Will the new Avenue A L-train entrances open soon?

From the Grain of Salt Department over at 14th Street and Avenue A, where the MTA is putting in new L-train entrances with elevators.

An MTA worker told EVG regular Greg Masters that the south side of the Avenue A entrance to the L train (Brooklyn bound) may be open in a "few weeks," and then the north side (Eighth Avenue bound) a few weeks after that.

Backing that up, the entrances look to be in near game-time shape, as these photos from Greg show...





The work on the new entrances — to help relieve congestion at the First Avenue station a block away — started in July 2017.

Meanwhile, the L-train slowdown, which began on April 26, is now expected to be finished within a year — reportedly several months ahead of schedule.

Previously on EV Grieve:
To L and back: Reactions and questions over Gov. Cuomo's surprise subway announcement

Report: MTA commits to a shorter work day for the 14th Street L-train rehab

Nightmare scenario for residents who learn that 14th Street and Avenue A will be the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction

Looking at the Book Club signage on 3rd Street

Several EVG readers have noted the recent arrival of the Book Club signage over at 197 E. Third St. just west of Avenue B.

As first reported on July 15, two East Village residents are behind this project — an independent bookstore featuring a cafe.

Erin Neary, who's operating the space with her fiance, Nat Esten, told me previously that the book portion of the storefront will carry a broad selection of adult fiction, non-fiction and a children's section ... they'll also offer a variety of greeting cards and gifts. As for the cafe section, they'll be serving MUD coffee, among other items.

No word on an opening date. You can follow their Instagram account for updates.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Book Club — an independent bookstore with cafe — coming to 3rd Street

Stormproofing watch: Haven Plaza

Two years have passed since our last look at the natural disaster-resistant infrastructure to protect Haven Plaza here on Avenue C at 12th Street... here's how the project is shaping up...



The project was announced in the summer of 2017 for the affordable-housing complex.

Here's is a recap via the media advisory:

This new two-story structure plus basement and the upgrades throughout the complex are in direct response to 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, when the nearby East River overflowed its banks, the Con Edison East River Generating Station adjacent to Haven Plaza exploded, and, as a result, Haven Plaza lost all electricity and steam for heat. Residents – many elderly – were trapped without elevator service, electricity, heat or water. Men and women of the National Guard shared their field rations with residents until the power returned.

The $9.89-million project, which received funding through the New York City Build It Back program, was expected to be complete in August 2018, per the plywood signage. Obviously that deadline was missed.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Protection for Haven Plaza on Avenue C in case of another hurricane like Sandy

Hold the phone: An AT&T store is coming to this corner of 14th Street and 1st Avenue

An AT&T store will be the new retail tenant for the southwest corner of 14th Street and First Avenue (237 First Ave.), per data from The Real Deal.

The lease for the 1,500-square-foot space was recorded on Oct. 10. No word on the rent or a possible opening date.

With this arrival, two of businesses at this intersection will be phone stores. There's a T-Mobile on the southeast corner.

The previous tenant at No. 237, Vitamin Shoppe, closed last November after nine years on this SW corner.


[Photo from November 2018]

H/T Upper West Sider!

At the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

The 29th annual edition of the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returned to the East River Park Amphitheater yesterday.

Despite the rain, there was a big crowd, who brought umbrellas...



Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group served as the sponsor (part of the $17,500 sponsorship goes to the year-round maintenance of the Tompkins Square Dog Run) ... while 1010 WINS Midday Anchor Susan Richard served as the emcee.



EVG correspondent Stacie Joy was there to snap photos of the canine competitors, dressed as everything from ramen noodles to a box of White Claw Hard Seltzer. Movies were again a prime source of costume inspiration. Films spotted included "Midsommar," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Exorcist," "Alien" and "Star Wars."
























[Global Warning, a runner-up]




















[Midsommar, a runner up]




[NOT A DOG!]




[Trump Unraveling, an honorable mention]

And the best in show — Lincoln the Yorkshire Terrier as “Snoopy & the Red Baron” ...

After 10 years, Luke's Lobster is closing its East Village outpost on Oct. 31

After 10 years of operating in the East Village, Luke’s Lobster is closing their original operation at 93 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue at the end of this month.

While business is strong for the ever-expanding brand, the small space on Seventh Street no longer fits the company's vision for a Luke's dining experience.

Founders Luke Holden and Ben Conniff discuss the impending closure and share the story of their origins here via a blog post at the Luke's Lobster website.

It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since we first walked into the space formerly known as "Sousa's Closet," a recently closed consignment shop at 93 E. 7th Street. It wasn't exactly what we would have envisioned for a lobster shack — just 225 square feet in one little room, with a tiny bathroom in the back corner that also served as an office. The walls and ceiling were painted an inexplicable combination of dark brown and light blue.

