Hate crime arrest made in assault of Asian woman on Astor Place

The NYPD has arrested the suspect wanted in connection with the assault of an Asian woman Sunday morning on Astor Place.

APPREHENDED and charged with a HATE CRIME. @NYPDDetectives @NYPD109Pct @NYPD9Pct https://t.co/dRBgyhxQNw

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 22, 2021

The NYPD said they arrested 27-year-old Erick Deoliveira last evening. He has been charged with a hate crime assault and criminal mischief as a hate crime, per ABC 7. 

According to Gothamist, the man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then tore it up. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into the entrance for the uptown 6. 

A Good Samaritan who chased after Deoliveira told ABC 7 that the suspect "dropped his underwear and showed his genitalia to everyone on the platform."

The 37-year-old victim, who was on her way to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence with her daughter, suffered cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant.

A visit to First Avenue Laundry Center

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Anne DeVita, the about-to-turn 87 years of age manager of First Avenue Laundry Center has a lot of friends and visitors dropping by while I am interviewing her. 

She’s been managing the laundromat at 33 First Ave. at Second Street for 39 years, and proudly mentions it will be 40 years on Memorial Day. 

She works seven days a week, arriving before 7 a.m. most days, and has no plans to retire.

Between making change for customers “I am the change machine!” she jokes when I ask her about quarters vs. tokens (quarters only), Anne tells me about growing up in the neighborhood, working as a barmaid at Club 17 on Avenue D and Third Street, and about the bar she used to work at on 14th Street that had “girls for sale for a dollar upstairs.”

Anne’s friend Joe drops by with some fried chicken “he gets it somewhere on Avenue C,” Anne tells me, and local artist Scooter LaForge shows up with a Payday candy bar (it’s Anne’s favorite, he confides).

People pull up a chair and chat in the back of the laundromat while I talk further with Anne. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I ask if there’s a website or social media profile to link to.

Machines have old-school pricing, $2 for a small load, $3.50 for a medium, and $4.50 for the triple-loader, and dryers are 7 minutes for a quarter. 

Drop-off service is available and is $7 for the first 8 pounds, with a 50-cent increase for every additional pound. Hours are daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., with the last wash at 6 p.m.

A benefit concert Thursday evening for the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate Church

There's a live virtual benefit concert Thursday evening at 7 for the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Here's more about what to expect:

On March 25, join an incredible group of activists and performers to help us raise badly-needed money so that we can rebuild. This incredible live fundraiser will be hosted by Tituss Burgess and Bevy Smith. 

The night will feature performances from renowned artists like Norah Jones, Ellie Kemper, Emily King, Aunjanue Ellis, Daniel Breaker, Ani DiFranco, Elizabeth Stanley, Heather Headley and Branch Woodman as well as inspirational words from leaders like Chelsea Clinton, Linda Sarsour, Marianne Williamson, Melissa Harris-Perry, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Gabby Bernstein, Michelle Hurd, Jacqui Lewis and Paula Stone Williams.

Find ticket information at this link.

A six-alarm fire early on Dec. 5 destroyed the southeast corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street, including the neighboring Middle Collegiate Church.   

Church officials have vowed to rebuild their sanctuary.

Photo yesterday by Derek Berg

There's now a sidewalk bridge outside Cafe Himalaya

Stopped by Cafe Himalaya at 78 E. First St. between Avenue A and First Avenue the other day for some takeout ... and saw that there's now a storefront-obscuring sidewalk bridge up at the building.

The pandemic has been especially challenging for this unfussy family restaurant, now in its 20th year.

The quick-serve Tibetan restaurant was closed toward the end of the year after the passing of a family member due to COVID-19. In the fall they had to shut down for several weeks while Con Ed made gas repairs to the building. In early October, someone broke in and stole their cash drawer.

At the moment there aren't any permits filed with the DOB to provide insights on the scope of the work at the building. Hopefully, this isn't one of those cases where the sidewalk bridge stays in place for years. (And the newish Prim Thai next door remains closed.)

