The 31st annual Loisaida Festival is May 27

Finally a sign of spring... the Loisaida Center recently announced the 2018 date for its 31st annual Loisaida Festival... happening this year on May 27 in the usual place — Avenue C from Sixth Street to 12th Street.

Find more details here.

Viewing for Gino DiGirolamo is Sunday

Gino DiGirolamo, who ran a tailoring business in the neighborhood since the early 1960s, died this past Friday. He was 82.

The viewing is Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at the Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home, 43 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.

He was the proprietor of the Royal Tailor Shop, which was most recently housed on 11th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Gino is survived by his son Vito.

A longtime customer has created a crowdfunding campaign "to raise funds to honor Gino with a donation in his name or potentially a plaque or marker in the neighborhood." Find details here.

Photo from 2014 by Michael Paul

Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Gino DiGirolamo

The historic 137 2nd Ave. — the former Stuyvesant Polyclinic — is for lease

A tipster shared this listing (PDF here) for 137 Second Ave., a landmarked building between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street that has been on the rental market this winter.

A few notes for the 21,896 square feet that spans four levels:

• Possession November 2018
• Completely Renovated
• Fully Wired
• Move-in Ready
• Great for HQ Building
• Short Walk from 6, R and W train

There isn't any mention of the asking rent for the neo-Italian Renaissance brick building, the former German Dispensary, which opened in 1884. (In 1905 it became the Stuyvesant Polyclinic.)

Here's more about the building in this 2008 New York Times feature:

Like the branch library next door, the Second Avenue building of the German Dispensary was the gift of Anna and Oswald Ottendorfer, who ran the German newspaper New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung. That journal had great influence in Little Germany, on the Lower East Side around First and Second Avenues below 14th Street. The 1886 edition of Appleton’s Dictionary of New York described an area in which “lager-beer shops are numerous, and nearly all the signs are of German names.”

And...

In more recent years — until its sale [in 2008] — the old dispensary building was part of Cabrini Medical Center. Although hospitals are notoriously hard on historic architecture, the interior of the Schickel building was remarkably intact, if run-down, with intricate stairway ironwork and door enframements, red marble wainscoting and a highly colored tile floor.

In 2008, a British consulting firm called ?What If! bought the building for $13 million. Following the sale, the firm hired architects David Mayerfield Associates to restore both the interior and exterior.

Per a feature at Daytonian in Manhattan:

When dropped ceilings in the main hall were removed, the 1884 skylights, blacked out in World War II, were rediscovered. Similarly, stained-glass panels in the ceiling of the staircase were uncovered. The colorful encaustic tile floors had been covered over with concrete which was meticulously scraped away.

The building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1976. Learn more about the building's history and architecture at Off the Grid here.

The Two Boots on Nassau Street no longer appears to be happening

EVG reader Carl Bentsen shared this photo from Nassau Street near Fulton in the Financial District ... showing a for rent sign on what was to be the next location of Two Boots, the East Village-based pizzeria.

The folks at Two Boots were also going to keep and restore that Loft's Candies neon signage that workers uncovered during renovations at the address.

No word on what happened to this multi-level location for Two Boots. (They didn't respond to an email for comment.) The Two Boots website still lists this location as coming soon in the spring of 2017.

Two Boots, which got its start on Avenue A (different location than its current home) in 1987, has 13 locations in multiple states.

Previously on EV Grieve:
This post has nothing to do with the East Village, except for the part about 2 Boots Pizza

This post still has nothing to do with the East Village, except for the part about 2 Boots Pizza

Dora re-injures her wing, leaves Tompkins Square Park for examination, possible rehab

[Photo today by @alexlawrens]

Dora, one of the red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park, continued to have difficulty today flying. She was spotted sitting on a porch rail along Ninth Street between Avenue B and C.

She eventually made it into Tompkins Square Park ... and into a tree, but the hawk-watchers said it was a struggle. (All photos below via Steven.)



Ranger Rob (aka Rob Mastrianni, a Manhattan Ranger supervisor) and a worker from the Animal Care and Control of NYC were eventually able to safely secure Dora ...







Bobby Horvath of the Long Island-based WINORR (the Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation) arrived in the Park to take Dora away for examination...







At this point we don't know the extent of the injury and when she might be able to return.

Dora had been in WINORR's care starting in late November ... she was declared fit to come back to the Park on Feb. 26 for an awkward-at-first reunion with her longtime mate Christo.

Hawk watchers on Saturday noticed that Dora's rehabbed wing was starting to droop. She likely aggravated it on Monday during the tussle with an unknown red-tailed hawk who invaded her nest.

Meanwhile! As if that wasn't enough drama. Here's a dispatch from Goggla in the Park: "There is a stranger hawk [NOT Barucha/Nora] in the nest right now and Christo is on the Christodora."

