Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

For nearly 40 years, 2239 Broadway (corner of 80th) was home to H & H Bagels.

Since its sudden closure last June (full coverage here), the space has been vacant and a bit of an eyesore.

Initial rumors indicated a bank would move in. In October, Queens-based Davidovich Bagels was considering taking over the space, although they later decided it was too expensive.

It now appears a new tenant is in place.

The Verizon Wireless store currently located at 2268 Broadway (between 81st & 82nd) will be relocating to the former H & H space, which has been expanded to include the two neighboring storefronts — the Magic Smile that closed in September and the recently shuttered Oz Moving & Storage (both listed as 2237 Broadway).

I initially heard from an employee at the recently opened Maxiga store located a few doors down that Verizon was rumored to be moving in. I’ve since spoken to two different sales people at the 2268 Broadway Verizon store who confirmed the move but didn’t have any additional details.

It’s clearly visible from the street that 2237 Broadway and 2239 Broadway have been combined into one large unit, but it also looks like there’s quite a bit of work to do. I suspect construction and the move won’t be completed until early spring.

I’m sure many people will be disappointed that a neighborhood landmark is being replaced by a nondescript VZW store, but as far as I’m concerned, something is better than nothing (and at least it’s not a bank). Ever since H & H’s closing, that corner has been nothing more than a gathering spot for the neighborhood’s homeless.

That said… seriously?! A freakin’ Verizon Wireless store?

I’m still not willing to write this off as a total waste — there’s still a chance something interesting could move into the existing VZW space once they vacate. Fingers-crossed…

Filed under: Landmark, Manhattan, New York City, News, NYC, Openings/Closings, Shopping, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog, UWS 4 Comments »
Tags: 2237 Broadway, 2239 Broadway, 2268 Broadway, H & H, H & H Bagels, H and H, H&H, magic smile, Maxiga, New York City, News, NYC, Opening, Oz Moving & Storage, Upper West Side, UWS, Verizon, Verizon Wireless, vzwhh