This block of Avenue A is awfully quiet, and why is Lucy's closed?

Not much happening on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and East Ninth Street... as far as storefronts are concerned..

Nino's and Yoshi Sushi are entering the third month of closure, apparently due to a gas leak in the building. (And the landlord previously issued eviction notices.)

The space between these two restaurants remains vacant. The 10 Degrees Bistro closed back in August. (The team behind Shoolbred's and Ninth Ward got the OK last month from CB3 for a beer-wine license to open a cajun-style restaurant here.)

Continuing north... EVG regular Peter Brownscombe shared these photos from last Wednesday night... Lucy's has been closed...



... and the note on the door isn't the most comforting — closed until further notice.



Lucy tends to take several breaks during the year, though she always leaves a sign with a reopening date. She has randomly closed for a short period of time without any explanation (here and here). Anyway, not sure what is happening here.

And the rest of the block... Top A Nails is open... the former Sustainable NYC is for rent... and Doc Holliday's anchors the corner at Ninth Street... for now there are just two of seven businesses open on the block...

Ruffian is now open on East 7th Street

Ruffian, a cafe at 125 E. Seventh St. named after the American champion thoroughbred racehorse, is now open here between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's more info on the cafe via a news release from the EVG inbox...

Ruffian is owned by Tabla alumnus Patrick Cournot and business partner Nick Fusco. They are joined by chefs Josh Ochoa and Andy Alexandre (also Tabla alumni) and sommelier Alexis Percival.

Collectively, Josh Ochoa and Andy Alexandre, have worked under the direction of highly regarded chefs such as Michael Lomonaco (Windows on the World), Polo Dobbin (Dressler), and Floyd Cardoz (Tabla). The menu changes daily and features dishes like Lamb Crepinette with Buttered Turnips, Cornish Hen with Wheat Berries and Mushrooms, and Marinated Mussels with Bruléed Aioli Toast.

Managing Partner Patrick Cournot will also serve as Ruffian's wine director. Cournot curated the wine lists at Lelabar, Resto, The Cannibal, and Blaue Gans, among others. The wine list will offer 100 selections by the bottle ($40-$250) and 15 wines by the glass ($11-$20).

The release notes that Ruffian will soon serve beer.

This will be the second new wine bar right along this stretch of East Seventh Street... Virgola, the Greenwich Village-based oyster-and-wine cafe, is now open at No. 111.

Oaxaca Taqueria was the previous tenant at No. 125.

Illustration via the Ruffian website

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ruffian Wine Bar signage arrives on East 7th Street

Report: Empellón al Pastor divides the bar and tacos

Eater notes some changes at Empellón al Pastor, Alex Stupak's bar/taqueria on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.

The menu, which heretofore focused on al pastor style tacos, has been expanded, and the bar and taqueria areas have been physically divided. "We have two guest profiles," Stupak tells Eater. "You have the grab and go, food only types and then you have people looking for a proper bar."

The issue, as the chef saw it, was that while the kitchen was brightly illuminated. Stupak notes: "That light shining into a bar is psychologically problematic....I want people to drink. To descend into civil depravity. I want them to tag the space, make out, abuse it!"

So Stupak erected a wall to divide the spaces. The taqueria opens at noon now, while the bar opens at 4 p.m.

Empellón al Pastor opened in October 2014 in the space that previously housed the Sushi Lounge.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place

CB3 OKs liquor license for Alex Stupak's new restaurant on St. Mark's Place

More about Empellón al Pastor, opening this fall on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

[Updating] RIP David Bowie

#DavidBowie (1/8/47-1/10/16)

A photo posted by East Village Radio (@eastvillageradio) on Jan 10, 2016 at 11:27pm PST

As you may have heard late last night, David Bowie has died. He was 69.

January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle... https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy

— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016

Here's one local connection. "Lazarus," which has been playing at the New York Theatre Workshop on East Fourth Street since Nov. 18, features songs that Bowie specially composed for the production as well as new arrangements of previously recorded songs.

