CB2 SLA committee OKs license for new ownership of Great Jones Cafe

Community Board 2's SLA committee signed off on the corporate change Tuesday night for new ownership to take over the Great Jones Cafe.

The liquor-license approval wasn't without some debate, mostly over hours of operation and the current kitchen venting system. (In September, both the applicants and CB2 agreed to a layover on the application for exploration of the above topics.)

Avi Burn, one of the applicants along with Anthony C. Marano (who owns the building at 54 Great Jones St.), Scott Marano and Jonathan Kavourakis, told me yesterday that, in the end, it was an "even deal."

Aside from amending the hours of the previous Great Jones Cafe (from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday), the new owners will move the kitchen vent from the front facade, which Burn said "has been a huge nuisance to the neighborhood." Nearby residents had complained about the noise and smell from the vent in recent years.

"We will spend what will probably be close to $80,000 on the vent, which was not illegal in this case, because we would like to have a restaurant with neighborhood support behind it," said Burn, an owner of Pinks on 10th Street and Pinks Cantina in the Bowery Market. "We genuinely have the best interest of the community in mind but we are also mindful of a business model that will allow us to succeed."

As for the restaurant, the owners — who become the primary investors in J.F. Jones Inc. d/b/a Great Jones — are retaining the Great Jones Cafe name. Burn said that their emphasis will no longer just be on Cajun cuisine — the longtime staple at the Great Jones. During the September CB2 meeting, Kavourakis, a former chef at The Stanton Social and Vandal, described the menu for the new venture as "modern American."

Here are a few more thoughts from Burn...

On the food:

"Chef Jonathan is aiming to create a menu that people can eat several times per week. We felt Cajun food — while amazing and hearty — is a once-in-a-while treat for many people. Nevertheless we will pay homage to the old menu with some GJ classics and some inspiration from the old menu."

On the legacy of the Great Jones Cafe, which opened just west of the Bowery in 1983:

"The idea was really to keep as much of the spirit of place as possible. We will clean up, make some cosmetic changes, re-do the food and drink menu while keeping some classics and aim to offer a great update to a classic neighborhood restaurant. Great Jones Cafe was in my regular rotation of favorite NYC restaurants. I loved the food, especially the Gumbo. I am very excited to be able to continue the legacy — it was a no brainer to keep it as Great Jones Cafe."

On a reopening date:

"We are working diligently to bring Great Jones Cafe back to the neighborhood as soon as possible."

James Moffett, the longtime owner of the Great Jones Cafe, died on July 10. The restaurant never reopened following his death.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Jim Moffett, owner of the Great Jones Cafe

New owners vying for the Great Jones Cafe space

[Updated] The future of the former Great Jones Cafe

A look at the coming-soon signage at the Moxy East Village

The coming-soon signage has arrived at the Moxy East Village on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.



The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) was quick to note the branding on the sidewalk bridge...

Irony alert: The #Moxyhotel 4 #millennials on E.11th St. for which 5 landmark-eligible 19th c tenements w/ 100 residential units were demolished is marketing with image of kinds of buildings they knocked down! & #JaneJacobs ?? Read more about our fight:https://t.co/DLFacOcyf6 pic.twitter.com/HJhQRLmewa

— GVSHP (@GVSHP) October 3, 2018

It's not known if the glasses actually represent urbanist-activist Jane Jacobs ... or, perhaps, science buff Velma Dinkley from "Scooby-Doo."

In June 2016, local preservationists made their case to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to designate East 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue a historic district in a bid to save the five residential (circa 1887-1892) buildings from demolition.


[Photo from May 2016]

However, the LPC ignored the request, Andrew Berman, executive director of the GVSHP, said at the time. Representatives for GVSHP, the Historic Districts Council, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative and the East Village Community Coalition all signed a letter appealing to now-former LPC chair Meenakshi Srinivasan.

In any event, the use of tenements photo-printed on the sidewalk bridge — a simulation of the local New York streetscape the hotel destroyed — is reminiscent of Target's faux storefront/TRGT grand opening last summer on 14th Street.

