Block party extravaganza on 3rd Street tomorrow (Saturday!)

Third Street is the place to be tomorrow (Saturday!) for block parties.

From noon to 5 p.m. between Avenue B and Avenue C, you can find the 10th annual Nuyorican Poets Café Block Party ... featuring a variety of live performances and some kid-friendly activities.

And from noon to 6 p.m. between Avenue A and Avenue B (though closer to B)... several businesses on the block are taking part in an end-of-summer event... 3rd & B'zaar will have vintage, art, locally-designed clothing and more to shop inside and out on the sidewalk. 

Neighbors Jane's Exchange will have racks outside with "end-of-summer super sale items" while Book Club Bar will have an outdoor shelf of free books. More details about what to expect here.

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Noted

Photo by Steven

Well then! Signage went up yesterday at 32 St. Mark's Place for a new business called Qik N E Z Convenience here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

Given the Weed Greens Color Scheme palette — North Texas Green (#059033), Dollar Bill (#93CB56), Palm Leaf (#7BAA47) and Mughal Green (#355A20) — we're going with a cannabis-related business for the storefront. 

Or maybe one that just sells smoking accessories and exotic snacks. 

Smoke shops pop up faster than they get busted or go out of business. (There are two other new smoke shops that we haven't even mentioned yet.) 

A new city law recently went into effect that holds commercial landlords responsible for renting storefronts to unlicensed cannabis shops. Introduction 1001-B, known as Local Law 107 of 2023, prohibits owners of commercial spaces from knowingly leasing to unlicensed sellers of marijuana or tobacco products, imposing fines of up to $10,000 on landlords for violations. 

This small storefront was most recently Suki Japanese Kitchen, which closed earlier in the summer.

Thursday's parting shot

Waiting at Lucy's, 135 Avenue A...

Stuyvesant Street storefronts return to view

Photo by Steven 

On Tuesday, workers removed the sidewalk bridge and remaining construction netting along 29 Third Ave. (home of the Bean) and the empty storefronts at 8-14 Stuyvesant St.

Asbestos abatement notices arrived back in April at the storefronts. Work permits at the DOB showed permits for "retail store white box interior renovation."

We're curious if for-lease signs are next.

As previously reported, Village Yokocho, Angel's Share and Panya closed in these spaces in April 2022. Another restaurant, Sharaku, in the corner space at 14 Stuyvesant St., shuttered earlier in the pandemic. (Sunrise Mart in a separate building next door on the second floor also shut down.)

Cooper Union, which leased the buildings from their owners and had subleased them to the Yoshida Restaurant Group for more than 25 years, said it was the tenants' decision to move on. (This post has more background. Yoshida had not paid rent since 2020.)

There haven't been any public statements on what the landlord, believed to be 29 Third Ave Corporation c/o Casabella Holdings, LLC, has in store for the spaces. A Cooper Union rep told us previously that no new building was planned on this site. Based on the reveal this week, it looks as if the storefronts were just receiving an interior-exterior renovation.

By the way, Angel's Share reopened in the West Village in June. 

Reader report: K'ook has closed on 6th Street

An EVG reader shared the news that K'ook has closed at 324 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

The reader called on Sunday to place an order and was told that the restaurant serving both traditional and modern fusion Korean food was permanently shuttered. 

While there isn't any official notice, K'ook is no longer on any of the delivery platforms... and someone removed all the signage from the space's exterior. 

"I'm devastated by the loss of traditional Korean cuisine in this neighborhood," the reader told us. 

Chef-partner Felicia Park who worked at Hanjoo on St. Mark's Place (her parents ran Hanjoo in Flushing) opened here in the spring of 2015. 

K'ook took over the address from the short-lived Jewel of India, another loss of the rapidly dwindling Little India at the time. 

The owners of Jewel of India were also behind Raj Mahal next door... and we can't recall the last time we saw that place open...

Malai Marke is now the last Indian restaurant on this block of Sixth Street.

Does anyone have a need fore a putting green?

