10/15: Upscaling Downtown: A Forum and Book Launch

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Four years in the making, Richard Ocejo’s Upscaling Downtown: From Bowery Saloons to Cocktail Bars in New York City surveys the social and economic impact of bar proliferation on the Lower East Side’s traditionally diverse neighborhoods. Representing groups examined in the book, panelists will discuss what is easily one of this community’s most hot button issues. Q&A will follow.

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About the Panelists:
Rob Hollander: Neighborhood Historian and Activist
Bob Holman: Poet, Founder of Bowery Poetry Club
Matt Krivich: Dir. of Operations, The Bowery Mission
Sara Romanoski, Director, East Village Community Coalition
Mike Stuto: Owner of HiFi Bar
Richard E. Ocejo: Assistant Professor of sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

Host: Alison Fleminger, University Settlement

About the book: The product of four years of fieldwork in the East Village and on the Lower East Side, Upscaling Downtown: From Bowery Saloons to Cocktail Bars in New York City uses nightlife as a window into understanding urban development and explores what community institutions, such as neighborhood bars, gain or lose amid gentrification. Ocejo considers why residents continue unsuccessfully to protest the arrival of new bars, how new bar owners produce a nightlife culture that attracts visitors rather than locals, and how government actors – including elected officials and the police – regulate and encourage nightlife culture. By focusing on commercial newcomers and the residents who protest local changes, Ocejo illustrates the contested and dynamic process of neighborhood growth.

When: Wed., October 15 7:00pm

Where: University Settlement, 184 Eldridge Street (near Rivington), NY, NY

FREE and open to the public!

It’s Time To Reserve Your Spot In The 2014 Get Local! Guide

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OUR NOT-FOR-PROFIT GUIDE PROMOTES LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS

  • We list 500+ businesses located in the East Village for free.

  • We educate consumers by encouraging them to shop locally instead of in chains and franchises,  and to use local community services.

The 8th Edition of the Get Local! Guide hits the East Village this Fall!

  • We print 12,500 copies.

  • We will distribute the Get Local! Guide from October through Summer 2015.

  • The guide will be placed in East Village & LES stores, cafés, hotels and restaurants.

  • It will be printed on eco-friendly paper & full-color soy-based inks.

Contributors will benefit from:

  • Enhanced listing features that identify sponsors.

  • Priority participation in the launch of a Get Local! Digital Guide NEW!

Click here to see full ad sheet rates and submit your application below.

 

 

Help St. Mark’s Bookshop move to new location in the East Village

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The Friends of St. Mark’s Bookshop is sponsoring an Indiegogo campaign to move the Bookshop into a new space in the East Village. But the Bookshop needs another financial push to build out the space and pay for moving costs, as well as maintaining its inventory for the remaining months at 31 Third Avenue. Once again, we turn to our loyal community for help.

For contributions of $250 up to $5,000, St. Mark’s Bookshop has one-of-a-kind books, including signed first editions that are personalized by the authors, as thank you gifts to our generous campaign supporters. These authors include Junot Diaz, Anne Carson, Anne Waldman, Patti Smith, Paul Auster, Lydia Davis, Eileen Myles, and others. Discounts on future purchases are also included for contributors. Even giving a smaller amount can get you a gift certificate to spend at the store.

Now is the opportunity for a final push as St. Mark’s reinvents itself as a non-profit event space, while continuing to fill the East Village’s niche for a small brick-and-mortar bookstore featuring carefully selected new theoretical, political, art, design, poetry and independent literary texts in traditional print format.

Building and Branding Your Website: A web development workshop for East Village Merchants

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Ever wondered what should go on your website? Or how to create an online brand? The East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) is organizing a workshop with WiX.com, a website building company, to answer these very questions. In this workshop, we invite local merchants to learn how to create a website and market their business’ brand online.

There are two opportunities to attend this workshop:
Tuesday, April 22 at 10am – RSVP here
Monday, April 28 at 7pm – RSVP here

About WiX

Wix.com enables you to build a free and professional online presence, just the way you want it. With an HTML5 drag-and-drop website editor, 100s of web apps, designer-made templates, and tons of features, Wix gives you the tools to launch and manage your online presence. To learn more, please visit www.wix.com.

In NYC, Wix also offers the Wix Lounge, a completely free co-working, event and exhibit space for professionals. Grab your laptop, pop into the Lounge and enjoy a productive work day, great networking opportunities, and amazing events. The Wix Lounge provides free Wix support to NewYork-ers, giving them the tools and tips for successfully launching and managing their businesses’ online presence.

 

If you have questions or would like more information about this workshop, please contact Amy Parker, EVCC’s Business Outreach Coordinator, via email (amy@evccnyc.org) or phone (212-979-2344).

