Raphael Toledano

news, Social Justice No Comments

Tenants Demand Cooking Gas, Say Their Landlord’s Response Is ‘Tough Turkey’

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Brad Hoylman and Toledano Tenant Coalition.(Photo: Katherine Barner)

Brad Hoylman and Toledano Tenant Coalition.(Photo: Katherine Barner)

While many of us are prepping for a Thanksgiving feast, the tenants of 325 East 12th Street are stocking up on TV dinners. They won’t be able to cook a proper Thanksgiving meal in their own homes this year and haven’t been able to cook for quite a while. Their building has been without gas for over six months since demolition forced Con Ed to turn it off. With the holiday season upon them, they’re feeling the frustration more than ever.

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City Hall, news, Social Justice No Comments

East Village Landlord’s Ice Cream Social Gets a Chilly Reception

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Protestors yesterday at TK (Photo: Luisa Rollenhagen)

Protestors yesterday at TK (Photo: Luisa Rollenhagen)

It’s hard to imagine how anyone could get pissed off about ice cream. It’s pretty delicious stuff on its own, but when ice cream comes free, it’s capable of turning almost any New Yorker with a broken-AC situation into a sedated, softly smiling master of chill. But the tenants at 325 East 12th Street– owned by Brookhill Properties, a real estate company founded by notorious landlord Raphael Toledano, who’s currently under investigation by the State for tenant harassment– have been moved to a level of frustration that can’t be solved with tasty bribes. That’s why, when they started receiving invitations to attend an ice cream social bought and paid for by Brookhill, the tenants organized an ice cream protest.

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Business, news No Comments

‘The Good Old Days Are Gone’: Gallery Vercon Leaves the EV After 29 Years

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(Photo: Kavitha Surana)

(Photo: Kavitha Surana)

After 29 years firmly planted on East Village’s fashion row, Gallery Vercon boutique is closing its doors on January 15. In the meantime all the goods are marked down, 20 to 50 percent off.

The store began life focusing on accessories and jewelry — owner Vashti De Verteuil is a jewelry designer by training — and added clothing 15 years ago. Over time, the style of the shop evolved with the neighborhood: “It began more punk, but as our customers grew up with us, we had more classic things — with a little twist,” said De Verteuil.  Popular designers in stock today include Joanie James and Yolanda Kwan. More →

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