Baby Yoda has left, but we have Princess Leia

The Baby Yoda mural's time has come to an end here at the Second Avenue F stop.

However, there is a Princess Leia wheatpaste courtesy of the Postman Collective as a consolation.



As for the new work here, Will Power, who created the Baby Yoda on Jan. 11-12, teamed up with Albertus Joseph for the mural, titled "Gritty City Style."

Reminders: This workshop will offer free legal resources for East Village small business owners

Reposted from Jan. 30

Several local organizations are joining forces to provide small business owners in the East Village with free legal resources during a workshop this week at Book Club on Third Street.

Via the EVG inbox...

Many small businesses and commercial tenants have concerns about non-rent charges and how they impact the bottom line.

Cooper Square Committee, East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) and Brooklyn Legal Services will bring free legal resources to neighborhood businesses and commercial tenants.

Join us for one or both of our upcoming sessions on non-rent charges. Lawyers will be available after each session to do one-on-one consultations.

Bring your commercial lease and your questions!

Morning and evening session available:

Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Book Club
197 E. Third St. near Avenue B

First sign of the tech hub — aka Zero Irving — above ground on 14th Street

Foundation work started last August here on 14th Street at Irving Place ... at the future home of the recently rebranded tech hub.

As you can see, the structure — now known as Zero Irving — is rising above the street level ...



The building, developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL Development Services, will top out at 21 floors... featuring Civic Hall, which will offer digital skills for low-income residents, as well as market-rate retail, office space and a food hall.

RAL announced the rebranding back in October. In the news release, the developers describe this as being "in the epicenter of Midtown South."

"This is exactly what we said about this plan, and what we feared — it’s intended to transform our neighborhoods into Midtown South," Andrew Berman, executive director of Village Preservation, told Curbed in a statement back in October. "The zero in 'ZERO IRVING' represents what neighbors and the public got out of this deal, while those who donated generously to the Mayor reap 100 percent of the benefits."



In recent weeks, several EVG readers have noted that the active work site — which sees a steady stream of concrete trucks running in and out of the site — has encroached further onto 14th Street...





In July 2018, during a televised hearing, the reps for the developer promised that all demolition and construction work would be done within the bounds of the property.

The project, championed by Mayor de Blasio and initially announced in early 2017, passed through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Process earlier in 2018, capped off by a unanimous City Council vote — led by local Councilmember Carlina Rivera — in August 2018. A rezoning was required to build the the structure, which is larger than what current commercial zoning allows.

The approval came despite the pleas of some residents, activists, small-business owners and community groups who had long expressed concern that the rezoning necessary for the project would spur out-of-scale development on surrounding blocks.

These concerns have not abated.

Back in the fall, the city released its plan to add a requirement that new hotels in Greenwich Village and the East Village south of Union Square must receive a special permit from the City Planning Commission and City Council in order to be built. Critics of the plan reportedly contend that this may instead speed up the development of office buildings in the neighborhood. The City Planning Commission is expected to sign off on the plan in the weeks ahead before it moves to City Council.

The new building, on the former site of a P.C. Richard & Son, has a completion date for the spring of 2021, per the renderings onsite.

Last two days to enjoy a Farmwich at Ben's Deli

[Photo yesterday by Daniel]

Farmwich wraps up its weeks-long pop-up residency at Ben's Deli today and tomorrow.

The sandwich makers arrived here at 32 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street on Jan. 12.

From Sunday through Tuesday, they prepare a unique sandwich sourced from New York-based "regenerative agriculture farms."

View this post on Instagram

Today’s Farmwich description: “Reuben Studdard” Roasted Windfall Carrots Lani’s Mixed Baby Greens Reuben Nostalgia Spread (heirloom cranberry bean, sauerkraut, mustard) Wild Hive Multigrain Granola (hard red and soft white wheats, oats, rye, barley, millet, flax, etc) Creamy Dill Dressing Lunch of champions. If we have not mentioned it before, we make literally everything from scratch, the granola, mustard, kraut, to infinity and beyond!

A post shared by Farmwich (@farmwichnyc) on Jan 28, 2020 at 9:22am PST

Farmwich is open from noon to 2:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. All sandwiches are $9, which includes tax and tip.

