GG's closes tomorrow

As previously reported, GG's ends its three-year run tomorrow on Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Owner Nick Morgenstern told Eater that business is good at GG's, but he and his partners want to focus on new projects, such as a restaurant for the Ace Hotel on the Bowery.

Here's the message GG's left on their social media....

Customers, Neighbors, and Friends,

For the past three years, GG’s has proudly served the East Village with the highest quality of pizza, drinks and service possible. We are grateful for the many meals and memories that you have shared with us.

After much consideration, we have decided to hand over the keys to 511 East 5th St to a new owner and operator.

This means that GG’s will close its doors permanently on Saturday, December 23rd.

We are proud of the success that GG's has seen over the years, and we're excited for what our individual futures hold.

It has been a joy to serve our friends and neighbors every day...

Something relatively similar will be taking over — Emmy Squared. The Williamsburg pizzeria serves Detroit-style pizza via the wife-and-husband team behind Emily on Downing Street.

No word on when they might be open for business here.

The address has been home to several restaurants since Le Tableau closed in December 2007. Before GG's, there was Goat Town, Seymour Burton and Butcher Bay.

Previously on EV Grieve:
GG's looks to be yielding to Emmy Squared on 5th Street

A reminder not to bother Christo when he's eating

A scene from Tompkins Square park today via Steven...



Although it sorta looks like it from the photos, Christo was NOT eating a rack of ribs.

Neighbor: East Village Cheese, closed now for 2 weeks, is starting to smell

[EVG reader photo from Dec. 8]

Two weeks have passed, and there hasn't been any sign of life inside East Village Cheese at 80 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (See the previous posts here and here.)

The shop was last seen open on Dec. 7. And the gate has been down ever since, without any notice indicating a temporary or permanent closure. The telephone has been disconnected ... and worse, the power has been shut off inside the shop these past two weeks, neighbors say.

All this is particularly troubling to Julia Knox, who owns East Village Hats next door.

"The smell of cheese is seeping into my hat shop, and I am looking for ideas for how to get the place emptied before it rots," she said. "My biggest concern is that the smell is going to be unbearable pretty soon, and a potential rat problem."

Here's a photo via EVG reader Jeremy Block looking inside the space from Dec. 14. That bread and cheese is still there...


[Via @jeremyblock]

As I understand it, the landlord (76-80 East 7th Street Limited Partnership) is aware of the situation, though apparently there are legal concerns about entering the storefront.

East Village Cheese moved here from Third Avenue in September 2015. By April 2016, regulars started worrying about the shop's longterm financial health. "These guys never really got on their feet after the move," Knox said.

As previously noted, the place wasn't always a very patron-friendly shop on Seventh Street, with a cash-only policy and an early close that prevented way-home-from-work shopping, among other things ... including the lack of ambiance and suspect expiration dates, according to regulars.

Past news article on the shop list Lobsang Tsultrim and Thupten Tenphel, immigrants from Tibet, as the owners. They reportedly took over from its founder, Alvin Kaufman, in 2005.

Updated Dec. 22

NBC 4, ABC 7 and PIX 11 all picked up the story, though they didn't offer any new developments.

AG's office: Steve Croman agrees to pay $8 million to the tenants he harassed

Today, we are forcing notorious NYC landlord Steve Croman to pay $8 million in restitution to his tenants—the largest-ever settlement with an individual landlord. https://t.co/p7zQSdEfa0 pic.twitter.com/gViuoiMFg8

— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) December 20, 2017

Steve Croman's civil case came to an end yesterday as he agreed to pay $8 million to the tenants he was accused of bullying out of their rent-regulated apartments.

Here's the official release from the Attorney General's office:

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced an unprecedented settlement with Steven Croman ... for engaging in illegal conduct, including harassment, coercion, and fraud, to force rent-regulated tenants out of their apartments and convert their apartments into highly profitable market-rate units.

The consent decree requires Croman to pay $8 million into a Tenant Restitution Fund – the largest-ever monetary settlement with an individual landlord. The settlement also requires over 100 Croman residential properties to be run by a new, independent management company with no ties to Croman, for five years – the longest-ever term for independent management in OAG history. Moreover, the settlement requires seven years of a monitor who will oversee compliance with the terms of the consent decree and provide regular reporting to the Attorney General – the longest-ever monitorship required in any tenant harassment case.

