
By Scott Etkin
(Malin+Goetz), the luxury skincare and fragrance company, is coming to the corner of 72nd Street and Columbus this spring, replacing Swatch. (Malin+Goetz), which already has a store on the Upper West Side on the corner of Amsterdam and 82nd Street, originally opened in Chelsea in 2004, and manufactures its products using natural ingredients in the New York area. The brand’s signage on the storefront has some fun (and some head-scratching) UWS-themed words, including John+Yoko, Golden+Doodle and Lox+Bagels. (Thanks to Terry for the tip.)

Z’Baby Company, the clothing and accessories store for babies and children on 72nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus, is planning to move due to rising rents. Sharone Glaser, who started the business in 1995 and goes by “Z’Buyer,” said she is deciding between two locations on the Upper West Side. When it opens, the new iteration of Z’Baby will focus on baby gifts, especially for all the “Covid babies,” she said. There is a sale going on now until the existing store closes, likely at the end of February. Why all the Z’s? “Because we’re Z’best!” (Thanks to Dan for the tip.)
Rothy’s, which makes washable shoes and bags from recycled materials, is coming to the corner of 68th and Columbus. Rothy’s started as a direct-to-consumer brand and it now has stores in several major U.S. cities, including NYC (West Village and Nolita). The space was most recently occupied by the clothing shop Variazioni. (Thanks to Upper West Sider for the tip.)
Brown Harris Stevens, the real estate company, is opening on the corner of Broadway and 65th Street. Founded in 1873, BHS specializes in luxury residential listings. The space used to be occupied by Brooks Brothers.

Matsu Sushi, the Japanese restaurant, on Columbus between 83rd and 84th Street has closed. There’s no relation between this business and the Matsu Sushi on the Upper East Side, which is still in operation. (Thanks to Constance for the tip.)
Vision Lab Optometry is opening on the corner of 96th Street and Columbus. (Thanks to Amelia for the tip.) We’ll revisit when we have more information.
Editor’s Note: As you can see above, Openings and Closings is mainly generated by readers’ tips. Please send them to info@westsiderag.com with a photo, if possible. (86th Street and above, Iet us hear from you!)
Wait – a Variazioni actually closed? They’ve all had “store closing” liquidation signs the 21 years I’ve been here! Shocker.
That’s so funny. I went into a Variazioni for the first time recently because of the liquidation-sale sign and was surprised when the saleswoman asked if it was my first time in the store, then responded, “I hope it’s not your last.” “But wait,” I thought, “isn’t the store closing?”
A sign of the apocalypse.
How is Brown Harris Stevens going to fill up the former BB space? I recall it was pretty big!
Mr. Malin and Mr. Goetz are both UWS locals and live a few blocks from the new store location in the mid-70s. Shopping there is shopping local.
Re: M&G, the only ‘head scratching” for me was Golden-Doodle! All the others clearly about nearby not to far away, from west 72nd.st. location!