East Village

You can buy Gem Spa’s iconic storefront sign, egg cream machines

All photos courtesy of Gem Spa

January 4, 2021

You can buy Gem Spa’s iconic storefront sign, egg cream machines

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While you can no longer order an egg cream at Gem Spa in the East Village, which closed its doors for good in May, you can own a piece of the legendary institution. The landmark newsstand, which has been located on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue for a century, is auctioning off iconic memorabilia and signage from the store, including its bright yellow storefront sign, egg cream equipment, and gates with designs by the artist Paul Kostabi. The auction has been extended to January 7 at 10 p.m.
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Inside Casey Rubber Stamps: How this tiny rubber stamp shop has survived for 41 years in NYC

All photos © James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

December 21, 2020

Inside Casey Rubber Stamps: How this tiny rubber stamp shop has survived for 41 years in NYC

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Tucked away on East 11th Street between First and Second Avenues is a small rubber stamp shop, which, according to the small sign in its window, is "closed when not open" and "open when not closed." Casey Rubber Stamps is filled from floor to ceiling with rubber stamps that have all been handmade by John Casey and his two team members. John Casey is originally from Cork, Ireland and first founded his shop in 1979 on Seventh Avenue South in the West Village. He moved the shop to the East Village 19 years ago but still makes his stamps the old-school way with a negative, a plate, and a mold process that is both more time consuming and expensive than newer methods involving liquid polymer materials or laser cutting. Ahead, go behind the scenes to see how all the amazing rubber stamps are made, tour the interior and workspace, and learn about the shop's history from John Casey.
All that right here
Finnerty’s, popular Bay Area sports bar in the East Village, has permanently closed

The bar on opening day, courtesy of Finnerty’s

December 21, 2020

Finnerty’s, popular Bay Area sports bar in the East Village, has permanently closed

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Considered New York City's unofficial San Francisco sports bar, Finnerty's announced this morning that it's permanently closing its East Village location. For the past 11 years, the Irish pub on Second Avenue has been a go-to spot for Giants and 49ers fans, even hosting the Giant's World Series trophy three times. "The pandemic, along with being unable to reach an agreement with our landlord, forced our hand. There just wasn’t any way forward for us," said Finnerty's owners Dieter Seelig and Brian Stapleton.
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East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is expanding with a pierogi bar

Photo by James and Karla Murray for 6sqft. See more here >>

December 11, 2020

East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is expanding with a pierogi bar

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When Veselka first opened on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 9th Street in 1954, the business was a small candy shop and newspaper stand. Sixty-years later, and the Ukrainian restaurant serves up 21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht each week. That is until the pandemic hit. In September, owner Tom Birchard spoke about how the restaurant was struggling. But thanks to a dedicated customer base filling its heated sidewalk seating and indoor tables, as well as a growing delivery and national shipping arm, Veselka is expanding to the space next door, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The addition will be complete with a new "sushi bar-style counter that will showcase the restaurant’s pierogi-making process," according to the New York Times.
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Astor Place Hairstylists has been saved from closing

Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the Phase 2 reopening with a visit to Astor Place Hairstylists on June 23, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

November 23, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists has been saved from closing

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Just two days before it was set to close for good, Astor Place Hairstylists was saved by a group of New York investors. As the New York Post first reported, enough money has been raised to keep the East Village basement barbershop "open for at least another 75 years," businessman Jonathan Trichter told the newspaper on Monday. Astor Place Hairstylists announced last month plans to permanently close just before Thanksgiving due to a lack of business because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more
Nearly everything is custom-made at this $3M East Village two-bedroom

All photos courtesy of Travis Mark for Sotheby’s International Realty

November 18, 2020

Nearly everything is custom-made at this $3M East Village two-bedroom

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No detail was overlooked in the design of this two-bedroom home in the East Village. From the custom chef's kitchen to the walls of built-in shelving and storage, the apartment at 170 Second Avenue manages to be extremely efficient without sacrificing sophistication. Currently asking $2.995 million, the apartment sits on the 12th floor of a pre-war co-op that was completed in 1928.
See inside
‘Say Their Names’ installation at The Public Theater honors Black lives lost to police brutality

