Openings & Closings #2: Mike’s Lumber Store; Pig & Khao; Fred’s; The Migrant Kitchen; The Independent Cafe; Tiki Chick; Jenny Craig

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Mike’s Lumber Store, a hardware and building supply store at 254 West 88th Street, closed on May 8th after nearly five decades in business. “We would like to thank you for your support and allowing us the privilege to serve you all these years,” reads a sign posted on the storefront. “We will continue to offer lumber cut to order, custom cabinetry, radiator covers, kitchens and renovations under MCC Construction and Millwork.” 

The letter is signed by Manoly, Mike’s son, who managed the 88th Street location. “All of [Mike’s] children (two boys and a girl) have worked in the store at one time or another, and [were] always helpful and polite,” writes tipster Eric. In 2016, Mike’s Furniture store at 85th and Amsterdam closed after almost 20 years. (Thanks to Eric for the tip.) 

Pig & Khao, a Southeast Asian restaurant with Filipino and Thai influences, is opening at 433 Amsterdam (81st Street). The space was formerly RA Sushi. Owner and chef Leah Cohen, who you may recognize from her appearances on the TV show Top Chef, opened the first Pig & Khao downtown on Clinton Street in 2012. They also have a sister restaurant, Piggyback, on West 30th Street. Pig & Khao serves Southeast Asian fusion food. The menu includes both small and large plates and noodle dishes, with a separate cocktail menu. 

Fred’s, the dog-friendly restaurant at 476 Amsterdam Avenue (83rd Street), is expanding next door to create a high-end cocktail bar. While Fred’s is known as a casual spot, the new space will accommodate “the same [clientele] but, possibly, on different occasions,” said restaurateur  Jeremy Wladis on a call with Community Board 7. The space, which used to be Zai’s Dessertery, will be connected to the existing Fred’s, and construction is expected to start soon. Fred’s opened on the UWS in 1997. (Thanks to Jesse for the tip.) 

The Migrant Kitchen is planning to become the latest vendor at the “Ballfields Cafe” near the Heckscher Ballfields in Central Park (65th Street), pending final approval from the Parks Department. Panda Bubble Tea used to operate out of the landmarked building, which was designed by Calvert Vaux and originally intended as a changing room for ballplayers, according to Central Park’s website. The menu will feature a blend of Middle Eastern and Latin flavors, as well as some more traditional American ballpark food, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This will be Migrant Kitchen’s fourth location in NYC – they opened a location on Columbus between 67th and 68th Streets last year.

The Independent Cafe, which used to operate as Indie Food & Wine, has found a new home in Lincoln Center. Indie closed in January after 12 years in Lincoln Center’s Film Center, but it is reopening under a new name in the David Rubenstein Atrium (62nd Street and Broadway), which is open to the public and has a TKTS Discount Booth. “Despite the new name and location, the cafe is serving up the same fresh and delicious food you know and love, prepared and served by the same warm and friendly staff,” the Cafe posted on Instagram. (Thanks to Avi for the tip.)

Tiki Chick, the bar at 517 Amsterdam on the corner of 85th Street, is expanding into the space next door. The space, which used to be Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co., will have five more stools at the bar and 20 seats in the space. “We will be expanding the menu, so there will be a bit more food offered along with the chicken sandwiches that we’re well known for,” said owner Jacob Hadjigeorgis, who also runs Jacob’s Pickles, at a Community Board 7 meeting. Tiki Chick is hoping to open the expanded space in two months – the existing bar will remain open in the meantime.

Jenny Craig, the weight-loss company, has filed for bankruptcy and announced that it is closing all of its storefronts. The company’s Upper West Side location at 237 West 72nd Street, between Broadway and West End, had been there for the past decade. Jenny Craig was founded in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia, and expanded to open hundreds of weight loss management centers around the world. “All auto-delivery subscriptions have been canceled,” the company posted on its website. “All coaching sessions, food orders and merchandise sales have ceased online and in corporate centers.” (Thanks to Joy for the tip.)