Shoegazing: The life aquatic on 13th Street

Artist Billy Barnacles has been hanging these creative aquatic-themed pieces of art around the city... there are several hanging in the East Village, including here on 13th Street just east of Avenue A...

This map will show you will you can discover other barnacles.

Construction watch: 139 E. Houston St.

Let's take a look through the Blogger Portals here on the plywood along East Houston between Eldridge and Forsyth ... where a 9-story building has been in the works ... so far, workers are still in the foundation stage, putting in the steel beams for support...

East End Capital and K Property Group, who bought the property for $31.5 million in the spring of 2017, are putting in the office complex with retail space. The links below have more details on what has transpired and what's to come.

The plywood rendering still lists Summer 2021 for the completion... safe to say they won't be meeting that previous goal...

As you likely know, the previous tenant, the five-screen Landmark Sunshine Theater closed Jan. 21, 2018, after 17 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Sunshine Cinema-replacing office building moving forward; demolition watch back on

• Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema

• The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space

• A celebratory ad on the purchase of 139 E. Houston St., current home of the Sunshine Cinema

• The boutique office building replacing the Sunshine Cinema will be 'unbounded by walls' with an outdoor space called Houston Alley

Caffe Béne now selling South Asian-inspired groceries and snacks

Rish Sheth, the owner of Caffe Béne, recently expanded his business here on Avenue A at 13th Street  ... adding a line of authentic and South Asian-inspired groceries and snacks, from bags of Masala Munch to boxes of Parle-G biscuits, alongside Caffe Béne's usual fare...

 

EVG regular shared Lola Sáenz shared these photos...

 

 
 

He named this new part of the business Jaleby, which also has an online presence for deliveries here.

Many NYC restaurants have added to their existing services, offering meal kits and establishing pantries to help boost revenue during the pandemic downturn...

47 St. Mark's Place is for sale for the first time in 50 years

This five-story building at 47 St. Mark's Place recently arrived on the rental market. As the Times noted last week, the property on the great block between First Avenue and Second Avenue last changed hands 50 years ago.

Per the listing: 

The property consists "of 6 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom apartments. The property is built 25 feet by 63 feet and sits on a 25 foot by 93.92 foot lot with approximately 7,990 gross square feet. The property is zoned R8B allowing for approximately 1,409 gross square feet of available air rights.

The asking price: $6.5 million.

Has Saxon + Parole closed?

Several readers have asked about the status of Saxon + Parole on the high-profile Bleecker-Bowery corner. The restaurant is one of many in the neighborhood that has remained dark since since the PAUSE went into effect in March.

The self-described "equestrian-themed American eatery" has not been open for six months ... ditto for its mezcal bar Ghost Donkey next door... 

Saxon + Parole reps have not responded to multiple requests for information on its status. OpenTable lists S+P as permanently closed. 

The space was looking more abandoned as the summer progressed — the plants on the sidewalk cafe space dried up and were eventually discarded... the storefront has been tagged several times in recent weeks (the top photo is from Sunday) ...

In more positive news for the company, AvroKO Hospitality Group, the Saxon + Parole outpost opened earlier this month in Auckland, New Zealand. 

A pop-up message on the S+P website suggests the Bowery location may return again some day:

And with one dream coming to fruition, another one comes to a pause. Our NYC locations of Ghost Donkey, The Poni Room and Saxon + Parole are temporarily closed due to COVID-19. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we hope to do so again soon.

S+P opened here in September 2011, replacing the company's Double Crown restaurant. 

Monday's parting shot

A shot of the moon in its Waxing Crescent Phase (look to the lower right!) via @tweakz229 ...

2-plus minutes of Pandemic

Pandemic is one of the local bands on the regular circuit in Tompkins Square Park in recent months... EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared this clip from yesterday of the band, whose members are Luis Ayala, Papote Jimenez, Carlos Acevedo and Zoilapianista. 

The band plays every Tuesday and Sunday at 5 p.m. in Tompkins.

'Project Stun' at the F stop on 2nd Avenue

In case you haven't been by the Second Avenue F stop at Houston... FL00D and Stänzi have collaborated to create "Project Stun," described as "a hybrid street art and animated experience," on view (and digitally here) through September.

Via the EVG inbox:

Paying homage to local culture and creativity from decades past, "Project Stun" emits hope upon the streets of New York City. These words hold power — letter by letter, chaotic expression seeps through in philosophies of NYHC, iconic musical influences (Bad Brains, CBGB) and signature motifs from the creators' archives.

Native Bean wraps up 20 years on Avenue A

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

I sat down with Ali Aljerari, partner in the Native Bean at 36 Avenue A (previously located at 50 Avenue A) to talk about why, after more than 20 years, his cafe has closed as of this past weekend.

"The problem," Ali says, "is I cannot pay rent. The landlord is asking for rent and the city is charging the landlord real-estate taxes, which go up every year. I need to pay rent, of course, and we are receiving no help from the city or state. No one is getting assistance from the government. We cannot survive the elements and adversities now — it's too overwhelming. Too big. We navigated 9/11, we navigated storms and disasters. We are waiting…but there is no help. The government should give landlords tax breaks — that would help.

