Price Hikes at 12 East 13th St. Condos

Soon to arrive at Union Square West and 17th: Portland, Oregon’s Voodoo Doughnut.

The nonprofit behind the Union Square Greenmarket plans to open a new community space in the neighborhood to host events and classes on sustainability and nutrition, and provide a spot for other nonprofits in the city to gather near Union Square, according to GrowNYC Assistant Director Julie Walsh. The space, called “Project Farmhouse,” is expected to open at 76 E. 13th St., near Fourth Avenue, by November with a test kitchen, a conference room and a vertical grow wall with moving trays designed to rotate plants so they all get the ideal amount of water, fertilizer and light, said Kate Chura of GrowNYC, who is overseeing the project.

If you get the chance, walk by the former location of The Adore at 17 East 13th St. where renovations have uncovered an antique sign advertising childrens’ haircuts. Sad to say, it’s likely that it will be gone soon.

The original branch of Crunch Fitness on East 13th St., which closed three years ago and has been vacant since, will become a new branch of Revolve Fitness, a spinning studio.

From the park association: It’s crunch time in Union Square Park as the North End Project reaches 83 percent and enters into the final stretch. New granite curb has been installed along Union Square East, and crews are hard at work paving the east side and 16th Street transverse. Next, they will install the playground’s south perimeter fence once paving is complete. To recap, at this time the landscaping is finished and the park’s new trees, shrubbery and perennials are taking root. Most of the plazas having been reopened to the public and the Greenmarket is fully operational on site in time for their busy fall season. Pavilion restoration continues, though hampered by graffiti removal that has proven challenging, and the new restroom facility on the east side of the project area is nearing completion.

At long last, L.A. Burdick Chocolate is returning to the City they love!  In late October, L.A. Burdick Café (5 East 20th Street, 212 796-0143) opened featuring their award winning hot chocolate and renowned chocolate mice and bonbons.  The café is open seven days a week serving hot and cold drinks, homemade pastries and a full selection of chocolates.