Wednesday, January 18, 2012

☞ SHOP: What's Next for Lower Lenox?




Lower Lenox has quite a few shops that have opened up in the past five years but there still exists many storefronts that could be filled. The area around the Mount Morris Park Historic District has some of the best architecture in the city and would make a most picturesque shopping boulevard if more of these retail spaces were filled.  Businesses that have arrived and stuck around include eateries such as Settepani, Native, Il Caffe Latte, Tonnie's Minis.

These current shops are the better ones that have opened and accent one of the more iconic establishments in the area. Newcomer such as Auberge Laurent added a wine bar to the mix and pairs itself nicely with old time businesses such as Lenox Lounge which is a major tourist attraction.  Katrina Parris' floral boutique is also a pleasant accent to the strip and a redesigned wine shop has filled in some space in this section below 125th street to about 118th Street.

Startups are difficult and there have been a few over ambitious casualties.  A caviar bar where Auberge Laurent now resides at 200 Lenox raised some eyebrows several years back and the N boutique's more expensive fashion offerings failed to take off at a location just across the boulevard.  Settepani was set to open a more moderate brick oven pizzeria next door but financials have now stalled that project.  Luxury establishments are probably not the way to go as far as openings are concerned for the historic district so what type of businesses are best suited for one of the most distinct enclaves of Harlem?

13 comments:

  1. I do agree that in general that mid-range priced places are better suited for the nabe, but quality and execution are everything. Settepani does a good brunch, but dinner is another story: the ambiance at night seems off (hint: dim the lights, draw the curtains and warm the place up) and the menu is wierd (a little too ambitious) ... I just can't get excited to have dinner there unless the weather is nice and I can sit outside. Auberge Laurent needs to offer actual food to be succesful, I think. The point is, if you have the right formula you may be able to have a moderately expensive restaurant, but it's got to be good - Chez Lucienne does it well, service is the issue. That said, if I were to open a restaurant on Lower Lenox, it would be a mid-range pub / bar with good burgers, beer on tap ... I would go high quality but keep the menu options filling but limited to keep prices down.

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  2. Please: bagel shop, (good) Asian food, pizza place, mail boxes store, coffee shop (like Lenox Coffee), nice bar. I could see some vintage furniture shops doing well - hell, 5-6 estate furniture shops on Lenox would create a destination. Kid friendly restaurant would do well.

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  3. For higher end grub, Lido for me is the model these guys should be copying. A little pricey, yes, but you really do get the high quality food for your money. I was really skeptical when they opened, but I think if you deliver a quality service and exceptional food, people will come.

    Would love to see a Housing Works on Lenox!

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  4. Yes - Bagel shop!!! Low-priced, but can be done nicely, and can keep up a high-volume.

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  5. Something like Harlem Tavern could do well on Lenox. The most successful places to my mind are ones that are casual and mid-priced and with a hip,understated aesthetic. A person should feel that they can pop into a place for a good draft beer or glass or wine, maybe eat at the bar; nothing should ever feel forced or "too nice" because then it becomes a special occasion place and that is not going to be profitable up here.

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  6. A housewares/hardware store would be helpful. Something like Basics Plus where you can get keys made, buy a trash can or a shower curtain without having to go to Target.

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  7. go to Mushtari’s on 125th between Fifth and Lenox. They are very nice.

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  8. Does anyone have an idea of what retail rents are in this area?

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  9. I agree with foodlover. We need more casual, moderately priced places to get a drink or something to eat. I can't always afford to $20-$30 on dinner, or $14 on a glass of wine, but I also don't always want to walk over to FDB to go to Harlem tavern or Bier to get a more affordable meal.

    As far as retail, I would love to see an independent bookstore.

    I'd also like to point out that Upper Lenox has even more empty store fronts and a desperate need for a wider variety of food and retail options. I know that it's slowly creeping northwards, but those of us north of 135th would love something more than crappy Chinese and pizza.

    The women's clothing shop Brownstone (located on 125th) recently opened another outpost on Lenox between 141st and 142nd. They have beautiful things, but there is little other retail to draw people up there. Store fronts along these blocks have been empty for years. I would love to see something else move in.

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  10. Casual Pub. Bier and Harlem Tavern have shown they do well in Harlem. All of Harlem needs more places like that

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  11. 4 or 5 additional retail shops on Lenox would make a huge difference in turning it into a destination. FDB is no doubt a successful model and Lenox would be a great second. With a mix of landmarked buildings and HPD owned properties (limiting types of business) it has definitely been a challenge.

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  12. I was downtown last week and the number of empty storefronts on Thompson and Sullivan below Houston was staggering. Businesses that had been around for 45 years like my old coffee store and newer but established places like the Hillfiger flagship store were all vacant. Takes guts to open a store, especially in this economy which is why I am so gobsmacked when places open up here that cater to a high end market.

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  13. I would love to see a Thai place on Lenox, moderately priced of course. I'm tired of only having soul food by the pound or bullet-proof Chinese places. Don't get me wrong I love Jacob Restaurant but I want variety!

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