By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Morningside Cafe, a seasonal kiosk on the southwest edge of Morningside Park (281 Morningside Ave. near West 113th Street), opened on May 24th. While the structure is new, the concessionaire has a long history in the area. Michael Summerville was a seafood vendor, known as “Crab Man Mike,” on 125th Street for 30 years. He retired in 2017, but the business is carried on by his son, also named Michael, who uses the same recipes and suppliers as his father for blue claw crabs, shrimp, and Prince Edward Island mussels. Summerville grew up helping his father with the stand, he told the Rag. Since the kiosk is near the park, he is planning to ramp up the menu over time by adding healthier options, such as smoothies and protein shakes, he said.
It has been more than two decades since an establishment has been at this location. Summerville invested personally in the renovations and has a contract with the NYC Parks Department to operate the space. Morningside Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., weather permitting, through November. After a break for the winter, it is expected to open again next April.
Kinder Wash, a self-service and drop-off laundromat, opened last week in the basement of 409 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 79th and 80th streets). The space has been a laundromat since the 1990s and is now owned by George Inakavadze, who has a longtime connection to the space. He used to work there during his teenage years – for his uncle, who previously owned the business – shortly after immigrating to the U.S. from the Republic of Georgia. Inakavadze has been in the laundry business for the past 25 years, and jumped at the opportunity to reopen this location. “When I saw this place come on the market, I just nostalgically took it over because I have something like an attachment to it,” he said on a call with the Rag. “This is the place I started. I became a man because of this place.” There are more than three dozen machines at this location. It is open daily from 7 a.m to 11 p.m.
Dark Bullet Bar, a Japanese restaruant at 722 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 95th and 96th streets), is temporarily closed for renovation. Representatives from the Dark Bullet restaurant on West 72nd Street said the 95th Street location, which opened in 2023, is undergoing a change but could not provide more details. We will follow up to try and get more information. (Thanks to Lizzie for the tip.)
75th Organic Deli & Market opened last week at 313 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 74th and 75th streets). The shop is stocked with snacks, drinks, and prepared food, including sandwiches, omelettes, breakfast wraps, juices, smoothies, and more. It’s open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. The space used to be Bourke Street Bakery, which closed in December 2023.
Studio Pilates has signage up at 301 West 110th Street (along Frederick Douglass Boulevard) and is planning to open on July 12th. Founded in 2002 in Australia, Studio Pilates has more than 100 locations globally. This franchise location is owned by Carla Lewis, a former media executive, who was introduced to Pilates after having hip surgery. Now a certified Pilates instructor, she leads 40-minute group classes on the reformer machine that are geared toward all ability levels. This location, formerly a Subway sandwich shop, is the first Studio Pilates location in Manhattan. There is an introductory offer of six classes for $60.
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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shucks, I thought Kinderwash was going to be a German drop-off child-washing facility…
Thank you for brightening my day with laughter.
What about a facility where children are to wash their own clothes?
Not on the Upper West Side. Those services are only offered on the Upper East Side.
Morningside Cafe is on the southEAST corner of Morningside Park. St John the Devine is on the southwest side of the park.
Congratulations to Kinder Wash and welcome back to the neighborhood. Theses are the great reasons for living on the UWS. It’s the small business owners who made this such a welcoming neighborhood. Best of luck!
I hope they have a lot of cameras and lights and cops near the Morningside Cafe.
Rob, Why is that?
Still scared of Harlem Rob?
Too bad not enough people appreciated how good Bourke Street Bakery bread was. Fortunately, they are still alive at their original location and now have an outpost in midtown.
Every time a subway becomes literally anything else it’s a win!