A message from Russ & Daughters, whose Houston Street shop remains open

[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

Russ & Daughters posted this on Instagram yesterday:

Save Small Business & Small Business Workers. This past week, we had to lay off almost half of our staff and close our two restaurants. As terrible as this has been, we are consoled in knowing that Russ & Daughters will survive and we will bring our folks back as soon as we can.

We have 106 years of perseverance behind us. Russ & Daughters has weathered the 1918 influenza pandemic, wars, depressions, recessions, terrorist attacks and hurricanes. We are grateful that we can continue to make and ship our food out all over the country, providing the essential service of, literally and figuratively, nourishing our customers while everyone stays at home.

This crisis affects us all, but it does not affect us all equally. We must recognize this and help those who are truly struggling. For those of us who still have jobs, we don’t need a check. It’s the people suddenly left without a job who need a check — not a one-time thing, but an every-week thing. State unemployment funds, not large corporations, are what need the stimulus.

We call on our government to make unemployment programs more accessible, expansive and generous. Bolster payments so that they approximate people’s wages. The maximum unemployment benefit in New York State in $504/week. You cannot shelter in place if you cannot pay for that shelter or feed your family. As a small business, we have made unemployment contributions week after week, year after year. Now is the time for those contributions to be paid out and pay out well.

We call on our government to recognize small business for what we are: the lifeblood of our country’s economy. Small businesses generate almost half of all the economic activity in the U.S. We are #toosmalltofail because we are too important. Money that goes to a small business stays within the local community. The same cannot be said for large corporations or chains. Give us the ability to keep our communities going, because that’s all we want to do.

We urge you to call Congress too. — Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ Tupper, 4th Generation Owners of Russ & Daughters

While Russ & Daughters Cafe, Russ & Daughters at the Jewish Museum and Russ & Daughters Brooklyn are closed, the original shop on Houston Street is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They ask that you please call (212-475-4880 x1) 24 hours in advance for pickup, delivery or shipping. For people dropping by: "To prevent crowding, we’ll allow only a few customers in at a time. Once you take your number, please wait outside until just before your number is called."

They are also shipping nationwide.

[Updated] Union Square Trader Joe's temporarily closed after employee is suspected of having COVID-19

[File photo]

Updated 3/27: This location, as well as the wine shop, reopened today.

The following information comes directly from the Trader Joe's website:

We would like to notify customers of the following locations that a Crew Member recently present in the store has either tested positive for COVID-19 or is receiving treatment for a suspected case. Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed the store for thorough cleaning and sanitization:

Trader Joe’s (Grocery Store) on 142 E 14th St & (Wine Store) on 138 E 14th St.

The Crew Member was last present in the store on March 22, 2020. We encourage customers who visited the store over the 14-day period ending on March 22, and have health-related concerns, to contact the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline: (888) 364-3065.

Stores in Elkridge, Md., and Plainview, N.Y., were also closed.

Back to the TJ's message:

We are working closely with local health officials to take all necessary measures. We are connecting with all Crew Members at the respective locations, encouraging anyone who may have been in contact to follow CDC-recommended self-monitoring guidelines and to call their healthcare providers right away if they develop any symptoms. While the store is closed, Trader Joe’s will be paying all Crew Members for their scheduled shifts. As soon as the store has been fully cleaned and restocked, we plan to reopen.

As we continue to respond to this rapidly evolving situation, our focus remains on doing whatever is necessary to safeguard the health and safety of our Crew Members and customers and best support our communities.

The store is expected to be closed for several days, according to an internal email seen by BuzzFeed News.


H/T Gojira

RIP Nashom Wooden

According to published reports, Nashom Wooden, a legend in the drag community who lived on the Bowery, has died. Friends say that Wooden died from COVID-19. (Update: According to the Times, he was 50.)

A NYC former drag star, Nashom Wooden (who was Mona Foot), has died of covid-19. Nashom was a treasure.

— michael musto (@mikeymusto) March 23, 2020

Here's more via Paper:

Wooden's life looks like a history lesson in fabulous downtown culture. He worked as a salesboy at Charivari, the groundbreaking designer fashion chain of stores where Marc Jacobs folded t-shirts as a teen. He later also worked at Pat Field, the eponymous boutique of "Sex & the City" stylist Patricia Field. He first performed in drag at Boy Bar, a gay bar and drag spot on St. Mark's Place famed for their gorgeous Boy Bar Beauties like Miss Guy, Connie Girl, Princess Diandra and Raven O. He did an off-Broadway show, "My Pet Homo," with RuPaul. He was cast in Joel Schumacher's 1999 film, "Flawless," and co-wrote the title song with his group, The Ones. It was a worldwide dance hit.

