By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Kyuramen (pronounced “q-ramen”), a Japanese restaurant, has opened at 2787 Broadway between 107th and 108th Street. “The interior has been carved into a series of curtained rooms, each with one table, so I guess you could call it ‘Covid-friendly’!” writes tipster Barbara. The chain has several locations in New York City, but this is their first on the Upper West Side. Last year, Eater put it on their list of the best ramen places in NYC and named the “mega” – which has sliced pork and shrimp in a pork broth – as their favorite dish. It’s open from 11am to 10pm daily. (Thanks to Lily for the tip.)
Laytner’s Linen & Home, a mainstay on the corner of Broadway and 82nd Street, has closed its doors after more than six decades on the Upper West Side. “The way the world works with instant delivery on the internet, it’s hard to be a local merchant keeping inventory on hand,” owner Alan Laytner previously told WSR. There are photos posted in the storefront showing the history of the shop, which started out selling newspapers, coffee and egg creams. Alan said he plans to do seasonal pop-ups, rather than opening another retail space.
Friedman’s – the American style, gluten-free restaurant – is moving a block East along 72nd Street on October 24th. The relocation takes it from 130 West 72nd to 50 West 72nd between Central Park West and Columbus, replacing its sister restaurant Community Food & Juice, which is under the same ownership. “We will have an expanded kitchen, which will allow our team to expand our menu and stay true to Friedman’s as strictly gluten free,” Jonah Phillips, Managing Partner at Friedman’s Restaurant Group, wrote to WSR. While Community will go back to having one location near Columbia University, favorites menu items from Community will still be available at the new Friedman’s location. “We are bringing the best of both to one beautiful restaurant,” he said. In a review of Friedman’s Chelsea location, The Infatuation wrote that “The GF waffles here could take on their wheaty counterparts any day of the week.”
One Medical, a membership-based primary care practice, is opening an office on Broadway between 99th and 100th Street. The company works with insurance providers and charges $199 to adults under 65 for an annual membership. Their services include: urgent care, preventative health, mental health, child care and chronic conditions, among others. Appointments are also available over video chat. They have many locations across the city, including one already on the UWS at 252 West 81st Street. (Thanks to Gary for the tip.)
The OrangeTheory group workout studio on 92nd Street is closing temporarily for the month of November (1st to 30th) to have its HVAC installed. Members can either visit OrangeTheory’s other locations (they have a UWS location at 72nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus) or have a complimentary freeze on their membership for the month. The OrangeTheory brand of high intensity interval training combines lifting weights, rowing and running on a treadmill. “It’s a challenging workout, at the same time it feels like we’re all working together to achieve personal goals,” one loyal Upper West Side client described the OrangeTheory classes to WSR.
Laytner’s Linens had so many “We’re closing” sales that they were being considered for the Guinness Book of World Records; I guess that this last one was for real . . .
I wish the last time had been for real because Pricewise was slated to move into that space. I’m sorry to see Laytner’s go – but if it was inevitable, it would have been nice to still have Pricewise around.
I’m a loyal PW customer , , , on occassion I take that crosstown bus.
More closings than openings. Sad.
We’ll miss Laytner’s. It has lovely merch.
Freidman’s isn’t a gluten-free restaurant FYI
Edit: I thought they were based on their website
https://www.friedmansrestaurant.com/about/
But, I see that their menu now says things like “gluten free bread available”
What are things the Community Board can do to help foster the return of small businesses and fill stores? When will we stop defaulting to the “Covid excuse”,” greedy landlords, or how things are tough all over. Some neighborhoods are clearly doing much better. Is this a role that falls under the realm of what appointed Community Board members should be doing? Look at the stretch on Columbus earmarked for the weekly Open Streets program. We could use stores there to justify the traffic disruptions.
If you’re relying on a Community Board to fix a widespread economic and social predicament, then you’ll be sorely disappointed.
LN Siger:
Yes you’re right. So many neighborhoods are up and thriving. The Upper East Side is full of stores and restaurants and safe at night. Broadway from the upper 60’s to about 86th st. Is a wasteland. Again we say, the wandering hostile homeless and the filthy streets keep store owners away. Who wants to be here? We don’t. Of course its our Community Board that seems to approve of this neighborhood being a dumping ground. Again we ask, why is there a filthy roach infested can recycling machine attached to the equally dirty “Fairway” on Broadway/75th? Even police and security guards wonder how a neighborhood allows this. Gale Brewer and CB are responsible …are they helpless, blind to this, or have they been “persuaded” to do nothing.
Very sad about Laytner’s. Their prices were fair, selection excellent, and superlative service. Very comfortable place to shop. I live in the Gramercy area, but always made the trek to the 80’s to shop there. Same time going to Harry’s Shoes and Zabars.
Friedman’s is completely gluten free??? I’ve had sandwiches from there so many times and never would have guessed…