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

May 11, 2023 | 4:30 PM - Updated on May 17, 2023 | 6:06 AM
in COLUMNS, FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
26
Photograph by Scott Etkin.

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.) 

Photograph by Lisa Kava.

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. 

Photograph by Lisa Kava.

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.) 

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

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.

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

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.)

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

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.

Photograph by Scott Etkin.

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.)

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26 Comments
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Janice Wright
Janice Wright
2 years ago

Am soooo excited The Migrant Kitchen will be at the old Ball Fields Cafe spot! And really look forward to being able to eat what they’ll be cooking up there! I’ve enjoyed their Columbus Ave creative variety & their always welcoming enthusiasm! Suzanne

5
Reply
Harriet F.
Harriet F.
2 years ago

Just an FYI. Jenny Craig has been there WAY more than a decade. I worked with them in 1999-2000 at that location. Another empty storefront…but online things like Noom have probably cut into their biz by a lot.

3
Reply
Nicole
Nicole
2 years ago
Reply to  Harriet F.

As well as the new injectables such as Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. This may be a new era in weight loss and its management?!

3
Reply
Lizzy
Lizzy
2 years ago
Reply to  Nicole

as well as not eating small packets of astronaut food and basically starving to lose weight, only to regain again and again..the new drugs address & treat the disease of obesity & binge eating disorder. It’s a game changer

2
Reply
MoxieNYC
MoxieNYC
2 years ago
Reply to  Lizzy

Ozempic® is not indicated for weight loss. It’s an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (1). They warn it causes thyroid c-cell tumors and you must continue use forever to maintain weight loss.
https://www.novomedlink.com/diabetes/products/treatments/ozempic/about/ozempic-overview.html

This does not address nor treat obesity or remotely help in any way with binge eating disorder.
It’s a quick fix for those not willing to do the hard work. There is no work around for healthy eating, exercise and mental wellness. And sadly there may be some very awful consequences medically. Women will once again have their bodies victimized by off label use of drugs (much like the use of adderal as an appetite suppressant during the pandemic).
PS-it also is depriving Type 2 diabetics of their much needed medications

3
Reply
Skinny Bitch
Skinny Bitch
2 years ago
Reply to  Lizzy

You have to exercise too.

2
Reply
Westsider
Westsider
2 years ago

The Migrant Kitchen is moving into the Ballfields Cafe in Central Park. That’s right next to the Carousel and Heckscher Ballfield & Playground. It’s great an eatery is finally moving into that long vacated space. However, located in the Park’s historic “Children District” it’s too bad a restaurant that served affordable good old fashion American food…like hot dogs, burgers and fries…is not opening there! Food every park goer loves, especially kids!

9
Reply
mila
mila
2 years ago
Reply to  Westsider

I applaud any effort to provide real food in our city’s parks. Salads over french fries any day. I dare say there are few people — and especially our kids!!!– in our city who would not benefit from eating real food over fried garbage.

1
Reply
Elisabeth Jakab
Elisabeth Jakab
2 years ago

So sorry Mike’s Lumber has closed. Terrible news! Where is the new MCC Construction and Millwork located???

18
Reply
Christine E
Christine E
2 years ago
Reply to  Elisabeth Jakab

Mike’s Lumber is a real loss 🙁

10
Reply
Nina
Nina
2 years ago
Reply to  Elisabeth Jakab

Yes, we will miss them. They made us custom radiator covers once. And recently we just went there for some other random lumber need.

9
Reply
Mike
Mike
2 years ago

Looks like Chanel is opening a perfume and make up store on Columbus avenue, where Reiss used to be. They presented their project to the Landmark commission few days ago.

1
Reply
Tego
Tego
2 years ago

Ballfields Cafe was never Panda. Was long run by Michael O’Neil of the O’Neil’s restaurant chain, same owner of the Boat Basin Cafe until his retirement a few years back. Excellent food. The latest to run it before the pandemic had bad cheap food.
I know this as a long time ballplayer and now spectator at the ballfields.
Hope the casual food is a good and reasonably priced. Will then get a lot of their business from the ballplayers who are around days and evening 7 days a week.

5
Reply
D-Rex
D-Rex
2 years ago

Nooooo… Not Mike’s Lumber!!!!!!

Crap…. Sad to see it go. It was a nice shop and the guys on the saws did an extremely neat and accurate job.

Anyone now where there is a similar shop????

8
Reply
Barbara Gary
Barbara Gary
2 years ago

I remember when Mikes Lumber was in the Hotel Lucerne! Great local business!

3
Reply
Eric
Eric
2 years ago

Slight correction on Mike’s Lumber, Manoly is Mike’s son, not his daughter.

4
Reply
West Side Rag
Author
West Side Rag
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric

Thank you, fixed.

2
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
2 years ago

Ohhh, the closing of Mike’s Lumber makes me sadder than sad! For over 30 years, my go-to place for every DIY project and great advice. Am happy if the family’s happy, we wish them well! But ohhh :(… where will we UWSiders who love making and fixing stuff go now? (Seriously asking!)

10
Reply
Eric
Eric
2 years ago
Reply to  Sarah

I’d be open for suggestions for an alternative for cutting wood, etc. This week a needed a special-sized melamine shelf and tried two other places – Ace Hardware on Columbus and Midtown lumber. Their prices were literally three or four times what Mike’s would have charged. We’re all going to die…

2
Reply
Mark Moore
Mark Moore
2 years ago

There’s a big new weed store on Broadway between 98th and 99th.

4
Reply
Robert
Robert
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

It’s big…and super empty. A deli also opened up on that block with a big LED “CBD” sign in the window. These landlords are so greedy, they’d rather have a bunch of these stores than ones that improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

3
Reply
Steen
Steen
2 years ago

I had my heart in my mouth when I saw the picture of Fred’s. I was so scared you were going to say it was closing. Happy to hear they are expanding! Their staff is so nice and we love the vibe.

4
Reply
Tee Zeyper
Tee Zeyper
2 years ago
Reply to  Steen

If you eat “Fred’s original Chicken Wings” at the restaurant now you will be horrified. The bafbecued wings wings used to
Be delicious. The new owner’s recipe couldn’t be worse. A real INSULT to the original owners

3
Reply
Robert
Robert
2 years ago
Reply to  Tee Zeyper

Most of the menu has slowly gone down, I used to go once a month but the menu selection got smaller & smaller & so did the taste.

1
Reply
son_of_mohg
son_of_mohg
2 years ago

Fantastic news about Indie!!!

1
Reply
Ian Alterman
Ian Alterman
2 years ago

I am so sad to see Mike’s go. They were always so helpful when I needed something. And their prices for custom-made items like bookshelves and cabinets were extremely reasonable – particularly given the outrageous prices charged by Gotham Cabinet Craft and others. 🙁

1
Reply

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