A cafe closed last week, as one pop-up store got the Halloween gear out early and beauty and clothing stores got set to open.
Green Cafe at 97th and Broadway closed suddenly last week with a note on the door explaining that it had been seized by city marshals. Thanks to Ali Accarino and Meg for the tips.
Beauty store Bluemercury is opening its third Upper West Side location at 341 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th street, according to the Observer. “The luxury beauty products and spa retail chain’s new store will occupy 1,200 square feet on the ground floor and 500 square feet for storage in the basement through a 15-year lease, according to Newmark Grubb Knight Frank.”
Women’s clothing store J. Jill opened at 160 Columbus Avenue between 67th and 68th street on Monday. Thanks to D.R. for the tip.
A store called An American Craftsman has opened next to Ed’s Chowder House on West 63rd street. “This store is set up as a gallery selling unique jewelry and visually inspiring home décor,” the Lincoln Square BID says. Here’s the website.
Peruvian Connection plans to have a soft opening for its new store at 76th and Columbus on September 19 and a grand opening celebration on October 15.
A Halloween pop-up shop opened for the second straight year inside a former Duane Reade on Broadway between 83rd and 84th street. Thanks to Greg B. for the tip and photo.
Mitchell’s Wine & Liquors at 200 West 86th street is “closed until further notice,” according to a sign on the door. It has one of the neighborhood’s best neon signs. No one answered the phone at the store when we called. “Living on 86th and Broadway, this is my go to liquor store. It will be sorely missed if it has closed for good,” writes Debra, who sent the photo below.
Correction: We initially posted the wrong address for the new Bluemercury.
Too bad about Mitchells. They are much better than the shop at 86th and Columbus.
Listen Catherine that’s why they closed cuz they were expensive and can’t afford they rent. Don’t talk mess about the location on Columbus and 86 they are reasonable and way more friendly . So watch the things you say. Stay blessed trap.
Although I agree with Ariel’s general opinion of the store at 86th and Columbus (my go-to for 8 years until I moved a little further uptown), I have to wonder… Ariel, do you work behind the counter there? Because you’re taking this a little personally.
They were a small shop with limited variety and so-so pricing. I’m surprised they lasted this long, rents being what they are. I used it as a last-minute go to. Really great $8-11 bottles are easy to order online nowadays.
Another Halloween popup on the east side of Broadway between 102 and 103.
If my memory serves me, that one was open by mid-August.
But hey, a merchant can’t be too early for what has become the most important event on the American holiday calendar!
Halloween has almost completely swamped Thanksgiving (forgotten by most), and is making serious inroads on Christmas and Hanukkah!
And of course for serious millennials, Halloween is absolutely the most important day, ev-ERRRRR!
Small correction – I think the address for the new BlueMercury, at 76th Street, is 341 Amsterdam. The Tessa building.
Which reminds me, Is that scaffolding ever going to come down???
Thanks, fixed the error!
I am sorry to impose this here. But there was no “Open Thread” this week.
I did want to honor Labor Day. I have never thought of the holiday in terms of unions — just in terms of labor. I searched for poems on the subject. I found two or three; none satisfactory. I thought, well maybe in connection with the Brooklyn Bridge, where so many workers suffered and even died in its building (including John Roebling). But no; no mention of the workers involved.
Every day, millions use the subways, the tunnels, the bridges. We are enhanced by building such as Grand Central Station, public parks, other infrastructure, etc. and we seldom think of what was sacrificed by those who built them – who were not really working for the IRT, or the WPA, or whatever, but for a dream they guarded about their children’s futures.
As Pete Hamill says at the very beginning, in the link that I provide below, about the occasion when he was 12 years old and he heard his assembly-worker father crying in the middle of the night:
“And I knew that, no matter what I *ever* did. I couldn’t articulate it exactly – that I *had to honor* that pain. I must honor that. And I think that’s what the children of immigrants do — all of us. We know what they gave up. They gave up their countries; in some cases, they gave up their languages. They worked at the rottenest, lousiest jobs in order to put food on our tables. We have to honor that – for the rest of our lives.”
Happy Holiday!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urgO53m-qSE
Thank you, Kaki and Margo.
I do suggest that you watch the video. My transcription of Hamill’s words is nothing next to his less-than-2-minutes expression of them. The whole video, in fact, is heart-rending.
Thanks for caring.
I too was moved. Thank you.
I was so moved by your post. YES lets honor all our immigrant workers!
I worked in a hospital chemistry lab for years, so I can never get myself to even look at the products in Bluemercury, since mercury is a poison. The thought of putting something on my body associated with mercury makes me shudder.
You do understand the difference between ethyl mercury and methyl mercury right?
Oh, that’s just a name. It’s the prices on glorified soap-and-water that should be scaring you.
According to its listing at YP.com, Mitchell’s Liquor has closed.
I am so surprised about Mitchell’s this is a very robust business. Can they too be victims of rent increases? It is just unthinkable that another local business is leaving us.
Just a note that The American Craftsman used to have multiple stores in Manhattan, including on the Upper West Side. They also had one near Times Square and one in Rockefeller Center, as I recall. Assuming this is the same place – it sure sounds the same.
Does anyone know what is in store (no pun intended) for DSW on 86th & B’way, NE corner?
The building(s)adjacent have come down and I saw a sign today that DSW is having a “clearance.”
Are we looking at yet another zillion dollar new apt. complex?
DSW is at 79th and Broadway, not 86th (sorry – women’s shoes, so I’m not interested). Maybe they’ll bring back the Woolworths…
They have a pretty good men’s department in the basement.
As I understand it, and many may know better than I, Zabar’s owns the building and have no plans to remove it. There could be plans to build above though. Just as a building rises to the left and another around the corner on 79th they might find themselves able. Also, DSW always seems to have a clearance sale or something going on, for what it’s worth.
