Category Archives: Harlem

Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem to bake no more

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 27, 2010 @ 11:08

By HarlemGal
I called over today to Lee, Lee’s Bakery to order a large red velvet cake for an upcoming summer party. Cake is a product I ordered often from Mr. Lee, especially red velvet cake, cause it tastes delicious and it was always a hit at parties. But now, I cannot do this any more. I was told the unthinkable today by someone answering the phone at Lee, Lee’s. They said I had to order now and pick up ASAP in order to have my cake. I was told the last day of business for Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem is this Monday, May 31.
I immediately asked what the H, E, double tooth pick happened? The person said, it’s the red, we are in the red. I said, I thought things were looking up with new orders of your product to places like Best Yet Market. The response I got was orders such as this stopped. Total silence. Then we hung up!
I have to say upfront, I am so heart broken to hear this news. Not only did I like my red velvet cake from Lee, Lee’s, but I enjoyed talking to Mr. Lee himself, who I found to be so sweet, kind and loveable. In addition, I encountered a loyal following of this place when I moved to Harlem more than five years ago. When I needed sweets, most people in Harlem would direct me to Lee, Lee’s Bakery on 118th.
The only thing I can think of now is to make a public plea on this site to try and save Lee,
Lee’s Bakery in Harlem. It’s worth a try…right?
Is there anyone out there who can help Mr. Lee? Does anyone know of someone who has revived local businesses before? If so, here is an opportunity. This man has wonderful baked products. He may need help with marketing, PR, and business management. But overall the goods are there. If you can help or know someone who can, call 917-493-6633 or visit the bakery at 283 West 118th Street in Harlem.
In closing, all I can say is Where is Construction Intervention for bakeries? Where is ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover when you need them? And most of all, where is Oprah Winfrey or Ellen DeGeneres when you need them? Fans of Lee, Lee’s Bakery in Harlem are calling!

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Wild Olive Market opens in East Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 23, 2010 @ 18:42

By HarlemGal
Over the weekend, we headed over to the east side of Harlem to visit Wild Olive Market, the brand new grocery store located on the southeast corner of 125th and Fifth Avenue. We received word from a reader that the new store was going to open up any day. Well, that day arrived. May 21 was the first day Wild Olive Market opened, so we took our readers recommendation and went on over on Sunday to see the new grocery digs in East Harlem.
First off, what a wonderful addition to this part of Harlem. Harlemites have several options to choose from when it comes to buying groceries. There is Fairway, Best Yet Market, and Pathmark. And of course, there is all the charming bodegas throughout Harlem to shop at.


As for Wild Olive, it is a nice place and a good size-not too big and not too little. All of the products are on one floor and proportioned strategically where one can see almost everything right when you walk in.
Wild Olive appears to have taken over two retail spaces side by side. Bola, the African fabric store was located where Wild Olive is now, but has moved to the southwest corner of 125th. I assume they moved to make space for the new grocery store and because there was a better deal down the street.
And speaking of location, Wild Olive is easily accessible from the west and east side of Harlem by subway. The 2/3 at Lenox Avenue and 125th is not that far. Taking the 6 train at Lexington to 125th is another option or one can walk or urban scooter over. That’s what we did!
From what we saw today, Wild Olive Market is a wonderful store and their only one in Harlem. Should do well given all of its positive attributes!

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, shopping

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Gateway Condo in Harlem sheds part of scaffolding curtain

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

May 14, 2010 @ 10:52
By HarlemGal
If you were wondering what’s behind those scaffolding curtains drapping over Gateway Condominiums located at 2098 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Central Harlem, we now have a preview! Part of the curtains are down. I believe it came down yesterday. I guess the developer wants us Harlemites to see that the center part of the construction is almost finished. I use the words “almost” cause I am hoping the center building will be painted to match the other buildings it is joined next to.
The center building that we can all see now was a vacant lot. There’s not too many of those lots left at the base of Central Harlem. Vacant lots are slowly vanishing.
As for Gateway Condo, let’s hope the other part of the curtain comes down soon from the part of the building that’s sitting on top. Last week, I saw a giant crane taking big items to the very top of the building. The construction worker on site said they were trying to cover the 11th floor.
Given all this recent activity, let’s just hope those efforts continue so that the project can be finished!

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Posted in Harlem, real estate

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“Remembering Lena Horne in Harlem”

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 10, 2010 @ 22:30
By HarlemGal
NBC New York honored Lena Horne on Monday with a TV news package highlighting her ties to Harlem. It is a touching news piece on the lovely, talented, and legendary jazz singer. I encourage you to see it. Click here or on the photo to watch.

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Posted in entertainment, Harlem, history

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Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch to be held at Columbia University

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 10, 2010 @ 0:48
By HarlemGal

It has been several months since the horrible earthquake occurred in Haiti and there are still ways we can all assist in toward relief efforts right here in Harlem.

A select group of professionals representing various companies, such as ESSENCE Magazine, have joined forces to raise funds for Haiti by hosting a charity brunch. The Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch will take place Saturday, May 15, from 12:00pm to 4:00p at Columbia University’s Faculty House Presidential Ballroom, which is located at 64 Morningside Drive. The event will be emceed by DeMarco Morgan, Weekend Anchor, NBC4, and will include an art exhibition, silent auction, entertainment, Haitian cuisine and a panel discussion exploring the issues related to the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Proceeds from the brunch and silent auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity International and its effort to provide earthquake survivors with short-term shelter and long-term transitional homes.

