By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
The Sill, the plant shop at 448 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 80th and 81st streets) that opened there in 2017, is closing. The Sill, which also has a location in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, is pivoting to become an online-only business, a company representative told West Side Rag on a phone call. A sign advertising the retail space is posted in the window of the UWS storefront, but there isn’t a date set for the closing yet. The representative said they expect to be closed by the end of October.
Children’s Art Classes is planning to open on October 1st at 752 West End Avenue (between West 96th and 97th streets). The art program was founded by a mother-daughter team and runs on a franchise model, with locations across the country. The new UWS location, the first in NYC, will have classes based on age (three to four-year-olds; five to six; seven to eight; and nine and above), featuring dozens of different mediums, including painting, pencil, charcoal, pastels, watercolors, and sculpting. There will be open houses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 21st, 22nd, and 29th for families to meet the teachers, tour the studio, and learn more about the curriculum. Free trial classes will also be on offer throughout October.
Teddy’s Collection, a shop selling unique gifts and home decor, opened on August 27th at 324 Columbus Avenue (between West 75th and West 76th streets). Owner and Upper West Sider Stefanie Fischel has a background in financial services, but wanted to do something different and “be a part of a community while having a social impact,” she told WSR on a phone call. For example, she imports elephant figurines from a global company called The Elephant Parade where 20% of her sales go to elephant conservation efforts. She also works with a nonprofit called Ocean Sole, which cleans polluted beaches in Kenya and repurposes discarded flip flops to make artwork. She carries decorative pillows and a full collection of glassware from Murano, Italy. “All items are self-curated with a social cause and a social mission,” Fischel said. Teddy is Fischel’s ten-year-old dog. The space was formerly Boisson, the non-alcoholic soft drink store, which closed in April.
Old John’s Luncheonette, the diner at 148 West 67th Street, has recently completed its expansion into the space next door that used to be the shoe repair store Foot Lights, a representative confirmed. The new space creates extra room for the bar and more tables. Old John’s has been at its current location since 1998, but the diner dates back to 1951, when it was located at 66th and Broadway. In 2021, after a temporary closure due to the pandemic, it was renovated and reopened by Louis Skibar, a former employee. “It was important to Skibar to respect and preserve the history of Old John’s by keeping key elements, such as the Art Deco lighting, mosaic tile floor, and original ceiling,” according to the company’s website. (Thanks to Daniel for the tip.)
Salt & Straw, the Oregon-based ice cream chain, is having three pop-up events this weekend in collaboration with local establishments, ahead of the opening of their new UWS location this fall:
- On Friday, September 6, starting at 3 p.m., Levain Bakery (351 Amsterdam between West 76th and 77th streets) will be serving a free scoop of ice cream when you purchase a cookie (Two Chip Chocolate Chip Cookie with Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons ice cream, or a Rocky Road Cookie with Chocolate Gooey Brownie ice cream).
- On Saturday, September 7, starting at 1 p.m., PopUp Bagels (338 Columbus between West 75th and 76th streets) will be giving the first 100 customers a free “bagel ice cream sandwich” composed of Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons and Strawberry Coconut Water Sherbet (vegan) Salt & Straw ice cream, sandwiched between a Salt bagel.
- On Sunday, September 8, starting at 2 p.m., Breads Bakery (1890 Broadway between West 62nd and 63rd streets) will be giving away slices of Chocolate Babka topped with a choice of Salt & Straw’s Double Fold Vanilla or Arbequina Olive Oil ice cream. The treat will be topped with maraschino cherries, fudge, and candied hazelnuts.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here.
Polluted peaches? 🍑
polluted beaches
Old John’s is a neighborhood gem. Thank you Mr. Skibar for investing in the diner and the community.
I hope someone is also offering free diabetes testing this weekend, with all that sugar floating around. And who knew they had polluted peaches in Kenya? I think the Rag meant “beaches.” But, you never know!
I think you’re right. Thanks.
That’s too bad about The Sill. They were always really nice — and very knowledgeable & passionate! — when we bought plants from them.
Glad that Old John’s is doing so well! I can’t believe it’s been three years since its renovation.
Yeah, i wouldn’t touch polluted peaches. Feh!
beaches, not peaches
Apparently it was also important for Old John’s to keep their tradition of buying and reheating prefabricated food instead of actually cooking their own. We had turkey there and it was served with the plastic separator pieces still between the meat slices.
Looking forward to checking out Teddys. I am already a fan of Ocean Sole having been to their workshop in Nairobi (and have several of their flipflop animals) Glad that people will be able to check out their amazing sculpted animals in person. Makes great gifts too!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Just wanted to drop a line to day I always appreciate these columns of “openings and closings” in the neighborhood! I often learn things I did not know, and find new places to check out!
Children’s Art Classes 752 West End Ave…I recognized the doorway, used to be the Paris Health Club. I wonder what happened to that gym, we used to have some wonderful classes there. I left for Equinox 30 years ago.
i miss the paris healthclub and pool! the only place in the city where one could have his/her own lane.
I went to PS 75 and Joan of Arc JHS with Michael Walter, the son of the manager of the Paris back in the 60s.
Ice cream and strawberry sherbet on a salt bagel? My Bubba Rose is turning over in her grave. (Might as well top a chocolate chip cookie with lox.)
So sorry to hear about The Sill. The employees are so knowledgeable and helpful – they know their stuff.
Enough with the ice cream
“Enough with all this fun and joy >:(“
How many ice cream stores does one neighborhood actually need?? Too many of them along with coffee places and nail salons. Where’s the variety??
In the number of ice cream flavors and nail polish colors?
That’s great about Old John’s! When I saw it in the headline, for a second I feared the worst.
Also sad about The Sill, I’ve only been in a couple of times (how many plants can anyone buy?) but the employees were always knowledgable and enthusiastic
of all the businesses to move to an online model, a plant shop seems like a weird one. i only went to the columbus ave location a couple times but i’m bummed they’re closing.
The Sill is between 81st and 82nd on the west side of Amsterdam Avenue.
I liked John’s when it was that luncheon counter at 66th and Broadway. I haven’t liked it very much in any of it revamped guises since then. It’s overrated and expensive. Bring back Pat’s Bar!
The Sill is between 81st and 82nd on Amsterdam, not 80th and 81st.