Over the years we've seen many a video of impressive pizza tossers. At the same time we don't remember seeing even one video of impressive long-distance ice cream tossing. Until now. Witness two Cold Stone Creamery workers at the chain's Atlantic Terminal Mall location throwing a scoop of ice cream from in front of their store, across a bank of escalators, to the Subway shop across the way: more ›

Pat Kiernan will be very happy: The Riese organization, operators of scores of NYC chain restaurants, is closing its 13 Dunkin' Donuts outlets on Friday and re-opening them as brand-new Tim Hortons on Monday morning. The Nation's Restaurant News' story suggests someone's maple leaf prophecy has come to pass. After being dropped from Riese's roster, Dunkin' released a statement yesterday that alleged, among other things, they're still awesome and "in the past five years 244 new Dunkin’ Donuts shops have opened in New York City." The company also explained that a 2004 lawsuit citing "health and safety violations" led to the "disenfranchisement" decision; Riese denies it and says a five-year contract expired. With Dunkin' dissed and Starbucks plugging away at yet another reformulation, expect an onslaught of free coffee promotions in the next few weeks from all sides, especially around Midtown. The announcement comes on top of previous news that Tim Hortons will open three more locations to be co-branded with Cold Stone Creamery in August, including one inside Cold Stone's flagship Times Square store. Tim Hortons is a megapopular Canadian coffee and snacks chain named for its founder, an NHL record-holder who died in a 1974 car accident. more ›

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East and West Village sweet tooths went into withdrawal last weekend with the abrupt closure of both Mary’s Dairy ice cream and chocolate bars. The plucky little parlors had developed a loyal following since scooping out their first location in a former West Village leather shop. They soon became a favorite pit stop for lithe model-types who swore by their tasty fat-free soft serve, which, according to the Times, succeeded in avoiding “the chalky taste of similar products.” Reached by phone this morning, the co-owner of the parlors, who insisted on being referred to only as Mary, blamed the usual suspects in her Dairy’s demise: “We have very loyal customers who all say they’re going to miss us, but it just comes down to Con Ed and rent.” First Con Ed came for the ice cream – can Christmas be far behind? more ›

So... wham! It's hot, humid, and not even officially summer yet. The forecast shows temps hitting 90 for the next couple of days before dropping to the 80s for the end of the week. The humidity might subside a bit but the sun will remain with us throughout. more ›

The Cold Stone Creamery is giving out free slices of cake today between 5-8PM because they are having a Ice Cream Cake Social to celebrate their support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation (proceeds all month long have been going to Make-A-Wish). The cake they are giving out is Micah’s Make-A-Wish, created by a Make-A-Wish child Micah, and it has "chocolate ice cream with cookie dough and chocolate shavings, layered with yellow cake and wrapped in a rich, fudge ganache." Mmm...fudge ganache. more ›

Photo of llama in a New York City car from Magnum Photos more ›

We've already told you about Beard Papa coming to Broadway near Astor Place in the near future, but we've got two more openings on the horizon. First, around the corner from the future Beard Papa, Cold Stone Creamery on Astor Place, in the former home of Astor Place Haircuts. Between the two of those, we'll be busy for a while, but there are days when Gothamist is looking for something slightly more healthy and less creamy than cream puffs and ice cream. For those times, there's a Juice It Up opening on Sixth Avenue just north of Tenth Street. We had never heard of this place before, but following the instructions on the sign below, we visited their website. This California-based chain serves smoothies, fresh squeezed juices and nectars, and organic coffee and tea. Welcome to the neighborhood, gang! more ›

, a group show curated by playful accessory company Fred Flare. more ›

Starting this week in New York City, Citigroup Security and Investigative Services will begin regular patrols accompanied by security trained dogs. The patrols will take place at 111 Wall Street, 250 West Street, 333 West 34th Street, 388 and 390 Greenwich Street, 399 Park Avenue, and Court Square.

Astor Place Haircuts charge $12 for a man's haircut, up from 25 cents when it opened. The WB fans will remember it as the place where Felicity got her hair cut very short (some say that show jumped the shark at that moment). Gothamist has been fond of the Astor Place area ever since we worked on Wanamaker Place, aka 9th Street. There are four Starbucks within three blocks, ensuring NYU and Cooper Union students are sufficiently hopped up, plus the Mud Truck, as well as the wonderful Japanese bakery, Panya, sake bar, Decibel, and the 24 hour Crunch where we'd shower if our bosses let us out for a break. Ah, those were the days. more ›