By Scott Etkin and Lisa Kava
Harmon Health & Beauty, the cosmetics shop located in the Belleclaire Hotel building on Broadway between 76th and 77th Streets, is closing in the next few weeks. All products in the store, which opened in December 2020, are on sale at 20% off. Harmon was founded in 1971 and was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond 2022. The parent company is closing all of its 50 Harmon locations (in addition to dozens of Bed Bath & Beyond stores). “I preferred shopping there compared to a traditional pharmacy,” said Sarah, a regular customer who lives on 75th Street. “They had good prices and it was just a calm, nice space to browse.” (Thanks to Harriet, Sue, Robin, and Gretchen for the tips.)
Marshalls, the discount department chain, is closing its store at 2182 Broadway (on the corner of 78th Street) on March 25th. A store clerk told WSR that the lease was up and the company decided not to renew. “We are always assessing and reviewing our real estate strategies, and our decision to close this store reflects that thinking. We are grateful for the loyalty of our New York City customers,” a company representative wrote in a statement to WSR. Marshalls, which sells clothing and shoes, home decor, and accessories, has been at this UWS location since 2014. The closest Marshalls to the Broadway store is at 125 West 125th Street (at Lenox Avenue) and will remain open, the clerk said. (Thanks to Bonnie and Nora for the tips.)
Poetry of Material Things at 222A Columbus Avenue, between 70th Street and 71st Streets, has a new archway combining it with Outlette, the jewelry store next door, turning the two stores into one.
Scott and Ruth Bienstock, owners of Outlette, opened Poetry of Material Things in December 2022. The name refers to how objects can “cue experiences, memories, achievements, attitudes, escape or transformation […] It is true that material things themselves don’t matter, but the moments they signify in life is all that does.” The store is divided into two sections: jewelry on one side of the archway, and home decor on the other side.
Wonder, the new restaurant concept backed by Jet.com founder Marc Lore, is opening in February at 2028 Broadway between 69th and 70th Streets. The space will combine several different restaurants at one location, bringing “menus from top chefs and iconic restaurants delivered to your door.” The restaurants advertised on the storefront include: Chuko (“ramen, steamed buns and more Japanese favorites”); Chios Taverna (chef Michael Symon’s take on Greek flavors); Alanza (“best of old school red sauce joints”); Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue; and Chai Pani Indian Street Food. The space has been vacant for a few years; it was previously an Italian restaurant, Gina La Fornarina.
Just Salad, the salad chain, has signage up at 670 Columbus (at 92nd Street), next to Trader Joe’s in the former location of Petco. A representative from Just Salad told WSR that an opening is planned for this March or April. Just Salad has an UWS location at 2056 Broadway (between 70th and 71st Streets) and another one is opening on Broadway between 110th and 111th Streets. (Thanks to Leslie for the tip.)
Ashoka, the Indian restaurant at 489 Columbus (between 83rd and 84th Streets), appears to be closed. The space has been cleared out and the phone is disconnected. Ashoka, which originally opened in 2017, served Indian food with “northern and southern influences,” Gauri Shankar, the owner, wrote on Yelp. He started his career in the hotel industry in 1989. (Thanks to Ed for the tip.)
Indie Food & Wine, the restaurant in the Film Society of Lincoln Center at 144 West 65th Street, closed on January 31st. “We have been so fortunate and so proud to serve the Lincoln Center community and all of our guests for so long. A sincere thank you for your patronage and for supporting our small business,” Indie wrote on Instagram. The restaurant had been there since 2011. “It’s sad to say goodbye to all of it, but especially hard to say goodbye to this team. Many of us have worked together for years, and it will be so strange not to be seeing each of your sweet faces every day.” Indie ended the post with #staytuned, and we’ll update when more info is available. Read Jane Seskin’s farewell poem to Indie here.
Levain Bakery on Amsterdam between 76th and 77th Streets, which had been temporarily closed for renovation, reopened on January 23rd. There are updates to the kitchen and retail sections of the shop, including a reorganization that makes it easier for customers to watch the baking in action. “The entire store feels roomier,” said a store employee. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the new mural of the Upper West Side created by illustrator Libby VanderPloeg. The map highlights neighborhood landmarks, such as the Planetarium, Beacon Theatre and Strawberry Fields. The cyclists in Central Park are Levain’s founders, Pam and Connie, a company representative wrote in a message to WSR. The mural was hand painted by Matt Meyer, who has also gilded the gold leaf signage at all of Levain’s locations.
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