Friday, September 8, 2017

Croxley Ales-replacing bar on Avenue B is called the Hairy Lemon


[Photo from Sept. 1]

Workers have been putting in the OT (last Sunday and Labor Day, for instance) at 28 Avenue B, gutting the former Croxley Ales to make way for a new bar-restaurant from owners of the two Triona locations in the city.

To date, the name of the new establishment hadn't been revealed. (Triona's on B was mentioned as a possibility.)

Yesterday, the new signage went up here between Second Street and Third Street, as EVG regular Salim noted...



It's The Hairy Lemon...



Perhaps this is a homage to Dublin's The Hairy Lemon Pub, which served as a locale for the 1991 film "The Commitments."

In other façade news, it appears that the Ramones mural has survived so far.

Croxley Ales ended its 14-year run on Avenue B after service on Aug. 30.

In August, CB3's SLA committee approved a new liquor license for the establishment. The Hairy Lemon will have hours of noon to 4 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The menu is "traditional American-Irish comfort food." The bar-restaurant will also have 20 TV sets.

No word on an opening date for The Hairy Lemon.

Gut renovation reveal on 9th Street


[Image via Streeteasy]

In recent months, the four-story building at 624 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C had been undergoing a full-on gut renovation...


[Photo from June]

Late last month, workers removed the scaffolding and construction netting to reveal the all-new No. 624...


[Photo by Mike House]

Yesterday, retail listings arrived for two, 350-square-foot spaces on the ground floor. The asking rents are $3,500 each. All uses considered.

As for the residential portion, Streeteasy shows two units — asking $6,000 and $6,400 per month for three bedrooms and two bathrooms. (The listing notes that you get one month off the rent, making it $5,500 or $5,600 for the first year.)

Here's the blurbage for the $6,400 jobbie:

Be the very first to live in this brand new, gut renovated boutique building with a roof deck and washer/dryer's in all units. This brand new beauty is perfect for those looking to live in a quiet, sunlit, modern building on one of the best blocks in East Village.

This top floor, three-bedroom/two-bath unit offers not only double balconies but has a private, dedicated roof deck just one floor up from where you can bring your guests to view beautiful NYC views. All rooms including the living room have high wall-through AC units operated by remote controls. Stunning kitchen features brand new appliances including dishwasher and microwave, glossed cabinetry, and a breakfast bar. Bedrooms are queen sized with exposed brick and closets.

Bathrooms are luxurious with high-end finishing that will leave you thinking you are in a top hotel. Brand new hardwood flooring and recessed lighting throughout the floor-through unit that meets double balconies on both ends of the floor. Washer/dryer in-unit.

An LLC with a Brooklyn address bought the building last November for $3.3 million, per public records.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Curb repairs continue on Avenue B



Crews were out today (at least on Avenue B) continuing work on replacing curbs/upgrading pedestrian ramps ... Vinny & O shared these photos from this morning on 11th Street and Avenue B...





After the initial work last week, some residents were concerned that, perhaps, this was it — that the new ramps were not flush with the street, with the gap filled in "with some sloppily placed extra concrete," as one resident put it.

... and tonight on Fourth Street and Avenue B via another reader...





Signs on the barrels point to continued work tomorrow.

Previously

A look at 3 condoplexes rising — or topping out

Starting with...

1) 198 Orchard St. at East Houston Street...



Ben Shaoul's 11-story, 94-unit building has units ranging in price from $1.075 million to $5.995 million. And there will be an Equinox Fitness center here too. Previously.

2) 32 E. First St. at Second Avenue...



A 10-story, 33-unit condoplex (with ground-floor retail) on the site of the former BP station. No pricing for the homes just yet. Previously.



3) 80 E. 10th St. at Fourth Avenue...



A 10-story, retail-residential condoplex with 12 residential units. No pricing for the homes just yet. Previously.

About this sponsor unit for sale on 1st Avenue

There's a sponsor unit for sale at 347 E. Fifth St., the walk-up building at First Avenue that also houses Three of Cups on the ground floor.

I don't recall coming across too many listings such as this one on Streeteasy:

Investors only: rent-controlled tenant in place.

This sponsor unit is being sold at a tremendous discount to its market value.

Currently configured as a railroad two bedroom, it can easily be re-configured into a split two bedroom.

This unit features a separate eat-in kitchen area, 9 windows throughout including in the bathroom, and great natural light. Subletting and pets are allowed.

Current tenant paying $90 per month

Not a typo: $90.

As for the address, the 25-year-old Three of Cups recently signed a new lease through 2027.

Spark Pretty bringing vintage clothes and accessories to 9th Street


[Photo of Amanda Dolan, Thomas Knight and Meagan Colby from July]

Back in May, stylist and vintage-thrift enthusiast Amanda Dolan opened 90s Forever, a month-long pop-up shop at 333 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Dolan is back now full time in the space with Spark Pretty, which specializes in rock-n-roll clothing and accessories from the 1970s-90s as well as novelty toys, home goods and, how she describes it, "modern-day apparel from up-and-coming designers."

Spark Pretty has its soft opening on Saturday. Dolan, who's working with her business partner Meagan Colby and in-house designer Thomas Knight, shared these interior shots ahead of the opening...





