DEB’S RETAIL DISH AND DEALS: SPRING AWAKENING

By Debra Hazel

Topgolf will open a three-level entertainment experience in Suffolk County in Brookhaven Township. The venue will feature 102 bays, yearround lessons, chef-driven dining, live music and private event rooms.

For Foodstuffs

This month is all about comebacks, with two apparel resellers taking new spaces, and the return of some beloved names in retailing and dining.

All About Apparel

This month is almost all about food, with a number of new entrants in all cuisines opening in time for spring or summer dining. But what may be most interesting is the commitment of two major luxury brand owners, LVMH’s Tiffany and Richemont’s Vacheron Constantin, to new and expanded spaces.

All About Apparel

Fashion house Kenzo has taken 3,000 square feet at 107 Grand Street, about half of the space that housed Ted Baker until 2016. At press time, the remainder, with the address of 32 Mercer Street, remains available.

Apparel reseller 2nd Street USA Inc., a subsidiary of GEO Holdings, has opened 2nd Street Dumbo, its 21st store in the U.S. and first store in Brooklyn at 70 Front St. 2nd Street USA Inc. buys and sells used clothing and accessories. Its first store opened in Melrose, California in January 2018. Another vintage apparel seller, Hearts of Gold, is relocating to 40 West 25th St. Italian legwear and beachwear brand Calzedonia USA has joined the retail roster at 1333 Broadway.

Food, Glorious Food

Just Gems

It’s coming back! Three years after it closed because of the pandemic (and then stayed shuttered because of legal woes), legendary steakhouse Delmonico’s is reopening in the Financial District at 56 Beaver St. this fall.

Pier 57 has unveiled the vendor lineup for Market 57, a new dining destination that will sit on the waterfront in Hudson River Park. The vendor list was curated with input from the James Beard Foundation (JBF), with a focus on women- and BIPOC-owned dining destinations that are aligned with JBF’s mission of championing a standard

The Tiffany Flagship Next Door has opened at 6 East 57th Street, and it’s more than just a pop-up. The shop is adjacent to Tiffany’s flagship at 727 Fifth Avenue, which is undergoing a massive renovation to be completed in late 2021. Tiffany had already previewed the space with a men’s collection in the atrium over the holidays. Now, the temporary shop features the jeweler’s entire line over four levels, with private selling rooms on each floor and a VIP salon. Richemont clearly believes in the demand for luxury timepieces; its Vacheron Constantin brand will debut a boutique at 30 East 57th Street, nearly four times the size of its current location at 729 Madison Avenue.

Trader Joe’s will take the long-vacant Food Emporium space under the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge at First Avenue and 59th Street, said published reports, pending Landmarks Preservation Commission approval (pending at press time). The space, known as Bridgemarket, was a produce market when it opened early in the 20th century. It features a Guastavino-tiled arcade and was landmarked in 1974.

Wining & Dining

of good food anchored in talent, equity and sustainability. These include: Indian eatery Ammi from restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi; Bessou, a modern take on Japanese home cooking; specialty coffee shop Bird & Branch; Due Madri by Butcher Girls with sandwiches and meaty, Italian fare; Chinese farm-to-table restaurant Local Roots; LoLo’s on the Water focusing on Caribbean coastal comfort foods from Belize all the way down to Guyana; Malai, with ice cream featuring South Asian ingredients; Mijo, from the founder of Fan-Fan Doughnuts and La Newyorkina’s; Mothershuckers’ famed oysters; Nom Wah’s Cantonese classics; Harlem Hops, offering small bites and craft beers from brewers of color; The Galley by Lobster Place with lobster rolls and other seafood offerings; cookies, cakes and ice cream sandwiches from The Good Batch; plant-based specialties from Ras Plant Based and Thai restaurant Zaab Zaab.

2021. WHP Global acquired Toys “R” Us, which had filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all stores by March 2021. It also has opened Toys “R” Us in-store shops in all Macy’s locations.

To Your Health

meringue, caramel, mascarpone and Campari. At press time, chief Jarett Brodie was to debut Loulou, a French bistro at 176 Eighth Avenue in March. Among Brodie’s previous restaurants are Craft, Mercer Kitchen and Tribeca. In addition to traditional bistro foods, the space will include an underground speakeasy with a separate entrance. Ricardo Cardona, a chef to the New York Yankees and singer Marc Anthony, has teamed up with former Jean-Georges chef Carlos Letona to open Cuban-Asian fusion restaurant Aura Cocina at 315 Meserole Street.

