Text and Photographs by Stephen Harmon
Every time I look through my files of the Upper West Side in the 1970s and 80s I am happy, as pleasant memories of this place or that or of somewhere I ate or shopped come to mind and make me smile. There was then a sense of being in a special place, and there still is.
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so good, so important
I’d love to see some old pics of Amsterdam Avenue in the 70s (esp around 77th and 78th) and even better if they show Beacon Paint
I think the Fine & Schapiro one might have been mistakenly included in this lovely walk down memory lane, given the website for the business shown in the window upstairs!
That business on the second floor was a time travel business. People used to come in all the time and say “what does that thing under your phone number on the window mean?”
Miss the Silver Palate! Ahead of its time!
Great photos, thanks!
Thank you!
What a nice mix of images! I especially like the tailor working in his shop. And yes, what a vibrant community, with a mix of small businesses, restaurants and more. Thanks for sharing these.
Thank you, Terry!
The Silver Palate was an amazing addition to the neighborhood and had an impact far beyond. The small store on Columbus and 73rd sold a variety of foods that likely inspired other stores, such as E.A.T. on the UES. The two women who opened it, Lukins and Russo, branched out and sold some of their food in Saks as well as millions of cook books. I still have one of them. Thank you for reminding me of my many after- work and weekend stops at the store. Though I loved to cook, I didn’t always have the time. The Silver Palate enabled me to pick up something special (Chicken Marbella) that I still remember. And bravo to the two female entrepreneurs who started a successful business that inspired so many others.
For decades in our home we made our version of their Eggnog French Toast (with challah!) for brunch on New Years’ Day.
The Silver Palate wasn’t just popular; they were instrumental in the refinement, domestication, and spread of the New American Cuisine, just a bit downstream of the earlier movers like Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck.
It was so great to have them in our neighborhood.
And Silver Palate made the world’s BEST shortbread cookies, which I still miss!
I rented space from the Pedro and Olga Dance Studio way back when. Pedro had died and Olga was trying to keep the studio afloat. Hadn’t thought about her in ages.
Thanks!
Thank you!
I love these pics! Keep posting!
Kind words, Thanks!
I keep hoping for a shot of the Cherry Restaurant, Columbus and 77th (?), our go-to breakfast diner! Michael’s, Columbus and 79th, our go-to Friday dinner spot. Ernie’s, Broadway and 76th, really the first bright spot on Broadway that we all celebrated. There was also a restaurant on 72nd, mid-block north side, between Broadway and WEA where I’d go with my son to celebrate every time he booked a commercial. He’d always order Chicken Kiev and chocolate mousse.
Yes, all restaurants. That little child actor became a chef.
Please look at previous TBTs.
Yes! Ernie’s! It replaced a Wrangler shop (I’m pretty sure) and was a wonderful venue for family gatherings and private parties. Miss it.
Thank you again and again!
Thank you so much!
Loved the burger at O’Neals!
Love these photos so much!
Thank you!
Having been born & raised & still live here, I so appreciate these photos. What wonderful memories
I just realized that Finr and Schapiro closed maybe a week before lockdown. Very good timing on their end, though I miss stopping in to buy challah.
I started going to F&S after Artie’s closed. F&S didn’t close permanently until 2020. I remember reading negative comments here about the food and the condition of the store, but I bought their challah and matzoh ball soup 2-3 times a week and the owner and employees were always friendly. Can’t say the same about most places today.
The commenter who noted that the Fine & Shapiro picture is more recent is definitely right. If you look closely, there’s a sanitary grade rating in the window of the shop. That system was only introduced in 2010.
Does anyone know where Johnnys book store is? Is it on Broadway and 80th on the East side of the street?
Johnny’s was not exactly a bookstore, but a sort of kiosk squeezed into an alleyway next to a laundromat (now a bagel shop) between 85th and 86th Sts. on the west side of Columbus Ave. Great resource for second-hand magazines and LPs of all descriptions. You may be thinking of Westsider Books, which was on 80th & Broadway — an authentic and great used-book store.
If i am not mistaken, that was in the tiny alcove retail space on the west side of columbus between 85th and 86th St., next to the old Shim Shi deli. There for decades….
Shim Si deli was renamed Space Market but it’s still there — one of the original Korean delis on the West Side.
Éclair – closed in 1993. Really miss that place.
Does anybody remember the wonderful old-fashioned bakery on 72nd street between Broadway and West End, north side of the street?
Royal Bakery. Home of the Seinfeld episode marble rye.
I think there were photos of the Royal in a previous post. You might try using the search option on the top of the page. That’s where Seinfeld shot the ‘Bakery,’ episode.
Of course, the great Royale. The WSR published a photo in a previous TBT.
I believe that was the Royale.
There was a store called Male Trend? Heavens to Betsy (or Judy).
Not only are the photos so wonderful to see but I enjoy reading the comments.
Kind words!! Thank you.
Aha! I remembered the name of the bakery on 72nd Street between Broadway Na West End Anenue: Royale.
My best recollections are of Williams BBQ 85-6/Bway) and Lucy’s Home for Retired Surfers (90s/Bway)
not me scanning every photo in hopes of glimpsing my dead parents
I went to Columbia University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences on 68 St between Broadway and Columbus a landmark closed in 1976. Also grew up in the neighborhood. Famous Dairy when I had a few extra bucks was my place to go for cold Borscht and Blintzes.
I did my Internship at Weiner Chemists at 72& Columbus. Every time the door opened someone famous came in. John Lennon hung out with our young cashier who was great guitarist for hours. John gave him advice on the music business. He was behind a wall of merchandise so no one knew he was in the Pharmacy. I think he loved feeling part of the shop. Great man may he RIP.