MAD Toast House has gone out of business

MAD Toast House is, well, toast here at 332 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

A tipster noted that paper arrived on the door and window yesterday, officially bringing an end to the shop that served a variety of bubble tea, sparkling water and toast-related creations. Yelp and Google both list MAD as permanently closed.

MAD opened early last June, and lasted 43 (and a third) years less than the previous tenant, Clayworks Pottery, which was forced to close in the fall of 2017 thanks to predatory landlord Raphael Toledano.

Police looking for suspect who stole 3 Phase 2 paintings from Avenue C studio

Here’re pictures of the 3 paintings 🖼 the suspect took. You can also call the @NYPDTips hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) with any information—all tips can be kept CONFIDENTIAL. pic.twitter.com/QEX69v4ZV9

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 19, 2020

The NYPD is searching for a man who they say stole three paintings by the late graffiti artist Phase 2 from a fitness studio on Avenue C.

According to the police and published reports, the suspect tossed a brick through the window of the A2Z studio at 67 Avenue C between Fourth Street and Fifth Street on Jan. 15 at 3:40 a.m. Police did not provide a description of the suspect — just the above video clip.

Phase 2, who was born Michael Lawrence Marrow in the Bronx, was an influential graffiti artist who pioneered bubble lettering. He died from Lou Gehrig's disease in December. He was 64.

The three paintings are valued at $18,000.

Change is coming to Kmart on Astor Place

An EVG reader shared this photo showing that a Coinstar coin-cashing machine has arrived in the basement level at the Astor Place Kmart.

Just in case you needed to unload some change.

There's also one over at the PayOMatic at 303 E. Houston St. between Clinton and Attorney.

And we'll lose the Coinstar machines — in 2023 — when the Food Emporium becomes a Target on Union Square. You know what that means!


[EVG comments screengrab]

Rock on: Remembering Bill Graham's Fillmore East

The New-York Historical Society debuted a multimedia exhibit this past Friday on Bill Graham (1931–1991), the influential concert promoter.

"Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution," on display through Aug. 23, features a large section on the Fillmore East, which had a three-year run starting in 1968 at 105 Second Ave. at Sixth Street.

The sibling to Graham's Fillmore West in San Francisco brought performers such as the Doors, B.B. King, Roberta Flack, the Byrds, the Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez and the Who to the East Village starting in March 1968.





105 Second Ave. opened in 1926 as a Yiddish theater, soon becoming the Loew’s Commodore movie house, followed by the Village Theater. In the 1980s it was the nightclub The Saint, becoming Emigrant Bank in 1995 and then Apple Bank in 2013...



The Times has a preview of the exhibit at this link. Frank Mastropolo, the author of the forthcoming book "Fillmore East: How One Venue Changed Rock Music Forever," has a preview piece here.

The New-York Historical Society is at 170 Central Park West at 77th Street.

Museum hours:

Tuesday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

View this post on Instagram

With the opening today of “Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution” at the New-York Historical Society, we decided to check for Fillmore East ads in the archives. ¶ Who knew that Pink Floyd was “the reigning number one space group in the known world!!!” ¶ Read the full story in “An Impresario Gets the Star Treatment” on the Voice homepage. #billgrahamrocks #thedoors #janisjoplin #psychedelicrock #joshualightshow #fillmoreeast #pinkfloyd #tinytim #classicrock #nyhistory

A post shared by Village Voice (@villagevoice) on Feb 14, 2020 at 6:25am PST

Chairnobyl

Chairnobyl, now on display on Houston between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Thanks to Bill Buchen for the photo!

On second thought, Jiang Diner is moving back to 5th Street

After six weeks at 104 Second Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, Jiang Diner is returning to its previous location at 309 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue ...



There isn't any reason cited on the note to patrons, other than that Jiang Diner, which offers Northwestern Chinese cuisine, including the popular Xinjiang big plate chicken, will be back on Fifth Street starting today.

So to recap: Jiang Diner, which has been a hit since opening last spring on Fifth Street, moved to the former Hot Kitchen space on Second Avenue. (According to the Times back in August, Tao An, the owner of Jiang Diner, was also behind Hot Kitchen.)