"Lazarus," inspired by the 1963 novel "The Man Who Fell to Earth" by Walter Tevis, centers on the character of Thomas Newton (Michael C. Hall), which Bowie played in the 1976 film version. Bowie also co-wrote the adaptation with Enda Walsh.

The production is sold out through Jan. 19. There are tickets available for the previously announced final performance on Jan. 20, which is also a benefit for the theater. Tickets are $2,500 and $1,000. Details here.

Updated 8:30 a.m.



NBC 4 and NY1 were doing live remotes this morning from the New York Theatre Workshop, where there was one bundle of flowers left outside the front doors. (There was also an empty champagne bottle...)

Updated noon


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Updated 4:24 p.m.

An EVG reader said that these arrived overnight on East 12th Street at Second Avenue...



Updated 4:31 p.m.

The scene outside David Bowie's residence on Lafayette... photos via Steven...





Updated 1/12

The scene at 2 a.m. on Lafayette Street via EVG regular Peter Brownscombe...





Updated 8:30 a.m.

On the gate at The Immigrant on East Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Updated 3:30 p.m.

Photos from Lafayette Street this afternoon via EVG regular peter radley...

Rite Aid relocates ahead of new development on Avenue D

The Rite Aid on Avenue D between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street relocated late last week...



...just one block north to the vacant retail space in the Arabella 101 building...





The move is to make way for a 12-story mixed-use building ... three one-level storefronts will need to be demolished: the Rite Aid and the long-vacant laundromat and Shady's pizza...



The approved permits on file with the city show a building with a total of 96,038 square feet (7,868 of them for the retail component). There are 108 dwelling units listed. The Real Deal reported in May 2014 that L&M Development Partners could build to 96,400 square feet with an inclusionary housing bonus.

L&M Development Partners, one of the groups involved in the Essex Crossing development at the former Seward Park urban renewal site, bought the three parcels of 79-89 Avenue D in 2014 for $12.5 million.

We have not seen any renderings for the new building just yet. GF55 Partners, whose area work includes Jupiter 21 and 48 Bond, are the architects of record.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

Report: Boutique office building on East Houston and Lafayette at BP site a go

Despite not having any tenants, Related Cos. will start construction of a swanky new boutique office building on East Houston and Lafayette in the next few months, Crain's reports.

The development has been in the discussion phase for several years now.

Per Crain's:

Developers typically need to find an anchor tenant in order to establish a source of income that will help to finance the construction of the development. But like other boutique-office developers, Related discovered that it would have to take a risk and construct the building without a tenant in hand because small-sized office tenants do not make decisions on their office space years in advance. Instead they sign leases closer to when they are ready to make a move.

The 7-story terra-cotta and limestone building — designed by Cookfox Architects — will have 30,000 square feet of retail and 53,000 square feet of office space. As Crain's noted, "300 Lafayette will have abundant outdoor space, with a roof deck and expansive terraces on each floor."

And here is a rendering...


[Rendering by Cookfox via Crain's]

The building is expected to be finished in 2018.

Meantime, this means the BP station on the lot will be closing soonish. So the BP on East 23rd Street at Avenue C/the FDR will be the closest place around here if you need gas. (Gas for your vehicle. Because someone will make a joke.)

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

Have you seen the glass tower in the works for Lafayette and East Houston?

Filling up: the status of 2 former East Village gas stations

The former New York Macaroni Co. space is for rent on St. Mark's Place

The for rent sign is now up at 102 St. Mark's Place, marking the end of New York Macaroni Co.'s 6-month run.

We don't know why they closed. Never seemed all that busy to us. But maybe they were making a lot of mac-and-cheese deliveries. When they opened last June 29, at least two EVG readers gave their food high marks. (The Yelp reviews were mostly positive.)

Anyway, upon closing at the end of 2015, the owners wrote on Facebook: "We appreciated the opportunity to serve you guys a really high-quality product. Thanks for all the support!"

