Openings and Closings: Harry’s Table; (MALIN+GOETZ); Columbus Park Shoe Repair; La Pecora Bianca; StretchLab; Super Runners

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Harry’s Table, a large and luxurious Italian specialty market and cafe – similar to Eataly in the Flatiron District – is now open on 235 Freedom Place South, at Waterline Square (near 61st Street). Inspired by the vendors that make up traditional Italian street markets, the 28,000 square feet has counters and stations dedicated to different food and drink, including: “a coffee bar, a gelato and pastry shop, a pizza bar, a pasta lab, a fish counter, a butcher’s shop by Fossil Farms, a Caviar bar, a cheese and charcuterie section.” Cipriani, the hotel company with event spaces in NYC, is behind the concept and sells its own Cipriani-branded products in the market, along with other local and imported goods. “Our goal is to create a kitchen away from home for residents and the neighborhood, as well as an interesting and fun destination for visitors,” said Guiseppe Cipriani, CEO of the family business. 

(MALIN+GOETZ), the natural skincare and fragrance company, has opened a new store on the corner of 72nd Street and Columbus, replacing the Swatch store. It’s the company’s second location on the UWS – the existing store on the corner of Amsterdam and 82nd Street opened in 2009. While (MALIN+GOETZ) has locations around the world, it has its roots in Manhattan, first launching in Chelsea in 2004. In addition to skincare products such as cleansers, toners, scrubs, and moisturizers, the apothecary also sells shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products and candles. (Thanks to Dave for the tip.)

Columbus Park Shoe Repair on Columbus between 93rd and 94th Street, which was established in 1980, is closing at the end of the month. “The owner hasn’t been taking on new work for a few months because he was too busy but sadly says he is closing shop because of rent increases,” writes tipster Adrienne. “It’s so unfortunate because there is obviously a huge demand for the service.”

La Pecora Bianca, the Italian restaurant known for its pasta and cute decor, is opening in the large and important space on the corner of 77th Street and Columbus Avenue. It is taking the place of the short-lived Mediterranean restaurant 8th Hill and, before that, Isabella’s, which was a staple on the UWS for decades, before closing suddenly in 2017. All of La Pecora Bianca’s pastas are made in house, mostly out of whole grains and with gluten-free options, writes The Infatuation in a review of the Nomad location. It also has locations in Midtown, the Meatpacking District, Soho and Bryant Park. 

StretchLab, a stretching studio that aims to improve posture, ease pain and reduce stress, is opening at 330 Columbus Ave at 75th Street in late August or early September. The studio will offer one-on-one stretching sessions with a trained “flexologist,” in addition to a few small group stretching classes. ”Our trainers have over 100 hours of training in stretching on top of their fitness certifications,” the owner Patrick McGeogh told the West Side Rag. StretchLab studios are franchised and individually owned. Founded in 2015, the company has locations in New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island and Forest Hills and also plans to open a new location on the Upper East Side.

Super Runners shop has opened at 395 Amsterdam Avenue on the Southeast corner of 79th Street, replacing Classic Kids Photography. For the past 37 years, the store was previously located a couple blocks away at 360 Amsterdam between 77th and 78th Street, manager Shawn Marcelle told the WSR. “The upgrade was long overdue. Our new store is brighter, cleaner, and has a nice corner spot with lots of light,” he said.