By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava

Cocoon, a membership-based social and learning club for families with young children, has signage up at the corner of West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, and is planning to open in November. Unlike daycare centers or play spaces, Cocoon is a place for “families to come to as their second space outside of their home for them to build community amongst other families and forge relationships with families in the neighborhood,” said CEO and co-founder Karl Chong on a call with West Side Rag. Chong and three other NYC-based parents started Cocoon after experiencing the need for prenatal and postpartum support. “We know the pain points of raising a young family in New York City,” he said. 

The 14,000-foot space – previously a Brown Harris Stevens real estate office, which moved to the corner of West 65th Street and Broadway – will feature a wide range of amenities for parents and kids, including: classrooms, a full kitchen and dining room, a parkour gym, an indoor sports field, and a zipline. Chong said that its membership model has been a benefit because “families who join Cocoon are really invested in building a community out of Cocoon.” For non-members, the space will be available to rent for birthday parties. There are also plans to host community events that are free to the public. Cocoon’s first location opened in Tribeca in 2020. “We explored different neighborhoods to open our second location and the Upper West Side was our number one choice, so we’re very excited about it,” he said. Tours of the space are expected to be available by mid-October. (Thanks to Neil and Billy for the tips.) 

La Farine Pâtisserie et Café has signage up at 2394 Broadway (between West 87th and 88th streets) and is expected to open toward late September or early October. The cafe is founded by husband-and-wife Jonathan and Rica Hengal, who share a passion for hospitality. Jonathan is originally from Israel and moved to New York City ten years ago, where he met Rica, a baker from Morocco who moved to Israel at 13 and then to New York at 22. “Rica and I chose the Upper West Side [for the cafe] because we’ve lived in the area for many years,” Jonathan wrote in a message to WSR. “We also preferred a residential area over a business or office-oriented location, as we are eager to welcome families and create a neighborhood spot where people can gather, relax, and enjoy fresh pastries and breads with their loved ones.” The cafe will have an open kitchen and serve baguettes, sourdough, croissants, sandwiches, and salads made daily, along with teas and freshly roasted coffee. The space was previously a Starbucks. (Thanks to June for the tip.)

Rosa Mexicano, the longtime Mexican restaurant, is planning to move from its current location at 61 Columbus Avenue (West 62nd Street), to 44 West 63rd Street. The change is expected to take place in early 2025, and the current location will remain open until then, a representative confirmed to WSR.  “We couldn’t come to terms on a new lease. There was a really great opportunity around the corner, so we’re upgrading,” said Peter Katsihtis, director of operations, at a recent Community Board 7 meeting. “We wanted to stay in the neighborhood. It means a lot to us.” The new location is at the base of the Empire Hotel building, across the street from Lincoln Center. It used to be Ed’s Chowder House, which closed in 2018. 

Clara, the restaurant at the New-York Historical Society (West 77th Street and Central Park West), which closed temporarily in August, is planning to reopen under the management of Great Performances, a food service company. Great Performances does catering at venues throughout NYC, as well as Jersey City, the Hudson Valley, and the Hamptons. One local example of where it does the food service is at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The restaurant, which was previously managed by The Oberon Group, will have a regional American menu. A date isn’t set for the opening, but it could take place in early November, according to information shared at a recent Community Board 7 meeting. 

Omne Martial Arts, Fitness and Wellness opened on August 19th at 200 West End Ave (between West 69th and West 70th streets). They will have a grand opening party on Saturday, September 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The party, which is open to the public, will introduce potential clients to the new space and the instructors. “We want to celebrate opening our new home with the community,” Darryl Phipps, the owner, told WSR in a phone call. “We went from a 2,300 square foot facility to a 7,200 square foot facility.” Omne was formerly called Valor Mixed Martial Arts (under the same ownership), and was located at 2067 Broadway (between West 71st and West 72nd Streets). With the new location, Phipps will continue to offer martial arts classes for both children and adults. He has expanded the fitness program to now offer personal training, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, self-defense, and Jiu-Jitsu. “Now the whole family can come in, we offer something for everyone,” Phipps said. “Parents can come take a yoga class while their child is in martial arts.” The new facility has five studios including a dedicated children’s play space which is available for birthday parties rentals. Appleseeds, a play space for kids that closed in 2019, was the last tenant in the space. 

Salt & Straw, the craft ice cream shop, is planning to open Friday, September 20 at 360 Amsterdam Avenue (corner of West 77th Street). This is the first location in NYC for the Oregon-based company. In addition to serving its classic flavors (such as Double Fold Vanilla and Sea Salt Caramel Ribbons), Salt & Straw rotates its menu every month. Flavors to watch out for on the UWS include several that collaborate with local establishments, including: Cinnamon Raisin Bagels & Schmear (made with candied pieces of bagel from PopUp Bagels); Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge (mixed with diced loaves of babka from Breads Bakery); Pastrami on Rye (featuring a butterscotch ice cream base infused with a housemade pastrami sourced from Carnegie Deli); and Merlot-Aged Sour with Chocolate Figs (made in collaboration with local brewery Grimm Artisanal Ales). On opening day, the first 100 guests will also receive a non-alcoholic beverage from Grimm Artisanal Ales. “Our Upper West Side location embodies the sense of community that’s been so fundamental to us and stays true to our roots as a gathering space where you can come with your loved ones and run into friends and neighbors,” said co-founder Kim Malek in an announcement.

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