Scarsdale Child's Play and Taiim Wine Cellar Closing in the Village

It's one step forward, two steps backwards in Scarsdale Village where a successful effort by the Chamber of Commerce and TAP to increase shopping downtown on Small Business Saturday was followed by the closing of a well-loved toy store and a restaurant.

Bonnie Ernst, the proprietor of Scarsdale Child's Play told me that after two and a half years of consideration she has decided to close the store which has operated in Scarsdale for 33 years. Her personal advice and expert customer care made the store a go-to destination for gifts for children of all ages. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends relied on Ernst to recommend the right toy for birthday gifts, holiday presents, goody bags and camp care packages. Kids loved to stop at the store to wave the large wand and send bubbles floating through the village.

Ernst said that she couldn't continue to work demanding retail hours and that the steps in the store kept her running up and down for inventory all day. She was unable to sell the store and is now running a retirement sale and offering all merchandise at 50% off.

Also gone is Taiim Middle Eastern Wine Cellar on Boniface Circle. The restaurant opened in January 2013 as a wine bar with light Middle Eastern fare including hummus, cheese plates and falafel. A year later, the original owners parted ways and the restaurant was redesigned and experimented with more formal fare. The interior was stunning but local laws prevented the restaurant from having a grill and exhaust fan so it was difficult to create full meals.

Owner Erion Hasko made numerous attempts to revise the menu but was unable to secure the loyalty of local diners. Sadly the restaurant has closed its doors leaving another vacant space downtown.