Selling off Nino's

The auction is going on this afternoon at Nino's...various workers are carrying out the remains of the pizzeria, which is now closed for good on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place.

As previously reported, owner Nino Camaj accepted a low six-figure amount to walk away from his remaining 10-year lease and surrender the pizza shop that he opened in 1989. He had been in a dispute with the landlord over back rent and a closure due to a gas leak in the building.

James Morrissey, who owns The Late Late on East Houston, had been after the Nino's space to combine with the former Hop Devil Grill next door to create The Honey Fitz. Those plans are on hold for the moment, though Morrissey told DNAinfo the he "remains interested in the location, assuming all outstanding lease issues have been resolved."

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Honey Fitz in the works for St. Mark's Place and Avenue A (54 comments)

Gas leak closes Nino's for now

Nino's and Yoshi Sushi served with eviction notices on Avenue A

Encouraging signs at Nino's

Report: The Honey Fitz on hold; and RIP Nino's

Incoming Bagel Belly now with Bagel Belly signage

Since the new storefront was unveiled at 114 Third Ave. near East 14th Street ... the Bagel Belly coming soon signage has arrived...

As you can see, the bagels here will be "hand rolled & kettle boiled" ...



No mention of toasted.

The proprietors here also own Namu Deli & Grocery at 252 Third Ave. between 20th Street and 21st Street.

And these two questions came up the last time we mentioned Bagel Belly.

1) Is Tompkins Square Bagels still opening an outpost on Second Avenue?

Yes. Renovations were slowed down by some DOB-mandated modifications. Read more here.

2) Is Black Seed Bagels still open on First Avenue?

Yes. They are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

9-story office building for sliver of space on Lafayette and Great Jones

Here on the corner of Lafayette and Great Jones, a 9-story office building is now in the works for the 50-foot-wide lot...



According to New York Yimby, who first reported on this development, 363 Lafayette St. will feature 8,325 square feet of community facilities and 27,743 square feet of commercial space.

Per NY Yimby:

Retail and a lobby will occupy the first floor, followed by a mix of community facilities and offices on the second and third floors, and the remaining six floors will be devoted to office space.

We wonder if this property will be marketed directly to NYU, which owns dozens of buildings on the surrounding blocks. In that case, the community space could become classrooms, or possibly offices for a non-profit.

As some of you might remember, this corner was home to the Jones Diner from 1938 to 2002...

[Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]

The Shape of Lies going on hiatus starting March 1 'to rethink the future'

The Shape of Lies, the longtime jewelry store at 127 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, is taking a break.

We'll let their website explain the situation:

GOOD NEWS: We have not lost our lease and we are not leaving the East 7th location. Starting March 1st we are taking an extended hiatus to rethink the future direction of the shop.

BAD NEWS: Several of our designers have fallen in love and moved on. Without these talented women The Shape of Lies will NOT specialize in jewelry next incarnation.

A sign on the storefront mentions a two-month closure.

Meanwhile, there's a sale going on. Go here for details. The shop opened here in 1979. As they say on their Facebook page, "Last of the live/work artists in the East Village."

[Updated] Chopt opens today at 51 Astor Place; free salads in return for a donation

Chopt opens today over at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star ... on the Fourth Avenue side at East Ninth Street...

And the self-described globally inspired salad company has an incentive for people to eat a salad (or salad wrap!) today via their Chopt Gives Day.

Via the EVG inbox...

This Monday, Chopt will open the doors to its new location at 51 Astor Place and give away free salads and salad wraps to all customers in exchange for any donation to their charitable partner Wellness in Schools, a non-profit that promotes healthy eating and environmental awareness to kids in public schools across the US. Hours: 11am - 1:30pm, 6pm - 8:30pm.

And here's a look at the Chopt space...





Meanwhile! As for the other new businesses at No. 51 here in MiSo... Bluestone Lane Coffee is setting up shop next to Chopt ...



Looks as if they have a ways to go before opening...



And the Flywheel Sports looks to be going in right behind the plywood on the southeasterly facing side of the building...



According to Well + Good, the incoming Flywheel will feature a stadium-seating studio with more than 70 bikes. Plus! "[I]t will be the first to introduce a new, instructor-controlled LED lighting system."

Hope that doesn't disturb Watson, deep in thought upstairs.

Updated 5 p.m.

EVG reader Brian Polay shared this photo... showing that folks were lining up for the salad deal today...