Feb 24: Introducing EVIMA

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you’re invited to…

Introducing EVIMA

a gathering with food, conversation and more information about
the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA)

Monday, February 24
7:00-9:00 pm

Ciao For Now
523 E 12th Street (between Aves A & B)
Light Snacks Provided

East Village Community Coalition (EVCC) has been collaborating with small business owners in order to create the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA).

This meeting will be an informative, yet fun opportunity to hear about EVIMA, meet other local merchants and learn how you can join us in promoting, connecting and representing local merchants in the East Village.

While EVIMA’s main focus will be to support independently-owned businesses with daytime hours, we welcome any East Village business owner to attend the meeting.

As the space is limited, we strongly encourage you to please RSVP.

Questions?
Please contact Amy Parker, Business Outreach Coordinator for EVCC or call 212.979.2344.

Thanks to Ciao for Now for generously hosting the meeting.

The East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA)

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In 2013 EVCC began working with small business owners to promote and advocate for the small and independent businesses in the East Village. Using funding from AvenueNYC, a program of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, EVCC is working to develop a merchants association. A Steering Committee of local merchants has given the association its official name, the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA), and is planning the inaugural meeting for EVIMA at the end of January.
 
To read more about what EVIMA’s mission, organization and plans, click here!

 

Announcing the East Village Gift Guide!

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The East Village Gift Guide presents 36 unique items found locally that make great gifts for this holiday season. These items are all from independently owned businesses throughout the neighborhood.  Copies of the East Village Gift Guide are available in both digital or print formats. Digital copies of the guide are available for download.

Visit one of these locations to pick up your very own gift guide:

EVCC Office
143 Avenue B (East 9th Street)

FUNKtional Art Fair
La Plaza Cultural Community garden, Avenue C and 9th Street
December 14, 15, 21, 22, 12pm-9pm

Participating Businesses
1.  Barbara Feinman Millinery | 66 East 7th Street
2.  Dusty Buttons | 441 East 9th Street
3.  rena REBORN | 117 East 7th Street
4.  Random Accessories | 77 East 4th Street
5.  Cloak & Dagger | 441 East 9th Street
6.  Sailor Rose | 60 East 4th Street
7.  The Wild Ivy | 435 East 9th Street
8.  Marjory Warren Boutique | 309 East 9th Street
9.  Fragrance Shop | 65 East 4th Street
10. Enzs | 125 2nd Avenue
11. Dejavu Boutique | 309 East 9th Street
12. Eileen Fisher | 314 East 9th Street
13. Gallery Vercon | 332 East 9th Street
14. CADET | 305 East 9th Street
15. RUDY VOLCANO | 167 Avenue C
16. Russian & Turkish Baths | 268 East 10th Street
17. Yoga East | 96 Avenue B, 2nd Floor
18. Shamburger’s Chinese Hawaiian Kenpo Academy | 34 Avenue A, 2nd Floor
19. Parlor | 102 Avenue B
20. Swing Organic Hair Salon | 280 East 10th Street
21. Ruff Club | 34 Avenue A
22. Social Tees Animal Rescue | 325 East 5th Street
23. Pink Olive | 439 East 9th Street
24. Goat-Milk Kidwear | 523 East 12th Street
25. Jane’s Exchange | 191 East 3rd Street
26. Dinosaur Hill | 306 East 9th Street
27. Keshav Music Imports | 67 East 4th Street
28. Tinkersphere | 304 East 5th Street
29. Pageant Print Shop | 69 East 4th Street
30. A Repeat Performance | 156 1st Avenue
31. Anthony Aiden Opticians | 42 St Marks Place
32. Dorian Grey Gallery | 437 East 9th Street
33. Love Shine | 543 East 6th Street
34. Butter Lane Bakery | 123 East 7th Street
35. Physical GraffiTEA | 96 St Marks Place
36. Clayworks Pottery | 332 East 9th Street

News Release About the Gift Guide

Midnight Wednesday in the East Village

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Wednesday, December 12th

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Shop Until Midnight – Help Local East Village Boutiques Survive

Small businesses in the East Village were hit hard by Sandy. The effects linger. If sales don’t pick up, it is possible you’ll see some of your favorite small, indie boutiques forced to close shop. Let Midnight Wednesday inspire you to do your holiday shopping local in our community where extra business is greatly needed this year!

Midnight Wednesday is a new holiday tradition in the East Village when you can enjoy some festive merriment at your favorite East Village boutiques and take care of all your holiday shopping. We will be open late to suit your busy schedule! Come enjoy holiday treats and special discounts while supporting local shopkeepers. Download your copy of the Get Local! Shopping Guide to plan your route .

Don’t wait until the last minute. Shop local. Shop now.

