West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox

Search the site

No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

AVAILABLE NOW!


HERE

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS: CREPES & DELICES, ESPRESSO MATTO, GRAND METRO HOUSEWARES, SUGAR FACTORY

September 29, 2016 | 10:53 AM - Updated on October 6, 2016 | 6:49 PM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
47

crepes-and-delices-closed

 

French crepe shop Crepes & Delices closed its doors at 72nd Street between Columbus and Broadway this week, with an Out of Business sign on the window. We reached out to the owner but have not heard back. Thanks to Eileen, Erica, Dan and Bradley for the tips.

espresso-matto-closed

Some sudden business closures have Upper West Siders scratching their heads, as some new spots get set to open.

Espresso Matto at 95th and Broadway closed suddenly on Wednesday by the state Supreme Court with a notice on the door encouraging employees to contact an official about new jobs. “Officers kicked everyone out , put up signs and sealed the premises at about 5:30pm today,” David tells us. We’re still trying to determine what happened. The cafe chain recently indicated it was opening another spot in the neighborhood. Thanks to Paul and several other people for photos.

screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-11-04-45-am

Sugar Factory, which is going into the former Ollie’s at 1991 Broadway (68th, next to the Apple store) is expected to open by the end of the year, workers told our tipster Eric. And the website says they’re already taking reservations starting Dec. 1. Sugar Factory sells candy, sweets and cocktails and its various global locations apparently attract celebrities. The company calls it a “dining adventure”: “Sugar Factory has expanded its New York presence with this newest dining adventure. When you first arrive you are welcomed by a working carousel, as well as a cafe that opens onto the entrance plaza. Inside are two levels filled with the glitz and glamour that Sugar Factory is known for the world over. Plush leather banquettes and celebrity photos adorn the interior, and it won’t be long before one of our outrageous desserts makes it nightly Broadway debut.”

grand-metro-closed

Grand Metro Hardware on Broadway and 96th closed suddenly about a week ago. A Yelp user says a marshal was there to shut them down. No one was answering the phone on Thursday to confirm. “It is been a mainstay at 96th and Broadway for many many years,” said William. “I would hate to see them go.” Thanks to Nydia and William for the tips.

Bella Luna at 88th and Columbus is being turned into a gym, Ali Lebo tells us. It’s not clear what gym. The restaurant is moving to 87th and Columbus once it renovates its new space.

Share this article:
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

47 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago

“apparently attract celebrities. The company calls it a “dining adventure”: “Sugar Factory has expanded its New York presence with this newest dining adventure. When you first arrive you are welcomed by a working carousel, as well as a cafe that opens onto the entrance plaza. Inside are two levels filled with the glitz and glamour that Sugar Factory is known for the world over. Plush leather banquettes and celebrity photos adorn the interior”

I can’t relate to this.

0
Reply
RK
RK
6 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

CF:
Dylan’s Candy Bar
Sugar and Plumm

Both successful ventures with multiple locations.

Sounds like fun to me! My family and I can’t wait.

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
6 years ago
Reply to  RK

Yes, I shop at those places (and Just Sugar) to get gifts for my niece and nephews, but I don’t go there to hang out with celebs and drink. They also don’t require a reservation.

0
Reply
Wijmlet
Wijmlet
6 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

I agree

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
6 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Lol! I was just about to post that I must officially be ‘old,’ because none of the ‘celebs’ on the list are of any interest to me, and I don’t understand the concept of this at all. Everyone I know in this age group are health fanatics who spend their down time at a gym and won’t even look at a donut. Who goes out to drink and ingest sugar? Nice decor though, really wish it was another Chinese restaurant…I loved Ollies. :/

0
Reply
lionpants
lionpants
6 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

me neither.

0
Reply
AmyPucci
AmyPucci
6 years ago

Bella Luna is going to be the Fhitting Room!

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  AmyPucci

How many “Fhitting Room” gyms are there anyway? There used to be one on East 80th and Lexington but it since closed.

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Losing Metro Hardware would be a disaster. It was previously located in the space occupied by the Duane Reade at 94th & B’way.

This is horrible.

0
Reply
Ethan
Ethan
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

This is horrible

0
Reply
Chris
Chris
6 years ago

Sad about Grand Metro…they had everything.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

everything except high prices

….that should’a been the tip off

0
Reply
bill
bill
6 years ago

before and after they moved, Grand Metro was a pretty good hardware till the last 2 years or so when the new owners took over.

0
Reply
Bonnie
Bonnie
6 years ago

There are so many vacant store fronts on Broadway why would anyone be surprised to see more? A Pharmacy with a juice bar is opening off 81st and Broadway. Just what we need another Pharmacy? A new little hot food and grocery opened on 79th St btw Broadway and Amsterdam. I hope they make it!

0
Reply
WombatNYC
WombatNYC
6 years ago

90th to 99th and Broadway is depressing. Hardly any businesses survive

0
Reply
Paul RL
Paul RL
6 years ago

Oh, man will I miss Grand Metro Hardware, I knew every nook & cranny in that place. Living in fear that our favorite stores are in danger of closing can really wear on one’s well-being. Personally, I’m sweating it out for establishments like Broadway Restaurant, Cleopatras Needle, Plant Shed, Petqua, Malecon…

0
Reply
Independent
Independent
6 years ago
Reply to  Paul RL

Are you, by any chance, the “Paul” who is credited with the photos? Just curious.

