Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Mentioned last week the long-awaited new Westside Market at 2589 Broadway (between 97th & 98th) was slated to open on either 3/28 or 3/29.

Looks like it was the latter, as @redr239 wrote in on Thursday evening to say “Westside Market is open and jumping.” Frequent tipster Jim e-mailed the next day and added that “business is booming.” (Thanks to @JamieLee74 for the photo)

In that same post about Westside Market, there was also news that the Associated Supermarket “Mega Store” at 755 Amsterdam (at 99th) was closing.

I was traveling and wasn’t able to post an update, but apparently they had a 50% off liquidation sale. Not sure if it’s still going on or not, but I heard as far back as Friday that there wasn’t much left.

Two readers sent in some addition information about the closing, which can best be classified as “rumors.” MUW reader Ann e-mailed this note:

The Associated Mega-Store was my go-to store, mostly to avoid Gristedes and it was my closest option.  I’ll miss it, but Westside Market looked almost open this morning [Note: this was sent in last week, before WSM opened].

The cashier at Associated told me they were paying $80,000/month in rent.  I have no way to verify whether this is in the realm of reality or not.  And she pointed to the man who was in front of me in line and whispered that he was the owner.  He was cheerfully buying some english muffins and a few other small items.

Reader Michaela left this comment on the original post last week:

We asked for more info in the store (because we LOVED this new Associated) and they said new owners had raised the rent from 45K to 75K per month. All of those employees are going to be let go, it’s so sad. And now I won’t be able to fit my stroller in Associated’s aisles, once again. And, I heard that Michael’s is having similar issues with rent being jacked up, hopefully not to follow suit and close…

I haven’t heard anything else about Michaels, but I guess we’ll have to add it to the watch list. If anyone who lives near the Columbus Square area has more information about this, please let me know. The store has only been open for about 2 1/2 years.

In opening rumors…

Posted in December that esteemed food critic Gael Greene had a source who told her RedFarm, the uber-popular West Village dim sum/Chinese-fusion restaurant, was looking for space in the neighborhood.

The details of the specific location proved to be inaccurate, but Ms. Greene just posted again saying a source told her “ the owners of RedFarm have settled on Broadway real estate for their Upper West Side breakout.”

“Broadway real estate” is a bit unspecific, but she add that it’s “walking distance from my nest on 73^rd Street.” Per Ms. Greene:

September would be the earliest possible opening date, my Deep Throat said. There’s room for a decent size kitchen in the new digs, my confidante noted, and space for storage, unlike the miniscule cooking space in the West Village that forces the staff to stuff supplies on shelves above the rustic red-and-white checked booths.

Her source indicates there would be seating for 70, compared to only 44 at the original West Village location.

She’s apparently friends with RedFarm co-owner Eddie Schoenfeld. She wrote the following about reaching out Mr. Schoenfeld about the rumor:

 I could call and ask him to confirm this report but the truth is, he’ll only say nothing is decided yet.  And maybe that’s a fact. But I’m passing along what I heard from what seems to be a very good source

I’ve never been to RedFarm, but it’s supposedly a constant mob-scene over there. No reason to think it wouldn’t be the same here if they open an UWS outpost. It sounds like it would be a great addition to the neighborhood, if you’re ever able to get a table.

Filed under: Food & Drink, Going Out, Manhattan, New York City, News, NYC, Openings/Closings, Restaurants, Shopping, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog, UWS 5 Comments »
Tags: 2589 Broadway, 755 Amsterdam, Associated Supermarket, Columbus Square, Michaels, New York City, NYC, Red Farm, RedFarm, Upper West Side, UWS, Westside Market