The previous speciality-food tenant here between Avenue A and First Avenue, Puddin', never reopened after the city found them operating with an expired food service establishment permit in November 2014.

As for the storefront, the listing at Winick notes the rent is available upon request.

More about the Mamoun's Falafel move on St. Mark's Place

In case you missed our post on this during the holiday break... in the weeks ahead, Mamoun's Falafel will be relocating a few storefronts away from their longtime home at 22 St. Mark's Place to 30 St. Mark's Place here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The Commercial Observer has a few more details on the relocation.

The 45-year-old falafel joint ... will double its size to 1,400 square feet ... Mamoun’s is taking the space for 10 years ... Asking rent in the deal was $250 per square foot. Mamoun’s is expected to open within the next three months, according to James Famularo of Eastern Consolidated.

The previous tenant at No. 30, Red & Gold Boil, closed after 13 months in business in early October.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mamoun's Falafel is moving on St. Mark's Place

The Sweet Generation storefront turns 1 today

Sweet Generation is celebrating its 1-year storefront anniversary today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by giving away free mini cupcakes (while supplies last!) and coupons at 130 First Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Here's more about the work they do via the anniversary announcement ...

Sweet Generation bakery believes in the power of the arts and creativity in making change in one's life and in the world. They have partnered with several nonprofit organizations and local High Schools to create an internship program that teaches baking, food safety, customer service, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to teens and young adults from low-income communities. With every purchase of their award-winning cupcakes and pastries you are supporting their internship program for at-risk youth, teaching job readiness skills in their creative bakery space.

Since opening a year ago, Sweet Generation has mentored over 20 at-risk New York City youth through partnerships with Cypress Hills LDC, The Boys Club of NY, City As School, The Center For Arts Education, Lower Manhattan Arts Academy, and more.

Additionally, Sweet Generation works to support the fundraising and programmatic goals of innovative and creative organizations by making cash and product donations to programs that align with their mission. They have also hosted over half a dozen art exhibitions showcasing the talented youth of the local community.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sweet Generation opens today

Poco goes before City Council Tuesday for sidewalk cafe approval

[EVG photo from last month]

Several EVG readers passed along word that reps from Poco were outside the restaurant on Avenue B and East Third Street this weekend collecting signatures in support of receiving a license for their sidewalk cafe.

Last month, CB3 voted to deny the renewal of a sidewalk cafe permit for Poco, who advertises having a "legendary boozy brunch."

Here's part of CB3's lengthy denial. (You can find the PDF of the minutes from the December meeting here.)

WHEREAS, this applicant was first heard by Community Board 3 in May of 2009 for a sidewalk café permit for twenty-two (22) tables and forty-four (44) seats and was denied because the applicant conceded at that time that it had already been operating a sidewalk café without a permit; and

WHEREAS, this applicant then obtained a sidewalk café permit for ten (10) tables and twenty (20) seats; and

WHEREAS, this applicant was then heard for an alteration to extend its liquor license to its sidewalk café in September of 2009 and withdrew its application before Community Board 3 to address ongoing complaints from residents of loud noise from people and music emanating from the business which was corroborated by the issuance of a police summons for unreasonable noise in August of 2009...

WHEREAS, this applicant was then heard for a renewal of its full on-premise liquor license in July of 2015 because Community Board 3 had received complaints from residents from April of 2014 through July of 2015, about the failure of the business to oversee the sidewalk, unruly drunk patrons from the business blocking the sidewalk, excessive noise from patrons and music emanating from the business, which has an open façade, as well as from its sidewalk café, all you can drink brunch specials, the sidewalk café operating past its permitted time of 10:00 P.M., the service of alcohol at the sidewalk café after its permitted closing time and the café taking up too much of the sidewalk; and

WHEREAS, in May of 2015, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued violations against this business for its sidewalk café exceeding its permitted footprint on the sidewalk and having ten (10) too many tables when it was permitted for ten (10) tables and twenty (20) seats with a closing time of 10:00 P.M. every day; and

WHEREAS, in July of 2015 the applicant conceded that she kept the sidewalk café open past her permitted closing time and was serving patrons food and drinks at the café after its permitted closing time and that she has unlimited drink specials served with meals at brunch but stated that she had addressed complaints about her sidewalk café and patrons on the sidewalk since first being calendared for a community board meeting in June of 2015...