Since 1997, he had been working as bartender, doorman and DJ at the Cock on Second Avenue.

You can read about Wooden's drag past in this interview with Michael Musto from 2017.

L.A.-based investor pays $40 million for former Church of the Nativity property on 2nd Avenue

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has sold the former Church of the Nativity property on Second Avenue for $40 million, according to public records. (H/T Upper West Sider!)



The buyer is Gemini Rosemont, an L.A.-based real-estate investor. The LLCs that purchased 42-46 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street are based out of the company’s Santa Fe office, as The Real Deal noted.

According to their website, they look to rent to "tenants in high growth and tech centric industries."

There were rumors dating to January about this deal. Now it's official.

The Church closed after a service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street.

As previously reported, the Cooper Square Community Land Trust had explored buying the former Church of the Nativity to use as low-income housing.

However, the Archdiocese of New York reportedly didn't seem too keen on that idea, perhaps intent on garnering top dollar for the prime real estate for luxury housing.


[Photo at Nativity from Jan. 10 by Felton Davis]

In April 2019, Catholic Homes New York, the affordable housing unit of Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New York, announced plans to redevelop several existing properties to provide 2,000 affordable units in NYC over the next 10 years. Not on the affordable-housing list: Church of the Nativity and the Church of Saint Emeric on 13th Street near Avenue D.

This wouldn't be the first time that a former Catholic church was demolished for upscale housing in this neighborhood. Developer Douglas Steiner bought the former Mary Help of Christians property in 2012 from the Archdiocese of New York for $41 million.

During the summer of 2013, workers demolished the church, school and rectory to make way for Steiner East Village, the block-long condoplex where a penthouse unit is currently renting for $19,000 per month.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Educator: Turning the former Church of the Nativity into luxury housing would be a 'sordid use' of the property

• The fight to keep Church of the Nativity from becoming luxury housing

• Report: Archdiocese of New York announces affordable-housing projects; fate of 2 East Village churches unknown

Checking in on TabeTome

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Traditional Japanese ramen and tsukemen restaurant TabeTomo has set up a to-go station here at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark’s Place and Ninth Street that has proven to be a popular spot.

Here, you'll find omusubi (filled rice triangles wrapped in seaweed), donburi rice bowls, croquettes, hot sake and cold beer in addition to its signature ramen and tsukemen.





Manager Roka Kishimoto, owner Tomotsugu Kubo and chef Julio Roche welcome me when I show up to pick up my order — from a safe distance and allow me to watch and photograph as they prep other meals to go.







There is a well-stocked customer cleaning/sanitizing station, and customers can also call in and order ahead of time and grab their order through the open accordion doors. Several people on bicycles did just that while I was there.



Best-selling items include the salmon omusubi for $2.50 and the brewed-for-60-hour pork-broth-based ramen for $13 (a vegan version is also available).







It’s cash only and current hours are noon to 9 p.m. daily. You can follow TabeTomo on Instagram here.

CheLi signage up at 19-23 St. Mark's Place

Signage went up Friday for the new restaurant coming to a space at 19-23 St. Mark's Place...





A tipster had previously told us that CheLi was affiliated with Szechuan Mountain House on the other side of the upper level here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

CheLi is taking over from Chipotle, who vacated the premises in August 2018.

Meanwhile, in the lower portion of this complex, Teso Life, a Japanese variety store with several NYC locations, is the new tenant for the former St. Mark's Market. Next door, Mi Tea is in its third month of dormancy due to "renovations."

Monday's parting shot

Given today's crappy weather... here's a flashback to yesterday in Tompkins Square Park, where the Eric Paulin Quartet played for a social-distancing crowd.

Thanks to Walter Wlodarczyk for the photo! (Check out his work here.)

The Union Square Greenmarket will return Wednesday

View this post on Instagram

Union Square Greenmarket is closed Monday, March 23! GrowNYC is temporarily pausing its Greenmarket operations on Monday and Tuesday and will REOPEN this Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Markets will be closed for two days only. During this time, Greenmarket staff will prepare additional social-distancing measures we can take to ensure your safety while you shop for fresh, healthy food, as well as the safety of our farmers and staff. Visit the link in our bio for more details on our markets being essential businesses as well as the safety measures we are taking. Thank you for your patience and your support.

A post shared by GrowNYC Union Sq Greenmarket (@unsqgreenmarket) on Mar 22, 2020 at 7:33pm PDT

H/T Daniel...

S'MAC's curbside service

Sarita and Caesar Ekya, owners of S'MAC on the northwest corner of First Avenue and 12th Street, have reorganized the storesfront to make curbside ordering and pickup easier. (They are delivering as well.)

