By Lisa Kava and Natalie Demaree
Pier i Cafe, a seasonal cafe in Riverside Park at West 70th Street, reopened on Tuesday, April 14th. Current hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week (weather dependent), but those hours will increase as the weather gets warmer. The cafe is popular with bikers, walkers, and those looking for a sunset view over the Hudson River. Pier i Cafe serves salads, tacos, burgers, shareable snacks, and ice cream. It also serves coffee, cold drinks, and cocktails. Updates will be posted on the cafe’s Instagram page.
Aristo Paws, a luxury grooming and boutique pet spa, opened on April 1st at 229 West 101st Street (on the corner of Broadway), owner Molly Lu told West Side Rag. The salon was inspired by her five-month-old maltipoo puppy, Lucky. Lu hired the entire team (Jose, Arturo Martha, Delfina, and Lazaro) from A Cut Above’s West 83rd Street location, which closed in March. “They were looking for work, and I was looking for great stylists,” she told the Rag on a phone call. Aristo Paws is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and offers pet haircuts, baths, nail trims, ear cleanings, tooth brushing, flea treatments, and more, Lu said. Cathedral Dog & Cat Hospital, which closed in 2024, was previously in the space. (Thanks to Mary for the tip.)
Pure Green, an acai bowl, juice, and smoothie shop, is opening on Friday, April 17th at 2041 Broadway (between West 70th and West 71st streets). This will be the eighth location in New York City for the chain, which has locations nationwide. The owner of the UWS franchise is Michael Trenk, who also owns Prohibition, the bar and lounge at 503 Columbus Avenue (between West 84th and West 85th streets). Pinkberry, the frozen yogurt shop which closed in September, was previously in the space.
Collars & Co., a men’s clothing shop which specializes in shirts with collars, has signage up at 128A Columbus Avenue (at West 69th Street). The store sells short- and long-sleeve polo shirts, sweaters (crew neck, quarter zips, and cardigans), and blazers. This will be the first location in New York for the brand, which has stores in Maryland, Texas, Florida, Illinois, California, and Pennsylvania. We will update when we have an expected opening date. M.M. Le Fleur, the clothing store which closed at the end of March, was previously in the space.
Molly Tea, a tea chain focused on floral-scented Chinese teas, is “opening soon” at 2857 Broadway (between West 110th Street and West 111th Street), according to signage and the brand’s website. The shop will serve milk teas, iced teas, fruit teas, and matcha. Molly Tea has locations in Chinatown, Brooklyn, and Queens. Pressed Juicery, which closed in December, was previously in the space. (Thanks to Jillian for the tip.)
Upside Deli, a 24-hour deli and grocery store, opened on April 13th at 2606 Broadway (between West 98th and West 99th streets). The store sells sandwiches, salads, paninis, wraps, smoothies, fresh squeezed juice, croissants, and pastries. A Spring/T-Mobile store was previously in the space. (Thanks to Dana and Karen for the tip.)
Prestige Cafe & Market has signage up at 600 Columbus Avenue (on the corner of West 89th Street and Columbus Avenue). The 24-hour market is set to open this summer, owner Bejad Musleh told the Rag in an email. “We are very excited about becoming a part of the Upper West Side community,” Musleh said. The market will have organic groceries for purchase along with a cafe, bakery, salad bar, juice bar, and options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A 7-Eleven convenience store was previously in the space. (Thanks to Angelo for the tip.)
Two local politicians have opened campaign offices on the Upper West Side:
Micah Lasher, a candidate for New York’s 12th congressional district, which covers the Upper West Side and other neighborhoods, is operating his office at 324 Columbus Avenue (between West 75th and West 76th streets). Teddy’s Collection, a gift shop which closed in March, was previously in the space.
Eli Northrup, a candidate for New York State Assembly District 69, is operating his office at 2740 Broadway (at West 105th Street). Silver Moon Bakery, which closed in March 2025, was previously in the space. Assembly District 69 covers a large portion of the Upper West Side Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley and part of West Harlem.
