There have been some changes in the past few weeks at a variety of Upper West Side retailers.
Anik, a women’s clothing store on Amsterdam Avenue between 72nd and 73rd, announced shortly before New Year’s that it was having a going-out of business sale. It will apparently be replaced by a liquor store called El Rojo, which is seeking a liquor license.
DOT, a new store selling girl’s clothing, just opened in the former home of Granny Made on Amsterdam between 82nd and 83rd. Thanks to Shari for the tip. More info here.
Rose’s Carpet on Amsterdam and 89th street closed a few weeks ago. They’ve reopened on 87th and Amsterdam on the other side of the street, but now they’re called Amsterdam Carpets, an employee told us. Thanks to many people for the tips.
Ehrlich’s Wines & Spirits on 70th street and Amsterdam closed suddenly a few days ago, and says it plans to reopen next month. The store was also shut down temporarily in November by the NYPD, but police never explained the reason. A message on the store’s answering machine says it will reopen in February, but offers no explanation for the closure. The store’s liquor license remains active, according to the New York State Liquor Authority. Thanks to Laura for the tip and photo.
New luxury clothing store Vince has been open for a few weeks on Columbus between 71st and 72nd streets. More on their clothes here.
The Radio Shack on Broadway between 102nd and 103rd closed a few months ago.
Shanghai Red Spa II on 94th and Columbus Avenue will become a dentist’s office. Thanks to Ira Glasser for the tip.
Yapple/Screme on Broadway 70/71 has closed. It was very good!
Is it really called Amsterdam Caroptes?
Typo! Sorry. Avi
Rose’s Carpet closing odd. They bugged out of their long-time (I think 20+ years) location in one day with no ‘we’re moving’ / ‘we’ve moved’ signage before or after. The carpet store that opened two blocks south has no visible connection to Rose’s.
Ken,
The store 2 blocks south on Amsterdam (east side) is the new location of Roses Carpet-they just have not gotten their sign up yet.
Soon there will be no stores left. Just banks and Deanne Reeds; Plus i-phone stores. All the fun stores gone: all the medium priced restaurants gone already. …. The more up-market suburbs are a lot more interesting in every way these days! So sad.
Banks and pharmacies may seem to be cropping up everywhere, but the reality is that they only represent a small portion of the retail space available on the UWS. No actual studies comparing square footage or storefront linear footage have been done. Even Gale Brewer’s remark that she had more than 70 banks in her district, did not take into account the numbers of people serviced by those banks and how many properties actually housed banks. Rapid changes in technology have made many of the small stores obsolete. Internet, Google, Amazon, E-Bay, UPS and FedEx make it real easy to get products without having to go to the store. Duane Reade is today’s equivalent of Woolworths filling in the niches that online services can’t. The banks are changing to service the customers of the UWS. The small businesses that are thriving, provide products and services that are not readily accessible in the larger stores. Urban renewal projects of the 50’s and 60’s and zoning ordinances left huge business dead zones. The UWS is an ecosystem that evolves and is constantly adjusting itself. We will probably see more surprising changes as time goes on.
Yes, sad when a business goes under.
BUT, the rest of comment is an untrue.
Just look at the openings and closings – a boutique replaces another one, a liquor stores closes and another opens up.
It is not just banks and pharmacies (both of which are necessary and needed btw..). It is the circle of the business life, they open and they close. Still plenty of interesting and cool retail and of course the architecture – I am more sad when i see an old building be replaced by a modern bland box (the Letard at 78th and bway the latest).
Regarding Erhlichs, love the old neon sign and good memories of buying there back in the day. That said, look at that photo – the roll down gate covered in graffiti is an eyesore and creates a streetscape that is forbidding. Besides, roll down gates are not necessary in 2014 and actually have been outlawed. Open gates are better for the business too as if someone is burglarizing , they can be seen.
wait, I think Erchichs removed the old neon sign, if so , then really unique left.
Also if you don’t like the UWS retail, may i suggest a walk uptown or down? Entrepenours have opened up new places and restaurants all over Harlem and Hells Kitchen.
You’all need to get our more!
Hear, hear!
I am told that Radio Shack will be opening another store on Broadway between 96th & 97th, in the Columbia Condominium.
Do you have any news on why Verizon land line service is out in the area of Broadway and 67th/68th. We have not been able to get any information and haven’t had a land line since Dec. 10. Nobody is talking…