New Neighbor on University

A news flash about the Zen Palate site on Union Sqare East, and it’s decidedly downmarket:

“The Riese Organization just purchased 34 Union Square (between 15th and 16th), formerly home to Zen Palate and plans to install a TGI Friday’s and a bonus Tim Horton’s in the space. Its been vacant in the two years since Zen Palate vacated due to “astronomical and non-negotiable increases” in their rent, a rent that has dropped 40% in the last six months. Choice quote: “…while many chefs in the district purchase food from the popular green market there, T.G.I. Friday’s will not join them, says Mr. Riese. ‘We are not that type of restaurant…'” Indeed.

Next week (January 7 to January 11),interior building material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors inside the building as well as roof work.

The following week (January 14 to January 18),interior building material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floor as well as roof work.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, January 5th for interior and superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

The spectacular old stable building at 128 East 13th has finally been converted into the Peridance Center with six studios, a theater, and a cafe.

Manhattan’s second legal marijuana store will open in February at the site of the former Chase bank on the corner of Broadway and 13th Street.

When it opens  it will donate 51% of its revenues to the Doe Fund, which helps vulnerable populations in New York City with work, housing, and access to continuing education, career training, and counseling.

The Doe Fund was one of more than a dozen NGOs and businesses to get a dispensary license in November, indicating that the city is poised to see an influx of legal recreational dispensaries.

The 5,000-square-foot area will be a “higher velocity” store, which means it will be designed to accommodate a larger volume of consumers effortlessly, whether they come in to pick up a pre-order or speak with a budtender.

Looks like Blick Art Supplies will be leaving 13th St. in the spring and moving to 4th and 11th, where another art supply store once existed.

Warmer weather means ice cream in the park. Van Leeuwen returns to USQ as the seasonal vendor for another great summer near the subway entrance at the west side of the park near 16th St. With rotating ice cream (including vegan) flavors, expect sweet treats in the Square.