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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Every year, that stretch on Morningside Heights resembles Chinatown/Flushing more and more
(Not complaining, I think it’s great!)
Perhaps, but how many Chinese/bubble/boba tea places does a neighborhood need?
I believe there are now 5-6 tea shops in a 10 block radius
Like a more upscale Chinatown or Flushing. The stores are beautiful (not saying they are not in Flushing, but the aesthetic is different. I wonder. Are there more Chinese students at Columbia than there used to be, or is it that the Chinese students are now coming from wealthier families? I am curious because the population doesn’t seem any different from 10 years ago or so but the commercial landscape has really changed.
As a resident in the area, I can unequivocally state that the population has shifted very dramatically in the past decade or so. The neighborhood is much more Asian now.
I remember when the place for Asian was the Moon Palace, upstairs about 111th & Broadway. Whenever I ate there, a woman with Edith-Head-style bangs, bun, & round glasses was always seated sipping a martini. A famous editor or writer I always presumed.
The New Moon (or New Moon Inn?) was upstairs on the east side of Broadway between 109th and 110th St.
The Moon Palace was street level at 112th and Broadway (nearly at the SW corner).
Both were favorite haunts of ours when I worked at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (at 112th and Broadway, above Tom’s Restaurant). I still mourn the final passing of the Moon Palace, which was the last to come and the last to go.
That’s a blast from the past.
Now that Lasher’s opened an office on Columbus Ave — maybe he can stop sending flyers out in the mail. My hands are tired of all that shredding!
Why would you be shredding non-confidential trash? Straight to the recycle bin instead?
Every time I read the openings/closings column I hope for some sort of target/bed bath beyond/harmon face values to open up in the 70s or 80s. I know BBB went under but i miss having that sort of general goods store that this old lady can walk to!
Not the same, but you can find a lot of household items and cleaning supplies at the hardware store on the west side of Broadway near 84th St. I think it’s called Basics Plus. The staff is great, and I’ve occasionally gotten discounts without asking. I find it much preferable to the recently-opened hardware store on Broadway near 87th, Mega Hardware.
Wouldn’t the old Gristede’s space at 86th & Broadway be perfect for that?
For what it’s worth there is a large “For Rent” sign hanging in the window of what was Broadway Farms.
WSR just did a story on Broadway Farms. Maybe they forgot to take down the sign? I hope the deal didn’t fall through. It’s nice to see so many new openings!
https://www.westsiderag.com/2026/04/02/uws-broadway-farm-grocery-store-to-reopen-under-new-ownership-workers-say
No news on the Staples/West Side Market?
@ WSR
You wrote, “bikers.” Did you mean, “bicyclists”?
My Webster’s dictionary defines “biker” as someone who rides a bicycle. And according to Webster, Its first known use was in 1883.
Hmm, were you confused by the term ‘bikers’ … kind of picky – or maybe you just need that apple on your desk ~!
People can use words however they like–and many words have more than one meaning, use or interpretation–but I believe the term “bikers” typically applies to motorcyclists much more than bicyclists. Yes, for a split second I was confused. Many writers or editors care about that sort of thing.
Yes morningside and Manhattan valley have seen increase in Asian population mostly students…enjoy these products while they last. What happened to Luckin coffee on 108th Street? When is it opening? Love to have a good Cantonese dimsum restaurant or a good Jewish deli in the neighborhood.
Has anyone tried to reach Effy, from Effys hair salon. The WSR previously posted that he is still in business, but at a shared location, and gave a contact number to schedulean appointment. Also, on the door of the old space, there is a sign saying to call this number and make an appointment. I tried several times recently and it says the voicemail for this account has not been set up yet. Just curious…
I recently had a haircut with Effy at a hair salon on the north east corner of 101 street and Broadway (next best copy store). I believe he’s working there only a a couple of days a week.