The owners of Whim Golf on Avenue A are hoping to find a new home — a community garden, school or outdoor residential space — for its custom putting green. 

The green has been the centerpiece of the space at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street for the past few months. Co-founder Will Gisel explained that they only have the storefront for the summer and are hoping to find someplace to donate the kid-friendly amenity. 

If you're interested, then contact Gisel via email.

Founded in 2019, Whim Golf "is an American fashion brand on a mission to democratize golf."

J Crew on the Bowery remains closed due to 'technical difficulties'

Updated 9/2: The shop is back open.

This past Saturday we pointed out the handwritten sign stating that the J. Crew Men's Shop on the Bowery at Bleecker was "temporarily closed." 

There's a more formal sign on the storefront at 316 Bowery now... noting that the shop "is experiencing technical difficulties" ...

An EVG reader said he last noticed the shop open on Aug. 16.

Meanwhile, the J. Crew-Bowery Watch© continues.

This men's-concept outpost — complete with a coffee bar — debuted to much fanfare last September.

The former Local 92 space is for rent

Photos by Steven 

A follow-up to the Aug. 1 post about Local 92 closing... a for-rent sign arrived on the storefront on Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street last week. 

According to the listing, the space — 1,600 square feet with another 1,000 in the basement — has an asking rent of $26,500. (No key money, though!) 

And earlier in the month (Aug. 9), workers tore down the curbside dining structure...

Local 92, which served a variety of Middle Eastern cuisine and was a popular brunch spot, first opened here in 2013.

Wednesday's parting shot

A view of the mackerel sky this morning just after 7 on First Avenue between Second Street and Third Street...

Barnyard Cheese Shop will return with Barnyard Express on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Barnyard Cheese Shop is set for another encore on Avenue B.

Owner Beatriz Gutierrez confirmed that Barnyard Express is in the works featuring a full menu of her best-selling sandwiches and other items.

She plans to house the quick-serve establishment at the current Brix Wine Shop at 170 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. The wine store will move into the vacant retail space she leases next door, and the two storefronts will connect via a passthrough.

Gutierrez gave this concept a test run for several months in a limited capacity on weekends starting in December 2021. It did well enough for her to consider reviving Barnyard Express.

The original Barnyard Cheese Shop closed in October 2021 at 168 Avenue B. (The business dates to 2008 on Ninth and C, with a 2016 opening on Avenue B.) Like other food service establishments at the time, Gutierrez said she was having difficulty finding kitchen help. Victor, her longtime cook, lost his brother during the pandemic ... and he returned home to be with family in Mexico.

We'll provide an update as work continues on the new Barnyard Express in the months ahead.

Openings: Seasoned Vegan Real Quick on 2nd Avenue

Seasoned Vegan Real Quick opens today at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (First mentioned here.) 

The spot is a new vegan concept from mother and son restaurateurs Brenda "Chef B" Beener and Aaron Beener, who closed their Harlem restaurant Seasoned Vegan this spring after nine years in service.

According to a restaurant rep, they decided to relaunch as quick service takeout and delivery with a few of their most popular dishes offered as sandwiches.

Per the rep: 

The offerings draw on the family's New Orleans roots and feature three sandwiches, including two made with their unique signature grilled burdock root "crawfish" — Craw Pretzel Boy with remoulade sauce, a vegan take on the crawfish po-boy on a pretzel bun, and BBQ Craw Sandwich in bayou BBQ sauce. 

SV Nugget Sandwich and Lemon Crusted Nuggets (soy protein) will be available as well, along with fries tossed with Cajun seasoning and housemade organic desserts: Raw Cheesecake made from cashews, walnuts and dates; Salted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies and cupcakes. Beverages include fair trade Maine Root organic sodas. 

You can find the menu and more info here. Hours are daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. You can follow them on Instagram here. 

Photo courtesy of  Seasoned Vegan Real Quick

Updated: 

Several readers noted that the previous business signage for Tony's Pizza remains up temporarily ... with an important addition — the NOT ... (thanks to Steven for the photo!)

