By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Variety Coffee is “coming soon” to 455 Amsterdam (at the southeast corner of West 82nd Street). Variety opened its first café in Williamsburg in 2008 and now has six locations in the city, as well as its own roasting facility in Brooklyn. “Our coffees are a direct reflection of what’s in-season, so our menu changes frequently throughout the year,” according to the company’s website. An exact opening date from the company wasn’t available by the time this article was posted. The space used to be a MALIN+GOETZ cosmetics store, which moved out in 2023, consolidating with the store on West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. (Thanks to Andrew for the tip.)
Szechuan Garden, the Chinese restaurant at 239 West 105th Street, closed on March 2nd. The restaurant had been in the space since 2014. “We cannot fully express our gratitude for your unwavering support and patronage throughout the years,” wrote owner Kurt Xu in a letter posted on the storefront. “Your smiles, kind words, and loyalty have been the heartbeat of our establishment.” The company wrote on Yelp that its mission was to “provide authentic Chinese food with a flavorful, fiery kick in a casual, welcoming environment.” (Thanks to Yvonne for the tip.)
Kesari, an Indian restaurant, opened on February 3rd at 2701 Broadway (northwest corner of West 103rd Street) in the former home of the longtime Indian spot Aangan. They are open daily for lunch and dinner for dine-in and delivery. Kesari serves a variety of traditional Indian foods including appetizers (samosas, fritters, chicken, seafood, lamb), and vegetarian entrees such as tikka, korma, saag, and masala. They also serve vegan dishes as well as naan, the Indian bread.
Naya, the Middle Eastern counter-service restaurant, has signage up at 752 Columbus Avenue (southwest corner of West 97th Street). It is planning to open this spring in a space that has been vacant for the past few years, but used to be a Capital One bank. Naya has many locations in NYC, including one on the UWS at 2339 Broadway (West 85th Street), which opened in February 2024. (Thanks to Joey and Sharon for the tips.)
Chick-Fil-A, the fried chicken fast food chain, is opening at 795 Columbus Avenue (between West 98th and 99th streets) on March 6th. This is the first location on the UWS for the international franchise, which has nine other locations in Manhattan. Chick-Fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays, reflecting the Southern Baptist roots of the company’s founder, S. Truett Cathy, who started the company in Georgia in 1967. The company is still owned by the Cathy family. The storefront used to be a LOFT retail outpost, which sold women’s business and casual apparel.
Broadway Deli, which opened in January 2024 at 2721 Broadway (on the northwest corner of West 104th Street), appears to have closed. On Google, it is listed as “permanently closed” and a call to the number listed could not be completed. (Thanks to Tracy for the tip.)
ICYMI: Shakespeare & Co., the bookstore at 2736 Broadway (southeast corner of West 105th Street), is planning to close toward the end of April. The bookshop opened at this location last March. “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and loyalty over the past year,” reads a sign posted on the storefront by the management team. While the business also plans to close their Upper East Side shop, the one on the south end of the UWS (West 68th Street and Broadway) is expected to remain open. There is a 15% discount going on storewide.
The Openings & Closings column wouldn’t be possible without our many tipsters: thank you! Anyone can send tips about openings and closings in the neighborhood to info@westsiderag.com.
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Any information on what is going into the previous Discount Store space that was on Broadway between 103 & 104- next to Gristedes? 2708 Broadway. There seem to be a few permits up.
Was told likely a Physical Therapy place. Hardly sexy, but beats a .99 cent store. It’s odd there are so many PT places between 104-108.
I’d prefer a 99-cent store.
A lot of creaky, old people on the UWS (including me)!
Bob,
Lots of younger people with sports injuries too
Naya coming to 97th and Columbus is HUGE!!!
Many chains opening nearby with Chik-fil-a and Shah’s Halal. Shah’s Halal is going to suffer when Naya opens because Naya is a lot better.
I can live without the southern Baptist vibe
NAYA is FABULOUS!!
Wish I could say the same for Shah’s but alas, I cannot. It’s a little better than Halal Guys was but not much.
