Report: Landlord claims management company was responsible for the 2nd Avenue gas explosion

Sixteen months after the DA charged Maria Hrynenko and several others for their role in the deadly Second Avenue gas explosion, the landlord is now claiming that her management company was "careless and reckless" in its work, according to court papers.

The New York Post first reported on this yesterday. Per the Post:

The landlord accused of wrongdoing in the deadly 2015 East Village gas explosion is blaming someone else.

A Manhattan management company hired to install gas meters in the basement of one of the three buildings owned by Maria Hrynenko was negligent in its work and failed to warn people about hazardous conditions, Hrynenko claims in a new lawsuit.

Andrick Management LLC was reportedly hired to install gas meters in the basement of one of the three buildings. (The Post did not have comment from Andrick.)

Hrynenko, 57, is facing charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment.

Investigators have said that an illegal cost-cutting gas delivery system at 121 Second Ave. may have caused the blast that killed two men and injured a few dozen other people as well as destroyed three buildings — 119, 121 and 123 Second Ave.

As we reported on Friday, a reader spotted a survey crew on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Second Avenue. One of the workers said that they were surveying the site ... and said they were there representing the buyer of 119 Second Ave. and 121 Second Ave. In March, lawyers for some of the victims said that a sale of the empty lots could potentially jeopardize the settlements of the victims.

Reminder: Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village

As we reported last week, Community Board 3's Economic Development Committee is hosting a public forum on Wednesday evening to discuss a proposed special district in the East Village "to encourage retail diversity and promote small and independent businesses."

Find more details via a Q-and-A on the CB3 website on the issue. Or last week's post.

Here's a flyer that the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation created for the event...



The meeting is Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Sirovich Senior Center, 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village (27 comments)

Artichoke Basille's Pizza signage arrives at new 14th Street location

[Photo by Pinch]

Back on Friday, workers hoisted the new Artichoke Basille's Pizza signage at 321 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue — across the way from their current location that has been closed since the fire on May 26.


[Photo by KT]

We first spotted plans for the new location this past November.

Team Artichoke hasn't offered up much about the new 14th Street Artichoke. Co-owner Francis Garcia told Eater in April that the lease is up at No. 328, "so they took that as an opportunity for bigger and better. The new location will allow for expanded offerings, like cauliflower fritters, broccoli rabe sandwiches, and more."

There also hasn't been much more on the fire, which started as the pizzeria was closing up for the night/morning. An FDNY source told the Post that the fire didn't appear to be suspicious.

The Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order on the building:

DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE 2 STORES AT LEFT AND RIGHT OF 1ST FLOOR, 10 FRONT APTS AT LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FROM 2ND STORY TO 6TH STORY, 4 APTS AT MIDDLE OF RIGHT SIDE OF BUILDING FROM 2ND STORY TO 5TH STORY

It's not clear how many residents are currently in the building.

Artichoke's first location opened on 14th Street in 2008. There are now eight other locations, in Brooklyn, Queens and Berkeley, Calif.

In addition, the Artichoke website is featuring information about franchising...



Thank you to EVG readers Pinch, KT and Tyler for sending photos!

Chao Chao has not been open lately

Chao Chao, the 6-month-old contemporary Vietnamese restaurant at 171 Avenue A, has not been open for business the past two weeks, according to multiple neighbors.

There isn't any notice about a temporary closure on the front door or online. While the phone number is still active at owner and chef Stephan Brezinsky's restaurant, reservations aren't available and delivery via Caviar notes that Chao Chao "does not exist." We reached out to the publicist last week who sent us Chao Chao's opening notice and have yet to hear back.

Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. The restaurant then closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016. Brown paper covered the front windows for several months before the space re-emerged as Chao Chao last November.

In October 2016, CB3 issued a strong, two-plus page denial for an upgrade to Soothysayer's beer-wine license to full liquor. You can read the official meeting minutes here. The denial starts on Page 12.

