By Lisa Kava and Sara Lewin Lebwohl
Ellington in the Park, the outdoor cafe in Riverside Park and West 105th Street, will close for the season on November 2nd, a representative confirmed to West Side Rag, and will reopen in the spring of 2026. Known for its great sunset views overlooking the Hudson River, Ellington has a menu that includes pizza, tacos, sandwiches, quesadillas, falafel, and salads. The cafe, which is on two levels, is open April through early November.
Linda’s Dry Cleaners is moving from 266 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and West End Avenue), across the street to 239 West 72nd Street (also between Broadway and West End), on November 1st, manager Robert Haddock told West Side Rag. “We need a larger space,” he said. Kossar’s, the popular bagel and bialy shop at 270 West 72nd Street, will be expanding into the dry cleaners’ current space, Jonah Phillip, a partner in Kossar’s, confirmed to the Rag by email. He did not have any timeline for the expansion as of yet. “We are thrilled to add additional seating for our guests to enjoy,” Phillip wrote. The new space that Linda’s will be moving into was previously another dry cleaner, La Mode Cleaners, which consolidated with La Mode on West 71st Street. We will update on the timing of Kossar’s expansion when we have more information.
Willett’s Corner, a farm-to-table-style restaurant, has signage up at 420 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 80th and West 81st streets). It is expected to open in early November, a representative from the restaurant told West Side Rag. It is owned by Ken Halberg, formerly of Hardings, an American restaurant which was in Flatiron for 25 years. “Willet’s Corner, which will open with lunch and dinner service, will offer a shareable ingredient-driven and seasonally inspired menu, alongside expertly executed cocktails, and a by-the-glass wine program with a natural wine focus,” a spokesperson for the restaurant wrote to the Rag. Black Lab Cafe, the dog-friendly restaurant that closed in February 2025 was previously in the space. (Thanks to Jackie for the tip.)
Silver Mirror Facial Bar is opening on Friday, November 7th, at 2305 Broadway (between West 83rd and West 84th streets.) This will be the fifth location in NYC for the facial bar, which also has locations in Miami and in Washington D.C. Services range from 30-minute facials to 50-minute facials, with a new “Premier Contour Facial” which lasts 90 minutes, a representative wrote to West Side Rag. The space will contain eight facial beds. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On opening weekend (November 7th through 9th), Silver Mirror will partner with local West Side businesses Sugared+Bronzed, and Solidcore, to offer various promotions and raffle prizes. “Swag bags will be given to customers purchasing memberships and there will be sample giveaways for all in attendance,” the representative wrote. The space was most recently a pop-up bookstore called Epilogue.
Be Fit NYC, a gym and fitness center, is moving from 2726 Broadway (at West 104th Street), to 2681 Broadway (at West 102nd Street) in December. “We need a larger space,” owner Fernando Salomone told West Side Rag on a phone call. The new location will have two floors, both with cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, rowing machines, and StairMasters), along with free weights, squat racks, and cable cross machines. There will be ADA-compliant showers and bathrooms on the first floor. The new location will offer 33 classes a week including yoga, Pilates, Zumba, HIIT, and barre. The center also offers personal training. The monthly membership fee of $120 will not increase, Salomone told the Rag. Student membership is $95 per month, and senior memberships are $80 per month. Salomone was formerly the fitness director at Paris Health Club, an Upper West Side gym which closed during the pandemic in 2020. Along with his husband Mike Bulink, he opened Be Fit in 2015. Be Fit’s hours at the new location will remain the same (seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) “We don’t close, not even for Christmas,” Salomone said. The new space was previously a supermarket. (Thanks to Joan for the tip.)
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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I wonder if the Ellington in the Park coffee stand could get enough business to stay open during the winter. Get a good space heater and some hot chocolate—I’d be a regular!
It’s a completely outdoor venue so unrealistic for it to stay open during colder months.
Key I agree, it’s a favorite spot to grab a beer and watch the sunset and watch kids and grownups play on the rings
Something is going on in the old Bed Bath/Food Emporium space on 90th/Broadway. I walked by this morning, the door was open and construction was taking place inside. The the DoB permits on the door did not give away much, other than Otis is in there working on the escalator/elevator.
