We are so grateful for our Avenue B guests, and to provide more context, back in January of this year, I made the decision to bring both salons under one roof. Once the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, my decision was further solidified. In order to ensure the safety and health of our guests and team, our work lives became more streamlined and manageable by planning to reopen only one location.⠀
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This decision is also about our passion for developing the next generation of talented stylists. The salon environment is essential to this process, and having all team members, new apprentices and seasoned stylists, at one location will allow this side of our salon to prosper and our team’s education and craft to grow. Our Brooklyn location, due to size, has the ability to pull everyone back together in one place and at the same time provide a more comfortable work environment for our team.⠀
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After a quarter of a century of living in the East Village, raising my children within its community and growing Parlor to where it is now, I plan to continue to grow our craft and those that love it for a couple more decades, but it will be across the East River on Atlantic Avenue in what they are now calling Greater Downtown Brooklyn.
Sad news from the Sixth Street Community Center today: Annette Averette, a longtime neighborhood activist, died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Here's more information via the EVG inbox...
Annette was Howard Brandstein’s partner at Sixth Street Community Center for over 25 years. Together they developed programs in community supported agriculture, youth and environmental advocacy that continue to support our LES neighborhoods. In 2009, Annette founded our Organic Soul Cafe where she served as chef and manager.
Prior to working at Sixth Street, Annette was Executive Director of the LES Anti-Displacement Project, where for seven years she provided vital assistance to tenants fighting to secure their homes.
Thank you to all who have extended your support during this difficult time. Annette is legendary and her spirit will remain with us forever. There is so much more to say about Annette-Her wisdom, political activism, legal and financial savvy, great cooking and, above all, her beautiful and caring soul. We will miss her deeply.
Tomorrow (July 30) afternoon, the Sixth Street Community Center (638 E. Sixth St. between B and C) will be honoring her memory from 4-7 p.m.
I’m meeting up with camouflage-suited East Village artist, writer and filmmaker Ethan Minsker at Tompkins Square Park to talk about his quarantine projects, what collaborating with his daughter is like (she’s busy playing in the playground during the interview under the supervision of Ethan’s mother), and what keeps him sane during the COVID-19 lockdown.
How did your new short film, “New York I Love You But You Are Bringing Me Down” come about?
If you listen to the lyrics it perfectly sums up my love and irritation with this city. I had already been working on the project for more than a year and ran out of space in my own apartment so I shuttled many of the buildings over to my mother’s on the West Side and filled up her spare room. Then when quarantine happened, I focused on building one city block with the buildings above the street and the subway station below.
I also got laid off, so it gave me a lot of time to finish the piece.
Your daughter is featured in the film, and you and your family have been quarantined together in your East Village apartment. How has that affected your artwork?
I’ve been collaborating with my daughter on art projects since she was an infant. When quarantine started, we just continued our process. Clearly, it’s tough to be stuck in a small apartment with your wife and your kid.
At times we’re just trying to keep ourselves from going insane. It’s good to have art projects to focus on. It’s one of those things where everybody has to make their own space in separate rooms for at least part of the time. The quarantine has made me really focus more intensely on what I do creatively.
The streets were empty. I wanted to make something that reflected the city pre-pandemic and at the same time connect with my friends. I asked my friends to send photos of themselves standing as if they were waiting for the subway or walking down the street. I printed those out, attached them to plastic water bottles, cut them out, and stuck them in the artwork.
How did you source the materials you used for your film?
Everything is from recycled material. Cardboard from boxes that were shipped to the apartment. Oatmeal containers for water towers. Plastic bottles for the windows and the caps for tires. I used Christmas lights and all the paint that I had. Basically, it’s made from trash in my place.
At this moment in time you can look around your apartment and probably repurpose tons of things for art. For the video I just kept shooting as I created, using apps on my phone to do the animation and hand drawing in [Adobe] After Effects.
Where does the set live now?
It’s in my living room. It’s like having a roommate. A really big roommate. My wife hates it. If I had a studio, I would make even bigger work.
Has there been any silver lining for you, as an artist, during the pandemic quarantine?
I want to acknowledge that this is a very sad time. I am sad and that is OK. We can be sad together. For me the purpose of all these projects is to fend off depression. So don’t feel pressure to make art, just do what you can to stay happy.
Anybody who has a day job and does something creative always has this thing: “If there were just more time…” Now we have all the time in the world, and I’m not going to waste it.
