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ISABELLA’S CLOSES SUDDENLY AFTER DECADES ON THE UWS

May 15, 2017 | 8:42 AM - Updated on May 16, 2017 | 10:01 AM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
129

By Carol Tannenhauser

Isabella’s at 77th Street and Columbus, a staple of the Upper West Side dining scene for decades, closed its doors for good on Monday morning.

“Wow, they were open last night,” said one woman who walked by and saw the “closed” sign.

An employee said “the landlord chose not to renew our lease.”  BR Guest Hospitality, explained further.

“Isabella’s lease was up for renewal and the landlord chose not to renew. We enjoyed the past 30 years and thank everyone in the community for their support. BR Guest Hospitality will continue to offer many other great restaurants in the city, including Atlantic Grill, Dos Caminos, Blue Fin, Bill’s Bar and Burger, Blue Water Grill and Strip House.”

It was recently reported that BR Guest would be purchased by Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Landry’s restaurant chain, several casinos and Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant in Times Square. At the time the sale was announced a lawyer for the company said, “We plan on keeping all of the restaurants….We don’t plan on changing anything.”

“It’s the end of an era,” said one passerby. “It’s like the 80’s,” said another (presumably a reference to tough times on the UWS).

Another blamed the management for allowing the place to deteriorate.

“What one man built and operated successfully for over two decades, was destroyed by corporate entities in recent years that lacked any knowledge of our UWS community and the landmark value of Isabella’s,” wrote Joseph Bolanos.

The Mediterranean spot has a large outdoor patio and a sun-filled dining room. On weekends, it was usually packed for brunch. It was featured in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Isabella’s employee said the restaurant had been around 30 years.

Update: Read the letter from a former Isabella’s owner here.

Photos by Carol Tannenhauser. Chair photo by Peter Weiss.

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10023
10023
8 years ago

The UWS has too many greedy landlords

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F M
F M
8 years ago
Reply to  10023

The entire city has too many “greedy landlords”, and those two words are redundant.

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Chrigid
Chrigid
8 years ago
Reply to  F M

In a cab, somewhere between 82nd and 94th, I glanced across the median and saw two banks cheek-by-jowl on the west side of broadway, nothing between them but a wall.

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Kimberly
Kimberly
8 years ago
Reply to  Chrigid

That is perhaps the corner of 89th and Bway. There was a large HSBC there that reduced their size by half. I was very surprised and delighted by this bank downsizing trend until a Wells Fargo took the space they vacated.

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Guest1
Guest1
8 years ago

First Ocean and now Isabella’s. What’s going on with BR Guest.

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Reply
Stephen
Stephen
8 years ago
Reply to  Guest1

RE Ocean Grill. Do you think any restaurant could survive behind the elevator on the Ocean building. That and killing off cafe service meant without rent concession it did not stand a chance.

Surprise the landlord did not work harder on that one. A good ground floor tenant for the Chi chi apartments being constructed above.

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Reply
AC
AC
8 years ago
Reply to  Stephen

First was Park Avalon, perhaps the best BR Guest Restaurant they ever had. Went down from there , , , Blue Water Grill revamping their Menu a few years back didn’t help. New Owners have just made things worse.

1
Reply
Anthony
Anthony
8 years ago

That’s a shame – I’ll miss the chocolate bag dessert!

1
Reply
Brenda
Brenda
8 years ago
Reply to  Anthony

Oh that chocolate bag!!!!

1
Reply
jeff
jeff
8 years ago

unreal that there’s a typo in the goodbye sign

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Reply
gonne
gonne
8 years ago
Reply to  jeff

that has to do with the speed it was produced. No time for proofreading

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CatShaw54
CatShaw54
8 years ago
Reply to  jeff

Though “Atlantic Gill” has a certain charm . . . !

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Reply
Chrigid
Chrigid
8 years ago
Reply to  CatShaw54

opens up new avenues of exploration in interior design.

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LuluT
LuluT
8 years ago

This makes me sad. Many good memories there, followed by shopping at the flea market.

