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Openings & Closings: Amsterdam Cafe, Grain House, Orange Theory, St. Francis Thrift Shop

March 21, 2018 | 9:45 PM - Updated on March 22, 2018 | 1:13 PM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
37

Amsterdam Cafe has reopened at Amsterdam and 83rd Street, after closing its doors with an “auction” sign on the door in January. Thanks to Michelle B. and Brian for the tips.

Fitness studio Orange Theory is opening a location at 120 West 72nd Street, with a note on the door saying that people can burn 500 calories in 60 minutes, along with a disclaimer that “individual results may vary.” Particularly if you spend the entire hour drinking a smoothie or reading the New Yorker. Their website is here.

Grain House, a Sichuan restaurant with a location in Queens, has just opened at 929 Amsterdam Avenue (105th Street), the blog Eating in Translation first reported. “This one, with just over 20 seats, is much smaller, but serves many of the same popular dishes like burning noodles and pork in garlic sauce. It also adds new dishes such as beef and sour cabbage sauce, Chiba tofu with pork belly, and ChongQing stew chicken,” Eater reported. See the menu here.

St. Francis Thrift Shop at 205 West 96th Street closed last month with a Vacate notice on the door from the Department of Buildings saying that conditions inside were “imminently perilous to life.” The store opened a pop-up shop at 214 West 97th Street. But the church has now put up a sign saying they’re working with the Department of Buildings to make renovations so they can reopen. “This valued community resource, high-ranked among my personal pleasures, will rise again. Keeping an eye out for those pop-up shops,” wrote Barbara. Thanks to Barbara and others for the tips.

A UPS or FedEx store is expected to go into the former Margot Patisserie on Broadway between 97th and 98th Street, workers there told Paul.

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Gerald Sider
Gerald Sider
5 years ago

What happened to the plan to open a Trader Joe store on Columbus Ave in the low 90s? There is a large empty store there now being renovated with a “For Rent” sign on it. I was much looking forward to a Trader Joe in the neighborhood, to escape the high prices Whole Foods charges.

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Cato
Cato
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald Sider

According to the website (this morning), the store is “Opening Soon”.
OPENS 2018
TJ’s New York
93rd & Columbus (545)
670 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10025

Are you sure you’re looking in the right place?

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Jimbo
Jimbo
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald Sider

TJs now says it will open May 1st, but they keep pushing back the date. A worker told me there is some kind of problem, which I can only guess is some kind of graft, that is making it all so slow.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Jimbo

Yes!

I recommend viewing True Confessions (1981). Everyone’s dirty, except the irreverent cop and his ex-gal madame.

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Meow Mix
Meow Mix
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald Sider

That sign has never been taken down.

They’ve done too much work inside for the TJ’s not to eventually open. It looks like they’re still at least a month away though.

Separately, I don’t recall seeing mention of the closure of Petco on Columbus (across from WFM). That was a much better store than the one on B’way, but it’s vacant now.

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Rich
Rich
5 years ago
Reply to  Meow Mix

Petco’s closing was reported on. It’s been gone a month or two already.

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Minx
Minx
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald Sider

Gerald – the TJ is coming, the store has shelves and cash registers installed. I would expect it to be open pretty soon.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerald Sider

Posted in WSR COMMENTS (verbatim):

“In Trader Joe’s news, they put some port-o-potties out on the sidewalk for workers. That has to be a good sign, right?”

Reply
dannyboy says:
March 20, 2018 at 3:59 pm
First time I’ve heard of “putting some port-o-potties out on the sidewalk” considered a good omen.

But I do feel you.

Reply
Mark Moore says:
March 20, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Three! Three of them. It must mean they have a lot of people working inside at once.

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Karen Bruno
Karen Bruno
5 years ago

Does anyone know what was in Orange Theory before? Was it a mattress store or is that still there?

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Colleen
Colleen
5 years ago
Reply to  Karen Bruno

Pretty sure it was the mattress store (Mattress Firm)

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Iris
Iris
5 years ago

The banana republic store on broadway and 86 Street is closing next week on March 26 th. Rent is the reason as they are breaking their lease after 5 years ( out of 7).
Having great sales on all new and discounted clothing.

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DC
DC
5 years ago

Anyone know what’s happening at the old 3 Star Coffee Shop space? There is work being done. Also something new happening at 87th & Columbus, SE corner.

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Filatura
Filatura
5 years ago
Reply to  DC

Occasionally there are a couple of work lights inside and occasionally a couple of men in hard hats haul out a load of soggy,unidentifiable debris and occasionally there is a dumpster outside to catch said debris. Meanwhile the windows are plastered with dozens of signs proclaiming worksite rules, including something like “guns must be holstered at all times.” All rather strange,and lackadaisical; more like a cleanout than actual work on a new store.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Filatura

Actually, more like a film noir from you colorful description.

One of my favs from your colorful description: “guns must be holstered at all times”!

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Joan C Berkowitz
Joan C Berkowitz
5 years ago
Reply to  DC

That block has been quiet for far too long!!!!!!!!!

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Minx
Minx
5 years ago

The empty store on 98th and Broadway (next to West Side Market) recently had its windows painted blue – anyone know if it is finally getting a tenant?

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Minx

From above:

“A UPS or FedEx store is expected to go into the former Margot Patisserie on Broadway between 97th and 98th Street, workers there told Paul.”

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Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins
5 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

The sign in the window says UPS

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Minx
Minx
5 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Dannyboy – the UPS/FedEx is going in a different vacant space on that block, the former Margot Patisserie – I am referring to the old electronics store on the corner of 98th and Broadway.

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Minx

RCI

RIP

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M.
M.
5 years ago

Per Alex, today, Thurs., Mar. 22nd, Trader Joe’s, Broadway & 72nd ST., the Trader Joe’s 93rd & Columbus Ave. store will open in May, 2018.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  M.

Better get on line now.

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C.J.
C.J.
5 years ago

Too many restaurants from 110th St.& 96th St. on Amsterdam Ave. Why can there be more different types of business? Because of high rents. We need commercial rent regulations.

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patrick
patrick
5 years ago
Reply to  C.J.

would you rather a bank or a duane reade?

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  C.J.

I love the True Value Hardware Stores and Kim’s Fruit & Vegetables and his Fish Store.

I agree that “We need commercial rent regulations.” Otherwise, as you say, it’s restaurants with bars who are the main stores to survive.

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B.B.
B.B.
5 years ago
Reply to  C.J.

Food/restaurants are some of the few businesses that make sense to open a brick and mortar space for these days. Other retail is being killed by online so the point it is almost like why bother.

Have said this before, smart persons considering opening a retail business look for things that cannot be found on Amazon.com or whatever. People have to eat, get their hair done/cut, etc… those sort of things.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  B.B.

Can laundry be done online these days?

And those virtual pharmacists can’t really replace in-person prescription counseling.

Yet both business are closing.

Think it might have something to do with the rent?

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Reply
Sean
Sean
5 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Laundry Service is an amenity in a newer building. People also purchase their own machines today.

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Sean,

Just because you and I have laundries, that does not mean that all in the community do. Many brownstoners as an example.

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B.B.
B.B.
5 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Obviously you’ve missed all the app/Internet based laundry places like Cleanly or Flycleaners

https://cleanly.com/

Laundromats are closing based on two very simple facts of life. Many apartments now have in unit or building laundry equipment (especially new construction), and or people just are doing what many New Yorkers always have; sending their laundry “out”. Sadly for many small laundromats as with so many other things modern technology has made it possible for laundries to over come the high operating costs by not having a store front.

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MTS
MTS
5 years ago

Managers at the 72nd St Trader Joe’s told me the new store would open soon, although they push the date further back every time I ask about it.

They said the reason for the ridiculously lengthy construction period was due to “the contractor screwing up”. They only got around to digging the elevator shafts in recent months. Poor planning on the blueprints? Who knows. Seems like somebody screwed something up somewhere along the way.

They’ve apparently been having an issue with the building owner recently as well, which is causing delays. But supposedly managerial staff are now at the new store preparing for the opening, though I heard several weeks ago that the new store’s general staff hadn’t been hired yet.

That’s all random info gleaned from the managers at the 72nd St store.

I’ve stopped holding my breath. It’ll open when it opens.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  MTS

“Seems like somebody screwed something up somewhere along the way.”

Please grant permission for me to use this phrase, because it fits so many situations reported here on WSR; whether it’s the MTA, DoT, Dept of Design and Construction, landlords, developers, etc, etc. etc.

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Reply
Sarah
Sarah
5 years ago

The other location of Grain House’s reviews are quite positive. Get on Seamless, guys!

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Ari Schwartzenberg
Ari Schwartzenberg
5 years ago

My understanding is that the Trader Joe’s at 72nd and Broadway generates the highest sales per square foot of any Trader Joe’s anywhere. A fellow member of the tribe believes that the new store will open soon and do really, well. Not sure if there will be a wine store as Two Buck Chuck is sorely needed on the UWS. Mazel Tov!!!!!!!

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dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  Ari Schwartzenberg

Zabars had been the highest grossing retail per square foot in NYC, including Tiffany’s.

No wine in TJ.

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MTS
MTS
5 years ago

Permission granted, Dannyboy.

Sadly, that phrase could apply to the entire arc of human “civilization”. ha…

Cheers

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
5 years ago
Reply to  MTS

Sláinte!

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Reply

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