The 13-story Moxy East Village is expected to open in late 2019.

Previously on EV Grieve:
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)

At the Moxy hotel protest on 11th Street last evening

The 13th Step loses the 13th on 2nd Avenue

After eight-plus years as the 13th Step, the sports bar/SantaCon hotspot at 149 Second Ave. is now simply The Step here between Ninth Street and 10th Street. (Thanks to EVG reader Aaron Wilson for the photo!)

No word at the moment what may have prompted the dropping of the 13th. There isn't any mention yet about a name change on the bar's website or social media properties.

Several readers/residents found the name to be in poor taste upon the bar's arrival. The term 13th Step is used as a euphemism for inappropriate sexual advances by a member to a newcomer in AA. It means other things too.

From the EVG way-back machine in July 2010, Michael Asch, one of the two senior co-owners at the time of the 13th Step discussed the rationale behind the original name.

Anyway, so long to that comic-sans neon signage...


[EVG photo from July 2010]

Marshalls opens today on Houston Street

As we've been noting (oh, here and here and here and here), Marshalls opens this morning at 8 (and until 10 p.m.) next to Katz's at 197 E. Houston St.



After this Debut Day, the Marshalls will be open Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The discount department store joins Equinox as the two retail tenants in the base of Ben Shaoul's condoplex here between Ludlow and Orchard.

And there is still ample retail space available where the helpful arrows are pointing ...



What might be next?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Making way for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex on East Houston

Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard


[EVG photo from April 2015]

After the fire: A look at 188 1st Ave.

Here are several afternoon and early-evening photos from the fire scene at 188 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

The top photo via Lola Sáenz shows the building at 6:15 p.m.

And this is around 6 p.m. from Steven...



These photos are from 3 p.m. via EVG regular Daniel... showing the FDNY accessing the East Side Outside Community Garden on 11th Street to douse the rear of 188 with water...







EVG reader Hillary Johnson who lives nearby passed along this photo, taken around 6:45 a.m. looking out onto First Avenue...



... and this shot of firefighters surveying the damage to the rear of No. 188 is from 4 p.m. ...



To recap various published reports, the six-alarm fire broke out just before 2 a.m. at the five-story 188 First Ave.

Firefighters had the blaze mostly contained by 8 a.m. However, crews were still fighting flames into the early afternoon in a structure that had partially collapsed behind No. 188.

Here's a look at that structure from late this afternoon from Hillary Johnson...



Officials said they believe that the fire began inside Uogashi, the restaurant on the ground floor. No word on the cause just yet.

In total, there were 17 reported injuries, including 14 firefighters. None of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries.

According to ABC 7, three of the buildings that were evacuated will remain empty until the DOB checks the structural integrity. The Red Cross is housing 13 residents.

Watch this drone footage of the fire at 188 1st Ave.

[Drone photo this morning via Steven]

The FDNY has released drone footage from the overnight 6-alarm fire at 188 First Ave...

[Updating] Post fire, 1 lane of northbound traffic returns to 1st Avenue

After the overnight 6-alarm fire at 188 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street... one northbound traffic lane has been reopened for vehicular traffic, per the NYPD.

• The MTA reports that the M15 bus won't make any local stops on First Avenue between St. Mark's Place and 13th Street.

• There are now a reported 17 injuries, which includes 14 firefighters. None of the injuries were deemed life-threatening.

As for No. 188 and surrounding buildings...

Update from inter agency meeting with @nycoem
Northbound traffic on 1 Ave will remain closed until further notice, please avoid the are is possible.

3 Buildings have been evacuated and will remain empty until @NYCDOB checks the structure’s integrity. #EastVillage #NYC pic.twitter.com/W1jJwemVbg

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) October 3, 2018

Updated 2:45 p.m.

EVG reader dog shares this photo... apparently there has been a flare up, in the words of the NYPD, in the rear of No. 188...



And per the 9th Precinct....

