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Columbus Avenue is losing two more storefronts. The latest departures span a few blocks in the low-to-mid 70s and include both a national brand and a small local shop — one that had been on the avenue for years and another that arrived less than two years ago. Here’s what we know.
Johnny Was at 270 Columbus Avenue (between 72nd and 73rd Streets) has closed its doors. The women’s clothing store opened at this location in 2017, bringing its bohemian-inspired aesthetic to the Upper West Side for the better part of a decade.
For those unfamiliar, Johnny Was is a Los Angeles-based brand founded in 1987 by designer Eli Levite. The brand’s name was inspired by the Bob Marley song “Johnny Was,” which was in heavy rotation during Levite’s early days living near the beach in Southern California. The company is known for its colorful patterns, intricate embroidery and flowing silhouettes, and describes itself as offering “Beautifully crafted, vintage-inspired clothing for the sophisticated and free-spirited,” per its Instagram bio. Johnny Was was acquired by Oxford Industries — the parent company of Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer — in 2022 for $270 million, and currently operates over 100 locations across the country. New Yorkers can still shop the brand at its Upper East Side store at 1070 Madison Avenue (between 80th and 81st streets).
Teddy’s Collection at 324 Columbus Avenue (between 75th and 76th Streets) is also closing. Thanks to Anne L for the tip. The closure was also posted on Instagram by @uwscornertalk, whose photo shows “store closing” signs in the window. According to the post, the store will only be open for the next two weekends.
Teddy’s Collection opened in August 2024. The shop — named after a German Shepherd who could often be found napping near the front door — was opened by Stefanie Fischel after a 25-year career in management consulting. It featured a colorful, curated mix of handmade items including home decor, pottery, glassware, toys and art, all supporting social or environmental causes. Among its offerings were hand-painted ceramic elephants from Elephant Parade, an organization dedicated to elephant protection, and items made from recycled flip-flops sourced from Ocean Sole in Kenya. The space previously housed Boisson, a non-alcoholic beverage shop that closed in the spring of 2024 after less than two years.
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