Tag Archives: Harlem businesses

Founder of East Harlem’s Hot Bread Kitchen/Almacen receives Global Citizen Award from Clinton Global Initiative

A reader of HarlemGal Inc has provided a newsworthy tip about an East Harlem business. On October 1, the Founder and CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen (HBK), which has a presence in East Harlem through Hot Bread Almacen, received the 2013 Global Citizen Award from the Clinton Global Initiative. Jessamyn W. Rodriguez, who is also a Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) Granteee, was recognized with among six other exemplary individuals who have created effective and scalable strategies that link public, private and non-profit sectors in order to bring about positive and lasting social change.

Since 2007, Hot Bread Kitchen has supported immigrant and low-income women and men through its culinary workforce and business incubation programs. UMEZ awarded HBK a $150,000 grant in 2011 to establish a retail outlet, Hot Bread Almacen, at the historic La Marqueta at 116th Street and Park Avenue in East Harlem.

Since opening in 2012 in East Harlem, Hot Bread Almacen has been featured in several publications including Zagat, The New York Times, and New York Magazine. Congrats to HBK and Almacen on the accolades. And a big thanks to our reader for sending in this news for all of us to learn about!

L to R: Melissa Mark-Viverito, Christine Quinn, Jessamyn W. Rodriguez, Christina Bahn, My Sweet Brigadero (HBK Incubates Member), Paula Barbosa, My Sweet Brigadero (HBK Incubates Member), Kenneth Knuckles (UMEZ), Seth Pinsky (EDC)

L to R: Melissa Mark-Viverito, Christine Quinn, Jessamyn W. Rodriguez, Christina Bahn, My Sweet Brigadero (HBK Incubates Member), Paula Barbosa, My Sweet Brigadero (HBK Incubates Member), Kenneth Knuckles (UMEZ), Seth Pinsky (EDC)

Bikram Yoga in East Harlem to close…for good

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Sad Harlem business news to report. Late last night, Bikram Yoga East Harlem informed their members via email that they are “unable to continue operating and maintaining” the yoga studio located at 4 East 116th Street. The owners of Bikram Yoga say they are closing because they have been unable to make a profit from running the yoga studio. The East Harlem yoga studio will close on September 14.

Read the full email notice below.

Dear Bikram Yoga East Harlem Family and Friends:

We are writing to let you know that we are unfortunately unable to continue operating and maintaining Bikram Yoga East Harlem.
After nearly 5 years of serving our community, we continue to be faced with issues that prevent the studio from being profitable.
We have been pouring personal funds into the studio to keep it going for some time now. We can no longer do this.
We have contacted teachers and fellow studio owners who we thought might be interested in buying the studio and taking over the lease, however we got no firm offers.
We are still open to selling it, however, we must announce that the studio will be closed as of September 14th, 2013.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing the studio and taking over the lease, please have them contact us ASAP.

We are in the process of making arrangements for students to be able to transfer their packages to a nearby studio.
We will confirm those details ASAP.

It is with a heavy heart that we must close, but I look forward to being able to still teach and share the yoga without the burden of ownership in the near future.

Jennifer and I can not thank you enough for the support you have given to Bikram Yoga East Harlem over the past 5 years.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call or email the studio.
Love & Light,
Stephanie

New Harlem business arising at ACP and 111th Street, another opens in Harlem’s Sugar Hill

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When it comes down to what’s opening/coming to Harlem, leave it to HarlemGal readers to know the scoop. They provide good, credible tips and we have two tips here to pass along!

Recently, one reader commented via Twitter that “a new bar must be coming to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and 111th Street (1838 ACP)! A name called Suzy-Q’s has applied for a liquor license.” Hmm, sounds interesting. This blog does not have confirmation of that. However, I walked by that corner this weekend and there does appear to be some construction action happening on the northwest corner of ACP and 111th Street. If anyone knows more, feel free to chime in!

Another longtime resident of Harlem and a reader of this blog wrote in and said, “just wanted to pass a tip along of a new bar/grill called Solace at 143rd Street and Broadway. They opened on July 3 and are still awaiting their liquor license. In the meantime, they have a full menu and hookahs all set to a deep house music soundtrack. I visited on Saturday and was very pleasantly surprised!” According to Solace’s website, they offer “a comfortable dining experience featuring high quality bar cuisine with an emphasis on fabulous, fresh burgers.”

So there we have it, one new Harlem bar possibly coming to Central Harlem and another bar and grill opens in Sugar Hill.

