EVG Etc.: The MTA's financial crisis; the latest essays from Luc Sante

Top photo from Tompkins Square Park this morning by Derek Berg

• MTA leaders mull a COVID-19-related financial crisis that could potentially see a 40-percent cut in weekday subway service and layoffs of more than 9,000 transit workers (Daily News) ... MTA looks to borrow $3 billion from the Feds (Streetsblog) 

• East Village restauranteurs discuss what winter dining might look like (Gothamist) 

• NYC restaurants restaurants report a drop in sales with the new 10 p.m. curfew (The Post)

• Anti-nuclear pacifists, seen on Saturdays in Tompkins Square Park protesting the war in Yemen, are headed to federal prison (The Intercept) 

• Q&A with East Village artist-musician Kembra Pfahler: "Being creative and sharing is a benevolent human trajectory that's difficult to irradiate even under the most heinous conditions. It lifts the spirits." (Whitehot Magazine) 

• Thoughts on Luc Sante's new collection of essays, which includes remembrances of the East Village music scene from his youth (The New York Times) 

• Complaints increase about the sight-seeing helicopter excursions over Manhattan (The City) 

• Singer-songwriter Jill Fiore on her fire escape performances on Essex Street (NY1) 

• Yellow Rose is a taco hit on Third Avenue (Eater ... previously on EVG)

• Introducing "The Encyclopedia of New York" (New York) 

The Bowery Mission's 141st Thanksgiving

Given the pandemic, it won't be a Thanksgiving day (their 141st!) as usual at the Bowery Mission.

While there won't be any indoor dining, the Bowery Mission will be serving nearly 450 turkeys and 2,000 pounds of potatoes to those in need.

Per the organization's website: "Special Thanksgiving to-go meals will be served outdoors during a four-hour period between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. We welcome anyone who would like to enjoy their hot meal onsite to do so as our limited outdoor seating allows. We will have partially open tents following mandated health and safety requirements, along with adequate social distancing and PPE."

In another change, there isn't any call for volunteers to serve the meals: "Due to social distancing and safety regulations in New York City in response to COVID-19, we will not open Thanksgiving Week volunteer opportunities to the public."

However, there are other times to volunteer, which you can find here.

And there is also a need for donated goods, including non-perishable food, pre-packaged snacks and water, travel-size toiletries, hats, gloves and scarves. Find out how to donate at this link. (And no drop-offs on Thanksgiving day!)

The Bowery Mission is at 227 Bowery between Stanton and Rivington.

Image via the Bowery Mission website

Reader reports: E. 10th St. Finest Deli will close next month

Multiple readers have shared the news that the E. 10th St. Finest Deli on the southeast corner of First Avenue will be closing next month.

Per our tipster: "The landlord wouldn't work out a rent deal with them."

While there isn't an exact closing date made public, there are 2-for-1 signs posted on a variety of items in the store to help thin the stock.

This will be the second corner deli on this stretch of First Avenue to close this fall. Best Price Deli & Grocery on the southeast corner of 12th Street closed in late October.

A full reveal at 639 E. 9th St.

Earlier this month, workers removed the sidewalk bridge and remaining construction netting from outside the all-new 639 E. Ninth St., an 8-story residential building here between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

This space was, for years, a parking lot. Development talk here dated to 2010 (the photo below is from 2012)...

The excavation work started in March 2018. And neighbors are happy that the sidewalk bridge has been carted off... No word yet on rental information from the developer, who also owns the building next door at No. 641.

Tuesday's parting shot

Part of the winter window display at Exit9 Gift Emporium on Avenue A...

While we're 'Younger': Filming in Tompkins Square Park today

You may have seen the film crew in Tompkins Square Park today...

They were filming a scene for "Younger," the well-reviewed (99% on Rotten Tomatoes!) TV series from Darren Star ... the show's up to season 7, set to debut in early 2021. A PA told Steven this was for an episode to air in the spring. (And no word of any Hilary Duff sightings!)

A reader said that cast-and crew had a COVID-19 testing location inside the former St. Brigid School on Avenue B.

Thanks to Derek Berg for the photos ... and H/T Steven...

Street appeal: East Village resident David Godlis has a new book of photographs

Longtime East Village resident David Godlis has a new book of photographs — "Godlis Streets" (Reel Art Press), which focuses on his body of work from the 1970s and 1980s.

On Thursday at 5 p.m., there's a virtual book launch and conversation with Godlis along with special guests Luc Sante and Chris Stein. (The two contributed the book's foreword and afterword.) Find the info to tune in right here. 

His previous book, "History Is Made at Night" (from 2016), chronicles the heyday of the scene at CBGB between 1976 and 1979. 

