Stephen Rex Brown Chico at work today.The original Kiss mural at Avenue A and East First Street has been wiped out, and Antonio “Chico” Garcia is busy creating a temporary replacement that depicts the band comin’ home to New York City.
The new design is on a woodshed outside of the former Nice Guy Eddie’s, which is getting a gut renovation by the new owner, Darin Rubell, who also owns Ella and Gallery Bar. When finished in the next day or two, the mural will show the band arriving on a train to the city. Read more…
Nice Guy Eddie’s just announced on Facebook that after 16 years it will close on Sunday. News that the Avenue A sports bar owned by Community Board 3 member David McWater would shut down broke in April when it was revealed that the owner of Ella and Gallery Bar, Darin Rubell was taking over the space. Meanwhile, the staff of the bar popular among football fans tells customers, “We’re throwing a huge party Sunday, so stop by and wish us farewell!” Still no word on whether the Kiss mural by Chico will remain.
Daniel MaurerAfter a 16-year run, Nice Guy Eddie’s will be replaced by a restaurant operated by Darin Rubell, the owner of Ella and Gallery Bar, documents posted on the Community Board 3 website reveal.
David McWater, the owner of the bar at Avenue A and East Houston Street, has not returned an email seeking comment. Mr. Rubell also had no comment. A liquor license questionnaire, prepared for the community board’s SLA committee in advance of a meeting next week, says that the new 10-table restaurant will serve “American comfort food” from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. everyday. It also notes that the restaurant will include “numerous” televisions, raising the possibility that it will continue catering to sports fans. No word yet on whether the new joint will be dominated by boisterous Philadelphia Eagles fans on any given Sunday, as is the case with Nice Guy’s. Read more…
Daniel Maurer Construction work on the building today.As recently as yesterday, Kathy Kirkpatrick was holding out hope that Life Cafe would be resurrected in spite of the “For Rent” sign in the window of her iconic restaurant and a simmering dispute between her two landlords (yes, she has two).
“I’m still waiting to see how it plays out,” Ms. Kirkpatrick said. “Things are getting resolved, things are developing — though meanwhile, I wait.”
But today the dispute boiled over and Bob Perl, one of her landlords, said Life Cafe was dead — he could no longer bear trying to negotiate with Abraham Noy, the other landlord.
“I can’t get it done,” Mr. Perl said. “I’m done with Noy – these guys are just impossible.” Read more…
