The cafe launched a fundraising campaign in May.

Fourth Arts Block, the nonprofit that supports arts organizations on East Fourth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square, is closing its FAB Cafe, according to a press release reprinted below. The artist-run cafe, which opened in January of last year, will close after a party on Dec. 14 and will reopen as FAB Lab, a “shared creative workplace and hub for community events and programs.” Full details below.

Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc), a nonprofit arts organization serving the cultural community of the Lower East Side, announces the closure of FAB Café at 75 East 4th Street in Manhattan, New York. FABnyc will be holding a Closing Holiday Party, open to all 5-7PM on December 14, 2012, theCafé’s last official day of service. 

FABnyc plans to transform the café space into what will be called “FAB Lab.” FAB Lab will function as a shared creative workplace and hub for community events and programs. Though forgoing its food service operations, FABnyc is excited about this transition, believing that it will better serve the neighborhood by providing new opportunities for creativity. FAB Lab is set to open in January 2013. 

History of the FAB Café & East Village Visitors
FABnyc originally decided to expand the scope of its non-profit community service by assuming the lease at 75 East 4th Street and opening the FABCafé in January of 2011. FABnyc broke a NYC record for opening anew café, from lease to health inspection, in under one month. Thecafé was staffed and managed by artist-baristas who helped make the it a creative hub for the neighborhood. 

FABnyc was also able to relocate the East Village Visitors Center, a collaboration with the Lower East Side History Project, to the space, creating a vibrant spot for tourists and locals alike to learn more about the neighborhood.The FAB Café & East Village Visitor Center has hosted a total of 11 art exhibitions since its opening, curated by Joyce Manalo and Keith Schweitzer. 

After consulting with board and community members, FABnyc has determined that the FAB Café space will better serve by acting as a hub for artists, creatives, and local culture aficionados who desire to work and learn together.East Village Visitors Center is anticipated to continue operations out of 75 East 4th, however the structure and hours of EVVC are yet to be determined.

Closing Holiday Party: 
December 14, 2012
5PM-7PM @ 75 East 4th St.  

FABnyc will be holding a Closing Holiday Party, December 14, 2012, 5PM-7PM, at the café to commemorate the community and artist-baristas who have devoted so much love and time to serving the block through through this business. FABnyc will specifically honor Erica Livingston, Matt Poole, and Lauren Parrish for their devotion to the idea of serving coffee with culture, as well as highlighting the art and creativity of numerous cafe personnel. 

In addition to offering refreshments at the event, FABnyc will be auctioning offcafé memorabilia. Cherished mason jars, mugs, books, and more, will find new homes in a silent auction to benefit FABnyc’s work to transform the space.Closing Party attendees are also invited to write out memories and bring photographs to be preserved in a “Café Memory Book,” and café regulars may also submit memories online via Tumblr at http://fabcafe.tumblr.com/ask.