There has been a small flare up in the rear of 188 1 Ave causing northbound vehicular traffic to once again be closed.@FDNY is still on scene https://t.co/niiL9TEbYY

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) October 3, 2018

An estimated 20 FDNY trucks remain at the scene, per dwg.

[Updating] Report of injuries during major fire at 188 1st Ave.

[Photo via @academyrecords]

More than 200 firefighters have been battling a major overnight fire at 188 First Ave., a five-story building between 11th Street and 12th Street...[See below for updates — the fire is in the building's setback]


[Photo by Doug Singer]



First Avenue has been closed at Ninth Street for the FDNY equipment.

We'll continue to update as more information becomes available...

Update 1

Four firefighters and two residents were hurt in the five-alarm fire, ABC 7 reports. All of the injuries are said to be minor.

Per ABC:

The fire broke out on the first floor of a five-story apartment building on 1st Avenue just before 2 a.m.

Fire spread through the building quickly.

Update 2

NBC 4 states nine injuries, including seven firefighters — one of who was seriously injured.

No immediate cause for the fire, officials say.

--

The ground floor is occupied by Uogashi, the Japanese restaurant.

Update 3

The FDNY is calling this a 6-alarm fire now...

MAN 6-ALARM 188 1ST AVE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE IN 1ST FLR SETBACK,

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) October 3, 2018

Update 4

JUST IN: The FDNY recommends the DOE to close two nearby schools as they continue to battle a 'stubborn' fire in the East Village that has been burning for hours https://t.co/GUlz9rIaQO pic.twitter.com/POqwF5iXHK

— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) October 3, 2018

Update 5 — 8 a.m.

The FDNY response is massive. Trucks stretch back to between Seventh Street and Sixth Street.

Here's an early morning photo via Lola Sáenz...



...and these are from the rear of the building taken from 12th Street via Steven...









... and from the front of the building...







Update 6

A view via KT...



Update 7 9 a.m.

More from ABC 7:

Flames spread to a small section of rear of the building, which partially collapsed and could safely not accessed by firefighters.

"Much of the roof on the first floor extension has burned away, but because of the collapse hazard we can't get in there. And that's the problem, why we can't put this fire out right now," Chief James Leonard, FDNY Chief of Department.

They poured water on the small section, waiting for the roof to collapse so they could fully extinguish it.

Until then, the smoldering section spewed heavy smoke that prompted firefighters to evacuate five adjacent buildings.

This aerial view shows the collapse in the structure behind the building... part of Uogashi?



The injured list is now reportedly at 14 — including 11 firefighters, mostly smoke for inhalation and heat exhaustion.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Red Cross is on the scene...

Update: @RedCross is located in a truck at below location. Ready to serve. https://t.co/5u7R2uzRNN

— Pedro Carrillo (@plazarillo) October 3, 2018

And no school here...

⚠️ Due to a 6-alarm fire nearby, two NYC Schools in Manhattan to close today, 10/3/2018: East Side Community High School and P.S. 19 Asher Levy. All students and staff are safe. There will be no classes, after school, or other activities at these schools today. [1/2]

— NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) October 3, 2018

Update 8

First Avenue will likely be closed for much of the day...

This will be a prolonged operation due to heavy construction and structural concerns of the building - #FDNY Chief of Department Leonard from the scene of the 6-alarm fire, 188 1 Ave. Manhattan

— FDNY (@FDNY) October 3, 2018

Update 9

EV FIRE UPDATE: Fire is contained at the rear of 188 1st Ave. @FDNY will be on standby indefinitely.

* Residents are safe, dozens of units evacuated
* No decision made for @NYCSchools tomorrow
* 14 people injured including firefighters

Next interagency meeting will be at 11am. pic.twitter.com/a2cHAOP8f6

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) October 3, 2018

Update 10 1:15 p.m.

#EastVillage Fire update.

One Northbound traffic lane has been opened for vehicular traffic.

The M15 bus @MTA will NOT make any stops for pickup or drop off from St. Marks Place to East 13 Street. It will then proceed as normal. pic.twitter.com/3eqVktLjK5

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) October 3, 2018

The FDNY issued an under control just before 1 p.m. ...