Gumption Coffee comes from Australia to its first location in Manhattan at 1155 Avenue of the Americas. It made its U.S. debut in Industry City in Brooklyn.

Be Well

Rick Bayless’ Mexico City-inspired restaurant Tortazo has opened its second New York City location nestled between Times Square and Bryant Park at 1441 Broadway. The new outpost aims to introduce diners from all over the world to a fresh take on classic Mexico City staples. Hungry at the airport? Hunt & Fish Grill has come to LaGuardia’s new Terminal B. Hunt & Fish Club serves Terminal B passengers across all day parts. Ongi Korean grill, a new concept by Red Poke, is coming to 630 Third Ave. The space previously was occupied by PF Chang’s To Go.

For the Little Ones

Taqueria Tacombi has announced two locations, one at 202 East 70th Street and the other at 27-10 43rd Avenue in Long Island City. Look for more vegan food at Lekka at 81 Warren Street. The plant-based burger restaurant from chef Amanda Cohen and partner Andrea Kerzer will offer burgers, salads and even vegan soft serve for dessert, as well as a full bar with signature cocktails. P.F. Chang’s is opening P.F. Chang’s To Go, its new takeout concept at 60 Fulton Street, its first in New York City and second in the U.S. thus far (the first is in Chicago), this fall. Reportedly, more New York locations are planned. Very Fresh Noodles is venturing outside its home at Chelsea Market, opening its second location at 980 Sixth Avenue at West 36th Street. Avra is also growing again. The Greek seafood chain is reportedly opening a massive eatery over multiple levels at 1271 Sixth Avenue. It will be the company’s third location in the city.

First Toys, now Babies: WHP Global announced that Babies “R” Us will relaunch in the United States with a flagship at American Dream in Bergen County, New Jersey. The store is scheduled to open this summer. Babies “R” Us’ sister store, Toys “R” Us, also returned to U.S. brick-and-mortar with an American Dream flagship that opened in December

Israeli gelato chain Anita Gelato will open its first U.S. location at 1561 Second Avenue this month. The gelato and yogurt maker has four locations in Tel Aviv and three in Sydney, Australia. Eater reports that the owners will bring flavors including tiramisu, popcorn with honey and Cookieman, which somehow combines hazelnut,

Life Time is coming to the recently opened Brooklyn Crossing development in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. This relationship will bring the upscale Life Time athletic club experience to the 51-story residential tower in the heart of the borough in 2024. Gym franchise Sets Hybrid Training is coming to Route 9 Plaza in Old Bridge, New Jersey, relocating locally to the 26,000-squarefoot shopping center. A group circuit-based training concept, Sets Hybrid Training focuses on a continual combination of strength and high intensity cardio. Every workout is completely customizable to meet the needs and goals of each member. Retro Fitness has opened its first clubs under Project Lift, a new company initiative to open 500 health clubs in 50 Black and Brown communities across the country over the next five years. BlackRock’s Impact Opportunities Fund and James Collins, managing partner of Eastwood Capital Partners, together have committed to developing a minimum of 80 new Retro Fitness Health Clubs in four different regions in the country, the first of which are now open in Dallas, Texas.

EHE Health, the only national preventive health and primary care network in the U.S., has opened a 23,000-square-foot clinic at 600 Fifth Avenue in Rockefeller Center, relocating from 10 Rockefeller Center. The spa-like center offers services including full physical exams and follow-up services as well as 3D mammography. Maybe FiDi executives can get some rest; membership wellness chain Hydra Studios will open its first standalone location at 120 Wall Street. The concept is also located within Convene at 530 Fifth Avenue. That space offers a fitness studio, yoga and HIIT classes, beauty bars and grooming stations, showers, meditation rooms and nap suites.

Worth the Wait?

That Something Extra

Visitors looking for mementos and commuters seeking a last-minute gift will have a new source. Big Apple Gifts is opening 10,000 square feet at Penn Station, reports Commercial Observer.

Target will open a 32,000-square-foot store at 10 Union Square East, but don’t look for the red symbol anytime soon. The space is still leased to Food Emporium through April 2023, the New York Post reported. That places the discounter’s opening at the holiday season of that year.

Debra Hazel

Debra Hazel Communications

Debra Hazel

North Las Vegas, NV Tel: (201) 618-5247

Debra Hazel Communications Arverne, NY 11692 debra@debrahazelcommunications.com 201-618-5247

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