August Laura and all the new bars and restaurants coming to this stretch of 6th Street

[Photo yesterday by Vinny & O]

As mentioned last week, the bar-cafe August Laura is expected to open today (Oct. 9) soon on Avenue A at Sixth Street in the former Sidewalk space. [Update: they opened on Oct. 10]

Meanwhile, three other bar-restaurants are in various states of opening preparations on this north side of the block between Avenue A and Avenue B...



• 503 E. Sixth St.



A venture called Down and Out is in the works for this space. The applicants, Knitting Factory alum who are behind The Well out in Bushwick, will appear before CB3's SLA committee tomorrow (Thursday) night.

The questionnaire on file at the CB3 website shows a configuration with 10 tables for 39 diners (the menu is said to serve the "freshest seafood") and a 12-stool bar. The proposed hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with a 4 a.m. close Thursday through Sunday.

No. 503 was previously Cholo Noir, the Chicano-inspired bar-restaurant that closed in August 2018 after 13 months.

• 507 E. Sixth St.



Coming soon: Nowon, the first restaurant from chef Jae Lee, who has been running the well-regarded kitchen at Black Emperor on Second Avenue. He was previously the executive chef of Rice & Gold at Hotel 50 Bowery.

Lee recently shared the Nowon logo on Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

Here’s the moment you have all been waiting for. Here’s the name of my first restaurant. Nowon is the name of my hometown in Korea, where I was born and raised. But I also named it nowon because I am no one without my Korean American culture and your support. It’s an all inclusive restaurant where my individuality is not the priority. It’s about us! Let’s get it you savages! Logo design by @overice.nyc

A post shared by JAE LEE ✪ (@jae.s.lee) on Sep 26, 2019 at 4:51pm PDT

No. 507 was last Carma East, the dim sum bar that closed in early 2019.

• 509 E. Sixth St.



As previously noted, the Pineapple Club will be bringing American Polynesian cuisine to the former Out East space here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

There's a teaser site up now for the two-level bar-restaurant.

Out East went dark in December 2017 after eight months serving a seafood-centric menu from the proprietors behind places like Beauty & Essex and Stanton Social.

Meanwhile, back along the Sixth Street of August Laura, there are two new murals... one titled "Dreamy" via @EarlyRiser...



... and another by @art_by_eyebrows...



This space is now going as A6 Art Wall — "dedicated to showcasing established and emerging public artists." Work here will change on a quarterly basis. You can find the A6 Instagram account here.

A tribute to the construction worker who died at 356 E. 8th St.

Late in the summer, workers finally removed the scaffolding from the under-renovation 356 E. Eighth St., a vacant, four-story townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D.

This was the first known activity here since Dec. 24, 2015, when a worker fell three floors to his death inside the building.

Now, an EVG reader tells us that there is a tribute to the man, 33-year-old Luis Alberto Pomboza...



According to published reports, he was an undocumented Ecuadorian immigrant and father of five who lived in Brooklyn.

His death prompted Mayor de Blasio and Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler to announce in February 2016 that they were going to quadruple the penalties for serious construction-safety lapses, conduct a wave of more than 1,500 enforcement sweeps, and require new supervision at construction sites citywide to protect workers and the public amid the building boom.

A construction superintendent was to be present at 356 E. Eighth St. at the time of Pomboza's fall, but there wasn't one on site.

No. 356 had been on and off the market in recent years (here and here). The listings pitched the space for "high-end apartments or a luxury home."

In the fall of 2015, there were approved work permits showing that the building would receive two new floors and a mezzanine.

After Pomboza's death, the DOB issued a stop work order and a full vacate order on the site. Ten different violations were reportedly uncovered at the worksite, including "failure to safeguard all persons and property affected by construction operations."

In June, the full stop order was lifted just for "installation of temporary bracing."

The owner is listed as Ingrid House LLC, per public records.



No word on what the plans are for the building now moving forward.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: Partial building collapse on East 8th Street; unconfirmed report of a fatality

Bank of America checking into corner space on Houston and Eldridge

From the tipline (thanks Upper West Sider!) comes word of the new tenant for the retail space on the southwest corner of Eldridge and Houston.

Say hello to the next Bank of America branch... details are on the approved work permit...



The BoA arrives at a time when other branches have been closing in the area, including the two Capital Ones in the East Village. In recent years, Citi, Chase and Santander all shuttered their outposts on Avenue A.

147 E. Houston St. was previously a Pay-O-Matic check-cashing outpost. The new BoA will be joining next-door neighbor Il Mattone, which opened in May.

Tuesday's parting shot

A moment on St. Mark's Place via Derek Berg...

Who painted Laura Palmer? 'Twin Peaks' art coming to the Living Gallery Outpost

[Josh Stebbins “Meanwhile 25” 2019]

Attention fans of "Twin Peaks" ...

Stephen Romano Gallery is thrilled to announce “No Stars” an exhibition of Twin Peaks themed works for the benefit of The Phillip C. DeMars Foundation, Oct. 9-16, at The Living Gallery Outpost.