Among other reasons, "the applicant proposed using the backyard area for dining, although no certificate of occupancy was provided to demonstrate the legality of the commercial use of the backyard and there had been numerous complaints from residents regarding commercial use of backyards in this neighborhood."

Upon seeking their initial full liquor license in July 2015, Soothysayer placed signs around the storefront asking residents to "join us as we rally for our liquor license and for the approval to open a cozy back patio."

The previous tenant here, B.A.D. Burger, closed in January 2015 after three-plus years. B.A.D. Burger was never able to secure a beer-wine license for the space. After CB3 denied his beer-wine request in 2012, B.A.D. Burger owner Keith Masco reportedly called the board "fascist."

What will the art market bear for this?

[Photo by Derek Berg!]

This was the scene this morning on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... where this [admittedly photogenic] giant teddy bear was spotted sprawled out on the sidewalk, empty cup and toilet paper not far from its outstretched paws.

Seeing as it was plopped right outside their door, the folks at the Shape of Lies decided to turn the bear into an art project...




[Photo by William Klayer]







Unless marked, all photos by Derek Berg!

Noted

An EVG reader shared this from Clinton Street just below Stanton Street on the LES... the reader wondered how this was possible.

Seems obvious that the chair was there before the city installed the light pole.

Week in Grieview

[Photo by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Public forum set to discuss special business district in the East Village (Wednesday)

City approves co-naming the northwest corner of 7th Street and 2nd Avenue Moises Locón and Nicholas Figueroa Way (Thursday)

High-rent blight: Senator's report finds nearly 10% vacancy rate on parts of 1st and 2nd avenues (Friday)

Looking at the future home of 14th Street's 2nd Trader Joe's (Tuesday)

Out and About with photographer Roberta Bayley (and Stella) (Thursday)

Report: Suspect in 6th Street slashing seeking a sentencing deal in court (Wednesday)

The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years (Friday)

Hello again: black crowned night heron spotted in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Love Gang is moving on 9th Street (Tuesday)

Love and shrooms for Gregg Allman outside the former Fillmore East on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

Report: Morton Williams won't be taking over the 14th Street Associated after all (Wednesday)

...crosswalk moments on Second Avenue and Seventh Street yesterday...



[Photos by Derek Berg]

Esperanto offshoot closes on 1st Street; may return elsewhere (Tuesday)

The Pride Ribbon Project at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery (Thursday)

Moustache has closed on 10th Street (Tuesday)

Reader report: A buyer for 119 and 121 2nd Ave., site of the deadly gas explosion? (Friday)

Shiina opens on 3rd Avenue (Friday)

Against the Grain yields to sustainable omakase restaurant on 6th Street (Wednesday)

Celebrating a Grateful Deal anniversary in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

Ramen Setagaya reopens after renovation on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

The Continental's 5-shot deal bumped from $10 to $12 (Tuesday)

No Malice Palace 'waiting for legal things to happen' on 3rd Street (Tuesday)


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Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen is going on summer break after today

[EVG file photo]

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen, the basement cafe that serves as a fundraising arm of the St George Ukrainian Catholic Church, closes after today for their customary summer break.

Hello everyone! We've​ got some sad news for you: today is our last day in this season, we will be closed for summer break. Hope all of you will have a wonderful summer☀️🏝️ and we can't wait to see you in September! We'll keep you posted about our opening day. . Дорогі наші клієнти, ми маємо сумну новину для Вас: сьогодні наш останній день в цьому сезоні. Стріча зачиняється на літню перерву. Сподіваюсь, Ви гарно проведете літо ☀️🏝️, і ми вже не можемо дочекатись побачити Вас у Вересні! Ми повідомимо Вам день відкриття. . #streecha #ukrainiankitchenofsaintgeorgechurch

A post shared by Streecha🇺🇦Ukrainian kitchen NY (@streecha) on Jun 4, 2017 at 4:48am PDT

...and their menu...