The space was cooled by an old window AC unit, and there was about enough electricity to power that and the overhead lights, and that's about it. But with the shoestring budget we had, this little shoebox was the biggest and best space we could find to launch Luke's Lobster.

In just 30 days, we and our friends and family did the best we could to turn that closet into an approximation of a lobster shack. We painted the walls a (slightly) better yellow, decorated with Luke's actual lobster buoys and traps from his time on the water, and added the basic mechanics: a dish sink, some electrical power, fridges, and a toaster. On day one we were slammed, and the seed for a growing business was planted.

It's been amazing and humbling to celebrate our 10th Anniversary this month. But there is one accompanying bit of sad news that we have yet to share, and that is the closing of our original location at 93 E. 7th Street at the end of this month.

Our 10 year lease is up, and we have had to think carefully about the space's future. As we've grown in New York, we've focused on building unique shacks that truly evoke the feeling of Maine, and with each one we've made changes that make our guests happier, including more space to sit and enjoy your meal. And over time, our guests have increasingly chosen those other Luke's locations to share their everyday celebrations with family and friends.

It would have been easy to just sign a lease renewal and keep our pocket of nostalgia going on 7th Street. But our responsibility to provide the best possible experience for all our guests and make the right decision on behalf of those 600 teammates and lobstermen partners outweighs that nostalgia (rest assured the whole 7th Street team has jobs at our other locations).

We hope that all our friends in the neighborhood will continue to visit us just a short walk away at our Union Square location [University Place between 13th Street and 14th Street] after we close on Oct. 31. We'll never lose the memories that our 7th Street location afforded us over the last 10 years, but we're lucky to still have the core of that day one team working with us toward the same mission today, and to have lasting friendships with those who have moved on. It's time for 93 E. 7th Street to help launch someone else's dream, and we can't wait to visit and support it.

Today, Luke’s Lobster has more than 30 locations across nine U.S. cities and internationally in Japan and Taiwan.

Here's a look back at our first EVG post on Luke's when the homemade coming-soon signage arrived in August 2009...

Pols: Fence at Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street will remain at 8 feet

[Photo by Steven]

When renovations are complete at the Joseph C. Sauer Park on 12th Street later next year, the fence outside the property will remain the same height.

As previously reported, while the $4 million redesign of the Park was welcome, local residents were unhappy with the Parks Department's plan to install a 4-foot fence here between Avenue A and Avenue B. According to a petition that was in circulation, the shorter fence would "make the park less secure and an unsafe place for children to use."

However, on Friday, local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Carlina Rivera announced a deal with the city that would keep the fence at 8 feet.

In a joint statement, they said:

"We are proud to stand with the community and parks advocates who persisted in asking that the Parks Department recognize the safety needs at Joseph Sauer Playground. We are excited to announce that because of this collective effort, the Parks Department has agreed to keep the playground’s fencing at its current 8-foot height as part of the upcoming renovation. The voices of New Yorkers who use local parks every day must be heard when we decide how our capital dollars are spent, and we want to thank Commissioner Mitchell Silver and the Parks team for listening and addressing those concerns in this instance."

The renovations — part of Mayor de Blasio’s Community Parks Initiative — are expected to start this month, with a completion date in 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

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

The Wild Son shapes up on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

You may have noticed the fresh coat of paint and storefront renovations happening over at the southeast corner of First Avenue and St. Mark's Place ...



As we reported back on March 18, Robert Ceraso and Jason Mendenhall are opening an outpost of their Chelsea cafe the Wild Son here at 132 First Ave.

The EV Wild Son will be open all day for breakfast and lunch, with dinner-drinks in the evening.

No word on an opening date.

Ceraso and Mendenhall's other local establishments include the Wayland (Avenue C), Good Night Sonny (across St. Mark's Place) and the Lost Lady (Avenue C). They also have designs on the former Mr. White's space on St. Mark's Place.

At No. 132, the Rolling Stones-themed Waiting on a Friend briefly took a turn here last fall after taking over the space from Colibri and VBar, whose original 10-year lease had expired.

Previously on Ev Grieve:
Team behind the Wayland and the Wild Son eye St. Mark's Place for 2 restaurants

Newsstand arrives on 4th Street and the Bowery

[Photo Thursday by Derek Berg]

The familiar steel structure of a Cemusa newsstand complete with ads via JCDecaux arrived on Fourth Street just west of the Bowery this past Thursday.

We first heard about this proposed stand back in February 2018.


[Photo from February 2018 by Sheila Meyer]

The next closest newsstand is on the east side of the Bowery at Second Street. And then there's Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place.

In any event, it seems like an odd place for a newsstand. (There are likely metrics showing an influential demographic using this corridor that makes it appealing to advertisers. And there is the new development likely on the way across the street.)

