A list of online fundraisers to help residents rebuild their lives

[Photo this morning by Vinny and O]

There are a number of online fundraisers underway for residents who lost their homes in the explosion and subsequent fire at 121 Second Ave.

We received some of those links... however, DNAinfo has the most comprehensive list that we've seen to date. You can find that information here.

2nd Avenue update (March 31)

[Photo by Phillip Giambri via Facebook]

The latest headlines

Manhattan District Attorney investigating fatal East Village gas explosion: officials (The Wall Street Journal)

3 injured in East Village explosion are released from hospital (The New York Times)

Vigil held at site of East Village explosion (WABC-7)

East Village blast victims’ date meets his parents (New York Post)

How you can help Mariann Marlowe rebuild Enz’s (BoweryBoogie)

Here is information gleaned from the most recent Inter-Agency Update:

• Vacate orders remain for 48 residential units in the following buildings: 125 2nd Avenue, and 41 East 7th Street
• Repair work has begun on 41 East 7th Street
• Vacate orders have been lifted for buildings on the East side of 2nd Avenue
• Bellevue Hospital is still treating one patient
• Approximately 3,000 cubic yards of debris searched and removed as of 10 a.m. yesterday
-Estimated to be half of the debris on site
-This represents 46 trailer loads of debris removed
-Each cubic yard weighs approximately one ton

Donations and Services

• From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Velselka is giving out $100 gift cards to displaced neighbors.

… and from Trash and Vaudeville ...

pic.twitter.com/myfIXnTtWc

— Trash and Vaudeville (@trashvaudeville) March 30, 2015

Missing Pets

City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone

Yesterday afternoon, the city inspected the Icon Realty-owned 128 Second Ave. across the street from the three buildings that were leveled in a gas explosion last Thursday that killed two people and left more than 20 others injured.

According to the violation notice, a city inspector observed a worker in the cellar installing a new gas pipe and new gas elbows and valve without a permit.



The city immediately served a full stop work order.



Per the sign on the door, the remedy is either obtaining a permit or restoring to "prior legal condition."

128 Second Ave. is also home to the Stage. The diner was closed yesterday. A reader spotted Stage owner Roman Diakun, who said they didn't have gas service. It's unclear when the Stage will be able to open again for business.

Last Wedensday, the tenants association at 128 Second Ave. filed an HP Action for Repairs and Services against Icon Realty in NYC Housing Court. Among other issues, the remaining residents claim that there is inconsistent heat, broken fire escapes and a lack of fire alarms in the building.

Icon bought the building in the fall of 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Happy holidays from 128 Second Ave.

128 Second Ave. has been sold

'Demolitions and renovations' starting today at 128 Second Avenue

Spotted Owl Tavern opens today in the former Destination space on Avenue A

John Cutillo, the owner of Local 138 and Iggy's Keltic Lounge on Ludlow Street as well as the Grand Victory in Williamsburg, opens his latest venture today.

Look for the Spotted Owl Tavern on the northwest corner of Avenue A and 13th Street ... in the former Destination space. We're told that the vibe will be old-school neighborhood bar.

And there is food. The owner-chef of Black Tree over on Orchard Street helped create the pub-style menu.



The Spotted Own Tavern opens daily at 3.

Destination Bar opened in the summer of 2009 … and closed this past Feb. 1.

Marshal chronicles

The storefronts at 44 E. First St. are now empty.

For starters, the plant store/boutique Green Fingers moved to Rivington Street several weeks ago...



Then late last week, the Marshal paid a visit to the former Wash House space next door…



However, the hyped laundro-bar had already closed last fall after just six-plus months in business.

Meanwhile, at 45 First Ave. near East Third Street …



The Marshal took possession of the Shin Modern Nail shop…



Next door, Puebla Mexican Food at 47 First Ave. recently lost its lease…. owner Irma Marin hopes to reopen in the Essex Street Market.

La Esquina Burritos & Bar signage up on 1st Avenue

As we noted last week, Figaro Cafe Bistro Bar & Grill on First Avenue and East Sixth Street… was changing up concepts and now going by La Esquina Bar & Grill, per the signs in the window.

Perhaps to alleviate any confusion between this La Esquina and the Kenmare Street establishments — La Esquina Taqueria and Cafe/La Esquina Brasserie & Tequila Bar — ownership must have decided on a variation… the new signage/awning combo is now up…


[Photo via @sheeplessnomad]

La Esquina Burritos and Bar...


[Photo by Vinny and O]

Figaro opened in January 2014, taking over the space from Banjara.

A moment of silence tonight for East Village blast victim Nicholas Figueroa

Friends and family members turned out this evening at St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue for a candlelight vigil in honor of 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa, the first victim identified from last Thursday's gas explosion…



From ABC 7's Jim Dolan on the scene… (Updated: Here is ABC's (report.)

Silent prayer at the vigil for Nicholas Figueroa pic.twitter.com/iutT5d9sFD

— Jim Dolan (@jimdolan7) March 30, 2015

A proud father raises his son's picture. Nicholas Figueroa died in the East Village explosion #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/ls28eLTmmm

— Jim Dolan (@jimdolan7) March 30, 2015

Top two photos via EVG reader Brian P.

The Onion's AMERICAN VOICES weigh in on the East Village explosion selfie

Friday night #eastvillage @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/8OpG1d6mPy

— EventPhotosNYC (@Eventphotosnyc) March 28, 2015

The photo has been making the rounds, here and abroad. Now The Onion takes to the streets for some thoughts on the issue…



Says Pam Coyle, Groupon Purchaser: "It’s unfair to condemn those people before seeing how the pictures turned out."

Previously

Reader report: Gas scare at the Tompkins Square Library

[Photo by EVG reader Daniel]

Late this afternoon the Tompkins Square library branch on East 10th Street was evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Word from some readers who happened to be there… workers were doing boiler repairs, and someone smelled gas.

The FDNY was quickly on the scene and gave the all clear. However, the library remained closed to patrons the rest of the day.

The branch is also serving as a reception center for displaced residents of last Thursday's explosion on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street.

H/T @JenniferKellow

2nd Avenue update (March 30)

[Second Avenue this morning via Vinny and 0]

The latest headlines

Focus shifts to cause of East Village explosion after 2 bodies found (CBS New York)

Tourist apologizes for snapping selfie near blast site (New York Post)

And from the EVG inbox this afternoon...

Councilmember Rosie Mendez statement on the aftermath of East Village explosion

“When our city experiences a disaster such as the explosion that occurred last week in my district, we see New Yorkers at their best. The explosion on 2nd Avenue led many individuals to display their fearlessness and courage to aide people in danger.

“I would like to thank all of the agencies and organizations involved in assisting and protecting our neighbors from combatting the fire to restoring services. Thank you to the FDNY, NYPD, OEM, Red Cross NY, Small Business Services, LES Ready, P.S.63, the Tompkins Square Library, Animal Care & Control, Community Board 3 and many others.

“This explosion was a true tragedy that has rendered many homeless and took the lives of two young men. My heart goes out to the individuals who have lost a friend or family member. I hope the families can find some comfort in that they will be able to move forward with a proper service for their loved one.

“This week, the city will continue to station an emergency resource center in the East Village for residents to obtain a variety of services including relocation and mental health referrals. New Yorkers and East Villagers are strong and resilient and we will survive this trying moment.”

Donations and Services

• Cooper's Craft & Kitchen will be accepting donations from patrons who wish to contribute to the American Red Cross at both their East Village (Second Avenue and East Fifth Street) and Chelsea (Eighth Avenue at 18th Street) locations. "We are deeply saddened by this accident and our thoughts are with the victims & their families," Tom O'Byrne, one of the owners of Cooper's Craft & Kitchen, said in a statement.

• East Village resident Sara Walshe is holding a by-donation yoga class at the Ashtanga Yoga Shala (East Eighth Street at Avenue B) to raise money for displaced residents. All donations will be given to the Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC, earmarked for the explosion. The class is Monday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Details here.

Missing Pets



The cats, Sebastian (left) and Kitty Cordelia, that belong to Kathleen Blomberg, who lives at 125 Second Ave., adjacent to the three collapsed buildings, are missing. No. 125 is still under a Full Vacate Order. We have her contact info should you spot her beloved pets...

