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OPENINGS & CLOSINGS: SOULCYCLE, CROCS, YOGURTLAND, AMSTER THAI, BISTRO CITRON, PANDA EXPRESS

November 17, 2016 | 9:38 AM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
42

soulcycle-west
A new SoulCycle will open next month.

Get on your bike, and take off your shoes — learn why in this edition of Upper West Side openings and closings.

SoulCycle announced that its new studio SoulCycle West at 60th and West End Avenue is opening on December 6, Gabbi tells us. Classes will be available to book on December 5 at noon, she adds.

The Crocs store on Columbus between 72nd and 73rd Street will be closing at the end of the month and is offering deals of up to 50% off, Aimee says. Thanks to Terry for the tip.

amster-thai

Amster Thai, which will serve “Thai comfort food”, is set to open at 969 Amsterdam between 101st and 102nd. It looks like it may be the same owners as Wondee Siam V. Thanks to Tsadik for the photo.

Bistro Citron, the restaurant at 473 Columbus Avenue (83rd Street) was set to close on Wednesday (yesterday), an employee told us earlier this week. A new restaurant — rumored to be a Mediterranean spot — will be taking over in about two months, he said.

yogurtland3Yogurtland on 98th and Columbus closed recently. Thanks to Andrew for the tip.

Notices in the Commercial Observer and The Real Deal indicate that a Panda Express is coming to 2852 Broadway at 111th street, the former home of Banco Popular.

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wombatNYC
wombatNYC
9 years ago

That entire strip of stores ( Columbus Square ) I find very depressing . It’s basically like a suburban mall ( Michaels , TJ Max , Banks , 7-11 , Starbucks etc.)- extremely bland and uninspiring . This is how NYC will soon feel like any other city

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Tranny_boy
Tranny_boy
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

I really like Michael’s for art and craft, many fun time for mine.

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Wendy
Wendy
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

Some people like that mall feeling… Those stores are huge and have way more space than existing retail spaces. TJ Maxx and Marshalls actually have affordable clothing, unlike some of the other clothing stores on the UWS. And the rents are probably thru the roof and mom and pop places could not afford them. I don’t mind being able to walk to the mall now and then.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Wendy

“I don’t mind being able to walk to the mall now and then.”

with all the malls in the USA to choose from, why do you need one in a neighborhood that has shops and street life?

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anon
anon
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

not everyone has the luxury and privilege of a personal vehicle to get to a mall in actual suburbia. Check your privilege.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  anon

Why the addiction to malls?

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Sarah
Sarah
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

No kidding. Architecturally depressing as well.

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Eleanor Seepes
Eleanor Seepes
9 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

My windows face Columbus Mall from 96th Street. In the morning #800 reflects the sunrise, in the evening, the sunset. The trees planted along these apartment and commercial sites are wide, bright, now with trees five years old and thriving. I can see all the way past Morningside Park, and autumn has created a stunning site. Stop complaining! Frank Gehry didn’t do such a good job downtown; these 3 buildings are more attractive, with good balance of light blue glass and white brick. My own building’s exterior is joyless, as are many of the former Mitchell-Lama buildings, so these new additions are most welcome.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Eleanor Seepes

You agree that having a joyless building exterior is great for the neighborhood?

Do you also live INSIDE the building and benefit from views of our buildings while, at the same time, ruining the vista?

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Sad is using my name in your handle. Try getting your own (life).

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Random DaniBoi Comment Generator
Random DaniBoi Comment Generator
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

“Clearly you don’t like people with different opinions than yours.”

You gave this perfect example.

Sad

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Southern Gentleman,

Clearly you don’t like people with different opinions than yours.

What are you doing in NYC?

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SouthernGentleman
SouthernGentleman
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

You may or may not believe this sir but no one really cares about what your aesthetic preferences are.

It’s actually funny that you think you should…who do you think you are, the mayor or something??? haahah

Just another guy with another opinion, there are about 7 million of ’em just in this area.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Eleanor Seepes

“My own building’s exterior is joyless…so these new additions are most welcome.”

Welcome to you perhaps, but your “joyless building” and the joyless “new additions” are realy ugly for those of us living here.

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NicoHanson
NicoHanson
9 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Totally agree with Eleanor. Glad to see dannyboy thinks so highly of himself to speak for all of us in the neighborhood.

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RWC10025
RWC10025
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

It is getting worse. This is the new upper west side.
They will be opening a Trader Joes on w 93 (they started the work) and other chain stores are coming to Columbus ave and 93 street.
They are now in the process of doing construction on 70 West 93 street creating a whole strip of brand new storefronts.
No one but a national chain store will be able to afford the rent.

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Sprinkles
Sprinkles
9 years ago
Reply to  RWC10025

Trader Joe’s is the only supermarket in Manhattan where the food is good and reasonably priced while not making you feel poor. More power to them.

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ScooterStan
ScooterStan
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

Re: “This is how NYC will soon feel like any other city”

Agreed! That Columbus Square area DOES have an annoying, even disgusting, “suburban” feel …BUT it also serves “people living above 96th Street” (yes, it’s a “dog-whistle”) who deserve as much as anyone to have modern, clean, and convenient shopping (but NOT you, Whole Foods !).

As far as NYC taking on a suburban feel: REALLY? Take a stroll on any of what our British cousins would call “High Streets”; i.e. W.72nd, W.79th, W.86th, etc. and count the number of Mom-n-Pop businesses compared to ‘suburbia-type’ stores.

Q.E.D.

