Parting thoughts on the Sidewalk: 'grubby, unremarkable, and undeniably special'

[EVG photo from November]

Sidewalk Bar and Restaurant wrapped up its 34 years on Avenue A and Sixth Street on Saturday, as we first reported.

Over at Grub Street, Jason Diamond pens a closing ode to the familiar corner spot:

I hope this doesn’t sound mean, but Sidewalk Cafe was not very good. That’s what makes its closing such a bummer. The restaurant, bar, and live music venue ... was grubby, unremarkable, and undeniably special to those of us who spent weekends camped out at its outside tables slurping down frozen margaritas.

And...

Sidewalk was a quintessential New York City business because it was always there. That might sound like a slight, but think of all the things — and people — that come and go in New York. To live in this city for any real period of time is to feel bereaved at every corner, all of the time. We grieve for the friends that move to L.A., the places that close because the rent is too high or the guests are too few, and for the people we were when we first arrived.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New owners set to take over the 33-year-old Sidewalk Bar & Restaurant on Avenue A

The final days of Sidewalk

City OKs new building permits for mayor's tech hub on 14th Street

[EVG photo from last month]

It took nearly nine months for the proposed tech hub — now called the Union Square Tech Training Center — on 14th Street at Irving Place to wind through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, culminating with the City Council's OK last August. (A rezoning was required to build the the 22-story structure, which is larger than what current commercial zoning allows.)

And it took far less time for the Department of Building's (DOB) to approve the new building permits for the 22-floor building. DOB records show that the city signed off on the project yesterday.



The new building permits were just filed this past Nov. 19. (For a comparison, new building permits for the 9-story development planned for the former Sunshine Cinema on East Houston are still waiting for approval. Permits were first filed in March 2018, per city records.)

Work is expected to start in this first quarter of 2019, per the 14th @ Irving website. But first, the former P.C. Richard & Son outpost needs to be demolished.

As previously reported, the project is being developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL Development Services. The Union Square Tech Training Center includes Civic Hall, which will offer digital skills for low-income residents, as well as market-rate retail, office space and a food hall.

Mayor de Blasio first unveiled the renderings publicly in February 2017.


[Image via Davis Brody Bond]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

City Council unanimously approves tech hub; some disappointment in lack of zoning protections

The conversation continues on the now-approved tech hub for 14th Street

1st signs for the future tech hub arrive on 14th Street; more details emerge about 14th @ Irving

New building permits pre-filed for the (slightly larger) tech hub on Union Square

First signs of Bin 141, a new cafe on Avenue A and 3rd Street

Updated: The restaurant opened on April 21.

The first signs of the new cafe coming to the northwest corner of Avenue A and Third Street arrived on Monday (the address is 141 E. Third St. aka 43 Avenue A).



The lettering for Bin 141 includes the words, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Cocktails, Coffee and Vegan Treats.

Imen and Rafik Bouzgarrou, the husband-and-wife team at Angelina Cafe one block to the south on Avenue A, are behind this venture that will serve Mediterranean fare. (No word at the moment if they'll continue running both Bin 141 and Angelina, which first opened in 2002 before relocating across Avenue A to its current spot in 2012.)

CB3 OK'd a liquor license for this space last July. The Bin 141 application (PDF here) listed 15 tables accommodating 54 diners along with an eight-stool lunch counter. Their proposed hours were 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday though Thursday; until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

During the CB3 meeting, a rep of the building's co-op board as well a building resident "spoke in support of this applicant as a longstanding, responsible business owner on this block who has operated a quiet, comfortable well-run restaurant," per the minutes of the meeting.

The previous tenant in this corner space, Landmark Bicycles, closed in the fall of 2017.

Renovations and a 3-day rent demand at Bait & Hook

Bait & Hook, the sports bar on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue, has been closed the past 10-plus days for renovations. (H/T Pinch for first sharing this.)



Meanwhile, as EVG regular Laura notes, a 3-day rent demand has arrived next to the Closed for Renovations signage...





According to the notice, the owners here owe $104,000 (and change) in back rent (and various fees) dating to October.

Bait & Hook opened in September 2012. The press materials noted at the time: "Bait & Hook offers a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere where seafood is the star. Diners can enjoy a reasonably priced meal without compromising high-end, quality cuisine and service."

View this post on Instagram

Come join us tomorrow for Santacon 🎅🏼at Bait & Hook 14th St and 2nd Ave. Live Dj, No Cover Charge and Enjoy our all day Specials.