Meanwhile, we're continuing to try to update our list of East Village cafes-restaurants that are currently open for takeout and delivery. The list remains incomplete for now.

An East Village stay-at-home shopping list

EVG reader Krikor Daglian spotted this discarded paper on Avenue A yesterday... a shopping list with essentials such as milk, butter, white wine, whiskey, pot and bong cleaner.

Monday morning rush

The scene at Union Square this morning at 8:40 ... the first day of Gov. Cuomo's PAUSE on nonessential workers reporting to work.

Photo by Pinch...

Local business resources via EVIMA

The East Village Independent Merchants Association is gathering resources for local business during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Per their Instagram message:

The impacts of this unique emergency are substantial and will be ongoing. We have compiled a variety of resources that provide relief to East Village merchants at eastvillage.info.

We will continue to update this information as new programs become available in an ever-changing environment.

They are also posting concerns from local business owners on the EVIMA Instagram account...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EVIMA (@evimanyc) on Mar 20, 2020 at 9:20am PDT

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EVIMA (@evimanyc) on Mar 21, 2020 at 6:10am PDT

Soil testing underway at the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photos by Steven]

Late last week, we spotted a Davey Drill in the empty lot on the northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue... where workers were taking soil samples ahead of the controversial new office building planned for the space...



Where we left off: On March 4, the City Planning Commission held a public meeting to discuss the air-rights transfer for the 10-floor building ... at which time local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera submitted joint testimony with Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Sen. Brad Hoylman opposing the plan. Rivera holds the key vote when the proposal eventually comes before City Council.

This item won't likely advance any further for the time being. As the Village Preservation pointed out, the city approval processes have shut down for the time being during the coronavirus outbreak. The City Planning Commission still needs to cast its vote (all expect an approval) before it heads to City Council.

With the air-rights transfer, developer Real Estate Equities Corporation would be allowed to build 8,386 square feet larger than the current zoning allows.

Regardless of an extra 8,000 square feet, the project will continue.



Previously on EV Grieve:
• Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

• Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop setting up shop on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photos by Steven]

Signage for Brooklyn Dumpling Shop arrived back on Friday at 131 First Ave. (aka 82 St. Mark's Place) ...



This will be the first storefront for Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a food truck business affiliated with Brooklyn Chop House.

They plan to sell 32 varieties of dumplings 24/7. Here's a look at their exterior plans, via Facebook...



For now, you can visit the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop website for details and updates. (They were planning on a June opening.)

Workers divided this former single-occupant storefront into three spaces. Eiyo Bowl, a vegan quick-serve restaurant specializing in acai and rice bowls, was the first tenant to sign a lease here, as previously reported.

The previous tenant, Foot Gear Plus, closed in July 2018 after nearly 40 years in business.

Gem Spa is closed for now

[Photo by Lola Saénz]

Gem Spa is now closed indefinitely on the corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place. Owner Parul Patel had launched a delivery service for the shop's egg creams and other items during the COVID-19 crisis.

For now, Gem Spa's online store is up and running. If it's of interest, then you can support them here too.

Report: Gregg Singer offers former P.S. 64 for use as a medical facility during COVID-19 crisis

ICYMI: Controversial landlord Gregg Singer has offered to donate the former P.S. 64 on Ninth Street to the city for use to potentially treat patients infected with the coronavirus.

As Crain's first reported, Singer conveyed his offer in a letter to Mayor de Blasio as well as to the offices of Gov. Cuomo and President Trump.

According to published reports, the city is seeking potential medical surge facilities, such as hotels, dorms and even the Javits Convention Center.

The city dismissed the offer to use the derelict building that has been vacant for more than 20 years between Avenue B and Avenue C.

“We’re not interested,” the spokeswoman told Crain’s “It doesn’t meet our needs.”

The building looks to be in disrepair, with broken windows and a crack in the facade on the western corner of the landmarked building.

However:

“We have an engineer’s report stating the building is safe,” Singer said. “It’s like when you build a makeshift hospital or triage center in an open field. This would be the same thing here, but indoors.”

Singer bought the property — the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center — from the city during an auction in 1998. You can read the archives for more on the long history here.

Sunday's parting shot

Thanks to Goggla for sharing this moment of beauty today... the magnolia tree in the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue is in full bloom...

Local community gardens are now closed to the public

[View of the 6BC Botanical Garden]

In response to Gov. Cuomo's PAUSE executive order, community gardens in the East Village and elsewhere in NYC are now only open to volunteers for "absolutely necessary maintenance."

