By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Ansonia Cleaners, the longtime dry cleaners in the landmarked Ansonia building between Broadway and West End Avenue on 74th Street, is closing. “It has been a pleasure being part of a community for 22 years, getting to know you and having the support of so many wonderful people,” wrote owner Brian Chu in a letter posted on the storefront. “Having good neighbors like you was the motivation for me to serve all these years.” He will not renew the lease, so the business’s last day will be at the end of the month. Brian said that Mr. Lee, the tailor who works out of the shop and has many loyal clients, will be moving to All Being Clean, the dry cleaners at 262 West 77th Street. (Thanks to Gretchen for the tip.)

Lik, a fine art store featuring photographs by Peter Lik, is opening inside the Shops at Columbus Circle on the ground floor near the 60th Street entrance. Peter Lik is an award-winning photographer whose subjects range from landscapes and wildlife to cities and airplanes. Originally from Australia, Lik has several galleries in the US, including one in Soho. (Thanks to Mindi for the tip.)

The Avenue Bar & Kitchen opened on May 17th at 480 Amsterdam (corner of 83rd Street). The space was formerly occupied by Taco Tavern. Colum Flattery, one of the owners, previously ran the Lazy Boy Saloon, a bar and restaurant in White Plains. “I was famous there for creating exotic milkshakes, decorated with candy and chocolate,” he told the Rag in a phone call. His business partners own The Crooked Knife, a bar and restaurant with a few locations downtown.  

Flattery described The Avenue as “an Irish pub with a Southern influence.” The offerings, which include lunch, dinner and a full-bar menu, are burgers, sandwiches, salads, potato skins, wings, and ribs, as well as vegan options. Flattery also plans to sit down with the chef to make sure there are gluten-free items on the menu. The Avenue will serve cocktails on tap, including frozen margaritas and frozen pina coladas. There will also be frozen Irish coffee served all day. Flattery is the creator of Flattery’s Fiery Irish Sauce, which is sold on Amazon and will be the main hot sauce on the menu. As an Upper West Side resident, Flattery is looking forward to his next venture right in the neighborhood. “It is a fabulous space, I am excited to open and serve Upper West Siders.”

Screme Gelato Bar at 176 West 94th Street (at Amsterdam Ave) has closed. “The structure in which it was housed was totally removed,” writes tipster Karen. Screme is an outpost of Israel’s largest gelato company and has been at this location for a decade. It served a rotation selection of 200 kosher flavors. WSR tried calling the store but the phone number is disconnected.

Modern Day OptX, an eyeglasses store, is coming to 463 Amsterdam Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd Streets). The space was formerly KES, a women’s clothing store that closed in January. It was most recently the temporary home of The Drilling Room, a theatrical company, which landlord George Beane allowed to use the space while he was waiting for a new tenant to sign a lease. 

This will be the second Upper West Side location for Modern Day OptX. Vlad, the owner, has been at 585 Columbus (88th Street) for seven years. He hopes to open the new Amsterdam location in mid-summer. Modern Day OptX carries frames from Japan, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and other European countries. The store specializes in custom fittings. “I’ve seen what they do and it is a big step up from the usual eyeglass store,” writes landlord and tipster George.

Brodo, the walk-in broth shop at 2144 Broadway between 75th and 76th Streets, has closed. “Thank you for five great years in the neighborhood!” reads a sign posted on the storefront. The company’s original location in the East Village will remain open and its products are available to order online.