Sugar Factory’s banner is up, but the opening has been delayed again.
By Joy Bergmann
The sundae-wielding King Kong poster is up. Jellybeans appear to fill some mounted bulk bins. But it’s unclear when the Sugar Factory American Brasserie will actually open at 1991 Broadway (67th Street). A recent partial stop work order couldn’t have helped move things along.
According to the company’s web site, the chain’s “outrageous desserts” will be making their “nightly Broadway debut” on April 5th. WSR had previously heard (and reported) the opening date as March 15th. In late February, a reader told us they were handing out business cards and pledging to open in a week. Before that, the café had taken reservations for a February 8 start. But that was only after promising a December 1, 2016, opening. The operators sought its liquor license way back in September 2015. Not much of a sugar rush.
The renovation to the former Ollie’s restaurant space, which had been damaged in a fire, was clearly substantial. Last Friday, construction debris continued to be carted out from the back half of the cavernous space, long vacant since the January 2013 fire that shuttered Ollie’s Noodles. In the front half, workers were mopping up what appears to be a pretty finished retail environment. That “covered plaza” area facing Broadway is also a POPS (Privately Owned Public Space) meant to be open to anyone wishing to take a seat, not just customers.
Workers removing debris last week.
According to the Department of Buildings recent “Partial Stop Work Order” posted at the location, the building’s owner, Bel Canto Condominium violated the terms the POPS program by not getting approval from the NYC Department of City Planning before allowing renovations to the space. Although the restaurant had said there would be a carousel in the public space — and showed a rendering of part of the carousel on its website — it’s not clear if that’s still going to happen. The rendering is not on the site at the moment.
So, when will UWS tweens get their chance at the Kardashian-endorsed, sparkly Couture Pops? When will parents partake of Sugar Factory’s signature 36-ounce, alcohol-infused smoking candy goblets? When will local dentists feel safe in booking that extra vacation?
A Sugar Factory rep said the company would have no comment.
Photos by Joy Bergmann.
Good thing we didn’t plan an early March birthday party for our son at this space…
What are the hot spots for kids parties now? I haven’t done a kids party since Jeremy’s Place, lol.
I know, right? Now that the Four Seasons has closed, people in this neighborhood must be beside themselves finding large enough party venues for their toddlers.
Hmmm….with sufficient consumption of those “36-ounce, alcohol-infused smoking candy goblets” there’s no need for a CAROUSEL as there is bound to instead be lots of CAROUSAL …….
as per WIKTIONARY: “Carousal- n. A noisy feast or social gathering, often with much alcohol consumption.
Of course they could post a sign, such as:
PLEASE: NO CAROUSAL ON CAROUSEL !!
No doubt they will try to make the public space look like their own private space.