Category Archives: business

Harlem couple invest in where they live creating Harlem Tavern

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 3 comments

Aug 20, 2010 @ 15:27
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By HarlemGal
What does The Tonic Bar located in Times Square have in common with Harlem? The Tonic Bar is owned by a couple who live in Harlem. They’ve been residents of Harlem since 2006. The couple behind The Tonic Bar in Times Square have now decided to invest 100 percent in where they live by launching Harlem Tavern, a neighborhood bar & grill, at 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd. This is the space we told you about back in April how the corner gas station/auto shop was up for lease. (Oh…and a reader too had sent us an update on the recent construction happening at this corner space.)
Today, one of the owners of the upcoming Harlem Tavern spoke directly with HarlemCondoLife to tell us why they are putting their dinero dollars into where they live-particularly Frederick Douglass Blvd.
According to Sheri Wilson from SoHa 116 Restaurant Corporation and co-owner along with her husband says Harlem Tavern will be a restaurant that is representative of Harlem. “Harlem Tavern is going to be a place for everyone. Harlem is such a diverse place. We are creating Harlem Tavern to capture and accommodate that diversity,” says Wilson.
Wilson says word recently got out about their exact plans cause their website was just finished and hit the internet. She said “you’re the first we are speaking to.”
They still have several processes to complete with NYC’s Department of Buildings. However, they’ve built-in plenty of time to open in their business timeline, which is not soon. Wilson says they are aiming to open after the new year. “If all things go as planned, we plan to open in February 2011.” She said if they make that deadline they will get heating lamps to accommodate customers and the winter weather.
In closing, Wilson explained why Frederick Douglass Blvd? “Harlem is a great place to live and Frederick Douglass Blvd is a wonderful street that holds enormous potential for growth.” We could not agree more with Sheri Wilson! We have dubbed FDB as “restaurant row” and the “gold coast of Harlem.” As each day passes, our predictions are becoming more and more of a reality.
A special congrats to our fellow Harlemites on their plans with Harlem Tavern! May everything fall in place and so that we have another new and interesting place to hang! Salude!

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Posted in Bars, business, Community, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Two Harlem establishments now open for business: bier international and Chocolat

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 12, 2010 @ 17:26
By HarlemGal
We have received official notice that Chocolat, located at 2217 Frederick Douglass Blvd, and bier international, located at 2099 FDB, are now open for business. They join many other fine establishments on FDB, an area we have forecasted as Harlem’s restaurant row. Stop on by these places and tell us what you think!

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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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Lenox Avenue corner in Harlem becoming a pharmacy?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aug 11, 2010 @ 10:28
By HarlemGal
Has anyone noticed the construction taking place on the southwest corner of Lenox Avenue and 116th Street? This was another interesting tidbit I stumbled across over the weekend, however, not as interesting to date as the sales rep at 2280 FDB talking about Busboys and Poets moving into their space.
The sign says it’s becoming a pharmacy. Does anyone know if it’s going to be a locally owned pharmacy or one of those mammoth businesses, such as a CVS or Walgreens? It had all those stapled notices on the plywood, but I don’t know how to read or interpret all those legal fliers. Does anyone know what’s up? Diganos!

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Busboys and Poets plan to expand into Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 10, 2010 @ 12:00
By HarlemGal
While apartment hunting throughout Harlem with a good friend this past weekend, I stumbled across some interesting information. A sales representative at 2280 Frederick Douglass Blvd., one of the new condo buildings built from the ground up in West Harlem, made a point to say to the potential buyer that their retail space was in contract with Busboys and Poets from Washington, D.C., a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place where people can discuss issues of importance.

The 2280 FDB sales rep was emphatic to the potential buyer about how their retail space was taken. They said Busboys and Poets is moving into their large retail space and then a florist is moving into the smaller part where the sales office currently resides. The florist will move in after the majority of apartment sales are complete.

When I heard this information, I was dumbfounded. I did not know who Busboys and Poets was even though I lived in D.C. for many years. That’s because I was long gone from D.C. when Busboys and Poets opened, which was in 2005. My friend, who was looking to buy an apartment in Harlem, knew of them and said it was a good business to come to Harlem. Interesting stuff.

So I called over to the press office of Busboys and Poets to see what the deal was and the person who answered the phone confirmed they do have plans to open another restaurant outside of the Beltway and into Harlem. However, the individual could not confirm the exact location, say when or if an agreement was signed for the first level retail space at 2280 FDB, nor say exactly when Busboys and Poets will open for business in Harlem. They had to direct me to the owner for further clarification, which I reached out to but he was not available for comment.

If all this checks out, looks like Busboys and Poets will be joining many other restaurant establishments, who have decided to make Frederick Douglass Blvd. their home! Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned!

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Posted in business, Harlem

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Introducing Cupcake Suite Cupcakery & Cafe in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Aug 4, 2010 @ 14:18

By HarlemGal
Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem just got a little sweeter! Why? Because 2211 FDB will be the home of the brand, spanking new Cupcake Suite Cupcakery & Cafe. According to their website, the Cupcake Suite is founded by the Get’em Girls (pictured in this post) and their vision “is to create a swank upscale bakery and communal cafe with the comforts of the Carolinas and the inspiration of boulangeries in France.” Ooh la la! I am so there! I love sweets!
The Cupcake Suite will be located on what they call-not us- Harlem’s budding restaurant row, Frederick Douglass Blvd., between 119th and 120th Street and will offer signature cupcakes for $2.00 each; and specialty cupcakes for $2.50 each. View their menu here!
The Cupcake Suite plans to open late September/early October so put your taste buds on hold and start to figure out how to manage your desire for sweets! Harlem will now have Tonnie’s Minis, Make My Cake and Lee, Lee’s Baked Goods all close by in Central Harlem. Let the cupcake competition begin! Hmm…can you say cupcake throw down! Quick, call the Food Network!