Photo by Peter Cooper

November 9, 2020

‘Say Their Names’ installation at The Public Theater honors Black lives lost to police brutality

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The Public Theater will debut this week a new art installation that honors Black American lives lost to police brutality. Starting November 11, the facade of the East Village theater will display "SAY THEIR NAMES," a visual exhibit that includes at least 2,200 names of Black people killed at the hands of police between 2013 and 2020. Curated by Garlia Cornelia Jones, the projection covers the entire building at 425 Lafayette and features work by ten artists.
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After 17 years, Caracas Arepa Bar is closing in the East Village

Caracas Arepa Bar in the East Village in June 2019. Map data © 2020 Google

November 5, 2020

After 17 years, Caracas Arepa Bar is closing in the East Village

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Before the entire East Village was a hub of hip food, the stretch of East 7th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue was somewhat of a pioneer in the new guard of restaurants, and one of the first places to set up here was Caracas Arepa Bar. In 2003, the Venezuelan restaurant was opened by owners Maribel Araujo and Aristides Barrios, who met at another arepa bar in the city of Caracas and often get credit for popularizing arepas in the city. But, sadly, after 17 years, the restaurant is the latest to fall victim to the pandemic and announced on Instagram that the last day for their East Village location will be November 8.
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Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the Phase 2 reopening with a visit to Astor Place Hairstylists on June 23, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 26, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

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Another New York City institution will close its doors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Astor Place Hairstylists in the East Village, which opened in the 1940s and is known for its affordable prices, multilingual stylists, and celebrity clientele, will shutter at the end of November, as the New York Post reported. Hair salons and barbershops were allowed to open in June as part of the city's second phase of reopening, but a lack of business, and no additional federal funding, has forced the iconic barbershop to close.
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$1.9M two-bedroom co-op exudes East Village character

Photos courtesy of The Corcoran Group

September 15, 2020

$1.9M two-bedroom co-op exudes East Village character

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Thanks to its tall ceilings, Juliet balcony, and overall eclectic vibe, this apartment could easily pass for a Parisian pad or a London flat, but it's actually right here in the East Village. True to the neighborhood's charm, the two-bedroom co-op at 307 East 12th Street is full of character, and it's asking $1,895,000.
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66-year-old East Village restaurant Veselka shares its COVID struggles

Photo of Veselka by James and Karla Murray for 6sqft. See more here >>

September 1, 2020

66-year-old East Village restaurant Veselka shares its COVID struggles

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After closing in March, Veselka reopened for takeout and delivery at the end of April, and both their main location and their secondary spot in the Market Line food hall are open for outdoor dining. But like so many others across the city, the 66-year-old Ukrainian restaurant is struggling without indoor dining. In a video interview with photographers James and Karla Murray, second-generation co-owner Tom Birchard said, "We need to have more tables than we have right now to survive long-term."
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New condo at East Village gas explosion site launches sales from $1.35M

All renderings by VUW

August 24, 2020

New condo at East Village gas explosion site launches sales from $1.35M

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It's been five-and-a-half years since the buildings at 119, 121, and 123 Second Avenue were destroyed in a deadly gas explosion caused by an illegal tap into the gas main. The corner site at 45 East 7th Street now has a new life as a boutique condo by architect Morris Adjmi who, in his firm's trademark, designed a building sympathetic to its surroundings. Dubbed No45e7, the 21-unit East Village building just launched sales, which range from $1.35 million one-bedrooms to $4 million two- and three-bedrooms, along with an $8.3 million penthouse. A major perk of the project is that each apartment has its own private terrace.
See the interiors
New interactive map tells the story of women’s suffrage in Greenwich Village

Screenshot of the 19th Amendment Centennial StoryMap, courtesy of Village Preservation

