What’s going on with 88 Thomas (the old PB & Caviar spot). Awnings just went up. —D.

First, some background. In April of 2010, the building’s owner, Eric Schlagman, went before Community Board 1’s Tribeca Committee for a liquor license for a café/bar, specializing in chocolate, that he planned to open in the Hudson Street storefront. J. Crew came along and made a tempting offer, so the space was rented as Crewcuts (and then, a year later, the Ludlow Shop). In December of 2010, Schlagman was back at CB1 Tribeca, saying that he was moving his café around the corner, to 88-90 Thomas. (The committee got skittish because residents across Hudson had previously been vocal about any business possibly keeping them awake at night.) Anyway, nothing happened for two years.

In October, having noticed that lights that had been installed by the doors, I wondered aloud if something was up. Then, a couple of weeks ago, D. noticed that brown awnings had gone up over the two doors on Thomas. What’s more, the door handles have been changed—the fancy ones pictured here weren’t there before. And a friend pointed out that the vents above the doors are new; indeed, here’s an old photo of the façade, with windows above the doors.

If it were going to be a restaurant of some kind, I’m pretty sure Schlagman would have to come back for a renewal (if CB1 approved his request in 2010—I skipped the full CB1 meeting—and if the establishment plans on serving alcohol).

Then I thought to myself: Even though there are no permits posted, converting the space to a restaurant would probably involve enough work to require filing with the Department of Buildings. Lo and behold, the DOB website says that on July 13, 2012, a permit was filed for “RENOVATE EATING AND DRINKING PLACE (U.G.6 ) AT 1 FLOOR.” Schlagman is listed as the owner.

I was pretty convinced that this is going to be a restaurant, and based on the history (and, unless I missed something, the lack of a liquor license), I would say it’ll be a bakery/café. But when I texted Schlagman at the number on the DOB filing, he replied, “I don’t want you to mislead the neighborhood; there isn’t anything currently opening at 88 Thomas Street. if there’s an interesting development, that I can share with you, I’ll happily let you know.”

Because being pushy is my job, I said, “So the awnings, door handles, and DOB restaurant permit don’t mean anything? Or just don’t mean anything yet?”

“Smoke doesn’t mean fire,” he said.

And so we shall wait. If you see something, say something; and if you know something, whisper it in my ear….

Got a question? Email it to tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

Previous Nosy Neighbor posts:
• Is another Equinox opening in IPN?
• Is this the new dog run?
• Any update on the Chambers construction?
• Who’s responsible for the snowflake lights?
• Is the scaffolding on 110 Hudson ever coming down?
• Are the Hudson and Chambers reconstructions delayed?
• What’s going on at 165 Church?
• Is 93 Reade adding a floor?
• Why is Pier 25 ripped up?
• Is 28 N. Moore going residential?
• Why does cobblestoning require sprinklers?
• Do newspaper boxes need permits?
• Why does 161 Duane say “Whalebone”?
• What’s the story behind those Harrison townhouses?
• What are those white things at 137 Franklin?
• What’s that thing at W. Broadway and Leonard?
• What happens to old cobblestones?
• Are buses allowed to idle on Laight?
• What’s happening with the Verizon building?
• Will the construction at Hudson and Laight ever end?
• What is Esoteric on Walker Street?
• Is N. Moore getting cobblestoned?
• What’s happening at 73 Warren?
• Can you recommend any Tribeca picture books?
• Why are those shuttles on Greenwich?
• Who enforces sidewalk-café regulations?
• What’s going on at 27 Desbrosses?
• When will those trailers on West Street go away?
• Do you know anything about 20-24 Varick?
• What’s happening to my parking lot?
• Is Pier 26 being worked on again?
• What are those black pellets on Pier 25?
• What do the characters on 47 Vestry mean?
• Where is the Special Forces monument going?
• Who’s moving into 151 Hudson?
• What’s going on at 172 Duane?
• What’s up with those Verizon carts?
• Where was the original Blues Bar?
• Who are the guys in the geeky pants?
• Why are the windows above Ponte’s boarded up?
• Can we walk on the West Street medians?
• What’s going on in 157 Hudson?
• What’s the new painting at 153 Hudson?
• What is this P.C. Richard & Son Theater I keep hearing about?
• What’s the story behind the lights at 289 Church?
• What’s the Dream House at 275 Church?
• How come every every film and TV shoot seems to have a trailer with doors marked “Lucy” and “Desi”?

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