A sudden closing and lots of expected openings are in this edition of Upper West Side openings & closings.
Alexis Bittar, the high-end jewelry store on Columbus Avenue between 79th and 80th street, closed quite suddenly on Monday night, with a note on the door saying “we are sorry to announce that we are now permanently closed.” They had had a little fun with a Donald Trump statue earlier this year. They were reportedly paying $330 a foot in rent, which was a record for the avenue when the lease was signed. Thanks to Julie for the photo and several other people for tips.
Guyer’s, the bar replacing Wime & Roses at 286 Columbus Avenue between 73rd and 74th, just opened this week, according to the New York Times. “Cindy Guyer, an actress and model whose face and body have graced many a romantic novel, has opened this elegant restaurant, decorated in deep muted tones. There are cheeses and charcuterie, small Mediterranean plates and creative pizzas.” Outdoor seating is apparently coming too. We first wrote about the bar and its backstory here.
The Times also confirms a story we reported in April: Bella Luna will be moving across the street to 574 Columbus Avenue (88th). It will also be adding a pizza oven.
Cedra Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy that apparently offers “luxury concierge services,” is set to open at 2268 Broadway (81st-82nd), the former home of Radio Shack. Thanks to Linda, Thomas and @ebwsunshine for the tips?
The new Starbucks is open at 141 Amsterdam Avenue (66th-67th) and we’ve already heard from one unhappy customer. “As a service to the patrons has no power outlets. Can you say find me another coffee place?.”
Maison Pickle, a new restaurant from Jacob’s Pickle owner Jacob Hadjigeorgis, is set to open on Broadway between 83rd and 84th in the former home of Ouest in September. It will specialize in French Dip sandwiches, along with several other dishes. The executive chef will be Jamaica native Glenroy Brown, a veteran of Jacob’s Pickles, Mesa Grill and Blue Smoke restaurants.
Maille Boutique at 185 Columbus Avenue (68th), which serves high-end mustard from the taps pictured at right, is closing for renovations from July 4 to August 18. The Maille store at 927 Broadway (21st street) is open and offering free shipping for Upper West Side customers.
Roslyn, the jewelry store at the corner of 73rd and Columbus, will close at the end of July after 40 years in business, owner Roslyn Grant says. “After 40 years of serving the Upper West Side, it brings me great sadness to close my shop. I have become very attached to the people, their style, and ambiance and I have met a great variety of people here, from doctors and lawyers to spiritual people and everyone in between, it seems. Those of you who have visited my shop can attest that it was a combination of the people and things that I love. Originally from the East Side, where everything was about what I was driving or wearing, I have personally become an Upper West Sider in my time here. I have always been interested in jewelry since I was very young and have truly enjoyed being able to share that love with others. Roslyn will close within a month, but before then I invite you to come by and find something you love. We are offering big savings on merchandise and would be thrilled for our jewelry find its way to people who will appreciate it.”
Sorry to hear Roslyn is closing! I recently bought a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings (right before yoga class around the block!). The ladies were lovely and spent lots of time with me. Thank you for my beautiful earrings and I wish you well.
Agree with Stephanie. Sorry to see Roslyn is closing. It was one of the unique shops that added to the character and ambiance of the Upper West Side.
Wonder what will go in to that space now?
Hopefully, it will be another boutique type shop.
Re:Cedra Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy that apparently offers “luxury concierge services.
“Our highly curated, exclusive products pass rigorous standards before appearing on our shelves. We offer Luxury concierge services unlike any other pharmacy.”
‘Highly Curated’ is ALL THE BUZZ. We read all about the ‘Highly Curated’ Heritige Hog Roasting Bash, then the phrase ‘Highly Curated” appeared a half-dozen times in the Grand Bazaar Hype.
This is eveidently VERY IMPORTANT for some. But it seems to be replacing the phrase “Friendly Customer Service”
oh well.
Apthorp Pharmacy already takes care of all these things. Why on earth Cedra thinks there’s a niche that needs to be filled in the neighborhood is beyond me.
“Luxury Concierge”? Gimme a break.
Hear, hear!
Sort of like a Duane Reade with attitude.
Re” Roslyn
“Originally from the East Side, where everything was about what I was driving or wearing”
I guess that’s changed around.
Another good point, well made. (And well “curated”, too!)
As I’ve said before, welcome to the Upper East Side, West.
I’m sorry to see the Alexis Bittar store close but not especially surprised…I’ve loved his jewelry since he started selling it but even I almost never went in, and the store always seemed empty. Perhaps others had a better experience there but I found the salespeople fairly haughty (not quite 66th & Columbus Mac store haughty, but high-falluted enough for people selling plastic jewelry) and I realized I appreciated the opportunity to spend time looking online that didn’t seem to be possible in store without being followed fairly closely. Plus, surely one has to sell a boatload of little pieces to keep up with that kind of rent? Does anyone know if some of the more chain-like retail outlets do studies to determine location viability or is it more a crapshoot of the “oh that space is for rent” variety?