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Reply
Janet Sullivan
Janet Sullivan
8 years ago

just like Tempura Dan, a popular, reasonably priced and always busy restaurant on B’way and 68 St. It suddenly closed too. What losses for our community.

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Bob
Bob
8 years ago

It surprises me because it was one of the few restaurants that seemed to be doing well – well enough to pay the high rents that seem to be the norm these days across NYC. It had a few people for lunch most week days along with a decent dinner crowd, and on weekends it did very well from open to close. It was not like many other restaurants that rely on three our four meals a week (Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch).

On the other hand it does not surprise me if Tilman Fertitta bought it. He seems to be penny wise pound foolish.

This could be an opportunity for a decent restaurant to come in. Isabella’s was nothing great and it still seemed to do fairly well. Something more formal than Shake Shack yet more casual than Dovetail. Maybe someone like Keith Mcnally will come in (Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi, Minetta Tavern, Augustine,…) or Danny Meyer (Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Shake Shack, The Modern, Maialino, Marta,…). It’s a good location and a nice space.

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Brad Gross
Brad Gross
8 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Its a GREAT location, one of the very very best on the UWS. I always thought that was the real secret behind the success of Isabellas. OK food, nothing special, but a smashing location and cozy space.

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Eln
Eln
8 years ago

Another one bites the dust.

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Reply
ScooterStan
ScooterStan
8 years ago

Check door-sign:
“Atlantic GILL East” ??!!

smells fishy

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Reply
Spence Halperin
Spence Halperin
8 years ago
Reply to  ScooterStan

Actually a better name! Atlantic Gill!

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Reply
Alberly
Alberly
8 years ago

They lost their way. It started when they removed their beautiful plants in order to squeeze in a few more tables.

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Reply
Amanda Perkins
Amanda Perkins
8 years ago
Reply to  Alberly

Actually, that was to save floor space 🙂 We didn’t add any tables when we took out the plants!

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Reply
Spence Halperin
Spence Halperin
8 years ago

I hope we can find out what really happened here. I thought it was the most pleasant restaurant space on the UWS.

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Reply
Superf88
Superf88
8 years ago

Will never recover from La Fortuna

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Reply
Longtime Upperwestsider
Longtime Upperwestsider
8 years ago
Reply to  Superf88

I still haven’t recovered from Marvin Gardens and Teacher’s.

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Reply
M.pipik
M.pipik
8 years ago
Reply to  Superf88

I so miss La Fortuna and its cookies and biscotti, and sitting for hours after a performance at Lincoln Center.

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Reply
nycityny
nycityny
8 years ago
Reply to  Superf88

I too miss Cafe La Fortuna. I wish another Italian cafe would open instead of a new French bakery every other week.

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Reply
R
R
8 years ago
Reply to  Superf88

Finally someone remembers La Fortuna! Thank you! I still find myself walking over there for coffee and then remembering that it’s long gone.

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Reply
Annimator
Annimator
8 years ago
Reply to  R

Another La Fortuna fan here!

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Reply
young Sally
young Sally
8 years ago

Well now I know who to blame for the scourge that is Bubba Gump shrimp.

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Reply
Albert Wu
Albert Wu
8 years ago

I believe they will be undergoing renovation under the same ownership

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Reply
Corine
Corine
8 years ago

And Ruby Foos. I had,my Sweet 16 there. Very bummed. I was more upset about Ruby Foos as the food was scrumptious.

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Reply
UWS-er
UWS-er
8 years ago
Reply to  Corine

Agreed! I still miss Ruby Foo’s.

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Reply
jor
jor
8 years ago

Isabella’s was also featured in a Seinfeld episode “The Visa” (S4 E17).

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GG
GG
8 years ago

Maybe we will get lucky and they will put a Chick-Fil-A in there…..

When is the UWS going to expand its supposedly sophisticated palate??

Also, i’m a little confused about the “it’s the 80’s again” comment…I thought that is what we all wanted. Were the 80’s a good thing or a bad thing? I guess it depends on who you ask…and when.

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Sean
Sean
8 years ago

They need to open something for the kids.

