We’ve gotten quite a few tips about openings and closings in the low 70’s in the past week, but didn’t get a chance to post. Here are four recent closings and an opening:
Red Velvet bakery on 72nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam closed a week or so ago, after the bakery had just recently renovated and changed its name from Buttercup Cafe. Their $2 muffin and coffee special was among the best deals in the neighborhood, but perhaps it was a little too good.
The AT&T store on the south side of 72nd between Columbus and Amsterdam has closed. That store has open and closed before, but it’s unclear if it will get another chance. A few weeks ago, the store was apparently burglarized, although that may not have been the reason for the closure.
Dinastia China, a Latin-Chinese spot with good fried chicken on 72nd, has closed by the Department of Health because of health violations. The violations included roaches, flies and evidence of mice or live mice. A sign outside said “Closed for Alterations”. Our anonymous tipster is hoping the place reopens soon: “It was awesome! I gave it a great review on UrbanSpoon. I hope they come out of it okay.”
Lastly, Älskling, a boutique run by a Swedish designer on Columbus near 70th Street, closed recently. Älskling means “darling” in Swedish. It was a favorite among musicians, who would often buy the clothes to wear for concerts, says New York magazine.
In place of Älskling, a new men’s clothing shop called EFOR just opened. It’s the second EFOR location in the city. They have a concept store in Chelsea. Tailored suits, skinny ties and the like.
Thanks to Beth, Robin, Kara and “anonymous” for the tips.
thanks for all of this info; do you or does anyone know what’s going in on the NE corner of Broadway & 81st street? seems that two adjacent stores went out …
The black plastic bag was off the Dinastia window this morning and the lights were on. It looks like they tried to scratch off the yellow DOH sticker but weren’t successful.
The rumor a while ago about 81st and Broadway was that it was going to be (tah-DA!) a bank. But then it lay fallow for a long time until work started recently. We’re watching with fingers crossed in hopes that it *won’t* be yet another bank……
Of course, these days that leaves (a) a shoe store or (b) a beauty salon (or nail parlor), so who knows??
Anybody have more current info?
I live right near there and was wondering to the same thing, since it looks like they’re starting to do some serious work on the property. According to an article I found via Google, the two storefronts will be combined into a 5000-square-foot Bank of America. Even more depressing is that a bank is also rumored to be moving into the empty H&H storefront across the street. Ugh. I was hoping for a cool new restaurant, a boutique, a bakery…basically ANYTHING but another bank or Duane Reade. I find this seriously depressing.