There is a little place on west 86th between Amsterdam and Broadway called White Rabbit Books that seems worth a profile – looks like a nice place for people with little kids.
I was there yesterday. It”s a wonderful store that we should all support–especially people with children. The store is extremely child-friendly.
I’ll miss Szechuan Garden. The food was good and the staff very welcoming.
Me too…My wife and I would frequent them for lunch specials on our WFH days. It was a great mix of authentic Sichuan and American Chinese dishes. Great prices too. I have a feeling that with Mala Town and Moon Kee opening, it took much of their crowds away. Nothing against those two places. I can even admit that we’ve gone to both of those places more than Szechuan Garden since they have opened. 🙁
Wasn’t there a Chik-Fil-A on the west side of Broadway about 77th Street for a brief time in the 1980’s?
That was Chirping Chicken. Loved that place.
No, this was way before the first Chirping Chicken (and I think that was on Amsterdam, anyway).
It’s still there. On Amsterdam
Northeast corner of Amsterdam and 77th Street.
Any plans for the old St James gate location. On 81 and Amsterdam ?
Does anyone know anything about the convenience store that is supposed to open at the northwest corner of W 93rd and Broadway? They started work a few months ago and were hit with a stop work order almost two months ago. I have not seen activity there since.
WSRag on 11.27.24 reported ‘4 Corners Marketplace, a “high end deli” ‘ was moving into 2501 Broadway, where Hans Family Fruit and Vegetable Market had been located. Other times I thought it was reported that it was going to be a restaurant — something with a kitchen. Now look at the horrible mess they have made of the 93rd street facade. Added what seems to be an external flue from street level to roof and also added six white blocks of equipment that look like exhaust fans. Ugly. Is this location coded for a cooking kitchen? Why all of this added to the external wall? There is sometimes a ladder on 93rd street and sometimes 2 men and the sidewalk access to the basement left open, all the while with red-flagged stop work orders on the front door. This past Friday there was noisy music coming from the first floor space as I walked by. Already, it is not a good neighbor. The windows are currently covered with ‘4 Corners’ paper signs so no view to the inside.
I saw window clings with their new logo…the operators run a bunch of great locations across the neighborhood, so I’m sure whatever issues will be resolved quickly.
This is their second stop work order.
What’s happening to Taim, a long-time not-yet-open-storefront on Bway. between 92 & 93? Also, when will the former Han’s storefront on Bway and 93 open?
I seem to remember news of an eviction notice…
Helene, I message them via Instagram every few months and they have stopped responding. I wouldn’t get my hopes up for this opening!
That project is dead. Taim got bought out by a private equity firm and they stopped it.
I hope Variety Coffee will be open until 9pm or later as it is at some of its other locations (and as the storefront photo appears to reflect). The neighborhood needs more late-night third places that aren’t bars!
Indeed exclamation nothing is open on the upper west side after 9:30 anymore not for delivery and not for eating !
Chick-Fil-A?? On the UWS!!??
Anti-Gay, Anti-Choice – where are they going to find workers?
Please boycott – there’s a Popeye’s a few block away….
In case you have forgotten we live in a republic where we have the right to disagree.
Their other stores in NYC and Manhattan are always packed. They are fully staffed already.
Popeye’s has a major homeless issue much of the time.
By the way it looks like you opinion is a minority, even here on the “peoples republic” of the UWS
Whatever happened to the UWS byline of……accept all for who they are, without judgement even if they judge you?
The store is standing room only, with a line out the door!!!!.
I totally agree -they don’t belong on the UWS
Popeye’s chicken sandwiches are far tastier than Christ-Fil-A.
Whoa. Charisse. Disagree with views all you want. Bashing a religion by saying “Christ-Fil-A” is intolerant and hurtful. Read the other critical comments. They address the issues they have without hateful remarks. Peace.
100% correct. The secret to Chick-fil-A is just MSG (and hate).
Anything is. Chik-fil-a defines bland.
Chick-fil-A has been involved in political controversy over its donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations and its CEO’s comments on same-sex marriage.
Donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations
Chick-fil-A donated millions of dollars to organizations that LGBTQ activists considered hostile to LGBTQ rights.
