The last gas station in the East Village has closed

[Photo by @BennyPack]

The Mobil station on Avenue C and East Houston disappeared yesterday. This is a bit of a surprise because it had been previously reported that the station had a lease until some time next year ... when the property would yield to a new building.

Back in March, Hakimian Property filed plans (still waiting for approval) to erect a 9-story mixed-use building on the site. Plans call for 45 residential units and 4,550 square feet of commercial space.

The Times reported in October 2013 that construction would begin when Mobil's lease expires in two years — roughly toward the end of 2015.

The State briefly closed the station in June for nonpayment of taxes.

The BP station on Second Avenue and East First Street closed in early July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
How much longer will the East Village have gas stations?

The East Village will soon be down to 1 gas station

The Mobil on Avenue C is still going strong — for now

You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C

Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C

RUMOR: Gas station going, boutique hotel coming on Second Avenue? (31 comments)

BP station on 2nd Avenue closes this month

State seizes Mobil station on Avenue C and Houston for nonpayment of taxes

Man new to area looking for a friend via flyers

‏@CuriousJLuis spotted this flyer yesterday on East Sixth Street near Avenue A.

Say hello to Charles.

According to the flyer:

"I'm sick and tired of this. I just want a friend.

No, not even that. Just someone who can tolerate me for 10 minutes."

I just moved into the area on 6th and A.

I'll be around the neighborhood, but I work a really demanding job as a consultant, so I won't always be available. Weekends work best if you put it on my calendar.

If you see me, please, just say hi."

We don't know if this is a gag of some kind … or a legitimate attempt to make some friends. (There isn't any contact info here.) Someone who looked like Charles was spotted hanging the flyer.

Brazilia Café now serving 'all things gourmet' on Broadway and Great Jones

Reps from Brazilia Café sent us some info on the new upscale food courty place from the folks who designed Eataly. From the EVG inbox...

Located at 684 Broadway (at the corner of Great Jones), Brazilia Café is a one-stop destination offering all things gourmet, from perfectly roasted coffees (sourced from their own coffee farm), to freshly squeezed juices and a smoothie bar for all of your beverage needs. They even offer beer, wine and champagne for those looking to take the edge off after a long day at work. Stop by the soups, salad and sandwich station, or satisfy your sweet tooth with one of the many flavors of Brazilia gelato or pastries.

Also!

Malcolm Stogo (CEO of Fal Foods USA — a subsidiary of Fal Holdings) and his very experienced management team carefully considered every element of the menu to make sure Brazilia delivers that “WOW” factor.

Stogo is behind the DF Mavens opening on St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue.

Gothamist had more details about Brazilia Café yesterday.

A moment with Youngman Kim outside the recently shuttered Kim's Video & Music

Tonight around 7, Bill the Libertarian Anarchist spotted Youngman Kim outside the recently shuttered Kim's Video & Music. The store's founder was there to drop off the keys to the broker.

A listing for the space at 124 First Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place had noted the following: "Ideal for Bank, 711, Starbucks, Cafe, Deli, Bakery ASKING $16,500 month Security 4 months Lease term 5 to 10 years." (That listing is no longer active.)

Meanwhile, Kim said tonight that he wants to start a new venture in the East Village. He opened his first video store on Avenue A in 1987. (Read more history of Kim's here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] A really bad sign outside Kim's Video & Music on First Avenue (31 comments)

More about the closure of Kim's: 'We are NOT closing because record stores are dying'

Listing for Kim's Video says space is 'ideal for Bank, 711, Starbucks'

Deeper discounts at Kim's as closing countdown continues

On the end of Kim's

Move Out Weekend casualties include 'The Albino Bowler,' big kinda weird couch

EVG contributor Derek Berg spotted some fine items on the curb today, such as "The Albino Bowler" painting on East Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...





Also on East Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square...



Looks comfortable enough. But how did that fit through the door?

The Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery is 'temporarily closing down'

[EVG file photo from June]

It looks like the end might finally be here for The Whitehouse Hotel, the hostel/flophouse combo on the Bowery, which has been on Deathwatch for years now.

A sign on the front door at 338-340 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond points out that the hotel is no longer accepting reservations after tomorrow... and that they are "'temporarily closing down" …



There's nothing on the hotel website indicating a closure (other than that when you go to book a room, there aren't any availabilities through next September).

A little recent history. The Commercial Observer reported in early May that hotelier Sam Chang had the property (officially called Bowery's Whitehouse Hotel and Hostel of New York) in contract to an unknown buyer for $12 million. (The owner's name hasn't hit public documents just yet.)

At that time, we noted that DOB records indicate new plans for a 9-floor hotel with a proposed 68 rooms. (Total cost of the project is listed at $5 million.) Michael Lisowski of Otte Architecture is the architect of record.

It's not clear if the Whitehouse would be demolished for the new hotel, or if new floors would be dropped on top of the existing structure.

According to the DOB, the city disapproved the hotel plans on June 10.

In 2011, the hostel spruced itself up to appeal to the backpacking set. (For $45, guests can stay in a tiny room where the walls don't go up to the ceiling.)

The days of the SRO on the Bowery are winding down, of course. The owner of the Sunshine Hotel recently announced plans to downsize and convert the second and third floors of the SRO at 241 Bowery into commercial lofts. Meanwhile, the Ace Hotel is taking over the former Salvation Army-owned building at 225 Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More tenant meetings for White House residents; plus the bed bugs will be exterminated

Another round of plans to convert the Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery into a 9-floor hotel

Here is your new Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combo on East 14th Street

Hey, that new Dunkin' Donuts is now open at 542 E. 14th St. just west of Avenue B … and it is one of those combo operations with a Baskin-Robbins. (For those times when you feel like doughnuts and ice cream!)

Meanwhile, the Dunkin' Donuts a few storefronts away at 520 E. 14th St. has closed, as expected.



Be curious to see what awesome new business lands in the old DD space at No. 520. (Gino the tailor was rent hiked out of one of the three storefronts here back in the spring.) This will be prime real estate now that No. 520 is all that stands between the two incoming retail-residential buildings.

No. 542 was the former home of La Isla Restaurant, which closed in July 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Dunkin' Donuts moving on East 14th Street

Here is your East 14th Street Dunkin' Donuts plywood

Brick by brick, Phebe's getting a new look on the Bowery

A crew spent the entire holiday weekend working on the renovations at Phebe's Tavern & Grill on the Bowery at East Fourth Street.

As we reported last week, Phebe's closed after business on Aug. 24 for — as they described it — "a little facelift."

That facelift includes a new brick look.



They are expected to reopen Friday at 5.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Phebe's closed 'for a little facelift' on the Bowery

Last night's moon

Photo by Grant Shaffer

Dancing in the street and inside Exile Professional Gym on 2nd Avenue

Just noting the new exterior at 27 Second Ave. (it was still behind plywood last time we looked) … the new home of Exile Professional Gym (EXPG for short) — billed as "the first and the only dance studio for Street Dance."

Per the EXPG website, they offer vocal and dance classes encompassing a wide variety of styles (hip hop, house, lock, among others).

EXPG officially opened yesterday. And here's a look inside via the EXPG website…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Second on Second sets farewell party

Claim: Second on Second closing this month on Second Avenue

'The first and the only dance studio for Street Dance' coming to 2nd Avenue

Coming and going on 3rd Avenue

OK, let's see … as noted back in July, a GNC is taking over the former East Hardware space at 79 Third Ave. The GNC sign arrived a few weeks ago. More recently, the signage went up next door at East 11th Street for Heavenly Market & Deli.