To purchase tickets to the Haiti Rebirth Charity Brunch on May 15, click here.

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Red Rooster lands on Lenox Avenue, Marcus Samuelsson to be cooking in Harlem Fall 2010

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 7, 2010 @ 18:07

By HarlemGal
Can I just say from the start, I adore and appreciate our HarlemCondoLife.com readers very much! They’re like a Tonnie’s cupcake! Awesome! Seconds from when the Crain’s New York story broke about Red Rooster landing at 310 Lenox Avenue, a HCL reader notified us right away with the news! A big thank you to Tero!
As soon as I received that heads up, what did I do next? Aside from responding to our reader, I picked up the phone and called Marcus Samuelsson’s flack. Here’s the chisme!
The lease was just signed this week so the ink is barely dry. Samuelsson and his team are aiming to have Red Rooster open for customers this Fall. I probed a bit further. The PR rep did not want to comment on why 310 Lenox Avenue versus other locals throughout Harlem nor say anything about length or amount of the lease? The rep said “those type of details are for Marcus to answer and that’s not possible right now since he’s out of the country.” Hmm, I wonder if our celebrity chef and local Harlem resident gave those folks quoted in Crain’s the green light to say something about the location of Red Rooster? Given that Marcus is not available to confirm this wonderful news himself, I seriously doubt it. It seems like someone or somebody stole a little bit of Samuelsson’s thunder! If so, that’s not cool!
As for my thoughts on the Red Rooster location in Harlem, to be honest I was keeping my figures crossed that it would land on Frederick Douglass Blvd., however, after walking over to Lenox Ave to check out the space tonight (Friday), I can see why Samuelsson choose that location. It’s right next to Chez Lucienne, Sylvia’s and the planned Hyatt Hotel backed by Emmitt Smith and partners. Also, 310 Lenox Avenue is right by the 2/3 subway line. Uptowners and downtowners can easily get to Red Rooster. In addition, all those Bravo TV viewers, who watch Samuelsson on Top Chef Masters-Season 2, and plan to or regularly visit the Big Apple will trek up to Harlem. Double hmm. Can you say the words “tourist invasion is upon us…soon…again!

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Posted in Bars, business, Harlem, restaurants

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The Life and Times of Malcolm X at Harlem’s Schomburg Center

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

May 6, 2010 @ 21:28

Photo by Carol Rosegg

By HarlemGal

The Schomburg Center hosts a lot of interesting events.  The last time I was there was for the Boy Scouts of Harlem documentary. They are now hosting another interesting event in partnership with the New York City Opera. It’s about Malcolm X-the great civil rights leader.

Marking the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, the New York City Opera will present an abridged concert version of “The Life and Times of Malcolm X” on May 12 at Harlem’s Schomburg Center. Composer Anthony Davis and scenarist Christopher Davis will offer insights on their inspiration and creative process.

New York City Opera’s collaboration with the Schomburg Center is part of Opera Matters, the company’s series of events combining conversation, media and live music to celebrate opera’s connections to the visual arts, film, literature, the mass media and pop culture, the African-American experience and the world at large.

If you would like to attend this event, check out the details below!

“The Life and Times of Malcolm X”
Wednesday, May 12, at 7:oo pm
Tickets: $10
Purchase at the Schomburg Shop at (212) 491-2206 or Telecharge.com

The Schomburg Center is located at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (at 135th Street) New York, NY 10037


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Is Emmitt Smith aiming to be the next Magic Johnson of Harlem?

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 30, 2010 @ 18:20
By HarlemGal
Like most blogs, we received the same, interesting alert about Emmitt Smith and his posse of investors plans to open a hotel on the southwest corner of Lenox Avenue and 125th Street. The Wall Street Journal broke the story today (Friday) saying that Smith and the unnamed investors went to the City recently asking for close to $20 million in financial assistance! In my view, that is small change given what has been doled out by the Feds as bail out money to some companies located in lower Manhattan. I hope the City gives the former Dallas Cowboy the financial backing he is requesting so that he can join in and achieve the equal level of success that Magic Johnson has achieved in Harlem. Johnson’s movies theaters appear to have done well in Harlem. Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned.

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Bikram Choudhury to speak in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 28, 2010 @ 0:18
By HarlemGal

For all you yogis out there (and non-yogis too), this is for you!  The founder of the original hot yoga will be speaking in Harlem for the first time ever. If you would like to hear Bikram Choudhury speak, he will be at The Riverside Church of New York on May 22. See details below. Namaste!

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Polished Finger Tips opens in Harlem, another new business on Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Apr 25, 2010 @ 15:49

By HarlemGal
When I was heading to Best Yet Market on Friday, I noticed a new store had opened right by Just Wingin It. It is called Polish Finger Tips located at 2198 Frederick Douglass Blvd. They opened April 21st and now offer spa services, which includes manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and more. On top of that, there are clothes to purchase inside this place. So when you visit Polished Finger Tips you can shop for clothes while you wait for your mani/pedi or facial appointment. I tried out their manicure for $15 dollars on Friday and it came out very nice. I was pleased with the results, service and I enjoyed looking around at the decor. Whoever decorated the place did a nice job. I plan to go back soon for a pedicure.

Now Harlemites have two options in the area to get nails and feet polished. There is Z Nail Salon on 116th and now Polished Finger Tips!

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Posted in business, Harlem

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