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Reply
Vicki
Vicki
8 years ago
Reply to  Sean

To hell with screaming brats in adult restaurants!

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Reply
123Train
123Train
8 years ago
Reply to  Vicki

Yes, screaming adults like you are so much more pleasant!

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Reply
Ruthie
Ruthie
8 years ago

This is very sad. There are WAY too many empty storefronts on the Upper West Side – it’s quite troublesome.

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Reply
Bobby
Bobby
8 years ago

one word, Tragic

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Reply
amy
amy
8 years ago

We were literally just there on Friday. This is is so sad.

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Reply
huh?
huh?
8 years ago
Reply to  amy

As opposed to metaphorically being there on Friday?

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Lauren
Lauren
8 years ago

The UWS is dying….north of 86 all along Broadway right up to Columbia. Empty storefronts. I counted almost 70 on that stretch of Broadway.
The greed of landlords has turned UWS into….banks, drugstores and walk-in medical. No mom and pops… nothing that would make a neighborhood a neighborhood.
I WISH this Mayor or the City Council would pay attention to us…before there’s nothing left. #BleakBroadway

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Carlos
Carlos
8 years ago

I would think they would be entering their most profitable season as now they can make full use of the outdoor space. I was not a huge fan but it was fine and I highly doubt that something better will replace it. I know many have requested something fairly upscale but I think the best solution is something that services the pre/post museum crowd to alleviate some of the crowds at Shake Shack, though maybe slightly more upscale than Shake Shack.

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Amanda Perkins
Amanda Perkins
8 years ago

I have been employed at Isabellas for ten years and after reading certain comments in this article, I have to say that we are and always have been a family. Landry’s/Tillman were extremely supportive of us and our management/chefs are the best of the best.

It was my absolute pleasure to serve the Upper West Side and I will miss all of the regulars and my Isabella’s family with all my heart. You have changed my life and I am so proud of our team.

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Ethan
Ethan
8 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Perkins

Thank you Amanda! As your frequent customer I will miss your excellent service and ready smile. Also our discussion about politics, etc. With Telepan and now Isabella’s closed, I will have to find a new “regular”spot but it’s becoming impossible on the UWS so I may have to start seeking out places in the boroughs or north Jersey or something gross like that! All the best, Ethan

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Amanda
Amanda
8 years ago
Reply to  Ethan

Aww, Hi Ethan! I will miss our talks too 🙁 It is truly difficult to have to leave and not say goodby to all of the regulars we have grown to know over the years. Try Frida! Their food is amazing!

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Paris Wyome
Paris Wyome
8 years ago

I have lived in the W 70s since the 70s, and I don’t ever recall so many restaurants closing in this area in rather a relatively short period of time as has been going on recently. And most of them are very good, upscale places. Empty retail spaces are not good. Why doesn’t WSR produce a report for reasons behind all the closings and what, if anything, can be done to reverse the trend?

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Sophia
Sophia
8 years ago

Oh, no! And I was just about to make brunch reservations for this coming Saturday! How sad!

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YourFriendlyIsabellasServer
YourFriendlyIsabellasServer
8 years ago
Reply to  Sophia

We actually don’t take any reservations for brunch; it is first come first available. We do tend to go on a wait around noon, so I would recommend coming in before 11:30. However, we only seat complete parties so make sure you and your guests are all in the restaurant to ensure being sat as quickly as possible. Enjoy your brunch!

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10025
10025
8 years ago

A passerby said “it’s like the 80’s”? Really? Lol Super exaggerated. Restaurants like Isabella’s weren’t present in this area during that era. I wish it was still like the 80’s then all us native New Yorkers could still afford to rent any kind of space here whether it was residential or commercial.

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Cyrus
Cyrus
8 years ago

You know, you can take my mustard shops and specialty macaroons with nary a whimper, but now you’ve crossed the line by taking Isabella’s.

So sad.

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Mary Stout
Mary Stout
8 years ago

Probably an WAHLBURGERS

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Reply
jeffrey goldberg
jeffrey goldberg
8 years ago

And Artie’s deli on Broadway and 84th closed too.

