Green days: A paint job for the iconic Astor Place subway entrance

On Thursday night, MTA workers were spotted painting the northbound 6 entrance on Astor Place. (Thanks to @adammash for the pic & tip!) 

Here's a look at the finished exterior (it appears workers are doing the inside portion next)...

The landmarked station opened here in 1904 (EVG was first to report on this, though the New York World claimed an exclusive). 

Here's a little more history via Wikipedia, which basically picked this up from the National Register of Historic Places: 

The structure is an imitation of the IRT's original entrance and exit kiosks, extremely ornate structures made of cast iron and glass. The IRT kiosks were inspired by those on the Budapest Metro, which themselves were inspired by ornate summer houses called "kushks." 

The Astor Place entrance is a reproduction installed in the 1980s and was made at the same factory as the originals. The replica was largely based on photographs by renovating architect Rolf Ohlhausen. Like the original entrance kiosks, it has a domed roof with cast-iron shingles."

New deli alert: Sweet Village Marketplace shapes up on 1st Avenue

Workers yesterday were installing kitchen venting on the side of 147 First Ave. at Ninth Street. 

EVG correspondent Steven just missed the money shot of the workers hoisting up the parts. When asked, the workers did not want to take everything down and start over for the photo, for some reason. 

ICMYI... as we buried in a post on July 27, this space will become a deli going by the name Sweet Village Marketplace. (That info via Upper West Sider!) 

We don't know anything else about the business at the moment. (Other than that they will need a vent for cooking.) Given the size of the space, it may offer more quick-serve food items like the former St. Mark's Market.

This space has been empty since the Bean left here in November 2019. 

H/T to Lola Sáenz for sharing some vent pics too!

A very special homecoming tomorrow in Sara D. Roosevelt Park

Local photographer and filmmaker Manon Macasaet premieres episode No. 4 of her freewheeling reality series, "Story of My Fucking Life," tomorrow in a late-afternoon event dubbed Homecoming 2021 in Sara D. Roosevelt Park (specifically the Grand Street basketball courts). 

From 4-8 p.m., you can take in an array of entertainment ... with the main even being a basketball game. 

And catch up on the first three 15-minute episodes of the series here on YouTube. (Recommended: Episode 2 — "Promkins and the Clock of Doom.")

Details on the annual fundraiser tomorrow for El Sol Brillante

If you're looking for something to do tomorrow between noon and moon, consider the annual fundraising day at El Sol Brillante, the community garden on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

This is the first garden party here since 2019. Attendees can expect to find live music, food, art, plants and more... and all proceeds go toward the maintenance of this much-welcomed green space. 

Like a 'Rollin Stone'

 

Little Simz, the UK-based rapper, released her fourth record, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, at the beginning of the month. 

The video (flash warning!) is for "Rollin Stone."

The happy little sinkhole on 1st Avenue

It's gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny sinkhole day ...

Goggla points out this sunshiny sinkhole that is under development here on First Avenue at Fifth Street ... will likely stay this way unless it tries to swallow an NYPD vehicle making the turn here to the 9th Precinct midblock on Fifth Street.

H/T Johnny Nash

Lancelotti Housewares is closing on Avenue A

After a 25-year presence on Avenue A, Lancelotti Housewares is closing its doors this fall. 

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy reports that co-owners Michael Isaacs (below left) and Jeff Chatterton are moving to Dallas to be closer to family, and plans are in the works to open a similar concept/new home-goods store there. 

The couple just closed on their dream home, but they will miss NYC, they said...

The two bought the store from Linda Heidinger, who launched the business in 1996, five years ago. (Isaacs had worked several years at Lancelotti and at Alphabets, Heidinger's other store.) 

Isaacs and Chatterton expanded their retail space with a carefully curated selection of home goods here at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street in 2018.

The closing sales begin today when Lancelotti opens at noon ...

Lancelotti's last day is expected to be mid-to-late October...

You can find updates on the shop's Instagram account. Lancelotti is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Lancelotti, always a reliable spot to pick up a gift, will be missed.

Updated 2:30 p.m. 

Closing signage is up... and everything is 30 percent off in the store...

Ergot Records opens TODAY on 2nd Street

Ergot Records debuts today at 32 E. Second St. (next to Anyway Cafe) between Second Avenue and the Bowery. 

Founder Adrian Rew is expanding his experimental imprint Ergot Records from a label to a store.

"By opening in a neighborhood that once overflowed with vinyl delights and keeping the shop spacious enough for performances, mixing sessions, and other events, I hope to help keep the energies of these vital cultures flowing," said Rew, who has also worked at A-1 Records on Sixth Street. "New York has been a unique hotbed of spirited multicultural musical innovation ... so the shop will reflect that diversity with selections that range from jazz, salsa, punk, disco, hip-hop, and house to the avant-garde, minimalism, experimental music, and records by visual artists." 

For now, Ergot's inventory will predominantly feature used vinyl and cassettes. However, Rew plans to broaden the stock in the months ahead with choice titles in new music and related books and print materials. 

During this grand-opening weekend, the shop hosts several DJs inside the space (find a listing here).

Shop hours:

Wednesday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday: Noon-8 p.m. 

Sunday: noon-6 p.m.

You can find the Ergot Records Instagram account here. 

Stromboli and Dan & John's remain closed

One month ago today, we posted about the temporary closures at neighboring businesses Stromboli and Dan & John's on First Avenue at St. Mark's Place. (Both quick-serve spots were closed a week before our post.)

In the past month, a lot of people have asked about or pointed out these closures. We don't have any updates, unfortunately. 

As previously noted, we were told that there's a gas-line issue with the building at 83 St. Mark's Place/135 First Ave. The gas issue impacts the building's residents as well, sources said.

Dan & John's left a hopeful message for its patrons... stating that this location "will be back open soon."

With the recent start of the college football and NFL seasons, it's High Wing Season. The Dan & John's outpost in Murray Hill is open...

Photos yesterday by Steven

Thursday's parting shot

BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner) outside your favorite empty lot at 89 First Ave. this evening... 

(Back story: The tables were from one of the Indian restaurants, where it looked like some students were filming something or another... thanks Goggla!)