Previously on EV Grieve:
3 retail spaces available at 51 Astor Place (22 comments)

You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

3 new retail tenants for 51 Astor Place: Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t and Flywheel Sports

Chopping soon signage up at the Death Star

Here's the Bluestone Lane Coffee signage at 51 Astor Place

Petition launched to close Webster Hall after fight involving rapper Skate Maloley and security

[Image via Spin]

There are multiple reports about a fight last night at a sold-out concert at Webster Hall featuring rappers Nate "Skate" Maloley and Derek Luh, fans and security.

Much of the reporting seems to be based on accounts posted on Twitter, where the incident became a trending event.

According to one report, Luh lunged at a security guard ... then "was dragged off stage and security began shouting at fans to go home, leading to outrage among the fans near the stage. Some of them also got into altercations with security guards, leading Nate to step in and 'defend his fans.'"

There are accusations that the security guards used a taser on a concertgoer.

Per Complex:

According to Maloley, he was midway through his set when he noticed that the security in front of the stage were assaulting a group of fans and decided to intervene on their behalf. Maloley, as you can see on the video below, reached down toward one of the security personnel after allegedly catching him using a taser on a fan close to the stage and was overwhelmed by the security force as the crowd watched on in horror.

Sad a sold out show had to end like that. It's love for my family and my fans to the death. We ride together. One love.

— Skate (@skatemaloley) February 21, 2016

CBS 2 talked to two fans who were at the show.

“He grabbed like security like off of a fan, and that’s when he got like stomped to the ground,” one woman said.

“They picked him up and threw him on the ground and starting kicking him,” the other said.

A police source told CBS 2 that there weren't any assault complaints, arrests or charges filed. It wasn't clear if there were any injuries.

The Mirror published the following sentence: "The event echoes the famous Rolling Stones Altamont tragedy in which a riot erupted among fans and the Hell's Angels."

Webster Hall posted the following message on their Tumblr:

Saturday’s incident is being fully investigated, as there are misreports about what took place. Webster Hall’s staff do NOT carry tasers and are not armed. They carry strobe flashlights. The safety of all guests is always our primary focus.

Meanwhile, fans of the rappers created an online petition to shut down Webster Hall. Per the petition: "Webster hall is disgusting after tonight 2-20-2016 they no longer deserve to be in business they had no right to race those people and assault skate, Derek and the others. It was all unnecessary [sic] and something needs to be done about it."

As of 8:30 p.m., there were 4,176 signatures.

Week in Grieview

[Photo Monday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Report: Judge says plumber allegedly involved in Second Avenue blast should have his license revoked (Tuesday)

Feb. 29 is the last day on St. Mark's Place for Trash and Vaudeville ahead of move to East Seventh Street (Friday)

Looking to carry on the legacy of St. Mark's Bookshop (Thursday)

Minca Ramen Factory returns next Wednesday (Friday)

The Honey Fitz on hold; and RIP Nino's (Wednesday ... Friday)

Monthly Movies @ MoRUS series kicks off (Wednesday)

Pak Punjab Deli and Grocery back open (Tuesday)

A visit to Cacio e Vino on Second Avenue (Thursday)

Take a survey about noise (Friday)

Out and About with Rafael Hines (Wednesday)

Property at 253 E. Seventh St. now for sale; perfect for a "dream custom mansion townhouse" (Tuesday)

Bagel Belly! (Tuesday)

Pork Pie Hatters is closing on East Ninth Street (Friday)

Third Avenue penthouse cottage returns to market as a $17k monthly rental (Friday)

Happy No. 162 McSorley's (Monday)


[A Bowery before and after]

The Bowery street sign returns without the David (Thursday)

You likely had a feeling of what is opening in this storefront on East Sixth Street (Thursday)

LinkNYC OFFICIALLY launches (Thursday)

Saving$ Paradise moving on East 14th Street (Wednesday)

A quick look inside the new Mamoun's on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

News about dry cleaners (Wednesday)

You can't park at the former Mobil station any longer (Tuesday)

Suffolks Arms now open on East Houston (Thursday)

The storefronts for rent on the Bowery (Tuesday)

... and a scene from Tompkins Square Park yesterday...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

The Upper Rust is moving away from East 9th Street and the East Village

The 14-year-old antiques shop on East Ninth Street at Avenue A is closing ... and moving to Chelsea.

Tomorrow (Monday!) is the last day here.

Here's part of the email the owners sent to their customers...



This marks the last business in the corner building. According to one previous tenant here, landlord Icon Realty either hasn't been renewing leases or offering new terms with unmanageable rent increases.