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Reply
E
E
8 years ago

This is sad, I just had dinner there a few weeks ago.

I’m so sick of the comments when a restaurant opens or closes on this site – you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. There is so much criticism and living in the past that it’s not surprising that businesses don’t wants to open on the UWS. How about supporting those that venture here, it’s not easy to own a business and get great staff. I know, I own a small business! please be kinder and maybe keep your negative comments to yourself especially if you don’t actually eat at these places.

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IZZY
IZZY
8 years ago
Reply to  E

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

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Reply
Former Employee
Former Employee
8 years ago

Good news. Owner is a prick. Worst boss 20 years in the business.

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Reply
Amanda
Amanda
8 years ago
Reply to  Former Employee

Just wondering who specifically you are talking about?

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Big Earl
Big Earl
8 years ago

Wow, another one bites the dust. Speechless. I see others mentioned it was used in a couple sitcoms – Seinfeld and Curb, but maybe 1-2 years ago they filmed part of a movie there for a day or two. Does anybody recall what movie filmed there? Just curious.

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amanda
amanda
8 years ago
Reply to  Big Earl

Say Anything by Woody Allen- the scene was between Jason Biggs and Danny DeVvito at table 50.

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Ama
Ama
8 years ago
Reply to  amanda

Oh, and we recently did SNL and Homeland!

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George
George
8 years ago

After 40 years Jackson Hole closed three Manhattan locations. Greedy landlords.

1
Reply
ws
ws
8 years ago
Reply to  George

Ignorant commenter and greedy tenant in this case.

Jackson Hole closed because they were sued for withholding tips.

1
Reply
Jay
Jay
8 years ago
Reply to  George

Or the food wasn’t that great and the competition is high and margins low.

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Reply
Linda Wolfe
Linda Wolfe
8 years ago

A disgrace!

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Reply
Kelly
Kelly
8 years ago

The greed landlords at W. 67th and Columbus where they doubled the rent on Starbucks is STILL sitting empty a year later! Serves them right!

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Reply
Bob
Bob
8 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

Greed is everywhere! Please don’t be so myopic to only see landlords as greedy. You are over-paying for just about everything these days, regardless of where you are.

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Ted
Ted
8 years ago

Isabella’s was one of those teflon restaurants that flourished despite a mediocre product and poor service. One of the few UWS “institutions” that I am actually not sad to see go.

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hfalk
hfalk
8 years ago

so sad, this was an UWS institution!

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Sherman
Sherman
8 years ago

There are numerous reasons why any business will close.

To blame Isabella’s closing simply on “greedy landlords” is ridiculous and ignorant.

I’m sorry Isabella’s is gone but I’ve eaten there a few times and I found it to be very mediocre and overrated.

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A Westsider
A Westsider
8 years ago

I’m sure that spot will make a beautiful bank or pharmacy. Just what we need on the UWS. /s

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Reply
Bob
Bob
8 years ago
Reply to  A Westsider

If that is who can afford the rents then that is who will move in. The space is not really great for either – nor is the location – but you never know.

Speaking of that block, the clothing store down on the south side if the block can’t be doing too well. Peruvian clothing!?!?!

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Sean
Sean
8 years ago

It is right across from the museum. It would be a perfect spot for something for the tourists or the kids. This stretch of Columbus Ave. is no longer a destination to eat adult fare or to sit outside unless someone was to do something truely outstanding.

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Cato
Cato
8 years ago
Reply to  Sean

That stretch of Columbus hasn’t been a destination for adults since Paul Prudhomme closed his pop-up in the space that became Isabella’s 20-plus years ago.

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Reply
Melissa
Melissa
8 years ago

I am DEVASTATED!! I adored this place. So many wonderful and important occasions were celebrated here. I could just cry. Another special thing ruined by corporate greed.

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Reply
Marissa
Marissa
8 years ago

Such sad news! On the bright side for staff who are currently out of a job, HMG+ is now hiring servers, bartenders, and captains for exclusive NYC and Long Island events. You can apply at http://www.hmgplus.com!

