By Lisa Kava
Honeybrains, a cafe which serves food “promoting brain health” with a variety of eggs and protein dishes, “soft opened” on December 16th at 495 Amsterdam Avenue (at West 84th Street.) Hours are 8 a.m to 9 p.m., cafe manager Serdo Gyatso told West Side Rag. Founded by former prosecutor and Upper West Sider Marisa Seifan in 2016, Honeybrains serves breakfast dishes, bowls, sandwiches, salads, and specialty drinks and juice. It also serves matcha, coffee and tea.
The menu can be found here. Honeybrains has other Manhattan locations in midtown (inside of Saks Fifth Avenue on the 5th floor), Noho, Flatiron, and Tribeca. “We are excited to bring Honeybrains to the Upper West Side, a neighborhood that values thoughtful food and community,” Gyatso told West Side Rag. “Our menu is built around brain-healthy, housemade bowls, and beverages that support how people think and feel without sacrificing flavor.” CPW, the longtime women’s clothing store that closed in January 2024, was previously in the space.
Industrious, a co-working and flexible workspace, is opening a location on the Upper West Side at 1900 Broadway (at West 64th Street). The space, which will be on the seventh floor, is slated to open in February 2026. It will feature both individual work spaces, suites, and conference rooms. The company has over 50 locations in New York City and Boston. There are various membership levels available and an option to purchase “day passes.”
“Our goal is to inspire the local community by providing a workspace you actually want to go to outside of your home without having to leave your neighborhood,” a representative wrote in an email to West Side Rag.
John’s Shoe Repair at 190 Columbus Avenue (between West 68th and West 69th streets), is temporarily closed for the holidays. Signage in the window says they will be closed from December 18th through January 1st.
ICYMI:
After 28 years serving customers on West 74th Street, Patsy’s Pizzeria is closing, most likely sometime next month. Locations elsewhere in the city will remain open. Read the Rag’s coverage here.
The New Absolute Bagel, is opening on December 29th at 2788 Broadway (between West 107th and West 108th streets). Read West Side Rag’s coverage of the opening here.
Hashi Market, a Japanese grocery store and market, opened on December 17th at 2780 Broadway (between West 107th and West 108th streets). Read West Side Rag’s coverage of the opening here.
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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when is the Wegmans opening?
Great question. And are there any updates on the pit bull guy? WSR has been doing a great job of covering that. Thanks!
Not soon enough.
I worked on this project for a few years – can’t go into too much detail, but last I heard they were exploring a “restaurant” component, but there were some issues that led to them reconsidering the space (let’s hope not!).
Sounds interesting. Is it the old Food Emporium space? I’ve completely lost track of the details.
LOVE THIS COLUMN!
Hashi Market can’t compare to HMart. I looked around Hashi and immediately walked out. We need a good Italian “Nonna-style”restaurant or something homey and delicious or bring back La Casita or La Rosita.– the food was great and those restaurants were always packed.
Does anyone know what is happening with the spaces on 88th and Broadway and 90th and Broadway? The deli was supposed to open 2 years ago and…nada.
I thought “Honeybrains” was the name of a kids’ breakfast cereal.