Category Archives: business

Frederick Douglass Boulevard featured in The New York Daily News

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Dec 6, 2010 @ 7:31
By HarlemGal
My favorite boulevard has been featured – once again – bright and big!  This time in The New York Daily News.  The article talks about all the “chic boutiques, restaurants and cocktail lounges the have cropped up on Frederick Douglass Boulevard above 110th St” in the last few years. It mentions Frederick Douglass Circle, MODSquad, bier international, 67 Orange, Patisserie des Ambassades and more.  The article even takes a page right out of HarlemGuy’s word playbook by stating “realtors call this bustling stretch of Eighth Avenue Harlem’s Gold Coast.” As with the other positive articles about Harlem, such as in The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal, I love this clip right up there with others!

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Posted in art and culture, baking, Bars, business, Community, fashion, Harlem, history, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants, shopping

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Harlem Flo buds another store, Busboys and Poets to look elsewhere in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Dec 2, 2010 @ 21:21

By HarlemGal
As expected, Harlem Flo has germinated another store at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd., which is about a block away from their flagship store.  I walked by Harlem Flo recently and checked out their window displays. They’re looking good! The store appears to have a lot of nice items to purchase for the home. Go by and check it out.

On a separate note, it looks like Harlem Flo will be residing in their new space alone for now and not with Busboys and Poets next door.  I have confirmation that the deal went south for Busboys and Poets to rent the commercial space at 2280 FDB. There is still hope though for the DC-based restaurant to come to Harlem. According to Andy Anas Shallal, the owner of Busboys and Poets, they are still looking for space in the general vicinity.

So this story is not over. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope Busboys and Poets finds retail space soon that meets their needs! Stay tune!

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

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Want holidays gifts Made in Harlem?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 29, 2010 @ 23:06
By HarlemGal
Last year, I purchased Harlem-themed notecards made by a local artist, who lives and works in Harlem, as holiday gifts for family and friends. I plan on sticking with that same approach this year since I love all things Harlem and I want to continue sharing that passion. If you are interested in buying gifts made in Harlem, then stop by Casa Frela this weekend for their Made in Harlem Festival. The weekend festival will feature 23 local artisans who will offer for purchase a wide range of unique and interesting holiday items. The festival will be held on Saturday, December 4th, 2010 and Sunday, December 5th, 2010, from 10AM to 7PM both days. Admission is FREE.

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Posted in art and culture, business, Community, Events, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC

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Designer Vintage collection launch at N Boutique in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 14, 2010 @ 11:43
By HarlemGal
Interested in shopping today, Sunday, November 14 along with a mimosa in hand? Then head on over to N Boutique at 119th Street and Lenox. Today, they are unveiling their  DESIGNER VINTAGE collection for women and men. N Boutique in Harlem is open on Sunday’s from 12 to 6pm!

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Posted in business, Harlem, shopping

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Former POTUS renews office space in Harlem, Clinton staying for another ten years

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 9, 2010 @ 16:15
By HarlemGal
I am not in the vicinity of Harlem this week, however, nothing moves me more while I am away to see an article on the road about Harlem and one of its famous commercial space residents-President Bill Clinton. When I read the article in The Wall Street Journal about the former POTUS staying around in Harlem for another ten years,I felt a big sigh of relief. Why? I believe Clinton was one of few that cast Harlem back into the spotlight starting in 2000 and on when he decided to move his presidential office to 125th Street. He was an early pioneer in jump starting what some have called a rebirth of Harlem. For him to leave Harlem now would have sent a negative message, such as he’s giving up on Harlem. Quite the opposite. By staying around for another ten years, it demonstrates a long-term commitment to Harlem and at the same time it should quiet some of those pundits who questioned his motives for moving to Harlem. In my view, Clinton could have set up shop anywhere else in the U.S., but he choose Harlem. So let’s give credit where credit is due on Harlem’s rise and hotness over the last ten years…and that’s to President Clinton!