This is VERY sad news if Mitchell’s which has been there forever is truly closed forever. I was in there week before last, and I was a little concerned that he owner didn’t look well to me. I hope they re-open. They have always been the best in the area. Sad Sad Sad!
I remember going to Mitchell’s 45 years ago, been there a long time
What?!? How can Mitchell’s do this to me?!?! I live at 84th btwn West End & Riverside – first I lose the overpriced but crazy convenient Candlelight and now Mitchell’s?! Where am I going to quickly pop in to get my Tito’s and Bombay Sapphire!! I’ll hold out a very small hope that it really is just “until further notice”.
Mitchell’s closing is a blow to our neighborhood…and my liquor cabinet! It was great to come right out of the subway and be able to stop there. It always seemed to be a thriving business…too bad. I’m still mourning Candlelight. 67 Wine & Spirits can help ease the pain: https://www.67wine.com/
Nelson, we should do our deliveries together. Maybe they’ll give us a bulk discount. 😉
Ive started buying wine by the case at Best Bottles. 15% discount and free, fast delivery.
A case is only 12 bottles. Throw a scarf over the box and you have an end table!
Ah yes, that place. Good for wine, but I need my liquor too!
Thanks, I’ll check them out. But where on earth do you store a case?!
67th is good, but Beacon Wines & Spirits is a little closer with a decent selection. Free same-day delivery.
https://www.beaconwine.com/
Actually, I believe that Mitchell’s and Beacon are owned by the same people. Maybe they are consolidating? It’s really too bad, though, because Mitchell’s has/had a much better selection of wines under 20 dollars. Beacon is more high end.
Yeah, I might resort to delivery – that block between Amsterdam & Columbus is too damn long!!
Yeah, can’t someone do something about shortening that block?!
“An American Craftsman” a welcome addition to the West Side. Now can visit without going in to the busy Times Square area. Too bad about Mitchell’s. Hope it is not permanent.
The parking garage on the north side of 87th between WEA and Broadway is also closing down. Large signs affixed to the facade suggest it is going out very soon.
Another real estate development?
Aww man! Another disappointment for me – that’s my preferred lot for Zipcars!
Yes, the garage closed as of 9/1. From what I understand, there was a 99-year lease on the land or some such (I’m sure those who know better will correct me) and when the lease was up, the decision was made to turn the 2-3 buildings comprising the parking lot into a 20-story residential building.
Now, here’s my question: IS FAUNA CLOSING? They have a “For Rent” sign by the door and given the construction, I’m unsure.
Any tipsters?
In other news, I am NOT looking forward to all the dust/debris/asbestos/roaches that will come as a result of this construction right next-door.
Demolition permits were issued for the existing 87th Street structure(s) several months ago by DOB. It wasn’t clears out me if it was for one garage or both. Buildings on 88th St. have already been contacted by the developer for the purpose of placing monitoring equipment in them to warn of any shifting during demolition and foundation excavation on 87th. I also heard 20 stories.
There is a “Retail space for lease” sign in the window of Comptoire des Cotonniers at 184 Columbus Avenue.
Don’t know what to make of it.
Yikes, I was just shooting photos of Mitchell’s neon signs a week ago.
https://flic.kr/p/yatLEj
About the planned 20-storey building planned for West 87th (garage space now): I thought that it’s part of the historic district and cannot be built up that high. Can you educate me on that? Thanks.
I was thinking the same thing.
Re: Green Cafe — when I first moved into the neighborhood 5 years ago I went there for a sandwich and got a nasty case of good poisoning. A friend went there a few months later (before I could warn him) and had the same result. They were also expensive and unwelcoming, at least on that one visit because of course, I never went back after they made me so sick.
Good riddance to the Green Cafe.
For what it’s worth, I used to get salads from Green Café all the time. Never had a problem with the food and the workers were always very friendly.
Thank the stars you didn’t get bad poisoning.
You are so right, and also I appreciate your wit (and sharp eye). But I’d like to know who switched the F and G keys on my keyboard….
Has anyone learned the fate of Mitchells Liquors? I had to find an alternate last evening and paid 50% more than what they charged for the same item.That hand written “until further notice” sign doesn’t tell me anything. If they were relocating or closing up for good, I’d expect the sign might mention that.
New sign today at Mitchell’s: “Licensing issues. Temporarily closed. Will open soon. Sorry.”
There’s hope! ^_^
I always wanted to like Mitchell’s, but while other people were able to get what they wanted there, they just didn’t have the selection I was interested in. I happen to love the place on 86th and Columbus; great selection, they’re really helpful, and they had the wines I was looking for.
I agree completely. I wanted to like Mitchell’s mostly because of the olde timey signage but, for me, other nearby stores had them beat hands down. On Columbus in the 80s alone, we have west side wines and rose liquors but the best for my $ and taste is the one at 86 & Columbus–good selection, prices, and knowledgeable staff. Hope something good moves into Mitchell’s.
Just wondering…why did they open that awful “Marshall’s” store up here? I went in once thinking it would be quality like Loehmann’s and it was so depressing. That’s a great space–I’d love to see a good store open there. Can’t we have a Target???
Someone mentioned that the “off-price”
Bloomingdales that’s coming to 72nd &bway
Will be very low-end. We all hope not. It will only cause more congestion on a block that’s already unwalkable. I actually remember when there was a cool movie theater there. Oh well….have a good holiday everyone.
Time to check out Columbus Wines and Spirits at Columbus Avenue and 96th Street. New Owner just took it over a few months ago and has great new manager, excellent staff, newly renovated and free delivery. They have great weekly tastings and also have really expanded their kosher selection which is the now the best on the Upper West Side.