Openings and Closings: Coppola’s, Kissaki, Affordable Chic, Rosetta, Royale Cleaners, Clear MD

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Coppola’s, the longtime Italian restaurant at 206 West 79th Street, has temporarily closed for indoor dining while a renovation is taking place. The renovation is expected to last “a few weeks,” a representative from the restaurant told West Side Rag. Coppola’s is still offering take-out while the construction is happening in the interior. Owner-Chef Salvatore Coppola opened the restaurant in 1989. Coppola’s also has an East Side location at 378 3rd Avenue. (Thanks to Eric and Billy for the tips.) 

Kissaki, the omakase sushi restaurant on Columbus Avenue and 74th Street, is re-opening on September 23rd after being closed for renovation and expansion into the unoccupied space next door, which used to be the eyeglasses shop EuroOptica. “The renovation will include doubling the amount of space inside the restaurant and adding a second room specifically for omakase,” a representative wrote to WSR. “A sushi counter is being installed in that room where guests will be served directly by the sushi chefs. There is also some work being done on the indoor bar. While it won’t be considerably larger, it will be comfortable for guests to have a drink at.” Kissaki’s other NYC location in the Bowery received recognition from New York’s Michelin Guide last year.

Affordable Chic, a modern luxury brand that sells European-style clothing, is in a “soft opening” phase of their new permanent showroom, called Studio 79, located at 224 West 79th Street (off Broadway). The clothing company will be sharing space with Virve Jewelry, a NYC-based artisanal jewelry designer. A representative from Affordable Chic told WSR that each piece of clothing they sell is priced under $100. Together with Virve Jewelry, Affordable Chic plans to host “exclusive art and cultural events” at the space, and is in the process of “planning some grand opening events” for October.

Rosetta, an Italian bakery, has opened on the corner of 64th Street and Broadway. Already with several stores in Miami, it is the chain’s first location in NYC. A rosetta is “the most recognizable bread in Italy” and often “filled with slices of natural ham or other cold cuts,” it says on the website. The menu includes focaccia, pizza, sandwiches, pastries and cakes. The storefront was previously occupied by Lululemon and a Tracksmith pop-up. 

Royale Cleaners, previously located at 689 Columbus Avenue (on 93rd Street), has moved across the street to 690 Columbus between 93rd and 94th Street, replacing Columbus Park Shoe Repair. Now operating under the name Symphony Cleaners, the business recently had an issue with its previous landlord and temporarily had to send customers’ laundry and dry cleaning to a warehouse to be cleaned, rather than cleaning on site. A representative from Symphony told WSR that they were unable to reach an agreement with the landlord, and decided to relocate to the new location. (Thanks to Joseph and Mary for the tips.)

Clear MD has opened a Covid-19 and STD testing site at 105 West 72nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. The space was most recently used as a temporary campaign office for Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Clear MD previously had a location nearby on Broadway between 68th and 69th Street, but the retail spaces on that block are being converted into a Morton Williams Supermarket. Kamin Health, an urgent care center, had signage up on the 72nd Street storefront, but it never opened.