West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
    • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Favorite WSR Stories

    SUPPORT THE RAG
    Get the neighborhood news that matters.
    Sign up for our free newsletter

    Openings and Closings: Yoto, 7-Eleven, Sushi W, Empellón Taqueria, Excellence Barber Shop

    December 17, 2021 | 1:53 PM
    in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
    33

    A pop-up shop selling audio players for kids, Yoto, has opened on 80th Street and Columbus. “Yoto is a connected speaker that’s simple and safe enough for young children to use. It plays stories that promote learning and creativity. Yoto will also be using the space, which was recently vacated by Flying Tiger, to host family-friendly events throughout December,” writes our tipster Scott.

    7-Eleven has closed its doors at 600 Columbus Avenue at 89th Street. It opened in 2012. Thanks to Colman for the tip.

    A new omakase sushi restaurant called Sushi W has opened at 2673 Broadway (102nd). “It’s delicious, very reasonable, and owned/run by a wonderful woman,” writes our tipster Heather. Omakase is a Japanese phrase meaning “I leave it up to you”, according to the Sushi W website. “It is a traditional Japanese tasting menu, carefully curated by the chef based on the best ingredients of the season.” Here’s the menu. A “basic omakase” costs $48.

    Empellón Taqueria has opened a location in Waterline Square at West 59th Street and Freedom Place South. “The menu focuses on tacos, guacamole, queso fundido, and seasonal vegetable dishes, all served in a comfy neighborhood setting,” the website says. Here’s the menu.

    A new barbershop called Excellence Barber Shop recently opened in the former City Brows location at 2265 Broadway (81st-82nd). Thanks to Upper West Sider for the tip.

    Share this article:
    SUPPORT THE RAG
    Leave a comment

    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

    guest

    guest

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    33 Comments
    Sid
    Sid
    4 years ago

    Um Excellence Barber Shop has been open and operating in that location for well over a year.

    0
    Reply
    West Side Rag
    Admin
    West Side Rag
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sid

    Actually, Excellence’s owner John told us the shop on Broadway was recently opened as stated. It is Excellence’s second location. The one you allude to is at 473 Amsterdam (82-81).

    0
    Reply
    Trish
    Trish
    4 years ago

    It feels dumb to mourn a 7-11 but that one is right by my office and I used to go there because I could mix caff and decaf coffees to my precise desired level. So yes, I have the sads.

    0
    Reply
    Cyrus
    Cyrus
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Trish

    Does anyone know if the one on 100th and Amsterdam is still there?

    0
    Reply
    Sarah
    Sarah
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Trish

    I don’t think there are any 7-11s left in the vicinity, since the one on Broadway & 96th has also closed.

    0
    Reply
    Mikey
    Mikey
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    There is the one on 100th and Amsterdam across from the police station on the SE corner

    0
    Reply
    Michelle
    Michelle
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    The one on 100th & Amsterdam is still churning their slushy machines.

    0
    Reply
    Michael G
    Michael G
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    I think there’s one on Amsterdam and 99th.

    0
    Reply
    Jane
    Jane
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    There was still one on 100th and Amsterdam the last time I walked by.

    0
    Reply
    Don
    Don
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    There is still a 7-11 on Amsterdam and 100th.

    0
    Reply
    Katherine
    Katherine
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Trish

    It’s not dumb. We all depend on familiar places we frequently go to, and it can feel like a real loss regardless of what it was.

    0
    Reply
    Curious Westsider
    Curious Westsider
    4 years ago

    Any news yet on what store is opening and when at the corner of West75/Columbus NorthWest side? Where are these Upper Westside tipsters and sleuths? Very litte progress in the past few weeks.

    0
    Reply
    UWSmama
    UWSmama
    4 years ago

    I stopped by the 7-11 on its last day. My kid was hoping for one last slurpee — alas the machines were already down. According to the staff, they closed due to crime — too many robberies. City officials, are you listening???

    0
    Reply
    Sarah
    Sarah
    4 years ago
    Reply to  UWSmama

    Always be suspicious of statements like that. I’m not saying they’re never true, but counterpeople are rarely privy to the bases of corporate decisions. Store opened in 2012, so its lease was probably up for renewal next year. That seems more likely to be the reason.

    0
    Reply
    Counter Person
    Counter Person
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Sarah

    Yeah, after all, what would the counter people know about robberies?

    I’m more suspicious of the denials like yours, and the motives of people like you.

    0
    Reply
    Adam
    Adam
    4 years ago

    Sushi W is indeed very very good! And a fun experience. A very welcome addition to the neighborhood.

    0
    Reply
    Via Ventana
    Via Ventana
    4 years ago

    59th St. and Freedom Place is the UWS? Not my UWD, for sure. Get real.

    0
    Reply
    Mark P
    Mark P
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Via Ventana

    To me, both Via and Becca are right. A simple definition of UWS could be the area to the west of Central Park…59 to 110.

    However, most of us know that the feel of various areas within that boundary varies widely. W 59th and Freedom Place is vastly different than, say, 75th and Columbus. In that sense, to me, W59/FP isn’t Upper West, or even Lincoln Square. I think of it as Riverside South. A series of historically new, some very nice and some kind of homogeneous skyrises that are wayyy west.

