Watch-Blog
Champagne is in Order!
By Claudie Benjamin There’s big news from Flowers on the Park, an eye-catching presence as you proceed toward Central Park from Columbus Avenue on the south side of 86th Street. Champagne is in order. Responding to the latest trend among Upper West Siders and other...
Unstoppable Bike Mechanics
By Claudie Benjamin Without a doubt, energy and open friendliness is the vibe at Master Bike at 265 West 72nd Street. If this typifies the mood of the biking community, sign me on. I'm ready to jump on a Fuji, snap on a shiny, colorful, striped helmet and zip out...
A Good Dose of Caring
By Claudie Benjamin If you just need a pack of facial tissues and you're late for an appointment, almost any one of a number of mini marts or chain store pharmacies will do. But, come to Thomas Drugs at 171 Columbus Avenue if you want to calmly chat with your...
Urban Archaeology at Gristedes
By Claudie Benjamin Alfred Gumbs came to New York City from St. Kitts about 40 years ago. He was a musician, a drummer looking for work. Looking back, he says, "Too few gigs to pay my rent. I sold my drums." Alfred then followed a friend's suggestion to look...
Al Fresco Cottage
By Claudie Benjamin Straight out of the pages of an illustrated storybook, Il Violino restaurant manager Daniel Vlasceanu has designed and constructed a charming forest cottage that pleases customers of all ages. He designed and constructed the shelter early in the...
120 Seats, Stage, Curtain, Proscenium & Popular Shows
By Claudie Benjamin When Peter Martin bought the brownstone building at 158 West 72nd Street in 1995 it contained a theater. His job some five years earlier had actually been as company manager for a musical revue called Forever Plaid, which played at the same...
Love & Architectural Design
By Claudie Benjamin 304 Columbus is notably plain. There’s no sign of tremendous creativity housed within. But often it's astonishing what happens beneath the surface of things. In this case, what happens within these brick walls is exceptional. More specifically,...
The Comfort of it All
By Claudie Benjamin Whether you marvel at a pillowcase’s smooth white crispness or admit you don’t know why, but you do nap more deliciously under an impossibly soft cashmere throw, the point is that some luxuries really do make daily life better. The store’s interior...
Oui! You may become a regular
By Claudie Benjamin When Manny Colon took over the French restaurant (Bistro Cassis) at 225 Columbus Avenue where he had worked as General Manager for 17 years, he considered giving it a new French name. 'But, my friends and longtime customers from the neighborhood...
Mother & Daughter Specialize: Fingertip to Shoulders
By Claudie Benjamin How is it working with her daughter? "The best in the world" Ann Lang, MA, OTR, CHT, responds with a smile. A pioneer in the field of hand therapy, a subspecialty of Occupational Therapy, Ann began her career at Jacobi Hospital and provided home...
