Openings & Closings: Yumiko; Sempre Oggi; Abigail’s; Chanel; Equinox; Yasouvlaki

By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Yumiko, a Japan-based dancewear company, is relocating its existing store in the Garment District to 169 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 67th and 68th streets) in April. The company sells ready-to-wear and customizable performance leotards for ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theater. “It’s a really exciting milestone for us to be at Lincoln Square, where you have American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, School of American Ballet, among others,” said Alicia Fecto, the business manager for the company who is also an Upper West Sider and former professional ballerina, in an email to West Side Rag. “With dancers from all around the world already traveling there for training, auditions, performances, and cultural events, it just makes sense for us to be there too,” Fecto added. 

Yumiko Takeshima, a designer and professional ballet dancer, founded the clothing company in 2002 while she was still performing. The brand’s item’s are available online, at dance supply retailers globally, and at stand-alone stores in Tokyo and Berlin. The UWS location will carry dancewear for kids and adults, as well as apparel for yoga and pilates. “The main thing that differentiates Yumiko is our ability to customize. Clients can choose their own fabric and color combinations out of over 150 options, as well as a variety of other personalized options like sleeve length and leg cut,” said Fecto. “In the new location you can expect to find hundreds of ready-to-wear items that we’ve designed, but a big part of the Yumiko shopping experience is working one-on-one with our sales team — all current dancers as well — to create a custom piece.”

Sempre Oggi, an Italian restaurant, is opening at 164 West 75th Street (just east of Amsterdam Avenue) on March 20th and is accepting reservations. It is backed by restaurateur Robert Guarino, who is also behind the popular UWS restaurants Playa Betty’s and 5 Napkin Burger. The bar has been renovated with handmade ceramic tiles and will host an “Aperitivi Hour” from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Sundays and Mondays. “We’ll be serving our aperitivi cocktails at a discounted price and small snacks,” said Guarino on a call with WSR. “I really hope to bring that Italian aperitivi culture to the Upper West Side.” The restaurant’s name means “always today,” and the menu will be “hyper-seasonal,” with tweaks made daily based on what ingredients are freshest. “As we make the connection towards asparagus season starting or strawberry season, I want people to think of Sempra as the place to come to see the great products that they see at the farmer’s market, but let chef Philip [Basone] cook them for you,” he said. The space used to be ‘Cesca, the Italian restaurant that closed during the pandemic. 

Abigail’s, a neighborhood eatery serving “California comfort food,” has opened at 2672 Broadway (at 102nd Street). The space was formerly occupied by Street Taco, which will still be available for delivery-only from this location. Abigail’s is led by chef Ash Fulk, a California native who now lives on the Upper West Side. Abigail’s is currently open for dinner from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., but plans to open for lunch “in the coming weeks,” and will feature an all-day menu. Abigail’s offers sharing plates, such as buffalo cauliflower, chips and queso, avocado fries, salads, bowls, and burgers. According to the website, Abigail’s will also host private events. Abigail’s and Street Taco are both operated under the company Fox Lifestyle Hospitality Group.

Chanel, the luxury clothes and accessories brand, opened a boutique on March 14th at 199 Columbus Avenue (at 69th Street). This is their first stand-alone fragrance and beauty boutique in Manhattan, but there is one other in NYC in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In addition to skincare, makeup, and fragrances, the store sells eyewear, including blue light sunglasses. The space was previously home to Hoka, the athletic footwear company that had a pop-up there, which closed in January 2023, and before that, Reiss, a high-end clothing store that closed in 2022.

Equinox, the health and fitness conglomerate’s club at 244 Amsterdam Avenue (76th Street) is taking over the Pure Yoga studio at 204 West 77th Street (between Amsterdam and Broadway)  on April 1st. The studio connects to Equinox’s bottom level. Pure Yoga is a Hong Kong-based yoga company that has studios throughout Asia. Equinox entered an agreement with the yoga company in 2007, when they brought outposts to New York City, the first on the Upper East Side (which has since closed) and the second on the Upper West Side, which opened in 2009. While both Equinox and Pure Yoga are under the larger company Equinox Holdings, Pure Yoga has been operating separately from the Equinox club since opening. On April 1st the Upper West Side Pure Yoga will become a part of the Amsterdam Avenue Equinox club, and the space will be used for Equinox’s existing yoga classes, a manager told the Rag. The yoga studios will be accessed through Equinox’s entrance. The Pure Yoga entrance on 77th Street will be closed. (Thanks to David for the tip.) 

Yasouvlaki, a Greek restaurant, is planning to open at 592-594 Amsterdam (89th Street), according to information shared at a recent Community Board 7 meeting. The large space – which used to be Pekarna, the Slovenian restaurant that closed earlier this year – has two levels and an occupancy of about 200 people. It is not expected to open until late this year or 2025.

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