By Lisa Kava and Natalie Demaree
Springbone Kitchen, a health-focused cafe, is having a grand opening tomorrow at its new UWS location at 541 Columbus Avenue (at the northeast corner of West 86th Street). It is currently open for take out and delivery. Springbone was founded by two young professionals living in NYC who were looking for simple, nourishing, homemade food to go, according to the website. Menu items include various bowls, (chicken, salmon, veggie, tofu noodle), soups, and smoothies. Customers can also “build their own bowl” by selecting from the menu a base, sides, protein, toppings, and a sauce. Springbone Kitchen has 10 other locations in NYC, one in Washington D.C., and one in Millburn, N.J. The last tenant in the space was Three Star Coffee Shop, which closed in 2014. The space has been vacant since. (Thanks to Ben for the tip.)
The Green at the Davis Center, in the northern end of Central Park, will open for the season on April 16th. The Green is a recreational space open to the public, where people can gather to relax, picnic, and enjoy the outdoors. There will be community music and wellness events taking place throughout the spring and summer. On Saturday April 18th there will be lawn games, art workshops, and yoga sessions held. The Green is seasonal and replaces the new Gottesman Rink, the ice skating rink which closed for the season in March. (Thanks to Scott for the tip.)
Runaway Poppy, a gift shop, is moving from 2244 Broadway (between West 80th and West 81st streets), to 461 Amsterdam Avenue (at West 82nd Street), on April 16th. Runaway Poppy sells items such as ceramic bowls and mugs, photographic prints, jewelry, bags, greeting cards, and games. There will be an opening party with a DJ from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday April 16th. Owner Cara Milling had operated a holiday pop-up out of the space in December. Runaway Poppy’s last day in the Broadway space will be on April 12th, Milling told West Side Rag. Chalait, the matcha cafe which closed in November was previously in the space.
Vuori, an athleisure clothing store, located at 201 Columbus Avenue (between West 69th and 70th streets), is temporarily closed due to maintenance issues, according to signage on the door. A clerk at the Flatiron location told West Side Rag that a pipe burst in the store and there was some flooding. The clerk did not have a reopening date but said they would reopen as soon as repairs are completed. The sign directs customers to visit stores on the Upper East Side, Soho, Flatiron, or on Third Avenue.
Takeda, an omakase restaurant at 566 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 87th and West 88th streets), has closed and there is paper on the windows. A note to customers on the website says the restaurant is preparing to open a new location soon. Takeda has not yet responded to West Side Rag’s outreach. We will update if we receive more information on the new location. (Thanks to Marsha for the tip.)
Casasalvo, an Italian coffee shop at 473 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 82nd and West 83rd streets), is expected to reopen on April 13th, owner Salvatore Lo Castro wrote to West Side Rag in an email. The cafe has been temporarily closed since early February. Signage on the door had initially indicated a reopening in late February, and later changed the date to the end of March. There was a recent “urgent notice” from Con Ed taped to the door. Lo Castro wrote to West Side Rag that there had been an overdue invoice but that everything is now resolved. He is currently waiting for a delivery of new interior tables. (Thanks to Amy for the tip.)
Longwood Fish Market, a seafood market, opened on March 23rd at 903 Columbus Avenue (between West 104th and West 105th streets), market employees told the Rag. The market is open seven days a week and offers a wide selection of fresh and ready-to-eat seafood, fruits, vegetables and pantry essentials, according to its website. The space was previously occupied by another fish market called Moon Fish Market. Longwood Fish Market has one other location in the Bronx.
ICYMI: Edgar’s Cafe, a longtime Upper West Side cafe at 650 Amsterdam Avenue ( between West 91st and West 92nd streets), is closing on April 30th after 38 years in business. Read West Side Rag’s coverage 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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Why can’t we help the owner of Edgar’s stay open? What is his monthly rent?
You’re going to stop him from retiring? That’s what he’s doing.
He could retire, but someone else could take over! Why not??
That’s what everyone said about Absolute Bagels.
Are you planning to help in perpetuity? This isn’t like needing to pay off an old electric bill or one time expense.
38 years is an amazing run for any business. Maybe it’s just time to let go.
That is the problem with many businesses, especially restaurants.. They are not businesses but are jobs created by the owners. My guess is they try to sell the restaurant but but there were no takers.
Prices of main dishes at Springbone are $16-21 with beef, chicken or salmon. Soups are $8-10. I have not tried any yet. It seems the place is for delivery and pick up, not eat in, but that is to be determined. I intend to try in next week or so,
I eat lunch at the Springbone in midtown fairly regularly. The food is solid. And at least there is finally something in that vacant space after 12 years…
Ai description for Springbone: Springbone Kitchen offers both options, but it is primarily designed as a fast-casual, pick-up-and-go spot. While they specialize in quick, healthy takeout and delivery, most locations have limited indoor or outdoor seating available for dining in. It operates like a, “[…]Sweetgreen” or “Chipotle” style counter-service
So great to see something in that Columbus and 86th space! I’ll have to stroll down for lunch someday soon.
The whole block between 86th and 87th and Columbus has become a casual feast of sorts. On the west side there’s the dependable Columbus Cafe for sandwiches, etc., the delightful new Effy’s, an acai bowl place and Starbucks, about which nothing needs to be said. On the east side there’s the Plant Shed coffee shop, Beer Run and the new Springbone.. Have I missed anything? Anybody want to bring in a good bakery?
If you haven’t been to Casasalvo, definitely fix that when it reopens. One of the best and most underrated coffee spots in the UWS. And the food! The food!
And the nice people! I fervently hope Dave is wrong.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe Casasalvo will reopen. I saw someone comment recently that they were waiting for new coffee machines. Uh, OK… Now they’re waiting for new interior tables? Alrighty… I’ve done some research and it looks like all the other locations closed – I believe due to evictions. It’s a shame because he had great coffee and the store was a really nice addition to the neighborhood.
I’m with you. I’ll believe it when I see it. Seems like he’s giving everyone one line of BS after the next. I hope I’m wrong.
What is the advantage of lying in this context? Asking genuinely.
Maybe they hope to resolve issues and reopen, but aren’t sure and don’t want to explain the actual situation? Just guessing.
I don’t really know, but I’ve seen this happen many, many times. It’s pretty common. Maybe they think closing reflects poorly on their other business locations.
I love Runaway Poppy! Best of luck in the new location!
WSR pls check: The Green at Davis Center will be open April and May only, not all summer. The swimming pool underneath returns in June.
Oh no, Takeda!!!! Please stay in the neighborhood!!
I really hope Takeda stays in the neighborhood as well. It is truly an old school omakase gem, still completely traditional and truly excellent — one of NYC’s best omakase options flying oddly under the radar. Hopefully all the mid-range, more Americanized sushi joints that have opened up in the neighborhood do not squeeze Takeda out of the market. There is a time and place for mid-range omakase and a different time and place for the truly excellent, elegant, refined experience you get at Takeda.
I wonder why Edgars can no longer afford its ren. Are they making a new lease, or have costs gone up so much?
Oh please, Casasalvo, open again, we miss you!! I miss you!! The best coffee and pastries on the Upper West Side!! And fits my budget for my daily treat!
So true! Casasalvo is wonderful, I miss it a lot!❤️🇮🇹
Was disheartened to stop by today and find the place dark, with no signs of renovation activity—and that Con Ed “urgent notice” still on the door. Hoping for a small miracle on Monday . . . !