A new Magnolia Bakery is opening in the former home of Grom at 1796 Broadway in Columbus Circle (between 58th and 59th). The shop is expected to be a smaller express-type store and we hear it could open as soon as next month (though their corporate people haven’t given us a date yet). Thank to Jaclyn for the tip.
Paper Source has opened on the third floor of the Shops at Columbus Circle.
Earth Cafe at 97th and Broadway has closed for good, Patch reported. We’d been hearing for a few days that the place had closed unexpectedly after being open for takeout and delivery. Andrew Rigie, who took the photo above, wrote on Twitter that it looked like they were packing the place up inside. No reason was given for the closure. Earth Cafe was open for five years.
Pastrami Queen, which is replacing Fine & Schapiro at 138 West 72nd Street, is now expected to open October 1st, according to tipster Iris, who spoke to the owner. “They did a total renovation and looks very nice and clean,” she wrote. Pastrami Queen is famous for pastrami — like Anthony-Bourdain-loved-it famous. We last wrote about it here. Thanks to Mr. Friebe for the photo.
Bummer about Earth Cafe, but it seems like everything is closing on the UWS, particularly the small, independent businesses, which were the heart and soul of the area. Wish this was something our local pols cared about and focused on.
This is a worldwide problem resulting from a pandemic. What can local pols do?
PASTRAMI QUEEN 4 LIFE!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH
Best chopped liver I have had
Is Earth Cafe where Blimpie used to be? Because I would really like to have Blimpie back. And I am also eager to try Pastrami Queen. Yum! I hope their prices are reasonable – happy to pay a premium for quality but I have my limits.
What do you consider reasonable?
Their east side location charges $20-25 for an overstuffed sandwich.
I think $20 max is reasonable.
That just shows you how ludicrously silly it’s gotten to.
Not that, lol
Cue the “I can’t wait” comments for Pastrami Queen
Cue the “I can’t wait to comment on the people who can’t wait to comment.”
Very sad about Earth Cafe. It was a bright spot that lit up the block (which was much needed as homeless like to frequent the nearby Broadway sidewalks).
Hopefully it doesn’t stay vacant for years…
Isn’t Venchi opening in the prior Grom space?
Just noticed yesterday that Recolte, a bakery/cafe on 74th St. and Amsterdam, has closed. As did Mighty Bowl on Amsterdam between 75th and 76th. I was told by the proprietor of V.I.P. Cleaners, also on that block, that they have lost 80% of their business. So sad.
Yes, Recolte has been closed since early in the Covid-19 shutdown. The space is for rent. Lots of small businesses go in and out of existence in that block. BTW, does anyone know what is happening with the Cottage Chinese restaurant on 77th/Amsterdam?
Heard that it’s closed for good. So sad – their Szechuan dumplings were absolutely the best. 32 years in business and “poof, it’s gone”.😞😢🙁
I checked Cottage this weekend and I believe there were construction signs on the door. That was my go-to Chinese place – looking for a replacement. We like Handy Nasty but if we are just getting the basics I could go somewhere a little simpler, and they don’t have all of the “Chinese menu” staples. Any suggestions?
Legend 72.
Hope they hire some of the Fine & Shapiro employees!!
Looking forward to trying Pastrami Queen. Expensive, but great for a once in a while treat! Thanks for the update, WSR.
Fine & Shapiro needs to take down their website. I almost ordered from them last week.
Whenever I find myself near Lenox Hill, I always stop at Pastrami Queen. A great get.
If the pastrami is identical to their UES location, that would be a shame. I hope it won’t!
The west side has long been needing a deli with good Jewish soul food. Fine and Shapiro and Artie’s were not at the same level of excellence as is Pastrami Queen.
Don’t forget to take your Statin pill!
Was that the same Magnolia as in Chip & Joanne?
NYC’s Magnolia Bakery loooonnngg outdates Chip and Joanna. Not that I don’t love them, just sayin’
Yes, the original West Village Magnolia bakery long predates Chip and Joanne. It is from the Sex and the City days! Carrie used to wait on line.
No. They have nothing in common. Magnolia started in the Village and grew from there. They opened long before the Texas based Magnolia Homes.
Let’s hope not.
I keep telling people, local politicians, Helen, Linda, Danny O’Donnell and De Blasio are ruining our neighborhood. I am a small business owner and I call 911 often to help with vagrants who are also dangerous, hanging by our store. Instead of working on my business to survive, I am constantly fighting with troubling individuals who scare customers and make them uncomfortable. So many people ignore how the small business owners feel & then are sorry when the business is gone. When will people get it? We need a clean safe neighborhood for businesses to survive. It’s not the landlords.
I call shenanigans, what business do you run and what’s your name?
I thought Pastrami Queen was already open!! I ordered from there on Seamless- thought it came from 72nd street ?!?!
It does appear that 72nd St is open for delivery through GrubHub. A little pricey though, $11 for a bowl of chicken soup and $20 for a hamburger. The lowest end of the price range for sandwiches is $14 for egg salad. 🙁
It’s kosher meat. The prices are higher because they have to pay double or more for the raw meat. The rent must be a fortune as well, as it is for every business on 72nd.
I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks for the feedback!
The Parlor at 86th between Broadway and West End has reopened. It’s really nice to see their lights back on.
This may be old news, but Sunflower Cafe on 93rd and Amsterdam also permanently closed.
Yes, and good riddance. I have had a number of meals there (to accommodate Kosher folks) and each experience was worse than the previous.
Sad to see Earth Cafe close, it was a great spot for a weekend morning coffee/pastry, and the paper – always bright and cheerful. I hope the next tenant is another cafe (nothing against Blimpie, the tenant of yesteryear). And while belated, tough to see the Starbucks on 99th/Bway go too, it was a good hangout spot and meeting place.
Very very sad about Earth Cafe…
Juan – We used to go to Szechuan Garden on 105 for really good Chinese but that seems shuttered for the time being. Now when we want Chinese, it’s Jing Fong (which has more than dim sum ie really terrific beef chow fun). I noticed some smaller take-out places up Amsterdam but can’t speak for whether they are any good. Korean Fried chicken on Amsterdam and 80 (coshare w the sushi nonaka) is very satisfying.
Note to Pastrami Queen: The 2 guys who worked the cash register at Fine and Schapiro, which was the prior occupant of your space, were 2 of the unfriendliest people I have ever came across in my life. This is New York City. People can be a little gruff. But they were ridiculous.
Wow, I find your bad experience very surprising. In my 20+ years in the neighborhood, I always found everyone at F&S (including the guys at the cash register) to be very friendly.
I’m looking forward to Pastrami Queen, but I miss F&S and I wish all of the F&S people — owners and employees — well.
They were the owners of F + S. You’ll never see them again.
Interesting that we had such a different experience. I assumed they were the owners or managers, and they were always friendly to everyone when I was there. In any case, what does this have to do with the new owners? Have they hired the old staff of F&S?
They were the owners (Russian), of Fine and Shapiro. Don’t worry, you’ll never see them again.
Pastrami Queen or Katz?????
I’m moving back to the UWS after the zombie apocalypse and when deBlasio is facing trial… due to this great restaurant. Consistently the best deli
Any update on Pastrami Queen? It’s October 2, and their website still links to an old Westside Rag article about a future opening…
Pastrami Queen!! There goes my blood pressure.
No, not GROM!! That truly sucks 😭