The New Yorker looked at the possible newsstand of the future (the New Stand on the Bowery) in a piece from June ...

Some background: newsstands — traditionally, ramshackle steel structures — have been a long-standing feature of New York’s sidewalks. (There were 1,525 newsstands at their peak, in the nineteen-fifties, selling morning and evening editions.) In 1911, when the city tried to purge them in a cleanup effort, William Merican, the president of the Newsdealers’ Association, told a reporter, “Why, there are some men who cannot eat their breakfast without a newspaper.”

He added that women buy the papers to make them “forget their misery. If the public cannot get their newspapers on the street, they will find the inconvenience intolerable.”

And...

In 2007 — with Facebook and Google gobbling up newspapers’ ad revenue — the Bloomberg administration attempted to “rationalize” the city’s beleaguered newsstands (the mayor’s word), replacing the old, jerry-rigged stalls with slick, corporate-looking edifices from a marketing company, which uses their exteriors to sell programmatic ads. Today, the city has a little more than three hundred newsstands. They are required by law to sell printed material.

But Max Bookman, a lawyer who represents the New York City Newsstand Operators Association, told me, “I talk to newsstand operators who feel lucky if they sell fifty newspapers a day.” For the most part, they eke out a living on convenience items: snacks, bottled water, e-cigarettes, lottery tickets, and umbrellas when it’s raining.

Report: Alleged host of 7th Street sex parties arrested for a probation violation

The sex-house saga on Seventh Street has taken another strange twist.

The Post has been all over the story of Avraham Adler, who allegedly hosted advertised sex parties at the tony townhouse he's renting at 189 E. Seventh St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Next came the revelation from the tabloid that Adler "is leading a 'double or triple life' as an ultra-Orthodox Jew with a pregnant wife and three kids in suburban New Jersey."

And now from the Post: On Friday, U.S. Marshals and N.J. Regional Fugitive Task Force members arrested Adler, saying they were executing a Pennsylvania warrant for a probation violation stemming from a fraud conviction.

Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Marc Furber said Adler was convicted in 2017 of misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property in the theft of numerous items from a company called Genesis Diagnostics, and received five years’ probation. This year he was convicted of access device fraud, a felony, for allegedly using the Genesis Diagnostics name “to obtain credit and make substantial purchases.” He was given another five years’ probation to run consecutively to the 2017 sentence.

In a previous Manhattan Supreme Court filing, Wonwoo Chang, the owner of 189 E. Seventh St., claimed that Adler, who signed a two-year lease here on April 1, has hosted "lewd" parties where "on premises sex took place." (Adler also hosted at least one high-brow art party — despite a court order barring further events at the residence.)

Aside from throwing what neighbors said were disruptive parties, he was known to park his fleet of luxury cars in front of a fire hydrant on the block.

The circa-1860 townhouse underwent a gut rehab in recent years, emerging in early 2017 with an ask of $6.25 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Landlord alleges tenant using 7th Street townhouse for sex parties

Week in Grieview

[The gentle waters of the Avenue A reflection pond]

Posts from this past week included...

Reader report: New playground equipment already falling apart in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday) ... New playground repairs happening now in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

Butch Judy's pops up behind Performance Space 122 on 1st Avenue (Friday)

Police looking for suspect who spraypainted swastikas on Astor Place (Tuesday)

Another look at the corner of 4th Street and the Bowery (Monday)

Rusty Bell went missing... and was found (Wednesday)

Three Seat Espresso will close by the end of 2019 on Avenue A (Friday)

RIP John Giorno (Sunday)

Caswell-Massey popping up on the Bowery (Wednesday)

Fowl play: An outpost for Portuguese grilled chicken on Avenue B (Tuesday)

Red Gate Bakery setting up shop at 68 E. 1st St. (Monday)

Christmas comes early on Avenue A with filming for the new Netflix series "Dash & Lily" (Tuesday)

These 3 East Village restaurants make list of new Bib Gourmands (Tuesday)

Doctor's orders: Halloween night at Exit9 on Avenue A (Thursday)

A lawsuit dismissal and 2-year anniversary at the former P.S. 64 (Monday)

5 Napkin Burger unveils 5 Napkin Burger Express next door on 14th Street (Friday)

A proposal for a loading zone outside the incoming Trader Joe's on 14th Street at Avenue A (Monday)

Pigeon-proofing the Con Ed substation on Avenue A and 5th Street (Tuesday)

102 E. 7th St. is now for rent (Wednesday)

Impeach! on Avenue B (Tuesday)

Dog-gone: Kimomi Pet opening on St. Mark's Place (Friday)

Marriott buys the W Union Square (Friday)

Brasserie Saint Marc debuts on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)

... and thanks to EVG reader Sylvia G. for sharing this East Village-style side-view mirror ... spotted on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C...



---

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter