By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Harmon Health & Beauty, the cosmetics shop located in the Belleclaire Hotel building on Broadway between 76th and 77th Streets, is closing in the next few weeks. All products in the store, which opened in December 2020, are on sale at 20% off. Harmon was founded in 1971 and was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond 2022. The parent company is closing all of its 50 Harmon locations (in addition to dozens of Bed Bath & Beyond stores). “I preferred shopping there compared to a traditional pharmacy,” said Sarah, a regular customer who lives on 75th Street. “They had good prices and it was just a calm, nice space to browse.” (Thanks to Harriet, Sue, Robin, and Gretchen for the tips.)
Marshalls, the discount department chain, is closing its store at 2182 Broadway (on the corner of 78th Street) on March 25th. A store clerk told WSR that the lease was up and the company decided not to renew. “We are always assessing and reviewing our real estate strategies, and our decision to close this store reflects that thinking. We are grateful for the loyalty of our New York City customers,” a company representative wrote in a statement to WSR. Marshalls, which sells clothing and shoes, home decor, and accessories, has been at this UWS location since 2014. The closest Marshalls to the Broadway store is at 125 West 125th Street (at Lenox Avenue) and will remain open, the clerk said. (Thanks to Bonnie and Nora for the tips.)
Poetry of Material Things at 222A Columbus Avenue, between 70th Street and 71st Streets, has a new archway combining it with Outlette, the jewelry store next door, turning the two stores into one.
Scott and Ruth Bienstock, owners of Outlette, opened Poetry of Material Things in December 2022. The name refers to how objects can “cue experiences, memories, achievements, attitudes, escape or transformation […] It is true that material things themselves don’t matter, but the moments they signify in life is all that does.” The store is divided into two sections: jewelry on one side of the archway, and home decor on the other side.
Wonder, the new restaurant concept backed by Jet.com founder Marc Lore, is opening in February at 2028 Broadway between 69th and 70th Streets. The space will combine several different restaurants at one location, bringing “menus from top chefs and iconic restaurants delivered to your door.” The restaurants advertised on the storefront include: Chuko (“ramen, steamed buns and more Japanese favorites”); Chios Taverna (chef Michael Symon’s take on Greek flavors); Alanza (“best of old school red sauce joints”); Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue; and Chai Pani Indian Street Food. The space has been vacant for a few years; it was previously an Italian restaurant, Gina La Fornarina.
Just Salad, the salad chain, has signage up at 670 Columbus (at 92nd Street), next to Trader Joe’s in the former location of Petco. A representative from Just Salad told WSR that an opening is planned for this March or April. Just Salad has an UWS location at 2056 Broadway (between 70th and 71st Streets) and another one is opening on Broadway between 110th and 111th Streets. (Thanks to Leslie for the tip.)
Ashoka, the Indian restaurant at 489 Columbus (between 83rd and 84th Streets), appears to be closed. The space has been cleared out and the phone is disconnected. Ashoka, which originally opened in 2017, served Indian food with “northern and southern influences,” Gauri Shankar, the owner, wrote on Yelp. He started his career in the hotel industry in 1989. (Thanks to Ed for the tip.)
Indie Food & Wine, the restaurant in the Film Society of Lincoln Center at 144 West 65th Street, closed on January 31st. “We have been so fortunate and so proud to serve the Lincoln Center community and all of our guests for so long. A sincere thank you for your patronage and for supporting our small business,” Indie wrote on Instagram. The restaurant had been there since 2011. “It’s sad to say goodbye to all of it, but especially hard to say goodbye to this team. Many of us have worked together for years, and it will be so strange not to be seeing each of your sweet faces every day.” Indie ended the post with #staytuned, and we’ll update when more info is available. Read Jane Seskin’s farewell poem to Indie here.
Levain Bakery on Amsterdam between 76th and 77th Streets, which had been temporarily closed for renovation, reopened on January 23rd. There are updates to the kitchen and retail sections of the shop, including a reorganization that makes it easier for customers to watch the baking in action. “The entire store feels roomier,” said a store employee. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the new mural of the Upper West Side created by illustrator Libby VanderPloeg. The map highlights neighborhood landmarks, such as the Planetarium, Beacon Theatre and Strawberry Fields. The cyclists in Central Park are Levain’s founders, Pam and Connie, a company representative wrote in a message to WSR. The mural was hand painted by Matt Meyer, who has also gilded the gold leaf signage at all of Levain’s locations.
TJ Maxx the parent co. of Marshalls with the same range of merchandise remains open at 808 Columbus ave- 98th street.
I go to (Went to) both stores. TJ’s and Marshalls. They are only approximately one mile apart, an easy and healthy walk on a nice day. There was some product overlap. But there were also many things that one store would have that the other one wouldn’t. Marshalls had more high-end brands. 1818 Brooks Brothers suit, Organic Leather Weekender Bag, and Andrew Marc Jacket were all recent purchases that TJ Maxx didn’t have on the same day.
Aside from the row of Columbus Ave stores between 97th and 99th. Residents have to leave the neighborhood to go shopping for home or leisure essentials.
That is a stretch for people that live in the 70’s and 80’s.
TJMaxx doesn’t carry men’s shoes for some reason. Not on their website either.
Those shoe prices were occasionally awesome; this is a real blow… and the Harmon closure is like additional acid poured on the wound… absolutely sucks… and don’t even TALK to me about Bed, Bath, Beyond; circling the drain the way they are.
Ugh… Boo hoo!
Well, at least the five-dollar-cookie place has a new mural!
And that location has far more in stock than the Marshalls ever did. It made this Marshalls superfluous.
Does anybody know if we will be able to pick up “take out” from the Wonder restaurants? I’m one of those rare NYers who does not have the patience to wait for delivery. I prefer to “go get” my food. Been picking up from Bondi Sushi nearby regularly since they opened.
“Download the app to order delivery, pickup, or dine-in at any of our locations.”
https://www.wonder.com/uws
On their web site, it says: “Our first New York City location is on the way, opening on the Upper West Side in February 2023. Come visit us to pick up and dine in, or order delivery to your home.” So pick up is offered and it appears there’ll be room to eat there. Basically, it’s a food hall with lots of delivery.
Ashoka closing is a tragedy for the neighborhood. Their food was great and they were my go-to delivery spot during the peak of COVID in 2020. However, during the past year or so their service took a huge downturn and their delivery game really started to struggle. No idea what happened, but as a regular for years it was noticeable that something had changed with regards to their service. Food was always on point. I hope the UES location remains open.
So sorry that Ashoka closed! Also frustrated that Yelp and Open Table continue to book reservations for the restaurant on their platforms. We made a reservation in advance and showed up only to find a dark, locked restaurant. It was below zero that night, and we were lucky to be able to get a table at NoiDue at the last minute. Ashoka’s phone is disconnected but their website is still up and looking like they are taking orders. Very irresponsible!
We loved Ashoka! Unfortunately the one on the ues closed a few months ago. Mughlai on the ues is now our go to, definitely worth a try!
Ashoka was the best. Hard to find a takeout order anymore that fills you up for $20 with good quality too, and this was it. This one’s hard to swallow tbh
Agree completely! Very sad about this!
Andrew, try Angaar .. Indian restaurant on Columbus and W74th… Fabulous food.. Been going there forever! https://www.angaarnyc.com/Default.aspx
Cheers!
Andrew, agreed! I live across the street and always enjoyed their food, both with friends indoors and also as an occasional take-out treat. Sad, and so strange they just seem to have packed up and left. Guess I will have to try Swagat and/or Saravanaa Bhavan also nearby)
Highly recommend Swagat. It’s been our go to place for years.
Our family and friends are really upset about their closing. I agree: the food was always great, but delivery as well as take-out service declined. We continued to order from them.
Try Swagat. And there are many other UWS Indian spots (Alachi Masala, Angaar, Saravanaa Bhavan, etc).
Eventually, most retail stores will close. Sad to see as I still like shopping in stores but younger generation does not, older generation is leaving us.
I cannot imagine why one would want to live in a major city that does not have unique retail offerings. One of the chief reasons that NYC appealed to me and my peers was the incredible array of shops. One could spend an entire weekend popping into cool shops in the East Village alone. It seems a huge part of the equation for a vibrant city and I still see it when I travel to Paris and other European cities.
The lobby in my UWS building looks like an Amazon warehouse on a daily basis. It’s very sad, but also maddening that my neighbors seem oblivious to the idea of supporting their local economy.
I keep trying the local economy – which never has what I need, from socks to hats. By the way, same seems to be true for all of Manhattan (not interested in department stores.)
David, I wholeheartedly agree, but the problem is that it’s frustrating, after having looked at the store’s online site, to go to the store to buy something like a Vitessa iron or a Farberware coffeepot and to find it’s not in stock. This happens continually, even if it’s a type of sunblock, a small jar of Vaseline, or an extra soft toothbrush. I believe this is what’s sadly and understandably driving people to go online.
AGREE. I ALWAYS TRY TO SHOP IN STORES BUT WITHOUT LUCK. THEN I FIND IT ON AMAZON. SAD!
When I was a kid in Brooklyn, we used to spend every weekend running around trying to buy simple little things like that. It was such a waste of time. We don’t do that anymore.
As a born-and- bred New Yorker, I have learned in recent years to ALWAYS call ahead to see if the store actually HAS an item they (used to) carry. It saves an awful lot of time and energy.
For that to work you’d have to be able to reach a store via telephone directly, which often is not possible nowadays.
Even if you do get through good luck speaking with someone who knows what stock a place has or doesn’t.
I guess I am talking more about retail stores that sell clothing, books, gifts, antiques, vintage, FASHION etc. Unique items! Interesting stores! The type you see Downtown. The UWS has very little of interest. Which is a shame. These are the types of brick and mortar that help make a city colorful,fun and interesting.
