Strings Ramen vying for 188 2nd Ave.

There looks to be another ramen choice on the horizon.

The applicants behind Strings Ramen will appear before CB3's SLA committee meeting tonight for a liquor license for 188 Second Ave.

According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the proprietors were previously involved with the now-closed Lotus Blue Dongtian Kitchen and Bar on Union Square West. This location was part of an international chain with spots in Beijing, Shanghai and Sydney, per Eater. (There's no mention if this is part of Strings Ramen, a popular destination with two locations in Chicago and one in Madison, Wis. Only mention this since popular ramen shops in other cities have expanded here in the past year.)

Per the questionnaire, the 45-seat restaurant here at 12th Street will have daily hours of noon to 10 p.m.

No one has had much luck with restaurants at 188 Second Ave. in recent years. Lumos Kitchen lasted a whole three months in 2018. Others to make quick departures in the past four years were Hot Pot Central, DumplingGuo and Dumpling Go.

Shima had a good go of it here until January 2014...


[EVG file photo]

Tonight's CB3 meeting starts at 6:30 in the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Bike shop making the Trek to the Bowery

Trek Bicycle, an American bikemaker with multiple retail shops in the city, is opening an outpost on the Bowery.

The signage arrived late last week here at 303 Bowery in the retail base of Avalon Bowery Place between First Street and Houston.

This space has been vacant since Tatyana Boutique closed in January 2016.

Trek's arrival also reverses the (micro) trend of bike shops leaving the neighborhood, including Danny's on 14th Street and Landmark on Avenue A.

Report: By Chloe joining Chase in the former Coffee Shop on Union Square

[Photo from Saturday]

ICYMI: Expanding vegan chain By Chloe will open an outpost at the former Coffee Shop space on Union Square West later this year.

Here's more on what to expect via Eater, who first reported this news:

At the Coffee Shop space, the interior will pay homage to the nostalgic diner by including “intimate round banquette seating” and “a nod” to the restaurant’s original neon sign, according to By Chloe marketing material.

But its a move that still may not sit well with longtime fans of Coffee Shop. The restaurant was a nostalgic, distinctively New York place, while By Chloe is part of a huge company that’s in part flourished due to colorful food and spaces made specifically with social media marketing in mind.

By Chloe will have company in this space at West 16th Street. The Coffee Shop will be divided into four spaces. One space is reserved for a Chase branch, as Jeremiah Moss reported last fall.

The Coffee Shop closed last October after 28 years in business. The rising cost of rent and wages were reportedly behind the closure.

In case you forgot that CVS is coming to Houston and Orchard

The CVS signage is in place here now in the base of the condoplex on the southeast corner of Orchard and Houston.

And as you can see, this will be another 24/7 outpost for the drug-store chain...



... which joins Marshalls at this 11-story, 94-unit building constructed in part with hand-laid, gilded-bronze brick imported from Cadaqués. An Equinox Fitness center has the upstairs space.



Last month, the developers behind 196 Orchard St., including Ben Shaoul’s Magnum Management, sold the retail portion of the building to the AR Global affiliate New York City REIT for — !!!! — $88.75 million, according to The Real Deal.

This property on Houston between Ludlow and Orchard previously housed a single row of storefronts, including Ray's Pizza, Bereket and Lobster Joint.

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

A CVS is coming to the corner of Houston and Orchard in Ben Shaoul's luxury condoplex

Report: retail portion of Ben Shaoul's luxury condoplex on Houston and Orchard sells for a whopping $88 million

Weekend parting shot

Thanks to The Dusty Rebel for sharing this photo from yesterday on Avenue A and Second Street...

Week in Grieview

[Key Food still life on Avenue A]

RIP Lucien Bahaj (Monday) RIP Unkle Waltie (Tuesday)

Time capsules: The Gap of St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

An annual reunion in East River Park (Sunday)

Report: New owner of the Boys' Club building on 10th Street and Avenue A — revealed! (Wednesday)

Gov. Cuomo condemns suspect who left anti-gay graffiti on Avenue A; another message found on Norfolk Street (Saturday)

The tree nest in El Jardín del Paraíso has been removed (Tuesday)

The Sunshine is gone, and an empty lot awaits a 9-story office building (Wednesday)

Tech hub officially breaks ground on 14th Street (Tuesday)

Niconeco Zakkaya, seller of Japanese stationery and gifts, opening a shop on 10th Street (Friday)

Café Social 68 debuts on A (Wednesday)

