1. Back once again

    Sorry for the silence here over the past few weeks. Lots of news to catch up on, so we’ll get straight back into it.

    Thanks again for reading, and for sticking with us!

Monday, Jul 7th

  1. Baby girl abandoned at Columbus Circle subway station

    Columbus Circle

    Around noon today, a woman pushing a stroller stepped out of a train at the Columbus Circle station, before stepping back in leaving the stroller on the platform, with a 6 or 7 month old girl inside. More details from the NY Times:

    On Monday evening, the police were still trying to determine the identities of the abandoned baby girl and the woman who had left her. They released pictures of the child sitting in a red and white polka-​dot stroller and asked for the public’s help in identifying her.

    The baby was unharmed and in stable condition at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center on Monday night.

    She was in the custody of the city’s Administration for Children’s Services awaiting placement, a spokesman for the agency said.

    The woman who left the child on the platform appeared to be in her 20s or 30s, and was wearing a yellow short-​sleeve blouse. She was riding a northbound No. 1 train.

    Since the station is one of the busiest stations in the system, the child was fortunately found quickly and cared for until authorities arrive. The NYPD are asking for help identifying the child, and have released this photo of her:

    View Image
    Source: NYPD/​AP

    The story got pretty wide coverage today, so hopefully someone steps forward to identify the child soon.

Thursday, Jul 3rd

  1. A fireworks-​free 4th of July for the area

    With the news earlier this year that the 4th of July fireworks would be happening over the East River this year, the “main attraction” in the neighborhood for the night is gone, so it’s going to be a lot quieter this time around. Still, there’s a few things going on.

    As usual a number of bars and restaurants are having 4th of July celebrations, so you’ve always got that option. Plus, like last year, various stores along 9th Ave will probably get into the spirit of things.

    If you’re looking for something to do during the day though, the W 55th St are holding their annual block party from noon to 4pm, which should be a friendly, casual way to spend the afternoon:

    View Image
    Source: Stanley Conrad

    Thanks to the ever-​vigilant Stanley Conrad for the info!

Sunday, Jun 29th

  1. Healthy Hell’s Kitchenights at Mathews Palmer Park starts tomorrow

    Tomorrow night is the first of three nights the “Healthy Hell’s Kitchenights” is running – free health nights the W 45th St Block Association is running in Mathew Palmers Park. The nights will have candlelight yoga, “going green” bootcamps, and reflexology:

    View Image
    Source: W 45th St Block Association

    Tomorrow night won’t have the bootcamp, but the reflexology and yoga will be running at 7:30pm and 8:30pm. You can see all the details on their Facebook event, or just grab a yoga mat and head on over tomorrow night. The nights are being held each Monday for the next three weeks, so plenty of chances to get out and enjoy the warm summer nights.

Friday, Jun 27th

  1. Third time’s the charm with Havana Social

    Havana Social

    In October last year, Casa Havana on 9th Ave was reborn as Havana Libre. Less than six months later, Havana Libre closed their doors. After sitting dormant for a few months, the place is now gearing up for its third take on the Havana “brand”, with Havana Social:

    View Image

    A quick stroll down memory lane:

    View Image
    August 2013
    View Image
    September 2013

    The awning banner lists it as a “restaurant, bar & tapas lounge”, which is pretty close to what Havana Libre had, so not sure what the new version will have different to try and make it more of a success, but we’ll keep an eye on how it goes (and whether the car survives the transition).

    Havana Social

    688 10th Ave

    Groups

  2. Lucky Cheng’s final day tomorrow

    Lucky Cheng's

    According to a tipster at Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, the long time drag cabaret Lucky Cheng’s will be closing its doors for good after the final show tomorrow night:

    Word has come in that Lucky Cheng’s is closing for good. An employee confirms that their last show will be tomorrow night.

    Calls to the club go unanswered, but the employee, who asks to remain anonymous, cites the reason for the closure: “Ridiculously high rent + decline in business = demise.”

    The club moved into their spot on W 52nd St just east of 8th Ave in 2012, after two decades in the East Village. Their last night coincides with Pride Week, so you can celebrate and say farewell.

Wednesday, Jun 25th

  1. Annabel opening celebrations tomorrow

    Annabel

    Annabel, the new “artisanal pizza restaurant” coming to 9th Ave, is opening its doors tomorrow, as noticed by HK regular Stanley Conrad:

    View Image
    Source: Stanley Conrad

    Per their site, here’s what you can expect from the new place:

    We wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant that invites you to stay for a while: our menu features artisan pizzas, New American appetizers & entrees and homemade desserts by Executive Chef Manuel Honrado. Also join us at the bar for an extensive selection of wine, craft beer & cocktails lovingly curated by our Beverage Director, Alison Boyd. The rustic-​modern space was built for comfort and we pride ourselves in genuine, uncomplicated service. And oh yeah, the music is good too!

    After the signage went up last month, we’ve been watching the place come together quickly, and tomorrow you’ll be able to try it out.

    View Image
    Source: Annabel

    The rather plain (that’s being generous) building Annabel is in has sat empty since going up, so it’s good to finally have something happen there. The new place will be open from 3pm till 2am every night, and the menu is online now, so you can see what to expect.