Every morning I get up and I work for about five or six hours on projects, take a break and have some lunch and hang out with my daughter, do some more work on the projects and at 7 p.m. I interview artists. Even though we’re isolated we can still build a community virtually. I’ve learned a lot from the interviews, especially when it comes to art practices and art scenes around the world. I call it Isolation Nation TV. And I act as the host. It’s a routine, it’s a workout — a creative workout.
What’s next for you? Any future projects on the horizon?
At the moment I am promoting my feature film, “Man In Camo.” It just came out and is available everywhere you can rent and buy movies. It’s an artist’s statement, a self-portrait documentary about my need to create and champion others. The handcrafted animation took me five years to make.
It’s my life flashing before your eyes. I highly recommend checking it out. It won’t be like anything you have seen before. And tell a friend!
Le Sia is another restaurant that will not be reopening. There hadn't been any noticeable activity inside the dining room, which served a Chinese crawfish boil, in recent months.
While some tabletop grill and hotpot restaurants across the city temporary closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Village location of Le Sia remained open for takeout and delivery through late March. The restaurant sold its popular crab and crawfish by the pound, but that business wasn’t enough to keep the restaurant afloat, Chen says, as the East Village has been "empty."
Le Sia was previously closed for two-plus months for renovations, reopening in early February. Their Ninth Avenue location remains in business.
As previously noted, the space was home to Surma Books & Music for 98 years until June 2016. Third-generation owner Markian Surmach cited a decline in business and the expense of property tax and other charges related to owning the building. Public records show that the Surmach family sold the property to Icon Realty for $5.75 million at the time.
Workers arrived this morning to erect a sidewalk bridge outside the former Church of the Nativity and the adjacent building here on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street.
Demolition permits were filed back in March for these now-empty structures.
As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development purchased three contiguous parcels, including the former La Salle Annex at Second Street, on this block for an unspecified future development. Gemini Rosemont closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. in March for $40 million. They paid $14.5 million for the La Salle property at No. 38 this month.
The total lot area of the assembled site is 14,075 square feet, according to city records. The combined development site can accommodate an as-of-right buildable area of 75,908 square feet and up to 101,210 square feet of residential area under the city's Inclusionary Housing Program.
The NYPD was also on the scene this morning as the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding work begin...
Makeshift living quarters have grown here outside the former church in recent months. The Department of Sanitation was expected to clean up the discarded furniture and other items here. They had not arrived as of 11 a.m.
The Church of the Nativity closed after a service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street.
People, including me, are lined up and prepared to wait in the 95-degree heat on Sunday for a chance at scoring a last takeout meal at Gaia’s Italian Café.
Located for more than nine years at 251 E. Houston St. between Norfolk and Suffolk, Gaia Bagnasacco's eponymous restaurant is closing for many reasons, none of which its owner cares to discuss.
COVID-19 has not made anything easy on small businesses — ditto for the ever-fluctuating rules and regulations from the city. But there are also literal signs of a dispute with the upstairs neighbor (featuring "Vote Trump" messages), and indications that the disagreement hasn’t been helpful.
The restaurant posted this message on social media: "please be aware that the Gaia Italian Cafe due to end of the lease, eviction and to two year of harassment will close, our last day of operation is on July 26th" leaving open the possibility it will reopen elsewhere.
When pressed, Gaia would only say that she is keeping her options open, including looking for a possible take-out/to-go-only spot.
Gaia, famed for her Milanese cooking and her at-times fiery temper (she’s gotten into some scuffles online with reviewers on Yelp and Facebook) as well as in person. On this Sunday, people are lined up to, as one patron jokes, "Have her yell at me one last time before feeding me the most delicious home-cooked meal ever."
Some people have come bearing gifts, including rubber duckies, which Gaia collects.
Fellow restaurateurs, such as Yudai Kanayama from Izakaya, have come to show support.
[Yudai Kanayama]
Despite the heat, humidity and line — no one seems to be complaining.
After a long wait, I nab one of the last plates of house-favorite spinach and ricotta gnocchi in tomato sauce and a rare smile from Gaia. Worth it.
Gaia recommends keeping an eye on her website and social media presence for any potential future updates.
Today marks the official debut of iSouvlaki at 139 E. 12th St. at Third Avenue.
James Paloumbis, whose credits include Merakia on West 22nd Street and Gossip Coffee in Astoria, is behind iSouvlaki, described as a fast, casual grill.
Per a rep:
Highlights from the menu include meritha (assorted platters), loukaniko souvlaki and pork tylikto. There are a variety of Greek salads and vegetarian options available. An assortment of Greek desserts are featured, including sour cherry yogurt and halva. Greek beers and small bottles of wine can also be purchased.