Dramatic storm shots (Thursday)

The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Grant Shaffer's NY See (Thursday)

Maison Kayser closes Union Square location (Monday)

Another Flamingos Vintage Pound opens in the East Village, this one on 11th Street (Monday)

Former Nobletree Coffee space for rent (Wednesday)

Bowlmor Lanes-replacing condoplex cleared of construction equipment on University Place (Wednesday)

Something finally happening at the former Gotham Pizza (Wednesday)

Little Buddha pops up with vegan fare on 1st Street (Friday)

Medina's Turkish Kitchen debuts on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

Polytima Designs is closing on 9th Street (Friday)

The Boilery up next for 58 3rd Ave. (Thursday)

A new door for The Jones (Monday)

Thoughts on Ray's (the new bar on the LES) (Wednesday)

... and ICYMI...



Here’s a look at the city-sanctioned mural on the water tower atop 190 Bowery that Shepard Fairey created of actress Rosario Dawson titled "Power & Equality." The work is in part a celebration of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, where Dawson is a board member...



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At Festival Calle 6

The annual Festival Calle 6, a celebration of the Lower East Side's diversity and heritage, took place yesterday on Sixth Street between Avenue D and the FDR...



EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and shared these photos from a gorgeous Saturday afternoon...









Entertainment included Latin pop duo Castro y Gambino...



... and Jose Luis as Michael Jackson...

Gov. Cuomo condemns suspect who left anti-gay graffiti on Avenue A; another message found on Norfolk Street

A follow-up to the earlier post about the anti-gay message spray-painted on the gate of the empty storefront at 11 Avenue A...

The graffiti at 11 Avenue A, which is now under investigation by the @NYPDHateCrimes Task Force, has been cleaned. If you’ve got any information about it or it’s perpetrator, there’s a reward—up to $2500! ☎️ 1-800-577-TIPS or DM @NYPDTips. #YourCityYourCall pic.twitter.com/fFwZD4uTKX

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) August 10, 2019

Earlier today, Gov. Cuomo condemned the hate crime...

In New York we have zero tolerance for this sort of vile and cowardly act of hate. I'm directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist the NYPD with its investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.https://t.co/W9DQYXTKfc

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 10, 2019

Unfortunately, Avenue A wasn't the only place to receive a hateful message ... this is on the east side of Norfolk Street just north of Delancy (h/t @madaecnerwal) ...

Big crane steels the spotlight on 1st Avenue

Large crane action to note today... this work is happening over at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, where an 8-floor, 22-unit condoplex is in the works next door to the Rite Aid.



Workers are putting steel beams in place...



After nearly 14 months of inactivity here, worked picked up again this spring. As such, the completion date on the plywood rendering has been adjusted to summer 2020.



This slowly-developing development broke ground in September 2016.

Police still searching for suspect in attempted sexual assault in Stuy Town on June 29

[Avenue A and 11th Street]

The NYPD continues their search for a suspect who attacked a woman on the Stuy Town oval early on June 29.

You can read Town & Village's coverage of the attempted sexual assault here.

This attack is the pinned tweet now @NYPDTips...

📺Today, Crime Stoppers is highlighting an attempted RAPE in the @NYPD13Pct. On 6/29 at 5AM, the subject shown choked and assaulted a victim in the vicinity of #StuyvesantOval while attempting to sexually assault them. Know something? 📲#800577TIPS or 💻 https://t.co/MoYB90aDa9. pic.twitter.com/hrDMRjYqmH

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

The Perv Busters, part of the Guardian Angels, have also distributed flyers about the suspect...


Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. There's a reward up to $2,500 for info on this suspect.

Previously on EV Grieve:
NYPD looking for suspect in an attempted sexual assault in Stuy Town

Spray-painted message on Avenue A being treated as a hate crime by the NYPD; police ID suspect

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Find an update here

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The NYPD is searching for a suspect who spray-painted "Kill the gay away" early Thursday morning on the gate at 11 Avenue A, an empty building between First Street and Second Street. The police have classified this as a hate crime.

🚨WANTED🚨for a Criminal Mischief (Hate Crime) in the vicinity of 11 Avenue A #eastvillage #manhattan @NYPD9Pct On 08/08/19 @ 2:40 AM 💰Reward up to $2500👓Seen him? Know who he is?☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #yourcityyourcall pic.twitter.com/OmnfuEvaM7

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) August 10, 2019

Police described the suspect as white, around 5 feet 6 with curly blond hair. He was wearing a green shirt and carrying a yellow messenger bag.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. There's a reward up to $2,500 for info on this suspect.