Open until 12am on 12.12.12

Stop by Amé Amé to get a list of participating boutiques and take care of your holiday stocking stuffer needs with a special on gummies. $1 per quarter pound or a pound for $3.99.  (1 pound limit per person. licorice, chocolates, & other non-gummies excluded).

Participating Stores:

Musu 305 E. 9th St

Seyrig   305 E. 9th St

Marjory Warren   309 E. 9th St

Vera Meat  315 E. 9th St

Ame Ame  318 E. 9th St
$1/qtr lb or 1lb for $3.99 (1 pound limit per person. licorice, chocolates, & other non-gummies excluded).
Holiday treats, hot chocolate, tea
10-20% storewide deal + 2 trunk shows
Raffle entry for every business card from other participants

Mascot Studio  328 E. 9th St, 10pm

C’est Magnifique  328 E. 9th St

Clayworks Pottery  332 E. 9th St

Gallery Vercon  332 E. 9th St

Duo   337 E. 9th St
20% off clothing and shoes
Prosecco for customers

9th Street Haberdashery  346 E. 9th St

Enchantments  424 E. 9th St

Mr. Throwback  428 E. 9th St

Grey Era Vintage  435 E. 9th St

Devorado NYC  436 E. 9th St

Pink Olive  436 E. 9th St

Purchase “you are loved” tote bag, get 20% off anything you can fit inside the bag

Pork Pie Hatters  440 E. 9th St

Dusty Buttons  441 E. 9th St

Off 9th Street:

A Repeat Performance Antiques 156 1st Ave
Discounts up to 20%, Live music

Bond Street Chocolate63 E. 4th St
9pm Wine and chocolate samples

Butter Lane  123 E. 7th St

East Village Music Store  21 E. 3rd St

Enz’s 125 2nd Ave

Fragrance Shop NY   65 E. 4th St, 9pm

Jane’s Exchange 191 E. 3rd St, 9pm
Children’s

Jimmy’s No. 43 43 E. 7th St
$1 off drink with 12/12/12 receipt from local store

La Sirena 27 E. 3rd, 8pm
10% off purchase
free mango and lime chili pops

Love Shine 543 E. 6th St
15% off purchase, free Love Shine cotton print checkbook cover with purhcase of $20.
Refreshments for shoppers

Parlor102 Ave B

Random Accessories 77 E. 4th St

30% off holiday cards and calendars
Free gift with $25 purchase
Gifts

Rivington Guitars 73 E. 4th St

Rudy Volcano  167 Avenue C

Sustainable NYC   139 Avenue A

ThirsTea 280 E. 10th St
10% off purchase

After shopping, stop by Jimmy’s No. 43 with your receipts.  You’ll get $1 off with every Midnight Wednesday valid receipt! 

Organized by the East Village Community Coalition and Ame Ame
Businesses added daily. Follow @evccnyc, @AmeAmeTweets, and #MidnightWednesday for updates

RSVP (optional): http://bit.ly/SC0kSO.

Zoning for Local Businesses

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By supporting Formula Retail Zoning, the EVCC tries to keep our neighborhood free from chains

Earlier this summer, on June 12, the Graduate Cener for Planning and the Environment  at Pratt Institute had some good news for the Lower East Side.  In a presentation at St. Mark’s Church for the Neighborhood Presentation Center, the Pratt Group discussed the first draft of a study that provides a comprehensive plan to encourage small local businesses on the Lower East Side and discourage large chains.

The primary recommendation of the study, lead by Professors Vicki Weiner and Jonathan Martin, is for the East veilfalls_cropVillage to seek designation as a “special district.”  This would allow the area to enforce Formula Retail Zoning — which is an imposing name for a system that sets some limits on the types of businesses in an area in order to preserve the local retail environment. The study, which was commissioned by the EVCC, is one of the most comprehensive investigations into Formula Retail Zoning in New York City’s history.

The EVCC’s goal is to present the study, when it is completed later this year, to locally elected politicians, city planning commissioners, and the Mayors office and help them understand why the “special district” designation is so important for the future of the neighborhood.

As part of that process, videographer Nicholas Whitaker (who did such a great job with his video chronicle of the first Lower East Side Kids’ Art Bike Parade in 2007) has been asked by the EVCC to make a film that demonstrates the way local merchants improve street life.  For instance, he will contrast vibrant streets full of local merchants — like East 9th Street — with “dead zones” where chains have invaded, like the stretch of Houston where Whole Foods has generated a wall of glass that discourages community-style street life.  The film, which will be shot this fall, will be ready for presentation to authorities by the end of this year.

As the EVCC gets closer to making an official presentation of a plan, community support will be needed.  If you have thoughts about the value of Formula Retail Zoning, please log-in or register in the left hand column of this page, and post your thoughts below.