Chick-fil-A reportedly told Think Progress that it was cutting ties with anti-gay groups in 2016, but a report found that the company donated $1.8 million to discriminatory groups in 2017.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced that it would stop funding two organizations that opposed same-sex marriage.
CEO’s comments on same-sex marriage
In 2012, Dan T. Cathy, the CEO of Chick-fil-A, made public comments opposing same-sex marriage.
These comments led to protests and boycotts of Chick-fil-A.
What people don’t seem to realize is that even if the COMPANY stops making donations (it hasn’t), the FAMILY still does. Where do people think their money goes? It goes into the family’s pockets. So the money you spend for a sub par chicken sandwich fuels these hate groups.
I don’t understand this. The FAMILY is Southern Baptist. Southern Baptists oppose same sex marriages as does the Catholic Church and Muslims. Aren’t we all supposed to be for freedom of religion? The family can have any feelings they want on the subject.
Religious freedom should not be about hate and persecution of those who are different or “other.” Worship whomever or whatever is your God but leave me alone. Peace out. Practice godliness instead of a hateful interpretation of your God.
And I can choose to avoid them.
They actively opposed the Gay Marriage Act, and actively support conversion therapy, they are currently actively supporting efforts to overturn Obergefell (gay marriage).
Exactly! Chick-Fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays? Naah. It’s known for its bigoted attitude towards LGBTQ community. Doesn’t belong on the Upper Westside. BOYCOTT.
Indeed. I would vastly prefer a cannabis shop or nail salon myself.
So excited about Chik f Le! The best chicken! Love wins!
Omnia vincit amor, to be sure, but in this case maybe it was all the antibiotics.
For every opening in the W 100’s there are three closings.
Why is Empire Schezuan closing? It’s always been full!
Empire Szechuan IS NOT closing. This article talks about Szechuan Garden closing.
New coffee shop on SW corner of 86th and Bway. Good seats for people watching.
Santa’s opened! It’s kosher and – unusual for a kosher place – has milk, meat and parve (neither milk nor meat) food. I had knafe (did I spell that correctly?) and it was good. I hope they’re successful!
I recall when there was a deli at that corner (this was after the Blimpie Base) that carried a good selection of Boylan sodas in a tray of ice cubes, a big draw for me at the time. It was around for many years, but for the life of me I can’t still recall its name.
Safta’s, it’s kosher and closed on Saturdays.
has anyone eaten at Kusari yet? would love to know the quality of the food
thanks
Ate there with a friend on Monday afternoon (3/3). Food was all good, and the nan was great – guess that problem is solved. We had their $22 meal that has several courses, each of which you choose. We were too late for the cheaper special lunch (served till 3). The vegetable korma & the veg samosa & the nan were all particularly delicious. The place was quiet and the vibe very welcoming.
I did on the day they opened and while I enjoyed my veggie korma, the naan was terrible. Not sure if that was an opening day fluke but the naan is what I usually look forward to the most and this was bad enough to pass on ordering again.
Avenue Bakery is not going through with opening on W84/Bway in the old Aldo Shoe store. There is a sign on the door now that reads “retail space for rent.”
For those who care, and who make at least some decisions based on principle, keep in mind that Chik-Fil-A is known for being anti-LGBTQIA, and actively opposing gay marriage, but also actively supports conversion therapy. They are currently actively supporting efforts to overturn gay marriage (Obergefell). And while it is obvious that this is not the fault of the employees of local units (though some may, in fact, be opposed to gay marriage), money you spend there is going to be used for these purposes.
So if you like a little homophobia with your chicken, Chik-Fil-A is the place to be.
Why are you providing free advertising to Chick-Fil-A, a company that openly opposes same sex marriage and other societal norms. Seems as if the UWS is one of the last places in NYC where it would want to be. Let them take their hatred elsewhere. hope it closes soon!
It’s not free advertising. It’s news. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Reporting on it and letting readers comment might. Reportage and advertising are two different things. (Would you call a news item about slashed tires an ad for tire slashers?)