And the message is still on the gate as of this morning...

Here are 2 free shows happening tomorrow (Sunday!)

[Meet the Meetles]

The Meetles are bringing their playlist of classic rock and Motown covers to Tompkins Square Park tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon from 2 to 6. The band's annual concert in the Park was postponed last month when it was like 100000 degrees out.

The band, featuring East Village residents Eric Paulin and Naomi Paulin, will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodstock.

Per their invite: "Bring your kids and pets! Sing along and dance! We hope to see you there!"

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And at the Green Oasis Community Garden, a group of students who train with vocal coach Judy Hages will be performing a variety of songs from 3-6 p.m. The garden is on Eighth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D.

It's all gone somewhere beyond

In memory of David Berman — the singer-songwriter behind Silver Jews and, more recently, Purple Mountains — who died this week. He was 52. A cause of death has not been revealed. His death was ruled a suicide, according to published reports.

The top video is "Darkness and Cold" from the recently released new album by Purple Mountains. The clip below is for "Random Rules" with the Silver Jews from 1998...



East Village-based writer Sarah Larson penned this tribute to the singer-songwriter titled "David Berman Made Us Feel Less Alone."

The Mountain Goats will be at the East River tomorrow; more SummerStage on tap

SummerStage takes a break from Central Park tomorrow (Saturday!) for a performance by the Mountain Goats at the East River Park Amphitheater.

The indie vets are currently touring in support of their latest album (No. 17!!!) "In League With Dragons," released in April.

The free show is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. More details at this link.

There are two other performances set for the Amphitheater this weekend:

• Elisa Monte Dance
Friday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m.

• Eddie Palmieri, Baby Power, DJ Sonni
Sunday, Aug. 11, 6 p.m.

Given the city's stormproofing demolition plans for East River Park, these are likely the last shows here until at least 2024.

Niconeco Zakkaya, seller of Japanese stationery and gifts, opening a shop on 10th Street

[Photos by Steven]

Niconeco Zakkaya, an online shop (since 2015) that sells original Japanese stationery and other handcrafted items, is opening a storefront here this month at 263 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...



The owner, Siming, had this to say about the business: "Before I arrived in the U.S., I had been living in Tokyo for the past decade. I missed a lot of things about Japan since moving to New York City, especially Japanese zakka and stationery. Zakka (雑貨) refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life, and appearance."

Here's a sampling of the shop's wares via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by niconeco zakkaya (@niconeco_zakkaya) on Jul 1, 2019 at 6:54am PDT

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by niconeco zakkaya (@niconeco_zakkaya) on Jul 8, 2019 at 7:45am PDT

Jennifer's Way Bakery was a previous tenant here for four-plus years.

Skinny Buddha pops up with vegan fare on 1st Street

Skinny Buddha, a vegan food business with outposts in Scarsdale and Mt. Cisco, has opened a pop-up cafe at 45 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Through October, you can find menu items such as açaí bowls, smoothies, burgers and veggie bowls here.

The space had been the coffee bar Cocoa Grinder for a few months. The business never took off, in part because their opening coincided with the (now concluded) months-long water-main work on the block... not to mention the ongoing condoplex construction on the corner of Second Avenue blocked off half of the street for a few years.

A new era for 'closed for renovations' signage

Perhaps the owners of Boilermaker have seen enough of those "closed for renovations" signs on local businesses... that never actually reopen after said renovations. (Here ... and here ... and here, to name a few.)

So when the bar on First Street at First Avenue closed for renovations after service on Sunday, they wanted potential patrons to know they were returning...

Polytima Designs is closing on 9th Street

EVG regulars Vinny & O bring word of a store closing at Polytima Designs, a small boutique at 442 E. Ninth St. just west of Avenue A...



Eleni, the owner here, opened the shop in 2011. She previously sold her jewelry designs to department stores, per Manhattan Sideways.

Lightning fast

Thanks to EVG reader Kevin Scheld for sharing these photos of the fast-moving storm that blew on through around 8 p.m. ... the top photo is from Fourth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue looking toward the west ... while the shot below is looking toward Midtown...

Thursday's parting storm tweet

Big storm ⛈ coming this way. #eastvillage @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/4KsZZOzaED

— Evan Kapitansky (@evan_kapitansky) August 9, 2019

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.