    If residents of what I think of as Riverside South or brokers for the area like to call it Upper West Side, I can’t disagree – it’s just a very different UWS to me. Not a snooty thing. Just a knowing the neighborhood as actual place vs map boundary thing.

    0
    Reply
    Becca
    Becca
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Via Ventana

    I work in this area and it is indeed officially considered the UWS. Looking forward to this place!

    0
    Reply
    soldier
    soldier
    4 years ago

    What is it with the quite sudden proliferation of “mini markets”/”delis” (actually more like bodegas) on every other corner?

    0
    Reply
    lynn
    lynn
    4 years ago
    Reply to  soldier

    I walked from Columbus to WEA today and was surprised to see 2 new markets on 72nd (one has 2 floors, possibly they’ve been there for awhile but I hadn’t seen them). Does anyone know when the new deli is going to open on the corner of 72 and WEA (formerly Pier 72)?

    0
    Reply
    LARRY BRILL
    LARRY BRILL
    4 years ago

    Sushi W … very reasonable?????????

    0
    Reply
    Mark P
    Mark P
    4 years ago
    Reply to  LARRY BRILL

    Especially when you factor in the no-tipping policy stated on the menu.

    I haven’t been to Sushi Yasaka on W72nd in a while but think they have or had an omakase in this price range. While it wasn’t as good as omakase I’ve had at double the price or more, it was very good value for the experience and quality. Probably what Sushi W is aiming for also, in a different area of the nabe.

    0
    Reply
    Roger
    Roger
    4 years ago
    Reply to  LARRY BRILL

    For Sushi….hopefully good sushi….it is very reasonable.

    0
    Reply
    lcnyc
    lcnyc
    4 years ago
    Reply to  LARRY BRILL

    For Omakase, those prices are very reasonable, yes.

    0
    Reply
    jd
    jd
    4 years ago

    sushi w is wonderful

    0
    Reply
    LL
    LL
    4 years ago

    Someone said before that
    the bakery on 89th or so is expanding. It is not. It is moving directly next door, where the copy place was.

    Does anyone know what is opening at the former home of th. Banana Republic?

    0
    Reply
    Mitch
    Mitch
    4 years ago

    Too much crime at that 7/11 so they closed it down. Mayor-Elect Adams, are you paying attention? Stop this kind of stuff from happening.

    0
    Reply
    JD
    JD
    4 years ago

    Empellón Taqueria: 2 chicken tacos for $16 – good to know the owners have a sense of humor!

    0
    Reply
    Kevin
    Kevin
    4 years ago
    Reply to  JD

    Hey, it’s cheaper than the $19 “Green Salad.” Lol

    0
    Reply
    Bill
    Bill
    4 years ago

    We loved Sushi W. Quality sushi and a very different experience. They don’t have a liquor license yet so BYO.

    0
    Reply
    Wayne Z.
    Wayne Z.
    4 years ago

    Happy to see 7-Eleven shut down. That joint was a hobo magnet. And we could use less corporate establishments in the neighborhood.

    0
    Reply
    EricaC
    EricaC
    4 years ago
    Reply to  Wayne Z.

    I think it is a franchise – which means it is owned by a small business owner.

    0
    Reply

    YOU MIGHT LIKE...

    UWS Weekend: Great Things To Do in the Neighborhood
    COLUMNS

    UWS Weekend: Great Things to Do in (and Around) the Neighborhood

    October 2, 2026 | 8:21 AM
    UWS Schools Return to Beloved After-School Provider Less Than a Month After Disputed Change
    NEWS

    UWS Schools Return to Beloved After-School Provider Less Than a Month After Disputed Change

    October 1, 2026 | 1:20 PM - Updated on October 2, 2026 | 9:32 AM
    Previous Post

    Lines for Testing Grow as Covid Rate Spikes; City to Add Centers and Options

    Next Post

    A Central Park West One-Bedroom Is Full of Appealing Features

    this week's events image
    Next Post
    A Central Park West One-Bedroom Is Full of Appealing Features

    A Central Park West One-Bedroom Is Full of Appealing Features

    Prohibition Reopens as a True Speakeasy (Minus the Raids and Despite Omicron) on Tuesday

    Prohibition Reopens as a True Speakeasy (Minus the Raids and Despite Omicron) on Tuesday

    Fire at The Smith Sunday Morning

    Fire at The Smith Sunday Morning

    • ABOUT US
    • CONTACT US
    • NEWSLETTER
    • WSR MERCH!
    • ADVERTISE
    • EVENTS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS OF USE
    • SITE MAP
    Site design by RLDGROUP

    © 2026 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • TOP NEWS
    • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
    • OPEN/CLOSED
    • FOOD
    • SCHOOLS
    • OUTDOORS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • ART & CULTURE
    • POLITICS
    • COLUMNS
    • CRIME
    • HISTORY
    • ABSURDITY
    • ABOUT
      • OUR STORY
      • CONTRIBUTORS
      • CONTACT US
      • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
      • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
    • WSR SHOP

    © 2026 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.