Echoing what a commenter wrote on a previous post, I am a huge fan of Harlem Vintage, but I am always happy to see new retail opening up in the nabe. And so it is with this weekend's opening of The Winery on Frederick Douglass Blvd between 116th and 117th.

As you can see from the photo, the shop is cozy with a warm decor.

I was inside waiting to talk to whom I assumed was the owner as he finished up with the customers there before me, trying to get Cheryl to come inside. She was outside trying to tell me she had a headache and would wait for me until I was done. Somewhere along the way communication between us broke down, and we went home.

If anyone did not have the whole inside/ outside/ headache complication to work around and was able to speak to the owner, anything you picked up would be appreciated.

Posted by Chris at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Tribal Spears Gallery will host Susan Madacsi, artist and blacksmith, this month and next.

Madacsi uses both traditional and contemporary blacksmithing techniques to design and create her pieces in steel, copper, and bronze, which she uses to reveal organic forms. The material is first heated to temperatures of up to 2400 degrees and then worked by hand on the anvil with hammers and other tools. For large-scale forgings, Madacsi works with a power hammer to create the forms.

The opening reception is Saturday, August 18th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, with exibition times from 1:00 to 6:00 pm running thru September 16th.

Tribal Spears Gallery
2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10026
(between 116th & 117th St. and 8th Ave.
Trains B & C or Buses # M3 & # M10)

212-666-6550
212-666-6551 Fax
tribalspears.com

Posted by Chris at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

For all of those out there in the nabe who at one time or another have said "If only there was an -x- near-by," now is your chance to make that wish come true. Or at least advocate on behalf of it with a couple mouse clicks.

A Harlem Fur reader, property manager, and Harlemite himself writes in to let us know that he has vacant storefront space around Lenox and 125th, and is wondering what people would like to see fill it up. So feel free to voice your opinion via the survey, in the comments, or via email, as this is not about being rigorously scientific. No, picking great Harlem retail is all about love.

Note: Survey responses were reader submitted, except for Cimbi's.

Posted by Chris at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Okay, I know that other places may have served sushi around here, but as far as I know, Charlie's Place on Madison between 125th and 126th is the first regular sushi joint in the area. By regular I mean one can run in after work and pick up a $4 tuna or spicy salmon roll to go.

I find this to be a pretty significant entry on the central Harlem food scene. Myself and many others have long complained that options for quick take out, the kind one is looking for on a weekday evening when getting home, usually lean heavy on the unhealthy side. As I understand it, normal Chinese takeout is worse calorie and fat wise than McDonalds, and normal Chinese takeout is about it for quick delivery in central Harlem. (I do champion the Boar's Head sandwiches at the deli on 116th and Lenox as a quick and not unhealthy choice, but one can only do that so many times.) Charlie's Place does offer some of the fried options, including fried fish and chicken, as well as teriyaki, but they do have the sushi, and at normal prices.

Cheryl and I tried the sushi, her the spicy eel and me the spicy salmon, and were quite satisfied. (The photo of the sushi to go section was taken near the end of the day- it had a much better selection earlier on.)

The only complaint I do have is about the current hours. Charlie's is open from 11:30am to 8:00pm. I can understand sushi not being fare many would consider for breakfast, but I was looking forward to a new option for when I get home late. Eight o'clock is too early. I did talk to two of the employees about any plans to push the close time back, but they don't think any changes on that front will be happening son.

They do deliver, and the number is: 212-410-0277.

Posted by Chris at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I've been kinda quite over here for a while; you can blame New York Cyclist for having done an amazing job tuning up my bike. The new, smooth ride, combined with nature's top notch showing, has had me spending my free time outdoors.

But this news brings me back to The Fur: A reader reports that Cold Stone Creamery has a sign up next to the Body Shop at 125th and 5th. With all of the exercise I am getting, I should be able to eat about a gallon a day without putting on any weight.

You know what kind of ice I will be showing off this summer.

Posted by Chris at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Staring at the walls in Society Coffee (Frederick Douglass Blvd @ 114th St.) is now just as interesting as staring at fellow patrons. Small(ish) Works, a show by Erik Sommer, Stephanie Mulvihill and Gina Fuentes Walker, is currently on view.

From the show's description: Stephanie Mulvihill uses quilting and collage to explore ideas of personal fragmentation and reconstruction, as well as question the validity of tradition in a rapidly changing world. Erik Sommer describes his work as a conversation between age and beauty, capturing the passing of time through the deterioration of texture. Using small and multiple photographic images, Gina Fuentes Walker's work explores our relationship with interior space and urban architecture by transforming the mundane into visually heightened environments.

And just by including the title of Sommer's work, "broken sex," I am sure that Harlem Fur will take part in that conversation between age and beauty, but mostly of the single sided type, as mediated through late night Google searches. I mean, we are headed that way as it is.

For those who wish to converse in person, artHARLEM is hosting an artist get together at Saurin Parke Cafe (110th Street @ Frederick Douglass Blvd) this Friday, May 11th, from 6 to 8 pm. To RSVP, email Co-Founder and Director Gina Fuentes Walker at gina -at- hoast -dot- org.

Posted by Chris at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Native is not dead.

