Retail Closings and Openings

It's one step forward two steps back for retail stores and restaurants in Scarsdale and Hartsdale. Scarsdale Village continues to have vacancies, most visibly on Harwood Court, Spencer Place and Boniface Circle. A long time tenant on Spencer Place complained that the landlord is not aggressive about seeking out new tenants to fill the stores, making it more difficult for those who remain in business to draw customers. He also said that the buildings are not being well maintained and pointed out facades with peeling paint.

In Eastchester we noticed that Italian delicatessen Mona Lisa Salumeria remains closed after fire damaged the store in March. The front windows are boarded up. A commenter on Yelp says that Mona Lisa will reopen shortly, but for now it's looking dark.

Popular bar and restaurant Harry's of Hartsdale closed in August, or "retired" after "sixteen successful years of gastronomic delight and good cheer" according to their website. There are now signs in the windows of the vacant restaurant advertising for new tenants.

And if you head out to Chef Central in preparation for your Thanksgiving dinner, you'll find that they have discounted their merchandise in anticipation of a January 2016 closing. They moved from Central Avenue to 15,000 square feet in the Crossroads Shopping Center on Route 119 a few years ago and perhaps their customers did not follow them. It may also have been too close to Bed, Bath and Beyond where similar merchandise can be found on Route 119.

Now for the better news ... Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner announced that the large Mrs. Green's market that ran at the former site of Turcos is also closing and will be replaced by Best Market that will open quickly. Feiner says that the location was too big for Mrs. Greens. They plan to reopen in Dobbs Ferry.

According to their website, Best Market is a private, family-owned company that began as a produce market and now has 20 stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticutt. Their website says they focus on fresh foods, especially produce, meat, seafood, deli, dairy, and bakery items, plus traditional grocery store items.

Also opening this week, is "Painting with a Twist," a place where you can make a painting under the instruction of an artist while enjoying a drink and a snack. Customers can bring their own food and drinks and follow directions from a local artist to create a 16" by 20" painting. The concept is a franchise with locations around the country. The Scarsdale site, next to California Pizza Kitchen on Central Avenue, is planning a grand opening for Thursday November 12th. You can go to one of their sessions or plan a private party.