Follow you?! I’m sorry when you walked in that we were doing our job compared to other boutiques who don’t care for your presence when you walk in a store. And to sell boatloads to pay the rent? it is very ignorant of you to insult employees in that state. Our job is to clientele. Becareful what you write about people. Enjoy your online experience since the store is no longer open to make you feel like you’ve been followed. Maybe you were staring at a piece Of jewelry for too long.. Maybe you looked confused, so someone stood by for any questions.
Wow! I stopped into the Alexis Bittar store one day and found the sales people to be extremely friendly. I have also found the people who work at the Apple store to be nothing but down to earth and nice while dealing with customers who are often angry and rude. Hmmm….
Re the new Starbucks: “As a service to the patrons [it] has no power outlets. Can you say find me another coffee place?”.
Could it be that Starbucks has finally understood that people who buy a cup of coffee may want to sit down for a few minutes to enjoy it — but can’t when all the seats are taken by those who have brought their computers and moved in for the day?
I’ve never understood how so many Starbucks can stay in business when every table is taken away from potential customers to favor those few nursing an empty cup for hours at a time while they compute away. And providing them with free power, too.
I stopped going to Starbucks a while ago when they all became devoted to these homesteaders. Perhaps it’s time to go back — I’d be happy to replace that “one unhappy customer” who can’t have coffee without a power outlet to go with it.
Cato, maybe it’s not time to go back.
I passed that Starbuck’s at 10:00 this morning. There were three tables occupied by battery-armed laptop hobos and, at the higher snackbar table, sat a four similar squatter.
It is a common occurrence now that Starbucks is removing all its power outlets to help keep people moving. If you want to sit and do work, go up the block to Boule & Cherie who also offer wifi.
I don’t like Starbucks for many reasons, but the idea of people camping out for the day has to be the biggest one. The ridiculous idea that its a place to work and hang out simply for the price of a cup of (albeit highly overpriced) coffee is absurd. Go work at home or rent an office space.
Agreed. What a sense of entitlement that a coffee shop ought to give you a way to telecommute.
In addition to a sense of entitlement, there is, for some, the thrill of “getting something for nothing,” I think.
I had an aunt who would send notes year-round, written on the back halves of the greeting cards that she had received during Christmas. When a diner’s basket of muffins and breads arrived at the table she would quickly pass it around and pour the remainder in a bag to bring home. When she went to a public bathroom, as often as possible, she would return with a roll of toilet paper.
She would have basked in and bragged about the “free air conditioning” at Starbucks, as well as the sugar and paper napkins she could stuff in a bag, the use of their power and their free internet connections.
Cato,
This paternal aunt was never deprived of material good.
My mother, on the other hand, was so poor that she wore to school empty cotton sacs with a faded “White Rose Flour” label still visible that her mother had sewn into dresses — until she quit school from the teasing that she received. Yet (or consequently?) her generosity was prodigious.
P.S.
My sister’s birthday was on August 3rd. But, each year, unfailingly, she would get a half-note from this aunt with $5 — and in the back of it would be a picture of Santa Claus.
You are describing people who grew up during the Depression (or in the households of people who survived the Depression), when access to things — any things — was never, ever taken for granted.
Try being sensitive to why your elders are acting the way you report. Many people never recover fully from the kind of trauma the Depression imposed on everyday people leading everyday lives. No one’s suffering should be funny.
To paraphrase the old saying, Sophie, my aunt would have “Lined up for an enema — as long as it was free.”
These stories are hilarious! My mother is like that – she stuffs cotton balls, tongue depressors, and Q-tips in her bag from doctor’s offices, as well as exactly what you describe above. It made me laugh out loud in familiarity!
Office spaces should open up in Starbuck’s place, same concept with a twist: Yes you get the coffee but you rent wifi, pay as you go, cheaper than an office but enough to make it worth it for business. Quiet corners and phone nooks. Bookshelves for people to take and leave (take a penny, leave a penny). Enough of people squatting in a café all day working. Americans don’t even know how to do coffee culture the right way. Hungarian Pastry Shop is livelier andfriendlier. I think it doesn’t offer wifi?
I appreciate your use of language here. “Homesteaders” is an improvement over “Laptop Hobos”.
Or perhaps the genus has advanced.