A post shared by Bait & Hook (@baitandhook) on Dec 7, 2018 at 5:27pm PST

Police looking for barrier-tossing tag suspect on Bleecker Street

Wanted for an ASSAULT that occurred on Bleecker St & Elizabeth St #Manhattan @NYPD9Pct. Have you seen them? Do you know these individuals?☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞Calls are anonymous.💰You may receive up to a $2500 REWARD! #YourCityYourCall @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/UtFi3ZzRj2

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) February 26, 2019

Earlier today, the NYPD released details of an attempted assault with a metal barrier on Jan. 20.

The incident occurred just before noon on a Sunday on Bleecker near Elizabeth.

Jaclyn Doherty, 26, told this to the Daily News:

"I thought he was maybe saving a parking spot," she remembered. "He didn't look crazy or anything."

A moment later, the suspect flung the barrier in their direction. Her friend managed to dodge it. Doherty wasn’t so lucky.

"I was just in shock," she said, adding that what happened next creeped her out even more. “He said, 'Tag, you're it.' and kind of ran off.”

"It seemed like he wanted us to follow him," she remembered, shrugging off her experience to life in the big city. "It's New York City, people do weird things."

Doherty reportedly suffered a few cuts and bruises, though medical treatment wasn't required.

According to the News, the suspect was described as black, about 20, 5-feet-5 and 140 pounds. He was wearing a black track suit with white stripes, plus a gray hoodie, gray Champion sweatpants and black sneakers, cops said.Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.

FDNY responds to report of 'unstable wall' at 301 E. 10th St.

Emergency responders are on the scene at 301 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... where there's a report of an "unstable wall" in the building...

Manhattan *All Hands* Box 0452. 301 E 10th St, . Bn-6 using All Hands for an unstable wall in a 5 story 25x50. Buildings Dept & OEM requested.

— NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) February 26, 2019

It's the building here with the sidewalk bridge...



Currently, 10th Street is closed off between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Will update when there's more to report. And thanks to Steven for these photos!

Updated 5:42 p.m.

Per NBC 4...

A number of buildings in the East Village were evacuated after a wall inside a townhouse partially collapsed, the FDNY said.

The department received a call reporting a partial wall collapse inside of 301 E. 10th St., across from Tompkins Square Park, at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday, it said.

Updated 9 p.m.

Public records show that No. 301, built in the late 19th Century by architect Joseph Trench, sold for $8 million in December 2016.

The buyer, listed as Kamo Associates LLC, were in the process of renovation the building. There are approved plans on file with the city for a "horizontal rear extension."

No. 301 is currently occupant free during the gut renovations.

Oh oh it's magic — at the Earth School this Friday evening

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We hope you had a great February break! Believe or not, the Annual Earth School magic show is coming THIS FRIDAY! Don’t miss Cardone the Magician aka @cardonemagic, Friday, March 1 in the Earth School Auditorium, enter at Ave B and 5th St. Doors open at 5pm, show starts at 6pm. Spooky, eerie, odd, and so much fun! He always amazes us with his mystifying ways and magic that keeps us wondering for days! Fun for ALL ages. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and 3 & under are free. Food and drink will be available for purchase in the lobby—from an AMAZING lineup of delicious and oh-so-generous sponsors including @katzsdeli, @croissanteria, @gelartonyc, @peterpandonut, @eatsolopizza, and more. This event is open to all—bring your friends and neighbors. Funds support our wonderful school. #cardonepresents #cardonemagic #cardonethemagician #earthschoolnyc #magicshow #familyevent #supportpubliceducation #eastvillage #alphabetcity #fridaynightmagic #katzdelicatessen #croissanteria #gelartonyc #peterpandonuts #solopizzanyc @evgrieve @timeoutnykids

A post shared by The Earth School (@ilovetheearthschool) on Feb 25, 2019 at 2:31am PST

Find the magic Friday at the Earth School — enter on Avenue B at Fifth Street. Find more details here.

Headline H/T

EVG Etc.: Curbing broker fees; celebrating Alan Vega and Suicide

[Avenue B plywood antics via Brucie]

The latest on the epidemic of NYC store closings, plus signs that some landlords are relenting and lowering rents (NYCitywoman)

City Council members Carlina Rivera and Keith Powers introduce legislation to limit brokerage fees for apartment rentals (CBS New York)

Celebrating the music of Alan Vega and Suicide at Bowery Electric tomorrow night (Dangerous Minds ... official site)

Politicos joins NYCHA tenants in calling for more federal funding (amNY)

"Russian Doll" and the late-night deli vibes (Eater)

Man with boxcutter keeps destroying the Phoebe artwork around the East Village (Instagram)

