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3 days ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaSo far this year, one of the biggest stories on the Upper West Side has been the closing of Silver Moon Bakery, the longtime favorite at West 105th Street and Broadway. The fact that this news came just months after the closing of Absolute Bagels, in December 2024, made it even tougher for many locals to swallow.
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1 week ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaLil Sweet Treat, a candy store that’s popular on social media, is planning to open in mid-July at 416 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 79th and 80th streets). The shop sells candy sourced from around the world, including Sweden, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, and Australia, among other places. It was founded in 2024 by Elly Ross, who was inspired by the sweets she found while traveling abroad and brought back home.
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2 weeks ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaTaqueria Y Fonda, the family-owned Mexican restaurant at 968 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 107th and 108th streets) closed on June 7th after 26 years at this location, due to rising rent and costs. “This mom-and-pop gem has been a labor of love,” Mary Lopez Veliz, daughter of the owner, Jorge, wrote in a message to the Rag.
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3 weeks ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaGerard Anthony Salon at 580 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 88th and 89th streets) closed on May 24th. While the physical salon is closed, Joe Vitale and Joseph Patti, the owners, will continue to operate as Gerard Anthony Salon but will work out of Salli B Salon (250 West 88th Street) as of June 3rd. Vitale and Patti will work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their phone number remains the same (212-932-8531).
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1 month ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaMorningside Cafe, a seasonal kiosk on the southwest edge of Morningside Park (281 Morningside Ave. near West 113th Street), opened on May 24th. While the structure is new, the concessionaire has a long history in the area. Michael Summerville was a seafood vendor, known as “Crab Man Mike,” on 125th Street for 30 years.
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1 month ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaThe Throwback, a sports bar with a full kitchen and a downstairs lounge, is opening at 710 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 94th and 95th streets). It will showcase an extensive memorabilia collection that Alex Bryant, the co-owner, inherited from his grandfather. It is a family business; Bryant’s mother, an accountant and partial owner, will keep the books. “This is an ode to my grandfather,” said Bryant on a call with the Rag.
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1 month ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaThe Shoe Tree, the longtime shoe store at 2876 Broadway (between West 111th and 112th streets), is closing this summer. The shop has been in the same location since 2007, run by co-owners Karen Dixon and her husband, Essam Moussa, who live in the neighborhood. Initially they sold only children’s shoes but expanded into adult sizes over the years as their customers grew up. On a call with the Rag, Dixon described their loyal customer base.
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1 month ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaSilver Mirror, a “facial bar,” has signage up at 2305 Broadway (between West 83rd and 84th streets). Silver Mirror offers a variety of facials, such as anti-aging, seasonal hydrating, hyperpigmentation, and men’s specialty facials. They range from 30 to 50 minutes. Other treatments include exfoliation services, such as dermaplaning and hydradermabrasion.
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2 months ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaLift NYC, a personal training studio, is moving from 171 West 80th Street (just off of Amsterdam) to a larger location at 2212 Broadway (between West 78th and 79th streets), the former home of Sky Locksmith & Hardware. Ashley Culver, the owner, opened Lift two years ago. She told the Rag on a call that she has been looking for a larger space because there is a waitlist for new clients. “We’re New Yorkers, and convenience is everything,” she said.
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2 months ago | 
westsiderag.com | Scott Etkin |Lisa Kava
By Scott Etkin and Lisa KavaKancil, the Malaysian restaurant at 434 Amsterdam Avenue (southwest corner of West 81st Street), closed on Sunday, April 13th, a worker told West Side Rag and the food website Eater reported. Kancil opened five months ago in November 2024, replacing another Malaysian restaurant, Wau. Both Kancil and Wau were backed by restaurateur Salil Mehta.