The exhibition is a collaboration with vocalist Rebekah Del Rio, who was seen in "Mulholland Drive" and "Twin Peaks: the Return."

The exhibition will feature a new suite of drawings by Josh Stebbins, as well as new works by Natan Alexander, Alexis Palmer Karl, Jen Bandini, Luciana Lupe Vasconcelos, Daniel Gonçalves, Matthew Dutton, Barry William Hale, Blake Morrow, Jill Watson and Caitlin McDonagh.

A special reception will take place Oct. 10 from 5-10 p.m. Del Rio will perform.

“No Stars” is on view starting tomorrow (Wednesday!) at The Living Gallery Outpost, 246 E. Fourth St. just east of Avenue B.

Preliminary thoughts and concerns about the new Tompkins Square Park playground

Back on Friday, workers removed the construction fences around the newly renovated Avenue B playgrounds in the southeast section of Tompkins Square Park, marking the end of the 12-month project.

In comments gleaned from EVG, social media and various conversations, residents were obviously happy to have the entrances back open on Seventh Street and Avenue B and Eighth Street and Avenue B.

There were also positive comments about the new (already tagged) state-of-the-art playground equipment, which is also accessible for kids with special needs. (We'll have more on that particular aspect in an upcoming post.)



There were also some questions and concerns. One resident wondered why the Parks Department didn't take the time to repave the walkways during the renovations ... with the resident calling attention to the rough patches that make it especially difficult for people with mobility issues to navigate...



The same resident wondered why the Parks Department only replaced some of the benches in the renovation zone...





Another resident shared these photos with a short comment: "Finally we have two new great playgrounds. As a new mom, I went to check them out [yesterday] morning only to find a stash of dirty needles and a bloody rag directly next to the playground. Sad. Let’s hope the Parks Dept. is more cautious with cleanup in this new area."





While not directly related to the new playgrounds, another resident pointed out that the encampments that have popped up in the Park's main lawn have now spread to the area along Avenue B between Eighth Street and Ninth Street...

Year-long renovations expected soon at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street; locals want fence to remain at 8 feet

Now that the Tompkins Square Park playgrounds are back open... Joseph C. Sauer Park is expected to close soon for renovations here between Avenue A and Avenue B...



ICYMI from Friday ... while the redesign of the Park is welcome, there is one sticking point: the new, shorter fence the Parks Department plans to install.

So Park and block organizers have launched a petition...



... which reads in part:

Part of the plan however is to remove the current 8 foot high fence and replace it with a 4 foot fence, which will make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use.

We are asking for your help to stop the Parks Department from removing the only proven means of securing our park at night. We have the backing of Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and our Community Board.

Find the petition at this link.



According to the Parks Department website, renovations will start in October 2019 and last until October 2020.

Here's a look the renovations to come...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A petition to keep the 8-foot fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street

Here's the all-new storefront at 131 1st Ave.

Workers yesterday removed the plywood from the all-new 131 First Ave., the gut-renovated storefront at St Mark's Place... (thanks to MP for the photos!)



Workers have been dividing the storefront — now using the 82 St. Mark's Place address — into three retail spaces. As noted back in the summer, Eiyo Bowl, a vegan quick-serve restaurant specializing in acai and rice bowls, will be the first tenant. No word yet on who the other two tenants might be for this prime corner space.

Foot Gear Plus closed in July 2018 after nearly 40 years in business.


[EVG file photo]

Previously on EV Grieve:
After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

What's next for 131 1st Ave., the former Foot Gear Plus space?

A look at 131 1st Ave., currently being divided into 3 retail spaces

Eiyo Bowl confirmed for part of the former Foot Gear Plus space on 1st Avenue at St. Mark's Place

Aoi Kitchen coming soon to 6th Street

Signage is now up at 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second for Aoi Kitchen (thanks to the EVG reader for these photos and tip!) ...



The incoming restaurant's Instagram account promises "Japanese yoshoku and izakaya."

Aoi marks the fifth restaurant to try this spot in recent years. There was Zerza, which closed in September 2016. Then came the World Famous 'Merica, an alleged attempt at satirizing the "real America," which bombed after three weeks in business. Zerza then returned to service for four months, then there were blink-and-you-missed it stints by Amoun and Mazmaza.

The China Star is now Baji Baji on 1st Avenue

Several readers have noted the new signage at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street where quick-serve favorite the China Star is now Baji Baji.

China Star owner Jay Yang is also behind Baji Baji in this space, where renovations — which started in July — have stretched beyond the previous reopening timeframe.

Jay told EVG regular Lola Saénz yesterday that they are just waiting now for the inspection from the FDNY before a grand reopening.

No word just yet about what to expect from Baji Baji. Said one EVG reader: "Hopefully he won’t change anything too much and will keep turning out the best fried rice around."

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the backstory of the China Star at this link.

