Here Today Gone Tomorrow

Reading, Writing and Wrapping is finally history. The store has been winding down operations for several years and is now officially closed. The bookstore served Scarsdale since 1939, first on Garth Road and then moving to East Parkway in 1990. Competition from big retail chains, online sellers and the introduction of e-books undoubtedly contributed to the store’s demise. Readers who favor traditional books have lost another place to buy them, and the Village is left with two more empty retail spaces in a very prominent location. Hopefully the Village’s new relaxed parking requirements will help the landlord to attract a restaurant to downtown Scarsdale.

Also gone is the Citgo station at the Heathcote Five Corners. The gas pumps and tanks have been removed to make way for construction of the large retail building planned for the site. The identity of the tenant for the new space is being kept under wraps, but our bet is that a drug store is soon to open there.

However, there is also positive real estate news for Scarsdale where Patisserie Salzburg of Rye plans to open in the Christie Place complex, pending approval from the Planning Board. The Viennese pastry shop in Rye sells sumptuous croissants, pain au chocolat, strudel, baguettes, breads, pastries, tarts and cakes all freshly baked. There’s a good selection of coffees, and sandwiches and salads are sold at lunchtime. For breakfast, lunch or a snack, there will be ample seating inside and out when the weather allows. Par Shakiban who recently opened Eclisse Meditteraneo Cucina on East Post Road in White Plains owns the bakery.

In Hartsdale, Bosphorus Mediterranean Cuisine has submitted an application to open a restaurant on East Hartsdale Avenue at the site of the defunct Hartsdale Cheesery. Bosphorus will join Vega, Frankie and Fanuccis, Masala Kraft, Hunan Village II, Harry’s, Azuma and Jamba Juice, making East Hartsdale Avenue a virtual restaurant row. According to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, the application for Bosphorus will require a special permit and a parking variance from the Town Board. Feiner promises to speed the process along to make way for their opening.

In White Plains, Dick’s Sporting Goods has leased the first floor of the space once occupied by Fortunoffs. Dick’s sells clothing and gear for a wide variety of sports in addition to exercise equipment and camping supplies. They are sure to put the heat on the Sports Authority across the street.