[Updated] Assessing the damage at neighborhood favorite B&H Dairy

On Saturday, the FDNY allowed the folks at 76-year-old B&H Dairy to assess their sliver of a space at 127 Second Ave., several storefronts away from the three fallen buildings.

Workers were able to start cleaning the mess… Per part of a Facebook message yesterday: "The place look Good Tanky God."



They are looking forward to reopening soon … no word just yet on when the city will allow that to happen. A full vacate order remains on this building.

We miss our great Costumer

Posted by B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant on Saturday, March 28, 2015

Meanwhile, other neighboring restaurants on the west side of Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street remained closed as of yesterday — Taqueria Diana, Ramen Misoya and Paul's Da Burger Joint. Paul's reopened this afternoon!

The image of our whole corner gone is beyond devastating. We send our love out to our neighbors who have been hurt,...

Posted by Paul's Da Burger Joint on Friday, March 27, 2015

Images via Facebook

Across Second Avenue, the Stage has been open. (Diner regular Helen Mirren got an order to go on Friday.) San Loco and Bar Virage remained closed. At 43 E. Seventh St., Jimmy's No. 43, Standings and Burp Castle were spared any major damage. However, all three spaces have yet been given the OK to reopen.

Updated 11:45 a.m.

Several readers mentioned that the Stage in not open today. And San Marzano at 117 Second Ave. is not open.

Moishe's Bake Shop and the New Yorkers Market are open...

Cleaning out the East 4th Street Dolphin Gym

We spotted workers removing items from the now-closed Dolphin Gym on East Fourth Street near Second Avenue yesterday morning… the guys on the scene said that they didn't know why the gym shuttered without any warning to members on Friday…



EVG reader Nisha left this comment on the previous post:

I went there today and one of the managers was there closing up this morning. I asked what happened — he said that only part of the gym space was zoned for commercial use, the rest was for residential use. He said no one had bothered them about that in 15 years, but now they were starting to get complaints from the city so they had to abruptly shut down.

A sign on the door says that Synergy Fitness (with two locations on 14th Street) will honor the Dolphin memberships.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Dolphin Gym abruptly closes on East 4th Street

Dolphin Gym hangs it up on Avenue B

Reader report: Small fire temporarily KOs Tuome on East 5th Street

Yesterday morning, the FDNY reported to a fire at 540 E. Fifth St. (The address was actually 536.)

MAN ALL HANDS 540 E 5 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON 1ST FLR,

— FDNY (@FDNY) March 29, 2015

[Photo via @salim]

The FDNY gave the all clear after 30 minutes … however, according to a resident in the building, there was some damage to the kitchen at Tuome, the well-regarded restaurant that opened last August.

Per the resident: "Tuome is gone for at least a week, maybe more. It was an oil fire from their kitchen that had started as early as 7am when I smelled it from upstairs."

The restaurant was closed last night during normal business hours. We weren't able to track down anyone to verify the length of the closure. There isn't any mention of the fire on the Tuome website or social media properties.

The only noticeable remainder from the fire on the outside is…

@evgrieve building and street calm now. A little damage to the vault at tuome: pic.twitter.com/WoCEIUU3Iw

— Salim (@salim) March 29, 2015

Minca Ramen Factory, which shares the address, was open per usual yesterday.

Tal Bagels opening soon next to possible new home of Ess-A-Bagel

[Photo from March 22]

Going out of the neighborhood for a moment to discuss a favorite topic (spoiler: bagels). So the lease-less Ess-A-Bagel closed up their home of nearly 40 years last Sunday on First Avenue and East 21st Street.

Ownership maintains that they will reopen nearby.

According to Town & Village, Ess-A-Bagel has expressed interest in the now-closed laundromat space the next block up at No. 363…



Seems like a good spot. Or maybe it was. Several readers pointed out that Tal Bagels is opening another NYC branch… right next door. Coming soon signs arrived last week…



Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Landlord forcing Ess-a-Bagel from its longtime home (46 comments)

1 week left for Ess-A-Bagel at its current 1st Avenue location

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel has closed for now on 1st Avenue