Blessing the pets at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery

Yesterday morning, St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery celebrated St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, with a blessing of the pets ceremony.



The Rev. Anne Sawyer presided over the service, blessing an array of dogs, a few cats and one Japanese fighting fish named Fifi. EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the church yard on Second Avenue and 10th Street for the ceremonies...






















[Rev. Anne blessing Fifi the Japanese fighting fish]

Reports: Chinatown murders bring renewed attention to the city’s street homeless

[Comptroller Scott M. Stringer at a vigil for the victims this morning]

The shocking murders of four homeless men early Saturday morning in Chinatown have brought more media attention to the dangers of living on the street.

In a story published in today's paper, the Times provides historical context for the area around the Bowery in which the men were killed.

[T]he Bowery, an area of Lower Manhattan known in the 1930s as New York’s skid row, has long served as a daunting example of the city’s difficulties in addressing street homelessness. If anything, the problem is getting worse: The area is now drawing younger homeless people, many with drug and mental health problems, a population that the city’s traditional outreach methods have struggled to confront.

Despite the luxurification of the Bowery and surrounding area in recent years, the area — specifically Community District 3 — still has one of the highest concentrations of homeless shelters (some two dozen) in Manhattan.

The article discusses the ongoing concerns "about a new subpopulation within the homeless community."

A recent report described them as “travelers” or “young homeless people who travel to destinations depending on the weather, and often include instances of drug use and aggression.”

Over the past three years, complaints have increased about these younger arrivals, and the police and homeless outreach workers have said that “traditional outreach is not successful with this population,” according to the report.

The article includes comments from local community leaders on the need for better mental health services and additional supportive housing and safe-haven beds. Find the article at this link.

In court yesterday, the suspect, 24-year-old Rodriguez “Randy” Santos, was charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Meanwhile, city officials say they will dispatch mental health outreach teams and increase the number of homeless outreach teams who have access to psychiatrists and substance abuse resources, per ABC 7.

The Times says that the homelessness crisis "has been the most intractable problem of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure."

Late-morning dance break

All we need is music, sweet music. Dancing around Temperance Fountain in Tompkins Square Park this morning.

Photo by Derek Berg.

Gov. Cuomo approves bill to create public liquor license database

Gov. Cuomo has approved a bill (S55/A4315) that requires the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to create and maintain a public database of information specific to on-premises liquor licenses.

Two local elected officials — Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and Sen. Brad Hoylman — sponsored the bill that will enable residents a means to look up information on a bar, including whether it has permits for live music or sidewalk seating.

The two released statements on Friday after Cuomo's signature made it all official:

Sen. Hoylman:

Community boards, block associations, and residents across my district have for years called upon the State Liquor Authority to make information on these licenses more available and accessible, so that they can better understand their impact on our neighborhoods. This is basic, good government. Yet until now, to our enormous frustration, the only option for the public to learn this information was through filing a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.

You shouldn’t have to file a FOIL request just to find out whether a bar in your neighborhood has a liquor license that permits live music or an outside patio. What’s more, under these constraints, police precincts aren’t able to respond to neighborhood noise complaints — as they have no way to confirm whether an establishment is operating within the parameters of their license or not.

Assemblywoman Glick:

For too long, it has been nearly impossible for community members to get very basic information about State Liquor Authority licensees that operate in our neighborhood. Now that liquor license information will be easily obtainable, people can see for themselves if nearby establishments are being good neighbors and are operating within the constraints of their license.

The news release included a statement from Susan Stetzer, district manager for Community Board 3: "Having information available online would be a tremendous help. We spend a lot of time working with community groups and with our local precincts to resolve issues that require information about a licensed business, particularly method of operation and outdoor use questions."

No word on when the SLA will actually make this online resource available to the public.

St. Mark's Market is dead

St. Mark's Market has officially closed at 19-23 St. Mark's Place. An EVG reader said they wrapped up this past Thursday evening.

As made known last Monday, the grocery between Second Avenue and Third Avenue was having a buy-one, get-one-free deal to thin out its stock.

We heard a variety of reasons for the closure (nothing related to rent, however). One worker blamed the sidewalk bridge that has been out front for the past two-plus years as a cause for business to drop off. (And as one commenter noted: "The dope fiend brigade hanging out under the scaffolding didn't help matters.")

Several EVG readers mentioned that the store changed ownership several years ago, and the quality of the produce and other offerings diminished — especially in the face of newer competition such as the Westside Market on Third Avenue at 12th Street.

There were anecdotes that Daniel Craig was a semi-regular here while renting the place upstairs. One reader claimed he once cut in line and used an Amex Black Card for a small purchase.

I do recall the place seeming pretty upmarket when it opened in 2003 in the now-mall-like building that replaced layers of history at the address that included the Dom, the Exploding Plastic Inevitable (featuring the Velvet Underground as the house band) and the Electric Circus.


[Photo from Saturday]

Prediction: The landlord will chop up the former market into several smaller retail spaces to make renting possibly easier.