Openings and Closings: Riverside Animal Hospital South; Gotham Tacos; iStyle; Gallery; Central Park Boxing; Soul Dental; Rothy’s

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Riverside Animal Hospital South, currently at 219 West 79th Street, will be moving on May 22nd to 428 Columbus Avenue between 80th and 81st Streets. The full-service veterinary care center will operate under a new name, Riverside Veterinary Care on Columbus. It will no longer be affiliated with Riverside Animal Hospital North at 250 West 108th (Broadway and Amsterdam), but will operate as its own entity. All vets and staff from Riverside Animal Hospital South will be moving to the new space, a representative told West Side Rag. The space used to be Polarn O. Pyret, a children’s clothing store.

Gotham Tacos, a new taqueria, is opening in mid-May at Turnstyle, the underground market in the Columbus Circle subway station. The menu will feature “Mexican street tacos” as well as quesadillas, enchiladas and seasonal margarita flavors with fresh-pressed juices. The space will be decorated with “Mexican wrestling photos and Mexican art from my travels,” founder David Chiong wrote in a message to the Rag. 

iStyle, the hair salon at 2242 Broadway (between 80th and 81st) closed last month. Sharkey, the owner of iStyle, is now renting a chair at the Chris Dasig Salon at 428A Amsterdam Ave. between 85th and 86th Streets. Sharkey had been at the Broadway location for 19 years, he told West Side Rag, but “could no longer keep up with the lease.” Clients can reach him directly at 212-501-9225 to make appointments. (Thanks to Sabrina for the tip.)

A temporary gallery showcasing products and artwork by artisans, small businesses, and local artists has opened at 176 West 94th Street (entrance at 697 Amsterdam). The initiative is run by Chashama, an arts access organization, and the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, with support from Council Member Gale Brewer. The first exhibit, “The Unknown Grievances of Lovers” by Brooklyn-based painter and poet Diana Carla Rowe, is on display until May 11th. The space will be open to the public and feature new exhibits over the next six months, with the option to be extended. 

Central Park Boxing, a personal training gym, is moving from the corner of Broadway and 106th Street to 772 Amsterdam at 97th Street in about two weeks. Leslie Harriman, the owner and main trainer, grew up on the Upper West Side and lives a block from the new studio. Eighty percent of his clients are beginners, Leslie told WSR. He works with teens and adults and plans to add a children’s program in the future. Leslie started the business in December 2020, holding sessions outdoors in Central Park — he said one of his trainers from the gym will continue to lead classes outdoors. (You can read more about Leslie in Landmark West, a local preservation organization.)

Soul Dental, a practice for cosmetic, family, and pediatric dentistry, has opened at 269 Amsterdam between 72nd and 73rd Streets. Dr. Melissa Nahcivan, a third generation dentist, is the general dentist at this location. Soul has two other offices in NYC.

Rothy’s, the shoe and bag store at 181 Columbus Avenue (68th Street), has signage in the window saying they are “temporarily closed for a quick refresh.” The sign directs customers to their West Village or Nolita locations in the meantime. A store clerk from the West Village location told WSR that the Columbus Avenue store has been closed for a two-week, minor renovation, which is on schedule to finish at the end of this week. Rothy’s makes washable shoes and bags from recycled materials. The brand has stores in several major cities in the United States in addition to the three Manhattan stores. (Thanks to Kara for the tip.)