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Openings & Closings: About Coffee, Big Bag, Taqueria Menu, New Dessert Shop, Bra Smyth

May 19, 2019 | 10:40 AM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
42

About Coffee, which serves coffee and pastries, just opened at 445 Columbus Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets. “Their Soho store is great — very happy to have them here,” writes our tipster Mike. “Was in today speaking with the owner, Hany. A lot of coffee in the neighborhood, but other than Starbucks (which is awful) there aren’t any boutique spots for a few blocks. Nice addition.” Mark P. adds: “Prices are competitive ($3 espresso shot and the interior is nice and spacious.” About Coffee has a location downtown and one in Brooklyn. They explain their story here.

West End Taqueria is now open at the corner of 96th and West End and Adam took a photo of the menu. Chicken flautas “drowned” in green sauce, $8.50. Fresh guac, $12.50. Shrimp tacos, $4.25. See the whole menu here.

Big Bag just opened at 221 West 79th Street, the former home of Voila Chocolat. “Bags, scarves, jewellery and the like,” writes Rachel.

A new dessert shop is getting ready to open in the former home of Rita‘s Water Ice at 92nd and Broadway, which has been empty for over a year. The name of the shop is stil unclear, but the awning makes it clear what they’ll be selling. Thanks to Taylor for the tip.

Bra Smyth has closed its location at 2191 Broadway (78th). They asked us to post the following message:

“Bra Smyth has loved being on the Upper West Side, we have felt a real sense of connection with the community and our many loyal customers. There is a special feeling of warmth in the neighborhood and a unique bonding among the residents.  The present declining retail market and 2 plus years of struggling under scaffolding made it more efficient to join our Madison Avenue Store. We bring our friendly staff, our years of fitting expertise and superior selection to our new home at 905 Madison between 72nd and 73rd Look forward to seeing you on the Upper East Side. 212-772-9400.”

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Lisa
Lisa
3 years ago

The new Big Bag location is wonderful! Very spacious and lots of great bags!

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Kathleen
Kathleen
3 years ago

Bra Smyth. Another bites the dust.

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KL185
KL185
3 years ago

Big Bag closed it’s W. 72nd Street location and relocated to W. 79th Street.

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Filatura
Filatura
3 years ago
Reply to  KL185

Is that the old Goodwill Thrift Shop location? Nice to see that it’s not another nail salon or cell phone store. I’ll be stopping in; it’s just across from my favorite UWS haunt, the wonderful Knitty City.

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Terence
Terence
3 years ago

I stopped in for lunch at West End Taqueria. I was hungry and so normally 2 tacos would have been fine. But I tried the shrimp, pork, and beef, with a Jarritos Tamarind soda. Waitress service was pleasant, they were playing Carlos Santana at a low, listenable volume, and with tax and tip it was 17 bucks.
Tasted terrific, will go back some evening and bring beer ;>)

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dannyboy
dannyboy
3 years ago

Needed to takeout West End Taqueria because no beer.

I guess it’ll be a better destination in Winter, what with being inside and all (and maybe beer). Better prices at the truck if it’s going to be takeout.

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Robert
Robert
3 years ago

I doubt the west end taqueria will last. The place is expensive and also the super tacos truck at the corner of 96st is cheaper. Super tacos and West end Taqueria are owned by the same person.

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Ll
Ll
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

I don’t get the point of a taqueria there when the last taqueria lasted, what, a year, if that.

It will only last if the truck moves

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

$15.50 for a burrito?

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dannyboy
dannyboy
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

Perhaps the food truck is preparing for their ultimate demise in their current location by opening the West End Taqueria.

Chase did the same. Gristedes closed. I guess Extell is changing the composition of the neighborhood again

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Roberto
Roberto
3 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

No the taco truck will go infront of the Key food at 97st thats their second spot if the corner of 96st is not available and if they get removed thats where they will be at.

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geoff
geoff
3 years ago

This ‘under the scaffolding’ excuse for failing businesses troubles me. I am loyal to very few stores and to those I am, I am loyal because they sell things I want, need, must travel far to get otherwise, or cant get elsewhere at all.

Are there people—actual, so called ‘loyal’ customers— who, when scaffolding goes up at their favourite places, say to themselves, friends and family, ‘Oh rats, cant go there any more—we’ll have to go without. Scaffolding—I will NOT walk into any store beneath scaffolding.”

Anybody? What is the scenario? Even as a writer trying to imagine (let alone write) the scene in a move, I can’t.

Anyone?

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EricaC
EricaC
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

It cuts walk-in traffic. Whether imaginable or not, statistics support the conclusion that scaffolding cuts business.

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Celia302
Celia302
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

Loyal customers do visit when scaffolding goes up but businesses need new customers and that group will likely not go in.

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woodcider
woodcider
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

Business don’t survive without a steady stream of new customers. Scaffolding interferes with visibility. You can’t pull in new clients if they can’t see you.

