A lot of folks have been wondering what is the current status of Mountain Bird and so we reached out to the owners to see if there was any good news. The critically celebrated restaurant abruptly shuttered earlier in 2014 after being open for just a handful of months and has since been looking for a new spot in the Sugar Hill vicinity. Right now, that search is still going on since the business is a true mom and pop since it really is just a married couple running the entire show. This boutique business made a little-known block a destination for foodies in Harlem and probably can do the same wherever they go but getting a decent rent will probably be the main issue here. Any suggestions out there?
Look further uptown near Jumel Terrace. I don't know what is happening with the building that Wilson's Bakery/Restaurant (great Soul Food) used to be in on the NW corner of Amsterdam/158th--it has been shuttered for at least 10 years since Wilson's closed. There are several vacant storefronts on Amsterdam--I believe there is also on next to Sistuh's Bookstore that used to be the Quilted Giraffe.
ReplyDeleteThere are two store fronts on Broadway and 157th (where the old Olympia Florist used to be) and (where the twin donuts used to be). Both are steps from 1 train, not Sugar Hill but there is definitely a market in that hood for a good restaurant. Tazso's has brought the community together up there and it would be the perfect place.
ReplyDeleteWhat about St. Nicholas between 146 and 147....sveral storefronts there by Mama K's ad the up coming Tsion bakery
ReplyDeleteas close as possible to 148th between 7th & 8th....pleeeeaaaseeeee! :-)
ReplyDeleteThey should come a little further south down to Lower Lenox, between 116th and 130th. Mountain Bird would fit in very nicely. There's a good amount of foot traffic, a great diversity of restaurants, and pretty soon -- when the Whole Foods opens up next year -- it will be a really hot strip.
ReplyDeleteLower 125th Street will probably have really high rents unless someone knows a building owner who will wants a good tenant and is willing to bring down prices.
DeleteAmsterdam between 140 and 143rd
ReplyDeleteKeep it uptown in 140's and 150's. I think a small mom and pop ownership would really be able to survive and thrive.
ReplyDeleteThe food was so good there that I'd volunteer to wash dishes just to keep their overhead down so they can open up further uptown. I would love to see them up by the Jumel Terrace Historic District.
ReplyDeleteWhen they first closed there were a lot of very good suggestions, but who knows what the leasing situations are? Like Lundy's on 147 & St. Nicholas…that place has been empty forever and would be a perfect location, but you would have to think there is a reason why nobody has taken it over. The same thing goes for a lot of the available retail spaces on Amsterdam and Broadway in the high-130's-140's…are the landlords already trying to get downtown rents for uptown spaces? But the obvious answer as to why they haven't reopened probably has to do with their own cash reserves…they sunk a ton of money into Mountain Bird and that is all gone! I doubt they have that big a nest egg sitting around that they can chance on another place where they have to completely renovate a kitchen and dining room. They are probably looking for more of a turn-key spot where they can do some minor tweaks so that they don't go broke before they open.
ReplyDeleteLenox above 135th needs good restaurants ! And there places that need tenants. Just took a stroll today.
ReplyDeleteIf they need money to renovate a new place, I think many people in the neighborhood (and throughout the city) would be eager to help them out with a kickstarted campaign. Everyone fell in love with them and their food.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I would be happy to give so these fine people can get back on their feet…and into the kitchen!
Delete500 W 148th has a space off the avenue - it last housed a gallery. The space is big, beautiful, has been vacant for years and off the avenue (so probably pretty affordable).
ReplyDeleteAnywhere from 130 & Lenox and up!! There is a real absence of good eats on our strip!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I really like the Kickstarter idea!
ReplyDeleteThere is a cafe in brooklyn's lefferts garden that raised all their money to fund the place via kickstarter. its called gratitude cafe.
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam between 140th and 145th! There are a bunch of places for rent and with a ready crowd of locals already frequenting places like The Grange, it's got a proven track record as a successful location.
ReplyDeleteKickstarter is a great idea. I would be happy to give so these fine people can get back on their feet…and into the kitchen!
ReplyDelete