A visit to Raul's Barber Shop

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Like most local businesses, Raul’s Barber Shop at 11 Avenue B (between Houston and Second Street) is struggling during the pandemic.  

Raul Velez Sr., 78, has been at the head of his eponymous barber shop on Avenue B for 59 years, and he and his son Junior show me around space. 

I meet barber Cesar Barros, 63, who has been cutting hair here for 32 years, and learn more about the space, which was separated into individual sections for increased COVID precautions. Business has been slower recently and the shop is working to adjust.

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that the barber shop no longer bears Raul’s name on the awning, nor the phone number, and the mural of Puerto Rican fighter and entertainer Hector “Macho” Camacho that used to grace the gate is also missing. 

The building (in a package deal along with its neighbor at 9 Avenue B), which was previously owned by Michael Chang now belongs to notorious landlord Steve Croman, and the shop was told to paint over everything. Junior tells me there has been no rent increase yet but they are concerned about changes might be forthcoming.

Raul’s hours right now are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but it may close early so call (212-777-1121 or 212-353-3057) before you come. Walk-ins accepted! Raul’s is pretty old-school, cash only, no website or social media.

The Bean ready to make its 2nd Avenue return

Updated 11/18

The Bean is now open! Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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The Bean reopens today in its former home on Second Avenue at Third Street... almost a year to the date that it closed at this very location.

As you may recall, the Bean shut down two EV locations in November 2019 — here on Second Avenue and on First Avenue at Ninth Street. At the time, owner Ike Escava blamed rising costs on the closures. The outposts on Third Avenue at Stuyvesant and Broadway at Ninth Street remained in operation. 

The Bean first debuted in December 2011 here on Second Avenue. The retail space has been vacant since the Bean's departure.

Will update the post when we get the new hours for this Bean branch.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• The Bean is returning to its former home on 2nd Avenue

Sink your teeth into this new signage on Avenue A

As noted back in August, an outpost of Kids Dental is opening on Avenue A and Fourth Street... and this past weekend, the full-on storefront signage arrived... (not sure what font that is...)

Anyway, Kids Dental is what it sounds like — a dentist for kids (children! Not like Kids.) The practice also has outposts in Washington Heights and Bensonhurst. 

A Santander branch was here on the southwest corner until April 2018. Between full-time tenants, ChaShaMa — a nonprofit that partners with property owners for pop-up galleries — was using the space.

Rumba Bar & Grill announces itself on Avenue C

Workers put up the signage yesterday for Rumba Bar & Grill at 185 Avenue C.

The bar-restaurant with a Latin-influenced menu has been in the works for awhile here between 11th Street and 12th Street... we first mentioned it in September 2019 when the applicants, who also run Salome Latin Cuisine on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, were to appear before CB3.

With the arrival of the sign, it appears they are getting closer to opening.

There has been a lot of turnover in recent years at this address. The last tenant, Bar Taco, which closed in early 2019, took over the space from a short-lived venture called Malcriada, a "Latino Gastropub" ... which arrived after Kaz, another short-lived venture that lasted seven months.

Cafecito, the Cuban-style cafe, had a good run here, closing in early 2016 after 14 years in business.

Thanks to Vinny & O for the photo!

Monday's parting shot

An evening view of the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... thanks to Jeff for the photo!

Tile Bar returns

From the EVG tipline: Tile Bar is back open now at 115 First Ave. at Seventh Street... as you can see, there are several outdoor tables ... as well as a few seats available inside the open door...

Last night's high winds damage outdoor dining spaces on St. Mark's Place

Given the gale-force winds last night (and that rare tornado warning!), we wondered how the neighborhood's outdoor dining structures fared... a quick survey this morning found some damaged spaces along St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... 

... though, to be honest, these spaces often look similar on any given Sunday morning... thankfully the damage didn't appear to be any worse than this around the neighborhood (please let us know in the comments if you noticed other storm-related damage) ...

Gothamist has a recap of the storm's wrath right here.  

Bluestockings hosting limited-capacity opening this holiday season in new LES storefront

Bluestockings, the volunteer- and collective-run bookstore and activist space, will host a soft, limited capacity reopening this Thursday (Nov. 19!) in the new space at 116 Suffolk St. between Rivington and Delancey.

Bluestockings will be open — foyer-only hours this holiday season — on Thursdays to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Dec. 20.

Meanwhile, the build-out continues at No. 116. Bluestockings launched a crowdfunding campaign to help "keep providing vital resources to our queer, trans and SWing community." (Find the GoFundMe here.)

Bluestockings opened at 172 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington in 1999... before moving on at the end of July. 