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Carmen
Carmen
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

It restricts tourists and casual shoppers who get distracted, no one thinks construction awnings help business. That said, I passed a restaurant with outdoor seating under a construction awning. They hung strings of fairy lights and it looked very inviting and appealing. And you had to wait for a seat.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
3 years ago

Filicori Zecchini has served espresso for 100 years. Lots of experience.

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T
T
3 years ago

What are we in tacoland? It feels like almost every other new restaurant is a taco place. In the past we had the frozen yogurt capital, then the influx of bakeries. Very weird

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Ll
Ll
3 years ago
Reply to  T

It doesn’t feel like that long ago when there wercice cream)frozen yogurt places everywhere. Now all that is left is the gelato place on 94th and amsterdam

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Andrew
Andrew
3 years ago
Reply to  T

I’m still holding out for a Taco Bell!

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T
T
3 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

I’m suprised that I think that would be a welcome addition

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dannyboy
dannyboy
3 years ago
Reply to  T

This
https://www.tacobell.com/food/vegetarian

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dannyboy
dannyboy
3 years ago
Reply to  T

Influx of Californians?

Texans?

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Miranda Smith
Miranda Smith
3 years ago

Just what we need up here. Handbags and more coffee. What about a supermarket??

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Reply
BillyNYC
BillyNYC
3 years ago
Reply to  Miranda Smith

Miranda,
There’s something about our area that supermarkets don’t like?

Now I wonder what could that be ?

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Sean
Sean
3 years ago
Reply to  BillyNYC

There’s a low profit margin? You need a large space? Changing demographics?

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BillyNYC
BillyNYC
3 years ago

About Coffee?
Not another Coffee place and this is right next to Starbucks and a block from Billy‘s Bakery. Not to mention the $1. cheap coffee at Andy’s deli.

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Reply
Sarah
Sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  BillyNYC

Lol- Starbucks is disgusting, and artisan coffee shops don’t see them as competition. Plus, who in their right mind is going to Andy’s for a Latte? Also, way to have a positive attitude about a cool, local neighborhood business. I’ve stopped into About several times now and quite frankly it’s delicious, everyone is so kind, and I have room to set up and work. Welcome About!

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Linda
Linda
3 years ago

I’ve shopped at the former w.72nd Big Bag store and am so happy it has moved north. They have NYC’s best-curated selection of bags,and lovely accessories. Beautiful jewelry, too. My husband loves the backpack he purchased there, and my daughter and I are crazy about our bags.

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Uwesider
Uwesider
3 years ago

The West End Taqueria is delicious! I hope they make a go of a tough location.

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Reply
Emily
Emily
3 years ago

The name of the new spot taking over Rita’s space on Broadway is Gelotti. Original location in NJ and this is their first NYC location.

https://www.gelotti.com

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Reply
Taylor
Taylor
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

Thank you! I wrote in to WSR hoping they would know what it was.

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Reply
Melissa
Melissa
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

Whew – I saw the headline and thought Big Bag may have closed – I’m so glad they just relocated as I was almost beside myself. They are such a gem and curate the most stylish high quality lightweight bags that transcend trends. I always get compliments on them. Looking forward to checking out the new location.

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Mary
Mary
3 years ago

I’m sure no one here will bemoan the demise of a cellphone shop, but when did the Verizon store at 109th and Broadway close? I went there this weekend and was surprised to find they’d flown the coop!

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sam
sam
3 years ago

Cannot see West End Taqueria succeeding. The prices are high – I mean, $7.00 for chips and salsa??? And while high prices aren’t necessarily a death knell for a restaurant, there are so many Mexican places nearby. Why would you want to shell out $$ to sit in a small space overlooking the worst intersection in the neighborhood.

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UWSHebrew
UWSHebrew
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

I can’t think of a worse location, there is no foot traffic. I think I go to West End Avenue about once a year. I don’t see it lasting to 2020.

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Sid
Sid
3 years ago

It was called Rita’s Italian Ice. Water Ice???

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Reply
Taylor
Taylor
3 years ago
Reply to  Sid

Yelp says it was called Rita’s Water Ice. https://www.yelp.com/biz/ritas-water-ice-nyc-new-york-2

I’m from the Philly area and that’s how we always referred to it. Technically the name is just Rita’s.

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Sid
Sid
3 years ago
Reply to  Taylor

Yelp is incorrect then. If you go to their official website, they refer to themselves as Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard.

N.B. Yelp is often user-submitted information, unless the restaurant takes control of their own Yelp page.

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
3 years ago

As long as the truck is around and it’s not freezing out, I’ll skip West End Taqueria and go to the truck. Good to see though that “We Delivery” made it to both sides of the corner sign.

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Reply
Ethan
Ethan
3 years ago

Apparently Bra Smyth is closings its westside store due to a lack of support. Cross my heart!

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Reply
Keith
Keith
3 years ago
Reply to  Ethan

Congrats. You just won the Internet.

0
Reply

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