Openings and Closings: Millport Dairy; Beer Run; FDNY Engine 74; Ellington in the Park; Halal Chicks; Aperture; Starbucks

By Scott Etkin & Lisa Kava

Millport Dairy, an Amish dairy farm that sells cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt, butter, and other dairy products as well as baked goods, is opening a store at 2583 Broadway (between West 97th and 98th streets), on Wednesday, May 1. Millport Dairy is located in Lancaster, PA, and has participated in Greenmarkets throughout NYC for 18 years, owner John King told West Side Rag on a phone call. He felt it was time to have a brick-and-mortar shop, especially since the summer months present the challenge of keeping eggs cool in the heat. The Broadway spot used to be Tower West, a dry cleaner.

John’s daughter Katie bakes fresh pastries, breads, whoopie pies, and zucchini bread, among other items, which will also be sold at the store. They plan to sell milk and yogurt once the shop is up and running. “The eggs are high quality,” King told West Side Rag. “We only feed our chickens GMO-free feed and our chickens get to roam free on the farm. Our cows go out in the pasture in the sunshine every day. They are healthy, grass-fed cows.” King explained that most commercial-farm chickens are kept in cages without sunlight and the yolk becomes a pale yellow. “The yolk of an egg from a healthy chicken should be rich in color, because of the feed,” he said. “It should be a yellowish orange.” (Thanks to Rebecca for the tip.)

Beer Run, a bar and shop with a wide selection of craft beers, is planning to open in about two weeks at 547 Columbus Avenue between West 86th and 87th streets, co-founder John Hyun confirmed in an email to WSR. In addition to a curated list of local and international beers, the new location will have natural wine on tap and serve “bar bites.” Programming throughout the year will include free weekly tastings and a casual club. Beer Run has two locations already in Chelsea and Harlem. Larry Good, Beer Run’s co-founder, also owns the Morningside Heights restaurants Toast 125 and The Heights. Hyun is a South Korean immigrant raised in New York and a former commercial brewer at Peekskill Brewery in the Hudson Valley. “We can’t wait to be a part of the UWS community and share memories together while sipping back some cold beer!” Hyun wrote. 

FDNY Engine 74 of the New York City Fire Department returned to its home at 120 West 83rd Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues) on April 24, after a two-year renovation. Engine 74 had temporarily relocated in August, 2022 to Ladder 25 at 250 West 77th Street, so that the 83rd Street station could be improved. There was a delay in the renovation process because some items were on back order, such as a large back-up generator, one of the firemen told West Side Rag. “It’s good to be back home on 83rd Street after 21 months away,” Engine 74 senior member Bobby Stanlewicz told the Rag. “We were only six blocks south, but we missed interacting with our neighbors on the block. All the members of Engine 74 would like to thank the community for the support.” JT, Engine 74’s beloved firehouse dog, is expected to return home on May 2nd. “The house still needs to be cleaned up a bit and organized so he isn’t tripping over our stuff when he returns.”

Ellington in the Park, the seasonal outdoor restaurant in Riverside Park near West 105th Street, reopened on April 26th and has renewed its lease there for the next 15 years. Ellington in the Park has two levels: The top level has a bar made from a repurposed shipping container; the lower level has a bar and lounge area closer to the ballfields. This year, Ellington has updated its beach-inspired decor and menu. It also plans to open a new coffee shop on the upper level the week of May 6th. Ellington’s hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., though they may be adjusted due to weather (check Instagram for updates). Ellington in the Park accepts limited reservations and recommends walk-ins. (Thanks to Mark for the tip.)

Halal Chick’s, which serves chicken sandwiches, wings, burgers, gyros, and chicken platters, has signage up at West 107th Street and Columbus Avenue. The space used to be a SheShe Pizzeria. Halal Chick’s has an existing location in Washington Heights at 3878 Broadway (West 162nd Street). A worker at the cafe in the Heights told the Rag that they hope to open the new location toward the end of May. (Thanks to Greg for the tip).

Aperture, the foundation dedicated to photography, held a ceremonial groundbreaking event on April 30th to begin construction on its new permanent location at 380 Columbus Avenue between West 78th and 79th streets. Its renovation of two floors of the Evelyn, a landmarked building, is expected to be completed in early 2025. Once open, the building will have a mix of offices and public space, including flexible spaces for programming, a bookstore, and production areas for the organization’s publishing operations. Founded in 1952 by notable artists including Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Dorothea Lange, among others, Aperture is currently based in Chelsea. You can read more about the organization in WSR’s interview with Aperture’s executive director, Sarah Meister – HERE. 

Starbucks, at 241 Amsterdam Avenue (West 66th Street) reopened on April 29 after temporarily closing on April 22 for a “superficial renovation,” a clerk told West Side Rag in a phone call. New seating and new artwork has been added, and the walls were also painted, he said. “They took the couches out and added some tables. More tables and chairs are coming, as well as a bench, but these items are on backorder,” the clerk said. (Thanks to Brad for the tip.)

Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here.