Croman is currently serving one year in jail and paid a separate $5 million settlement as a result of criminal charges brought by Attorney General Schneiderman.

Eligible tenants will be able to apply for restitution; the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will announce details of a claims process early next year. Tenants will be eligible for restitution if they are or were a tenant in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment owned by Croman between July 1, 2011 and the date of the agreement (Dec. 20, 2017); they received a buyout of less than $20,000, not including any amount that purported to cover rent or arrears; and no other tenant in their apartment received money from the restitution fund.

The Attorney General’s office will approve both the independent management company and the monitor. The independent management company will oversee operations and institute new policies at the Croman properties to ensure full compliance with the law and correction of all past violations. It will also post a comprehensive set of Tenants Rights in every building it manages.

The monitor will provide quarterly reports to the Attorney General, which will include at minimum any complaints received from tenants and actions taken; the total number of rent-regulated apartments that became deregulated during the reporting period, the reason for deregulation, and all supporting documents; and the monitor’s assessment as to whether Croman has complied with the consent decree.

The consent decree also ensures that Anthony Falconite – another defendant in the Attorney General’s lawsuit whom Croman allegedly referred to as his “secret weapon” in intimidating rent-regulated tenants – will have no interaction with any Croman tenants.

Croman is currently in jail (though not at Rikers as originally billed via the AG's office) for mortgage fraud. Back in June, he pleaded guilty to three felonies for fraudulently refinancing loans and committing tax fraud and will serve up to a year in prison and pay a $5 million tax settlement. Public records show that Croman (in the system as Steven Crowman) is currently at the Manhattan Detention Center (aka the Tombs).

Croman's real-estate portfolio via 9300 Realty includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village.

Meanwhile, a Croman tenant shared the holiday card that 9300 Realty sent out last week...

Out East has not been open the last few days

Out East has been dark the last two nights during announced business hours here on Sixth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, a curious development given that this is traditionally a busy holiday period for restaurants.

There's nothing to note a temporary closure on the front door or on their website or social media properties.

The Out East Facebook page posted this yesterday ... even though the restaurant wasn't open ...



Out East opened back in the spring. The operators of the two-level, 124-seat seafood-centric restaurant here have been involved with hotspots such as Beauty & Essex and Stanton Social.

OpenTable shows that reservations aren't available at Out East until Jan. 13.

Opossum where art thou?

The (an?) opossum was spotted traipsing around Tompkins Square Park again today... (this time without a plastic bag) ... Steven shared these photos...









... while EVG regular Cheyenne passed along these shots...







To date, the opossum doesn't have a name/branding/Instagram presence. Found a website that generates opossum names...



Other favorites so far from the generator have been Rasta Jenny Ju, Nicodemus Punch Sugarpop and Parachute ChingChing Yanoonoo.

EV Grieve Etc.: Robber hits 2nd Avenue TD Bank; Veselka featured in 'Ocean's 8' trailer

[Lion running wild on the L train platform today via Grant Shaffer]

Remembering sword swallower Johnny Fox, proprietor of the Freakatorium on Clinton Street (The Lo-Down)

Nick Zedd, who spearheaded the Cinema of Transgression film movement in the 1980s while living in the East Village, is currently fighting eviction in Mexico City. (Page Six ... previously)

NYC added 25 miles of new protected bike lanes in 2017 (Curbed)

Man makes off with $1,900 from the TD Bank on Second Avenue at First Street (Patch ... B+B)

Fire destroys apartment at 287 Avenue C in Stuy Town (Town & Village)

Developers of 88-unit apartment building at 255 E. Houston St. score $40 million loan (Commercial Observer ... previously)

Veselka featured in "Ocean's 8" trailer debut (The New York Times ... previously) And an ode to the restaurant (Guest of a Guest)

New York medical marijuana activist Dana Beal pleads not guilty to two pot charges in California (Daily News)

Thoughts on the "Gentrify This" mural outside Rag & Bone (Flaming Pablum)

Last show of the year for Hedda Lettuce at the Village East Cinema tomorrow night: "Auntie Mame" (Official site)

If you're a fan of the Lincoln Plaza Cinema (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

... and the washer-dryer combo is no longer with us at 10th and B...

@evgrieve it’s gone. Who knows where who knows when... pic.twitter.com/tQ0qv5fg8X

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) December 20, 2017

Workers remove the sculpture fence and prep lot at 89 1st Ave.