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Posted in business, Harlem, real estate

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Levain Bakery plans to bake cookies and bread in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 3, 2010 @ 23:29
By HarlemGal
If you have walked by the old Tribal Spears Gallery space recently, which was at 2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd., and saw a lot of construction happening, it’s the working crew for Levain Bakery, the Upper Westside and Hampton’s bakery. They are opening up their first Harlem location after the new year – hopefully in the first quarter of 2011.

I spoke with a staffer from their 167 West 74th Street location about the expansion. I asked why are they coming to Harlem? Levain Bakery said “they see Harlem as an emerging community and it’s a community they believe in.”

Very sweet words and it seems consistent with their product. Check out their website to learn more about Levain Bakery. Based on their site, their cookies look yummy. And the bread looks quite good as well. Harlemites will soon have another place to get a sugar fix in Harlem! Sign me up for that gym membership…quick!

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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurant row, shopping

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Harlem through the eyes of Marcus Samuelsson

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Nov 1, 2010 @ 7:27
By HarlemGal
The countdown begins for the opening of Red Rooster, which is suppose to have its preview night November 2 in Harlem with an official opening expected about three weeks later according to a reader and its owner, Marcus Samuelsson is wasting no time in plugging Harlem, the location of his new restaurant. In this video for Black Atlas.com, a social networking site for “sophisticated African-American travelers,” Samuelsson visits several Harlem businesses and asks them what makes Harlem so special. In addition, he asks business owners for some advice on running a business in Harlem. Hear what Harlem business owners had to say…

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Posted in business, entertainment, Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurants

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Just Wingin It in Harlem has ‘store for rent’ sign up

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 29, 2010 @ 11:01
By HarlemGal
A reader left us a message saying they  saw a “store for rent” sign hanging on the property of Just Wingin It. I walked by the place last night and sure enough, there was a for rent sign up!

I wonder what happened? Construction Intervention gave this place a makeover not too long ago. One would think after that, the eating establishment would do its best to stay open. And where is Walter Lewis in all this? There’s has to be some sort of explanation. The man seems like a reasonable person. I wish Lewis would send out some sort of statement explaining what happened-at least explain to the Harlem community, who I believe whole heartedly supported him.

If anyone has information as to what happened, please pass along.

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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurants

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Frizzante in Harlem closed for couple of days

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Oct 25, 2010 @ 13:05
By HarlemGal
Over the weekend a reader asked HarlemCondoLife “what’s up with Frizzante in Harlem? The doors have been shut for a few days?” I wondered the same thing!
I made a few calls and here’s the latest! Frizzante, located at 2168 Frederick Blvd., is NOT closed for good. They are fixing a few repairs according to a source from Meridiana, an Italian restaurant on the Upper Westside and the same owners of Frizzante. They hope to reopen in a couple of days!
Whew! Glad to gear it! I love the food at Frizzante and their Happy Hour is good as well! Hope to go back soon once they reopen!

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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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There is a rose in Spanish Harlem, an abundance on East 116th Street

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Oct 19, 2010 @ 16:55

By HarlemGal
Do you remember the song by Ben King called “There is a rose in Spanish Harlem?” It is an oldie, but goodie hit! We thought of this song recently when we passed by the flower stand on the northwest corner of East 116th Street and Lexington Avenue this past weekend.
This particular flower stand has an abundance of fresh roses, sunflowers, daisies and mixed flowers for sale-more so than other Bodega stands in Harlem. The flowers at this stand are all beautifully stacked and grouped accordingly where it makes the street-walker stop, look and buy. That’s what happened to us. We ended up buying two dozen colored roses for $10 and a bouquet of daisies for $5! What a deal! This stand has to be one of the least expensive places with gorgeous product in the area. We wanted to buy more flowers, such as the mustard colored sunflowers for $5 or mixed flowers for $8! However, we only had two sets of hands. We’re going back though. After our two dozen roses finish blooming!
As the song goes, there is a rose in Spanish Harlem beautiful and inexpensive, and it’s on 116th Street and Lexington Avenue.

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, shopping

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