From street level, the interior looks more like a fancy department store with thirty-foot ceilings than a drug store.  Duane Reade is definitely pushing to go upscale.  But can we expect the same sub-par service and long register lines that plague every other location? We’ll soon find out.

Prior to Duane Reade, 225 Lafayette (aka 60 Spring) was rented to the sole U.S. location of denim purveyors Parasuco.  The boutique shuttered back in April, and work on the drugstore has continued ever since.  Long before any of these companies occupied the space, it was the home of the East River Savings Bank.

Founded in 1848, the East River Savings Bank is often considered one of the city’s oldest banks.  By the time 225 Lafayette was built in 1927, the then eighty-year-old financial institution moved into the ground floor.  The structure itself was designed by Cass Gilbert, the same architect behind the iconic Woolworth Building.  Two decades later, E.C. Comics had offices on the seventh floor.  The comic book company was responsible for some of the greats, including Mad and Tales from the Crypt. In 2004, however, this rich history was converted into overpriced condo living.

The second season of the serial crime drama just started two weeks ago, and airs on the USA network. The plot centers on the unlikely partnership between a con artist and his watchful FBI agent.

We were unable to determine his team affiliation, but he seemed somewhat downtrodden.  And wasted.

Rather than S.R.O., it appears Crash Mansion instead chose Soirée for its trendier ground-level nightspot at 199 Bowery. This now leaves the coveted, albeit disrespectful, name free for the taking. Have at it.

As first reported here in early June, Matthew Maddy is currently eyeing the basement of 168 Elizabeth as an additional location for his No. 7 franchise (a laundromat operates on the ground floor). On the face, the proposal seems simple enough – the restaurant would include 10 tables (25 seats) and 1 small bar (6 stools), with no garden dining for at least the first year. Maximum legal capacity would be 42 persons.

However, digging deeper, his plan is plagued with pitfalls.  The following are some issues raised by the board [PDF]:

1. “The community and CB2 have great concern about the noise in the courtyard/backyard garden if this applicant is given a license to use this space.”
2. “The current certificate of occupancy, dated December 27, 1989, does not show permissible use of basement space nor does it offer a legal capacity.”
3. “There is no record of applications to the NYC DOB to alter the use of the proposed premise from accessory cellar use, therefore requiring an updated C of O.”
4. “The current entrance to this establishment is a hatch in the sidewalk in front of a laundromat that would certainly not comply with the American Disability Act.”
5. “This basement space has never had an SLA license before.”
6. “This applicant is within 200 feet of the Lshing Shuneikai Church.”
7. “This applicant had done insufficient community outreach and must reach out to local residents and organizations to thoroughly explain and address their concerns.”
8. “This applicant has chosen a location that has just received 6 new SLA licenses in the last 365 days within 500 feet, and more specifically, is within 500 feet of 25 licensed premises, 11 restaurants with OP licenses, 6 bars with OP licenses, and 8 restaurants with Beer and Wine licenses.”

The case will now be punted to the SLA for consideration.  Stay tuned.

With representation predominantly in southeast Asia, and London, 56 Spring Street is the Ministry’s maiden stateside location.  The company was founded in Singapore by Cynthia Chua in 2001, and specializes in Brazilian and “Boyzilian” waxing. And their tongue-in-cheek catchphrase is “from muff to buff in 30 minutes.”

On a related note:

From the inbox:

Eviction Notice on the gate at 206 Bowery opposite Rivington St.  It’s one of the few remaining Federal-style row houses on Bowery from the early 1800s.

Unless some light is brought on this historic location, it looks like the owner is moving ahead with plans to demolish the building in the dead of night (a la the recent Henry St. row house).

There appears to be no application with DOB, but they seem fine with a slap on the wrist for destroying one of the last real houses on Bowery.

The Henry Street Row House mentioned above (#22-24) was quietly demolished last month.  Read an account of the travesty over at Save the Lower East Side.

As for 206 Bowery, this particular structure is rich with historical currency.  It was allegedly built in the late 1700s – early 1800s, and is sometimes considered the last Federal Row House on the Bowery.  According to a commenter on Place Matters, this section of the Bowery was predominantly populated by butchers during the nineteenth century, many of whom had stalls at the nearby Fly Market.  And this particular home was likely one such settlement.  In current times, J & D Restaurant Equipment occupies the space, which, by the way, has such sublimely unique signage.

[Fly Market in 1816; Photo Credit: Knickerbocker Village]

The aforementioned commenter ended with the following lamentation:

We’ve lost too many already. I’ve been walking the Bowery for my 30 years as a Manhattan, Lower East Side, Bowery resident. these buildings are the JOY of my neighborhood, the pride of living among history, the reason that prompted me to study their history.

Stop the demolition!

Per Maddy:

I’m Matthew Maddy, one of the people working on a small restaurant below the laundromat at 168 Elizabeth.  I’m sorry there was a misunderstanding, we have no intention at all to open a beer garden.  our only plans for the back yard were for a small Saturday and Sunday brunch. We would never be outside past 5 o’clock.  I’m not sure where the rumor started, but i assure you its not true.  I’m really sorry for the confusion.

As Eater noted this morning, Maddy is expanding his No. 7 brand to include 168 Elizabeth Street.  He also revealed that the restaurant will seat 25.  This latest intel notwithstanding, excessive noise remains a primary concern in this area dominated by bars.

The middle section of Elizabeth Street is trying desperately to unite against a new subterranean beer garden moving into number 168.  The ambiguous entity of “Matthew Oliver Maddy d/b/a Hot Talk LLC” is currently seeking a liquor license at next week’s Community Board 2 meeting.  Flyers along Bowery urge those residents within earshot to write letters. As usual, the concern here is excessive noise.

The flyer reads as follows:

Dear Neighbor,

If you are concerned about the noise pollution that a new beer garden in the yard bound by the buildings between Spring & Kenmare and Elizabeth and Bowery, please take a minute to email or mail a letter to Florence Arenas of Community Board 2.  On June 8, Manhattan Community Board 2 will be considering the beer and wine application submitted by “Matthew Oliver Maddy d/b/a Hot Talk LLC,” 168 Elizabeth Street, NYC, 10012.  He currently owns sandwich shops in Fort Greene and the hot ACE Hotel, so the restaurant is sure to draw a crowd.  I have contacted Community Board 2 about this concern, but they will only consider denying the application if they hear from a number of constituents in the community.

A sample letter:

Dear Ms. Arenas,

I am a resident of Block No. 478 in Manhattan with an apartment directly adjacent to the rear yard.  I am concerned about the noise pollution that the new beer garden proposed by “Matthew Oliver Maddy d/b/a Hot Talk LLC” at 168 Elizabeth Street will produce in what until now has been a relatively quiet residential rear yard.  The proposed “restaurant” is to occupy a small, windowless cellar (located 100% below the curb elevation) in addition to the spacious rear yard of the building.  I understand that the restaurant owner currently has two thriving businesses and that this one, if allowed to proceed, is certain to draw a boisterous crowd.  Please kindly consider the imposing effect that this new beer garden will have on the lives of the residents of Manhattan Block 478.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

There is also a petition in the works. Email here for more information.