By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Albanian Universe Hair Salon opened on July 5th at 2664 Broadway (between West 101st and 102nd streets). Albanian Universe is owned by mother and daughter Florentina and Dea Shiqerukaj who moved to NYC from Albania in 2018. Florentina has been working as a hair stylist for 18 years and owned a salon in Albania. Since moving to New York, she worked in various hair salons in Manhattan and Queens but it was her dream to open her own salon here. Dea, a college student studying business management, is running the business side of the salon and currently interviewing stylists. Services offered include cut, color, blow-outs, and styling. They will soon be offering keratin treatments, Dea said. “The Upper West Side is such a beautiful melting pot of different cultures,” Dea told West Side Rag in a phone interview. “We are excited to be a part of it and offer our services.” The space was formerly another hair salon called The Color Room, which relocated to West 96th Street. (Thanks to Katherine for the tip.)
Ophira Aesthetics, a beauty spa for cosmetic procedures, is planning to open on July 21st at 228 West 82nd Street (between Amsterdam and Broadway). Jenny Hafitz, the owner, has more than two decades of experience in cosmetics and this is her first venture. “The reason why I like this neighborhood is because […] everyone knows each other. It’s a family-oriented area and that’s how I want to build my business,” she told the Rag. Aesthetic services will include botox injections, microblading, hair restoration, and more. “Quality versus quantity is my goal,” she said. “To give people the best treatment that they can get.”
Raising Cane’s, a chicken finger restaurant, is planning to open at 2850 Broadway between West 110th and 111th streets, a representative confirmed. Construction on the space – which used to be home to Mel’s Burger Bar, which closed late last year – is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025 and the restaurant will be ready to open in the fall. Raising Cane’s is a national chain that originated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and already has a few restaurants in NYC, including in Harlem, Midtown, and near Union Square. The restaurant is named after the founder’s Labrador Retriever. (Thanks to Nancy and Jill for the tips.)
Village Square Pizza has re-opened its location at Broadway between West 92nd and West 93rd streets. This pizza shop had been closed since February to fix an issue with the gas meter, which arose just a few months after opening on the UWS. “It’s a long, lengthy and costly process to get it back on,” a representative wrote to WSR. “We’re back and running and hoping we can get back some of the momentum from 6-7 months ago.” Village Square opened its first location in the East Village in 2019 and now also has pizza shops in the West Village, Midtown, and on the Upper East Side. Another pizzeria, Perfecto Ristorante, which closed in December 2022, was previously in the space. (Thanks to Lizzie for the tip.)
Bleecker Trading, a shop for buying and selling cards, memorabilia, and other collectibles, is opening this July at 185 West 80th Street off of Amsterdam Avenue. The shop specializes in basketball and baseball cards, as well as cards from other sports leagues, and games like Pokémon. The trading card store also has a location downtown at 96 Christopher Street, which hosts events such as trading nights and showcases. The space used to be Sample Size Social, a pet grooming salon. (Thanks to Angie for the tip.)
Only one of the original 40 shops that opened eight years ago is still open today at the Turnstyle Underground Market, a collection of retail spaces in the 59th Street-Columbus Circle 1/A/C/B/D subway station, The New York Times reported. The article highlights how many of the MTA’s retail locations have closed since the pandemic, and business remains slow: Of the 195 retail spots across the subway system, “54 are open, the authority said, while another 18 are under construction and 31 are in lease negotiations.” On its website, Turnstyle lists 12 food options (including Down Under Coffee, Doughnuttery, and Panda Bubble Tea) and 10 shops (including Lush cosmetics, QB House, a place for quick haircuts, and ByTeno fashion accessories).
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Does anyone know what are the plans for the Jacob’s Pickles move to 93rd and Columbus? I walked by yesterday and nothing has been started. I don’t think they will open any time before fall 2024.
It looked like there was some construction going on inside when I walked by yesterday… so potentially the build is getting started now?
Now that Village Square has reopened – any news on Taiim? Assuming they had the same issue with the gas meter.
Good question. Apparently gas issues are common in the neighborhood. Marinara Pizza on 97th/Broadway opened and then closed because of gas issues.. and then the new Carvel ice cream shop a block south of it did the same… would be great to get some reporting on what is going on.
Anyone living in a PW bldg knows the drill. Takes months, sometimes years.
What is PW?
Yes, it took 4 years in my building, and the gas to my stove still has not been turned on (Con Ed will not schedule an appointment; they just want to show up whenever they want).
Marinara Pizza on 96th also had a gas meter issue. Been closed for a long while.
Turnstyle Underground Market always struck me as a bad idea, and time has not proven me wrong. I walked through it many times when more of the shops were open and found myself wanting to get out quickly. The low ceilings, stagnant air and tunnel-like layout were depressingly reminiscent of being in the subway, which of course was exactly where I was. Bottom line (so to speak): Who wants to hang around underground longer than necessary?