A big thanks to HarlemGal readers!
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A yogurt cafe on Lenox Avenue opens today, stop by Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe in Harlem

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The wait is over. Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe, located on Lenox Ave between 118th and 119th, will open today (July 20) in Harlem. Folks can stop by starting at 3 pm. Go in and try one of the dozen yogurt flavors offered (I tried coconut and raspberry and absolutely loved it), sprinkle favorite toppings, weigh and then pay! Also while there, say hello to Quintano Downes, the owner of Pa-paya and another Harlem local opening a business right where he lives.

HarlemGal Inc has a preview of the menu! Take a look and notice that customers can purchase more than yogurt. Pa-paya will offer a breakfast menu, such as oatmeal and waffles, and premium beverages, such as smoothies and fruit and vegetable juices.

Stop by today and then stop here and tell us what you think of Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe in Harlem!

Menu:
Frozen Yogurt Flavors…..56c oz
Flavors will come from this list

Fresh fruit, Dry Toppings and Syrups:
Fresh Fruit toppings…………39c oz
Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cantaloupe, Coconut, Honeydew, Kiwi, Lychee, Mandarin Oranges, Mango, Maraschino Cherries, Papaya, Peach, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Strawberries, seedless grapes….

Dry Toppings…………………..39c oz
Almonds, Brownie Bites, Butterfingers(R), Cap’N Crunch(R), Cashews, Cheesecake Bites, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Cinnamon Toast Crunch(R), Cookie Dough, Cookies N Cream, Coco pebbles, Granola, Graham Crackers Lucky Charms, Gummi Bears, Graham Crackers, M&M’s(R), Milk Chocolate Caramel, Milk Chocolate Crunch, Mochi, Rainbow Sprinkles, Chocolate Sprinkles, Pecans, Reese’s(R) Peanut Butter Cup, Oreo Pieces, Pop Tarts, Snickers, Waffle Cone, Yogurt Chips, Yogurt Covered Pretzels, Jelly Beans, Twix(R), Reeses Pieces, Junior Mints, Kit Kat, Health Bars, Sour Gummy Worms….

**** flavors and toppings change according to season and availability

Syrups: Blueberry, Butterscotch, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Hot Fudge, Marshmallow Sauce, White Chocolate, Condensed Milk, Strawberry, Whipped Cream

Smoothies, Fruit and Vegetable Juices:
For Your Health…………… 16 Oz $4.59…..20 Oz $5.59

Smoothies:
Wake – Up Smoothie
Frozen Berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and /or strawberries), Yogurt,

Fruit Juices………………..16 Oz $4.59 …..20 Oz $5.49
Summer Cool, Fruity Tootty, Tropical Blast, Banana Rama, Melon Madness, Super C, Merry Berry, Strawberry Field, Ginger Hopper, Purple Rain, Pineapple Blend, Energizer, Liquid Gold, Fruity Detox, Migraine Eliminator, Carrot-Mango-Apple, The Fruit Juice and more….

Vegetable Juices…………16 Oz $4.59……20 Oz $5.49
Immune Boost, Energy Boost, Cleansing Tonic, Spice – it – Up, Skin Helper, Extra Strength, Health Drink, Headache, Beet Juice, Daily Detox, Morning Tonic, Supper Green and more…

Create Your Own Smoothie ….. 16 Oz $4.59…20 Oz $5.59

Breakfast Anytime:
Hot Oatmeal…… $5.99
Topped with fresh fruit toppings. *Your choice of soy, 2% or almond milk

Waffles……..Plain Waffle…..$ Plain Waffle + Two Toppings….$
Create your own waffle with our premium frozen yogurt or whip cream and toppings!

Cereal….43c oz…. Bowl $4.99
Dispense your choice of cereal, Add your choice of soy, 2% or almond milk top with your choice of fruit

Parfait………… $3.49
Flavored Yogurt, Granola, assorted fresh fruit

Fresh Fruit Juices……….$3.59
Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Carrot Juice, Pineapple Juice

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Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe in Harlem will open to the public soon, soft launch begins today

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Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe, a premium self-serve yogurt cafe on Harlem’s Lenox Avenue between 118th and 119th Street, is days away from opening to the public. Their timing couldn’t be better. It’s hot and humid outside. Who wouldn’t want a yummy, cold yogurt treat to please the taste buds while navigating through this heat? I know I want some!

Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe Harlem is starting their soft opening tonight. So we all know the drill by now. Once a Harlem business starts their soft opening, which is generally for invited guests only, then they open to the public a few days later. Stand by. We will all be having us some frozen yogurt soon in Central Harlem! Yum!

