EAST VILLAGE - The former Hop Devil Grill space and the embattled Nino's Pizza could be transformed into a restaurant and cocktail bar that will also provide co-working facilities.
The Late Late's James Morrisey and Webster Hall's Gerard McNamee want to combine the storefronts at St. Mark's Place and Avenue A to create a new restaurant called The Honey Fitz, according to public documents on the Community Board 3 website, as first reported by EV Grieve.
The idea for the proposed new venture is to offer quick breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails — as well as provide WiFi and printers for "local creative entrepreneurs."
But the space that formerly housed Nino's Pizza is still in limbo. The pizza joint has been closed since the fall reportedly because of a gas leak, but has previously posted signs on its window saying it intends to reopen.
There are several open violations in the Hop Devil Grill and Nino's Pizza spaces, for transgressions including construction without a permit and for failing to have a public assembly permit, according to Department of Building records.
The owners of the new restaurant plan to go before Community Board 3 on Feb. 16 for its blessing for a liquor license. The name for The Honey Fitz was derived from a yacht owned by the Kennedys, according to EV Grieve.
McNamee did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Morrissey could not be reached.
The CB3 SLA committee will meet on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 59 E. Fourth St.