Our regular #menu and we always have our daily specials! Наше щоденне #меню і ми щодня маємо страву дня! #Streecha #UkrainiankitchenofsaintGeorgechurch #delicious #Ukrainian #food

A photo posted by Streecha🇺🇦Ukrainian kitchen NY (@streecha) on Jan 17, 2017 at 7:24am PST

Streecha, 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square, is open from 9-5 today.

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen

Saturday with Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Miss Kita's owners write in to say, "Taking advantage of the nice weather to renew her NYC dog license."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet Kita

The further adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

The further (often truly) amazing adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Happy holidays from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has her first ever annual checkup

Holiday greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Summer greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street is on the mend!

EV Grieve Etc.: Essential NYC books; Union Square backpack theft

[Indoor parking on 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

How NYC is turning food waste into compost and gas (The New York Times)

Update on the suspected arosn at Lower East Side synagogue Beth Hamedrash Hagadol (The Lo-Down)

Three workers injured after steel beam falls 12 stories at 688 Broadway/1 Great Jones Alley construction site (Patch ... previously)

The housing risks in neighborhoods facing rezonings (City Limits)

GVSHP's annual Village Awards ceremony is coming up; awardees include B&H Dairy and GOLES (GVSHP)

Pretty quiet on the hawklet front in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)

A feature on Godlis, the East Village-based photographer who covered the early days of CBGB (W)

15 essential New York books (Curbed)

Suspect sought in backpack theft from 4 train platform at Union Square (DNAinfo)

See the Orson Welles classic "Touch of Evil" tomorrow (Metrograph)


[How reindeers spend the off-season, East 7th Street via Derek Berg]

A Sufjan Stevens listening event at the East Village Planetarium and the Lower Eastside Girls Club (Brooklyn Vegan)

The Harold Hunter Day Skate Jam is tomorrow (Official site)

PokéSpot owner on Fourth Avenue opening a coffee/juice bar in NYU dorm on Broome Street (Commercial Observer)

East Village landlords Icon Realty sell West 11th Street building for $38 million (The Real Deal)

Alex weighs in on the 50th anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Flaming Pablum)

... and at Metropolis Vintage, 43 Third Ave. at 10th Street...

Just arrived!!!!! Our new Logo designed by #johnholstrom of @thepunkmagazine come on down and get a button FREE of charge no purchase required, #johnholstrom @thepunkmagazine #joeyramone #johnnyramone #theramones #ramones #eastvillage #eastvillagevintage #

A post shared by Metropolis Vintage (@metropolisnycvintage) on Jun 2, 2017 at 12:03pm PDT

Celebrate 18 years of Bluestockings Bookstore tonight

✨JUNE 3RD • 7PM ✨ Come celebrate 18 incredible years of Bluestockings! The night will feature a talent show showcasing some of our staff and volunteers. There will be snacks, friends, and lots of love all around. We’d love for all of you who have helped us stay open for so long to be there to celebrate with us–we wouldn’t be here without the support of our beautiful community ✨

A post shared by Bluestockings Bookstore (@bluestockingsnyc) on May 12, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

The collectively-owned radical bookstore, fair trade cafe and activist center celebrates 18 years in business starting tonight at 7, 172 Allen St. near Stanton. Bluestockings recently signed a new lease and underwent some minor modifications.

The Facts of Life (Tootie!) at Mikey Likes It

Been awhile since we featured the gate at Mikey Likes It, 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street... Andre Trenier's 1980s-flavored mural always coincides with the flavor of the month ... this time around it's the "Facts of Life" — "a Prickly pear ice cream with Blood orange and Prickly pear swirl and Orange glazed cake pieces," per Mikey's Instagram account.

And that is Eastland's Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey (Kim Fields) from the long-running NBC sitcom "Facts of Life" on the gate.

And flashback to May, and "Good Times" with Jimmie Walker...