Snack Stop shutters on St. Mark's Place

Photo by Steven

Word is circulating that Snack Stop has closed in the eastern storefront at 58 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (Vegan Grill is in the western space.)

As the name implied, the shop sold a variety of snacks... opening late last year.

The space had been vacant since Clay Pot didn't reopen after the PAUSE of March 2020.

And once upon a recent time, Natori, a longtime favorite, closed here in late 2012. 

Tuesday's parting shot

Unfortunately, the cornfield on Avenue A between Sixth Street and Fifth Street is starting to smell a little ripe. There was a dead rat sighting, but it smells worse than that TBH. And worse than moldy, soggy bread cubes.

Here's how you can contribute to the East Village Community Cookbook

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

During the pandemic, three East Village residents became friends while spending time with their pups at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run. 

The men (from left above), Will Kroeze, pastor at Trinity Lower East Side, Dan Hyatt, a middle school teacher, and Will Horowitz, a chef and author who co-founded Ducks Eatery and Harry & Ida's Meat and Supply Co., bonded over a mutual interest in the intersection of food, spirituality, and community. 

They have put the conversations into action, creating an old-school cookbook that will benefit Trinity Lower East Side Services and Food for the Homeless (SAFH) and community fridge on Ninth Street and Avenue B.

This past week they started casting a wide net requesting recipes and are interested in everything from favorite family dishes that your grandparents created to unique ways to prepare favorite meals.

To date, they've already secured commitments from C&B Café, Katz's, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Russ & Daughters, SMØR, Superiority Burger, Veselka and Zaragoza's ... as well as Hearth Chef Marco Canora, Susan Sarandon, and the owner of SOS Chefs on Avenue B. 

"Nothing can build a community like food. Whether it’s showing love by preparing our favorite recipes, sharing a meal with friends and strangers alike, or serving our neighbors in need, food has an unparalleled ability to bring people together,"  Pastor Will said. "Our hope is that our cookbook will weave together the many food stories of our neighborhood in a way that’s never been done before to create a symbol of what makes the Lower East Side such a very special place: our rich diversity."

The self-published book will be available in time for the end-of-year holiday season...

They're accepting submissions until Sept. 15 via email. You can also follow @eastvillage_cookbook on Instagram.

Report: City temporarily halts demolition of 6-building parcel on 3rd Avenue

The demoliton of six walk-up buildings on the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street is on hold for now. 

As previously reported, Kinsmen Property Group bought the buildings over the past two years through the entity 62-64 Third Ave., paying more than $60 million for the parcel. 

According to Straus News, which publishes several local weekly newspapers and associated websites, including Our Town — Eastsider, a spokesperson for the Department of Buildings said "that outstanding objections" have interrupted the developer's plans. 

Further study of the objections indicates issues with the "phased demolition sequence," specified as "a clear and detailed demolition sequence in narrative and illustrated on the plans. All phases shall be designated by a number or letter to clearly depict the required sequence of the work." Other requirements such as pedestrian protections, debris removal plans, and the "context" of the demolition vis-à-vis adjoining buildings are also seemingly being objected to as inadequate. 

Inadequate, in this case, reportedly means nowhere to be found. Essentially, as the DOB spokesperson put it, Kinsmen was "missing a lot of the required drawings for the proposed demolitions."

It is not publicly known what Kinsmen has planned for this west side of the block, a development that will not include 48 Third Ave., the 4-story building owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner at 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space.

Meanwhile, Village Preservation continues campaigning for landmark designation for their proposed South of Union Square Historic District. Find more details at this link. 

Listing for 7th Street triplex reimagined 'with Barbie’s (and Ken’s) signature style in mind'

A triplex unit at 242 E. Seventh St. has rolled out the pink carpet to woo a new owner. (Thanks to EVG reader Seth who spotted this listing online.)

