Rachel Uchitel and daughter Wyatt Lily.
Google the names of most small business owners on the Upper West Side and you probably won’t get many hits. But type the newest children’s clothing store owner into the search engine and you’ll end up with about 1.2 million results.
Rachel Uchitel, who opened children’s store Wyatt Lily (named after her daughter) on Columbus between 73rd and 74th street this month, is a tabloid star. She was initially featured on the cover of the New York Post after her fiancee died in the September 11 attacks.
But she became famous after she was named as the alleged mistress of Tiger Woods during his public meltdown and separation from his wife. Uchitel hired celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred and denied the story, but has continued to be followed by the tabloids, which have chronicled her love life, her divorces and more. New York magazine has written several thousand words about her.
Uchitel has worked in the VIP sections of nightclubs in New York and Las Vegas, and has appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1.
Wyatt Lily sells luxury children’s clothes for newborns to six-year-olds.
Announcing Wyatt Lily, the opening of my children's boutique on the upper west side in NYC tomorrow! 290 Columbus. pic.twitter.com/XCl26ZNOeK
— Rachel Uchitel (@RachelUchitel) December 13, 2013
Images via twitter.
Good to know she owns it. Ill make sure not to shop there.
Luxury Children’s clothing from newborn to 6 years old? Who the heck needs that when they just grow out of these clothes as fast as you put them on. This neighborhood is becoming totally ridiculous. Overpriced baby clothes is not what this neighborhood needs. Although, maybe it’s what is in demand because after all this area has become for the affluent instead of the middle class. It’s all so sad!
Re: “…after all this area has become for the affluent instead of the middle class. It’s all so sad!”
What, in heaven’s name, is SAD about it?
Are “the affluent” limiting your personal freedom?
Are “the affluent” making you feel uncomfortable unless you dress a certain way?
Are “the affluent” driving up restaurant prices so that a salad costs $25.00???
NOT HERE ON THE UWS! But they are on the UES,especially on the blocks from Fifth Ave. to Lexington between E. 60th and E. 96th…whose motto is ‘dress nice and be wealthy’.
The UWS is still pretty much the same with a wonderful density and diversity of types. As proof, spend an hour at one of the tables in the beautifully renovated Tucker Square and watch the ever-changing cast of characters.
The UWS is still a “haimische” place and does NOT have that mausoleum feel that resonates through out the UES.
So give it a rest awreddy, huh?
Sorry, Stan, but I have to disagree with you.
In particular, “Are “the affluent” driving up restaurant prices so that a salad costs $25.00???” Yes, of course they are. The Bankers are now everywhere, and the landlords can smell the money. As a result, the landlords are happy to raise rents to boutique levels (a la this very story), which makes it impossible for those places charging salad prices for salads to remain. You’re an avid reader of these “pages” — haven’t you noticed how all the “haimish” (to use your word) places, like Big Nick’s, Popover and so many others, are folding their tents?
And being replaced by luxury baby clothes, whose only draw is the infamy of the store owner? Ollie’s out, Fifteen-Buck-A-Burger in? Of course salad prices are going up — prices on *everything* are going up, largely because the landlords know that the Banker-infested market will bear it.
No, this isn’t the Upper East Side. You don’t have to be named Caldwell or Buffy to live here — but this is where the *next* generation of Bankers want to live, just so that they can be “cool”, unlike their elders.
And Tucker Square? Even if you consider that the Upper West Side, everyone I’ve ever seen there has been a tourist.
Haimish? No, Stan, no more. Show me one place you can buy a fresh babka. Designer one-bite cupcakes, sure, but that doesn’t make for haimish in my book.
It may not be Lexington Avenue, but this is now the “East Side, West”.
Best of luck to the homewrecker’s baby store.
Cato have you been talking to Bruce? You sound like that fibisina altacocker.
Bankers on the UWS! perish the thought!
1. when did banker become a dirty word? last I checked Wall street pays for all your special interest social programs.
My Uncle was a “banker” and lived on CPW from the 20s to the 90s – Fifth , Park were restricted unless part of Our Crowd.
You don’t think Popover was viewed as some alien yuppie invasion feeding station when it opened in 82? it was.
Sorry to see it and others go, but they have been replaced by any number of friendly and family owned restaurants.
