There’s been more turnover among small businesses on the Upper West Side, including a store closing on Columbus Avenue that has been around for nearly two decades.

Brief Encounters, a lingerie store on the corner of 71st and Columbus, is closing after 18 years with a going-out-of-business sale. A sign on the window says “Retiring. Thank You for 18 Wonderful Years!”

There is paper over the windows at Space NK Apothecary, a cosmetics and skincare product store on Columbus between 69th and 70th, and the interior has been gutted.

Avventura, the glass store on Amsterdam between 82nd and 83rd, plans to close in the next few weeks “for a number of reasons,” an employee told us. According to a fan on Yelp, the store has been around for more than 20 years.

The 79th Street Pharmacy opened earlier this year on 79th between Broadway and Amsterdam. Despite the proliferation of big box pharmacies throughout the neighborhood, owners Keith Lewis and Larry Hoss are counting on strong service to keep locals coming back. They plan to work with local schools and hold healthy living seminars for seniors. There’s a Duane Reade just down the block on Amsterdam. Which one will you go to?

A new hair salon called Blow Out opened at 908 Amsterdam Avenue between 104th and 105th.

Thanks to Jaime, John, Jan, Michael, and Shari for the tips. Do you ever think to yourself I need to tell West Side Rag about this? Do it! Email info@westsiderag dot com.