Month: March 2013

The Ellington Inn is expected to open this week in the former home of The Neighborhood, a restaurant that closed last year. The "gastropub" at 936 Amsterdam Avenue (corner of 106th street) is applying for permission to set up a large sidewalk cafe out front -- in fact, the outdoor ...

A brand-spanking new recreational center is expected to open on 59th street and Amsterdam Avenue as soon as next month. But given the history of the center, don't place your bets on it just yet. The rec center, which features an indoor pool, a basketball court, an exercise gym, an ...

They're still serving beer at the Emerald Inn on Columbus between 69th and 70th street, but women's accessories store Kate Spade is already measuring the drapes -- or rather, they're getting ready to rip down the drapes and much of the rest of the bar.

It's rare to have a grand closing celebration, but that's what happened Friday. Check out that and other local news from the past week below.

By Meg D'Incecco Have you ever walked past the corner of Amsterdam and 77th Street and noticed sweaty people streaming out the door of Soul Cycle and wondered, 'what the heck is that place?' At its most basic, Soul Cycle is a gym filled with stationary bikes. But as one ...

They were just too big! They couldn't be contained in such a small space! They were spilling out all over the place!

The Department of Education waited three weeks to fix a light bulb that was leaking toxic chemicals at PS 87 on 77th street, and didn't tell parents for almost three months, according to Assembly member Linda Rosenthal. PCB's are a carcinogenic chemical that was used in lighting fixtures until the ...

It doesn't seem like a great day for sledding, but it's certainly a great day for photos. The snow is sticking especially well to trees , lamp posts and buildings. If you have photos, send them along: info at westsiderag dot com. The Central Park Drives are closed this morning ...

It's damn hard opening a restaurant on the Upper West Side. Damn hard.

The Humane Society has accused the Century 21 store on 66th street and Broadway of selling rabbit fur jackets and sweaters that were advertised as "faux fur." In addition, items purchased online and advertised as "faux fur" contained rabbit and "raccoon dog" fur, the Humane Society said. State assembly member ...

Riverside Park South, which stretches from 59th to 72nd street, was built in 2000. But Councilwoman Gale Brewer says it's gotten so much use that it now needs another upgrade. She's asking for ideas to make the park better: "March 7, 2013 at 9am Tour of Riverside Park South. Meet ...

The New York City Housing Authority is considering a plan to build private apartment towers on land inside public housing projects. Some of the new developments are slated for the Douglass Houses, a project made up of 18 buildings housing nearly 5,000 residents that stretches from 100th to 104th street. ...

The Upper West Side's rat infestation took on epic proportions last year when multiple rodents were seen scurrying around Fairway on 74th street, including a cute little mouse videotaped frolicking in the olive bins. But City Council member Gale Brewer told the local community board on Tuesday night that "Fairway ...

Icon Style, an antique jewelry and vintage fashion store, opened its doors this weekend at 104 West 70th street, the former home of Goodrich Pharmacy. Goodrich closed in June after 40 years serving Upper West Siders.

The JCC on 76th street and Amsterdam Avenue will host a free screening on Wednesday of "Dear Governor Cuomo," a movie about the fight against fracking in New York state. It's centered around a concert/protest in Albany. After the screening, there will be a discussion with writer and director Jon ...

The controversial homeless shelters at 316 and 330 West 95th street are still operating, even though it does not appear that the shelter operator has a current contract with the city. The 400-adult shelter was opened on a temporary basis last August without public review, and the operators are now ...

Community opposition is building to city plans that could allow developers to knock down two local schools and build luxury high-rises with new schools in their place. If the city moves ahead, PS 191 on 61st street and PS 199 on 70th street would be demolished as soon as 2015. ...

A hot new restaurant and a longtime favorite on Columbus Avenue between 84th and 85th streets have both been forced to close for an extended period of time because of a water main break on Columbus Avenue.

Check out a plan to build a very special dog run, problems for Tavern on the Green, and news about hospitals, schools and more in our roundup of local news articles we found in other news outlets this week.

The closure of longtime Upper West side bakery Soutine last November was a tough blow for Upper West Siders and other fans of baked goods. Madge Rosenberg's tiny shop and catering kitchen at 104 West 70th street had been around for 30 years and had