williams…








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Via EVG…

Report: Citi Bike needs 'tens of millions of dollars'

[EVG file photo]

From the Post today:

Citi Bike honchos need tens of millions of dollars to save the struggling bicycle-share program — but Mayor de Blasio said Friday that it won’t come from the wallets of New York City taxpayers.

DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said that she’s confident Citi Bike would resolve its problems and even expand.

“We all know Citi Bike has been tremendously popular with New Yorkers,” she said. “But there have been significant financial and operational issues, including redistribution of bikes to where the riders are and technology issues.”

The Wall Street Journal has more on all this "tens of millions of dollars" business here.

In January, Bixi — the Montreal nonprofit company that developed the technology that powers the Citi Bike program — filed for bankruptcy protection.

Citi Bike launched here last May.

Hey, wait a minute — that's not a Citi Bike docking station

A reader alerted us to the fact the the Citi Bike docking station on the northwest corner of Avenue B and Second Street disappeared yesterday… this was before whatever that thing is called in the photo arrived to help resurface the street…

With Avenue A closed today, mind the sightseeing buses!

Avenue A is closed today and tomorrow so we can take photos of large cranes (plus Con Ed is putting in a new transformer at the substation between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street)…

So the alternate route is in effect… traffic personnel are redirecting, uh, traffic down East Fourth Street … north on Avenue B … and west on Seventh Street… which means sightseeing buses might start stalking you… Wait, no McSorley's is the other way! Stop!

[Updated] Reminders: Avenue A closed today; RIP tree

[Photo from last weekend]

Hey, Avenue A will be closed between East Fourth Street and East Seventh Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow. (Curious if the Avenue will actually be closed for all those listed hours.)

Con Ed is installing a new transformer or something at the substation between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

The flashing signs up on the Avenue suggest that motorists use an alternate route, which is NOT through Tompkins Square Park. As for cyclists, you can ride on the sidewalk like you normally do. (OMG! Kidding! Jeez!)

On a more serious note, EVG reader Tin Can On 5th noted the removal of the last tree on Avenue A alongside the substation …



Not sure if the tree came down because of this weekend's work … or if the tree was diseased.

Updated 10:11 a.m.

One of the cranes on A is right where the tree used to be…



Previously on EV Grieve:
A reminder not to drive on Avenue A next weekend

Working for the Weekend

Here's Weekend with "End Times." Good times!

Reader report: Virage closes Monday for a month-long renovation

[Photo via the Virage Facebook page]

That's the word from an EVG reader about the 14-year-old restaurant on Second Avenue at East Seventh Street.

They're are apparently closing for a makeover that will last up to a month. No word what, if any, changes may be in the works for their varied French/Italian/Middle Eastern menu.

The brunch/lunch/dinner spot was closed for renovations for several days back in December 2010.

48 years later, East 14th Street synagogue to be considered for landmark designation

[Photo by Karen Loew via GVSHP]

The Tifereth Israel Town and Village Synagogue at 334 E. 14th St. is on the market for nearly $14 million, as we first noted last October.

Upon hearing of the potential sale, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and a coalition of East Village, preservation, and Jewish history groups reached out to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) urging them to consider the building for landmark designation.

According to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the building has an amazing history, having served as first a German Baptist Church, then a Ukranian Autocephalic Orthodox Church, and then a Conservative Synagogue for the last 50 years. Interestingly enough, the building was calendared by the LPC and considered for landmark designation in 1966, but they never acted upon it.

Now in response to the group's request, the LPC will hold a hearing on the potential landmark designation … scheduled now on Tuesday morning. (The LPC tabled the hearing back in October.)

Here's more about the building and the hearing from concerned neighbors …

As the building is currently for sale and new plans are being considered that could alter this historic structure forever or replace it, we think it is important that the Commission make a decision on its landmark-worthiness. Landmark designation would not prevent the current congregation from growing or even altering or adding to the building. But it would ensure that the key exterior historic elements and the connection to the building’s century and a half history remain.

The Landmark Preservation Committee hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 9:30 am at 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor.

If you are not able to testify, but want to show your support, please submit a sample letter of support created by the Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation. Find the sample letter here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] East 14th St. synagogue on the market for conversion to residential, commercial use

Boukiés has 'permanently closed' on Second Avenue

Boukiés, the Greek restaurant run by Pylos owner Christos Valtzoglos and chef Diane Kochilas, has apparently gone out of business.

The outgoing message for the nearly two-year-old restaurant on Second Avenue at East Second Street says that they have "permanently closed." There isn't a mention of the closure on the restaurant's website or social media. Signs on the restaurant say they are closed for renovations.



A shame, it was a good spot with delicious food.

Previously Valtzoglos tried German-Swiss food with Heartbreak Cafe at this location.

Last April, Valtzoglou sued the State Liquor Authority over an "illegal agreement" with Community Board 3, DNAinfo first reported.

Thank you to @SlickSean for the tip.

A new beginning for Sapporo East?

Sapporo East, the 30-year-old Japanese restaurant on East 10th Street and First Avenue, closed at the end of December, as we first reported.

Now it looks as if there's new life for the space. An EVG reader hears that Sapporo East plans to reopen with new owners — and the same staff. They will be seeking a new beer-wine license during the April CB3/SLA subcommittee meeting, as the notice posted on the door shows…



Sapporo East's sister restaurant, Shima, also closed at the same time. That space on Second Avenue and East 12th Street is currently on the market for $25,400 a month in rent.