August 12, 2020

New interactive map tells the story of women’s suffrage in Greenwich Village

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Next week, on August 18th, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Though the fight to give women the right to vote was a national effort, much of the movement had roots in New York City. And like most 20th-century advocacy efforts, a lot of that action was centered downtown. To mark this momentous occasion, Village Preservation has created an interactive 19th Amendment Centennial StoryMap that showcases the remarkable number of people and places in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho that played a key role in the women’s suffrage movement.
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For under $1M, this East Village co-op has two floors, two bedrooms, and peaceful patio

Listing images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

June 29, 2020

For under $1M, this East Village co-op has two floors, two bedrooms, and peaceful patio

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It's probably still shocking to old-time New Yorkers that getting a two-bedroom for under $1 million in the East Village is considered a deal, but that's the case today. This duplex co-op at 103 East 10th Street comes in at $995,000, and in addition to its two floors and two bedrooms, it's got a perfectly peaceful private patio.
Have a look
For $30K/month, you can live in this converted East Village synagogue

Image Credit: Warburg Realty/Martin Davis

June 16, 2020

For $30K/month, you can live in this converted East Village synagogue

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From the outside, this East Village building still looks like a traditional tenement synagogue, but inside it's an incredible four-story home. Located at 317 East 8th Street, the former 8th Street Shul was built around 1900 and converted to a private residence in 2005. It's now available to rent for $30,000 a month. The new tenant will get to enjoy 22-foot cathedral ceilings in the living room, custom windows with a 19th-century backlit Star of David, a cantilevered balcony, and three outdoor terraces, including a landscaped roof deck with a hot tub.
Take the tour
McSorley’s reopens in the East Village with famed light or dark ale available by the growler

Photo © James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

May 22, 2020

McSorley’s reopens in the East Village with famed light or dark ale available by the growler

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After a two month break, McSorely's Old Ale House officially reopened on Friday. The East Village watering hole, which claims to be the oldest bar in New York City, announced a new take out menu, including its two ale options, light or dark, served in to-go growlers. The reopening comes after a two-month closure due to the coronavirus, the longest the historic bar has ever been closed, as EV Grieve first reported.
Details here
East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

Photo by Alex Lozupone on Wiki Commons

May 8, 2020

East Village landmark Gem Spa has permanently closed

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A fixture on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue in the East Village for 100 years, Gem Spa has permanently closed. The store, considered home to New York's best egg cream, had been struggling financially due to the gentrification of the neighborhood, as well as the loss of its cigarette and lottery licenses last year. While a fundraising effort launched last fall by current owner Parul Patel helped temporarily, the coronavirus pandemic "ultimately sealed the fate" of the institution.
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East Village icons Veniero’s and Veselka will reopen this Friday for takeout and delivery

Photo of Veniero’s by James and Karla Murray for 6sqft. See more here >>

April 28, 2020

East Village icons Veniero’s and Veselka will reopen this Friday for takeout and delivery

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Treat yourself this Friday to a meal of pierogis followed by cheesecake. East Village icons Veselka and Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffe, the Ukrainian restaurant that started in 1954 and the Italian bakery that opened in 1894 respectively, will both reopen for takeout and delivery on May 1. Eater spotted the news on Veniero's Instagram that the bakery will reopen for takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup. Likewise, Veselka posted on their Instagram that they will open for takeout and delivery.
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Pubs, parades, and politicians: The Irish legacy of the East Village and Greenwich Village

Photo of White Horse Tavern (bottom left) courtesy of Wikimedia; Photo of the Merchant’s House Museum (bottom right) courtesy of Village Preservation on Flickr

March 10, 2020

Pubs, parades, and politicians: The Irish legacy of the East Village and Greenwich Village

