EV Grieve

Friday, September 23, 2016

Lucky's has its grand opening tomorrow (Saturday!)

Longtime East Village resident Abby Ehmann fulfilled a dream and opened her first bar back in early July.

Now tomorrow (Saturday), Ehmann is hosting the official grand opening of Lucky at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. (The space was home to Boxcar, which closed in February after 18 years in business.)

Ehmann aspires to foster a sense of community at Lucky. To date, the bar has provided space for Gays Against Guns' poster and t-shirt painting parties, Waggytail Rescue's adoption socials and other gatherings, including memorials.

She also says that she "hopes to attract people who feel unwelcome or out of place at the many newer East Village establishments."

The bar opens at noon. (Free pizza is expected around 6 or 7 p.m. tomorrow.)

You can read our interview with Ehmann from March right here.

Last call for the Edge, and the return of an old friend

As we first reported last month, The Edge, the 29-year-old bar at 95 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, is closing for good ... the bar did receive a one-month reprieve ... and those extra few weeks have come to an end: Last call for The Edge is tomorrow (Saturday) night.

"We'll just say [the landlord, Thermald Realty Associates] found an opportunity to sue us for a bunch of money that we can't pay," a bar rep told us last month.

Meanwhile, an EVG reader noted the return of a familiar vehicle on the block this week...

This appears to be one of an RVs owned by now-former EV resident Ron Britt... whose RV empire once consisted of Old Flat Top and the Free Willie Nelson.

The above RV was first spotted here back in the fall.

A few more details on the Swiss Institute's move to the East Village

As reported last Friday, the Swiss Institute, a non-profit cultural center currently located on Wooster Street, has signed a lease for 130 Second Ave. — the former Chase branch.

Landlord Icon Realty issued a news release about their new tenant. Here's part of it:

Icon Realty Management LLC has leased space to Swiss Institute, a non-profit contemporary arts center that promotes artistic dialogue between Switzerland and the United States. Swiss Institute seeks to explore how a national perspective can foster international conversations in the fields of visual and performing arts, design and architecture.

The new location will open in the Spring of 2017. The 7,500 square foot space will feature exhibitions, projects and public programs, a library, bookstore and rooftop. Additionally, Icon will be collaborating with Swiss Institute artists on public art murals at 128 Second Ave, the building next door to the Institute.

“Considering the vibrancy, diversity and ample foot traffic in the neighborhood, our move to the East Village will offer a vast array of opportunities to engage with our audience in new, stimulating ways,” says Swiss Institute Director Simon Castets. “We’re incredibly lucky to be on a street with such a deep artistic history as St Marks Place, and it’s exciting to imagine how this new location can help us in expanding our mission.”

Back in June, Icon announced a project in which artists would be creating murals on Icon properties in the city. Jerkface started work at 128 Second Ave., but the mural has remained incomplete since June...

We asked Icon spokesperson Chris Coffey what the status was on this project.

"We needed a lift to complete the mural, and applied for a permit. We are just waiting for DOT to issue," he said via email. "We are excited about it. One of the great things about Swiss Institute is that we will be collaborating on future murals."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Swiss Institute moving into the former Chase branch on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

255 E. Houston St. is disappearing

An EVG reader passed along these photos... showing the demolition in progress at 255 E. Houston St. between Norfolk and Suffolk...

No. 255 previously housed the day-care center Action For Progress. (Read about how that building was damaged back in 2008 here.) Controversial developer Samy Mahfar, the property's owner, has approved plans for a 10-story residential complex with space for community facilities.

The new building on the L-shaped parcel will look something like this some day... per the plywood renderings...

Or, the 13-floor version Mahfar was peddling ...

Earlier this month, Mahfar withdrew his application — after a five-year fight — for a commercial zoning change for this property and surrounding parcels.

If approved, then Mahfar would have had the go-ahead to build a restaurant or bar in the new building. The current zoning only permits a community facility.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Next for 255 E. Houston St.: Community facility/school/medical building?

10-story building now in the works for 255 E. Houston St.

Debate over commercial overlay for 255 E. Houston St. and surrounding blocks continues

Report: Samy Mahfar drops bid for commercial overlay on East Houston and parts of the LES

Thursday, September 22, 2016

A view to a Park

We rented a helicopter earlier to scout potential locations around the neighborhood for the Lenin statue that workers removed from Red Square on Monday.

Seeing as the statue likely has a new home already... just enjoy the view looking west toward Tompkins Square Park between Seventh Street and Ninth Street...

Thanks to Steven for the photo.

Report: de Blasio administration looking to make street fairs less generic, more local

[EVG file photo from either 2015, 2014, 2013...]

Let's just jump right into Politico's story:

Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration is proposing changes to the city’s street fairs intended to end the corporate flavor of many of the festivals, addressing a long-standing complaint from civic groups and elected officials that the fairs are a costly headache and do little to benefit the communities where they’re held.

Under proposed rules scheduled for a public hearing on October 13, at least fifty percent of vendors participating in a street fair would have to be businesses with locations inside the same community board where the event is being held. That proposal marks a major change that could remake the character of the roughly 200 street fairs the city currently allows each year.

