By Lisa Kava and Natalie Demaree
The Little Apple Toy Shoppe, a children’s toy store, is opening at 2484 Broadway (between West 92nd and West 93rd streets), in September, owner Jenn Mattie told West Side Rag. Mattie, an Upper West Sider and mom of three, helped open and manage the pop-up Poppie Toys, which was open from November 2023 through December 2025 on the corner of Broadway and West 83rd Street. Poppie Toys had operated under a month-to-month agreement with the landlord, while he searched for a permanent tenant.
When Poppie closed, Mattie decided to open a permanent toy store on the Upper West Side. “West Side Kids had closed after 35 years, leaving the UWS without a dedicated toy store,” she told the Rag. “The Little Apple Toy Shoppe focuses on open-ended imaginative play, sprinkled with vintage children’s items and decor,” Mattie said. “I also will have a sticker wall and a selection of small fun trinkets because I think it is important to have items that kids can spend their own money on when given the opportunity.” The Little Apple Toy Shoppe will carry art supplies, letter writing kits, and hand crafting kits for older children. Mattie plans to host hand crafting clubs and evening classes once the store is open. Exotic Munch, a convenience store and smoke shop, was previously in the space. (Thanks to Laura for the tip.)
Cassidy’s Dog Spa, a certified fear free dog grooming center, is opening on July 27th at 219 West 79th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue). The dog spa is affiliated with Cassidy Ingram Dog Training, located down the street at 252 West 79th Street. Fear Free grooming focuses on cooperative care, where dogs are given choice, control, and can actively participate in the activity, a representative explained to West Side Rag on a phone call. Cassidy Ingram’s experienced trainers have been working with the bathing team and grooming crew in preparation for the opening of the dog spa, the representative said. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by appointment only. Cassidy’s Dog Spa will be open to the public; dogs and their owners do not need to be enrolled in the training center. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
Corcoran, a luxury real estate company, closed its office at 221 Columbus Avenue (at West 70th Street), in early June, a company real estate agent told West Side Rag on a phone call. Agents who worked at that location moved into the Corcoran office at 157 Columbus Avenue (between West 68th and West 67th streets), the agent said. “Corcoran previously operated two offices within three blocks of one another,” a Corcoran spokesperson wrote to the Rag in an email. “As agents continue to work more flexibly, maintaining both locations was no longer necessary.” The company has 10 other offices across New York City, and the remaining Columbus Avenue office is the only Upper West Side location. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
Two Mount Sinai ObGyn faculty practice groups moved from 50 West 77th Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue), to 348 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 76th and West 77th streets), on June 8th, a spokesperson confirmed to West Side Rag in an email. The new space is 7,000 square feet and features brand new equipment. “It offers obstetrics, gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and midwifery,” the spokesperson wrote, noting that the practices are accepting new patients. The space was previously Modell’s, the sporting goods store which closed in 2020. It has since been vacant.
ICYMI:
Tal Bagels, at 2446 Broadway (between West 90th and West 91st streets), has been closed by the Health Department. Read West Side Rag’s coverage of this news here.
Cheesy Pizza, a long time pizzeria, at 2640 Broadway ( at West 100th Street), appears to be permanently closed. Read West Side Rag’s coverage of this news 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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Very excited about the toy store. Though my kids have largely aged out, I think this is a very important resource to have in the neighborhood – I miss West Side Kids. Hopefully everyone will step away from their computers, leave their apartments, and shop in a neighborhood business. Best of luck to them!
Poppie was phenomenal. I’m sure this will be a great addition to the area!
Seems like a huge upgrade on Exotic Munch!!!
We need more toys, trinkets, gift stores on the UWS.
So excited for the toy store! That’s amazing news. Looking forward to the crafting clubs and evening classes as well
“Where dogs are given choice, control, and can actively participate in the [grooming] activity”. Having lived with terriers for 30 years, I just don’t think that’s a great idea….might work with Golden Retrievers, though.
If you’ve never had to cope with a traumatized rescue who fears loud noises or involuntary handling, this can seem a little silly. But those of us who have taken on that responsibility are grateful for any good opportunity not to compound their trauma further.
One other opening that surprised me. Kiro (a chiropractor) took over the long vacant space next to Holy Schnitzel on Amsterdam between 91st and 92nd. That space had been a local pharmacy that closed pre-pandemic. Space looks ready to open.
Wow! I walked by there very recently and shook my head that it was still vacant. Peter’s Pharmacy closed WAY pre-pandemic! Like 2013 or so. Glad it’s finally rented. Crazy. (Loved Peter!)
I think maybe even before that, no? Maybe 2011?
There seem to be ENT doctors offices opening where the old bed bath and beyond used to be on Broadway on the south west corner of 90th Street. It had been vacant for years. It was a Gristedes prior to BBB
It was Food Emporium
Food Emporium. Seems like a huge space for that!
They had to leave the sign up?
There’s a nail salon opening near 99th and Broadway. I walked by this morning and saw pedicure chairs.
A NAIL SALON? Those are so rare on the UWS. In all honesty though, it blows my mind that there is enough business for all the salons.
I have an intuition about all these nail salons. They’re all over Chelsea, and believe me, they do more than mani/pedi. Once you’ve seen what’s crawling around them in the Penn Station area and below, you’ll learn how to do your own nails like I do.
Nordstrom’s has added a toy section – next to children’s clothing.
Any news on that long-promised NYU Langone in the space of the former Gracious Home on 66th and Broadway?
Ok, so tho may sound a bit far fetched but…
Browsing toy stores are fun for adults, seniors, etc. .so what about our new toy store partnering with local charities? We empty nesters enjoy browsing, reminiscing and purchasing a toy – or 2 that will be then donated to a child in need? Will help support both our new neighborhood business and put a smile on a child’s face? Win/Win.
The pet supply store at the NE corner of Columbus and 92nd has a sign saying it’s closing at the end of the month