By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
The Sunshinery, a home goods and gift shop, is planning to open in early September at 106 West 69th St. (between Columbus Avenue and Broadway). This will be the second Upper West Side store for The Sunshinery – the original is at 551 Columbus Ave. (between West 86th and 87th streets). Upper West Sider Jennifer Simoni, a former marketing executive, opened that store in December 2022 after seeing the empty space while walking her daughter to school each morning.
The Sunshinery sells an assortment of “feel-good items,” including scented candles, coffee mugs, picnic blankets, photo frames, weekend bags, jewelry, and more, along with Upper West Side merchandise. “The vibe will be similar to our 86th Street store with a few surprises along the way,” Simoni told West Side Rag. “We love our customers, our events, our neighbors, and all the good energy at our current location. We want to bring that energy a bit further south on Columbus Avenue. We are so grateful and excited for this new store.” The space used to be La Mode Cleaners, which closed at that location and consolidated with the La Mode at 106 West 71st St. earlier this year. The space was previously Maya Schaper Cheese and Antiques, which was featured as the “shop around the corner” in the popular 1998 movie “You’ve Got Mail.” To read the Rag’s profile of The Sunshinery, click – HERE.
Amber, the Japanese restaurant at 103 West 70th St. (between Broadway and Columbus Avenue), closed on July 14th after nearly 10 years at this location. It is merging with Flame, the Japanese restaurant at 100 West 82nd St. (between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues) that specializes in hibachi dishes. “You’ll find the same delicious food and the same prices,” Amber posted on the storefront. Flame opened in 2016. In addition to hibachi, its menu includes bento boxes, sushi, dim sum, and more. Amber has been in business for 18 years. “It has been an incredible journey, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support,” Amber’s note said. “We look forward to continuing to serve you and beginning another amazing chapter together.” (Thanks to Mark for the tip.)
Chrystal Nails & Spa opened on July 12th at 2511 Broadway (between West 93rd and West 94th streets). To mark the opening, there is 20-percent-off promotion on most services – which include manicures, pedicures, waxing, and massages – going on now. Chrystal’s owner, a single mother, “has been in the nail salon business for many years and owns a few other salons in New York, though this is the first one under the ‘Chrystal’ name,” Sophia, the manager, wrote in a message to the Rag. Some customers thought that “Chrystal” was a typo, but the different spelling was actually chosen in order to make the name “more unique and easier to distinguish.” The salon’s hours are listed as 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. The space used to be Sprint Sports, which closed in 2022. “Our focus is on high-quality work, gentle service, and a relaxing atmosphere for everyone in the neighborhood,” Sophia wrote. “We’re excited to be part of the neighborhood and look forward to meeting many of our neighbors soon!” (Thanks to Karen for the tip.)
Wells Fargo has signage up at the northwest corner of West 73rd Street and Broadway. The space, located in the base of the Ansonia building, used to be a North Face store, which closed in 2023. There is still construction going on inside and a representative from the company was not yet able to provide a time frame for the opening. “We are actively investing in our branch network by opening new locations and refurbishing our entire network,” the representative wrote in an earlier message to the Rag. “As we optimize our branch network, we are focused on evolving our branch presence based on customer usage and the changing traffic patterns and retail landscape to best meet the banking needs of each community we serve.” We’ll provide more details when this branch gets closer to opening. (Thanks to MJ for the tip.)
La Pizza Italia has opened at 493 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 83rd and 84th streets). In addition to pizza, the menu includes pasta, heroes, and salads. This is the chain’s fifth location but its first on the UWS. The space was the longtime home to Caesars Palace Pizza, which closed in 2017. Since then it was David’s Cash Checking and a smoke shop.
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 news about Ciao Paisan (formerly Coppolas) on 79th Street. It closed suddenly about a week ago after being in that space for many decades.
I messaged with the manager, Marian, who told me they were having “electricity issues” and he would let me know when they are open again.
I do hope it’s soon as they are definitely one of best and most reasonable Italian restaurants on the Upper Westside.
Looks like their website is gone. That’s not a good sign. It usually means they’re closed for good. (ciaopaisan.com)
Need to add the Silver Moon watch. Hazem tells me Friday is the day!
I just walked by this morning. They’re working on it.
Overheard one of the people working saying Friday as well. Someone is baking something in there today – it smells amazing!
Cash Checking or Check Cashing?
LOL. To be able to perform the check cashing, one has to perform the cash checking first.
Always excited for new businesses and I will take a pizza place over a smoke shop any day, but Marinara is right there so I’m not sure how this will work out. I wish them luck though as I hope there is room for everyone to succeed.
I’m so excited to hear that Sunshinery is opening a second location!
Fellow UWSer, let’s show some love and support for more amazing small businesses like this one. I’ve wandered into their original spot countless times during my neighborhood walks. The owner and staff are always so welcoming, and the prices are really reasonable.
I picked up some adorable sunglasses and earrings there that I absolutely love. Can’t wait to check out the new location soon!
I agree that it’s nice to see traditional boutiques sprouting up. It means the landlords aren’t price gouging.
Those statements from the Sunshinery’s owner and the Wells Fargo rep really speak volumes about the differences between small, locally owned shops and big chain businesses.
Sunshinery owner: I live on the UWS and saw this space while walking my daughter to school and want to bring good vibes to the neighborhood.
Wells Fargo rep (possibly just AI): Beep boop when we’re not creating fictitious customer accounts we must optimize our branch network.
LOL. They need another branch for the additional accounts. There’s already a Wells Fargo on 70th and Broadway.
The 70th St. Wells Fargo is going to close once the new one is set up, said one of the workers a few weeks ago when I asked.
Another bank branch in the Ansonia. What a bummer. Such a great space in a prime location in a classic building… Opportunity lost for something dynamic, interesting, and useful to see/visit/patronize when first emerging from the 72nd Street Station.
Bring back the Ansonia B&N Jr.!
La Pizza Italia is about 100 feet north of Marinara. It will be interesting to see if that block can support two pizza places. I used to be a big fan of Marinara but recently I feel the quality of the pies has slipped.
Amber never treated it’s customers special. There was never an owner or even a manager present to greet anyone.
There is a new sports bar called The Throw ack on Amsterdam and 94 that is in the old Chelsea seafood location. Not open yet but imminent.
It was supposed to have opened in June. They have events listed on their website starting with 7/29 so maybe they’ll open soon.
I still miss Caesar’s, that was my spot for years! It was surreal seeing a new pizza spot in that location. Caesar’s closing was when I first understood how much trouble NYC was in with affordability, I remember their rent was raised at least $10k/ month… they were always busy and full of families, little league teams, etc. but how much can you charge for pizza to make up that kind of increase? It felt cruel
Hail Caesar’s!
The loss of Caesar’s was a real blow. I ate there for 2 decades!
Good for the Sunshinery! Happy to see this neighborhood gem expand !!
Beware pizza places that are also delis. So many other pizza options in that hood, especially Pizza Petes on 86 and columbus.