The residence in a former synagogue between Avenue C and Avenue D has been on the market for nearly 70 days. Now the listing at NYLON Real Estate and Streeteasy for the $2.4 million home was reimagined with Barbie in mind. (Per the listing: "the photos have been virtually staged to help visualize the space with 'Barbiecore' inspired interior paint and furnishings.")

Here's more about the space: 

Welcome to Barbie's New York City dream home in the heart of downtown. This triplex apartment is a stunning 1-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom loft with a private rooftop terrace and a seamless blend of modern glam and old-world charm. Completely reimagined with Barbie's (and Ken's) signature style in mind, this rarely available home offers a quintessential city lifestyle in a landmarked building steeped in history. 

The lower level of the home greets residents with a sprawling open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen with soaring ceilings and an abundance of natural light. Stained glass windows reminiscent of Barbie's 1990s dream houses date back to the early 1900s!

Built in 1908, the building was a synagogue before being converted to a residential property in 1985 with five units. 

Per the listing: 

The historical significance of the building is perfectly fitting for Barbie. Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie, was a Jewish American businesswoman. She created the doll, named after her daughter, Barbara, which debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. 

And as an extra incentive: The unnamed seller is offering a $100,000 credit at closing for you to make all of your dream home dreams come true. With that, you could put in your Barbie-friendly pool with a slide.

HBD Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer was born on this day in 1951.

And here's some sort of EVG photo project from several years back outside Niagara on Avenue A and Seventh Street... where Dr. Revolt and Zephyr created the original mural back in 2003... after Strummer's untimely death in December 2002.

9th Street parking garage being offered for redevelopment

The Little Man Parking garage (aka LaSalle Parking) on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue is for sale.

The garage has been closed since late April after the Department of Buildings issued a vacate order on the property following the deadly collapse on April 18 at the Little Man garage on Ann Street in the Financial District.

According to the listing (no price), this space is being offered as a "redevelopment project" ... that encompasses more than 22,000 square feet.

Per the DOB vacate order: "The occupied parking structure with concrete framing observed to be in a state of disrepair at several locations in cellar level... crushed column base observed at several locations in cellar level ... vertical cracks observed inside elevator shaft and on masonry walls."

Those cracks are visible throughout the garage (from our May 2 post via Stacie Joy)...

There are approved permits dated June for repairs, though ownership apparently decided to go in a different direction... as this space will likely fetch a hefty price for housing (or some other development).

Its website shows Little Man Parking operates more than 40 New York and New Jersey garages. In late April, the manager at LaSalle said they relocated all the vehicles to other Little Man garages.

The pending sale also means the Budget Car Rental that shared the space (closed since the spring) won't return. 

The LES Shake Shack opens on Friday

Updated 2 p.m. This outpost will not be serving breakfast.  (Grand Central Terminal is the only Shake Shack in Manhattan currently serving breakfast.) The hours on the LES are 11 a.m. to midnight.

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Shake Shack's first Lower East Side outpost is set to open this Friday at 131 Rivington St.

There's now an opening sign here on the SE corner at Norfolk. (Thanks to EVG reader Rhys L. for the photos!)

News of this arrival dates to July 2022. (Signage arrived in November.) 

There was some doubt that the Shack would ever open here... in late June, the landlord's reps affixed a legal notice on the gate seeking $194,974.79 "for rent for the Subject Premises."

The SS website lists the Rivington Street hours as 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.  ... which is either a mistake or means this outpost will be serving breakfast, usually only found at the brand's airport locations.

The last tenant here, Schiller’s Liquor Bar, closed after 14 years in 2017.

This shop may not be long for this (Bong) world

Your whole Bong World just may be turned upside down. 

The gate remains down at Bong World, 226 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (though BWWers — Bong World Watchers — have told us they keep offbeat hours). 

Now, there's trouble in the form of an eviction notice on the gate... dated this past Tuesday with an order to vacate the Bong HQ by Aug. 30...

Bong World debuted here to some fanfare in March 2022. 

If this turns out to be a permanent closure, we don't know where people will go now for smoking accessories in the neighborhood.