By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
The Gyro Project, a Greek restaurant, opened at 2062 Broadway (corner of West 71st Street) on April 7th. The menu includes gyros, souvlaki, falafel, and moussaka, as well as salads, appetizers, and specialty fries. For dessert, there’s frozen yogurt and baked goods. This Thursday, there will be an opening celebration with giveaways of free gyros and merchandise to the first 50 customers. The original Gyro Project opened in Fort Lee, NJ, and there’s one at Newark-Penn Station and another opening next month in Kips Bay. The UWS restaurant is a BYOB establishment that has seating for 25 people, The New York Times reported. The space used to be Cafe Metro, which closed a few months ago. (Thanks to Susan for the tip.)
Sushi Nonaka, the Japanese restaurant on the lower level of 410 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 79th and 80th streets), has closed. “Thank you for being part of our journey,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram. “We are forever grateful for your support and love. Until we meet again.” Sushi Nonaka opened in 2020, serving small plates and omakase in the basement space, which had countertop seating, tables, and a courtyard garden. Boka, the Korean restaurant on the ground level of the same location, could not be reached by the Rag.
Columbus Avenue Advisor, a psychic and astrologist, is opening this spring at 73 West 82nd Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue). Owner Naomi Aquarius does “intuitive readings with life coaching,” she told West Side Rag on a phone call. She also does pet readings for cats and dogs – no need to bring your pet since she only requires a photo. “I believe dogs and cats have definitely reincarnated,” she said. “We are all energy, so what I do is I look and see what exactly has taken place in your former life that has brought you here.” Aquarius described her background to the Rag. “My grandmother and mother were healers,” she said. “I always knew my ability and I knew this was my calling. I’ve been all over the world and I’ve lived many lives.” Readings cost $150. (Thanks to Hyman for the tip.)
Ellington in the Park, the seasonal cafe and restaurant, is returning to Riverside Park (near West 105th Street) this spring. The coffee shop on the upper level is now open on weekends. The restaurant on the lower level is expected to open on April 23rd (weather permitting), a representative confirmed to the Rag. The menu includes sandwiches, pizza, tacos, and salads. Updates on hours and opening dates will be posted on Instagram. “We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to Ellington in the Park for another vibrant season,” Glenda Sansone, co-owner of Ellington in the Park, wrote in a message to the Rag. “Great food, cold drinks, and unbeatable views are waiting!” The annual establishment stays open through the summer and closes again in the fall.
2nd Street, a secondhand clothing store that buys and sells fashionable clothes and accessories, has signage up at 2519 Broadway (southwest corner of West 94th Street). 2nd Street specializes in streetwear, Japanese designer goods, and luxury accessories, according to the company’s website. Originally founded in Japan, the chain now has dozens of shops across the US, including a few in New York City. A representative confirmed with the Rag that an exact opening date for this shop isn’t set. Another 2nd Street location is also expected to open in the northern part of the UWS at 2875 Broadway (between West 111th and 112th streets). The space appears to have been vacant for the past few years, but it used to be a Capital One bank. (Thanks to Karen for the tip.)
ICYMI: Hazem Elgohary of Buttercup Bake Shop is opening a spinoff of Silver Moon, the recently shuttered bakery that has been a mainstay of the UWS for the past 24 years. The new location is 2664 Broadway (between West 101st and 102nd streets), in the former home of Broadway Restaurant, a diner that closed after four decades in 2023. While the new bakery would be under different ownership than Silver Moon, Elgohary has acquired the company’s equipment, ingredients, and supplies, and has hired members of its staff. He told the Rag that he hopes to retain Silver Moon’s essence and connection with the community. The new bakery, which is still unnamed, is expected to open in about a month. Judith Norell, owner and founder of Silver Moon Bakery, told the Rag on the phone that the venture has her support. “They have my blessing, they really do,” she said.
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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Great news in the 90s! That block on Broadway from 92nd – 93rd was completely vacant save for the single tenant of the liquor store and now every storefront has something new going in. Let’s do our part to support these new businesses!
Do you mean 93rd to 94th?
Oh, great. Institutionalized scamming coming to the hood. Incredible that a psychic can afford space between Central Park West and Columbus. They must own the building. I’m sure “pet readings” are very reliable and will tell you much! (LOL!) If the psychic were really psychic she would know her street signage A frame has to be against the sightline of her building. Insanity!
“Institutionalized scamming?” You mean, like pretty much EVERY church that is bilking it’s followers out of their weekly “tithes to the church” in the name of some made-up entity that allegedly sees their every move? Yeah, this is an age-old scam, and it happens on pretty much every corner in America, and at least the psychic/healer is likely paying taxes, unlike all the other institutionalized scammers.
Well, some of those tithes built buildings with really good acoustics.
But…but…”the book” said so!
Churches at least provide a sense of community and clergy during lifecycle events, ie weddings, funerals, sickness, etc.
I’m not sure what psychics provide besides taking money from the gullible and desperate.
Wow. I can tell you are a deeply religious person
Unless psychics have soup kitchens, provide safe havens for those in need, free meals, I am not sure they are in the same category, regardless of religion, or lack thereof
“The psychic is likely paying taxes? Like when they tell an old woman with borderline dementia to bring $80 thousand in a paper bag and return in a week for the solutions to her problems,, and when the woman does the psychic has skipped town and another psychic has taken her place, with “has no idea where she went?”
How much tax do you think psychics pay on that all too common scam? Perhaps you should go to one to prove me wrong. Wake up!