0
Reply
RK
RK
6 years ago

Sugar Factory menu – first half is cocktails, second half is food and dessert.
http://sugarfactory.com/sites/default/files/SF_NY_1991_Bway_Menu.pdf

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  RK

I did look at their website. Enjoyed this:

“Our signature Couture Pop collections have already hit the red carpets in the hands of celebrities at exclusive events everywhere.
It’s not just candy, it’s an accessory. Choose you handle, choose your lollipop flavor. Mix and match to express your unique style.

Please note:
Due to rising temperatures in Las Vegas, the plastic wrap may stick to the candy head of your couture pop. We suggest selecting the 2-day-air shipping option.”

0
Reply
NK
NK
6 years ago

Say it ain’t so for Grand Metro, what a tragedy… is this a definite closing? There isn’t any note posted last I checked

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago

Crepes & Delices is the brain child of a former Wall Street banker (BNP Paribas), who perhaps misjudged difficulties of doing business in NYC. The place was shut down by the BOH last year for vermin and other issues.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  B.B.

We gotta’ get you on a game show that has a West Side topic!

0
Reply
Jodi
Jodi
6 years ago

Espresso Matto was closed by 3:45 when I walked by and submitted a photo to west side rag so unsure why the guy quoted says 5:30. Not that it really matters though. No more $2 drinks for us 🙁

0
Reply
LS
LS
6 years ago

A little confused about the Sugar Factory set-up…?
A carousel and cafe at the “entrance plaza”?

Isn’t the first floor space supposed to be a “public” space – available to all – per a tax break given to the building developers?

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  LS

I’m shocked!

…just when i was beginning to take Developers at their word.

0
Reply
Bob
Bob
6 years ago

ugh… i live on w68th and like that it’s quiet… sugar factor seems no bueno but def seems like a great movie>sit down spot combo. so props on what could be a good biz move. you got lots of red carpet action right there to the celeb thing makes some sense. Maybe Danza will drop in.

0
Reply
EricaC
EricaC
6 years ago

Not Grand Met! That place was great! And I liked Crepes and Delices; the owners were very nice. I’m sad about both of those!

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago

Espresso Matto just opened a location in Hamilton Heights: http://harlembespoke.blogspot.com/2016/09/introducing-espresso-matto-in-hamilton.html

Wonder if they are expanding too quickly for their own good? Marshals show up when there is a judgment such as eviction, money owed, etc…

0
Reply
msd
msd
6 years ago

Isn’t there a public space by the entrance to what was formerly Ollies? What’s going to happen to it when the Sugar Factory moves in? It’s a drab space, but it is open to the public.

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
6 years ago
Reply to  msd

It’s still going to be a public space but it will be managed by the Sugar Factory. Meaning the carousel is going to be in the public space. I posted a link to the news update twice yesterday but it doesn’t seem to have gone through, so I’m not using the link this time. Just google it and all of the info is there. 🙂

0
Reply
West Sider
Author
West Sider
6 years ago
Reply to  lynn

We’ve posted on this issue here: https://www.westsiderag.com/2016/02/19/openings-closings-crafted-bagels-anne-valentin-eyewear-sugar-factory-with-a-carousel

0
Reply
Eric
Eric
6 years ago

Everyone in aware of the astronomical rents any location on the UWS commands. What leaves me scratching my head is how businesses that sell trifles are able to pay those rents. I pointed to one or two shops specializing in things that are spectacularly non essential wondering out loud how in the world that covers their expenses and the quick reply was “money laundering”. Every time I see the “Openings and Closings” section of WSR, I hope to see someting coming to the neighborhood that I might actually find useful. I’m still hoping.

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  Eric

Something every business student learns in 100 level/intro classes; a majority of all new ventures fail within their first several years after opening.

Yes, it could be “money laundering” but there are other reasons.

No end of “bored” housewives, mistresses, or whatever of rich men are given funds to set up a business. Such money can be a tax deduction for the “investor” even if the place folds. Meanwhile it gives the aforementioned person something to do….

Sadly no small number of native New Yorkers, immigrants and others vastly underestimate what it taxes to run a small retail shop in the City. They plow their savings and or investor money into a place only to see the thing become a money pit. Sooner or later they have to cut loses and close up shop.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  B.B.

“No end of “bored” housewives, mistresses, or whatever of rich men are given funds to set up a business.”

OK B.B. I gotta’ know: Where does your vast knowledge originate? Is it all experience? (For example, in this case are you the ‘rich man’?) Is it from your observations? What? What? What?

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Just look around at the various new shops that open. Yes, it is true there are “mom and pop” type stores still opening. Also various persons with a “dream” of this or that type of shop.

Then you have places that you have to wonder who put up the money and or continues to finance. Small shops that you never see very busy or even much traffic; yet the rent is being paid (obviously), and the owner isn’t starving/out on the street. Thus money must be coming from somewhere. Unless they have a huge line of credit from a bank it usually points to a well off investor somewhere.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  B.B.