Here's part of an email to gardeners from Bill LoSasso, director of the GreenThumb program:

I hope that you're all healthy and staying safe ... Effective immediately, and until further notice, all gardens on NYC Parks property are open to gardeners only, and only for absolutely necessary maintenance. They must remain closed to the public. While this will be disappointing to many, this is a necessary decision in order to help protect public health.

You can find the full policy and updates at this link.

Peace & Amnesty

As seen on Avenue A.

Thanks to Brian for the photo!

Week in Grieview

[Photo by Derek Berg]

Coronavirus-related posts this week included...

• NYC shutting down: public schools, restaurants, bars and movie theaters (Monday)

• Press pause: Gov. Cuomo says all non-essential workers must stay home (Friday)

• East Village Neighbors here to help during the coronavirus outbreak (Saturday)

• Updating: What's open in the East Village for takeout and delivery (Tuesday)

• Little Tong returns to service with donation-based takeout meals (Saturday)

• Local grocery stores with special hours for people 60 and over (Friday)

• These 2 East Village mainstays are open for now (Wednesday)

• San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals (Friday)

• Daily bread at C&B Cafe (Thursday)

• A heartbreaking look at temporarily closed East Village businesses (Thursday)

• Ravi DeRossi's East Village restaurants are giving out free vegan lunches to NYC school kids (Tuesday)

• Materials needed for mask-making at Mary O's on Avenue A (Friday)

• Checking in on La Sirena Mexican Folk Art (Tuesday)

• Checking in on Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery (Thursday)

• The return of Grant Shaffer's NY See (Thursday)

• St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's (Tuesday)

• Loews Village 7 likely closed for 6-12 weeks (Wednesday)

• The 1st Avenue fruit cart has departed (Friday)

• A new to-go window (aka the front door) at Bee Wine & Liquors on Avenue B (Saturday)

• A new era for Urban Etiquette Signs? (Friday)

• 911 calls in the coronavirus era (Thursday)

• Street signs of the times (Friday)

• March 19-21 (Saturday)

... and a nice aerial shot of Tompkins Square Park from 10th Street the other day via Daniel...



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Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter for more frequent updates.

far above

The other day, while watching the red-tailed hawks, peter radley and others spotted two bald eagles flying over Tompkins Square Park ... which inspired the following...

---

far above

overly warm march

brings us eyes binoculed

hawk paparazzi cameras

search that moment individual

through park branches

captured mostly not

secondary to this moment

more than disbelief

far above what soars

two bald eagles

making taking our day

we their prey

•

peter radley

The Tompkins Square Park Greenmarket is open today

The Greenmarket is open today along Avenue A at Seventh Street, as these photos by Steven show.

Signs are up reminding people about social distancing... and touching products...



Today also marks the last day for now to drop off food scraps at Tompkins Square Park ...



As EVG regular Daniel noted, New York State considers farmer's markets to be essential businesses that can stay open during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Union Square Greenmarket is expected to be open tomorrow.

You can monitor any changes to the Greenmarket schedules via the GrowNYC site.

A free coronavirus courier service

Several EVG readers have shared this flyer (spotted along Avenue A and First Avenue) ... a group of cyclists are providing a free delivery service during the COVID-19 crisis.

As the flyer shows, they'll make no-contact deliveries of items like groceries and medical supplies. (Quick note: While the delivery is free, you are expected to pay for the items via Venmo or another service.)

Those interested should call or text (929) 320-0660 or email.

A new to-go window (aka the front door) at Bee Wine & Liquors on Avenue B

Bee Wines & Liquors, 225 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street, has a makeshift to-go system in place ... allowing for counter service without letting customers into the shop. Thanks to @12stTales for the tip/photo.

Little Tong returns to service with donation-based takeout meals

Last Sunday, Little Tong closed after three years on the southwest corner of First Avenue and 11th Street.

However, they are back, working with a nonprofit to serve donation-based meals.

Here's more via the EVG inbox:

Since closing over the weekend, Little Tong is now working with Rethink Food NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding those in need, as the first restaurant to join the Restaurant Response Program.

The program will provide a $40,000 grant for 30 NYC-based restaurants at risk of closing operations due to the coronavirus outbreak. The expectation is that restaurants accepted to participate in the program will turn their restaurants into community kitchens, using the funds to prepare meals for affordable price points, continuing to employ team members and temporarily operate on a distributor model to help mitigate the effects of any food shortages.

Little Tong plans to cook 500 meals a day from noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. They will do this through April or longer if there is a need. All proceeds go to Rethink Food NYC. Food is available for pick up or no-contact delivery on Seamless or Grubhub.

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...