The Fifth Street location was set to become a quick-serve establishment...


[Photo on 5th Street from Jan. 4]

So 104 Second Ave., long stuck under that sidewalk bridge, will be vacant again. As we've noted, Hot Kitchen, the Sichuan specialists, went from serving terrific food to a more pedestrian hotpot.

At the beginning of December, the restaurant started offering Japanese cuisine under the name Sushi & Sake. That venture lasted a short month.

Thank you to Steven for the photos and tip!

Previously

Demolition watch: 183 Avenue B

It appears that the four-story building that was 183 Avenue B has been demolished...



As we reported back in June, there are plans for a new 8-floor residential building here between 11th Street and 12th Street.

According to the permit filed with the city, the building will have 12 residential units with ground-floor retail.

New York Yimby pointed out that the units will "most likely [be] rentals based on the average scope of 689 square feet."

In January 2017, Corcoran listed the property with a $4.75 million ask. The building — with air rights intact — sold for that exact amount in April 2017, per public records. The DOB permit lists Richard Pino via the Tompkins 183 LLC as the owner.

Units in the building had apparently been recently renovated, per the listing at the time ...



... and there was a nice outdoor space out back....

That Thai Direct renovation is taking longer than expected

[Photo from Monday]

At the beginning of the month, we noted that Thai Direct on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street was closed for a renovation. They were expected to reopen this past Friday.

Now, management reports that the renovations aren't complete, and they're eyeing a Feb. 25 return. Once they reopen, you'll notice a revamped dining room complete with a small bar. CB3 gave approval back in December for a beer-wine license.

Thai Direct will also be debuting several new menu items.

The quick-serve establishment, which bills itself as offering a healthy take on Thai street food, opened here in September 2018.

Tuesday's parting shot

A face from the steam stack on First Avenue and 10th Street ... thanks to Rainer Turim for the photo!

Brooklyn Bean Roastery arrives on Avenue A

Brooklyn Bean Roastery has set up shop at 23 Avenue A just south of Second Street.

We heard from several EVG readers who were surprised to find the cafe up and running this past weekend offering a variety of breakfast (and brunch) items. There weren't any announcement's on the Roastery's social media accounts. Management said that grand opening details are forthcoming.

The company sells their coffee pods in stores, including Walmart, across the country ... and online via Amazon.

Here's more about them:

We’re three guys from Brooklyn who love coffee – it’s as simple as that. Together, we started Brooklyn Bean Roastery – pioneering the introduction of single-serve coffee to the market. With decades of experience in product engineering (yes, we are also nerds), our unique tension-based ‘roast2cup’ technology ensures every cup of coffee tastes as fresh as the first.

In December, the West End Lounge on the Upper West Side starting selling coffee from Brooklyn Bean Roastery, marking their first physical presence.

However, the East Village location is their first official dedicated coffee shop.

The previous tenant at 23 Avenue A, Yerba Buena, closed at the end of 2017.

Updated 6 p.m.

The signage arrived today...

Last Dance: Lafayette Street live music venue closes tonight after just 4 months

The Dance, the live music venue opened by Billy Jones (Baby’s All Right, Elvis Guesthouse) last fall, closes tonight after four months and change at 428 Lafayette St.

As Brooklyn Vegan first reported: "With astronomical Manhattan rent and a lack of overnight profits, investors allegedly got cold feet and have pulled the plug."

The Dance released this statement on Instagram:

We were invited into this project by a team that we felt, like us, were dedicated to proving Culture could live and thrive again in Manhattan. It was a long, hard, and complicated development process for everyone involved. When we finally opened to the public in October, we were already facing many significant challenges, both logistical and financial.

In spite of those challenges, we set about in making The Dance something truly special. Over its short lifespan, The Dance felt like an incredible moment of creativity and rejuvenated nightlife in a borough that desperately needed it.

Unfortunately, the ownership group has respectively decided to pull the plug on this dream and go in another direction, thus ending The Dance as it is known today. We’re personally devastated about all of this because we, along with so many artists, promoters, agents, and staff, have put so much time, energy and heart into this labor of love.

