Monday, January 11th, 2010

Each week, My Upper West interviews an Upper West Side resident who helps make our neighborhood the diverse and interesting place we love.  Today, we talk to Melanie Notkin, Founder and CEO of SavvyAuntie.com, west 90’s.

So, what do you do all day?
Savvy Auntie is the first lifestyle brand for cool aunts, great aunts, godmothers and all women who love kids! SavvyAuntie.com was nominated for a Webby Award for Best Family/Parenting site and is a Springwise Global Top 10 Lifestyle Business Idea. Join is at SavvyAuntie.com, Facebook.com/SavvyAuntie and Follow Melanie on Twitter @SavvyAuntie.

How long have you lived on the UWS?
16 years!

What made you decide to move to the UWS?
The UWS has a flourishing Jewish community, which I love.

What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood?
It’s the perfect mix between urban and residential living. There’s always something to see and do, but with all the families with kids, it feels warm and neighborly.

Riverside Park or Central Park?
Both.  Central Park when meeting UESers and Riverside when with UWS pals.

Describe your best celebrity sighting on the UWS.
In 16 years, there have been so many!  Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, Bernadette Peters, Cynthia Nixon, Tiny Fey and many more. I see Alec Baldwin at my gym all the time.

What is your favorite meal on the UWS? Favorite place for a cocktail?
I LOVE the branzino at Kefi on Columbus and 84th! And Wine and Roses (Columbus and 73rd) is perfect for a glass of wine.

If you could change one thing about the UWS, what would it be?
That they’d have to put a little sign on the window of every new store front to remind us what store was there before!  It kills me when I can’t figure it out!

What would you like to see filling the empty storefronts in the UWS, or what would you like to see more of in the UWS?
I’d love some new places to go for a lovely night out with friend– like the new Academia di Vino on Broadway and 90th. And even though I love unique boutiques, I wouldn’t mind a JCrew.

Horse and carriage rides in Central Park: romantic, too touristy, or cruel?
Romantic. I’d love to take my nephew and nieces for a caleche ride one day.

What are you looking forward to most: completion of Lincoln Center’s renovations, Trader Joe’s on 72nd and Broadway, the shops at Columbus Square, or completion of the 96th Street subway station?
Since I love right by the 96th Street subway station, I’d have to say that.  It’s been a bit of a mess up here for a while and I look forward to a cleaner Broadway.

What is your favorite thing to do in the ‘hood on a nice UWS day?
In the spring and summer, I love to take a long walk from the 90’s along the river to the pier at 70th Street (Pier I).  I’ve done a lot of thinking and romanticizing on that path.  In the fall, specifically around Thanksgiving, when the streets are sparkling with holiday lights, and everyone is in a cheery mood, I love walking down Columbus Avenue in the lower 80s. Both these paths make me fall in love with my city all over again.

Who is your favorite UWS resident, past or present?
My nephew and nieces used to live here when they were very little.  That was a magical time.

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