By Scott Etkin
After 15 years on Amsterdam Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets, Devi Nails salon is planning to close in the coming weeks. The owner, Man Devi Gurung, said that she was three years into her second ten-year lease when the pandemic began. Her business has never fully recovered enough to cover her monthly rent payments and she said the landlord was unwilling to give rent relief except for four months in 2020. Originally from Nepal, Ms. Gurung said she struggles with English but with the help of a lawyer was able to reach an agreement to end her lease early without going into bankruptcy. Prior to Devi Nails another nail salon was in the space, writes tipster Lizzy. “They will be missed!”
Another 15-year staple of the UWS, Jacques Torres Chocolate, has closed its location on Amsterdam between 73rd and 74th Streets. WSR reported that the new tenant will be William Greenberg Desserts, a company that first opened in 1946, whose flagship bakery is on Madison Avenue. “Jacques Torres Chocolate locations in Grand Central Terminal in Midtown and DUMBO in Brooklyn will remain open, and Jacques is excited to be working with other retailers such as Zabar’s and Citarella who are also carrying JTC products,” a spokesperson wrote in an email.
A new awning for Zelma’s Caffe is up on Broadway between 101st and 102nd Streets. The space used to be a Dunkin’ Donuts. We’ll follow up with more info once it’s available. (Thanks to Jodi for the tip.)
An eviction notice was posted on the storefront of Big Gay Ice Cream on the corner of Columbus and 85th Street. According to public legal filings, the rent dispute dates back to December 2019 when the landlord started eviction proceedings. Big Gay Ice Cream began its ten-year lease in December 2018 but did not open until February 2020. The original Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in the East Village closed in January 2021, but the website shows that their locations in South Street Seaport and Madison Square Garden are still open. The business started as an ice cream truck and is known for its sundaes, toppings, and fun flavors like “Salty Pimp” and “American Globs.” (Thanks to Eric for the tip.)
Scarlatto, the Italian restaurant on Amsterdam between 91st and 92nd Street, appears to have closed. The number is disconnected and it is no longer accepting orders on Seamless or its website. The fettuccini with a half lobster, clams, shrimp and calamari in aiola sauce was a special favorite among regulars. (Thanks to Jeff for the tip.)
You really have to be crazy to go into the restaurant business.
Edgar’s getting the last laugh over Scarlatto
Sorry to hear about Devi. That’s been my go-to since my fav salon upstairs at Bwy & 85th closed. The owner was amazing as was her staff, whom she treated well. Not sure about covid drop-off as they were always busy when I’ve been there.
I bet the guy that robbed bubbles was the same man who robbed me at the church of the ascension, on christmas eve. After we watched the security tape in horror someone said ‘oh yeah, he was out on the steps for a while.
I’m not surprised about Scarlatto’s. Midtown prices, uptown location is not a winning combination.
There’s an old joke that goes: Know how to make $1 million? How? Start with $2 million and open a restaurant.
How to “have” a million dollars
Ouch
I am very sorry about Devi Nails. I started going there a few years ago after the very expensive place I had been going to on the east side, closed temporarily. Devi did just as careful a job for less than half the price. I gave them the same tip I gave the manicurists on the east side.
Torres for Greenberg is a trade I will take anyday.
Agreed. Both would be the optimal outcome (especially with all of the empty storefronts around), but if I can only have one, this is the one I want.
I’ll miss Big Gay Icecream, as sometimes all I want is some soft-serve
I miss the old vegaterian place where Scarlatto is moving out of. That old place never should have left. Was delcious food.
Greenberg had an outpost in the 2000s around 78th and Broadway that didn’t last very long. They had ok black and whites but overall not that great. Bringing back Neuhaus would have been better!
Oh I beg to differ. I have missed Greenberg’s schnecken since they closed that 78th & Broadway location! And their challah is a delight.
I am so sad about Devi Nails. They are like family. I have been going there and the salon prior for over 25 years. Haji is a good boss and takes care of her employees and clients with kindness and impeccability.
I will miss them. The city is in a sad state. There are several spaces in that building empty for a very long time. I’m clear the landlord has raised rents to be prohibitive just like so many others in my once fabulous city.
Is there anything that can be done?
Yes, you can stop voting for the people who are destroying the city. You get what you vote for. I’m confused why everyone on this site is always lamenting this and that when they vote directly for the policies they bring in about.
(You can extend that all the way to the invasion of Ukraine and the reason we’re going to have a five dollar gas – you get what you vote for).
You couldn’t be more right. Remember, “The definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over again and expecting different results.”
Voting the same way year after year, and being angry when everything remains exactly the same?
When will we stop saying “I like what that candidate says, But I could NEVER vote for a Republican.”
Trump! Is that you?
Scarlotto’s will be missed.
Scarlatto’s will be missed!! Wish they had put out a plea, we would definitely have gone…
William Greenberg will be back on the UWS?! Yay!!! Welcome back!
Best cookies, best Palmiers, best everything. (I’ve never seen the appeal of Black and Whites but my East Side friends love them.)
I was the person who wrote that review for Scarlatto’s wonderful half lobster, clams, shrimp and calamari in aiola sauce, back in October for the WSR column, “Here’s The Dish.”
The owner, Tom, told me about three weeks ago, that the business was doing well, but then suddenly fell off. He also mentioned that when he was at a meeting of a group of restauranteurs, they told him that some of their UWS regulars had complained that when the mandates were lifted they would have been afraid to “eat next to someone who may not have been vaccinated.”
I still see UWSers wearing masks outdoors when the CDC, federal, state and city officials all agree that wearing masks outside is totally unnecessary. And now, indoor masks are no longer mandated, but even the building I live in still requires we wear them.
We have to get back to our real lives at some point.
Please don’t let NYC become a ghost town.
surely you realize that wearing a mask when you know you are infected with something, like a cold, will reduce the flow, or spray, from your mouth into the air and onto others.
it is a socially responsible thing to do, and is done all over Asia, all the time.
The reason you probably still see a lot of people wearing masks outside is because it’s cold. The mask keeps one’s face warmer, especially windy days. It’s like a little scarf. Works quite well. I wouldn’t read much more into it than that. But, jab away.
Does have any information about the Shun Lee Cafe awning on Broadway btwn 97 & 98?
Anyone know what is opening in huge store at SW corner W. 85th St and Broadway. Looks like supermarket.
Ace Hardware on Columbus Ave is gone! No signs posted about why just a “For Retail Lease” sign! Really sad, it has been a mainstay for decades!
Anyone know what’s happening with the space where Gabriela was located on Columbus and 90’s? I thought I saw workers in the building. Thank you!