"There is hostility from the city to us, the small businesses," he continues. "We are just a source of revenue to them and we are subject to harsh treatment. Every time an investigator comes it's a couple thousand dollars. Agencies just write tickets and charges. Small businesses are the heart of the city but we have no voice. I wish the city were kinder." 

[Aljerjari with manager Mahammad Fofana]

I asked him how, if at all, the neighborhood — he’s also a long-term resident here — could help.

"The most beautiful people in the world are in the East Village. This neighborhood has the sweetness and beauty, it surpasses anything I had in my mind," he says. "People here are a treasure. I grew up in the neighborhood, and it made me who I am today. It is I who owes this neighborhood; they don’t owe me anything."

Ali doesn't rule out opening another business in the future, when COVID-19 subsides.

La Mia Pizza debuts on 4th Avenue

La Mia Pizza is now open here on Fourth Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street for takeout, delivery and limited sidewalk seating ... as previously noted, this is an outpost of La Mia Pizza on First Avenue in Yorkville.

Check out their menu, which includes calzones, salads and wings, right here.

Pie by the Pound closed here in July 2019 after 17 years in business. A regular told us at the time that the lease was up, and the owner wanted to pursue other opportunities.

The Dolar Shop bringing hot pot to 3rd Avenue and 11th Street

The Dolar Shop, a global hot pot chain with 50-plus locations, is opening an outpost on the southeast coast of Third Avenue and 11th Street... this will be the second NYC location for the Dolar Shop, joining the one out in Flushing.

This space was previously Wagamama, the London-based chain serving Japanese-inspired cuisine. Wagamama lasted 18 months before fizzling out in April 2019.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo and tip!

Closings: Brazen Fox, the Nugget Spot, Hu Kitchen, Mancora and Apna Masala

• Brazen Fox, 106 Third Ave. at 13th St.

The two-level bar-restaurant abruptly shuttered last week. They had been open for takeout and curbside service. A rep confirmed the closure.

This outpost of the  White Plains-based Brazen Fox opened in the fall of 2013.

• The Nugget Spot, 230 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Ownership recently announced a closure, though they did leave the door open for a return in an Instagram message:

"It's with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of our 14th Street location. For 7 years we called this home, making friends from all over the world that share the same love for NUGS. We're not throwing in the towel just yet, but in order for us to return in the future we have to take these necessary actions now. "

The Nugget spot, which opened here in October 2013, had been in service for takeout and delivery for part of the summer.

• Hu Kitchen, 78 Fifth Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street.

A for-rent sign now hangs in the front window of the quick-serve, health-focused restaurant that served made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes and well as fresh-pressed juices and other grocery items. (H/T ADJG!) This location opened in October 2012. Their online operation is still in business.

• Mancora and Apna Masala, 97 First Ave. at Sixth Street.

Mancora, which served Peruvian cuisine, moved here from across Sixth Street in June 2017. Both Mancora and Apna, which shared part of the space, have been closed since the March PAUSE. OpenTable list both restaurants as closed.

And a reader recently spotted what was believed to be equipment from Mancora discarded on Avenue A and Sixth Street...

Week in Grieview

[Yesterday in Tompkins Square Park via Derek Berg] 

Posts this past week included...

• Jules Bistro will not be reopening on St. Mark's Place (Thursday) 

• After 46 years, the Ukrainian Sports Club has left the East Village (Wednesday) 

• Final public hearing on a larger 3 St. Mark's Place coming soon (Tuesday) 

• Farewells: Funny Face Bakery has outgrown its East Village space (Monday) 

• Funny fundraising business for the Sixth Street Community Center (Tuesday) 

• The original Coyote Ugly outpost closes; new location expected on 14th Street (Tuesday) Is this the news CU home? (Wednesday) 

• Pop's Eat-Rite debuts on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday) 

• These local streets will now be open during the week for dining (Thursday) 

• College Food Pantry now being offered at the Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish (Wednesday)

• St. Brigid is hosting a flea market on Saturdays (Saturday) 

• This week's NY See panel (Thursday) 

• Baby Kong arrives at the 6th Street and Avenue B Community Garden (Friday) 

• The Merchant’s House Museum reopen to visitors (Friday) 

• Construction watch: 24 1st Ave./101 2nd St. (Friday) 

• Got milk? (Wednesday) 

• Reaching the top at Zero Irving (Tuesday) 

• Saramsam is a new Filipino restaurant from Ravi DeRossi on 7th Street (Monday) 

• Say a prayer! Today's special guest at the Tompkins Square Park dog run (Monday) 

• Has Spiegel closed? (Friday) 

• Another day, another discarded microwave with a note (Tuesday) 

• Jewels is the new tenant for the former Ben & Jerry's space on St. Mark's Place (Wedensday)

• Elsewhere in NYC: Pearl Diner reopens for curbside dining (Friday) 

• It's full, wrapped in plastic: A Big Belly on B needs emptied out (Monday) 

• Report: Cloister Cafe granted temporary restraining order to reopen (Monday)

... and we're officially on Pumpkin Watch... as seen at Westside Market on Third Avenue at 12th Street...

---

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

Thank you

Seen on the Bowery ... between First Street and Houston... art via @winstontseng