Cafe Pick Me Up (who moved into part of the Gnocco space on East 10th Street) and Dusty Buttons (who has a new storefront further west on Ninth Street) were the most recent tenants to vacate.


[EVG photo from July]

Icon Realty bought the building at 145 Avenue A for $10.1 million in April 2014, according to public records.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On East 9th Street Dusty Buttons is closing after 125% rent hike: 'Saying goodbye will hurt like hell'

Report: Dahlia's busted after cops find 43 minors drinking inside locked restaurant

[EVG photo from 2014]

The State Liquor Authority (SLA) has yanked the liquor license from Dahlia's on Second Avenue and East Fifth Street after the NYPD found more than 40 teens drinking inside the Mexican restaurant on Jan. 30, the Post reports.

After reportedly serving teens, the SLA served up an emergency liquor license suspension. The restaurant, known as Mary Ann's until 2014, can still sell food, but not alcohol.

Here's some passages from the Post:

[C]ops found the exits locked and more than 40 well-heeled teens — one only 15 years old — quaffing “monster margaritas” and mojitos.

And!

Cops from the 9th Precinct arrived at Dahlia’s after receiving a 911 call reporting underage drinking. At the crowded bar, they documented that 43 patrons were younger than 18, including five 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old.

Most of the teenage drinkers were from monied Westchester suburbs like Scarsdale and Larchmont, officials said. None had been asked for ID.

SLA officials also said that the holder of the liquor license, Huascar Then, and five servers were arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, unlawfully dealing with a child and criminal nuisance.

SLA Chair Vincent Bradley issued this statement: "In addition to demonstrating a total disregard for the law by blatantly catering to minors, this licensee further jeopardized the health and safety of these young patrons by crowding them into a locked bar to avoid detection by law enforcement."

As you probably know, the 9th Precinct is a 1/2 block from the restaurant.

Updated 10:45 a.m.

I walked by Dahlia's this morning... you wouldn't know that the restaurant isn't serving liquor... see next update below...








Updated noon:

The gates are up now at the restaurant... and the suspended license legalese is posted...





Thanks to EVG correspondent Steven for the photos.

Updated 3:30 p.m.

Several readers (including Vinny & O) mentioned that Dahlia's is not open today. Also, maybe randomly, one of the Dahlia's signs was lying on Second Avenue in front of the restaurant ...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Updated 7 p.m.

The restaurant is open this evening. An EVG reader who looked inside said there were three patrons...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Slowly but surely the exterior of the former Mary Ann's is becoming Dahlia's

Moons dreams

Last night via Grant Shaffer

Baker's Pizza in soft-open mode on Avenue A

The pizzeria at 201 Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street is now serving... as you can see, the hours for now are noon to 10 p.m., Monday-Saturday...



One EVG reader chimed in with an early review in the comments: "I had a slice at Baker's Pizza: a white slice with caramelized onions and a little sausage — very unique. It was delicious. Bravo to the baker!"

At the beginning of the year, East Village resident Jordan Baker bought the business from the folks who ran Nonna's Pizza here.

1 month (or so) after the Blizzard of Jan. 23, this snow refuses to leave East 1st Street

Oh... sorry. This snow...



At least I think it's snow... Didn't taste like any snow that I recall tasting... (likely just the tar crust...)

East Village Smoke Shop & Grocery now open on Avenue A

The small shop is up and running at 89 Avenue A near East Sixth Street... aside from the smoking-related supplies, they sell the usual deli fare (sodas, gum, snacks, etc.)

The former tenant here, D-Lish Pita, closed last summer.

H/T EVG reader Perri Silver

An evolution in yarn at La Plaza Cultural

[Photo by Bill LoSasso]

This yarnbomb collaboration between @madebylondon and Frank Ape on East Ninth Street at Avenue C arrived outside La Plaza Cultural on Thursday...


[Photo by William Klayer]

...replacing the dinosaur that had been here. In terms of evolution, we're progressing — dinosaur to ape to...

All together now

Bloc Party are back with a new record and lineup... the UK-based quartet will be playing Governors Ball this June... ahead of that you can see them at Irving Plaza on March 16. And you can see them in the above video with "So Here We Are" from their 2005 debut.

Next stop?

St. mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue this afternoon...

Feb. 29 is the last day on St. Mark's Place for Trash and Vaudeville ahead of move to East 7th Street

[EVG photo from last July]

As we exclusively reported last July 28, Trash and Vaudeville is leaving its home of 40 years at 4 St. Mark's Place ... to new space at 96 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The store has taken to social media to announce that their last day on St. Mark's Place is Feb. 29. They will reopen in their new home in early March.