For now, they're offering takeout as well as a few sidewalk tables. Delivery starts on Aug. 11. And the hours: Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., with an 11 p.m. close on Friday and Saturday. Their website goes live on Monday. You can call them — 212-401-5747 — in the meantime.
After just two weeks, O Ramen & Dim Sum M has closed up for now here at 350 E. Ninth St. just west of First Avenue.
Word along the block: Business was nearly non-existent, and the owners decided to shut down for a few months. They'll apparently try again when the food market might not be so brutal.
The previous tenant, beQu Juice, closed here last November after nearly six years in business.
Here’re some still shots... take a good look please!
Anyone with information, please call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can DM 📲 @NYPDTips too. There’s a 💵 #reward! pic.twitter.com/R5soCHFmFm
The NYPD released more images and surveillance video of the suspect wanted in connection with a slashing outside the Black Ant on Friday night. There's also up to a $2,500 reward for information that will help in the investigation.
As previously reported, the man, said to be drunk, showed up as the restaurant on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street was closing and demanded to be served. Tensions escalated after staff wouldn't serve him.
The man reportedly then whipped out a knife while fighting with staff and other patrons. Spencer Grammer and her friend were among those jumping in to help.
Grammer, an actress known for her voice work on "Rick and Morty," was slashed on the arm while her friend was stabbed in the back. Both were treated and released from Bellevue for their injuries.
Grammer, an East Village resident, said this in a statement to USA Today: "My friend and I did what anyone else would do in the same situation. Several others, predominantly women, were also attempting to prevent the altercation from escalating."
Dave on 7th notes new signage on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B:
Any person urinating in public will be prosecuted
Area under surveillance
(Don't tell anyone, but it's a fake sign. Urinating in public is a misdemeanor. Per Administrative Code Section 16-118 — Public Urination are eligible to plead guilty and pay a $50 fine by mail. This program is available to persons charged with this petty offense only, and only if no other summonses are issued to the individual at the same time.)
Workers from the Sanitation Department on Saturday reportedly removed the encampment beneath the sidewalk bridge on the northwest corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street.
The action came on the same day that the Post criticized Mayor de Blasio for his non-action on such encampments — despite his calls to remove them around the city.
The Post spoke with people who were upset by the makeshift living quarters that had increased in size here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place in recent weeks:
“It makes me feel uncomfortable. It makes our city dirty and noisy,” said neighborhood resident Olga, 78, who’s lived in the East Village for 33 years.
“There was one woman who was making pee-pee and caca by the bus stop. It was very dirty and disgusting. Nobody wanted to use the bus stop.”
The owner of an eatery across the street also said the situation appeared to be spiraling out of control.
“They started camping out there when the weather got warmer and recently it got bigger,” the restaurateur said.
“Some of them have mental issues. They drink a lot and fight with each other. They throw bottles.”
Although the Post posted a video showing city workers cleaning out the sidewalk on Saturday, people had returned by yesterday...
[Photo by Steven]
In recent years, this corner has been a gathering spot in the summer for travelers/crusties. In October 2018 (pre-sidewalk bridge), for instance, the NYPD set up a light tower here to deter anyone from congregating and camping out.
In recent months residents-readers have also expressed concerns about encampments popping up on other Second Avenue locations, including outside the former Starbucks on Ninth Street, the northeast corner at Sixth Street, the northeast corner at Fourth Street, the northeast corner at Third Street (at the former Bean) and along the former Church of the Nativity between Second Street and Third Street.
Broker marketing is now up along the former Associated Supermarket on 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... the space is apparently between downtown and downtime...
Joseph Falzon, the store’s owner, previously told Crain's that a confluence of factors had cut business nearly in half. For starters, construction on 14th Street for the L train obscured the supermarket with a 12-foot fence for nearly two years.
A Trader Joe's opened across the street in early January. (The Target on 14th and A opened in July 2018)
During the pandemic, City Harvest is using the space for a distribution center called the Stuy Town Pantry.
After three years on the southwest corner of First Avenue and 11th Street, Little Tong shut its doors in mid-March. (They did return shortly after for donation-based takeout meals.)
A sign is up now at the space with news of the next tenant — Lhasa, a Tibetan restaurant (thanks to Steven for the photos!) ...
Will update when more details are available about the new venture.
In an Instagram post from March, Simone Tong, Little Tong's chef and owner, cited the coronavirus outbreak as the driving force behind the closure. The Midtown East location remains open.
In recent weeks it has been difficult to tell what businesses might be temporarily closed and which ones may be gone for good.
