By Lisa Kava and Scott Etkin
F45 Training, a fitness studio specializing in “innovative, high-intensity group workouts that are fast, fun, and results-driven,” is opening a Lincoln Square South location at 600 West 58th Street, at the end of July. “The “F” stands for functional training, a mix of circuit and HIIT-style workouts geared towards everyday movement. 45 is the total amount of time for sweat-dripping, heart-pumping fun,” John Baruc, the General Manager of F45 LIncoln Square told West Side Rag. The space was previously occupied by another fitness studio called I Love Kickboxing. F45 Training has several locations, including in downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Long Island. (Thanks to Mindy for the tip.)
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club is reopening for in-person shows starting July 21st, with a kick off four-day performance from 7/21-7/24 by jazz saxophonist George Coleman. The jazz club, located at 2751 Broadway at 106th Street, has been closed to indoor performances and dining for over two years because of the pandemic. Smoke Jazz & Supper Club was founded in 1999 by the husband and wife team of Paul Stache and Molly Sparrow Johnson. It is a “world-famous music venue featuring beloved living legends and sensational new talents,” the website says.
Loco Coco, a vegan cafe that “prides itself on serving the best-tasting, highest-quality vegan superfood smoothies and smoothie bowls in NYC,” opened a new location on June 13th at 2907 Broadway (114th Street near Columbia University.) “Inspired by the unique taste and popping color of the pitaya fruit,” Loco Coco serves up smoothies, acai bowls, juices and matcha. The Broadway location is currently operating “in store” only, but will soon be set up for online orders as well as delivery. Loco Coco has locations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and on the Upper East Side. (Thanks to Tracy for the tip.)
Artisan Cafe, a coffee and pastry shop opened at 608 Amsterdam Avenue at 89th Street on June 12th. The owners, Ana Anaya and her brother Jose Anaya, are from the Santa Ana region of El Salvador, where they previously worked in the coffee industry. “We wanted to bring delicious good quality coffee here,” Ana told West Side Rag. The coffee is grown and roasted on coffee plantations in El Salvador and imported. Ana also works with a community of artisans from her home country, selling bags that are woven by hand and made from recycled plastic. (Thanks to Karina for the tip.)
Zaza Waza Smoke Shop, a smoke and convenience store opened on June 13th, at 550 Columbus Avenue between 86th and 87th Street. “We are excited to be here,” the store clerk told WSR. He also told us the owner has another location at 85th Street and Amsterdam.
ZAZA Convenience, a bodega and smoking paraphernalia shop, is opening on Broadway between 108th and 109th Streets. It replaces a T-Mobile store. This store is not related to the Zaza Waza Smoke Shops on Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. (Thanks to Molly for the tip.)
Welcome Artisan! Stopped in for coffee and (impulse) bought a handbag. Great addition to the I egg or hood!
Am I the only one who felt compelled to look up the meaning of “zaza?” I learned it means exotic or premium weed. Apparently all of these zaza shops sell nothing but the best. Except they can’t legally sell it yet, as far as I know.
There is no evidence of a bodega in ZAZA Convenience on Broadway between 108 and 109. It is a smoking paraphernalia shop as far as I can see
Bright and early this very AM, two stoners were smoking a joint outside of Zaza Waza Smoke Shop on Columbus. Boy, did it stink! An unwelcome addition to the neighborhood.
It’s only a “convenience” story if you really, really need a bong right away.
Enough of the smoking shops. In the middle of a pandemic this is the last thing we need.
More Smoke Jazz. Less Smoke Shops.
Support your local businesses…. No, not those businesses, the ones that I like!