Category Archives: business

$100 million development for 125th will bring Harlem Brewing Company home

Posted on July 14, 2011 | 1 comment

When the City announced yesterday the redevelopment of two major, vacant sites on Harlem’s 125th Street, it garnered enormous press coverage. Why? Because it’s a big deal. The bookends of 125th will get a new look, jobs will be created and new business will move in! The part I find interesting in this announcement is that the Sugar Hill Beer I like to have at St. Nicks Pub or now at Harlem Tavern could eventually be brewed right up the street from where I live! How cool is that?

According to the news release from the Mayor’s Office, “Harlem Brewing Company, which currently brews in Saratoga Springs, will be moving its production facility to CREATE @ Harlem Green and will grow hops on an open roof, give tours and operate a brewing museum, a tap room and gift shop.” The City selected Janus Partners LLC and Monadnock Construction, Inc. to redevelop the former Taystee Bakery complex into CREATE @ Harlem Green.

And when the Harlem Brewing Company moves, it will mark the first brewery in Harlem since before Prohibition! So cool! I will drink to that! Raise your mug! Cheers!

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, history, New York, New York City, NYC

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Cedric French Bistro and Bar chooses red color scheme similar to other Harlem establishments

Posted on July 12, 2011 | 2 comments

I was walking along St. Nicholas Avenue this past weekend and could not help but notice the brand new awning hanging outside the old Mojo Harlem, which will now be-and hopefully opening soon-Cedric Bistro. In April, The New York Post was the first to report that “a hot new bistro was coming to Harlem,” at St. Nicholas and 119th Street. The Post also noted that Cedric would open in June. That did not happen. However, if you walk by Cedric you can see the work they are doing. They have their bright red color awning on display outside. Also, if you peak in on one of the windows, it’s clear red will be used in various parts of the restaurant, such as on seat covers and on their newly built booths. Red appears to be a popular color in Harlem lately when it comes to opening new establishments. For Cedric, Red is a nice transition from the previous color scheme, which I believe was more plum and purple tones.

Can’t wait to see the final touches on Cedric in Harlem. They should be opening in the summer as well! Stay tune…

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Posted in Bars, business, commercial real estate, Community, Harlem, music, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Harlem’s Honeycomb Burgers aiming to open by end of summer

Posted on July 11, 2011 | 4 comments

I was at Chocolat recently enjoying their happy hour (more on that later) and while there I inquired about the status of Honeycomb Burgers, located on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 119th and 120th Street. The word is they are hoping to open the place by the end of summer. Harlemites can hopefully expect a new burger joint around August or mid September. We all know the drill when it comes to opening these establishments. Deadlines are very fluid. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the hamburger prices will be reasonably priced at Honeycomb Burgers in Harlem!

Leon Ellis, the owner of Moca and Chocolat, owns Honeycomb Burgers. He is clearly expanding his restaurant business in Harlem and will soon dominate this particular block in Harlem once his third business opens. Good for Leon and best wishes for continued success! Can’t wait to have a burger there!

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Posted in Bars, business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate, restaurant row, restaurants

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New yogurt store and nail salon coming to Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem

Posted on July 10, 2011 | 9 comments


Have you walked by the Gateway Condominiums lately, the condo building located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd., and noticed how the majority of its retail space on the first floor has been vacant for a while? Well…that block on the eastside of FDB is about to change. Word has it that a yogurt store and a nail salon have signed a long-term lease with the developer who owns the large portion of commercial space, located right next to Society Cafe.

Apparently the leases were signed recently for a yogurt store and nail salon to move in, and work has already begun by dividing up the space for these two new businesses in Harlem. Notice in the photo, there are two separate doors on the commercial space. For the longest time, that commercial space only had one door to enter.

No exact confirmation on the names of each business yet. As soon as I know, I will pass along!

This portion of Frederick Douglass Blvd from left to right will eventually appear and operate as Society Cafe, which most of us know is owned by Karl, then next to Society Cafe will either be the nail salon or the yogurt place. After the nail salon and yogurt place is the lobby of the Gateway Condos. Next to that lobby is vacant space. A Metro PCS use to be there. However, we hear a shoe repair is hoping to move in there. And finishing out the complex is Express Dry Cleaners.

The new yogurt store will join the recently opened Chill Berry at 414 Lenox Avenue. And the nail salon joins stiff competition. There is Polished FingerTips on FDB and 118th, and Z Nail Salon on 116th between FDB and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

Overall, I personally like that these two new businesses will be moving into Harlem. I like eating yogurt and I definitely like getting my nails and feet done. I just wish someone would open a 24 hour diner around this portion of Harlem! Don’t you think so as well?

