When an employee at the Blockbuster that closed on 93rd street and Broadway told us the store would be replaced by Applebee’s, it set off a panic among our readers. The Upper West Side really is turning into a strip mall!
Well, here’s the good news for Applebee’s-haters: the chain restaurant won’t be moving into the old space.
And here’s the not-so-exciting news: it’s a Verizon Wireless retailer.
The phone store appears to be taking up half of the storefront, with a Halloween pop-up store taking up the rest for now.
So, friends, where does this rank on the gentrification-meter?
Thanks to Nancy for the photo.
Phew!! I was getting worried I wouldn’t be able to get phone accessories in this neighborhood. ::end sarcasm::
Ugh, ANOTHER cell phone store? I’d almost rather have the Applebee’s.
Settle down folks. They just split up the space. 90% of the store in still available (10% is the Verizon Store). The large space is still available. The Spirit store is a temporary pop-up store to sell crap during Halloween… maybe the holidays but that’s all.
There’s still hope!
If the West Side rag had checked the facts first, it would not have started the rumor about Applebee’s.
The West Side Rag did *not* “start” any rumor. If you will read the original report, headed in part “Applebee’s Coming?” (note the prominent question mark), you will see that what was *reported* was as follows: “The store on 93rd will stay open until March 23; afterwards, an Applebee’s is rumored to be moving in, an employee told us.”
So long as an employee did, in fact, report that rumor — and you do not challenge that an employee said that — the Rag was accurately reporting a *fact*. So please keep your rather scurrilous and unfounded accusations to yourself.
If you find that the Rag is not factual or reliable, you are of course welcome to tune to a different channel.
Keep up the good work, Avi!
Wahh!!! no chains! wahh! no more rude and overpriced mom and pop stores!
Wahh! no more big stores! We have to outlaw them Gail!
Wahh! much better to have empty stores and vagrants in front expressing their constitutional rights!
Wahh we are the real true Upper West Siders!