We’re very sorry for the inconvenience it caused all the acts and parties that were scheduled and the fans who were excited to come to The Dance especially those that never got a chance. We will do everything we can to make things right...

The venue closes up after tonight's sold-out show by U.S. Girls. Shows scheduled there in the weeks ahead are being moved elsewhere.

The Dance, featuring multiple spaces, including a main stage room that could hold 250 people, officially opened in October in the landmarked Colonnade Row just south of Astor Place.

During its short run, the place hosted an impressive array of shows, including Wavves, Beach Fossils, DIIV, Twin Peaks, Wild Nothing, James Chance and Shannon & the Clams, among many others.

This had been a long time in the making. The Times first mentioned that an "indie music hall and restaurant" was coming to this address in October 2016. No word on the status of the pending restaurant in the space above the Dance.

Tio Pio bringing its rotisserie chicken to 14th Street

Coming soon signage is up for Tio Pio at 250 E. 14th St. just west of Second Avenue...



This will be a new outpost for the quick-serve restaurant that specializes in Spanish-American cuisine, particularly a tasty (we're told) and reasonably priced rotisserie chicken. (Some chicken competition for the KFC next door!)

Tio Pio takes over the space from Mi Casa Latina, which closed late last fall after 10 months in business.

H/T to EVG readers vshaweddy and Shiv!

The Marshal seizes Hotel Tortuga

A bad sign at Hotel Tortuga on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue — the Marshal came calling late last week ... and the space is now in the legal possession of the landlord...


[Photo by Shiv]

No word yet about a closure here. The Hotel Tortuga website is offline, and their social media properties haven't been updated since 2018. The phone is also out of service.

A new owner took over the inexpensive Mexican restaurant in November 2017. Staff and menu essentially stayed the same.

The previous owners, David and Jean LaPointe, first opened Hotel Tortuga in 2010. They also ran Curly's Vegetarian Lunch one block to the east on 14th Street until the end of 2011.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Hotel Tortuga, under new management, will reopen soon still as Hotel Tortuga

HDFC homeowners hosting emergency meeting to discuss proposed legislation

HDFC homeowners in the neighborhood are holding an emergency meeting on Wednesday night (Feb. 19) at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street, to discuss proposed legislation from Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

According to members of the HDFC Coalition, the draft legislation will "radically change the Private Housing Finance Law (PHFL) which governs HDFCs, and introduce draconian rules that would undermine our independence and the viability of our homes."

The Coalition says that Epstein drafted the proposal without properly consulting HDFC shareholders.

The summary of draft bill A9608 "establishes the office of the HDFC cooperative ombudsman; establishes an office of the HDFC ombudsman fund for deposit of a residential unit fee, and directs the administration of such fund."

On Wednesday night from 6 to 7:30, Epstein will field questions about the proposed changes.

For more background, you may visit the HDFC Coalition website here.

Hearts for Gem Spa

[Photo By Derek Berg]

Earlier today, Hash Halper (aka @newyorkromantic) was spotted chalking hearts outside Gem Spa on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place... showing a little love for the corner shop that has had its financial struggles in recent months... (photos below by Steven)...

Checking out the new International Center of Photography at Essex Crossing

The International Center of Photography (ICP) opened in its new four-story home in Essex Crossing on Jan. 25.

I finally had the chance to check out the space (I missed the media preview!) at 79 Essex St. between Delancey and Broome the other evening.

The four opening exhibits, with links to their descriptions, are:

• Tyler Mitchell: I Can Make You Feel Good

• CONTACT HIGH: A Visual History of Hip-Hop

• James Coupe: Warriors

• The Lower East Side: Selections from the ICP Collection

And here are a few random photos of the photos and exhibits...













The space is much better suited to the work than its rather unwelcoming home of a few years on the Bowery, which featured dimly light basement galleries. The new building reunites the ICP school and library, and will also offer public programming. (A cafe is coming soon too.)

The current exhibits are up through May 18. The ICP is open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (to 9 p.m. on Thursdays). They are closed on Tuesdays. You can find admission price and other details at this link.