MAN 6-ALARM 188 1ST AVE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE IN 1ST FLR SETBACK, UNDER CONTROL

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) October 3, 2018

Have a Taste of the East Village this Saturday

The third annual Taste of the East Village is this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. on Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

Here are details via the Cooper Square Committee:

The Taste of the East Village brings together around 20 of the East Village’s favorite chefs and restaurants to benefit the Cooper Square Committee’s housing programs, and to promote the GoFundMe campaign of EVIMA’s President, Jimmy Carbone, a co-founder of the festival. Local chef at Huertas at 107 1st Ave., Jonah Miller, is chairperson of the festival committee and has selected many of the participating restaurants.

Ticket holders are entitled to four dishes from participating neighborhood restaurants and eateries, including newcomers to the festival like the Eddy, Fry Guys, Ho Foods, Huertas, Maharlika Filipino Moderno, Virginia as well as returning restaurants like Brick Lane Curry, Porsena, Al Horno Mexican Kitchen, Narcbar and Le Petit Parisien. Dessert venues such as Insomnia Cookies, Sweet Generation Bakery, Veneiro’s and Davey’s Ice Cream will also be joining us.

Find more info here. And tickets — $25 now and $30 day of — are at this link.

It's October, which also means it's Hitchcocktober

The City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street is once again playing host to Hitchcocktober.

This month the theater screens five Alfred Hitchcock classics, starting with "Rear Window" Thursday night at 8.



The rest of the lineup:

Oct. 11 — "Shadow of a Doubt"

Oct. 18 — "Strangers on a Train"

Oct. 25 — "The 39 Steps"

Halloween night — "Psycho"

Find advance ticket info here.

787 Coffee now open on 7th Street

View this post on Instagram

Ready! We are OPEN for business! 131 E. 7th st. East Village, NYC.

A post shared by 787 Coffee Co. (@787coffee) on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:06am PDT

787 Coffee debuted yesterday at 131 E. Seventh St. near Avenue A.

Here's what to expect from their beans, via a preview at Bedford and Bowery:

787 grows, processes, and roasts their coffee, all on a chemical-free farm atop a mountain in Puerto Rico, with the goal of restoring the island’s coffee crop to the level of success it previously enjoyed.

787 previously had an outpost in the now-closed Market NYC on Houston at Mulberry. The Seventh Street cafe will now serve as 787's flagship location.

Read more about 787 here.

No. 131 was previously home to Shervin's Cafe for several years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
787 Coffee for 7th Street

Report: Supreme leasing temp space at 190 Bowery

Streetwear brand Supreme will lease the retail space at 190 Bowery until mid-2019, Crain's reported yesterday.

A temporary home is necessary as Supreme renovates its 24-year-old storefront on Lafayette near Bleecker.

Per Crain's: "Leasing short term to a tenant like Supreme could be a savvy move by RFR Realty to boost the building's profile as a retail destination and attract other stores that might be interested in leasing the space long term."

No. 190's retail tenant is currently the fashion emporium Totokaelo, who was said to be only taking the space short-term. The Post reported last year that the asking rent for the ground floor, mezzanine and basement was $2 million a year. Or roughly $166,000 a month.

RFR Realt's Aby Rosen bought the landmarked building from photographer Jay Maisel for a reported $55 million in 2014.

Previously

Here's Mister Paradise

The signage has arrived for Mister Paradise, a new cocktail bar-restaurant from Will Wyatt (The Nomad) at 105 First Ave.

For now there's not a whole lot of public information about the place, aside from a teaser website here ... and an Instagram account here. (You can read the the application from Wyatt and his partners before they appeared before CB3's SLA committee in July 2017.)

The space has been empty since Empellón Cocina closed in this spot between Sixth Street and Seventh Street in May 2017.

Noted on 12th Street

EVG regular Greg Masters shares this photo from 12th Street this evening.

Per the sign:

Orange Quilt

I accidentaly [sic] left my mother’s quilt out on the street…If you are willing to return it [see the sign for the email].