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.
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.
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 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.
“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.
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.
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.
I agree
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. :/
me neither.
Bella Luna is going to be the Fhitting Room!
How many “Fhitting Room” gyms are there anyway? There used to be one on East 80th and Lexington but it since closed.
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.
This is horrible
Sad about Grand Metro…they had everything.
everything except high prices
….that should’a been the tip off
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.
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!
90th to 99th and Broadway is depressing. Hardly any businesses survive
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…
Are you, by any chance, the “Paul” who is credited with the photos? Just curious.
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
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.”
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
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.
We gotta’ get you on a game show that has a West Side topic!
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 🙁
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?
I’m shocked!
…just when i was beginning to take Developers at their word.
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.
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!
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…
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.
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. 🙂
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
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.
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.
“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?
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.
With very few exceptions, which I generously correct, you are right on the money.
Money laundering, i.e. “a front”
I’ll miss Grand Metro, but nearby Ajo Hardware (610 Columbus, cor. W 90th) also has extensive selection, good service, fair prices.
Dubai seems to be our sister city now.
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.
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.
“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.
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….
“I wonder where that creepy dude with the laptop will go now that his “office” is closed….”
There is always Starbucks…..
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.
I knew the crepes place would not last from the minute it opened. You can’t pay UWS rent with crepes.
High commercial rents are the problem;What we need is some kind of control on these rents