[Photo yesterday by Goggla]

Workers yesterday dismantled the sculpture fence that had lined the empty lot for years (since the late 1980s, per one estimate) here on First Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

As I understand it, the fence was created at the former Gas Station (aka Art Gallery Space 2B) on Avenue B and Second Street by Claire Kalemkeris and Johnny Swing in collaboration with Linus Coraggio. (In an email, Coraggio said that he wanted to salvage the fence and place it in the Kenkeleba Sculpture Garden on Third Street between Avenue B and Avenue C where more of his work is on display.)

For now, it appears that at least one section of the fence is lying inside the lot...


[Photo by EVG reader Mona]

Aside from removing the fence, workers — once again — cleared out some of the weeds in the space.



Plans were filed in the spring with the city for a 6-floor building. According to the pre-filing info at the DOB, the building will house eight dwelling units in nearly 7,400 square feet of space. The nearly 1,000 square feet per unit suggests condos. There's another 900 square feet listed for the ground-floor storefront. (The city has yet to approve these permits.)

As previously reported, Florence Toledano was the owner of this lot. In 2013, public records show that the deed for the property was transferred from the Florence Toledano Living Trust to 89 First Avenue LLC. The DOB permit lists Daniel Toledano as the manager of the property. (We do not know the relationship between Daniel Toledano and Florence Toledano. One reader said Daniel is a nephew of Florence.) Andrew Fredman is listed as the architect of record for the new building.

In recent weeks the fence had started to sag... there was an opening in the front...


[Photo from Sunday]

It looked as if someone or something rammed the fence...


[Photo from Sunday]

And someone had written a lyric from "Chinese Rocks" back in the summer...



Updated 5:30 p.m.

EVG reader Rik Rocket shared this photo of the new fence going in...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Will this long-empty lot on 1st Avenue yield to affordable housing?

Drilling and soil testing commences at the long-empty lot at 89 1st Ave.

Permits filed for 6-story building in long-empty lot at 89 1st Ave.


[Photo from 2014]

Hotel Tortuga, now with morning espresso service on 14th Street

[Photo from Monday morning]

Back in October, Hotel Tortuga temporarily closed as new ownership took over the Mexican restaurant on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Hotel Tortuga reopened in early November with Lance Marlo, who previously operated Luna Espresso on the Upper East Side, as the new owner. He bought Hotel Tortuga from David and Jean LaPointe. (The LaPointes opened Tortuga here in 2010. They also ran Curly's Vegetarian Lunch one block to the east on 14th Street until the end of 2011.)

"We still have the same menu, serve breakfast all day, carry vegan, vegetarian and traditional meat options. There may be possible menu changes in the near future as per the new owners," Idalja, the manager, told me. (The previous staff remains as well.)

They also still offer the $7.95 lunch special from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...



One change: Hotel Tortuga has a new La Marzocco espresso machine and are open in the mornings for some espresso drinks ...

A post shared by Hotel Tortuga (@hoteltortuganyc) on Dec 15, 2017 at 11:38am PST

Hotel Tortuga is also awaiting a new liquor license. You can get a Mexican Coca-Cola in the meantime though.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Hotel Tortuga, under new management, will reopen soon still as Hotel Tortuga

How many East Village properties do the Kushner Cos. actually own?

[Compilation of Kushner-owned EV buildings from 2013]

Bloomberg delves into the Manhattan properties owned by Kushner Cos., including a large number in the East Village. In an article published yesterday, Bloomberg finds that, in 60 percent of the properties, the Kushners own less than half of each; in nearly half, they own less than 20 percent.

One estimate puts the number of Kushner-owned East Village buildings at 31. (Only Steve Croman reportedly owns more East Village buildings.)

So who actually owns these properties?

[T]he vast majority of the money behind the purchases didn’t belong to [Jared] Kushner or his family. Rather, it came from an obscure Israel-based company called Gaia Investments Corp. and related entities. Gaia has almost no public profile in New York real estate. Its principals have held roles in enterprises owned by the diamond-trading Steinmetz family, with close ties to Raz Steinmetz, the nephew of billionaire Beny Steinmetz.

A 2015 deal for 16 apartment buildings had a similar structure. Again, the Kushners were publicly credited with the acquisition, and again, most of the money belonged to someone else. The investors in this case, not previously reported, were C-III Capital Partners, a Texas-based asset manager run by Andrew Farkas...

