By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Rag & Bone, the clothing store at 182 Columbus at 68th Street, closed on January 14th. The district manager told West Side Rag that the lease was up and “logistically, it didn’t make sense to stay in the space.” Rag & Bone opened the Columbus Avenue store in 2011, the manager said. “We have many other stores and decided we were moving on from this space.” A sign in the window directs customers to locations on the Upper East Side, Soho, Tribeca, Meat Packing, and Brooklyn. Rag & Bone, which has stores nationwide, sells trendy clothing, footwear and accessories for men and women. (Thanks to David for the tip.)
The Wolfe, a new bar with a full menu, is opening at 425 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st Street, currently the home of Spaghetti Tavern. The concept is named after Tom Wolfe, the author of Bonfire of the Vanities and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, among other classic bestsellers. It will be part of the Stout Group, which includes Amity Hall on the UWS and several other bars throughout the city.
Harlem Biscuit Company, which serves up savory breakfast sandwiches, has moved its daytime pop-up to operate inside of Cantina, the Mexican restaurant at 2099 Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 113th and 114th Streets. It used to operate out of Orange 67, a bar a few blocks away. The new space is larger and allows for indoor seating, a company representative told WSR. “You can now make all sandwiches combos, with either grits or breakfast potatoes.” Chef Melvin Boots started the Southern-style biscuit concept in November 2021. Its hours are from 8am to 2pm. (Thanks to Gary for the tip.)
Hoka, the running shoe store at 199 Columbus (at 69th Street) closed on January 16th. The manager of the Hoka store in Flatiron told West Side Rag that both locations were “pop-ups” and meant to be temporary. The Flatiron store at 142 Fifth Avenue is closing January 18th. The manager also told us that a new Hoka pop-up will open at 172 Fifth Ave. (at 22nd Street), combining the merchandise from the previous stores. Hoka opened on Columbus in August 2022, and in Flatiron in September 2021. We asked the manager why Hoka is opening pop-up stores rather than permanent locations. “We are not given that information,” she replied.
Royal Crown Optical opened on January 10th at 466 Columbus Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd Streets). Formerly called Royal Opticians, the store has both a new name and new location but the same ownership. Royal Opticians operated at 453 Columbus Avenue for over 35 years. Its hours are 11:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 11:30am to 4pm on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and all visits are by appointment only. “We want to be sure to spend quality time with each client,” Andrew, the manager, told WSR. Royal Crown Optical specializes in progressive lenses (both reading and distance). They also sell polarized sunglasses and specialty sports goggles. Bring your prescription with you as there is no optometrist on site.
Hospital for Veterinary Surgery is coming to 150 Amsterdam near 67th Street this spring. Founded by Dr. Matthew Raske, a New York native, HVS will be the first surgery-exclusive veterinary hospital in New York City, according to the company’s website. Potential clients can sign up on the website to get email updates and notifications about when appointment bookings will begin. The space was previously a Flywheel spinning studio, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2020, closing all of its studios. (Thanks to Diane for the tip.)
It appears that two imitation Shun Lee restaurants have opened on the UWS and Upper East Side. A manager at Shun Lee West, the iconic Chinese restaurant that has been at 65th Street between Columbus and Central Park West since the 1980s, confirmed that they have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the “Shun Lee Cafe” Chinese restaurant that recently opened on Broadway and W. 98th Street. A manager at the 98th street location said they are the “same brand” but under “a new management team.” Both managers said that this has caused confusion with customers. There is also a new “Shun Lee Cafe” on the Upper East Side on E. 82nd Street and Third Avenue. A manager there said it is affiliated with the original Shun Lee location, but not the new one on 98th Street. The new 98th Street and 82nd Street restaurants use the same font and logo in their signage as the original Shun Lee, but they do not have the ornate interiors that Shun Lee is known for. These two locations do not appear on the Shun Lee website. We will follow up on this story and report back when we have more information. (Thanks to Claudia for the tip.)
That Hoka store was wonderful. I had a terrific salesperson there after ankle surgery 5 years ago who patiently advised and fitted me expertly for walking shoes that I’ve been using daily since. They are so comfortable and still in great condition.
