78thand2nd

Second Ave. Businesses Are Getting Freakin' Killed

Recently closed wine bar Bar Vespa

A spree of business closings on Second Ave., between 91st and 95th streets, has received a lot of attention over the past year - due mainly to the impact of the Second Ave. subway’s construction, which has spurred a ton of difficulties for the businesses closest to the mayhem. 

Getting far less attention - but maybe more alarming - is a recent string of businesses that shut down on an eight-block stretch between 77^th and 85^th streets on Second Ave., far removed (for now) from the subway's construction.

During the four-month period from June through September, a staggering 10 businesses have closed on this stretch (another shut down in May - so, 11 shuttered in a five-month period).

The businesses were a mix of chains and mom-and-pop stores; they were retailers, restaurants, wine bars and pizza spots.  Some were part of a city-wide chain shuttering (Burittoville) or a nation-wide chain trimming locations (Talbots Kids) - but still, 11 is a ton in that amount of time on such a short stretch.

Not surprising, the area’s business managers and owners I spoke with pointed to a perfect storm of a struggling economy, a drop in consumer confidence and rising business costs – especially increased rents - as main causes of the closings.

The full list of closings after the jump.

Tax Dept. Shuts Down Bardolino

So far, it's been a rough year for Italian eatery Bardolino. There was the fire back in February, which hit just in time for the place to miss that Valentine's Day sales boost, and knocked the restaurant out for almost three weeks. Now, more bad news courtesy of the New York State Department of Taxation, which, according to the posted signs on the restaurant's window, has closed and seized the premises until they fork over some cash.  Any one with further info, please hit the comments. 

Fire Breaks Out On 78th, Bardolino Restaurant Closed [78thand2nd]

Anna Maria Closes, Dylan Murphy's Set Up On 3rd

Closed: Anna Maria Pizzeria on 83rd and 1st has shuttered. According to Suzanne, "they were closed for health citations late last year, they have finally shut their doors. A 'for lease' sign was spotted in the window and a note on the door saying it was closed by the city."

Opened: Dylan Murphy's bar, at 1453 3rd Ave., opened its doors last week.

Tasti D Preps Tenth UES Spot

Kate points out that Tasti D-Lite is unrolling a new location which is situated just off Lex and 86th. That is the company's tenth spot on the Upper East Side, by my count, which is now nearing Starbucks-like numbers (13 locations).

79th and 3rd Closings Continue, Leonard's Searching For New Home

Tipster Chris writes in with the latest shuttering at 79th and 3rd.

"The venerable Butcher Leonard's (3rd bet 78/79) is on the outs too. When picking up lamb on Saturday for an Easter dinner, the gent told me they were definitely closing, don't know where they will be going, but insists they will re-open, letting house account holders know by mail/phone, and posting a sign in the window as soon as they know the new location."

First Rosedale Fishmarket, next the liquor store on the SE corner of 79th and Lex, now Leonards. I guess we can hope for another Chase or Duane Reade."

More to come.

Another Closing On 79th And 3rd [78thand2nd]
Annie's To Close [78thand2nd]
Demo Set For 79th & 3rd [78thand2nd]

Source To Shutter After 27 Years

Multiple questions have flowed in asking about the demise of The Source gift and toy shop, located at 1409 3rd ave (near 80th). Alert tipster Joanna (proprietor of the MyMomShops blog) writes in with some details:

"There is a new sign in window of The Source (a store where you could buy almost anything...) that it is closing. Owner told me that they are being forced to leave after 27 years by the landlord. So are all the other stores on the block except the jewelry store (and I doubt Chase Bank). Lots of passerbys were coming in and asking about the sign and seemed upset- as did the store's employees."

Bardolino Opens? Not So Much

Bardolino is having some trouble getting the doors re-opened and according to the big lime-green signs in the window, they're now shooting to be back in business at some point in the next week. 'Til then, they're directing folks to sister-restaurant Ecco-la on 3rd.

Bardolino Closed, Still Honoring Reservations [78thand2nd]
Fire Breaks Out On 78th, Bardolino Restaurant Closed [78thand2nd]

Bardolino To Re-Open This Weekend

It looks like Bardolino is ready to open its doors again. The Italian restaurant, located on the corner of 78th and 2nd, was hit by a fire last week and has been closed for repairs ever since. According to a sign in the restaurant's window, they'll re-open this weekend.

Bardolino Closed, Still Honoring Reservations [78thand2nd]
Fire Breaks Out On 78th, Bardolino Restaurant Closed [78thand2nd]

Another Closing On 79th And 3rd

Tipster Ken writes in with some on the scene info about Hunters on 79th and 3rd: "After fifteen years in business and at least twenty in a prior incantation as the Raveled Sleeve, Hunters has now closed and is currently being emptied." 

So, taking into consideration Annie's and the other shops hit by a previous building shutdown, that brings the tally to four or five closings within a one block radius in the last two months? 

Annie's To Close [78thand2nd]
Demo Set For 79th & 3rd [78thand2nd]

Red Rock Closes...A While Ago Actually

A tipster gives us the head's up on the demise of Red Rock Roadhouse (2nd btwn 91st and 92nd) which doesn’t come as a surprise if the bar’s website offers any insight into how rockin' the place was. Screenshots above are from Red Rock Roadhouse on the left, and its partner bar Red Rock West Saloon on West 17th, on the right -- which has a different vibe.

Websites aside, some mild digging uncovers that this place actually closed 2 MONTHS ago (are people just noticing?). What happened to Red Rock? A victim of Second Ave Subway construction?