From 2012 to 2015, Kushner Cos. purchased more than 40 Manhattan apartment buildings that they still own. In at least 80 percent of them, they’re minority partners to well-heeled investors.

Bloomberg notes that it's not unusual for landlords/developers to be minority owners of their properties or projects, serving instead as the public face for behind-the-scenes investors.

However, there's some concern in this case for the company, previously run by current White House adviser Jared Kushner.

Per Bloomberg:

The finding that the company is most often a junior owner heightens concern over conflicts-of-interest a year after Kushner entered the White House. As his family has hunted for investors overseas in countries as far-flung as China and Saudi Arabia, many inside and outside of government worry about the potential for quid-pro-quos — public policy driven by private business. In the partnerships where the Kushner Cos. have minor stakes, there’s pressure to make returns for the investors who put up most of the money.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Inside a classic East Village tenement before the whole building is renovated

Jared Kushner not done buying every walk-up in the East Village

Tenants claim: Kushner and Westminster want to destroy this building's beautiful garden

Reports outline how Kushner Companies is aggressively trying to empty 170-174 E. 2nd St.

Local politicos join residents of 2 Jared Kushner-owned buildings to speak out about poor living conditions, alleged harassment

Jared Kushner's residents at 118 E. 4th St. would like gas for cooking and some heat

Jared Kushner's East Village tenants wish he'd resolve issues closer to home

A visitor

An unknown juvenile red-tailed hawk paid a visit to Tompkins Square Park this afternoon... the juvenile hung around for a few hours taking in the sights ... Steven shared these photos...






[Photo by Bobby Williams]


[Photo by Cheyenne]

Later, a blue jay started dive bombing the juvenile, who didn't seem to mind...

Santa tracker

14th Street and Avenue A this morning via Edmund John Dunn...

Paquito's Restaurant closing after 25 years on 1st Avenue; take out and delivery will remain

[Image via Google Maps]

Paquito’s will shut down its restaurant and bar at 143 First Ave. near Ninth Street after service on Dec. 30. This news was first announced on the Paquito’s Facebook page.

However, fans of the usually-reliable Mexican restaurant can take some solace in that Paquito's will maintain a to-go counter and delivery service in the space next door to the restaurant.

The owners didn't provide a reason for the closure, offering: "It has truly been a pleasure to serve the East Village for all these years. Please feel free to visit our Take-Out & delivery next door which will continue to serve our same great tasting food."

Paquito's opened in 1992. Their location on Third Avenue between 16th Street and 17th Street closed several years ago.

Thanks to EVG reader Susan for the tip!

Westside Market opening in the former Met Foods space on 3rd Avenue and 17th Street

[Photo by Harry Weiner]

Westside Market is opening a new location on Third Avenue near 17th Street. (H/T EVG reader Harry Weiner!)

The signage points to a spring opening...



The retail space has been for lease since the longtime Met Foods closed in the spring of 2015.

This is an interesting spot for Westside, the family owned mini chain of markets. The Westside opened in the East Village on Third Avenue and 12th Street in October 2014. Two locations within five blocks?

The Westside location on Broadway near 77th Street closed last month, per the West Side Rag. (As they reported, "the issue was not a rent hike, but [the landlord's] rejection of a plan by Westside Market to rent the available adjacent space.")

This location will be the fifth for Westside.



Previously on EV Grieve:
The Met Foods on 3rd Avenue in Gramercy Park is closing

Icon's 9th Street townhouse now available for $17 million

At last look, the two units at Icon Realty's 327 E. Ninth St. were on the market for $30,000 per month.

Now though, the entire 7-level townhouse is for sale with an asking price of $17 million.

Per the listing:

This newly constructed 20’ wide townhouse is being offered for sale in its entirety. It is comprised of 2 stunning residences totaling 8,323 square feet with an additional 1,600 square feet of private outdoor space and an adjoined heated private garage (capable of fitting any sized SUV).

The townhouse, as constructed, can easily be used as a single residence or a 2-family home.

Designed by Isaac & Stern Architects with interiors by Paris Forino, this brand-new building was designed with a traditional limestone facade that stands as a new classic. Utilizing modern finishes that establish a new contemporary elegance, this home raises the benchmark for luxury living in the East Village.