The store's hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. You can see what else is in store via Spark Pretty's Instagram account here.

Bottom two photos by John Muggenborg ... H/T Steven!

Mr. Throwback will take it across 9th Street later this fall


[Photo by Steven]

While on the topic of vintage clothing on Ninth Street... as you may have noticed, there's new Mr. Throwback signage on the north side of Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue — almost directly across the street from the store's current location at No. 428.

The shop specializing in 1990s-era sports apparel, retro sneakers, video games and toys will be moving later this fall.

Mr. Throwback (aka Michael Spitz) opened here in November 2012. You can check out the online store here.

And soon...

Mark Your Calendars Sept 16th From 11am-5pm Our Annual Block Party Is On!!! Over 300 Jerseys All For $20 each & Sale In Store.

A post shared by Mr. Throwback™Vintage Store (@mrthrowbacknyc) on

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Wednesday's parting shots



Photos today in Tompkins Square Park by Bobby Williams.

... and likely a more economical move by the squirrel than storing single nuts...

Noted



A reader shares this photo from 11th Street near Third Avenue... getting out the vote today — for the mayor of Paterson, N.J.

Board watch and reveal at incoming Wagamama on 3rd Avenue


[EVG photo from July]

Those Wagamama-branded boards in the windows at 55 Third Ave. at 11th Street have been removed... providing an interior reveal for the second NYC location of Wagamama ...



Thanks to Vinny & O for the photos...



Still no word on an opening date for the London-based chain of fast-casual Japanese restaurants. (Looking like late September, early October.) When they do open, their hours will be Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday. The weekend hours will be 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday; until 11 p.m. on Sunday. You can find their menu full of noodles, rice and curry (and more) here.

The retail space in this former dorm-looking building also houses Martina, the pizzeria from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, which opened on Aug. 19.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few details about the Wagamama coming to 3rd Avenue

Here's the rest of the 9th Precinct's Sector Safety Summit schedule



Back on Monday, I noted that the 9th Precinct was hosting Sector Safety Summits for East Village residents.

The background: Last fall, the 9th Precinct and NYPD  started a new initiative called the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program. The 9th Precinct is split up into four sectors, with two officers assigned to each sector. (Find the sectors and the responsible officers here.)

The NYPD shared info on the other Sector meetings...

• Sector C — Sept. 6 (tonight) at 6 at the Community Board 3 office (Conference Room), 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery

• Sector B — Sept. 7 (tomorrow) at 6 p.m. at Campos Plaza (Community Room), 611 E. 13th St.

• Sector D — Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue

The Sector A meeting was last night. The doors open at 6, and there will be refreshments. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m.

Use this map to find out what Sector you're in, and what meeting you should attend.

The NYPD is billing these as "an open, honest discussion between the local Neighborhood Coordination Officers and the community. We will discuss the NYPD's NCO Program, how it affects you, and any issues going on within your area."

And: "This is an opportunity to become acquainted with the officers who are directly responsible for your area, and to inform them of any problems that you might be encountering at your home or business."

Still in the pit at 14th Street and Avenue C



Checking in on the activity at the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue C...



Ten months later (since the last EVG update on Nov. 1, 2016), crews are still in the foundation stage...



Perhaps they're combatting the elevated groundwater levels here that have impacted the other developments (here and here) along East 14th Street.

As for the new development, here's a rehash of the info I received on the project last September:

Madison Realty Capital (MRC), an institutionally-backed real estate investment firm focused on real estate equity and debt investments in the middle markets, provided a $52.0 million first mortgage loan for the acquisition of a development site in the East Village and construction of an approved 76,259 square foot mixed use development on the site.

The plans for 644 East 14th Street include 50 residential units, 8,064 square feet of retail space with 200 feet of frontage on 14th Street and Avenue C, and 21,575 square feet of community facility space.

The property is located at the corner of 14th Street and Avenue C, along the Northern border of the East Village and directly across the street from Stuyvesant Town. Residential units will offer contemporary finishes and large balconies with East River views. The borrower is currently finalizing a lease with a major New York hospital to occupy the entire community facility portion of the new building.

The East Village is now attracting young professionals and families, in addition to the artists, musicians, and students that established the neighborhood's cultural identity. The area has retained its strong character and remains a dynamic hub of popular bars, restaurants, and shops, with East 14th Street being one of the liveliest commercial corridors.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

14th and C still waiting for its Karl Fischer-designed retail-residential complex

Report: New owners for the empty lot at 14th Street and Avenue C

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen back open after the summer break

The subterranean restaurant serving traditional Ukrainian cuisine is now back open each day for service after its usual summer break here at 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

This fundraising enterprise of the St George Ukrainian Catholic Church is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

You can find more info and daily specials on their Instagram account here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen

Roll it Up looks closed on 7th Street



Roll It Up appears to have closed at 63 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. It hasn't been open in at least two weeks, and the interior looks to have been emptied out.

The nautical-themed shop specializing in rolled ice cream opened on Aug. 26, 2016 ... then closed in November for the season... before reopening in April.

If this is a permanent closure, then this marks the second rolled ice cream casualty out of the three that opened last summer. Lab -320° closed in January after six months on St. Mark's Place. 10Below Ice Cream is still alive and well on another part of St. Mark's Place.