Workshops for the ECOLOGICAL CITY: A Cultural & Climate Solutions Action Project start on Saturday (Official site)

The hits and misses at Violet on Fifth Street (The New Yorker ... previously)

Tompkins Square Park through the years (Off the Grid)

The No Bar opening at the Standard East Village: "Can New York's Queer Nightlife Scene Feel at Home in a Hotel Chain?"
(Bon Appetit ... previously)

More about the Indian cuisine at Dhamaka, one of two full-service restaurants opening at Essex Street Market later this year (Eater)

A new restoration of comedy classic "Some Like It Hot" starts Friday (Metrograph)

Who's buying vinyl these days? (CNET)

...and the store under that Optimo Cigars signage on First Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street is currently gutted...



Might be a good time to revisit the glorious summer of 2012... when the awning belonged to the unforgettable Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo ...


[Photo from 2012 by Bobby Williams]

[Updated] More mystery over those mysterious concrete barriers on 10th Street; our Stonehenge?

[Photo Sunday by Steven Hirsch]

As noted on Sunday, residents are mystified over the arrival of these six concrete blocks on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

CBS2 is now on the case. "Residents, sanitation crews and even the police are confused as to why the blocks are there," the station reports.

Without saying why, a Department of Transportation spokesperson told CBS2 reporter Scott Rapoport to contact Con Ed about the chunks of concrete.

An EVG tipster confirmed that Con Ed is behind the behemoth barriers (OK, they're not that behemoth). The usual orange barrels are too easy to move and blow away too easily... so the contractor in charge wanted something sturdier, per the tipster.

Updated 11:30 a.m.

And someone has removed the barriers, as TXNYCgirl noted in the comments...


[Photo by Steven]

Updated 9 p.m.

Per CBS 2:

Con Ed had its subcontractor – Triumph Construction – remove the blocks. Spokesperson Michael Clendenin claimed the plan was to “block” off space to install gas service to a neighborhood building.

“We’ve had trouble before where cones and tape and the normal things you do to mark off the site,” Michael Clendenin alleged.

“This time they used the blocks so it could not be moved to make sure when other workers got there they’d be able to do it. Obviously this is something we apologize for it shouldn’t have been done that way...”

While the construction company had a permit to work at the site, the city issued them a summons and a $1,200 fine for taking up parking with no workers on site.

The vote for NYC public advocate is today

Updated 2/27: City Councilmember Jumaane Williams a Democrat, won the election with 32 percent of the vote.

The special election for public advocate is today in NYC. (Letitia James, the previous public advocate, was elected as state attorney general back in November.)

Why should we care about this election? What difference will my 2-3 votes make? Per Town & Village:

While this is a role with little governing power, it’s widely seen as a stepping stone for individuals looking to become mayor or to gain other prominent positions.

As to why New Yorkers should bother with this race, there is also the fact that the office exists to be a watchdog, a check on the mayor.

Meanwhile, the public advocate is also the first in line to assume the title of mayor if something were to happen to the mayor. The public advocate can also introduce and sponsor legislation.

So if you want a quickie refresher on the 17 (!!!!!) candidates before heading to the polls, here are some sources for you:

• Public advocate race cheat sheet (Town & Village)

• Everything you need to know about NYC’s public advocate special election (Curbed)

• Meet the NYC public advocate candidates (amNY)

• The race for public advocate: 10 candidates address street safety, transit (Streetsblog)

• How the public advocate candidates have tried to define themselves (Gotham Gazette)

• Some public advocate candidates won’t give up real estate cash (The Real Deal)

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

Construction watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

Checking on on the progress at 3 E. Third St., the six-floor, five-unit condoplex in progress steps off of the Bowery and in the shadows of 347 Bowery...



Inspiron, the project's construction manager, has more details on their website:

The Building is a concrete design that will be roughly 13,400 square feet. The space will be split between residential spaces on the upper floors with luxurious rooftop access and commercial space on the lower floors.

The project originally started out as a 7-floor building. There hasn't been any information released yet on pricing for these units.



Alex Barrett’s Barrett Design and Development paid $11.5 million in 2016 for the property, a building that served as short-term rentals for students and interns.


[3 E. 3rd St. in April 2015]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development site available on East 3rd Street at the Bowery

Demolition watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

Last week for Puppy Love & Kitty Kat on 9th Street

Multiple EVG readers have shared the news that Puppy Love & Kitty Kat, the 10-year-old pet supplies and grooming shop at 420 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, is closing this week.

No word what's behind this closure at the moment. (Thanks William Klayer, Steven and Barley...)