Given their popularity, look for Farmwich to pop up again elsewhere — perhaps even permanently.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Farmwich pops up with speciality sandwiches at Ben's Deli on Avenue B

Live above the iconic Block Drugs

Back on Friday evening, a tipster noted the arrival of an apartment for rent sign on Second Avenue and Sixth Street — above Block Drugs...



As the sign shows, it's a five-bedroom, two-bathroom unit (perfect for a family?) .. that has a "tasteful renovation" in what is officially 240 E. Sixth St. (aka 101 Second Ave.).

While the for rent sign may be new, the apartment has been on the market for nearly two months, according to Streeteasy.

And NOT listed among the many amenities: the warm glow from the Block Drugs neon...


[Photo by Jeremiah Moss]

As for the monthly rent: $9,995.

The building dates to 1880. Block Drugs was said to open in 1885. Public records show that Adeline Residences Inc. has been the longtime owner of the building, dating to 1970.

You HAD your chance to buy the 7-Eleven retail space on the Bowery

[Same photo as last time]

Back on Nov. 26, we noted an investment opportunity for you involving the retail condo at 351 and 353 Bowery between Third Street and Fourth Street... home of the 7-Eleven.

The single-tenant retail condominium was going for $6,915,032. (I had the .032!)

Anyway, YOU ARE TOO LATE. Commercial Property Executive reported last week that the 2,156-square-foot retail space sold for $6.9 million to a "private investor."

Public records show that the building last traded in 2019, when the seller acquired it from HK Organization for $4.6 million.

This 7-Eleven opened in December 2011. The 7-Eleven recently extended their lease through December 2034, with contract terms featuring a 10 percent rent increase every five years.

Becky's Bites moves on 7th Street

The Becky's Bites storefront has closed at 122 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Proprietor Becky Rosenthal cleared out the space on Friday ahead of a short move across the street.

The online and catering portion of the business that specializes in cream cheese-based desserts is now sharing space with Butter Lane Bakery.

View this post on Instagram

We are excited to announce that Becky’s Bites NYC catering has moved to @butterlane 🧁🍭🍰🍫🍪 just across the way of our home on 7th street! All #NYC #catering + 📞 preorders will be available for delivery & pick up from 123 East 7th street M-F 9am to 5pm 🤩🤩🤩 Be on the lookout for exciting product collaborations + amazing Butter Lane cupcake products available on our catering menus later this month! #smallbusiness #supportingsmallbusinesses ✊🏻

A post shared by Becky's Dips (@beckysdips) on Feb 1, 2020 at 9:58am PST

Coincidentally (or not), the other business at 122 E. Seventh St., Desnuda, the 18-seat ceviche bar, closed on Jan. 15. Owners did not provide a reason for this closure. Their Brooklyn location remains open.

Public records show that 122 East 7th Street Associates has owned the building since 1985.

The 300-square-foot retail space that Becky's leased — starting in the summer of 2017 — has been on the rental market in recent weeks. No word on the asking rent.

Week in Grieview

[The return of Sherlock Holmes via Derek Berg]

Posts this past week included...

• Get well soon, Ray! (Monday)

• A reading series at Odessa (Tuesday)

• Police looking for trio in vicious Jan. 1 attack on 9th Street and Avenue A (Thursday)

• Behind the build: Amelia and Christo's dream nests 2020 (Wednesday)

• Are you missing your pet parrot? (Thursday)

• Recognizing Debi the Gardener for her years of service in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday)

• Factory Tamal bringing its freshly made tamales to 4th Street (Monday)

• Demolition prep for the former home of Barrier Free Living on 2nd Street (Tuesday)

• Deadline extended to apply to serve on a Community Board (Wednesday)

• Workshop next week will offer free legal resources for East Village small business owners (Thursday)

• At the Tribal Soundz reunion (Friday)

• Partial reveal of the explosion site condoplex (Friday)

• Now hear this: About the new book of East Village bar quotes from Billy the Artist (Thursday) ... An afternoon with Billy the Artist (Saturday)

• Avenue A storefront watch (Monday)

• The Izakaya opening a 2nd East Village location (Friday)

• Spätzle alert: Zum Schneider's kitchen will be open for a few weeks longer (Friday)

• Pinks Cantina bringing the tacos to Webster Hall (Thursday)

• That unique pop-up gallery space on 7th and C is now home to a palm reader (Thursday)

• Prince Tea House expanding to the East Village with an outpost on 10th Street (Tuesday)

• A new tree nest for El Jardin del Paraiso (Tuesday)

• Addiction NYC space for rent on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

• Kissaki debuts on the Bowery this week (Monday)

And Stacie Joy shared this photo of a Corona promotion at Key Food Thursday night... (the thing was gone by Sunday)...