She'll post more on today's development at her site later today. Updated: Her post is here, and includes video ... and details about yet another female red-tailed hawk who arrived in the Park!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Dora the red-tailed hawk returns to Tompkins Square Park

Gothamist turns to Kickstarter to speed up its return

Back in February news broke that Gothamist was returning, thanks to WNYC and its parent company New York Public Radio — along with two anonymous donors — who had acquired the local news site's assets.

And yesterday (ICYMI), the Gothamist co-founders launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 by May 4.

Per Kickstarter:

And now it’s our priority to build out the site and bring back the Gothamist you love. We aim to get Gothamist back to full strength and make it sustainable for years to come.

With your support, Gothamist will have the resources to expand coverage of issues that are vital to the social fabric of New York City: transportation, affordable housing, gentrification, demonic landlords, immigration, and the living wage struggle. We’re proud of our past work on these topics—as well as our vibrant culture and food reporting—and we’re committed to deepening and diversifying our coverage of New York City.

Gothamist is now a part of member supported New York Public Radio, which is a registered 501c3. Your pledge is tax deductible, minus the value and/services of your selected reward and credit card processing and Kickstarter fees. At the end of the campaign, when we reach our goal and credit card transactions are completed, we will send out tax acknowledgement letters.

It’s simple: all funds raised with this Kickstarter will go to funding Gothamist. The first $100,000 will help revive the website and bring back our popular newsletter. It will also enable us to preserve the Gothamist and DNAinfo archives. But this is just the beginning. The more we raise, the better we can serve you.

As of this morning, they'd already raised more than $73,000.

And a few more details via the Observer:

It might seem strange for a site to crowdfund after being acquired by another company. But the Kickstarter funds, along with the funding for the acquisition, will help Gothamist relaunch faster than it would have otherwise.

“We were fortunate to be able to quickly shore up the support we needed to make the acquisition by connecting with funders who share our commitment to local journalism,” Jennifer Houlihan Roussel, vice president of communications for New York Public Radio, told Observer. “The Kickstarter will enable us to launch as quickly and as robustly as possible.”

Dobkin will handle strategy and revenue at the new Gothamist, while co-founder Jen Chung will be in charge of editorial matters.

After this initial funding push, Gothamist will transition to WNYC’s fundraising model, which relies on membership, philanthropy and sponsorship. Dobkin said he hopes to garner 10,000 to 20,000 subscribers for the site and also woo new advertisers.

Publisher Joe Ricketts abruptly shut down Gothamist and DNAinfo last Nov. 2 after the newsrooms of both sites voted to join the Writers Guild of America East. DNAinfo, however, will not be returning. Its archives will remain online.

In unrelated news about local sites, prospects remain at their dimmest for a return of EV Heave, though the publisher will listen to offers in the two-figure range, we're told.

For further reading:
Gothamist's Kickstarter Raises More Questions Than It Answers (Splinter)

The Post looks at the Night Mayor's fines as an East Village bar owner

In case you haven't had your fill of Night Mayor articles (apparently the Post hasn't), the tabloid reports today that Ariel Palitz paid nearly $30,000 in fines when she owned the Sutra Lounge for 10 years on First Avenue between First Street and Second Street.

Per the Post:

“She racked up a number of violations, for sure,” said Liquor Authority Spokesman William Crowley.

Palitz was slapped with 24 violations in the 10 years she ran the club that was dubbed the noisiest in the city.

The majority of complaints against her watering hole were for noise but the bar was also cited for serving underage patrons, selling booze past the 4 a.m. cutoff, and allowing dancing and a DJ without a license.

Investigators also cited the bar for various problems with signage, exits and rearranging the layout for the DJ and dancing.

In an interview with The Lo-Down from 2012, she blamed a single neighbor for the multiple 311 calls.

According to the Post: "Her bar was forced to shut down for a week in July of 2011 and she paid a total of $28,250 in fines."

Palitz, an East Village resident, was recently appointed senior executive director of the Office of Nightlife (aka Night Mayor). In her role, she'll serve as a point of contact among city agencies, communities and the city's nightlight industry.

[Updated] Jane's Exchange closing this summer on 3rd Street; owners looking for a buyer

[Image via Facebook]

After 24 years in business, the owners of Jane's Exchange, the children's and maternity retail and consignment store on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, will be moving on after their lease is up this summer.

However, co-owners Eva and Gayle said that they will help someone else take over the shop. As they wrote on Facebook this past Friday:

Over the years a number of remarkable people have expressed interest in this possibility. We can get 5 years added to our lease that we could pass along to anyone interested in continuing the store. We want to see a small, locally owned Jane’s Exchange continue in this location, and would work to facilitate this transition. If you or anyone you know might be interested in discussing this further please let us know.

Here's their full letter:

Dear Friends,

It is with very mixed emotions that we announce that after 24 great years in business, it is time for us to move on when our lease is up for renewal in July of this year. While this was a very difficult decision to make, we ultimately believe it is the best one.

We have built a store and customer base that we are extremely proud of, and for this reason we are actively pursuing a buyer to continue the work we began and nurtured. Over the years a number of remarkable people have expressed interest in this possibility. We can get 5 years added to our lease that we could pass along to anyone interested in continuing the store. We want to see a small, locally owned Jane’s Exchange continue in this location, and would work to facilitate this transition. If you or anyone you know might be interested in discussing this further please let us know.

Since we do not close for several months, we will not say goodbye now. In fact, we hope to see all of you over the next few months. In the meantime, we have a store full of really great spring and summer clothing (and will soon have a huge sale on left over winter items) - and you have credit! We will welcome new consignments through the middle of April as long as you understand that you may only have till mid-June to spend your credit. We will also accept (and appreciate) donations as long as the items are clean and in good condition.

For consignment or donations we are looking for great spring/summer clothing. No appointment necessary. However, if you have big gear like light weight carriages, portable cribs, etc. please call first.

It has been wonderful getting to know so many of you over the years. We’ve appreciated your support and friendship throughout our many years in business.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!!!
Best,
Eva and Gayle

You may contact them via their website here.

Updated noon

Some encouraging news via co-owner Gayle Raskin via the EVG inbox: "It's slightly premature but we'd like all to know that it looks really good for a friendly takeover of the store at the end of June. We'll announce more as the details get worked out..."

Previously

Matthew Kenney bringing yet another plant-based restaurant to 2nd Avenue

Plant-based chef Matthew Kenney must really like Second Avenue.

Signage arrived yesterday on the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Street for Arata, another Kenney-backed restaurant. Here's more about this concept:

Arata highlights the diverse and abundant plant-based ingredients of Asia. Japanese for fresh and new, Arata will offer steamed buns, small plates, noodle bowls, tempura, vegetable sushi and Japanese inspired desserts. Arata will have an innovative cocktail and sake program. Opening in EARLY MAY 2018...

[Photos by Perri Silver]

Kenney, whose bio says that he is "crafting the future of food®," is also involved with 00 + Co. and Bar Verde right next door on Second Avenue.

Last month, Kenney teamed up with Pure Green to launch PlantMade, a cafe on Second Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street. So that's four restaurants with Kenney's involvement within six blocks on Second Avenue.

Meanwhile, the signage for Arata means the end for the previous tenant — La Contrada, which opened in July 2016. This corner has seen its share of turnover in recent years with the arrivals and departures of Contrada, (not to be confused with La Contrada), Calliope and Belcourt.

Thanks to EVG reader Perri Silver for the photos!

Full reveal at Thirteen East (of Thirteen East + West fame)

Workers recently removed the construction netting and scaffolding at 436 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, as the above photo via EVG regular Pinch shows.

This is one of the twin 6-floor condos — dubbed dubbed Thirteen East + West — rising on this block. No. 442 is still slightly hidden...



And the rendering of the final products...



Here's the official blurbage about the condos via the last news release on the development:

THIRTEEN EAST + WEST will offer 12 sun-drenched, full-floor two-bedroom homes, with floor-to-ceiling windows, private storage, balconies, and roof decks. The 1,706 square foot residence offers top-of-the-line internationally-inspired finishes, with Lualdi Italian doors, Alta Cucine kitchens, Miele appliance package and Rossetto Italia wardrobes. Each building will feature one state-of-the-art penthouse with private roof deck and a private, single car parking garage.

The prices range between $2.350 million and $3.7 million. It doesn't appear that sales are underway just yet here. None of the units are listed for now via Ryan Serhant and his Nest Seekers crew.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue

A look at the new luxury condos coming soon to East 13th Street

Temporary art and future condos on East 13th Street

Demo time for East 13th Street garages that will yield to luxury condos

A look at the residences coming to Thirteen East + West on East 13th Street

A 'no parking' annoyance

Crews for the new Netflix series "Russian Doll" have been spotted around the neighborhood.

While film shoots are, of course, a fairly regular occurrence around here, some residents have found this crew — particularly the parking production assistants — to be more aggressive than others in terms of blocking off space for their trucks and film equipment. On Eighth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C, crews started putting down the cones on the block yesterday — 48 hours before the announced filming times.

The posted signs say that "parking can be held a maximum of 24 hours in advance of the date and times indicated ..." Filming on Eighth Street, as an annoyed EVG reader pointed out, is tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ...



The cones also arrived late Saturday on Avenue A between Seventh Street and 10th Street for yesterday's shoot.