Ten Degrees, the bar-bistro at 127 St. Mark's Place, has been dark of late, and the interior has looked to be in disarray...
However, the space here between Avenue A and First Avenue is only closed for a renovation. Management has been sharing updates on Instagram, with the latest posted this past Friday... they are using the COVID-19 PAUSE to take "the opportunity to make some remodeling changes and get the bar looking fresh."
The signage arrived back on Friday here at 131 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street...
Aside from pizza and hot dog, the small to-go shop will serve — per the sign — "sandwich, cheese bread and chicken wings."
And as previously noted, this will be the third 99-cent pizza shop on Avenue A between Houston and Ninth Street, joining Alphabet 99-Cent Fresh Pizza and 99¢ Pizza. (There's also FDR 99¢ Slice Pizza just off of A on Second Street.)
The NYPD put up barricades last evening around the Samuel S. Cox statue at the Seventh Street and Avenue A entrance to Tompkins Square Park. Police told residents who asked that they were there to protect the statue. (They've also restricted access to the chess tables.)
There was a large police presence here last night. Three officers are on duty this morning.
Cox (1824–1889) was a longtime member of Congress who "spearheaded legislation that led to paid benefits and a 40-hour workweek for postal employees."
However, according to the History News Network: "Cox fancied himself a champion of the United States Constitution but somehow his interpretation of the Constitution always seemed to deny rights to Blacks. On June 2, 1862, a year after the Civil War had begun but six months before the Emancipation Proclamation, Cox argued in Congress that the United States was made for white men only."
Earlier this summer, the city announced it was removing the statue of Theodore Roosevelt — long considered a racist symbol — from the American Museum of Natural History's entrance.
The death of George Floyd has led to the removal — by protesters in some cases and city leaders in others — of statues across the country because of the racist ideals they represent.
It wasn't immediately known if any direct action against the Cox statue was in the works.
Updated 7/26
A reader says they police removed the barriers from around the chess tables on Monday afternoon...
ABC 7 is reporting that an intoxicated man slashed two diners who were trying to help restaurant workers last night on Second Avenue.
The incident was said to happen before midnight at Dia on Second Avenue between Third Street and Fourth Street. [Updated: The location changed to Black Ant, right next door to Dia.]
Per ABC 7:
According to witnesses, the incident started when an intoxicated man approached restaurant workers and demanded to be served.
The workers refused to serve him a drink, which angered the man, and that's when the couple attempted to defuse the tense situation.
The man was slashed in the back and the woman in the arm.
The couple, said to be in their 20s, were treated and released from Bellevue. The NYPD has not released a description of the suspect.
Updated 9 p.m.
A lot more details about what happened have emerged throughout the day.
The location of the slashing has changed to Black Ant next door. The Post had six reporters on the story:
The mayhem erupted at around 11:30 p.m. at The Black Ant on Second Avenue, where a man, who appeared intoxicated, tried to get a table at the cozy eatery. He was rebuffed because the restaurant was about to close — sending him into a dyspeptic tailspin, multiple sources and bystanders said.
The drunk wouldn’t leave the restaurant, and instead began fighting with a male diner, who picked up a chair and began swinging it — and soon, more than a dozen employees and onlookers joined in the al-fresco free-for-all.
That's when Spencer Grammer, 36, and her friend Jan Phillip Mueller, 31, who were not originally involved in the argument, tried to diffuse the situation.
Per the Post, the suspect was "described as buff, bald and wearing a white shirt, and who may have had a female companion — had already fled on Third Street. Cops don’t believe the attacker was homeless, sources said."
The NYPD released this image of the suspect...
Grammer, an East Village resident, is a voiceover actor on Adult Swim's "Rick and Morty" and the daughter of Kelsey Grammer.
There was one vague reader report last night before midnight about some drag racing happening on First Avenue at St. Mark's Place... this is the morning-after shot...
... and there's some video, sent as a response to a Gov. Cuomo tweet warning weekend partygoers to be safe...
Crowds parked for fake staged drag racing for a planned online event at St Marks & 1st. Crowding up East Village for a spike. pic.twitter.com/qgWk4rXx4A
The "fake staged drag racing" looks pretty authentic from the video clip.
Updated 7/26
Here's a reader photo showing the gathering — estimated up to 150 people and 25 illegally parked cars — on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place...
The reader who took the photo said: "It was truly one of the most effed-up things I've witnessed in my many years in the EV. And I've seen some crazy stuff."
According to different reader estimates, it took the NYPD nearly an hour to arrive and break up the drag racing — and this was after numerous calls to 911 and 311 and laps around the block by the participating cars.