And in other NYU dorm storefront news … Citi Habitats moved out of 37 Third Ave. maybe at the end of June (don't think we ever noted it…) … the space remains on the market for an undisclosed sum. (The listing notes no bars or businesses to compete with its neighbors, like Subway and Saint's Alp Teahouse.) And next door at East Ninth Street, the brown paper now covers the gutted Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery space.

Moving Day aftermath

East Seventh Street at Avenue A last night via Dave on 7th.

Seemed as if people were moving in or out of practically every building around this past weekend…

Things we did last summer

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Edward Arrocha]

June

We said goodbye then welcomed back Gino the tailor ...


[Photo by Michael Paul]

We saw some rainbows...


[Photo by Rob and Mike]

We said goodbye to a new old friend...



We took far too many photos of clouds...



We took in some of the World Cup...


[Photo by Dave on 7th]

We saw the baby hawks grow right up before our eyes...


[Photo by Francois Portmann]

We watched a baby hawk rescue...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

We watched the annual NYC Drag March...


[Photo by editrrix]

We just liked this photo...


[Photo Derek Berg]

July

We saw the July 4 fireworks again...


[Photo by James and Karla Murray]

We got to know a little about the life of Michael Brody...



We got new sidewalk decorations...



We had a cookout, with special guests the FDNY...


[Photo by Paul Kostabi]

We watched the baby hawks prepare their own meals in Tompkins Square Park...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

We celebrated 25 years of Paul's Da Burger Joint...


[Photo by Stacie Joy]

We braved the masses for Mahnattanhenge...


[Photo by James and Karla Murray]

We kept up with friends...



We were hot a few times...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

August

We watched concerts in Tompkins Square Park...


[The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black by Stacie Joy]


We remembered Robin Williams...


[Photo by Michael Paul]

We sat in the Park for some movies...



We had a supermoon...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

We took part in a rally/march for Michael Brown...


[Photo by jdx]

We shopped at Kim's one last time...



... and we'll be back at the usual spot next summer...

[Updated] Report: Early morning knifepoint robbery on Avenue A

A 35-year-old woman walking home from her shift at the Mini Thai Cafe was reportedly held up at knifepoint early this morning on Avenue A and East Ninth Street.

According to the Post:

The man whipped out a small knife and threatened her, cops said.

“Give me everything, or I’ll kill you!,” he said, according to police sources.

The woman struggled with the thief and got a cut on her arm in the scuffle, cops said.

The thief managed to swipe the victim’s Marc Jacobs purse with her Donna Karan wallet, $300 in cash and her iPhone, cops said.

There's not much of a description of the suspect via the Post, just — "6-feet-tall and in his 30s, fled on foot in a pair of blue jeans."

Updated 9-2
DNAinfo reports that the robbery took place outside 405 E. Sixth St., near First Avenue, about 5 a.m.

Week in Grieview

[At La Plaza Cultural, 9th and C]

On the end of Kim's (Monday)

A 1984 then-and-now photo project (Thursday)

Checkers coming to First Avenue (Monday)

A visit to Enz's Boutique (Tuesday)

Untitled Queen (Monday)

Moishe's Kosher Bake Shop storefront for lease (Friday)

Out and About with Ellen Turrietta (Wednesday, 78 comments)

East Village to be test for a new rat reservoir program (Friday)

The future of the Quad Cinema (Wednesday)

More about Empellón al Pastor, opening soon on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Lots of Ramones projects on the way (Friday)

The Sunshine Hotel is shrinking (Friday)

More time left for the Subway Inn (Wednesday)

37 St. Mark's Place got cleaner (Monday)

Video of a guy in a diaper on East 14th Street (Wednesday)

"Rat Castle" condos for sale (Monday)

Now open: Be Juice and Snowdays Shavery (Tuesday)

Chloë Sevigny on the East Village today (Sunday, 54 comments)


[The Chloë Sevigny Absolut ad recently arrived on St. Mark's and 2nd Avenue]

7:57 a.m., East 14th Street, Sept. 1

Also, Happy Labor Day.