Cedra Pharmacy! Hey & Hurray!I am thriled at the prospect of having a REAL pharmacy in the area. The trilogy of CVS, Duane Reade and Walgreens are “chain-linked” awful – they truly don’t provide service for the necessary RX’s apparently required. of the 3, CVS attempts service….Walgreens doesn’t mind telling customers that they’ll let you know if and when your RX may arrive “if not this week, then certainly next Thursday…” and Duane-Reade won’t have your scrip and can’t/wont send a messenger around the corner, but you can go for it, if you like…” Service on RX’s would be welcome..
Joseph’s on w72nd is a great neighborhood pharmacy.
Joseph’s is crowded but very competent and willing. I have been pleased with their service.
79th Street Pharmacy (B’way- Amsterdam) is GREAT! They are so nice. And never a long wait for prescriptions. No wait at all in fact
Curious about Maillle’s renovations. I don’t think the store has even been open 2 years, and it looks pretty nice — wonder if they’re changing the focus of the store, because it shouldn’t otherwise need to close.
I would have thought this was Maillle high season. Other than a gift basket of fancy mustard for a “thanks for the invitation to the Hamptons” hostest gift who is shopping there?
You are more correct than you know. BECAUSE the Hamptons (Hudson, Provance…) crowd is away, no one’s buying $600 (or whatever it costs) mustard.
This from someone who boasted about regularly leaving the City for the weekend, for such ritzy resort destinations as Sag Harbor:
https://www.westsiderag.com/2016/06/10/saturday-parking-restrictions-and-streets-closures-for-race#comment-327355
Rich.
Actually, the comment you’ve linked said nothing at all about dannyboy “regularly” going to those places.
Rather it said he had “visited” Cold Spring the prior weekend and was off to Sag Harbor the next weekend.
And he wasn’t boasting at all. He was agreeing with another commenter that it was nice to get out of New York City once in a while to avoid some of the tumult we all have to put up with, seemingly all the time.
Let’s not distort, shall we?
Carl, I was not boastful. I was sharing a recommendation with my neighbors.
But I guess you view all human interaction as competitive.
Sad
Pumps clogged and squirted?
Sorry to see Roslyn is closing. It was one of those stores that added to the uniqueness and character of the Upper West Side.
Wonder what will go into that space. Would be great if it was another little boutique type shop with interesting, hand made items.
Also, sorry to see that the Starbucks on 67th and Columbus moved to 66th and Amsterdam.
That Starbucks did a huge business and was a great stop on the way back from the post office.
I really am curious what type of business will move into that spot? Certainly, at those rents not another coffee shop.
Too small for a bank or Duane Reade.
Sorry to see Roslyn is closing. That was one of the unique little stores that added to the character and charm of the Upper West Side.
They always had a great selection of beautiful, reasonably priced jewelry.
Wonder what will go into that space? Hopefully, it will be another boutique type shop with unique items.
Also sorry that Starbucks closed the store on 67th and Columbus. That store really did a brisk business. It was also a convenient place to stop and have a doppio con panna after a trip to the post office.
What on earth is a “doppio con panna”? Is that like “coffee with milk”??
Does any place serve coffee with milk anymore?
So you said.
At $140k a month rent, even the most brisk coffee sales aren’t sufficient!!
Never knew Alexis was even ON the UWS. I bought a lovely pair of earrings at their other store way downtown.
Sorry to hear.
That mustard store reminds me of old Bob & Ray bits One was about a “toast store.” You could get toast any way you wanted it: one side, 2 sides, no crust, 2 crusts, etc.
Another was a “change store.” Bring in a 10 dollar bill. Get 10 singles, twenty 50 cent pieces, etc.
Now if only there was a store around here that sold Einbinder Flypaper…
… or INGOTS. I’m always running out of ingots! (How I do miss B&R)
Why not?
fated
Re: “Alexis Bittar, the high-end jewelry store …closed quite suddenly … with a note … saying “…we are now permanently closed.”
Gosh, she sounded kind of … Bittar ?
:-0
HaHa
Interesting that two jewelry stores are closing. I’ve heard a rumor that the space at 102 W. 79th and Columbus (next to the deli and cleaners) is going to become a high-end jewelry store as well. It’s been papered up for a while, but lots of activity in the last couple weeks. Movers bringing in cabinets. One of the deli workers says he knows the owner and that they had to gut the basement to put in a secure safe.
Weird. UWS never really struck me as the place to go for diamonds. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The new Starbucks doesn’t even open until 6am. So much for the city that never sleeps–their workers get to sleep in quite late apparently.
Why can’t we get another Marvin Gardens, Bagel Nosh, or Ernie’s I ask you?
I suppose there are just not enough customers on the UWS who like greasy burgers, flavorless overly chewy bagels, or ear-splitting dining rooms.
