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Openings and Closings: The Mermaid Inn; Wild Raisin Pastry; Rainbow Donuts; Afternoon; PingPod; Rocket Club Math; Drybar

April 5, 2023 | 1:28 PM - Updated on April 6, 2023 | 9:31 AM
in COLUMNS, FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
35
Photograph by Lisa Kava.

The Mermaid Inn, the seafood restaurant that closed its popular Upper West Side location on Amsterdam Avenue last year, is returning to the neighborhood with a new space at 335 Columbus Ave. (76th Street). “Our goal is to recreate what we had for 15 years on 88th Street,” said owner Danny Abrams in a call with the Rag. The restaurant will be slightly larger than the previous UWS iteration, but Abrams said they will achieve a similar feel by using the same materials and breaking up the space, which used to be a Chase bank, into different areas. A room in the back will be quieter, while the main dining room and section by the bar will be more active. There will also be outdoor seating. The renovation is a “big job,” but he expects it to be finished in the fall. 

Mermaid Inn has locations in Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and Times Square, but Abrams said it’s important to have a restaurant on the UWS because of his history in the neighborhood: He first bought an apartment on 72nd Street in 1984 and has had businesses here since 1991. “It’s home to me,” he said. (Thanks to Howard for the tip.)

Photograph by Aaron.

Wild Raisin Pastry, a small coffee shop, has opened on Columbus between 106th and 107th Streets. The owner, Ilke, emigrated from Turkey a few months ago. She makes the pastries herself, including cinnamon rolls, feta bourekas and croissants. The cafe is a “to-go concept” and has only two seats indoors. It replaces Calaveras Cafe. (Thanks to Aaron for the tip.) 

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

Rainbow Donuts, a build-your-own donut bar, has opened in the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop at 516 Columbus Avenue (on the corner of 85th Street). The two businesses have different handles but are under the same ownership and there is not a division in the store. Rainbow topping options include pretzels, Lucky Charms, Kit Kats, whipped cream, fig, cream cheese, cheesecake bites and many others. “Most of the ice cream toppings can also be used for donuts,” Rashad Carter, the store manager told WSR. “It seemed like a natural connection that ice cream and donuts go well together. Plus serving donuts in the winter helps us when it is cold for ice cream.”

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

Afternoon, a cafe serving sandwiches from EggLab and coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company, is in its soft opening at 2785 Broadway between 107th and 108th Streets. EggLab is a Korean breakfast sandwich brand that serves scrambled eggs on buttered toast with a choice of add-ins (avocado, cheese, bacon and ham). Afternoon has a few locations already in Queens, Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan. Hours are 9am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday. It replaces Kim’s Cleaners. (Thanks to Paul for the tip.)

Photograph via PingPod.

PingPod, a table-tennis facility, will have a soft opening in May at 243 West 99th Street just off of Broadway, a representative said. The space will be open 24/7 and offer classes, coaching and opportunities to reserve tables, join a league or throw a party. PingPod automates the booking process, “using technology for an easy, seamless and affordable customer experience,” according to the website. Interested players will be able to join PingPod as members, but those without a membership can also play there by registering online with a credit card to reserve a table. Each table will have a full basket of balls and free paddles. PingPod currently has locations throughout New York City as well as in Philadelphia and New Jersey. “The PingPod business model is unique,” the rep told West Side Rag. “It is a network of the world’s first tech-enabled autonomous table tennis pods with no on-site employees.” 

Photograph by Alex.

Rocket Club Math, a tutoring program for ages 5 to 12, has opened a pop-up at 469 Amsterdam (82nd Street), to host free one-on-one diagnostics until the end of April. Rocket Club Math, which has a permanent location a few blocks away, builds a custom curriculum for each member. The pop-up experience includes a diagnostic tailored to the student’s grade level and interests (such as sports, baking or animals), and builds a custom curriculum based on their results. The system aims to “gamify” the learning process – space is “half math center and half arcade,” said founder Alex Hodara. Sign-ups for diagnostic sessions are available at the link.

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

Drybar, the hair-styling and blowout salon, will permanently close its location at 69 West 71st Street on April 5th. An email sent to customers said: “We strive to keep our facilities beautiful, warm, and inviting to clients. Now and then, issues arise in shops that are simply out of our control.” The letter apologized to customers for any inconvenience and assured that scheduled appointments after April 5th will be canceled at no charge. Other NYC locations are on the Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, Midtown, Tribeca, and Brookfield Place. (Thanks to Chris for the tip.)

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35 Comments
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Lisa
Lisa
2 months ago

Have always heard that it takes months for small food places to open (permits, renovation, gas etc) – interesting that Wild Raisin Pastry was able to open just months after the owner came to NYC from Turkey

6
Reply
Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
2 months ago
Reply to  Lisa

I started to write something snarky, but then realized your comment said it all.

0
Reply
eloise
eloise
2 months ago

what unspeakable horrors were going on inside that drybar?!

21
Reply
B.B.
B.B.
2 months ago
Reply to  eloise

That particular DryBar location has been racking up large numbers of complains on Yelp and elsewhere.

Corporate decided to pull the plug for some reason. Maybe stylists who worked out of this location will spill the beans.

0
Reply
M.M.
M.M.
2 months ago
Reply to  B.B.

I just moved to the UWS in early Feb. I got so lucky with the stylist that did my hair at this location. She was excellent & had been there for 5 years. I really hope that she will land somewhere nearby. I read the Yelp reviews & was surprised since I had such a great experience. I’m sorry to see that it closed.

