The developer Avalon Bay has had a tricky time developing the retail properties in its massive East Village developments. While the Bowery Whole Foods has been an unmitigated success and DBGB's keeps pulling expense accounts in, the company has not been as lucky with its food tenants. A restaurant space on First Street and Second Avenue still remains unfilled thanks to community opposition to bars potential operators want to include, the Veselka outpost planned for First Street remains unfinished, the Bruce Willis-backed Bowery Wine Co. appears to be about ready to kick the bucket and now Bespoke Chocolates the tiny chocolate shop that was meant to harken a new "slice of the Left Bank" on Extra Place, has announced it will permanently close its doors on Thursday.
East Village Alley Is No Left Bank: Bespoke Chocolates Closes Thursday
Bruce Willis Out, Dell'Anima Team In On East First Street?
The people who protested the yuppie scum at the Bowery Wine Co., the East First Street wine bar that boasted celebrity investor Bruce Willis, when it opened in 2008 may have won in the long run. Eagle-eyed EV Grieve noticed that on this month's CB3 SLA agenda there is an item listed for the space where the wine bar currently lives (it ain't dead yet!). And who appears to be looking to move in? No less than the team behind West Village Italian foodie-magnets Dell'Anima and l'Artusi.
East Villagers Renew Calls for "Yuppie Scum" to Die
A lively, discontented rabble marched through the East Village Friday night, protesting what they see as the neighborhood’s ongoing desiccation, caused by “real estate developers, landlords, yuppie wine bars and Republicans.” Organized by longtime gadfly John Penley, the group swelled to approximately 100 protesters, who jeered, sang, read poetry and generally condemned others for enjoying fine wine and luxury apartments.
Die Hard East Village Lefties Protest Bowery Wine Co.
When it comes to turbo-gentrification, longtime East Village activist John Penley has drawn a line in the sand at the Bowery Wine Co.; the newish wine bar co-owned by actor Bruce Willis. Penley, who joined Jerry "the Peddler" Wade in pushing the Parks Department to permit this August’s concert commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Tompkins Square Park riots, not only objects to the “yuppie” wine bar’s sterile aesthetics but also Willis’s GOP support. A couple months back Penley announced plans to “roast a whole hog” named Bruce.
Bruce Willis Uncorks at Bowery Wine Co.
Has Bruce Willis left behind beer and barstools for wine and a more posh drinking atmosphere? The NY Post is saying yes.
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