Which reminded me of a piece I saw online at USA Today the other day:

As new coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, some people seem to think that the deadly outbreak is somehow related to Corona beer. It's not.

The alcoholic beverage from Mexico showed a surge in Google searches in the past week, along with the term “corona beer virus” and “beer virus.”

In the United States, Google Trends calculated that 57% of the people that searched one of those terms searched for “beer virus,” and the remaining 43% searched for “corona beer virus.”

---

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter

Corners

The northwest corner of Second Street at First Avenue, as seen yesterday...

Wooden sword and sorcery at Community Grocery & Candy

A New York City bodega worker fended off a would-be robber with a wooden sword.

The worker struck the robber on the head, sending him to the hospital with minor head injuries when he started demanding money and fighting him.https://t.co/vAvQ3kxLIa

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 1, 2020

Early yesterday morning, an employee at Community Grocery & Candy on 14th Street near First Avenue reportedly protected his store from a robbery attempt with a wooden sword stashed behind the counter.

Per the Daily News, the suspect, identified as Zachariah Vasquez, demanded money from the register.

Instead of handing over the money, Alomari Saleh produced the sword and struck Vazquez in the head.

The report does not mention if Vasquez had any weapon.


[Photo this morning by Vinny & O]

An afternoon with Billy the Artist

Billy the Artist signed copies of his new book "Things You Don't Hear Twice: Quotes From the East Village" this afternoon at International Bar on First Avenue.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the IBar ... and shared this photo of Billy with Tyler, an International bartender ...



...and out front, joined by Molly, the bar's owner...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Now hear this: About the new book of East Village bar quotes from Billy the Artist

RIP Del Pitt Feldman

The Times published an obituary yesterday for Del Pitt Feldman, who passed away on Jan. 14 at age 90 in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Feldman, who was raised in East Flatbush, was known for "creating hand-crocheted garments."

And in 1965, she opened a boutique in the East Village on Seventh Street called Studio Del.

From the Times:

The garments — including open-weave vests, string bikinis, minidresses and capes — seemed to capture the freewheeling spirit of the neighborhood, and of the 1960s counterculture. The store’s clientele included Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Grace Slick and Andy Warhol.

High-profile women like Cher and Lily Tomlin also wore her clothes, but Ms. Feldman was unimpressed by celebrity status. When Ms. Joplin walked into the store and asked to try on a small top that was hanging in the window, her daughter said, Ms. Feldman declined, telling her she was too big for its trim dimensions.

Ms. Feldman's narrow store, decorated with vintage wooden furniture found at junk shops nearby, had a homey feel. More often than not, Ms. Feldman would crochet there, sitting in a large rocking chair. Classes were held in the back; a wide array of yarn was also for sale, as were tools for knitting and crochet.

By the early 1970s, the store had become a de facto clubhouse for a group of female artists who were working in crochet, among them Dina Knapp, Sharron Hedges, Arlene Stimmel and Nicki Hitz Edson, who was also, for a few years, a store employee.

Studio Del closed in the early 1980s. Not sure of the shop's address at the moment, though I'd like to find out more about it and her work...

Updated 8:15 p.m.

Thanks to EVG regular Daniel ... she shared an article on the store from the Times in 1972 — the shop was at 19 E. Seventh St.

Another look at the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

Here are two more partial-reveal views of the 7-floor condoplex building on the gas explosion site on Second Avenue at Seventh Street...



This is a follow-up to our post from yesterday morning. You can find all the background about this project and its history at this link.

6 posts from January 2020

[Key Food, randomly enough]

A mini month in review...