I spoke to someone at the Nordstrom location & they believe it was a landlord issue. Who knows?!

1
Reply
Diane
Diane
2 months ago
Reply to  eloise

Had to laugh at ” assured that scheduled appointments after April 5th will be canceled at no charge.” As opposed to closing the shop, canceling the appointments, and charging me for the inconvenience.

9
Reply
valerie
valerie
2 months ago
Reply to  Diane

I’m a regular customer at that DryBar location and got NO communication it was closing, glad to hear some people at least got emails.

4
Reply
Neighbor785
Neighbor785
2 months ago
Reply to  eloise

Yeah, I was going to ask whether individuals on the street are harassing customers and/or staff.

5
Reply
Paul
Paul
2 months ago

Why does a breakfast sandwich place call itself “Afternoon?”
Are they catering to the late night crowd?

5
Reply
UWS22
UWS22
2 months ago

Was really hoping Mermaid Inn would stay in the high 80s/low 90s. We are starved for good places up here!

22
Reply
UWSMAMA
UWSMAMA
2 months ago
Reply to  UWS22

Try The Shell at 635 Amsterdam at 91st. It’s a great new place. Friendly, good staff and nice menu.

2
Reply
travelgalnyc
travelgalnyc
2 months ago
Reply to  UWS22

Agreed! We desperately need more spots like Mermaid in the 90’s!

7
Reply
Ellen
Ellen
2 months ago

So sad that Chapati House (Broadway near La Salle) closed its doors on Saturday. Due to a rent increase, I was told. I will miss their very delicious chapati rolls.

4
Reply
Deirdre MacGuire
Deirdre MacGuire
2 months ago

Do you know what’s happening with Cafe Lalo on west 83rd Street. Since March 2020 there has been a sign in the door indicting “closed for renovations”. All their tables , chairs, bar set-up are still inside. What gives??

15
Reply
Harald
Harald
2 months ago
Reply to  Deirdre MacGuire

Good question. Are there still no plans/rumors to finally reopen after the pandemic ?

2
Reply
Steph
Steph
2 months ago
Reply to  Deirdre MacGuire

losing Lalo would be a great loss

14
Reply
Carmella Ombrella
Carmella Ombrella
2 months ago

Nice to see a list of new retail that doesn’t include a sketchy smoke shop!

19
Reply
Gin
Gin
2 months ago

Does anyone know what’s going in at the corner of Columbus & 84th?

3
Reply
Zee
Zee
2 months ago

Thank you for the good news about The Mermaid Inn, I am just having a hard time finding the 353 Columbus Avenue, because Pecoria Bianca is at 351 Columbus and across the street is the Museum. Also there wasn’t a bank in that block but there was one at 335 Columbus Ave….

5
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
2 months ago
Reply to  Zee

The address is 335, typo fixed.

2
Reply
Ellen S
Ellen S
2 months ago

So pleased to read about the many new openings and happy to read about Mermaid’s new home. Small businesses (as long as it’s not another unlicensed marijuana shop) are the lifeblood of a neighborhood. Fill the stores and bring life to this neighborhood.

2
Reply
Christine E
Christine E
2 months ago

I hope the scaffolding comes down soon at the new Mermaid Inn location. Its bad for visibility and also it’s currently used as an encampment.

On a related note I am curious how the ping pong pod can be unstaffed. Yes the tech exists but what about non-players who wander in.

1
Reply
Bob
Bob
2 months ago
Reply to  Christine E

There’s a walkthrough on their website for how the system works for Ping Pod: https://pingpod.com/walk-through/

Basically, there’s double locked doors, so there’s a buffer zone.

1
Reply
Concerned Pizza Patron
Concerned Pizza Patron
2 months ago

Any news with Two Boots pizza in UWS? The signs were recently taken down and no notes left if it is coming??

2
Reply
lauren Lese
lauren Lese
2 months ago

That is the most fantastic news about Mermaid Inn coming to Columbus and 76th!!! Could really change the nature of that dark strip of Columbus in the evening.

3
Reply
Sam
Sam
2 months ago

Wild Raisin is on the east side of Columbus between 106th and 107th, not between 107th and 108th as reported.

1
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
2 months ago
Reply to  Sam

You’re right, fixed.

0
Reply
life long upper-west-sider
life long upper-west-sider
2 months ago

When will the Mermaid Inn open?

0
Reply
Huh
Huh
2 months ago
Reply to  life long upper-west-sider

“The renovation is a “big job,” but he expects it to be finished in the fall. “

1
Reply
Billy Amato/80th Street Block Assoc.
Billy Amato/80th Street Block Assoc.
2 months ago
Reply to  life long upper-west-sider

In the Fall

1
Reply
Chuck D
Chuck D
2 months ago

Ping pong room open 24/7 with no onsite employees? What could possibly go wrong!

9
Reply
Bob
Bob
2 months ago
Reply to  Chuck D

There are 6 existing NYC locations open 24/7. The front door isn’t just open, there is a 2-step access system.

1
Reply
james
james
2 months ago

And Broadway from 79 to 96……nothing.

0
Reply
r s
r s
2 months ago
Reply to  james

Dagon

1
Reply
SRV
SRV
2 months ago

There is a Dry Bar on West 99th right off Broadway towards WEA

0
Reply

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