The world hasn't come to end despite 2012 finally coming to a close. Sadly, a number of Harlem businesses saw the end the road over the course of the past year. Fortunately more new businesses have cropped up to replace the lost ones. Below is a list of the winners and losers of 2012 by category.
COFFEE:
OUT: Coffee seems to be the golden child in Harlem these days. No cafes have closed and quite a few new ones have come on the scene.
IN: Central Harlem and West Harlem saw the arrival of 3 new coffee shops:
Lenox Coffee www.lenoxcoffee.com
The Chipped Cup www.thchippedcupcoffee.com
Astor Row Cafe www.astorrowcafe.com
WINE AND COCKTAILS:
OUT: Sadly, December 31, 2012 was the end of an era with the closing of the world-renowned Lenox Lounge. Nectar Wine Bar and its sister business Harlem Vintage were also lost in 2012. Lenox Wines shuttered after a mere four years in business.
IN:
Harlem Wine Gallery www.harlemwinegallery.com
Harlem Public www.harlempublic.com
Corner Social www.cornersocial.com
Ginny's www.ginnyssupperclub.com
Bleu Violin www.bleuviolin.com
L Lounge of Harlem
RESTAURANTS:
OUT: While the family business is still going strong 2012 was the year that Harlem's official Queen of Soul Food died. Ironically a couple of long standing Harlem restaurants didn't make it into the new year: Sherman's BBQ closed after 60 years in business, while MoBay closed after a decade.
IN:
Maison Harlem: www.maisonharlem.com
Harlem Food Bar: www.hfbnyc.com
Jado Sushi: www.jadosushi.com
PETS:
OUT: Posh Paws closed after six years of providing quality pet products and grooming in Harlem.
IN:
Doggedly Devoted www.doggedlydevoted.com
Paw Prints of Harlem
CULTURE:
OUT: Harlem lost two important cultural institutions in 2012. Harlem Lanes was Harlem's first bowling alley in over 40 years when it opened in 2006. Hue-Man Bookstore was touted as the largest black-owned bookstore in New York. While the brick and mortar location might be closed, the owner decided to take the 21st century approach and maintain the online portion of the business.
IN:
Harlem Arts Festival www.harlemartsfestival.com
MIST- My Image Studios www.myimagestudios.com
MISCELLANEOUS:
Harlem also saw the arrival of a new grocery chain Aldi, and a new boutique called Harlem Haberdashy in 2012.
Comments