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For many, celebrating Irish American heritage in March brings one to Fifth Avenue for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or perhaps a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. But for those willing to venture beyond Midtown, there’s a rich Irish American history to be found in Greenwich Village and the East Village. While both neighborhoods became better known for different kinds of communities in later years – Italians, Ukrainians, gay men and lesbians, artists, punks – Irish immigration in the mid-19th century profoundly shaped both neighborhoods. Irish Americans and Irish immigrants played a critical role in building immigrant and artistic traditions in Greenwich Village and the East Village. Here are some sites connected to that great heritage, from the city's oldest intact Catholic Church to Irish institutions like McSorely's Old Ale House.
More here
Pierogis, borscht, and Ukrainian history: Behind the scenes at East Village restaurant Veselka

All photos taken by James and Karla Murray exclusively for 6sqft

February 13, 2020

Pierogis, borscht, and Ukrainian history: Behind the scenes at East Village restaurant Veselka

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21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht--that's how much Veselka is serving up each week. But it's impossible to quantify how many memories have been made at the famous East Village Ukrainian restaurant, which has been in operation since 1954. Whether it's grandparents who remember going to what was then a small candy shop and newspaper stand at a time when the East Village was a thriving Eastern European community, or counter-culture icons of the 1970s, or club kids of the '90s, or the NYU students of today, you can bet that nearly every New Yorker has some story of enjoying a meal at Veselka. 6sqft recently got a behind-the-scenes tour of Veselka's kitchen to see how the magic happens, in addition to chatting with third-generation owner Jason Birchard. Ahead, check out all the photos and learn about the history of Veselka.
Check it out
$525K East Village studio features lots of storage and a hidden solution for overnight guests

Listing images courtesy of Halstead Real Estate

February 11, 2020

$525K East Village studio features lots of storage and a hidden solution for overnight guests

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Exposed brick walls and a decorative fireplace give this East Village alcove studio at 186 East 2nd Street charm to spare while clever space-saving solutions and plenty of storage make it adaptable to modern life. Asking $525,000, it's got a prime East Village location to boot, just two blocks away from the Second Avenue F train station and a short walk to Tompkins Square Park.
Get the full tour
The history of how the New York Public Library got its start Downtown
January 31, 2020

The history of how the New York Public Library got its start Downtown

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This year, the New York Public Library is celebrating its 125th anniversary. With 53 million items and 92 locations across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the NYPL is the largest municipal library in the world. It’s also the steward of some of New York’s greatest landmarks, reflecting a century and a quarter of Gotham’s history, and in some cases even more. The roots of this library system can be found in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho. The main antecedents of the NYPL which formed the foundation of today’s system— the Astor Library, the Lenox Library, and the New York Free Circulating Library – all began in these neighborhoods just below 14th Street. As a result, this is where New York’s oldest public library buildings and the oldest building housing an NYPL branch are located -- the latter ironically having been where great works of literature were banned and censored before it became a library.
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$775K East Village co-op in a former rectory has 13-foot ceilings and a loft

Photo credit: Melanie Greene courtesy of Compass.

January 27, 2020

$775K East Village co-op in a former rectory has 13-foot ceilings and a loft

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This cozy East Village pad at 300 East 4th Street has the modern chic vibe that gives apartments in this neighborhood such charm. The building also has the architectural distinction of being in a former rectory that was converted to co-ops, giving each unit within a unique footprint. Asking $775,000, the one-bedroom home near picturesque and lively Avenue C gets 13-foot ceilings and a loft for storage or sleeping.
Get a closer look
Photo exhibit highlights the disappearing single-story buildings of the East Village and LES

The Rite Aid at 81 1st Avenue. Photo © Adam Friedberg

January 16, 2020

Photo exhibit highlights the disappearing single-story buildings of the East Village and LES

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In 2015, photographer Adam Friedberg was passing through Astor Place and took notice of the two single-story buildings on Third Avenue and St. Marks Place--the one that housed Continental Bar and the other a McDonald's. From there, Friedberg began a project to photograph all the single-story buildings throughout the changing East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods and the negative space they created. After capturing 97 of the roughly 105 structures, his work is now on view at the Center for Architecture in an exhibit titled "Single-Story Project."
See more of the photos
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