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Alysa
Alysa
8 years ago
Reply to  Marissa

Tired of greedy landlords.

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another westsider
another westsider
8 years ago

I have been eating there for a while the past year the food was horrible. the past few months, something changed. Food was the best its ever been . sorry to see it go

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Reply
Bob
Bob
8 years ago
Reply to  another westsider

The food was passable at best. Good place if you had some out of town visitors and had a large group. There was something for on the menu for everyone and it was not too expensive. Dovetail across the street is very nice but also VERY expensive and Cafe Storico around the corner just feels odd in that museum lobby and is also very expensive for the tiny portions they serve.

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nyc
nyc
8 years ago

The thought of Landry’s taken over Any restaurants in NYC is terrible. I have eaten in past years when outside NYC , in some of the places they run or maybe own, what a joke. NYC will eat them and spit them out . SAD

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John L Venable
John L Venable
8 years ago

Before Isabella’s moved in, it had been multiple names during my time on the UWS, even KPaul was there for a short stint with his “Roadshow”. Hundreds of folks on line.

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Reply
UWS Resident
UWS Resident
8 years ago

Someone has to stand up to these greedy landlords! There is more to the upper west side community than money.

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Reply
Cato
Cato
8 years ago
Reply to  UWS Resident

“There is more to the upper west side community than money.”

Nope. Not any more. That’s it, that’s all, that’s everything. And so many voices here cheer that change. It’s sad.

(Yes, yes, chorus, I know, I can move to the suburbs, etc. etc. But that doesn’t stop me from mourning what’s happened to my neighborhood.)

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Reply
Enoughisenough
Enoughisenough
8 years ago

I am so tired of the greedy landlords on the upper west side. Has anyone noticed that all we have these days are drug stores and banks?There should be zoning and other regulations that prevent greedy landlords causing all of our favorite places to close down. We have lost so many great community places in the last few years – Harry’s Burritos, Ocean, even Starbucks couldn’t survive on Columbus. If Starbucks and Isabella’s can’t make it then who can? Someone needs to STAND UP TO GREED. THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN MONEY. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

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Jason
Jason
8 years ago
Reply to  Enoughisenough

There is more to life than money?? Well yes, but there is no more to BUSINESS than money. Indeed that’s what BUSINESS is. Landlords are business people, do you really think that they have a moral responsibility to the neighborhood? No way, they have a fiscal and fiduciary responsibility to their investors and families. Get over yourself people.

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Reply
julie
julie
8 years ago
Reply to  Enoughisenough

You’re absolutely right!

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Reply
Alysa
Alysa
8 years ago

So tired of greedy landlords. Someone has to put a stop to this.

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Reply
your neighbor
your neighbor
8 years ago
Reply to  Alysa

Hey Alysa, we’ll put you in charge!

First order of business will be for you to buy up some buildings.
Next find tenants that will pay below market rents.
Next, try to pay your unreasonably quickly escalating NYC real estate taxes,mortgage and building upkeep with whatever income you earn. Good luck even breaking even.

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Margaret
Margaret
8 years ago
Reply to  your neighbor

No. If the landlords were charging market rent, we would not be watching businesses close and spaces sit vacant. Spaces that had viable and supported neighborhood businesses in them are sitting vacant for a year or more. Existing businesses are going under when their leases roll and the landlords jack up the asking rent. Longtime employees lose their jobs, and the spaces sit vacant. I wonder what you think market rent means.

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Jens
Jens
8 years ago

The hedge funds have moved into real estate so they can rape and pillage some more. Meanwhile they are all happy up on the gold coast in CT.

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Larry Feldman
Larry Feldman
8 years ago
Reply to  Jens

The hedge funds/private equity firms – who look only at the bottom line – are buying up businesses (often for cents on the dollar in bankruptcy) and then pillage the businesses without any regard to the people who built them, the small suppliers who provided them with goods, the employees, the community or society.

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Kindly Dr Dave
Kindly Dr Dave
8 years ago
Reply to  Larry Feldman

Larry, the good news is that the worst offender has moved to Mar Lago.

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Reply

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