Monday's parting shot

Not a Citi Bike either... photo on Fourth Avenue by Derek Berg...

Yet another reminder that February is nearly over

Workers removed the holiday lights today on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, as these photos by EVG Ninth Street Holiday Lights Correspondent Steven show... the lights had been up since Dec. 5 ...

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest installment of NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood — and NYC. (And recently featured on the #ArtOnLink campaign via LinkNYC.)

Last call at Sidewalk and St. Mark's Comics, now closed after a combined 70 years in business

[Photo early Sunday by Day Clancy]

The Sidewalk closed after service on Saturday night... ending 34 years on Avenue A and Sixth Street. New owners are taking over the restaurant and live-music venue.

And there were many thank yous and goodbyes on social media from musicians who have played here through the years... just one example ...

View this post on Instagram

Thank you SideWalk for the memories! It has been a journey - And an absolutely incredible one at that. The only place in my book that welcomed me as a musician. Love you all, misfits, creatives, and Antifolks. 🖤❤️ #longlive @sidewalknyc #rocknroll #stairwaytoheaven #highwaytohell #Antifolk

A post shared by Natalie Asport (@natalieasportmusic) on Feb 23, 2019 at 7:24pm PST

Meanwhile, on St. Mark's Place, St. Mark's Comics closed its doors after 36 years in business last evening. Owner Mitch Cutler cited a variety of factors behind the closure. "I have been working 90 hours a week for 36 years, and I no longer have the wherewithal to fight them — all of these various reasons," he told me last month. The storefront at 11 St. Mark's Place is currently for rent.

amNY stopped by yesterday for a final report. You can read that piece here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by amNewYork (@amnewyork) on Feb 24, 2019 at 12:30pm PST

100 Gates project coming for East Village gates

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A post shared by EVIMA (@evimanyc) on Feb 22, 2019 at 8:05am PST

The Lower East Side Partnership is bringing the 100 Gates Project to the East Village.

Here's the pitch:

Interested artists will be paired up with like-minded businesses for these site-specific mural collaborations that will be installed on exterior roll-down security gates. Artists are paid a supply and artist stipend of $400 for each gate installation and the project comes at zero cost to merchants.

EV merchants can email this account to apply for a gate revamp. (And artists can apply to work on a gate at this link.)

The 100 Gates project started on the Lower East Side in 2014 ... and eventually expanded to Harlem and Staten Island.

The 100th gate was completed (by LAmour Supreme) on the LES in September 2016... over at Katz's (this photo is from last year)...

New playground equipment alert in Tompkins Square Park

[Photos Friday by Steven]

New playground equipment is arriving in the under-renovation playground on the Avenue B side of Tompkins Square Park (H/T @dens!) ...



Renovation work started last Oct. 1 on the Avenue B children’s playgrounds.



According to the Parks Department website: "This project will reconstruct two playgrounds with new play equipment, safety surfacing, spray showers, seating and fencing."

The project has a 12-month timeline for completion. Construction here is listed as 37 percent complete, per the Parks Department website.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Playground renovations underway in Tompkins Square Park

Heavy-duty fencing arrives as playground renovations continue in Tompkins Square Park

Ravagh Persian Grill is back in action on 1st Avenue

Ravagh Persian Grill has returned after a months-long interior renovation here at 125 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

This is one of five outposts for Ravagh (three in Manhattan and two on Long Island).

People seem to like this place. Eater gave it high marks in a roundup of Persian restaurants ... while the reader comments were positive, with one noting on our last post: "I eat here all the time! The ghormeh sabzi is the best I've ever had in a restaurant. Very much hoping they open up again soon."

BeetleBug sits empty now on 9th Street

Several EVG readers have noted that BeetleBug, the floral design shop, has been emptied at 441 E. Ninth St. at Avenue A.

There's no message on the site's website or social-media properties about any type of closure. (They do have operate a small-scale market and flower farm in the Hudson Valley.)

BeetleBug opened in early 2017, and they were the first tenant in Icon Realty's renovated retail spaces here at 441 E. Ninth St. (aka 145 Avenue A).

According to one previous retail tenant here in 2015, Icon either wasn't renewing leases or offering new terms with unmanageable rent increases. (Icon bought the building for $10.1 million in April 2014.)

The last previous tenant to leave — in February 2016 — was the Upper Rust, who found a new space in Chelsea for their antiques.

Another new business along here, Mahalo New York Bakery, which served Hawaiian-inspired desserts, closed back in fall after seven months in business. That 300-square-foot space is now for rent with an ask of $4,500 monthly, per the Icon website.