I am talking about places like Westsider Books and Records.
Don’t tell me that these types of places are antiquated. A gigantic McNally Jackson Book shop just opened in Rockefeller Center. There are many other examples.
A city full of only eateries, banks and chains is not a healthy city economically or culturally.
I find it so bizarre that rents are skyrocketing in areas where there are hundreds of vacant storefronts. You get the sense that there is either an artificial inflation of rents or the people willing to pay exorbitant rents are satisfied with staying home and ordering in everything they need.
Wonder is only takeout?
So the expectation would be a surge in food delivery workers in the area? Already congested area?
Pick up and dine in too, according to their site, but definitely emphasizing delivery.
“Download the app to order delivery, pickup, or dine-in at any of our locations.” https://www.wonder.com/uws
Harmons had the best prices for shampoo, toothpaste and other items you would usually pick up in Duane Reade or a CVS with the added bonus that nothing is behind barricades of plastic you had to ring to access. I am going to miss them.
Agree – Harmon is fantastic, much better than CVS and Duane Reade to shop in. Loved their huge supply of travel / sample size products. Big loss.
Bed Bath and Beyond has defaulted on its debt and is bankrupt. It will be closing most of its operations shortly.
The only issue is whether it can survive in any form.
absolute tragedy what happened to harmon. 50 years of good honest business just to get bought and destroyed in a matter of months by the venture capital monster.
Agreed, I’ve been a loyal Harmon’s customer for 25 years (first in NJ) and was thrilled when the UWS location opened. There’s no alternative that matches their pricing, selection, and pleasant shopping experience, although I’d love for someone to please correct me if I’m wrong! I’m in mourning.
What is the status of Cafe Lalo on West 83rd Street? It closed in March or April 2020 and there’s a sign on the door ever since, saying “closed for renovations”. All the tables and equipment are still inside. What gives? Is it or is it not out of business?
Re: Lalo – The place was a goldmine – printing money for years. Great business, would be surprised if they closed for good
I would love to know also! It is completely frozen in time at the moment.
The boutique Kes cleared out on Tuesday evening and closed as well. The store is now for rent. (Amsterdam between W. 82nd and W. 83rd). Sad to see this lovely store go
I’m saddened to hear about the closure of Marshalls. I loved that store and the location. And I’m from the younger generation who does not find online shopping for clothes, shoes, etc convenient. What kind of store will take over for the space Marshalls is at?
I missed Filene’s after it closed and Marshalls filled that bargain-shopping gene.
Probably another Duane Reade, or a restaurant that will flame out in six months.
Or another empty storefront.
Likely.
Just one block west and north that space formerly filled by DSW shoes still sits empty.
Don’t understand what’s happening with UWS retail. Across the park on UES retail along Lexington and Third avenue is booming.
Does anybody remember Flying Tiger? They had the most wonderful assortment of imaginative stuff. The most fun spot to browse for presents for friends with a sense of the unusual and a sense of humor. Gone like the wind. Rising rents.
LOVED Flying Tiger. They are from Denmark, I think. A big chain internationally. Or it was. The website is in English but the prices in Euros. Not sure how you can order by mail. But it’s fun to look!
Flying Tiger like several other European brands expanded greatly in NYC and USA in 2019 through 2020, then came covid…
Long story short many were over expanded and extended and couldn’t cope with government mandated shut downs.
Like other retail Flying Tiger has concentrated upon and expanded their online presence. Nothing in USA as of yet, but hope springs eternal.
Will miss Harmon so much. So calm and pleasant and organized inside with such great prices. Is there anywhere comparable that anyone recommends? Duane reade and CVS’s prices are just so ridiculous.
Target.
I think the soon-to-open Just Salad (Columbus & W 92, next to Trader Joe’s) is opening in the old Groomery space (not Petco). The Petco on Broadway & 92nd is still open.
Curious to find out whether the previous La Mirabelle French restaurant on 86th street just west of Columbus will reopen with a Chinese restaurant. West side rag had reported this some months ago.
SO sad about Harmon cosmetics! The prices were excellent, the atmosphere was always calm, the employees were unfailingly helpful. A huge loss.
Also sad about Marshalls! It was a fun place to shop, not always organized perfectly but with patience you could find great deals, and the hunting was half the fun.
Wafels & Dinges NOW OPEN!
Welcome to the UWS neighborhood we’ve been waiting for you!
Wafels & Dinges
At 79th St. on Columbus Avenue
Are now open for there deliciousness!!!
They to put a Chick-fil-A around Columbus Avenue pleaseeeee.
Considering the politics of Chick-fil-a owners and the politics of the typical UWSider it might not be a good match.
Sad to see Ashoka go. Another option, especially for delivery, is Manhattan Valley. They’re on 100th & Broadway but I believe they deliver as far south as 70th St.
Ugh, heartbroken about Ashoka. Ordered there weekly… what a loss for the neighborhood.