Hey Ho Lets Go... to 96 East 7th street! After over 40 years at 4 saint marks place, Trash & Vaudeville will be relocating to 96 East 7th street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A (just a few blocks away!) We'll be on Saint Marks till Feb 29th. We would love to see you here before we move and we look forward to seeing you on 7th street in early March! We'll keep you updated with confirmed dates. Any questions please email or give us a call, customerservice@trashandvaudeville.com / 212-777-1727 ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

A photo posted by Trash and Vaudeville (@trashandvaudeville) on Feb 19, 2016 at 8:35am PST

Here's some of our conversation with store owner Ray Goodman from July:

"I love St. Mark's Place. There's no doubt it. There's something magical about it. This just isn't any block," Goodman told us on the phone. "The decision wasn't something that I took lightly. From a business perspective, we saw a shift in the clientele. The block is not as conducive for fashion shopping as it once was. Now it seems as if it's all food — fast food — and bongs. Even stores that aren't bong stores sell bongs."

He said that the changing business environment on the block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue was just one of many factors that played into the decision to relocate.

"The retail world is so different today," he said. "So much of it is done online."

And increasing rents are always a culprit.

"The rent is creeping up," said Goodman, who is a minority partner in the ownership of the historic Hamilton-Holly House at 4 St. Mark's Place. "Rent was a factor, but it wasn't the sole reason."

Last November, 4 St. Mark's Place, the landmarked building whose first owner in 1833 was Alexander Hamilton’s son, arrived on the market. Asking price for the building that includes Trash and Vaudeville: $11.9 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: After 40 years, punk rock mainstay Trash and Vaudeville is leaving St. Mark's Place

Minca Ramen Factory is back open next Thursday

Good news if you're a fan of Minca. The popular ramen shop on East Fifth Street just west of Avenue B had been closed since mid-December for some unspecified gas-related issue.

However, as you can see in this photo via EVG reader Alexis, Minca returns this coming Wednesday, Feb. 25, here at 536 E. Fifth St.

Updated:

Despite what the sign says, Minca will reopen on THURSDAY, Feb. 25...

3rd Avenue penthouse cottage returns to market as a $17k monthly rental

[EVG file photo]

Last Aug. 27, the penthouse home(s) atop the building that houses Kiehl's on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street caught fire...

Fire on 13th & 3rd. NYFD handling it. Hope no one is hurt. pic.twitter.com/MMblm6oU40

— Connor Scalleat (@connorscalleat) August 27, 2015

Despite how it looked, the damage was minimal to the cottage that had just sold for $4.4 million.

You still have a chance to live here, though. As the Post reported, the 1,972-square-foot rooftop duplex (apartment 4CD) with three bedrooms and three bathrooms is now available as a rental — for $17k a month.

Here's part of the listage action via Corcoran:

An open kitchen features stainless steel appliances including Miele dishwasher and Wolf range, along with a dramatic Thermador vented range hood. Hand-painted Victorian-era aluminum casted balusters line the staircase leading up to the stunning master bedroom suite.

Enter this second level through the spectacular solarium, sun-flooded during the days and great for stargazing at night through its numerous skylights. This well-designed suite is complete with a spa-like master bath featuring a deep-soaking tub and separate steam shower, a windowed study/dressing area, and corner fireplace. The two spacious terraces flank the second level, the larger featuring an outdoor wood-burning fireplace, retractable awning, and four exposures with views of the Empire State Building. There is also a new irrigation system in place.

To refresh your memory...







The unit is available is furnished or unfurnished.

As for the cause of the fire, the Post heard that it was a faulty hot tub on the roof.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in tranquil cottages overlooking … 3rd Avenue (but still)

Updating: Fire reported on the rooftop at Kiehl's on 3rd Avenue

Do you have any opinions about noise in the East Village?

[Smurf #woo circa 2010]

Then have we got a survey for you! (And you!)

Via the EVG inbox...

Dear New Yorkers:

The New York State Comptroller's Office is conducting a survey on noise in New York City neighborhoods and would like you to take the survey.

Research has demonstrated that noise can adversely impact public health. For example, noise can disturb sleep and increase stress levels.

We want to learn about your experience of noise in your community and solicit your ideas for reducing noise.

Toward that end, we are asking all community residents take the survey by March 15, 2016.

Thank you!

State Government Accountability
New York State Comptroller's Office

You may access the English version of the survey here. (The survey is also available in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.)

P.S.

Remember! If you don't like noise, then move to _______________