The townhouse — nearly five years in the making — is at the site of a former parking lot here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The big dig begins for 6-story, 2-unit condo on East 9th Street

East Ninth Street parking lot will yield to 6-floor residential building

A look at Icon Realty's 9th Street building where the rentals are $30k a month

The Ainsworth East Village debuts on 3rd Avenue

[Photo from Saturday]

As previously reported here, the Ainsworth, the growing chain of upscale sports bars, is opening a location on Third Avenue and 11th Street.

The Ainsworth East Village (other new locations are coming to Nashville, Kansas City and Wall Street), is expected to open to the public this week. (They are apparently hosting a few private events.)

Jennifer Gould Keil has a preview at the Post yesterday:

The East Village location is 4,500 square feet and comes with 16 dining seats, 30 high top seats, and 25 seats in the bar area. It will feature cocktails like the Crooked Knife, a jalepeño-infused DeLeón tequila with lemon and agave; and the Ains Martini with Ketel One citroen, Aperol and citrus.

The Village Pourhouse closed here back in April after 11 years. The bar was expected to be E.Vil for a few Instagram moments.

Previously on EV Grieve:
An outpost of the Ainsworth vying for former Pourhouse space; E.Vil is not coming

Presenting Mercury East Presents, which brings together several local music venues

In case you didn't see this news yesterday... press release via the EVG inbox...

Michael Swier, co-owner of Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge and an original founder of the Bowery Presents, and Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, have joined forces to create a new promotions and booking venture called “Mercury East Presents.”

Focused on the coveted live music market in New York City, the alliance creates a nexus of current and future independently-owned and operated venues within the five boroughs while capitalizing on shared expertise and industry strength to serve artists and fans alike. Mercury East unites iconic venues throughout the city under one umbrella, establishing a network of clubs and theaters, including Swier’s Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom, Live Nation’s Irving Plaza, Gramercy Theatre, Warsaw and Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk.

The group will continue to expand this portfolio and will assist in growing artists by bringing acts to NYC’s most venerable open rooms, including Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall. Mercury East will also collaborate with Founders Entertainment, who have introduced hundreds of new artists to the New York market through appearances at their Governors Ball, Meadows Music & Arts Festival and festival after parties.

Both parties have a proven track record in the New York live entertainment scene. Live Nation remains the leader in live entertainment for the region, producing 2,000 events for more than 5.5 million fans in the NYC area in 2016. And Swier’s Bowery Ballroom has hosted thousands of events since its opening in 1998, and is nationally recognized as one of the premier live music venues in the countrry thanks to its talent bookings and intimate performance atmosphere. Well known to music lovers, The Mercury Lounge continues to offer a boutique vibe, welcoming crowds of 250 since its opening in 1994.

Check out the Mercury East website here.

Back in August, the AEG-owned Bowery Presents parted ways with the Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, as Variety reported.

Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, along with The Bowery Presents, will be booking shows at Webster Hall on 11th Street once renovations are complete.

Citi Bike of the day

A reader shared this photo from 11th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... previously.

Reader report: Beware the Amazon Fire TV Stick

An EVG reader, who works from home, shared this (including the above photo) about the Fire TV Stick...

My web connection really slowed down. Once I got on my Verizon wireless modem setting online with one of their tech people, it turned out that along with my devices listed as connected there was also an Amazon device connected. I do not have an Amazon wireless device. Turns out it is an Amazon Firestick, the device you connect to a TV to get Amazon streaming video.

Verizon said that there are apps for phones now that can be used to figure out your wireless passwords easily. It is commonly done with Amazon Firesticks since they take a lot of bandwidth. Once I changed my password and wireless network name the device was no longer listed as connected. The tech said she changed her wireless name and password every other month due to this.

The reader shared this because it "may save a lot of people aggravation."

East Village Cheese remains closed

Another weekend went by without the East Village Cheese Shop being open for business at 80 Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. The storefront has been shuttered since Dec. 7.

Several readers have now reported (via the building's super) that the power is off inside the shop. As one reader noted, "It's going to get gross in there soon." (If not already.)

This temporary (for now) closure has been a popular topic in EVG reader emails. Several people have been looking for cheese alternatives. One popular choice is Barnyard Cheese on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street...


[Image via Yelp]

Other East Village possibilities via readers include the Westside Market on Third Avenue at 12th Street ...





... and Union Market on Houston at Avenue A...



Previously