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Posted in business, commercial real estate, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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Say it’s not so, Red Rooster Harlem graded a C

Posted on July 10, 2011 | 2 comments


I am reading in The New York Daily News today (Sunday) that our Red Rooster Harlem was graded a…gasp…C from the New York City Department of Health. Say it ain’t so? I was there last week along with my companion and, as always, the food was outstanding. Also, patrons can see the kitchen when you walk in and if you are seated right by it inside it’s in full view. The Red Rooster kitchen appears to look like a Mercedes of kitchens run by only the best drivers. I cannot believe this and agree with the person quoted in the article: “If this [Red Rooster Harlem] is a C, then how do dirty jerk chicken joints in Flatbush get A’s? This place has a brand-new kitchen. I’ve seen it.”

I have no doubt that Marcus Samuelsson and his team are “on it.” Given how driven of a team they are, they will not rest until they get that A. Count on it!

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Posted in business, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, New York, New York City, NYC, Red Rooster Harlem, restaurants

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Want to work at Harlem Tavern?

Posted on July 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

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If you are looking for work and have experience in high volume restaurants, head on over to Harlem Tavern, located on the corner of 116th and Frederick Douglass Blvd., with your resume! They are looking for people with 2 to 3 years of experience in working in the restaurant business.

Please pass this along to anyone who know who is looking for work and would like to work at Harlem Tavern! Have a great weekend!

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Posted in business, Community, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Tavern, restaurant row, restaurants

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‘Secret Agent’ buys in Harlem

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 2 comments

According to The New York Observer, Harlem is getting a “secret agent.” Well, actually Fifth on the Park is. Apparently, Glen Sergeon Jr., who got him dubbed the “Secret Agent” by Forbes magazine back in May has said goodbye to his Greenwich Village penthouse for a three-bedroom apartment in the condo tower Fifth on the Park. Records show that the Secret Agent himself paid $1.42 million for his new place on the 20th floor of the 28-story building located near Marcus Garvey Park at 120th Street.

The article mentions that Fifth on the Park is the tallest apartment building in Harlem and the Secret Agent’s “new 1,884-square-foot home offers all the modern amenities, such as state of the art kitchens with granite counter tops, washer/dryers, central air conditioner and heating systems, cherry wood floors, oversized windows, 9 – 10′ ceiling heights, marble baths with soaking tubs and custom closets.” And the Secret Agent is getting a deal. There are almost no taxes to pay, due to the 421-a program.

Hope the residents at Fifth on the Park are excited about having a “secret agent” living in their building. Maybe they will dub him the James Bond of Harlem?

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, politics, real estate

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SUBSCRIBE and CONTACT HarlemGal Inc.

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 3 comments

Follow HarlemGal and her blog posts by subscribing via email. This function is located on the lower right hand side of the blog page or better yet, send her feedback, or story ideas by clicking on the contact link located at the top of the page.

If these options are not your thing, feel free to reach out through twitter, tumblr or Facebook!

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Posted in art and culture, business, Events, Harlem

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Harlem real estate progress report: Windows on 123 sold out and 88 Morningside half remaining

Posted on July 7, 2011 | 2 comments

Windows on 123

The Harlem real estate sector continues to progress even though the markets in general appear to be down on all other fronts. Two properties in Harlem are meeting their mark given the uncertain times. According to Halstead Property Development, the first phase of a two-building development, Windows on 123 Apartments, a luxury condominium development in Harlem, is sold out and that the launch of sales has begun at Windows on 123 Lofts, the development’s nearby sister property. Windows on 123 is a 34-unit luxury residential development located at 117 and 129 West 123rd Street near Lenox Avenue.

88 Morningside

West of the Windows on 123 is 88 Morningside. They had a successful month in June as well. More than 50 percent of the units are sold in this new Harlem condo building and it is one of the fastest selling new developments in Harlem.

If you’re looking for a downtown loft-like apartment, Windows on 123 might be worth the visit or if you want to have park views, 88 Morningside offers that. It is located along Morningside Park, which is a gorgeous park! And that’s my Harlem real estate progress report!

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, Lenox Avenue, real estate

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High end fashion brand Balenciaga shoots new ads in a Harlem church

Posted on July 6, 2011 | 1 comment

According to Harper’s Bazaar and Fashionista.com, Balenciaga’s new ads were shot in a Harlem church. But what church? Can anyone tell from the photo below which church the model in the left hand side is photographed in?

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Posted in art and culture, business, entertainment, fashion

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