May 16, 2009 @ 13:31
By HarlemGal
HarlemCondoLife
On my way to Chase Bank, I noticed that Quality Dry Cleaner was having their Grand Opening today for its new location on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 116th and 117th Street. I met the owner and he said “they have been in business in Harlem for more than ten years with another location on 121st Street and for me to kindly not characterize them as new to the community.” Understood Mr. Owner! Congratulations on your expansion!
HarlemCondoLife
May 14, 2009
By HarlemGal
Wondering why N Boutique is closed and no signs of shopping life inside? They’re moving “a few blocks away” from their 116th Street flagship store. They are planning “a new store opening and celebrity-filled relaunch event.”
Good for them and glad t o hear they are staying in Harlem! I purchased a lovely summer dress there last season. It was very convenient to shop at N Boutique since it was centrally located in Harlem. Didn’t have to go downtown.
Looking forward to hearing more about their new location. N Boutique, if your reading HCL tell us exactly where your moving!
May 5, 2009 @ 1:40
By HarlemGal
HarlemCondoLife (110th Street & Manhattan Avenue)
When I first moved to Harlem a few years back there were a ton of empty/abandon lots. I am finding lately that these lots are now becoming extinct and there are only a few left – at least in Central Harlem. The last of the Harlem lots are within a one mile radius.
There is the lot on the corner 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. There was a building there for years-now its an empty lot. Head east on 110th Street making a left onto Frederick Douglass Boulevard and there is another empty lot between 112th Street and 113th. Keep going down FDB and there is an another abandon lot at 117th Street.
HarlemCondoLife (FDB btw 112th & 113th St.)
Why am I focused on these empty lots? Simple. I believe these lots won’t stay empty for long. They will face the same destiny as the space on 114th Street & FDB, 115th & FDB, or 122nd & FDB. To my knowledge, all of the new construction mentioned were previously abandoned lots. Now we can speculate forever on what’s going to happen with these new buildings whether they will go condo, rental or vacant, but the truth of the matter is space does not last long especially when its located near two wonderful parks, such as Central Park North and Morningside Heights Park. What I see every day on my way to work: Harlem’s structural landscape continues to change even during the most volatile of times. I believe the old adage applies to these empty lots: “take a picture, it last longer.”
HarlemCondoLife (115th & FDB)
HarlemCondoLife (122nd & FDB)
HarlemCondoLife (114th & FDB)
Apr 2, 2009 @ 7:37
By HarlemGal
New York’s 104.3 is reporting that Costco is coming to Harlem! This is somewhat good news, if it is in fact true! I will still shop at our local venues. However if I need bulk in bubble gum, popcorn or cleaning products, I am so here!
UPDATE: Costco Store is opening up a store in East River Plaza, which is in East Harlem! This is Costco’s first store in Manhattan!
Posted in business, Community, Harlem, shopping
Tagged Costco, East Harlem, East River Plaza, Harlem
HarlemCondoLife
By HarlemGal
I was strolling the foggy streets of Harlem on Sunday (it actually felt more like San Francisco weather) and I couldn’t help but notice the yellow plaster or walls that are being used for the new condo building quickly going up on Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 113th and 114th Street. Why the yellow? Is that some sort of special wall or plaster?
It also looks like some of these apartments will have balconies based on the photos? Not bad.
I know we are still in a financial crisis/recession. However, I am still amazed by all the construction going on up and down FDB starting from 112th Street all the way to 123rd Street. See for yourself. Take a stroll down this street! It’s non-stop construction!
HarlemCondoLife
Posted in Harlem, real estate
Tagged Central Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem
Mar 18, 2009 @ 10:03
HarlemCondoLife
HarlemCondoLife
Posted in business, Harlem, restaurant row, restaurants
Mar 17, 2009 @ 0:02
HarlemCondoLife
By HarlemGal
Most who know me, know I love to go watch films, especially documentaries. This past weekend I went to the premiere of 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem, a documentary film about Scout Troop 759 from Harlem. The film played at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture located at 135th Street and Lenox.
HarlemCondoLife
I won’t go into too much detail about the film because I encourage everyone to go out and see it for yourself. However, what I will say is that the main character, Keith, is so adorable. All you want to do is root for him to succeed throughout the film and receive all the rewards of attending Boy Scout camp in upstate New York. In addition to watching Keith take on the challenges of camp, the other nice interesting aspect of the film is that it captures the potential of several young individuals. The film shows that these individuals can be or do anything they want in life, if they just stick with it and stay on the path to success, however they choose to define success. In my view, I saw future leaders in the making in this film. And if that ends up being the case…we’re all in good hands! Go see the film.
HarlemCondoLife
HarlemCondoLife
Mar 14, 2009 @ 12:39
By HarlemGal
HarlemCondoLife
98.7 Kiss FM is broadcasting on Frederick Douglass Boulevard today between 113th and 114th Streets in Central Harlem. They are promoting the new branch for MetroPCS, which we blogged about a few weeks ago. To go along with their promotion, they are raffling off tickets to a reggie concert. If you want to win concert tickets, stop by! They will be there all day today!
HarlemCondoLife
Posted in entertainment, Harlem
Tagged 113th Street, 114th Street, Central Harlem, Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Harlem, Kiss FM, MetroPCS
By HarlemGal
I am getting ready to journey out to Austin, Texas soon again and I noticed while I am there South by Southwest 2009 (SXSW) will be taking place, which is the equivalent of “sport’s March Madness” but for music. Since I blog about all things Harlem, I thought why not find out who is playing at SXSW that has some connection to mi gente y mi barrio. I narrowed my search to branding and found two bands using the name Harlem: Harlem Shakes and harlem.
Harlem Shakes is a New York City pop band. According to their bio, they are from Brooklyn formed in 2006. And the other is a rock band named harlem from the host city formed in 2007.
Both bands sound good and worth checking out. However, I don’t know which one to go see? Maybe one or both? Digame?
Posted in entertainment, Harlem, music
Tagged Austin, Brooklyn, Harlem, Harlem Shakes, music, South by Southwest
Feb 20, 2009 @ 8:17
By HarlemGal
Not sure what to do this weekend and you want to get out on the town, but need a recession-proof event. HarlemCondoLife has the perfect recommendation. If you have time, come on up to 125th Street and see for yourself Harlem’s famous music venue, the Apollo. It’s their open house this weekend and the following weekend. And get this, its FREE. HarlemGal was recently at the Apollo listening to John Legend. It’s a wonderful venue. Hope you can check it out!
The Apollo in Harlem
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