By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
The Old Yew Plant Shop is planning to open at 448 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 81st and 82nd streets) on October 15. It is replacing The Sill, another plant shop that had been in the space since 2017, but closed on September 22nd in order to become an online-only business. The arrangement came about coincidentally through a conversation between the owners of the two shops. “We had connected somewhat recently for the first time […] and it came up that we were exiting the Upper West Side and [they] were looking for a store in the neighborhood,” said Eliza Blank, founder of The Sill, on a call with West Side Rag. She said The Sill’s transition to e-commerce is in part driven by the company’s shift into the outdoor plant category, meaning trees and plants often found in “entire garden centers.”
The Old Yew Plant Shop has locations in Chelsea and the West Village. At the new UWS location, they plan to retain many of The Sill’s retail employees, founder August Laska confirmed on a call with the Rag. In addition to selling plants, the shop also provides interior and exterior design services. “You’d be shocked by how much green space there is in New York – backyards, rooftops, terraces, fire escapes. People get very creative with their outdoor space,” he said.
Eshel, a Persian/Mediterranean Glatt kosher restaurant has signage up at 507 Columbus Avenue (between West 84th and West 85th Streets). Eshel is a Hebrew word in the Old Testament that has been interpreted to relate to hospitality. Blossom, a longtime vegan restaurant, which closed in August, was formerly in the space. We’ll provide an update when more information is available. (Thanks to Rachel and Emily for the tips.)
Broadway Pizza, at Broadway between West 103rd and 104th streets, has been closed for over a week, according to tipster Janice. On Google, it is listed as “temporarily closed.” A call to the business could not be completed. We’ll post an update when possible.
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What are they going to open at the former Rite Aid at 97 and Columbus? theres been working going on for a week or so.
Signs today are announcing a new Wonder restaurant and progress has clearly been made inside.
Isn’t this going to become Raising Cane’s?
I really hope not. There’s already going to be a Chik-fil-a on the next block.
Broadway Pizza is in the Bermuda Pizzangle of Sal & Carmine’s and Mama’s Too. Tough way to make a pizza buck.
I had Sal and Carmine’s today. I wasn’t too impressed. Their sauce was so sweet I couldn’t eat but half a slice. So far I’ve not had really great pizza on the UWS since I came back.
The local free newspaper WEST SIDE SPIRIT lists Department of Health inspections and in last weeks edition Broadway Pizza had multiple violations including “presence of live rats” “filth flies” etc. Too bad, they made a nice chicken Caesar salad for $10!
Yikes
Nice to see another plant shop in that space–I only stopped by Sill once, but it was pleasant.
Glad to see that The Old Yew Plant Shop is replacing Sill, and most importantly, that they are retaining some of the same employees!
Does anyone know what is happening with the deli on 88th and Broadway? I think it was supposed to open a year ago or so.
Also. On like 92nd or 93rd and Amsterdam, it looks like a kosher grocery is supposed to open as well. But I haven’t seen any work in months.
I also really really hope something gets done with the old Gristedes and Gap spaces on 86th.
Cool about psychedelics.
And the Garden of Eden space in the 100s on Broadway
Walked by 97th/Columbus the other day. Pretty sure Wonder has the old Rite Aid space.