JuiceGo opening in the former Cadillac's Castle storefront on 9th Street

Signage arrived yesterday for JuiceGo at 333 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This appears to be the first location for JuiceGo, which will specialize in fresh, cold-pressed juices and other healthy choices.

Here's their pitch, via the JuiceGo website:

JuiceGo is opening in the East Village aiming to give New Yorkers the tools to eat healthier by allowing them to customize their own cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and much more. We have created our own cold-pressed juicing system that allows us to make the freshest cold pressed juice in the city because we can make it as soon as a customer orders. None of our juices at JuiceGo will be made at an off-site facility in mass quantities, then delivered to our stores compromising the freshness.

As for the juice element, it seems to be a pretty crowded market right around here... beginning with the beQu Juice shop nearly directly across the street...

... and there's Juice Press on 10th Street just east of Second Avenue … not to mention Liquiteria on Second Avenue and 11th Street... and Juice Vitality at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street. (Oh, and East Village Organic on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... and Commodities on First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street sells juice...)

JuiceGo is expected to be open later this fall.

Cadillac's Castle, the consignment/thrift shop, closed here back in the spring. There wasn't any official explanation about the closure. Jared Kushner's Westminster Management is the landlord here.

H/T Steven

[Updated] About the Stop Work Order at the incoming Taberna 97 on St. Mark's Place

Several EVG readers pointed out the arrival of a Stop Work Order at the incoming Taverna 97, the restaurant coming to 97 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue (thanks to Peter D. for these photos) ...

Here's what the DOB website (in their all-cap style) has to say about the Order, dated Monday:

BOROUGH COMMISIONER ORDERS ALL WORK STOPPED EXCEPT TO MAKE SITE SAFE UNDER JOB#122407555 FOR BASEMENT RESTURAUNT. ALL APPROVALS AND PERMITS HAVE BEEN REVOKED. WORK IS APPROX. 90% COMPLETED. WORKERS LEFT AT IME OF POSTING NOTICE. 1 WORKER ALLOWED TO RETURN ON 9/20/2016 TO SEAL REAR OF BUILDING.

We asked co-owner Eric Baker for an update on the situation here.

"The DOB issued the Stop Work Order due to the fact that a few issues were not addressed quickly enough and why they were not addressed quickly enough is a question we have as well for the professionals working on this project," Baker said in an email.

He said that the issues have been addressed and accepted by the DOB, and they are in the process of getting the permits approved.

Baker believes that some of the DOB issues may have originated from neighbors who have concerns about the back garden. The previous tenant here, Yaffa Cafe, closed, in part, because the city deemed the back patio illegal after being in use as a dining area for 31 years.

There haven't been any plans for the Taberna team to offer backyard dining here.

"Let me assure everyone involved that this has not been nor is it the case," Baker said. "Our plans for the garden involve landscaping and beautifying so it can be enjoyed from inside our space. We respect the rights of our neighbors ... [we] will always work toward as harmonious as possible a coexistence and are willing to talk with and address any issues that may come up."

Baker is opening Taberna 97 with his business partners — wife Patricia Martins and sister-in-law Raquel Martins. The trio also own St. Dymphnas on St. Mark's Place.

Taberna 97 will serve small and shareable Portuguese dishes. They also have a beer and wine license.

Baker said that they are nearly 96 to 98 percent complete on the space.

Updated 11 a.m.

The city has lifted the Stop Work Order, Baker reports.

Previously

Happy 1st day of fall

And with that we give you this scene from the Kmart on Astor Place... EVG regular Daniel Root took the photo this past weekend. An EVG Facebook friend said that the holiday trees have actually been up since August.

After the fire: Getting Caracas Arepa Bar back in business 'may take some time'

[Photo by EVG reader Joaquin]

As we first reported yesterday morning, a fire broke out at Caracas Arepa Bar, 93 E. Seventh St. just east of First Avenue.

No one was injured during the fire. (The FDNY has yet to determine the cause.)

EVG readers who saw the scorched space yesterday said that it looks in bad shape.

Here's a description of the damage from co-owner Maribel Araujovia via Grub Street:

While the street-facing front of Caracas was spared, half of the restaurant — including the kitchen, bathroom, refrigeration, part of the office, and the back half of the basement — essentially “burned down,” Araujo says. Walls are ruined, the basement was flooded with a foot and a half of water, and there is currently no electricity or gas.

Arujo was more blunt with Gothamist: "The restaurant is pretty fucked up."

The damage was contained to the restaurant.

As several EVG commenters noted, the FDNY was on the scene about 2:30 a.m. after residents reported smoke.

Per Gothamist:

Tenants on the second floor, who live directly above the restaurant, smelled smoke early this morning and the fire department was dispatched to the address around 2:30 a.m. The FDNY performed some kind of investigation but didn't find anything at the time, neighbors tell Araujo. The fire department was called again at 7:25 a.m. when the same neighbors awoke to find their apartment filled with more smoke.