• Trio responsible for the deadly 2nd Avenue gas explosion sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison (Jan. 17)

• About those detailed East Village drawings at the new Trader Joe's on 14th Street (Jan. 15)

• RIP Matthew Maher, longtime owner of McSorley's (Jan. 13)

• Exclusive: Video shows chaotic moments after fatal shootings on Avenue A (Jan. 10)

• How to help save the Lower East Side Ecology Center's community compost program (Jan. 9)

• A Visit to Don Juan’s Barber Shop on 4th Street (Jan. 8)

Won't You Be My Neighbour?

The Dutch quartet Neighbours Burning Neighbours just released two new songs, which are well worth seeking out (if you like the screech of, say, Sonic Youth and early Siouxsie and the Banshees).

The video here is for a 2019 single called "Hesitate."

At the Tribal Soundz reunion

An array of musicians gathered last night to celebrate the legacy of Tribal Soundz, the community-oriented world music store that had a 10-year run until 2008 at 340 E. Sixth St.

Nora Balaban (pictured below), who opened Tribal Soundz in 1998, invited the musicians and speakers to perform at the East Village Playhouse — the site of the former music shop between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the packed playhouse for part of the nearly four hours of music...




[Akim Funk Buddha]


[Rima Fand]


[Deer France]


[Francis Jacob]

... and here's a clip of an ensemble featuring members of the bands Timbila and mbiraNYC ...

Reminders: First East Village Photo Club meeting is tomorrow

Reposted from Jan. 23...

Updated 1/31

The Tompkins Square Library will be closed tomorrow for repairs. So the meeting is taking place at the Ottendorfer branch, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. Same meeting time: 11 a.m.

Susan Schiffman is looking to start a photo club for interested East Village residents.

Schiffman, who has been photographing the apartments of rent-stabilized tenants living in the East Village for her Instagram account, I Am a Rent Stabilized Tenant, shared this overview:

I want to invite people who love to take photos to come together to meet, to share and to talk about photos they have taken or seen or projects they are thinking about starting. Maybe we can put a show together.

We have a space to meet once a month at the Tompkins Square Library. It would be great if you could stop by and join the conversation about photography.

Please let me know if you are interested or have any questions. You may email me here.

We will meet the first Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon. The first meeting is Saturday, Feb. 1. If you would like to share your photos, then please bring prints or photos on a usb drive.

You may catch up on Susan's posts for EVG here. She was also featured in The New Yorker this past summer.

Pillow talk

In lieu of snow this January... here's what appears to be pillow stuffing in parts of Tompkins Square Park...



The stuffing arrived some time between 7-8:30 a.m., per Vinny & O, who shared these photos.

Updated 10 a.m.

EVG reader Annabelle points out the faux snowscape can be traced to a single pillow...

Partial reveal of the explosion site condoplex

Workers yesterday afternoon started removing the construction tarps from the new building at 119 Second Ave. (aka 45 E. Seventh St.) ...



The Morris Adjmi-designed building, which will include 21 condo units as well as ground-floor retail, went up on two of the three lots destroyed during the deadly gas explosion here on March 26, 2015.

In the spring of 2017, Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and No. 121 that landlord Maria Hrynenko owned.

Hrynenko, contractor Dilber Kukic and unlicensed plumber Jerry Ioannidis were found guilty of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and related offenses for their role in the blast. They were each sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. Hrynenko is out on bail as she awaits an appeal of the case.

Hrynenko, who took over ownership of the buildings after her husband Michael died in 2004, and the others rigged an illegal system to funnel gas from 119 Second Ave. to 121 Second Ave. to cut corners, according to prosecutors.

"What the defendants did, in a matter of speaking, was roll the dice with the lives of many people. The results, as we know, are catastrophic," Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Michael Obus said on Jan. 17.

As for the new building, given its location within the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission needed to approve the plans, which they did in August 2018.

Residential units are one, two and three bedrooms. No word on pricing just yet.


[Rendering via Morris Adjmi]

The property will include a commemorative plaque that honors victims Nicholas Figueroa, 23, and Moises Locón, 27.

In October 2017, city officials unveiled new street blades that co-name the northwest corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street after the two men.

Updated 8:45 a.m.

Goggla shared these photos... the reveal continues...





H/T Andrij!

