If you like coffee, chocolate, and breasts, you will enjoy our latest edition of Upper West Side openings and closings.
Plowshares Coffee is opening its first retail location on Broadway between 104th and 105th street in November. Plowshares is a coffee roaster based in Rockland County that takes this stuff seriously: “Our coffees are all roasted in a lovingly restored 1950’s era vintage German Probat UG 15 roaster which, until recently, was producing beautiful coffees for over 50 years in a small cafe in Belgium.” They’ve been looking for baristas. Thanks to Kathryn for the tip.
Upper Breast Side, a breastfeeding resource center with the motto “you bring your breasts, we’ve got the rest,” is moving from its location at 135 West 70th street to a new spot at 510 Amsterdam Avenue (between 84th and 85th street). They’re planning a soft opening a few days from now. Thanks to Natalia for the tip.
The HSBC bank on 102nd street and Broadway is closing, Nic tells us. They had already removed much of the equipment a week ago.
Voila Chocolat, a make-your-own chocolate business, is getting ready to open this “fall/winter” at 221 West 79th street, the former home of Estihana. They promise to teach you “the secrets of fine chocolatiering.”
A rep for the company told us in the comments on our last post that the chocolate events aren’t just for kids: “The sort of place you’d go to impress a date, or entertain clients, or bring guests from out of town, or do something fun and educational with the family on the weekend. Not just for hosting 10-year olds’ birthday parties (although, there are plenty of sophisticated 10-yo’s on the UWS, and it was actually the founder’s 10-yo daughter’s party that sparked his idea for this).” We first wrote about them here and they’ve set up a website here.
The owners are working on the space, and even put a time capsule in the new wall, according to their blog. “What irreplaceable memories will be made between these walls, we wonder?” Thanks to Harriet for the photo.
You can probably add Jennifer Convertible on Bway 89&90 to the list of closures….several “everything must go” signs in window
Vola Chocolate – FINE CHOCOLATE – it will be really great to get it. But confused – you make it yourself? How is this possible?
HSBC bank, Jennifier Convertablies, Blimpie – looks like chain stores go out business too.
new and unique stores open up – make your own chocolate! artisenal German Coffee! Breasts!
Looks like the professional curmudgeons’ claim of the soulless mall-esque middle america on the UWS is greatly exaggerated.
+1 to you, Webot!
Saw the deli on the south west corner of 96th & Columbus is going. Or old news?
Breasts and Chocolate .. Now that’s a combo anyone can love !
anyone know when the new bookstore opens? or has it already?
Essentials, the discount “drug store” on Bway and 82nd looks like it’s going out of business, or something??
There are many empty shelves and when I asked the manager what was going on he was very evasive but admitted the owners “have something in mind.” I guess only time will tell. It always seemed to be busy. Who knows?
Looks like Academy Floral has closed suddenly after moving to new digs on Bway and 99th.
Does anyone know what type of business will replace the HSBC bank on Bway/102? And what will replace Super Cuts on the opposite corner?