66-Year-Old Upper West Side Pub to Close

The NY Post reports that decidedly un-glitzy Columbus Avenue bar (which serves food, including bangers and mash) Emerald Inn will be closing next year. Another neighborhood joint closing isn't surprising, but it's a little depressing, given how owner Charlie Campbell found out: "he only got the bad news when he saw the location advertised for lease on the Web site of real estate brokerage CB Richard Ellis." Apparently the landlord is doubling the rent to $350,000/year for the 800-square foot space. An Emerald Inn patron lamented, "We used to have all these ma-and-pa shops," but these days, there are higher-end and trendier neighbors--like a sleek Lancome location next store and Intermix and Magnolia Bakery across the street. We hope mom-and-pop stores, like Stationary Toys World on West 72nd (between Amsterdam and Columbus), can weather through it.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 30, 2008 10:15 AM

Comments [rss]

citylion

Goliath National Bank is opening up there soon!

NannyState

These greedy landlords warehouse these storefronts until some idiotic national chain comes along and meets their price but you add the banking collapse to the casual dining chain collapse to the Blockbusters and everyone else that are collapsing and soon these predators will be begging the little guy to sign the lease...until the next cycle.

jackdonaghy

For the past two years, it seems that UWS landlords would rather have empty stores than keep their popular tenants(numerous restaurants, florists, and even the beloved Penny Whistle Toys). And as most of you pointed out, NOW is the worst time to give steady businesses the boot. Who the hell is going to pay $30k a month for that little spot? Those yogurt places can't be bringing in that much income.

jonas_cord

#13 - UWS landlords have been kicking lots of stores out for a couple years now, and the storefronts stay empty. They are all collectively under the delusion that the UWS is about to become Soho or something - it's ridiculous.

Spirit of 76

Almost makes you wish the economy would crash and burn just so greedy people like this landlord gets the shaft when he can't find any takers.

whitecastlerock

WHo the hell can afford the rents these landlords are demanding?

whantmoore

Welcome to the recession

ides_of_march

Yogi's at 76 and B'way is closing this week too.

Papercutninja

Awesome! I assume it won't be a bank.

whitecastlerock

$350k for rent? jesus christ... How long will these yogurt places last anyways?

TimSPC

Apparently the landlord is doubling the rent to $350,000

Does someone want to send this guy a newspaper?

henricus

Was walking down St. Mark's to work yesterday. Counted five yogurt stores on one block. Rome is burning folks.

balutanski

this is depressing.

everything is going to be a pink berry.

this city is starting to suck.

JacqueMehoff

this looks like a nice place. not something I'd find in Manhattan. sort of like those old man's bars out in bay ridge with the nickle small glasses of beer and Mannix on the TV.

mmlanglie

Oh no! That is my favorite bar in the UWS, a perfect place to stop by before or after catching a movie...its really a shame. A great, unpretentious place to catch a burger and a pint. And the staff is awesome too...I guess NYC has no room for places like this anymore, sigh.