Lastly, best Bobka in the world? Fairway , Second best? Zabars.
Change is a constant and should be embraced.
Open your eyes or may I suggest a move out.
Thanks, West, but Bruce and I rarely share a viewpoint.
I was here (and had been for quite a while) when Popover opened. It was new and welcomed for being new.
Notice, too, that I said “fresh” babka — not the shrink-wrapped stuff that the mega-marts hawk. I’m glad if you’re willing to accept that as a substitute for a real bakery. I still miss Eclair.
And please tell me about one “friendly and family owned restaurant” that has opened on the West Side in a decade.
Finally, and to me most important, please don’t suggest “a move out”. I’ve been here virtually my entire adult life, and had close childhood connections before that. (Yes, I remember when Zabar’s was a single store.) Or were you one of those who responded to the protests of the Vietnam War with “love it or leave it”??
Talk about farbissinah (or, as you render it, “fibisina”). Galitzyaner, maybe??
Good luck Rachel.
All the best and mucho mazel.
Chiristina , there is no mention of price points or Luxury……dont be such a hater. and on Christmas eve. Bad karma.
Then don’t shop there Christina!
Don’t condemn those who chose to are taking an economic chance.
Meanwhile this is an investment in our neighborhood, jobs, taxes and cute clothes that make you smile.
Whats wrong with that?
FYi, there have been pricey stores for kids since I can remember , at least the 1970s……
As Archie Bunker used to say: “Whoop de doo!”
I’m with webot, thank you for investing in the nabe, and I wish you success. This is small, local, and all that stuff.
Great American success story. A beautiful woman who suffered terrible tragedies but was strong enough to overcome them. Best of luck Rachel.
Odd to see so much sympathy for a women who had no problem messing around with a married father of 2. Ironic that she’s selling baby clothes. I agree with others that say the neighborhood has no need whatsoever for upscale children’s clothes.
How is her personal life any business of yours ? and what happened to being nonjudgemental of others, isn’t that what the Upper West Side is all about, live and let live?
AND as I remember the story, Tiger had dozens of affairs. If anyone is to blame it is him. She did not come forward and go public, but was dragged into it after the media got wind of it.
either way, I thought we are a tolerant community.
Good to see that small businesses are investing in the neighborhood. Certainly an improvement over the west 90s which remain pretty grim.
I agree with Christina. It irks me that this women is using the fame she received when she broke up a family and damaged the lives of those two children for her own personal gain.
A quick look at Wikipedia reveals she broke up another family and there are allegations of blackmail.
Also its not like the neighborhood doesn’t have an abundance of high end childrens clothing stores or that end of Columbus is crying out for investment.
Feel free to spend your money where you want but I for one wouldn’t step foot in there.
I wish Rachel extreme success. I hope her business explodes and she opens locations everywhere and becomes a MULTI billionaire! She and Wyatt Lily are darling! Go Rachel!
I went into the store today to exchange a dress I bought for my daughter. When I bought the dress I wasn’t so sure I needed it for my sister’s wedding and explained to the store clerk my situation. She said that as long as I bring the receipt I could exchange. When I went to the store today and tried to exchange the dress knowing I had gone over their 7 day return policy I tried to explain it to the owner. She kept scrutinizing the dress to make sure it wasn’t worn going over each layer. I felt humiliated. I am not the typical rich looking person that would shop at this store and she made me feel very self conscience. I have never felt the need to write a review till today but the whole experience was unkind. I don’t think I ever left a store thinking I would never go there again but today I did. It was my choice to buy the dress and the consequence for not taking it back or exchanging is understandable but you should not treat the people who are shopping in your store like this. You probably don’t think you need business from a person like me and its ok because I do not plan to ever go back. No all people are trying to cheat you do not make a customer feel like they are cheats. BTW she decided when she couldn’t find anything wrong with it to give me an exchange at the sale price.
Mom of 2: As an employee of a Fortune 500 retail company myself I think the return of your purchase from Wyatt Lily could have been handled more tactfully..perhaps in a more private section of the store, or better yet to refund your purchase, no questions asked! People today should realize that consumers can state their case to thousands in the social media,causing a loss of future customers. Why would someone want to risk that?