With very few exceptions, which I generously correct, you are right on the money.

0
Reply
UWSHebrew
UWSHebrew
6 years ago
Reply to  Eric

Money laundering, i.e. “a front”

0
Reply
Jack NYC
Jack NYC
6 years ago

I’ll miss Grand Metro, but nearby Ajo Hardware (610 Columbus, cor. W 90th) also has extensive selection, good service, fair prices.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago

Dubai seems to be our sister city now.

0
Reply
EBP
EBP
6 years ago

The Espresso Matto locations are shuttered because of franchise violation proceedings by Filicori Zecchini against the franchisee for those sites; various complications relating to competition and financial issues. See NYS Supreme Court Index No. 653016/2016 (as posted on signs in windows — anyone can look it up).

But the neighborhood, of course, are the net losers. I thought they were a nice neighbor and enjoyed hanging out there. Wish somehow a new franchisee could take it over and reopen as Filicori Zecchini again…

More than that – what’s with that block? This makes the 4th store closed out of 7 on that block (95-96th on the west side of Broadway)… You’d think it would be a desirable location right next to the subway.

0
Reply
Becca
Becca
6 years ago
Reply to  EBP

This is fascinating, thanks for the tip. In fact, the post about FZ morphing into EM from this very blog in June was entered into evidence, as well as Yelp reviews saying FZ is now closed.

I am not a lawyer but it would seem that the franchisees broke their agreement by changing into EM because of a non-compete clause. The “$2 for everything” concept further tarnished the brand because some of the FZ signage was left up. There is also some non-payment of fees but that’s almost an afterthought. IIRC from the documents, six locations were closed.

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
6 years ago
Reply to  EBP

“You’d think it would be a desirable location right next to the subway.”

I don’t find that subway station desirable in any way. Also, the public space is just plain unappealing. I think the subway station works AGAINST the desirability of the stores.

Personally, I can’t get away from there fast enough.

0
Reply
Josh
Josh
6 years ago

That’s a real shame about Grand Metro.

As for Espesso Matto, I wonder where that creepy dude with the laptop will go now that his “office” is closed….

0
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

“I wonder where that creepy dude with the laptop will go now that his “office” is closed….”

There is always Starbucks…..

0
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Josh, so glad you mentioned the “creepy” laptop guy!
It wasn’t just me thinking that.
Feel sorry for the workers who made a mad cappuccino.
Cash flowing by $2 bills gotta be phony somehow – laundering maybe. Too good to be true though, that’s for sure.

0
Reply
boopsie
boopsie
6 years ago

I knew the crepes place would not last from the minute it opened. You can’t pay UWS rent with crepes.

0
Reply
A.J.
A.J.
6 years ago

High commercial rents are the problem;What we need is some kind of control on these rents

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

BP Levine Calls for More Manhattan Housing, Including 80 Affordable Units on the UWS
NEWS

BP Levine Calls for More Manhattan Housing, Including 80 Affordable Units on the UWS

February 5, 2023 | 8:42 AM
Crime On The Upper West Side Over the Decades
CRIME

NYPD Releases Crime Data for January 2023; UWS Incidents Are Up

February 3, 2023 | 10:16 PM - Updated on February 5, 2023 | 5:49 AM
Previous Post

21 WEST END WELCOMES YOU FOR 1ST ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL (SPONSORED)

Next Post

THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE COLORFUL UPPER WEST SIDERS OF THE 1980’S

this week's events image

Explore Your Favorite Subject

20th precinct 24th precinct american museum of natural history animals art bicycling bulletin central park closings columns community board 7 coronavirus crash crime development dogs events fdny fire food gale brewer helen rosenthal history jcc lincoln center monday bulletin morning bulletin nypd openings pedestrian safety photography photos politics public schools pupper west side real estate restaurants retail riverside park silver stars fitness snow sponsored subway upper west side uws

CITY NEWS

Brick Underground
City Limits
Eater
Gothamist
NY Daily News
NY Post
NY Times

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group
Central Park Conservancy
CB7
Community Education Council 3
Assembly District 67
The New York Historical Society
Riverside Park
West End Preservation

UWS Blogs

Bloomingdale History Central Park Blogger
North River Notes
Next Post
THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE COLORFUL UPPER WEST SIDERS OF THE 1980’S

THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE COLORFUL UPPER WEST SIDERS OF THE 1980'S

COUNCIL MEMBER ROSENTHAL SAYS CITY MUST EXPLAIN WHY DIVERSITY IS ‘WORTH GETTING’ IN SCHOOL REZONING

COUNCIL MEMBER ROSENTHAL SAYS CITY MUST EXPLAIN WHY DIVERSITY IS 'WORTH GETTING' IN SCHOOL REZONING

EXCITING DEALS THIS WEEK AT THE 4 LOCAL GRISTEDES LOCATIONS (SPONSORED)

EXCITING DEALS THIS WEEK AT THE 4 LOCAL GRISTEDES LOCATIONS (SPONSORED)

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.