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tostonesfix
tostonesfix
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

I think the Columbus Square situation is by design. I don’t think anyone was expecting Mom and Pop stores or independent restaurants. At least there is Bareburger, a New York based chain that’s pretty darn good. I don’t find it depressing at all. It has brought life to a fairly shady area of Manhattan. I think it’s great.

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Johnny
Johnny
9 years ago
Reply to  tostonesfix

Shady what is that code for it was (is) working class neighborhood, that before your suburban comfort stores went in along with monster towers there was a large supermarket and a large variety store on that block along with some take out places and a bodega I remember. And too it was actually a lovely stretch of Columbus with an incline going north and a open feel to it.

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
9 years ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

Columbus from 97th to 100th a strip mall without the parking lot.

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Reply
QU
QU
9 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

Who needs a parking lot, when you have the holy and blessed and precious and greenwashing machines aka Citbikes.

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Reply
Jerry
Jerry
9 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

The parking lot IS Columbus Avenue – ever try driving through that area with all the double and triple parked vehicles?

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Liz
Liz
9 years ago

Very sorry to hear about Citron, a neighborhood staple. Hope the new owners create a restaurant where people can sit comfortably and hear one another while they eat delicious food

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Sean
Sean
9 years ago

Crocs is closing? Terrific news!

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Reply
Upper West Side Wally
Upper West Side Wally
9 years ago
Reply to  Sean

At least half a dozen people out of work, but your sensibilities will no longer be offended. Good on you!

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Eleanor Seepes
Eleanor Seepes
9 years ago

I live just south of the Columbus “Mall.” That street up to 100th was barren and depressing for so many years, and this “mall” changed the area totally…AND FOR THE BETTER–BEST! It helped bring young families to the neighborhood, gave older people so many options (ease of movement with wheelchairs and walkers). We don’t have to schlepp on the subway; returns are easy and handled courteously; selection in these stores is almost unlimited, good prices, excellent quality. Michael’s has opened unending choices for families and teachers for projects, allowed people to decorate for holidays.AND–street safety. I think people should stop whining! Landlords overprice and don’t seem to have levels that would allow rentals to smaller vendors. Trader Joe on 93rd Street will be such a welcome, bringing so many choices at more affordable prices, late hours for consumer flexibility,etc. Whole Foods is NOT the first choice for many.) It IS the 21st century, and I go to Rhinebeck or similar towns to get my fix of what-used-to-be (but it’s unaffordable too there.) So, stop the complaints! Everything around us has changed or is changing…or will change. Just make it work the best for us all.

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John C
John C
9 years ago
Reply to  Eleanor Seepes

Thanks for your defense of cookie cutter, zombie city blocks, and bland consumption and lifestyle themed stores for the middle class, you make it all some so perfect in a Stepford wife suburban way

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Jay
Jay
9 years ago
Reply to  John C

Thanks for your defense of decay and autarky. I’m glad you feel it is necessary to control where people shop and how they spend their money.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Eleanor Seepes

“It IS the 21st century, and I go to Rhinebeck or similar towns to get my fix of what-used-to-be (but it’s unaffordable too there.) So, stop the complaints!”

moving into a neighborhood and suggesting that we stop complaining and just go up to Rhinebeck to shop is really not welcome.

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ColCir
ColCir
9 years ago

Soul cycle classes are all FREE opening day as well!!!!!!!!!

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UWSHebrew
UWSHebrew
9 years ago

Do any of you realize how spoiled and whiny you sound? All I would ever complain about is the violent crime that IS UP on the UWS, Central Park, etc. But to kvetch about “another Trader Joe’s”, “TJ Max”, is pathetic. Ever been to “uninspiring” parts of Brooklyn? Queens? Those people would love to live here. You all disgust me.

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John C
John C
9 years ago
Reply to  UWSHebrew

Yah everyone you should be grateful for discount gourmet food at tj maxx people are starving in Africa what a disgrace you dont appreciate the value of good cheap discounted designer socks –

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Reply
Sarah
Sarah
9 years ago
Reply to  UWSHebrew

It took a long time to make Manhattan an inspiring place to live. It’s not taking long to dismantle it. If you don’t fight to keep what’s good, you lose it. You may be happy with a race to the bottom, but not everyone is.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  UWSHebrew

I guess only your complaint is valid.

you disgust me

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UWS_lifer
UWS_lifer
9 years ago
Reply to  UWSHebrew

Can’t believe I’m gonna say this but….

I totally agree!!

There, I did it.

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Jerry
Jerry
9 years ago

Panda Express – that is the definition of the mallification of Manhattan (or at least the mall’s food court).

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Mike D
Mike D
9 years ago

Does anyone know anything about all the Thai restaurants on Amsterdam? Like, why? They’re all mediocre at best, and I assume they’re all owned by the same company. Can anyone confirm what’s behind all of these “lounges?”

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dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Mike D

“Can anyone confirm what’s behind all of these ‘lounges?'”

liquor sales

(food sucks)

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Lurker
Lurker
9 years ago

I don’t get all the love for Trader Joe’s. The food is cheap, I guess, but so much of it is individual servings/pre-packaged that it seems pretty wasteful in terms of generating trash. I’ve also found the produce to be mediocre in both variety and quality.

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Howard Freeman
Howard Freeman
9 years ago

Bistro Cassis further down on Columbus is a lot better — if more expensive — than Bistro Citron, IMO.

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steph44
steph44
9 years ago
Reply to  Howard Freeman

I liked Bistro Citron. And now we are likely losing Gracious Home…ugh

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