I asked twice at Shun Lee West about the 98th and Broadway location in 2022, and the staff confirmed that yes, they were the ones opening the new outlet, as a more neighborhoody version of their restaurant. The dumplings at the new shop are exactly the same as the ones at Shun Lee Cafe. It sounds like there’s a struggling business deal here and not an imitation.
Good to know. I’ve wanted to order from the UWS location but didn’t see them on the website.
Mid last year, I asked Shun Lee West about when the W 98th St location would be opening. The staff member there gave similar information as you mentioned, and they seemed to know the approximate opening date as well. Very strange, and I think the management (and legal team) of Shun Lee West are doing damage control or want out of some informal deal they (perhaps stupidly) made…there is definitely much more to this story than simple “imitation”.
My mom and I love rag and bone. My mom lives inn Arizona and would call the store directly to buy stuff. Carlos , an amazing employee , sent my mom some healing crystals when she was going through chemo. Best employees ever. You will be missed.
That makes more sense – have eaten in the 98th St version – nowhere near the quality or service of a “real” Shun Lee – food is not bad. Service is terrible and they have a very limited menu – forget tea/oranges/ anything else that one expects. And they continue to say “soft opening”. We keep hoping that they’ll get their act together and couldn’t understand why an affiliate of the age old Shun Lee was so poorly equipped – we had to tell them to run across to Westside Market to buy tea when they said they didn’t have any…..
7th Street Burger is now open and it is perfect!!!!! I predict they will do quite well considering the many bars in the area. The burgers are cheap and delicious!!! It is the perfect post bar snack. They are prepared with cheese, pickles, the works! I had the impossible burger and my SO had the regular burger and we were both quite pleased! So excited they are finally open. You will not be disappointed!!!
We had an excellent meal with great service a few days ago at this Shun Lee at 98th and Broadway. We have reservation to go back Sunday for CHinese New Year. I hope they figure out who they are a part of because we need a good Chinese restaurant in this area. We hope they succeed.
I had gone to the Hoka store to return some thing, and it was closed. There was no sign in the window. Called corporate to express my displeasure and they were not helpful at all. They said, find out from the store, why they are closed. Now I know why that is what happens when a big corporation buys out a small company
Re: “Now I know why that is what happens when a big corporation buys out a small company”
How True !! I am NOT one of the Let’s Play Socialist crowd (the only Marxism I enjoy is Groucho’s) and I do support restrained Capitalism: 1, you have a concept; 2. you find funding; 3. you start a business and hire workers at a decent wage; and 4. you and your workers enjoy prosperity.
But a huge corporation such as the above gives Capitalism the bad rap that it currently has, at least among the “Woke-ists”
What is happening with all the vacancies on Columbus in the 70’s?? What does the UPE offer them that we can’t? So depressing and it’s only a matter of time until the entire strip will be mostly vacant so the homeless and druggies can move right in!! Who the bleep would want to move here now??
And yet residential rents continue to rise and rise. What is wrong with this picture?
““We have many other stores and decided we were moving on from this space.”
Ouch!
I guess Rag & Bone feels that the Upper West Side doesn’t have many of their target customers.
Anyone know what is going on at the old Walgreens space on 97/Broadway? That block needs a win!!
I heard a Chipotle is coming there
Spaghetti Tavern was doomed to start from the beginning. Pasta in a bag? What was with that? And a country bar, that said LIVE MUSIC, on the awning that oddly … never had country music. They were closed at weird times, not open for brunch.
They worked hard….it was tough during the pandemic. They consistently played country music and showed spaghetti westerns on the TV. True that over time, they stopped having any live music, and of course when they stopped doing food it was sad. And they were open for brunch initially in summer 2021 but yeah by 2022, just problems. My heart goes out to everyone who works hard in that biz. Hoping the staff all find new jobs easily
The Hospital For Veterinary Surgery Is nice to see and hope they don’t price gouge, but I wish them the best and put on the list of “will see what happens” ….but, i’m happy with AMC, the Animal Medical Center right here in our city at East 62nd St. and York Avenue… The best in the world!