While dealing with the temporary loss of her business, Araujo also has questions as to why the fire wasn't discovered earlier, which could have prevented things from getting quite so bad.

For now, the smaller Caracas space is open next door for counter service and to-go orders ... here are the signs that greet customers...

There's isn't any timeline on the restaurant's return. It likely won't be anytime soon, though.

To Grub Street:

“It’s not just a little thing we can fix quickly, put drywall up, and keep going,” Araujo says. Getting back to business will take some time: Leases and inventory need to be looked at, and conversations need to be had with lawyers and insurers. “Maybe we’ll relocate, maybe we’ll try to rebuild this one. At this point, I’m not sure.”

There's also a location in Williamsburg. The Venezuelan restaurant has been open on Seventh Street since 2003.

And here's their message to patrons ...

Just wanted to let everyone know that YES, it is true that Caracas Dining Room / East Village had a big fire this early morning. No one got hurt. This location is temporarily closed but the Original Caracas (takeout next door) is OPEN and we need your support. We are assessing the situation and the future of this location is to be determined. We want to THANK everyone that has been reaching out and looking after us and to the #eastvillage community for been so great and concerned. Thank YOU Thank YOU ❤️
A photo posted by caracasarepabar (@caracasarepabar) on Sep 21, 2016 at 3:57pm PDT

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

The last sunset of the summer was a good one

Thank you _____. See you in the fall!

Photo this evening by Bobby Williams

A moment with Imperator Furiosa on 2nd Avenue today

On Second Avenue at Seventh Street, Derek Berg got a shot of the War Rig going on another supply run to Gas Town.

[Updating] Report of a fire at the Caracas Arepa Bar on 7th Street

[Photo by EVG reader Joaquin]

The FDNY is on the scene of a reported fire at 93 E. Seventh St. just off First Avenue... coming from Caracas Arepa Bar...

MAN ALL HANDS 93 E 7 ST, MIXED OCCUPANCY FIRE ON 1ST FLR,
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) September 21, 2016

[Photo via the LES Dwellers]

Developing...

Updated 8:10 a.m.

Some video via Joaquin...

Updated 8:25

Two photos via Allen Semanco, who noted the quick response from area fire companies got the fire under control... residents were seen evacuated the corner building...

Updated 8:31

An all-clear via the FDNY...

MAN ALL HANDS 93H E 7 ST, MIXED OCCUPANCY FIRE IN BASEMENT, UNDER CONTROL
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) September 21, 2016

Updated 11:30 a.m.

No word yet on damage to Caracas... Luke's Lobster next door announced a delay in opening ...

Safety first today. Our #eastvillage shack is closed until we know the block is safe! https://t.co/JQGbTHUBfp
— Luke's Lobster (@LukesLobster) September 21, 2016

Updated 4:30 p.m.

The Caracas to go space is open next door... here are the signs that greet customers...

Co-owner Maribel Araujo provided an update to Grub Street:

While the street-facing front of Caracas was spared, half of the restaurant — including the kitchen, bathroom, refrigeration, part of the office, and the back half of the basement — essentially “burned down,” Araujo says. Walls are ruined, the basement was flooded with a foot and a half of water, and there is currently no electricity or gas. No one was hurt, Araujo says, and the fire was contained to the restaurant.

There isn't a timetable for the return... and it could be serious enough that they need to relocate.

There will be several eating-drinking choices at the incoming Moxy hotel on 11th Street

As we first reported last week, the Lightstone Group has filed new building permits for the Marriott International’s Moxy Hotels brand at 112-120 E. 11th St.

The 13-story hotel between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue is set to be 78,361 square feet. (About 250 square feet per room, per New York Yimby.)

Taking a deeper dive into the new building permit ... the Schedule A shows a lounge in the hotel's basement along with an "eating and drinking establishment with accessory terrace." The application also shows a lounge and another eating and drinking establishment on the first floor/lobby (not sure if these are connected) ... as well as a "grab n go" food and drink space. There's also another bar-restaurant planned for the top floor.

The number of eating-drinking choices in the hotel seems to fit the social Moxy brand. Per their website:

Moxy is a boutique hotel with the social heart of a hostel. A free-spirited place where you can do all that crazy fun stuff you’d never think of doing at home, together with likeminded spirits you’d otherwise never have met.

Yes, the WiFi is speedy and the cushy beds are freshly made, but more importantly, the bar is always open and the crew is always on. Whether you’re staying for the night or just a nightcap, you’ll see why it’s no place like home.

We know, we know. It’s a tough gig, but, somebody’s gotta do it. For we are the #moxycrew, solemnly sworn to be up to no good #atthemoxy. 😁
A photo posted by Moxy Hotels (@moxyhotels) on Aug 22, 2016 at 9:04am PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the rally outside 112-120 E. 11th St.

Protest reminder about 112-120 E. 11th St.; plus concerns over asbestos removal

6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million

Report: 300-room hotel planned for East 11th Street

Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district

Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)

New building permits filed for 13-story Moxy Hotel on East 11th Street across from Webster Hall