The city that never sleeps is also the city that never stays the same \u2014 certainly not on the ground floor, anyway.<\/p>\n
Keeping a business going in this town is no small feat. Storefronts often seem to be changing over at a dizzying pace.<\/p>\n
The year is young, but already New York has gained and lost numerous businesses, some new and some landmarks.<\/p>\n
In a new seasonal column, Gothamist will track the births and deaths of restaurants, bars, shops and other stores and businesses that compose this town.<\/p>\n
OPENINGS<\/p>\n
Sonny\u2019s Corner<\/a>, 142 Franklin St., Greenpoint<\/p>\n A new watering hole called Sonny\u2019s Corner has opened in the former home of beloved bar Pencil Factory, which shuttered last summer after 25 years in business. Sonny\u2019s hasn\u2019t messed too much with Pencil Factory\u2019s proven success: Its vibe, layout and interiors are quite similar to those of the previous business. Residents just seem happy the space has remained a bar, and one run by local business owners.<\/p>\n The Vaux Social<\/a>, 570 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Heights<\/p>\n A New American bar and restaurant called The Vaux Social officially opened in The Vanderbilt’s old corner space on Feb. 19. The restaurant is inspired by London’s public houses and offers an assortment of comfort food and classic cocktails in a dark, academic-feeling atmosphere. Menu highlights include three \u201cteeny\u201d martinis for $20, the creamy risotto with butternut squash ($25) and, for dessert, the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce ($14).<\/p>\n Make Fun Studio<\/a>, 347 Maujer St., 2nd floor, East Williamsburg<\/p>\n A new collective space for collaborative crafting called Make Fun Studio is now open on Tuesday evenings, by appointment and with 24\/7 access for members. The makerspace offers a 1,000-square-foot studio to work in the company of others. Patrons are supplied with glue guns, project storage, cutting tables and fabric, among other materials to assist in the creation of crafts large and small.<\/p>\n Big Reuse<\/a>, 378 Troutman St., Bushwick<\/p>\n Eclectic, enormous Gowanus thrift store and community hub Big Reuse now has a second location, in Bushwick. The unique environmental nonprofit and reuse center offers a variety of services, including selling second-hand clothing and home goods, as well as organizing volunteer composting and street care events.<\/p>\n Nong Geng Ji<\/a>, 135-15 37th Ave., Flushing<\/p>\n There are more than 100 Nong Geng Ji locations globally. The first U.S. location of the China-based restaurant chain, which specializes in Hunan cuisine, opened in Queens this January.<\/p>\n Seventy Seven Alley<\/a>, 28 Cortlandt Alley, Tribeca<\/p>\n A new eatery officially opens this Friday inside Tribeca\u2019s snazzy Walker Hotel. Seventy Seven Alley offers an eight-seat chef\u2019s counter with \u00e0 la carte options and a seafood-heavy, $140, seven-course tasting menu structured around elemental taste profiles (heat, acid, salt, depth and fat).<\/p>\n Body Shop<\/a>, 698 Nostrand Ave., Crown Heights<\/p>\n Since New Year\u2019s Eve, the lesbian-owned bar the Body Shop has been offering an all-times $8 beer-shot special, vegan bites and local programming from its straightforward Crown Heights space and enclosed backyard. Look for the neon mermaid and the building\u2019s vintage 1980s sign.<\/p>\n CLOSINGS<\/p>\n We\u2019ve lost some real ones these past two months, including:<\/p>\n The Bronx Brewery<\/a>, 856 East 136th St., South Bronx<\/p>\n After 13 years on East 136th St., The Bronx Brewery tapped its final keg in February, although it did tease a possible comeback in its Instagram goodbye post, writing, \u201cThis is still our home and we\u2019re doing everything we can to see you in the backyard this summer.\u201d A Hudson Yards location of the Brewery remains open.<\/p>\n Achilles Heel<\/a>, 180 West St., Greenpoint<\/p>\n The 13-year-old Greenpoint bar Achilles Heel closed on Feb. 8. The business, opened by restaurateur and pioneer of the Brooklyn aesthetic Andrew Tarlow, cited a \u201cprotracted period of financial hardship\u201d as reason for the closure in an Instagram goodbye.<\/p>\n Nura<\/a>, 46 Norman Ave., Greenpoint<\/p>\n Another loss in Greenpoint: Six-year-old restaurant Nura, which threw in the towel on Feb. 15. The eatery and its Indian-inspired menu opened to great acclaim back in 2021, transforming a former auto body shop into one of Brooklyn\u2019s hotter restaurants.<\/p>\n Macri Park<\/a>, 462 Union Ave., Williamsburg<\/p>\n Oh, Macri Park. The once-lively Williamsburg gay bar, located a block from neighborhood staple Union Pool, was long known as a queerer version of that bar.<\/p>\n The Owl Music Parlor<\/a>, 497 Rogers Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens<\/p>\n Independent music venue The Owl Music Parlor closed up shop on New Year\u2019s Eve. In its decade of existence, the beloved space was known as an accessible performance space for a wide variety of live music from new and acclaimed performers.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Un Deux Trois<\/a>, 123 West 44th St., Midtown<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Un Deux Trois, a classic post-show retreat, operated in the Theater District for a whopping 48 years.<\/p>\n Barbetta<\/a>, 321 West 46th St., Midtown<\/p>\n Since 1906, this West 46th Street landmark kept theatergoers fed on Northern Italian cuisine. But after 120 years, it held its last day of service on Feb. 27, just weeks after the passing of its longtime second-generation owner, Laura Maioglio.<\/p>\n