You can follow the Bluestockings Instagram account for updates.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Today is the last day for Bluestockings on Allen Street; new LES location in the works

A glimpse of the 10-story condoplex to come to 14 2nd Ave.

A rendering has arrived on the plywood outside 14 Second Ave., offering a glimpse of what the 10-story condoplex will look like here between First Street and East Houston...

Preliminary work started here in January 2019, which marked the first signs of the condoplexing ahead for Treetops, the name of the residential building that will rise here ... the completion date is now listed as July 2022...

... and here's a look inside the lot adjacent to First Street Green Art Park...

This site has been vacant for years, last housing Irreplaceable Artifacts until its demolition by the city in July 2000. There's a lot of back story, which the links below cover...

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Workers remove artifacts from the vacant 14 2nd Ave., fueling speculation of new development

• Development watch: 14 2nd Ave.

• Vacant lot at 14 2nd Ave. sells for $7 million; will yield to 10-floor condoplex 

• More about Treetops, the name of the condoplex coming to 14 2nd Ave.

Former psychic medium hits the rental market on 2nd Avenue

A for-rent sign arrived late last week at 73 Second Ave., bringing an end to the long-operating Clairvoyant Psychic here... (one listing had this business name as Clairvoyant Psychic, though it looks more like Clairvoyant Psychic Psychic based on the signage.)

The retail listing is not yet online for the space between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.
 

Meanwhile, right next door, a for-rent sign recently went up at the now-shuttered Nostro Ristorante, which debuted here in October 2019. They had reopened briefly for takeout and delivery back in the spring, but closed soon after. 

There has also been an ever-increasing encampment outside these storefronts in recent months. The city moved them along, though they have returned... and just out of the view of this photo on the right.  

Ugly Kitchen makes closure official on 1st Avenue

Ugly Kitchen, a self-described gastropub serving Asian fusion and Filipino cuisine, had not been open since the summer here on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. In recent months, the Ugly Kitchen name had been removed from the awning.

This past Friday, Ugly Kitchen chef/partner Aris Tuazon shared an official closing announcement in an Instagram post: 

It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of Ugly Kitchen. Due to the insurmountable challenges of the pandemic, we have come to the sad and difficult decision that we have no alternative but to close our doors. We want to thank all of our wonderful guests and employees for supporting us ... You have truly become a member of our family and our bonds will surely continue in the future. 

We could have not have achieved our success over the past few years without you and we are confident that our cherished memories will continue anywhere we gather. Perhaps one day, when the time is right, Ugly Kitchen will rise once again. Until then, we bid our farewell.

The restaurant opened here in September 2011.

Photo from Oct. 1 by Steven

A moment with Manny today

Multiple readers/residents asked about Manny the Peddler today... overnight, someone ransacked his wares here along Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street ... word is some of the items turned up for sale along the ramshackle flea market on 14th Street near First Avenue.

In any event, Manny is OK... and he could use some folding tables if anyone has a one to spare.

Manny, aka Emmanuel Howard, has been selling second-hand items here for more than 40 years.

Thank you to @brianboulos for the photo today...

Week in Grieview

Post from this past week inlcude... (the above photo of Daddy Long Legs is by Stacie Joy from the Avenue B Flea yesterday)

• Concerns over COVID-19 prompt cancellation of the annual Cookie Walk (Monday) 

• Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A continues on without gas — or help from the city (Friday)

• A visit to FlyeLyfe on 11th Street (Thursday) 

• A visit to Fit Ritual on 6th Street (Tuesday)

• Book Club turns the page on 1st anniversary (Monday) 

• A new mural for RBG underway on 11th Street (Tuesday) 

• Gallery watch: Total Running Time by Jibade-Khalil Huffman at Magenta Plains (Wednesday) 

• Gov. Cuomo sets new curfew for NYC bars and restaurants as COVID-19 cases rise (Thursday) 

• JR's tribute to Eric garner and BLM on 5th Street (Tuesday) 

• Dion Cleaners is closing after 35 years in business on 14th and A (Tuesday) 

• On 3rd Avenue, Feast exits, Yellow Rose arrives (Monday) 

 • This week's NY See panel (Thursday) 

 • "Say Their Names" at the Public Theater (Wednesday)

• The Whiskey Ward reopens on Essex (Monday) 

• Taste Wine returns as Taste Wine on 3rd Avenue (Wednesday) 

• J-Spec, specializing in waygu beef, opens on 5th Street (Wednesday) 

• MIN Sushi coming to St. Mark's Place (Tuesday) 

... and a (mini) Christmas tree sighting on Avenue A and Third Street...

... and in the background, you can see one of the seemingly hundreds of these posters that went up around the neighborhood last night...

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