Pa-paya Seed Frozen Yogurt Cafe
171 Lenox Ave
Harlem, New York 10026

Sign says Serengeti Teas & Spices, new business moving into old Harlem Flo space

A long time reader of HarlemGal Inc sent in a photo last night (July 12) of a new store coming to Harlem. The new store is called Serengeti Teas & Spices. It’s located at 2292 Frederick Douglass Blvd, where the old and first location of Harlem Flo use to be. Harlem Flo is still open , but down the street on FDB.

In the photo, it shows new signage, which states the name of the new Harlem business and says “specialty teas and coffees of Africa and the world.” Interesting! Looking forward to checking this place out.

And a big thanks to our reader for sending in the photo!

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New nail salon opens in Harlem, Lilac Nail & Spa

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Thank goodness for Twitter followers. Over the weekend, one follower informed us that a new nail salon had opened in Central Harlem on 110th Street. It’s called Lilac Nail Salon & Spa. They are located at 301 Cathedral Parkway (110th Street), between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Avenue.

Lilac offers manicure, pedicures, artificial nails, waxing and special treatments, such as nail art and ear candling. Their rates start at $10 and go all the way up to $70 for gels. Lilac is open from Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, which is an hour or two later than Z Nails on 116th Street and Coco Nail Salon and Polished FingerTips on FDB; and on Sunday they are open from 11 am to 8 pm.

For more information, call 212-666-5888 or visit their website at www.lilacnyc.com.

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Harlem Tavern expanding to the Heights, hiring this week at new location

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Harlem Tavern, the two-year old restaurant and bar at 116th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd., is ready to take their business model uptown to the Heights! It’s been well-publicized. Yesterday, Harlem Tavern unveiled on their Harlem-focused Facebook page a photo showing signage for their second uptown location called Heights Tavern, which will be at Broadway and 164th Street.

It was also announced on their page that Heights Tavern will be having “an open call this Wednesday-Friday (June 26-28) from 1-4 pm” at this new location.

Congratulations to Harlem Tavern owners, Gareth Fagan and Stephen and Sheri Daly, on their expansion. Clearly, the Harlem Tavern business model has returned a big ROI proving uptown Manhattan is the place to be!

Read full coverage here on Harlem Tavern.

Douglas Elliman moving down the street in Harlem, real estate office been in Harlem for years

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I wasn’t planning on blogging about Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Harlem moving down the street. However, when another blog writes that “they’re coming to Harlem’s restaurant row,” this die-hard blogger can help but to take the easy opportunity (you know like when someone throws the ball at you and you just have to swing cause it’s so easy) to state the correct facts about a Harlem/chain business.

It is simply not true that Douglas Elliman is coming to Harlem’s restaurant row. Why? Because Douglas Elliman has always been on Frederick Douglass Blvd, aka Harlem’s restaurant row, for several years. Anyone who really knows this area of Harlem would know this!

Douglas Elliman Real Estate tells HarlemGal Inc that they are in the process of moving from their 117th Street and FDB location, which they have been at for years right by Levain Bakery, to 114th Street and FDB where the former Jet Income Tax was located. That’s all that is happening. It has nothing to do with the sign of the real estate industry or coming to FDB. That’s gibberish. Douglass Elliman tells HG that they just decided to change office locations. That is the plan for now.

So there you have it, the correct facts, for those who care or don’t care about Douglas Elliman moving from one space to the other. I really don’t care about the move. But what I do care about is credible blogging, hint, hint.

Harlem Arts Festival Annual Gala May 29, HAF forms new partnership with MIST Harlem

Building on the momentum from their inaugural year, the Harlem Arts Festival will hold their second annual fundraising gala on Wednesday, May 29 at MIST Harlem, a local cultural entertainment center located near 116th Street and Lenox Avenue. The fundraising event is an opportunity for the organization to raise money and awareness about the talent that will hit the festival stage in June through preview performances.

The Harlem Arts Festival has also formed a new partnership with MIST Harlem that will create opportunities and provide an ongoing platform for local artists. While both organizations are fairly new to the Harlem community, they share a vision of creating a central hub for artists to create, experiment and interact with new and existing forms of art in their own backyard.

In addition to hosting this year’s fundraising gala, MIST Harlem will serve as the backdrop for a new open-mic jam session event series hosted by the executive committee of the Harlem Arts Festival.

Tickets for the May 29 gala range from $75 for Young Patrons (under 30) to $150 for VIP guests and are on sale now at www.harlemartsfestival.com/gala.

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