Here is an updated list of East Village cafes-restaurants that are open

That are open for takeout and delivery. We started the list on Tuesday. Since then, a few places decided to throw in the towel. A few places decided to reopen after initially announcing a temporary closure.

As you can see in the top photo, Boulton & Watt at 5 Avenue A at First Street is open for takeout-delivery. You also get a roll of toilet paper with each order.

Meanwhile, find the work-in-progress open list at this EVG link.

East Village Neighbors here to help during the coronavirus outbreak

A group of residents have formed East Village Neighbors, a volunteer group to help out with activities, such as shopping and dog walking, for anyone who may need assistant during the COVID-19 crisis.

There is a volunteer form at this link.

They also have a Facebook Group here.

Flower petal power on 10th Street

A scene outside Crystal Garden and Evflorist at 247 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... EVG reader Daniel shared these the other day... some positive vibes...



Updated 3/23

Evflorist remains open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Just two people can be in the shop at one time.

March 19-21

Three days, three discarded Christmas trees on Avenue A.

Friday night from 3rd and B

EVG reader Aaron Wilson shared these photos from Avenue B and Third Street last night before midnight... showing how quiet the usually bustling (at this hour) corridor was...

A new era for Urban Etiquette Signs?

Perhaps before our current global health crisis someone would not have taken exception — via a Hello My Name Is "Are you fucking kidding me?" sticker — over a discarded tissue in an East Village hallway.

Thanks to Mark White for the photo!

Local grocery stores with special hours for people 60 and over

Here's an expanded list of local supermarkets with senior-specific shopping hours... via local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera...

We compiled a list of supermarkets in District 2 with seniors-only shopping hours. See below 👇🏽

🛒 Union Market (240 E Houston St): 7-8 AM
🛒 Westside Market (84 Third Ave): 7-8 AM
🛒 Whole Foods (94 E Houston St): 7-8 AM
🛒 Whole Foods (4 Union Sq E): 7-8 AM

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) March 20, 2020

C'mon Get Happy

Siouxsie And The Banshees with "Happy House" from March 1980.

Press pause: Gov. Cuomo says all non-essential workers must stay home

As you have likely heard, Gov. Cuomo today ordered a statewide stay-at-home directive that will shut down most of the state, including New York City, during the coronavirus pandemic.

The restrictions take effect Sunday night at 8. Per Cuomo's office:

New York State on PAUSE: In New York we know that Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone
Governor Cuomo will sign an Executive Order mandating that 100% of the workforce must stay home, excluding essential services.

Exemptions from the order will include shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, health-care providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions.

Enacting Matilda’s Law to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems
Remain indoors
• Can go outside for solitary exercise
• Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
• Wear a mask in the company of others
• Stay at least 6 feet from others
• Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

All barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services will be closed to the public effective Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m.

The Governor's office did not provide a projected timeline for how long this stay-at-home directive will last.

Meanwhile, because several EVG readers have already asked: LIQUOR STORES HAVE BEEN DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND MAY REMAIN OPEN.

This info. comes from the suddenly loved New York State Liquor Store Association. (Thanks David for this link!)

Materials needed for mask-making at Mary O's on Avenue A

Friends and family of Mary O's, the pub at 32 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street, are making masks to donate to people who may want or need them. They are asking for any donations of 100-percent cotton clothing or material (unused) ... you can drop the materials at the bar.

San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Earlier this week, several thoughtful people in the neighborhood ordered food from San Loco to be delivered to the workers at two local hospitals.

I tagged along with San Loco owners Jill and Kimo Hing as they — and their team — created, packaged and delivered hot lunches on Tuesday to two area hospitals, including Beth Israel’s emergency room.













The staff at both hospitals — on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak — were clearly tired and stressed, though grateful for the meals. I could see firsthand the conditions today and having the gift of food delivered was appreciated.





San Loco has set up these grab-n-go burrito grande meal packages (beef, chicken, pork, tofu, roasted veggie or rice and beans) along with a side of guacamole and chips and can do the same if you’d like to order food for some local first responders, hospital staff or nursing home/senior center employees.

To purchase meals, please call San Loco at its Stanton Street location at 212-253-7580 or email via this contact.

San Loco's Avenue C location is currently closed, but the outpost at 111 Stanton St. is open for takeout and delivery.

The 1st Avenue fruit cart has departed

The fruit-vegetable vendors here on First Avenue and Sixth Street outside Village View packed up and left last night. (H/T Janet!)

Noticed yesterday afternoon that they had an ample supply of produce. Were people just not buying any?

These East Village institutions are now currently closed

After a to-go sandwich service on St. Patrick's Day, McSorley's is now closed over at 15 E. Seventh St. for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak ...



Meanwhile, Veselka, 144 Second Ave. at Ninth Street, decided to shut down operations starting yesterday. Here's part of their Instagram post:

Veselka has closed indefinitely. That was not a fun decision to make, but it was an easy one. The safety of our staff and customers comes first.

Rest assured that we’ll be back! We may be suspending operations before some other places, but we’ll start boiling the borscht as soon as the scientists and regulators give us the all-clear.

And B&H, 127 Second Ave., is also closed now. Tuesday was their last day, in which they were giving out some menu items.

Their future seems less clear, and there is now a crowdfunding campaign in place to help them in the interim.

Street signs of the times

On the Bowery at East Houston, and several other NYC intersections: "Stay In, Sane." As in: Stay In. Stay Sane. (Not to blogsplain or anything...

Via @plannedalism

Thursday's parting shot

Photo from Union Square via jdx ...

It won't be a self-quarantine Christmas after all

Today, the first day of spring, on Avenue A...

Checking in on Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery

EVG regular Lola Saénz reports that Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery is up and running at 215 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. Pompeyo and company are making their Mexican food (to go) ... the small shop also has other grocery items (beer! milk! rice!)



For now, the shop is open from 9 a.m. to late evening.

The return of Grant Shaffer's NY See

After a brief hiatus, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's NY See — an observational sketch diary — is back.

Working 9 to 5 at East Village Organic

[Photo by Steven]

So you know the hours for Whole Foods. (See previous post.)

Meanwhile, East Village Organic, 124 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whole Foods allows customers 60 and over to shop an hour before the general public

Whole Foods Market has adjusted its hours of operation and set aside a special time for seniors to shop so they're less exposed to the coronavirus, per a company statement.

All Whole Foods stores are allowing customers 60 and older to shop for an hour before opening to the general public.

“We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment,” Whole Foods said in a statement.

At the Whole Foods Bowery, 60-and-over shoppers can start at 7 a.m. (ditto for the Union Square outpost, which has the same 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours)...



Thanks to Mercedes Sanchez for these photos!