I noticed a few guys working in it last week as well. I wonder what it will be.. ir would be cool if it is a grocery store store again.
Love BeFit so much. And I’m excited to see the new space, I hope it keeps the same community feel as the last one. Thanks for not raising membership prices!
Ditto! I’ve been a member of BeFit for about ten years and it’s a great neighborhood gym and community!
“shareable ingredient-driven and seasonally inspired menu, alongside expertly executed cocktails, and a by-the-glass wine program with a natural wine focus” — we cook what we can get, make large portions, have a bartender, and don’t sell bottles. “Wine program”
Gastrobabble
Wow great word!
Definitely generated by ChatGPT !! 😉
That’s really an awful quote
Any update on the rumors about West Side Markets buying the Staples building on 81st?
i love ellington in the park but really wish they would improve the food menu. it’s way too limited, basic, and bland for what they charge.
Disagree. Keep it simple. Kind of like the old restaurant at the boat basin. They offered some nicer items but they were mediocre, but it was a great place for a burger or something else simple. I do not disagree with you about the pricing though.
West Side Soccer and other youth sports continue deeper into November and they get a lot of pre/post game families. I’m surprised they aren’t staying open at least on weekends for them.
What is going in on the east side of Broadway and W112th?
I hope the “farm-to-table” restaurant lists all the farms it uses. The term is thrown around haphazardly. In reality, very few restaurants are TRULY farm-to-table, as it is actually quite difficult and very expensive to do business directly with farms/foragers/ranches/fishermen as opposed to just using bulk distributors. I’m skeptical, but I suppose we’ll see.
More gastrobabble
I wish Kossar’s bagels were better. (The same applies to Bagels and Co, and Bagel Talk.)
The current best in Manhattan seems to be Liberty Bagels, albeit no branch on the UWS.
“H & H” is probably the best on the UWS, though still not very good.
Any word on when the New Absolute is going to open?
I’m a Bagel Talk guy myself, but Zabar’s is always a good bet. Always fresh and delicious.
Kossar’s bagels are great, I just find one has to get them when they are fresh and warm. They don’t stay fresh for too long (presumably because they don’t have preservatives).
I like Broadway Bagels myself and not just for the bagels. They have good pancakes and hash…
Go to Giacomo’s directly across from Kossars. Great bagels and coffee. And food
Pop Up Bagels is really good actually, highly recommend!
Pop Up Bagels are not bagels at all. It’s a lame tourist trap and a blight on our city. “Not Famous, but Known” in that black and white childish font is just so offensive. It’s like Blank Street Coffee made by some finance bros who could not be bothered to come up with an actual name. The joke is on us.
Actually, Deb Perelman, the famous Smitten Kitchen food blogger/cookbook author who is a long-time New Yorker thinks Pop-Up bagels are some of the best in the city. I agree with her and the most of my neighbors here on the UWS (we’re all long-time UWS denizens) order them frequently.
Yes, thriving new business / business model – blight on our city! SOOO offensive. Bagels/not-bagels, cronuts, fusion restaurants, weird green drinks – how can we allow this?! Shame on us.
Take a hike. Clear your head.
Major construction is underway on the Absolute – that’s supposed to take a few more weeks. Then that will be followed by whatever else has to happen – city approvals, getting things set up more, etc, Maybe a couple of months? (That’s just a guess.)
They are a completely different bunch of folks from the old place, so no guarantees on quality.
No idea, but finally seeing activity at Absolute’s former home.
Good news about the gym–that spot in the Broadmoor hasn’t had a proper long-term tenant in years and years (I think the only business that’s been in there since like ten years ago was a Gopuff or similar depot).
Also, PureGreen juice (smoothies?) is opening on 71st in the spot previously held by PinkBerry.
Pier 1 cafe in riverside closing Sunday is last day of season
I wish we were getting good news about the renovation happening in our building’s vacant corner storefront (formerly The North Face) at the NW corner of 73rd street and Broadway. Looks like it’s going to be ANOTHER bank. Yay?