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Trio responsible for the deadly 2nd Avenue gas explosion sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison (Jan. 17)

• Convicted gas explosion landlord Maria Hrynenko out on bail; contractor, plumber remain behind bars (Jan. 18)

The Izakaya opening a 2nd East Village location

The Izakaya NYC, the low-key Japanese tapas bar at 326 E. Sixth St. that opened in 2015, is ready to debut a off-shoot on Fourth Street — aptly called the Izakaya NYC on 4th.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy got a quick preview of the space between Avenue A and Avenue B on Wednesday evening...





They were expecting to be ready to open tonight at 215 E. Fourth St. Haven't seen the menu just yet.

The Izakaya team also operates Diner at Nowadays, the indoor-outdoor space on the border of Bushwick and Ridgewood.

No. 215 was previously Chouchou, the Mediterranean-Moroccan bistro that the Marshal seized last summer after two-plus years in business.

Spätzle alert: Zum Schneider's kitchen will be open for a few weeks longer

[EVG file photo]

As we first reported last month, Zum Schneider is leaving its home of 20 years on Avenue C and Seventh Street at the end of February.

The landlord, listed as 229 East 7th Street HFDC, would reportedly not renew the biergarten's lease.

Feb. 25 is the last day they're open to the public. This coming Sunday, Feb. 2, was previously listed as the date for closing their food service.

However! Zum Schenier announced yesterday that their kitchen is now open until Feb. 16. Via the EVG inbox:

We have some good news. We managed to make some arrangements for the kitchen to stay open for an additional 2 weeks. Yes, more Haxen, Reiberdatschi, Spätzle and sausages. Last day for our kitchen will now be Feb. 16. Until Feb. 9 we'll have the full menu and after following with a limited menu until Feb. 16.

We will then close the place for three days to get ready for the last hurrah KARNEVAL FINAL where some snacks will be available such as warm sausages, Obazda, Leberkäs, bread and more.

We're excited and look forward to serve you our Bavarian specialties for a bit longer.

Prost und an guadn!

Zum Schneider is searching for a new NYC home "with a landlord who appreciates our tenancy." They've already announced that they will once again host their Oktoberfest tent along the East River this fall.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Last Christmas for Zum Schneider on Avenue C: Biergarten on the move in 2020

• More details about Zum Schneider's February closing date on Avenue C

Thursday's parting shot

Photo in Tompkins Square Park today by Derek Berg...

Noted

This has been making the rounds ... first spotted by Brooklyn Vegan: Dr. Martens have paid tribute to CBGB, the iconic Bowery club (not restaurant at the Newark Liberty International Airport) with a line of boots "to relive the mayhem from its heyday."

You can find the two styles at the Dr. Martens website.

And as BV noted, Dr. Martens previously paid tribute to Joy Division, New Order and Sex Pistols with a line of boots.

Police looking for trio in vicious Jan. 1 attack on 9th Street and Avenue A

The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in locating three suspects who are wanted in connection to an early morning assault on Jan. 1.

According to police, a 25-year-old man was assaulted by the three men near Ninth Street and Avenue A at 4 a.m. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital with a fractured skull and broken nose. According to the NYPD, the beating left the man with a traumatic brain injury.

Police sources said that the attack could have been the result of a prior dispute.



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. All calls are strictly confidential.

Are you missing your pet parrot?

Several readers noticed an exotic bird out in the wild this morning in Tompkins Square Park nearest to the entrance at Seventh Street and Avenue B.

EVG reader Clint was able to corral the bird, and now has it at home for safekeeping...



Per Clint: "It is a black-headed caique. It's very friendly and tame. It was obviously someone's pet and well cared for."

Does it belong to you?

Updated 1/31

Clint has not found the owner yet. There is a lead that it may belong to someone at St. Brigid's. Clint is talking contact there today.

Workshop next week will offer free legal resources for East Village small business owners

Several local organizations are joining forces to provide small business owners in the East Village with free legal resources during a workshop next week at Book Club on Third Street.

Via the EVG inbox...

Many small businesses and commercial tenants have concerns about non-rent charges and how they impact the bottom line.

Cooper Square Committee, East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) and Brooklyn Legal Services will bring free legal resources to neighborhood businesses and commercial tenants.

Join us for one or both of our upcoming sessions on non-rent charges. Lawyers will be available after each session to do one-on-one consultations.

Bring your commercial lease and your questions!

Morning and evening session available:

Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Book Club
197 E. Third St. near Avenue B