... and later...

WHEREAS, Community Board 3 has received additional complaints, including from an area resident and community board member, that drunken patrons block and disrupt sidewalk use for area residents; and

WHEREAS, an area resident and public community board member has observed that this café regularly exceeds its permitted size by an additional ten (10) to fifteen (15) tables, as evidenced by the attached video recordings...

On Tuesday, Poco will appear before City Council (heres the agenda) to make their case for the sidewalk cafe. Ahead of that, they are collecting signatures...

We are more than a restaurant. We are more than bottomless brunch. We at Poco, are your friends and family and we need...

Posted by Poco Restaurant & Bar on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

There are 442 signatures at Change.org as of this evening... from around the country...



In the meantime, the flyer below was spotted in the hall of an adjacent residential building...



Poco opened in March 2009.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Big word alert: From the front lines of the Avenue B brunch war

And now, RAINBOWS!

[Photo by Robert Miner]

Thanks for the photos this afternoon...


[Photo by Shawn Chittle]


[Photo by Vinny & O]


[Photo via Danny]


[Photo by Sally Davies]


[Photo via @HowCitiesWork]

... and a clearer shot of the DOUBLE RAINBOW...


[Photo by Caz Lulu via Facebook]

Week in Grieview

[Photo Friday on 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Adam Purple's legacy (Monday, 52 comments)

The Sock Man is closing on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

Report: Latest woe for St. Mark's Bookshop — possible eviction (Friday, 44 comments)

A revamped Dry Dock Playground is back open (Wednesday)

An open letter to landlord Raphael Toledano from the Toledano Tenants Coalition (Tuesday)

Gothic Cabinet Craft has closed on Third Avenue (Friday)

You now have a few more hours to use the local libraries during the week (Wednesday)

Report: Owners of Phebe's and Penny Farthing are reopening the Rodeo Bar on Third Avenue (Tuesday)

29-year-old Gallery Vernon is closing on East 9th Street (Friday)

Avenida Cantina now serving Tex-Mex on Avenue B (Friday)

Royale looking forward to the next 10 years on Avenue C (Tuesday)

SRO Pizza is apparently DOA on the Bowery (Thursday)

City removes Sandy-damaged willow on East Eighth Street (Thursday)

Domino's® opens on East 14th Street (Friday)

Nonna's Pizza closes on Avenue A (Thursday)

An ice cream flavor Mick Jagger might like (Tuesday)

Tailor shop opening on East Ninth Street (Thursday)

Sushi in the works for Avenue C and East Eighth Street (Monday)

A photogenic Tuesday morning (Tuesday)

Tough retail Environment? Upscale furniture shop closing on the Bowery (Thursday)

Tagging Joey Ramone (Tuesday)

Temporary IDNYC center opens on Avenue D (Monday)

NY Village Deli is on the move on First Avenue (Wednesday)

We're going to need more digits for this Powerball

First of all, you didn't win the $949.8 million Powerball drawing last night. Sorry!

Given that, the next jackpot could reach an estimated $1.3 billion, lottery officials told ABC News.

And given that (again), there aren't enough digits to note this on the lottery ad on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue, as these photos by EVG Powerball correspondent Steven show...



According to someone who knows math and stuff, there's a 1 in 292.2 million chance of winning the Powerball's grand prize.

Someone tagged the incoming condos at 100 Avenue

Well, not the most noticeable tags on the south-facing wall of Ben Shaoul's under-construction condoplex between East Seven Street and East Sixth Street... but they are new as of today...



There!



Previously on EV Grieve:
Someone threw black paint bombs at the naked women condo ad along 100 Avenue A

Juice Vitality now open on 1st Avenue

That juice bar we told you about a few weeks ago coming to 192 First Ave. is now open here between East 11th Street and East 12th Street, per EVG regular Peter Brownscombe.