    Thanks for the info Stanley!

Tuesday, Jun 24th

  1. Multi-​engine fire department response at 46th & 9th tonight

    W 46th St & 9th Ave

    We’ll preface this by saying it’s still unclear exactly what the incident was, but earlier tonight several fire engines surrounded the Yum Yum 3 building on the corner of W 46th St & 9th Ave, with two ladders up and dozens of firefighters, police officers, etc.

    Here was the scene:

    View Image

    A large crowd gathered around, as you’d expect:

    View Image

    The fire department took over that entire side of the intersection, blocking off 46th St:

    View Image

    Firefighters seemed to be coming in/​out of the door into the kitchen of Yum Yum 3:

    View Image

    Lots of crews on hand:

    View Image

    Here’s a great shot of the action from above, from HK regular Laurie Horsman (who also let us know this was going on) from before the corner was roped off:

    View Image
    Source: Laurie Horsman

    From what Laurie could see, it sounds like the building was evacuated, with smoke possibly coming from the roof. Once “real” news outlets start up in the morning we should find out more about what happened (even the usually-​vigilant NYC Fire Wire feed was silent). We’ll update this post as we learn more.

    Fortunately it doesn’t look like the incident was a fire, and at the very least from the lack of ambulances and general calm attitude of the emergency crews (at least by the stage we got there) it seems like nobody was hurt. Still, a very large response, so it wasn’t nothing…stay tuned.

    Thanks Laurie for the heads up!

Monday, Jun 23rd

  1. Baluchi’s Indian coming to 9th Ave

    Baluchi's

    Earlier this year, Mario’s Trattoria closed after several years on 9th Ave. Now, Baluchi’s, a group of Indian restaurants across the city, are moving into the place.

    View Image
    View Image

    No word on an opening date at this stage, but the interior of the store is already looking close to ready, so it shouldn’t be too long before they’re here:

    View Image

    We lost an Indian restaurant towards the end of last year much further up on 53rd St, so soon the balance will be restored.

Tuesday, Jun 10th

  1. Missing dog around 53rd St

    W 53rd St & 9th Ave

    Someone has lost their dog around the W 50s:

    View Image

    The dog’s name is Larica, and if you’ve seen it wandering around please call (917) 804‑7619. I’m sure the owners will really appreciate it.

    As always if you’ve lost or found something in the area just let us know, we’d be happy to help.

    Update: Unfortunately reader Nicole has let us know in the comments that the owners have confirmed Larica has passed away. Our condolences.

Monday, Jun 9th

  1. The history of the 9th Ave ‘Network’ sign

    W 51st St & 9th Ave

    Over at Scouting New York, they’ve had a look at the history behind the towering Network sign above Vynl, at 51st & 9th:

    View Image
    Source: Scouting NY

    Many people have written about it over the years, but no one seems to know what it was. I’ve always imagined it to be an old-​timey talent agency – aspiring actors rubbing elbows with amateur singers and vaudeville-​esque performers in a cramped waiting room, all hoping to become part of The Network, the greatest collection of stars in the world!

    Alas, the truth is somewhat less exciting.

    Head over to the article to find out the whole story. Be sure to read the comments for some interesting memories from long-​time residents.

    On that, you might also notice part of the previous signage peeking through the side:

    View Image
    Source: Scouting NY

    Commenter John has the story on that:

    I live in the neighborhood in question where this sign is and been here 49 years and if my memory is correct Grossman’s furniture was at that location, I remember my parents buying furniture there. (I am hoping I am correct, fuzzy memory from when I was a kid)

    More memories, from commenter Barbara:

    That was Grossmans furniture store. Most ppl in the neighborhood bought from them; you could pay the furniture off if he knew you & knew he’d get paid. I furnished my first apartment with his stuff back in 1974. His stuff wasn’t top of the line but good enough. In fact I still have night tables, a tall chest and a wooden rocker that I bought from him (the rocker was a gift from my grandmother).

    So now you know!

Sunday, Jun 8th

  1. Happy birthday to us…

    Big news: one year ago Hell’s Kitsch began. Those were the days… Bareburger had just opened, ASC was only being rumored, as was Vynl’s move into the still-​open Go Sushi space. A lot changes in a year.

    Similar to what we said in our end-​of-​year look back, thanks for reading! We’re getting back into the swing of things after a quiet month or so on our end (sorry!), so the next year should only be better.

    As always, if you have any feedback or suggestions – or just want to say hello – feel free to get in touch! And we really appreciate everyone who’s sent in tips, photos, and announcements. Thanks everyone!

    Onwards to another year!

  2. Around the web

    View Image
    Print media isn’t dead yet

Saturday, Jun 7th

  1. Lots of knick-​knacks at the 44th St Garage Sale

    W 44th St & 9th Ave

    The annual 44th St Garage Sale was on today, with hundreds of people turning up to browse the various items residents had for sale lining the street:

    View Image

    Most of it the items were actual garage sale items, like second-​hand furniture and clothes, mixed in with your questionable bootleg DVD sellers.

    View Image

    Lots of people passing through, but it kept its casual and relaxed atmosphere.

    View Image

    The garage sale is held every year, so if you missed it you can look forward to this time next year.