Johnny Was, a women’s clothing store at 270 Columbus Avenue (between West 72nd and 73rd streets), closed on February 28th, an employee told West Side Rag on a phone call. “We appreciate your loyalty to our brand, and we look forward to working with you at our Madison Avenue location,” staff wrote in a sign posted on the door. The store opened in 2017. The space was previously a Crocs store. The brand has one other location in Manhattan at 1070 Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side, according to its website. (Thanks to Scott for the photo and the tip.)
Wendy’s, the fast food chain, opened a location at 2565 Broadway (between West 96th and 97th streets) in February. Hours posted on the website are 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days a week. The burger chain has 12 locations in Manhattan, but this is the first one on the Upper West Side. Getir, the app-based grocery delivery company, which exited the U.S. market in 2024, previously occupied the space. (Thanks to Steve for the tip.)
Kolorbar, a full service hair salon located at 2301 Broadway (between West 83rd and 84th streets), is relocating on March 8th around the corner to 255 West 84th Street (between Broadway and West End Avenue), according to an Instagram post and signage posted on the door. “Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We can’t wait to welcome you back and continue making you look and feel your best,” salon staff wrote in the Instagram post. The salon will reopen as KolorStudio, an employee told the Rag. The salon has two other UWS locations: 222 West 72nd Street (between Amsterdam and West End Avenue), and at 2490 Broadway (between West 93rd and 92nd streets.) (Thanks to Sue for the tip.)
PWR NYC 72, an Upper West Side personal and small group training fitness center, is opening a second location at 143 West 72nd Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues), in April. PWR NYC’s original location opened in July 2025 at 2284 Broadway (between West 82nd and 83rd streets). “PWR 72 is simply an extension of what we’ve built at our 82nd Street location. Thoughtful strength training, experienced coaching, and a supportive community,” owner Carolyn Osborne wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “The new space allows us to expand our team, train more clients and roll out ideas we’ve been excited to share with the neighborhood.” The location will have set times for small group training sessions on weekdays and weekends and other private sessions — including one-on-one and duet sessions — by appointment, with coaches working from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Osborne said. The fitness center is offering a pre-opening discount and founding client packages on their website. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
Mr. Byrdie’s Joint, a casual eatery serving late night snacks, is opening this spring at 988 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 108th and 109th streets), according to signage posted on the door. Founded by couple Jenice (Jae) and Jon, Mr. Byrdie’s Joint is a “mom-and-pop shop” that will serve “sandwiches, bites, wings and dessert,” Jenice wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “Our mission is simple: to create a welcoming neighborhood space where quality food, amazing flavor and modern uptown energy come together,” she wrote. “A place that feels just as right for Columbia students grabbing a late-night bite as it does for longtime Upper West Side families stopping in for something sweet.” There will be specials and promotions offered during the grand opening celebration. We will update with details when an opening date is announced. La Constancera, a Dominican fusion cafe, was previously in the space.
United Vein & Vascular Centers, a vein treatment center, leased a space at 21 West 86th Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue) in February, the leasing agent confirmed to West Side Rag. This will be the first location in New York, according to United Vein & Vascular Centers’ website. We will update when we have additional information.
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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And just like that there are some very helpful accommodating folks hanging around the Wendy’s front door who are more than happy to open the door for you, along with 4 – 5 e-bikes outside at all times, what a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
People holding open doors ruin EVERYTHING!!! Somebody needs to do something about these door-holders!!!
Oh my god, not bikes, anything but bikes!!
What’s the over/under on the first fight, assault or shooting at the Wendy’s ?
Gotta give the McDonalds on 71st and Broad a little competition!
There’s a McDonald’s on Broadway between 95 and 96 (so one block south of the Wendy’s), which doesn’t seem to have too many issues. (Disclaimer: I’ve never been inside/never eaten there; and there are, of course, the people who offer to open the door for you in exchange for money or “something to eat.”)
Last time I was in there after dark I really thought I might get mugged in the store.
The new weed dispensary Pure Blossoms opened on Amsterdam and 95th while the poster child of illegal weed bodegas, the one near Gail Brewer’s office on Columbus, is now an acai bowl shop. I guess that’s progress.
I’m going to miss Johnny Was’ pretty displays
The lack of affordable, quick and healthy food options that aren’t massive chains continued to be sad 🙁
That’s why we need Mamdani Mart!
There used to be a Wendy’s at approximately 99th Street and the east side of Broadway about 35 years ago.
This new Wendy’s is not the first one on the UWS. There was one on Broadway next to the Metro Theater on Broadway for many years during the 80s/90s
Yes, at 2628 Broadway, now the Ariel East apartments. It opened c. 1985.
I wish Mr. Byrdie’s a ton of luck. I live at 110/Amsterdam and have watched three previous restaurants cycle through that space in the past two years. First was the (unfortunately named) Eat Me N Go, then some sort of salad/smoothie place (I think they tried to bolster business by offering kids’ baking classes), then the most short-lived, La Constancera. The foot traffic there is actually pretty good, so I’m not sure why these restaurants keep going out of business. (Well, the name alone put me off Eat Me N Go….)
Mount Sinai Morningside is gross, dirty. and scary, and they do not maintain or secure the sidewalks. There are always tons of homeless and sketchy people near there. Many people are afraid to casually walk near there.
They’re going to need a LOT of luck for a place like that in that location. Going to be a lot of hours for them too.
Noticed that the Gelato Factory on Broadway between W 78th & 79th had closed and was being dismantled.
Would have loved this headline – “Johnny Was No Longer Is.”
So sad to report that Harvest Kitchen has gone upscale with its menu. Fewer options and no more tacos!!! It was the place of choice for many of us, for lunch, dinner, and after theater bar food. Also, I often had lunch meetings there because there were enough reasonably priced options for even the most picky eaters. And the owner and wait staff were always welcoming. Additionally, you could call for a reservation and didn’t have to go through Resy or another booking agent.
That Wendy’s will only resurrect Larry Hogue or someone like him. And I don’t think the violence interrupters are going to respond. Not even for free burgers.
The menu at United Vein doesn’t appeal to me at all.
Texas Rotisserie on 97th and Broadway is closing permanently according to a sign on the door. I will definitely miss them; they were my go to for a simple dinner.
OH NO!! I love getting their whole rotisserie chicken. I better order fast. thanks for the heads-up. 🙁
These openings and closings are happening at such break-neck speed. It might now be worth adding the side of the street (east, west; north, south) PLUS stretching “this location used to be the home of” by adding “which before that was the home of xyz, which before THAT housed abc.”
I swear in my mind I can see the Wiz logo somewhere behind that new Wendy’s facade.
I just noticed a couple of weeks ago that the Wiz logo was still hanging around 🙂
A Wendy’s? Ugh and why? Does our Community Board give approval on new places moving to our ‘hood? Yuk!
Your opinion is wrong. Wendy’s has excellent food and I love it.
it’s common for fast food restaurants to open near subway stops and especially express stops.
Isn’t the Wendy’s location where there was a Lenwich and Crispy Creme before the Gettir?
What was there before them? Let’s see how far back we can go.
I recall a healthy grocery store, but could be wrong.
You have the incorrect address of Kolorbar on West 72nd Street. Their flagship location. It is 222 West 72nd Street between BROADWAY and WEST END AVENUE
The Johnny Was space will become a Solomon activewear store.
It seems a Springbone Kitchen location may be opening at the vacant corner location at W86 and Columbus next to Beer Run. There were boxes being delivered and a sign saying to call if making deliveries for Springbone Kitchen.