The only underground-subway shops I recall being busy all year long (and this was years ago) were the shops under Rockefeller Plaza, 50th Street Station. They were doing brisk business with a place to buy or sell gold coins or small bars or silver or gold. A high end purse store. Several shoe stores. Several clothing stores, place for leather goods, etc. Plus some sandwich shops and produce markets. It was always busy.
Yes, didn’t work out. The barbershop does well I think. Very common concept in Asia, but the subway systems are more welcoming 😉
You’re 100% right – In Japan the shops surrounding their subway/train system are mobbed. There are fresh markets, bakeries, restaurants with take out, stationary shops, clothing stores, etc. They are extremely popular especially during rush hours in the AM and PM. The food they sell are made in front of you, so fresh, the baked goods are often still warm. And then there are just regular grocery and sundry stores to stock-up on whatever you need. Fresh green tea leaves and macha sold by the ounce. It’s amazing there.
Reg Underground Market : I’ve been living in the area for 15 years and I went down there once. Who wants to shop in the subway? The Columbus Circle stores above ground, with the exception of WF can barely survive. Williams Sonoma is for people who can print money. The others change names every few months it seems.
I really don’t think a chain chicken finger restaurant (that’s all they have as far as I can see) is what the neighborhood needs. Way to abdicate cultural responsibility, Columbia.
Cane’s is a phenomenon. Wherever they are they are mobbed 24/7. The prices are fairly reasonable, the chicken is good. They are fast, clean and kids, Gen Z and Millennials flock to them. (me too and I’m a Boomer) I’ve lived in AZ where there’s a Canes ever few miles. In Philly they’ve opened at Temple University and Univ of Pa. I know folks from the burbs who run downtown just to pick up Canes for a family quick dinner. I’m guessing it’ll catch on quickly.
Yes. Both my kids are obsessed with Cane’s. They are so excited to have one opening close by.
Columbia is aggressive with reasonable rents to fill their spaces quickly. That is why most of the Columbia building spaces are occupied.
My daughter would beg to differ. She and her friends LOVE Raising Cane’s! Yes, it’s a chain, but, unlike the one that it might have been, they’ve demonstrated significant support for the LGBTQ+ community and other issues of importance.
RAISING CANE! Oh, Great! Another chain! No way to get an Indy restaurant (Mom and Pop) eatery due to rent gouging.
We need Commercial Rent Control.
You might want to check your facts on that. See comment above about Columbia rental practices. One of you is wrong.
The fast food joints on that stretch of upper broadway by 110 are AWFUL. How about an actual decent restaurant instead of yet another gross fast food chain???
Is Raising Cane’s on the site of the long-since-lamented Gold Rail?
Unpopular opinion, I guess, but I love the Turnstyle Underground Market. I’ve been getting lunch at Yong Kang Street for a long time. I’ve also visited Doughnuttery and the bubble tea place and the cart with macaroons. I like to people-watch and I don’t find it to be like being inside the subway itself (although I should say that I’m not as subway-averse as many people to begin with). I think the Underground Market adds something pleasant and humanizing to my travels through the city. I like seeing it there even when I don’t have time to stop.
I share the same (unpopular) take. There are (and were) some fun shops down there, where I have bought many gifts. I stock up on my juices from Pressed. I enjoy Lisa’s Dumplings, and I have picked up lunch from Yong Kang Street many times. I don’t think the fundamental problem is that the market is unattractive or “depressing” (as someone above has said). I think it is poorly marketed above ground. I brought a coworker down there recently when I was picking up some juices & she said, “Oh, I totally forgot this was down here.” And she walks by and/or passes through the Columbus Circle Station almost every day.
Agreed! Love Underground. QB house is a gem for a fast salon style haircut – my teens go there and are never disappointed. While my kids get their haircuts, I go to the coffee shop which has a ton of interesting options and pastries. I’ve been eating the Poke bowls from Yong Kang since it opened and we often stop for lemonade/pretzels and bubble tea on our way out of the subway.
I can’t believe Mel’s Burger closed. Great place. Way better than a chicken finger restaurant.
Raising Cain’s is a horrible idea!! Another high calorie, high fat. high carb monstrosity!
I’ve jumped off the train at Columbus Circle many times to pick up a bag of frozen pork and red pepper dumplings from Lisa’s Dumplings. True, it costs me an additional swipe to get back to the platform, but the dumplings are great, it’s super convenient, and the aunties that work their appear to keep a pretty pristine kitchen.
We need more restaurants in 110’s area.
What a disappointment to learn that a fast food chain place is going to open in that spot. Certainly not what the neighborhood needs. Another unoriginal food with unhealthy items on its menu, what a waste of a great location and what a way of trashing the neighborhood.
I hope Bleecker Trading keeps its charming ironwork railings and the well-proportioned steps intact. I know, not ADA accessible, but a nice touch on an otherwise not very distinguished block. I’m glad to see a store with a personal point of view in that space, and not another smoke shop. Hope they succeed.
Nice to have Village Square back. I got a great slice of Sicilian-style eggplant pizza for lunch yesterday.
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