7-story residential building planned for former Blue Man Group facilities on 3rd Street

Permits have been filed for a 7-floor residential building at 238 E. Third St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Here's more from New York Yimby, who first reported on the development:

The new structure will be designed by Vikatos Architect, and will comprise a total of 20,928 square feet of living area with a total built-up area of 27,657 square feet.

The building will rise seven floors above ground to 75 feet, with additional cellar living area and a basement. 20 rental units are planned, in total, putting the average unit at about 1,046 square feet.

The building, which the Blue Man Group owned at one point for use as a practice facility, hit the market last September with a $12 million ask.

The listing noted at the time: "This is an excellent opportunity for a developer to acquire a 50’ wide development site in the East Village. In addition, considering how unique the building is, the offering presents an incredibly rare opportunity in which the current building and configuration could be maintained for a user."

Given the new-building specs, it appears that the current structure will come down, though demo permits haven't been filed yet.

In a previous life, the building served as a movie theater. Public records from July 2017 list two of the founders of the Blue Man Group — Chris Wink and Philip Stanton — as the previous owners, who received $18.6 million for this and another LES property.

Per NYY, Vinbaytel Property Development is the new owner of No. 238. Vinbaytel has developed several East Village condos in recent years, including at 227 E. Seventh St., 67 Avenue C and 26 Avenue B.

The 'Night Mayor's' challenge close to home

For the @villagevoice, I wrote about the newly-appointed Nightlife Mayor's home turf, the East Village and Lower East Side, and the inherent difficulty of balancing dueling nightlife concerns in such a bar-heavy area https://t.co/ZxmJy69utO

— Allegra Hobbs (@AllegraEHobbs) April 2, 2018

Over at the Voice, Allegra Hobbs explores the challenges that Ariel Palitz, newly appointed senior executive director of the Office of Nightlife (aka Night Mayor), faces in her own neighborhood.

Palitz, an East Village resident, owned Sutra Lounge on First Avenue from 2004 to 2014. She also served on CB3's State Liquor Authority subcommittee from 2007 to 2014.

Hobbs speaks with residents and Block Association leaders who believe Palitz's appointment was a mistake.

Members of the Dwellers, North Avenue A, and the Orchard Street Block Associations all say that during her time on the community board, Palitz voted overwhelmingly in favor of new liquor license applications and brushed aside residents’ concerns in public meetings. (Community Board 3 declined to comment for this article and was unable to provide Palitz’s voting record.)

“They really couldn’t have made a worse choice, in my opinion,” says Pamela Yeh of the Orchard Street Block Association, which covers a swath of blocks below Delancey Street and between Allen and Clinton streets. “She voted in favor of just about passing every [liquor license] application that came through the SLA committee.”

Meanwhile, some of her former CB3 colleagues are more positive about the work that Palitz will do for the city.

“I am extremely happy that she got appointed — I think she is the perfect person for this job,” enthuses former board chair Anne Johnson, who says Palitz’s experience as a bar owner should allow her to effectively tackle the issues facing the Lower East Side and East Village. “I always found her to be reasonable and willing to listen to all sides and not just blanketly support one side or the other.”

Former community board member Chad Marlow, who has been a staunch supporter of limiting liquor licenses in the community, recalls Palitz as a voice of reason, attempting to bring “uniformity and clarity” to the process of supporting or denying liquor license applicants on the subcommittee. “I think [for] Ariel, her challenge is going to be to try and find a way to promote the interests of the industry while at the same time protecting the interests of the community, and I have no doubt she’s going to labor very hard to strike that balance,” he says.

Palitz declined requests for an interview with the Voice.

Remembering the Stone

The Stone ended its 13-year residency on Avenue C and Second Street in late February. John Zorn relocated his experimental performance space to the Glass Box Theatre at the New School.

It was time for a change, he has said.

Sasha Frere-Jones talked with Zorn about the Stone for a piece published at Artforum yesterday.

An excerpt:

You know, thirteen years, we had a lot of complaints from artists about the space, about this, about that.

You would think they wouldn't complain.

But there's a variety of things to complain about! You know, I mean, not the best equipment in the world, there was a long time when it was cold in the winter and hot in the summer. We didn't really have a good air conditioner.

Right.

The radiator's clanking, the woman upstairs walks around, sometimes she waters her plants, overwaters it and the water comes dripping down. Someone left their barbecue chicken in the basement for a week and the stupid guy who's volunteering didn't clear it out, and it stinks, or a rat got to it, or someone saw a rat in the basement. Now that we've closed it, of course, it's a very nostalgic place now, now they're not remembering all of that.

It’s people talking about the East Village. “Oh, you should've been here.”

That’s bullshit. You want to relive your days of beatnik glory? Sorry man, it's now, it's today, this is what's happening. Dig it or get the fuck out. I don't live in the past. I'm very happy with the present.