Re: The duplicate comment from Eric: I had thought it was almost certainly the result of a technical glitch. For at least a week now, every time I have submitted a comment, the page would simply refresh without a trace of the submitted post– neither the “Your comment is awaiting moderation” message that would previously appear, nor any other acknowledgment or indication that the submitted post was actually received. During this same time, I also noticed a number of duplicate posts appearing in the comments. This seemed almost certainly to me to be evidence that I was not alone in experiencing the vanishing comment quirk that I described above and that the problem must lie somewhere on WSR’s end. I had been hoping to see a post from WSR on the matter and I had reported it to them via email but as of this writing, I have seen no acknowledgment of the matter from them.
As a general rule (even in the absence of a specific known or suspected technical problem at any given site), the most likely explanation for the appearance, just about anywhere on the Internet, of duplicate posts on a comments page is simply technical or (unintentional) user error (e.g., accidentally clicking twice, etc.). Unfortunately, some people apparently have a need to assume bad faith on the part of others.
“Unfortunately, some people apparently have a need to assume bad faith on the part of others.”
I need to be clear in response to this indirect and passive Reply:
1. I Commented to eric.
2. eric replied “Sorry Danny, I guess.”
3. I Replied “k”
All was copacetic until this wordy screed appeared.
I can’t get enough of this critical reply. Are you planning on repeating it over, and over, and over again?
mouse clicking skills
I need to brush up on my
Sorry Danny, I guess
k
I suppose there are just not enough customers on the UWS who like greasy burgers, overly chewy bagels, or ear-splitting dining rooms
Got me remembering. Imagine how quaint it now seems that a pub, like the Library, had books along its walls instead of today’s giant flat screens. Maybe nostalgic, maybe sociological.
Or : The Broadway Bay, Berninis, or the wonderful Italian place on 72nd, I forget the name….
On my way home from a Park run this morning, I noticed that Vin Sur Vingt wine bar has opened on 84. I peeked in and it looks simple and cute. Anybody given it a try yet? I want it to thrive!
Love wine, but today’s just too hot; more a good day for a cold beer.
I wish another Pandemonium or Wrangler Ranch would open up.
Ooooh, jeans stores. When I saw the word “Wrangler,’ jeans did come to mind but I’ve never seen anything but Levi’s stores here (not counting dept stores). Too bad about the Chinese restaurants, but thanks for the reply.
Anyone remember “Wings”? On Broadway, around 95th, if memory serves. From another era…
Wings was amazing! My friends and I would spend hours trying on jeans…they had huge dressing rooms and employees who were happy to bring in piles of jeans and tops for us to try on. I can’t remember the last time anyone in a clothing store asked if I needed help with anything. Maybe I’m shopping at the wrong places. 😉
What were Pandemonium (the club?) and Wrangler Ranch?
I’m slightly changing the subject…where does a person go for good Chinese food on the UWS? Shun Lee is amazing but it’s very expensive, Legend 72 is very inconsistent and I’ve had a few problems with them, and I looked up Cottage on Yelp but the reviews are so mixed it’s hard to judge.
Does anyone here have any recommendations? 🙂
There isn’t any good cheap Chinese on the UWS at present. The two stores I mentioned sold jeans a very long time ago.
Familiar with the stores. Tried Han Balcony(?)(or Han whatever), last weekend, after reading positive reviews here. Can’t say I would recommend it, myself.
I’ve tried Hunan Balcony and Han Dynasty but it’s been a few years and they were never the same after renovating or changing management. Thanks for the reply though!
I enjoy good food, but for the life of me I can’t understand how any retailer selling only condiments whose substitutes are easily found elsewhere in the neighborhood can afford today’s Columbus Avenue rents while, at the same time, offering zero value to the community. I walk past this Maille store regularly yet I’ve almost never seen anyone other than an employee inside, nor have I seen any shopping bags hanging on the arms of people in the neighborhood. Maybe this renovation, as so many we have seen, is the precursor to a more permanent closure, and something more enticing may enter the space (but I’m not optimistic about either).
Maille is owned by Unilever so I am sure they have deep pockets.
Maille is a brand of mustards, cornichons, stoneware, salad dressings, kitchen gifts and oils which originated in Marseille, France in 1723. Today the company is a subsidiary of multinational consumer goods company Unilever. There are Maille boutiques around the world in Dijon, Paris, London, New York, and Bordeaux
I buy Maille “Old Style Whole Dijon Mustard” at Associated. I guess that puts a dent in all the curated, artinasial, panache.
more late 70’s, early 80’s restaurant nostalgia, in the west seventies:
72 street: Al Buon Guosto
Amsterdam: Perettis
Columbus: Anita chili parlor, Dobsons
Nanny Rose
Why can’t there be another Jezebel’s on Columbus Avenue?