Curb alert! Your chance to score free items from the now-closed Obscura Antiques and Oddities

Mike Zohn, co-owner of the now-closed Obscura Antiques and Oddities, is cleaning out the basement of the shop at 207 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

This afternoon (Monday, Feb. 17), he'll be putting out a few items on the curb for anyone to take. Up for grabs: Some folding chairs from Cafe Pick Me Up, a 2015 Avenue A casualty.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• A visit to Obscura Antiques and Oddities, closing soon on Avenue A

• After 20-plus years in the East Village, Obscura Antiques and Oddities is closing

Sunday's parting shot

King of the hill today in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg...

Week in Grieview

[Table to go via Derek Berg]

Posts from this past week include...

Updating: FDNY battling 3-alarm fire on the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th Street (Monday) Fire-damaged Via Della Pace unsure about reopening on 7th Street; Cafe Mocha in bad shape (Wednesday)

Dun-Well Doughnuts is done with St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Things that go boom in the night: As Bush Tetras prepare for their 40th anniversary show (Friday)

A Visit to Stanton Street Yoga (Tuesday)

For now, both entrances to the 1st Avenue L-train station are located at Avenue A (Saturday)

Japanese variety store Teso Life coming to the former St. Mark's Market space (Thursday)

Houston House shapes up on East Houston Street (Thursday)

Window watch: 11 Avenue C (Wednesday)

Another look at the incoming tech hub (Monday)

It is alive: Bait & Hook is returning — under new management (Tuesday)

Village Crêperie coming soon to 9th and A (Monday)

Openings: Strings Ramen on 2nd Avenue (Monday) Openings: Lovenburg on 6th Street (Monday)

Promoting the Stokes on 2nd Avenue (Sunday)

... and as previously reported, the Duane Reade by Walgreens on Third Avenue at 10th Street closes on March 2...



Ahead of that, the Hair Color section has already been cleared out...



---

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Last day for Dun-Well Doughnuts on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

Dun-Well Doughnuts concludes its three-plus-year run today at 102 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As we first reported on Tuesday, the vegan doughnut purveyors decided to shut down this outpost to work on other areas of the Dun-Well business.

Here's the official announcement on Instagram:

In order to focus upon new endeavors at our flagship Brooklyn location and to expand our wholesale operations, we have decided to close our St. Mark's location this month. This is a bittersweet decision as we have loved being part of the St. Mark's community over the past few years. We hope you’ll continue to support us as we move into our next chapter!

Dun-Well can now be found in almost 20 NYC locations including several Whole Foods Markets and cafes throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens and we plan to expand our reach to bring our doughnuts to an even larger community.

Christopher Hollowell and Dan Dunbar opened the first Dun-Well in East Williamsburg in 2011. They debuted on St. Mark's in July 2016, shuttling in fresh doughnuts daily from their Montrose Avenue HQ.

The posted hours today are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., though you should likely get there sooner rather than later...

Saturday's parting shot

A scene on Union Square today via Derek Berg ...

For now, both entrances to the 1st Avenue L-train station are located at Avenue A

The L train's new Avenue A north entrance — for Eighth Avenue-bound commuters — opened this past Monday.

For the next few months, you'll need to use the Avenue A entrances for all L-train action. (The Brooklyn-bound side arrived this past Nov. 4 at Avenue A.)

This morning, workers boarded up the north entrance at First Avenue.



This side is expected to be closed for repairs until May.



The south side entrance at First Avenue is expected to reopen in April...



Once the MTA complete the First Avenue entrances, the ones at Avenue A will close again so workers can add the finishing touches. No word just yet from the MTA about when all four entrances — two at First Avenue and two at Avenue A — will all be accessible at the same time.

When all the construction is wrapped up, the revamped 14th Street First Avenue station will have four entrances — including the two on either side of 14th Street at Avenue A as well as two new platform-to-street ADA elevators that will be ready for use this summer. (Find more details on this MTA advisory.)

Noted

ICYMI: Someone turned the fixed bollards on Houston at Orchard into Hershey Kisses for Valentine's Day...





I recall this happening here in previous years as well...