Cafe Himalaya is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon-9 p.m. Find their website here. Or call: 212.358.0160.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Checking in on Cafe Himalaya

Reader report: Someone stole USPS key keepers along Avenue B

An EVG reader who lives on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street reports that someone stole the USPS key keeper that holds the building's lobby key on Saturday night. 

Per the reader:

As one walks up Avenue B, you can see several buildings had this happen. A kid's scooter was stolen from the lobby of our building, and clearly people are getting desperate to do this kind of break in as it takes some effort. We're going to file a police report but just thought your readers might chime in if they have similar experiences or should be made aware.

The locksmith had to come and change all the locks... and the USPS has to replace the lockbox.

It is annoying more than anything. I think people are just really desperate.

Spring break

The Hare Krishna Tree in Tompkins Square Park is blooming, as this photo by Steven shows. 

Elsewhere, Allen Semanco shares these crocuses on St. Mark's Place...

Hate crime assault of Asian woman reported on Astor Place

WANTED for HATE CRIME ASSAULT : On Sunday March 21, 2021 @ 11:37 A.M. in the vicinity of 51 Astor Pl. @nypd9pct during an Anti-Asian Violence Protest , a protester carrying anti violence sign was approached by a male suspect and assaulted . Any info call us @ 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/FBMxOdvqgd

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) March 22, 2021

Updated 3/23: An arrest was made

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for a suspect they say assaulted an Asian woman yesterday morning on Astor Place while she was walking to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence. 

The NYPD released the above video this morning showing the suspect...

Here is part of Gothamist's report:

The latest incident in a surge of attacks on Asian New Yorkers occurred at Astor Place, after an unidentified man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then stomped on it, according to police. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into a nearby subway station. 

The 37-year-old victim suffered a cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant. 

Rita Chan, an East Village resident who saw the aftermath of the confrontation, said the attack happened in full view of the woman's young daughter. "You could see she was just numb. At one point, a woman approached her and gave her a cookie," Chan told Gothamist. "As soon she saw her mom being put on the gurney, that’s when she started crying. It was heartbreaking." 

Bagel Boss to preside in storefronts on 14th Street, East Houston

Bagel Boss is opening two new outposts in the neighborhood. 

There's now BB signage up on the gate at 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

They take over from old-timer City Gourmet Cafe, which closed during the pandemic.  

Look for another Bagel Boss coming soon to 55 E. Houston St. at Mott Street... in the former Oddfellows space...

Bagel Boss, founded in 1975, will now have 15 locations in NYC (including First Avenue between 15th Street and 16th Street) and on Long Island. 

Planet Taco now orbiting 2nd Avenue

Planet Taco debuted on Saturday at 141 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

There are a variety of tacos grouped by geography: local offerings include the Brooklyn Taco with corned beef; Around the World features selections from Cuba, Italy and Japan; and Out of This World sports names with Saturn, Venus and Mars. There are other items, which you can find on the menu here. The Instagram account is at this link.

We're told that David Sirinek, who previously has been involved with Maoz Vegetarian and Rub BBQ, is behind Planet Taco.  

The quick-serve shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

H/T Upper West Sider!

Previously

With lease up, Squish Marshmallows will look for a new home

Squish Marshmallows closed yesterday at 120 St. Mark's Place...

Owner Katherine Sprung announced the closure via Instagram back on March 10, explaining that the lease was up at the space here between First Avenue and Second Avenue. However, she plans to reopen in a new storefront.

Meanwhile, the online portion of the business will temporarily halt on Wednesday. Here's more from her Instagram post:

Our online shop will stop taking orders on March 24, and all orders placed in time will still ship out, including Easter orders .... any updates on ... opening back up, location, etc, will be announced once that information is available!

I appreciate your patience and understanding while we take a little time off and away, and look forward to serving you again soon!

Squish, which sells a variety of treats made with marshmallows, opened here in late November 2016. 

Sunday's parting shots

Scenes from a performance piece this morning by East Village resident Kym Bernazky in Tompkins Square Park ... (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

It's Solastalgia ...