Yes, let’s hope some people lose their jobs? That an empty space reappears? It’s ugly purists such as yourself that cost us this past election. Try academic freedom and tolerance for ideas opposed to your own. It’s a far better look if you like democracy.
Talking about not supporting discrimination and hate _ purist? I think not
In this free exchange of ideas, readers have freely offered their reasoning for NOT choosing to patronize this store. As we know, readers of the comments are free to exercise their rights to read, consider, and be more ethical consumers for whatever reasons they think important. Chick Fil A, Sabra Hummus, Ben and Jerry’s – you can do your own research and make your decision accordingly. Just sayin.
While I abhor the positions of Chik-Fil-A, I’m glad it’s included in this article. WSR is reporting openings and closings and I expect they assume their readers are intelligent enough to form their own opinions.
While I am happy for businesses opening in the area I will not support Chick-Fil-A due to the family owners and company stance against the LGBTQ+ community. #nohate
When will the Face Value & Beyond vacancy (on Broadway, between W89-90) be filled? It’s a large, two-story space, in between the W86 and W96 subway. Would be ideal for another Trader Joe’s closer to the subway station.
I like this, but I believe T.J.’s needs much more space to make a go at it. Comment, fellow readers.
That space used to be a Food Emporium before Face Values so it could certainly work as a grocery again. I think the space is larger than the TJs on Columbus.
You know that there is a Trader Joe 0.4 miles from that empty store?
I stand 100% behind the remarks here from Bridget, Silver Hammer, Holli, Ian Alterman, E Lang, Barry Radick, SadOld, Bananas Foster, & Kerry concerning the odious reality of Chick-Fil-A. (Indeed, I would have posted much the same sort of observations myself but for … well, if you’ve ever visited a post office, perhaps you know how it can be when power meets pettiness.)
I am happy that ANY business is opening on the UWS.
Putting people to work, making the area safer with a business that has good lighting, a new choice of places to spend your hard earned money.
Whether you choose to do business at Chick-Fil-A or not, is your choice. To hope that people lose their jobs, putting them on unemployment is just hateful.
Don’t we have enough people on Public Assistance?
Just don”t buy from there. It’s as simple as that. It’s like someone not buying from a Muslim owned business because of the October 7 massacre. It’s not the local business that is responsible for that.
Local Zionist here still patronizing my friendly neighborhood Muslim businesses for all of the reasons you mentioned up until your Muslim-owned business comment. I actually agree with much of what you said but that’s not fair. The so-called mom and pop stores and their families are not at all the same thing as a big huge corporation (like Chik-Fil-A, yuck).
These stores are owned by franchise owners. Much like a local mom and pop store.
It’s not like Target or Walmart.
Individuals who are fortunate enough to save enough to start their own business.
We all appreciate the West Side Rag’s posting of stores opening and closing. But I’d like to know why some decent and necessary stores close so soon after opening. They couldn’t make a go of it? Strange in many cases. Tell us more why these stores closed so soon after opening, please. Thank you.
What I find so fascinating about this thread is that we are chatting about protesting a Southern Baptist family driven business while never mentioning the negatives concerning other religions which are also involved in opening establishments. How women and the LGBT community within Indian culture is not pretty. There seems to be a bit of selective pearl clutching going on. This doesn’t mean I am pro Chick-Fil-A; besides their background, I don’t understand the obsession about their food. But if everyone is getting their knickers in a twist concerning their political leanings, then they need to also look at the other establishments they support.
The virtue signalling here regarding Chick-fil-A is amusing. But let this be a social experiment. If the UWS is really as woke as some of the posters here like to believe, then this place will close its location soon. But we all know that it’s not going to turn out that way. You’ll eat it in secret.
Not sure what purpose bookstores serve anymore. Better use of space available.
The purpose is to preserve ink-on-paper books, which have a feel ebooks can never equal. Print volumes on bookshelves also warm a room (no can do with ebooks).
Chick-fil-a yay!!
Very happy about this.
It’s a once a month treat and I really appreciate their top notch service.
Sad, sad to see a bookstore closing. Cant compete with Amazon most likely.