We don't know anything about the proprietors behind Juice Vitality. Anyway, per the sign on the front window, there's a buy-one-get-one-free deal going on for the grand opening.

Previous tenant Medina Deli moved around the corner in October to the former Reciprocal Skateboard space on East 11th Street.

[Updated] The ides of Mulch are upon us

MulchFest 2016 is getting underway (or it's over, depending when you're reading this)... today and tomorrow (Sunday!) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park.

We stopped by early, around 8 this morning, to get a good seat.

Unfortunately, the seats were just arriving.


So me and my +1 went to another MulchFest, but they were "closed for a private event."

Updated 1/10

If you missed the mulching action... here's a clip via EVG regular Greg Masters...



Be sure to watch the awesome tree toss at the 29-second mark...

Noted

Crews are out this morning along Avenue A to film scenes for the Hulu supernatural comedy "Deadbeat."

One of the guys setting up the craft services had his young son (age 10? 12?) with him. The boy had a Razor scooter, and was ready to head off on Avenue A and East 10th Street.

The father stops the boy, and says in a firm tone: "This is a nice neighborhood, but that is not a nice Park" — nodding toward Tompkins Square Park. "Do not talk to anyone. Absolutely do not give your scooter to anyone."

Happily Never after

Warpaint's Jenny Lee Lindberg (aka Jennylee) released her first solo record, Right On!, last month... here's "Never" from her debut.

Also, she'll be at the Bowery Ballroom on Feb. 27.

EV Grieve Etc.: Sheldon Silver's sentencing date; C&B Cafe's all-day breakfast sandwiches

[Headless Spidey on 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

The year of the mom-and-pop shop? (Town & Village) ... and Councilmember Annabel Palma on the Small Business Jobs and Survival Act (Town & Village)

How proposed zoning changes may impact small-business owners (Gotham Gazette)

A look at plans for the new-look Bluestockings Bookstore (BoweryBoogie)

Sheldon Silver's sentencing date scheduled for April 13 (The Lo-Down)

Izakaya on East Sixth Street closing next month, will reopen with new chef (Eater)

Praise for the all-day breakfast sandwiches at C&B Cafe on East Seventh Street near Avenue B (Gothamist)

A Jack Kirby Museum for the Lower East Side? (BoweryBoogie)

Lenny Kaye on the 40th anniversary of "Horses" (The Village Voice)

Dinner with Christo in Tompkins Square Park (Gog in NYC)

A wide-ranging interview with R.B. Korbet, of the late, great proto-hardcore band Even Worse (Flaming Pablum)

... and a music break with Even Worse live at the Peppermint Lounge circa 1982...



NYPL adds more vintage pics to its digital collection (Curbed)

Interview with Meryl Meisler, who has a new book of photos titled "Purgatory & Paradise: Sassy '70s Suburbia and The City." (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Onetime home of Britney Spears at 14 E. Fourth St. (aka the Silk Building) is on the market for $7.6 million (Curbed)

When the Beastie Boys covered the Beatles' 1965 track "I'm Down" (Dangerous Minds)

Pizza Rat may have been a hoax (Gothamist)

Pierogi Gallery moving to Suffolk Street because the LES is less mainstream than Williamsburg (Artforum ...Brooklyn Paper)

The No Pants Subway Ride is Sunday (DNAinfo)

From the Listicle Department: NYC is the 15th most bedbug-infested city in America (BoingBoing)

Cat cafe movie nights on Clinton Street (DNAinfo)

Staff picks for the best music of 2015 (Other Music)

...and several EVG readers noted the arrival of this offer from Virgola, which recently opened on East Seventh Street...



... and continued evidence of an alien invasion... as noted by EVG Conspiracy Theorist contributor Derek Berg.

It starts, as it always does, with the crop circles in the Tompkins Square Dog Run...



...then there are signals in the sky...



... and then the pods arrive on St. Mark's Place...