Report: Hate crime investigation on Allen Street as 66-year-old Asian man assaulted

The NYPD's Asian Hate Crimes Task Force is reportedly investigating an assault yesterday morning in which a 66-year-old Asian man was punched on Allen Street just south of Houston...

Since this morning, Detectives @NYPDHateCrimes have been investigating the following: On March 20, 2021 at 8:55 AM, at 196 Allen St, a 66-year-old Asian male was approached by a male who yelled at him and then struck him in the face. See pics. Call or DM @NYPDTips with any info. pic.twitter.com/3dXYni2BEq

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 21, 2021

According to the Post:

The unsuspecting victim parked his car in front of 196 Allen St., near Houston Street, around 9 a.m. and was checking to make sure he was in a legal spot when the attack occurred, an NYPD spokesman said.

The police and witnesses described the suspect as homeless. Witness Kat Lam told the paper:

"The homeless man started charging after the elderly gentleman, saying things like, 'If I ever see you around here again, I'm gonna beat your ass.' And, 'I'm just going to beat your ass right now,'" Lam recalled. "He just socked him right in the face, right above the eye. You could tell that this older man was in complete shock. He was just frozen."

The Post reports that the NYPD has recorded a 1,300 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. 

Gothamist (link here) has more on this story and details on #StopAsianHate rallies today.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included ... with a random photo from First Street on Thursday night... 

 • Report: Lowest bids for East River Park construction are $73 million over budget (Wednesday) 

• Checking in on Standings (March Madness edition) (Thursday) 

• Sunshine Cinema-replacing office building reaches the top on Houston (Monday) 

• Egg watch is on in Tompkins Square Park (Friday) 

• New Lower East Side creative space debuts "Group Sex" (Thursday) 

• Stanton Street CSA accepting sign-ups for the 2021 summer season (Friday)

• Sisterly Love in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday) 

• The Wafels & Dinges outpost on Avenue B has closed (Monday) 

• This week's NY See might make you think about ZZ Top (Thursday)

• Gallery Watch returns to the Hole (Wednesday) • 

A St. Patrick's Day moment at Mary O's (Wednesday) 

• Dian Kitchen has closed on 9th Street (Tuesday) 

• Jian Bing Man coming to 1st Avenue (Monday) 

• Juice Press founder bringing goodsugar to 1st Street (Thursday)

• 36 St. Mark's Place for rent again as Joe's Steam Rice Roll closes (Tuesday) 

• Owners of Tribeca's Khe-Yo plan to bring Laotian cuisine to 12th Street (Monday)

• 2 new plant-based restaurants arrive for takeout and delivery on 1st Street (Monday) 

• Raising the Two Hands signage on Avenue A (Thursday) 

• Signage arrives for Luna Cafe Lounge on 2nd Avenue (Friday) ...

... and a moment on St. Mark's Place the other day via Derek Berg...

---

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

So long to the Essex Card Shop signage on Avenue A; Pac Lab on 1st Street

Back on Thursday, a reader shared the above photo... showing workers removing the old Essex Card Shop signage from its former storefront on Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street. 

And here's how the storefront at the city-owned No. 39 looks now...

Essex Card Shop moved one block to the north to 47 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street last June. A shop regular says that the owners were keeping the sign, but it wasn't going to fit above the new location. 

In other old signage news... the old Pac Lab signage was removed last week from 37 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Per the Anthology Film Archives: "Pac Lab was a true NYC staple, as well as the last local resource we had for same-day processing of Super-8mm and 16mm film. Over the years Pac Lab proved itself to be a company that possessed as much character and quirkiness as its clients." 

Pac Lab closed at some point in 2014 or 2015.

An eco-friendly fashion show on Avenue B

Local merchants and designers are teaming up today for the Ave B Eco-Friendly Fashion Show... it starts at 12:30 on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

You can find more info on the participants via Instagram. 

The show is brought to you by Loisaida Open Streets and the East Village Community Coalition.