Sam,
Psychic advisors aren’t much different than therapists, but the former will at least entertain the metaphysical.
Now do you understand how they afford the rent?
As for scamming, let me remind you of what Wall Street’s primary function is.
Minor nitpick: AFAIK, there has never been a Capital One bank branch on Broadway between 111th and 112th. Not that long ago (but pre-pandemic), that location was a Chase branch.
We could use a Capital One on the Upper UWS.
There’s a Capital One on 72nd & Broadway.
There’s a Capital One at 72nd & Amsterdam.
Nothing in the 90’s or 100’s.
It was in reference to the 92nd street corner which was indeed a Capital One
Ah, yes. Thnx.
I love the new neon signs in the deli that’s opening at Broadway and 93rd. I wonder if they’re real old-fashioned neon or not.
We ate at the Gyro Project on Sunday, April 6th. It was OK, the Chipotle of Greek food.
I hope both 2nd Streets survive one on 94 and one on 111th.
While I’m happy something is going into the space on 94th and Broadway, it’s maybe not the best corner for a store selling “designer goods and luxury accessories.” That’s right next to the subway entrance (that regularly has panhandlers) and a liquor store. There are often emotionally and mentally disturbed people on that stretch of Broadway and 94th (b/c of the half-way houses b/t WEA and Riverside). Seems like the proximity to Columbia may bode well for the 111th St. location.
Does the Rag have information on the fate of the former Chase Bank near the SW corner of 86th and Columbus? ?
Signage is up for a — wait for it — dispensary. I assume this means a cannabis dispensary. It seems counter-intuitive to use such an enormous space for the sale of weed and gummies, but what do I know? Whatever, I hope the facade, which commemorates original use of the building as the Corn Exchange bank, is landmarked.
As for the long-vacant corner store next to it (formerly a coffee shop), signage for a veterinary office has been removed and it’s apparently for rent again. Anybody know anything?
If you show me a picture of your bank account, mother’s maiden name, and SSN, then I can tell you your future.
a psychic? seriously? if you want to be so easily parted with your money you could just light it on fire instead.
Or just invest it in the stock market.
Glad to hear there’s an attempt to carry on Silver Moon; I do hope, though, that they get the Broadway Diner sign to the sign museum!
Ellington at the park!!! One of the nicest places this time of year. Been to several work functions and they are very accommodating. Can’t wait to go back!
The Gyro Project needs to lose the loud music, unless it just wants to be a cliché.
New McDonalds opening today at Broadway and W 125th Street.
Does it have drive thru like the old one up there?
No. It is in Columbia’s new dorm building.
Ummm, healthy fare for students.
Heartbroken about Sushi Nonaka – the sushi was incredible and the chef was so warm and informative. I hope he opens another restaurant!
Me too! I discovered it last June and had made a point to go several times. A really good omakase sushi offering and the outdoor seating was delightful. I did notice that it was never crowded when I went and worried about their ability to survive…and now… 🙁
Sad for Sushi Nonaka, great Sushi, owners were so nice too!
2664 Broadway is not correct address. There is a hair salon or a nail salon at that address
I’m really going to miss Sushi Nonaka. It was my favorite sushi place on the UWS and I always had a fresh and interesting meal at the counter.
Malaysian restaurant Kancil closing on Amsterdam and 81st due to high costs.
Not surprised. Wau was great, but went to Kancil and they were out of several things. Food was just okay.
Due to lack of customers, not high costs.
Just curious: Does anyone know what the story is with El Coco, the nice Mexican place on 73rd between Columbus & Amsterdam?All of a sudden it’s closed–“temporarily” according to the printed sign on the door. (No reason given, or reopening date, and there’s no mention of the closing on El Coco’s website.)
There’s a vacate order for structural reasons taped on the door. It looks like it applies to the brownstone’s apartments as well (104 W. 73rd St).
I came here for the comments about the psychic and they did not disappoint. Which is to say, they did.
Does anyone know what’s happening with the Cafe 71 spot on 71st and Broadway? They had a lot of issues with the spill over crowd from McDonald’s and shut down midway through Covid.
Some deli/pizza place is supposed to open there, not clear when
Thanks for the info! It was a good size space with a separate seating area. I hope it works out. : )
Psychic, astrologer and life coach.!! Give me a break!
I wager that the “Pyschic” will last longer then the “No Name Bakery”
An “astrologist” — an astrologer with airs?
It’s really unsettling to see a news outlet endorsing a psychic alongside legit businesses (which I define as those that serve rather than preying on the community). I hope you can rethink this approach for the future. It definitely doesn’t build our confidence in the standards of the WSR, which I otherwise really appreciate and trust as you know from my comment history!
But they are also pushing the theory that the new bakery will be the same as the old bakery because they bought the “equipment and ingredients”. LOL. I hope that new space gets the hazmat cleaning it needed for the past two decades
Seriously? Do we still believe in psychics? C’mon, folks. We have enough tricks going on in the world.
Do psychics believe in you?
Sushi Nonaka opened at the very dawn of COVID. The owner used to personally deliver the sushi during those first few traumatic months . The fish was truly world class by any measure. pricy but absolutely worth it
They always gave away incredible Korean fried chicken for a take home treat after eating the sushi. We will miss this fabulous eating experience
💔
Is Tonto (the Lone Ranger’s psychic) going to work there?
All the scaffolding on the UWS just kills businesses.
An actual clothing store above 96th?! Shocking.
2nd hand, but better than nothing.
A wasteland up here.