Thanks to EVG reader @Breelit for the photo and info

Whatever happened to those British call boxes outside The Telephone Bar on Second Avenue?

Hard to believe that The Telephone Bar & Grill on Second Avenue near East Ninth Street closed a little more than four years ago. The 22-year-old bar was later replaced by (glug! glug!) The 13th Step.

The front of bar was adorned with those old-timey phone booths (or, rather, British call boxes!).

In case you were a fan of the bar, this is for you.

An EVG Facebook friend came across a post yesterday on Messy Nessy Chic featuring a Harlem-based company called The Demolition Depot, which "makes it their business to go in and salvage the irreplaceable pieces of a building’s architectural heritage."

And at the Demolition Depot, you will find these booths for sale...



Now if we could only find some of those old Mars Bar stools...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Telephone Bar and Grill closing after 22 years

Plans for local blogger's first brick-and-mortar store — EXPOSED

On Monday, we noted that 35 First Ave. was now home to Farid's Middle Eastern Grill Food & Pizza.

Unfortunately, plans have surfaced showing the failed business concept for this property… and we are sharing them with you as well before you read about it somewhere else.


[Click on the image for the gory details]

Heh. OK, just joking, of course… this was the handiwork of EVG regular Pinhead.

Anyway, better than a bank, right?

Right?

Hello? Anyone?

Noted

Avenue A between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street. Perhaps there was a soft landing?

Photo by Doug Quint

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

234 E. Seventh St. hits the market for $6.7 million (Commercial Observer)

About the Bum Phillips opera at LaMama (Deadspin)

RIP King Glassware on the Bowery (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Can NYU ever make peace with its Village neighbors? (Curbed)

A record sale at 151 Bowery (BoweryBoogie)

Details on the Triangle Fire Tribute Concert (The Lo-Down)

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… and via the EVG inbox...



Surrealist painter Wayne Krall shows his latest works this Sunday at his spring art show "Collage By Krall" at dba bar. Krall, who has lived in the East Village the past 25 years, tends bar at dba, and has worked at many infamous watering hotels in the neighbourhood including Milano's, Banjo Jim's and the Mars Bar. This upcoming show features new works where he incorporates collage into his paintings. The show and opening is one day only from 2-7pm(?) at dba, 41 First Ave.

Reader report: Xi’an Famous Foods closed for renovations

[Photo by @charli via Twitter]

Disappointed diners have learned that the popular Xi'an Famous Foods at 81 St. Mark's Place is closed for renovations.

@evgrieve Did you see that Xian Famous is closed for renovations? I went there yesterday and saw another shocked would-be patron. Horrible!

— Adrianne Jeffries (@adrjeffries) March 20, 2014

Their official message via Facebook:

Our East Village store will be CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS starting Monday (3/17)!

We hope to be back up and running in 3-4 weeks, with a few more seats and a more open kitchen!

In the meantime, head to our nearby Chinatown spot, open regular hours.

And this is a legit "closed for renovations," not one of those stop-gap messages to help the proprietor hustle out of town.

Xi’an CEO Jason Wang has ambitious plans to expand his growing noodle empire, with possible locations in Boston and Washington, D.C.

East Second Street rooftop addition going for that shipping container look?

[EVG file photo from October 2012]

A few of us have been keeping an eye on the progress at 80 E. Second St., where there are city-approved plans to add two floors to the existing 4-floor building just west of First Avenue.

Here's a shot from last December, showing a few measly beams…


[Photo via EVG reader Spike]

And, well, now…


[Photo via EVG reader B H]

Hmm, OK. Not sure what to make of this addition so far. The permits say "To enlarge the existing 4 story to a 6 story, 5 family dwelling." Is the two-floor addition then just for one residence? No clue as to what's shaping up here on the website of the architect, Damir Dan Sehic of C3D Architects PLLC.

In any event, the bar has been set pretty high on East Second Street for rooftop homes. Directly across the street is the penthouse featuring the deck, lawn and 4-foot-deep resistance pool.

East 8th St. apartment, now with red suspension bridge, back on the market

[EVG file photo]

When we last checked in on 337B E. Eighth St., the Sandy-ravaged apartment near Avenue C was getting a post-superstorm gut renovation...

[November 2012]

As Curbed noted this week, there's a new listing for the 2,300-square-foot residence. Here's a look at the description:

Architectural Masterpiece 2BR 1.5 BATH LOFT in East Village!!!
You really need to see this to understand it.

ALL NEW RENOVATIONS

Private entrance. Entire floor of a building.

Live Work permitted. Suspension bridge, W/D, DW, radiant floors, stainless steel, heated solarium space, sky lights, home office.

Many of the light fixtures in pics are going to be changed. Owner is installing a granite and stainless steel island in the kitchen area

The price per month: $7,999.



Here's when the suspension bridge was white... back in March 2012 when the rent was only $6,950.

And as noted here several times previously, this was the site of 8BC, the performance space/club/gallery that saw the likes of They Might Be Giants, Karen Finley and Steve Buscemi take the stage during its run from 1983-85...

[Via Ephemeral New York]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Gutting an apartment at 337 E. 8th St., former home of 8BC