Petition calls for 1 more year of the Hester Street Fair in current location

As Curbed's Valeria Ricciulli reported on Friday, the Seward Park co-op board decided not to renew the lease for the Hester Street Fair, founded in 2010 and set to start on April 10. 

There's now a petition (link here) in circulation to either give them one more year at the site or help find a new location for the Street Fair. 

Per the petition:

In late February we were finally able to present a general presentation to the board to discuss the renewal of our lease. Again a lot of praise with no feedback or questions from the board. Two days prior to the meeting we decided to accept pre-applications, as a way to show the commitment and interest from our community, and received 110 applications resulting in a total of 850 booths booked in 48 hours. 

Exactly four weeks before our scheduled Season 12 opening on April 10th, we received an email stating the board wants to consider a different operator, and not allow us to proceed with the programming. 

While the board has no legal obligation to the Hester Street Fair, we still urge them to allow us, our vendors, and partners to finish what we started, to continue the fair for this season, and give us the time to transition to a new location.

EVG Etc.: NYC businesses struggling with anti-Asian violence; new vendor replacing the Hester Street Fair

• Business owners struggle with unrelenting anti-Asian violence in NYC (Eater) 

• Scenes from the vigil against anti-Asian racism at Union Square (Gothamist) 

• Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera advocates for an extension on Local Law 1932, which has helped NYC restaurants hang on during the pandemic (Grub Street)

• A report from the pop-up pantry yesterday at Most Holy Redeemer Nativity Church on 3rd Street (NY1 ... previously on EVG)

• A look at the NYC jobs market amid the pandemic (The City)

• How the Strand lost its workers (Vulture ... more on Instagram)

• Convicted felon Steve Croman receives two-year extension to pay off his remaining $2 million restitution to tenants (The Real Deal)

• After 10 years, the Hester Street Fair is without a home in Seward Park (Curbed ... there's a petition in place to give the Fair another season here) 

• A review of the new documentary on iconic East Village artist and activist David Wojnarowicz (IndieWire)

• East Village-based photographer Sally Davies on her portraits of New Yorkers in their homes (The Guardian)

• A more subdued St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's (Gothamist) 

• Village Preservation is now accepting nominations for individuals, institutions, organizations, businesses, public spaces, or renovations that make special contributions to Greenwich Village, the East Village or NoHo. The Village Awards Nominations window closes on Friday, April. Awards will be presented on June 16. Learn more about the Village Awards here ... and nominate a local business, institution, community group, restoration, renovation or hero at this link.

• ICYMI: The Iggy Pop commercial for Marshall (Muse by Clio) 

Coffee and plants this weekend at Coffee Project on 5th Street

Today and tomorrow, Coffee Project at 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square is hosting a Plants and Pour-Over Pop-Up benefitting the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (This is taking place at all four Coffee Project locations in NYC.) 

Here's more about it via Instragram:

Friends, we thank you for your support and allyship during this hard time. While the fight isn't over, we would also like to raise awareness on mental health among women in this collaboration with @stolenmagnolia. This Saturday 3/20 and Sunday 3/21 we will be organizing a Plant and Coffee event in all locations to share how caring for plants can be therapeutic and improve quality of life, especially for women. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to the @namicommunicate.

The event takes place each day in the East Village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Back to nature

 

From the recently released On All Fours, the second record by the South London-based Goat Girl... this is "Badibaba" ... one of the catchiest songs you'll ever hear about environmental catastrophe.

A virtual afternoon with 'literary masters of revolutionary charm'

A virtual event to note tomorrow at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B ...

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 20 at 2 p.m. we are having a second and final event dedicated to the 17th issue of the LiVE MAG! neighborhood journal of art and poetry. Join us to hear literary masters of revolutionary charm — Patricia Spears Jones, Paco Marquez, Larry Sawyer, Lydia Cortés, Bob Heman. Your hosts, Jeffrey Cyphers Wright (Uncle Fun) and Ilka Scobie, guarantee to make it an erudite, witty and refreshingly impromptu afternoon. 

You can register at this link.