There have been a lot written in the media about small businesses being driven out of Harlem (mainly because they are along the 125th Street corridor) but little on the opposite end of the trend. In the past few years, several new eateries have opened uptown from proprietors who were formerly established elsewhere and are doing quite well. Marcus Samuelsson had a disastrous run with an African themed restaurant in the Meatpacking District several years back and is doing fine at the Red Rooster location on Lenox Avenue. Tonnie's Minnis owners started the cupcake business down in the village and has since found success on lower Lenox Avenue. The Bier International guys on FDB/8th Avenue formerly owned a lounge in the East Village and were instantly successful uptown when they first opened.
Then there are the business partners over at Harlem Food Bar who have had a couple of establishments formerly set up in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea but have found success opening in South Harlem. As for the owner's of Lenox Coffee, they actually live in Brooklyn and saw that opening a business in that boroughs did not make sense financially and set up shop around upper Lenox. All will probably confirm that rents in their former neighborhoods became unaffordable for small businesses and that is why Harlem now makes the most sense. Businesses come and go quickly but a lot of the success stories come from seasoned veterans who know when to move on to the next best thing.
It's all about finding those areas where there is demand! West Harlem especially is underserved when it comes dining / hangout options. I was in the The Chipped Cup in Sugar Hill this morning and it was bustling! I see good things for the as yet to open Harlem Public as well. There are places for rent around there right now so bring it! Any word on what is happening with the brownstone turned restaurant on 145th between Convent and Amsterdam? I heard it was recently sold and perhaps going to be another restaurant?
ReplyDeleteGreat observation. It seems people get overly focused on the negative aspect of everything, but there are really a lot of very exciting new businesses opening up in Harlem that are achieving success. Just because one or two businesses fail doesn't mean there should be a wholesale indictment of the neighborhood. A lot of good things happening. Look around.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, good observation, the pattern appearing is, old Harlem businesses failing, new Harlem businesses thriving, with the exception of Sylvia’s of course. Harlem, has undergone huge changes, like any other Manhattan neighborhood. Often, the old well established businesses have an edge with their loyal customer base and history, New York has many examples of long established businesses surviving changing neighborhoods and rents. Those that own the building are nearly always the survivors, like Sylvia’s but they too are not immune to rising costs as property taxes go up. I think the failing old Harlem businesses says two thing 1) They are unwilling or unable to adapt and 2) the new Harlem customers are not so interested in the old Harlem. Very sad when this involves the loss of Harlem history like Minton’s, Lenox Lounge, St Nicks Pub etc.
ReplyDeleteAll good points however I would disagree about new Harlem customers not being interested in the old Harlem. That's what brought us here. The area is so rich in history, architecture and quite frankly soul. The vibe in Brooklyn is much different than here. I was heartbroken about the closing of St. Nick's. And I love the Lenox Lounge as it feels like you are going back in time...in a good way! I think what is interesting to me is how these new business' have adopted social media. Have you looked at the Facebook pages of The Chipped Cup and Harlem Public? You have to create buzz about your establishment and then deliver a solid product. I stand by my initial assessment. Find a neighborhood with pent-up demand, like West Harlem, deliver a solid product, have a realistic business model, give it your heart and soul and the rest will come...
ReplyDeleteTotally agree when I moved to NYC 6 years ago I moved to Harlem specifically because of its stake in American history and honestly, these businesses and "re-birth" will keep me here once I finish studies and want to purchase/put money toward my own community. Harlem is starting to keep its "temporaries" (CCNY and Columbia students especially) from flocking to the UWS or Downtown. Small business is what makes NYC what it is, let's celebrate all of the success this city has had in not turning into a completely franchise-run city (i.e the Mid-West, USA)
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