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Posted in business, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants

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HCL writes cerveza at bier international in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aug 3, 2010 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal

How many ways can you say beer in a different language? And can you spell it out in that language as well? I was recently asked these questions by the owners and designer of the upcoming bier international in Harlem, which will be located at 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd. I answered the questions honestly. I only knew how to say beer in one other language and spell it out. I said “cerveza!” The folks at bier international, which I learned the name of the beer pub is not capitalized, said that was perfect and if I wanted to write it on their big, white wall that will be the home to the word “beer” in multiple languages. If you look at the rendering of the upcoming beer joint, it shows writing on the wall.

Any how, I said yes. I would love too! I was given the fun privilege of writing the word “cerveza” in brownish colored paint high up on their wall. I was a bit nervous writing on their freshly painted wall, but I did it and did not mess up! So when you head on over to bier international for a brewski and you see the word “cerveza” on the wall, you know the story behind it.

I hope bier international in Harlem opens up soon. I am getting thirsty!

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CheckSpring Bank to open branch in South Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aug 1, 2010 @ 17:54
By Austin2Harlem
This past Friday (July 31), I was the first to tell you about the change taking place at 2052 Frederick Douglass Blvd.-that’s where Grand Liquors use to be. I was hoping for a food joint, but now know that will not be the case. I have confirmation that CheckSpring Bank, the Bronx-founded banking company, is moving into that space in Harlem. As a matter a fact, they’re trying to open this Wednesday. The construction crew was working today (August 1) non-stop.
Oh well…so much for my desire to have a Thai food place or diner open up on FDB in Harlem. Maybe someday? I guess the more appropriate thing to say now is “Welcome to the neighborhood, CheckSpring Bank.”

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H&M and Uptown Magazine celebrate the grand re-opening of H&M Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 30, 2010 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal

H&M and Uptown Magazine celebrated on July 29 the grand re-opening of H&M in Harlem, which is located on 125th Street between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. The hosts packed the fashion retail store with more than 400 VIP guests, who were treated to great music, food and drinks and a first-hand look at all the clothing inside the store.

Some of the cool guests I was introduced to included Misa Hylton-Brim, a fashion stylist, who has worked with Queen Latifah and Lil Kim, Candi Lynn, a hip-hop artist and DJ Steel, a well-known spinner from the tri-state area. I also ran into well-known locals from Harlem, such as Melba Wilson, the owner of Melba’s. Her and I were chatting it up. Melba told me she catered the entire Target celebrity event that took place July 20. That’s awesome! Good for Melba.

Aside from the fascinating people at this event, the clothes were just as interesting. H&M had the whole place completely stocked with summer and fall clothes. There is so much to choose from-whether you’re looking for clothing for young adults, teenagers or kids clothing-H&M will have it and for a low price. I asked Hylton-Brim what she thought of the retailer. “It’s a great place to shop, not only for their reasonable prices, but for their quality of clothing.”

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Grand Liquors Inc. in Harlem out, bank or check cashing place in

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 29, 2010 @ 17:43
By Austin2Harlem
Coming out of the B/C subway line at 110th Street heading north, I quickly noticed there was construction happening at 2052 Frederick Douglass Blvd., which use to be Grand Liquors Inc. in Harlem. I quickly asked what was going into this space. The first response I received “it’s going to be a bank branch.” Then someone else on site said “it’s going to be a check cashing place.” Darn to both responses. I was hoping for something else, say a diner or Thai food. Wouldn’t that be good to have another food joint on Frederick Douglass Blvd?

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Target roles out the red carpet in Spanish Harlem in honor of their first Manhattan store

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Jul 21, 2010 @ 23:47

By HarlemGal

The new Target located in Spanish Harlem-and scheduled to officially open on July 25-had their red carpet premiere on Tuesday, July 20 with celebrities, industry insiders and major players from the Harlem community in attendance. Marcus Samuelsson, Thelma Golden, and Albert Maysles all attended and they live right here in Harlem. Que rico!

Psst….if you were not there, no worries. HarlemCondoLife has the chisme on the entire fiesta! Escuchanos! Here is the HCL scoop on Target’s big party July 20 held at East River Plaza, which is at 116th Street and Pleasant Avenue!

  • Ok, not only is Tyson Beckford gorgeous on the outside, its internal as well. Tyson took picture after picture with adoring fans for close to an hour. Can we clone him?
  • Our very own Harlemite Marcus Samuelsson catched up with friend  and fellow Harlemite Albert Maysles during his dish demonstration in the P-Fresh section. They both live in Harlem cause they know we are a super cool community.
  • The busiest canine on the planet took time out for pictures. Bullseye the Target dog posed politely for pictures with event revelers. The line was so long it looked like folks waiting in line to enter The Apollo Theater!
  • Models Ubah Hassan and Hollis Wakeema posing for fan photos while they compared bathing suit selections from the Target Harlem Designer collections. Samuelsson’s model wife was present as well. Too much beauty and is always constant at Harlem places like Zoma on Frederick Douglass Blvd.
  • Isabel and Rubin Toledo having a hard time deciding on which bag from their Target collection to purchase. I love handbags. Need I say more…must get one soon!
  • Makeup guru and Target design partner Sonia Kashuk shopping with her family and adding Target Harlem Designer goods and toys to her cart. I buy Kashuk’s perfume and make-up brushes all the time. Now, it will be so much easier to get!

Looking forward to shopping at Target. Want to know what the store looks like inside? Stay tuned.

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Posted in business, fashion, Harlem, shopping

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