Native, the restaurant pretty much running the show on Lenox Ave in South Harlem, began a phased reopening last week. Selections from the newly developed cocktail menu were introduced Monday and Tuesday, followed by rotating menu selections Wednesday thru Sunday. The grand reopening is set for Wednesday, May 9th. Based on a sneak peak, the time used to remake the restaurant was time well spent.

Stepping inside, one instantly sees that the interior decor has been refined. Someone took care to sweep out the dingy feeling the venue used to have. Solid colors and clean lines replace what I remember as a gradated scheme. The bar is now a concrete-top structure that contrasts nicely with the surrounding solid colors by using washed hues of strong blues. Also, the new bar placement, snaking along the wall back from the door, gives the area a bit more of an open feeling. The former placement could leave guests entering and exiting feeling cramped.

The menu another Harlemite and myself saw Thursday evening is a little disjointed; one would have a hard time determining exactly which native the restaurant was modeled after. However, the entrees we enjoyed were good enough to classify the selections as 'eclectic,' rather than 'schizophrenic.' Appetizers included bar staples such as buffalo wings as well as mainstay staples such as fried calamari. Entrees also ranged from the more casual Red Beans and Rice (with sweet plantains and garlic spinach) to the formal Grilled NY Strip Steak (with stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas and tostones).

I tried the Basil Curry Chicken (with spicy pan asian sauce and coconut rice), which I found to be excellent. Even after keeping the dish under a warmer while I ran home to grab a camera battery, the chicken was tender and no where near dry. The rice was also good, and tasted like I wanted it to. I would have enjoyed the sauce more if spicy had been left out of the name, as my idea of spicy looks for a bit more kick. The Harlemite I was dining with tried the Moroccan Fried Chicken, which he also enjoyed.

All in all, I was very happy with the fare, and I am looking forward to seeing the full menu on Wednesday.

Posted by Chris at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

First: Harlem

Following up on a tip left in the comments section, I stopped by the former site of Back in the Day antiques on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 116th to check and see if a wine shop is indeed going in. It is, as per both the workmen and the retail alcohol permit tacked on a piece of plywood.

The workmen said an opening can be expected as soon as three weeks from now.

In anticipation of the store's future merchandise, the interior walls are painted a velvety merlot.

Second: Morningside Heights

When on my way to the Village Copier print shop behind Columbia, I spotted signs in a storefront for a coming wine shop named Vino Fino on Amsterdam and 122nd.

No one was on site to ask about an opening date, and I could not see behind the paper covering the windows.

Harlem Vintage

I'm happy to see non-bank, non-drug store retail coming into the area, but I have to admit I am heavily biased toward Harlem Vintage, which is just a few blocks up Frederick Douglas. I like the selection, people there, decor of the place, and the fact that they are opening up a wine bar next door which may become that elusive nabe hang out spot I still can't seem to find (although Minton's is close to being that spot).

Also, Harlem Vintage has been there for me when I needed it on a few occasions. Last Saturday is a great example.

Cheryl and I were going to meet up with people I went to school with in Denmark, a couple of whom I had not seen in five years. I thought I would drop by, ask for a recommendation, and head on over to the night's location.

When walking into HV, I was greeted by the Swedish man in the photo, who was giving samples of the pan-Scandinavian liquor Aquavit. How random, but how fitting for the evening. I purchased a bottle, the guy at the register gift wrapped it for me, and Cheryl and I showed up that evening looking like we planned what we brought that night.

Posted by Chris at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

For those of you with conventional children, newly-opened Grandma's Place on 120th and Lenox is there to produce all the "IWANTIWANTIWANT" outbursts you can handle.

It even offers temptations for those with unconventional children, as per this conversation Cheryl and I had when walking past:

Me: Ouuu, a toy store. Let's stop in.

Cheryl: No, I would feel compelled to buy Cimbi something.

Me: No, don't worry; it's a store for children. Cimbi is a small house cat.

Cheryl: I know, but she is still like a child to me.

Interior photo taken while Cheryl waited outside.

Posted by Chris at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Floral atelier Harlem Flo opened on Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 123rd Street. In addition to what one would expect in a flower shop, Harlem Flo carries a good selection of large African cactus, palms, thick aloe, and a strange plant that grows from a board hung on the wall. It's the one in the center picture.

The plant is striking, especially as it grows out of a piece of wood.

I asked the owner the hanging plant's name and confirmed the spelling of what he gave me, Stargon Fern, before leaving. This may be the phonetic pronunciation in another language, as I cannot find it online.

I was hoping to look up some facts on the plant, but seeing as I cannot find it with the spelling I have, I can only relate what the shop owner told me. He said that to water the plant, it has to be fully submerged about once a week.

PROGRESS! Melita tracked down the plant in question. It is a Staghorn Fern.

Posted by Chris at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Non-bank, non-drug store retail Wynn Optics is now open in the Normandie's last vacant storefront space on Lenox and 119th Street.

Given the rate at which they are popping up, I am actually kind of surprised that a newer Aphrodite Cleaners did not open next to the new-ish Aphrodite already in the building.

And for those leaving Wynn who can now see down the block, Halstead has it's new awnings up.

Posted by Chris at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In their ongoing quest to have one storefront space for every single item of dry clean-only clothing in the neighborhood, Aphrodite Cleaners will soon be opening another Harlem location.

This new Aphrodite, on Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 113th Street, will be just down the street from the newly-opened Aphrodite at 117th and Frederick Douglass, not too far over from the newly-opened Aphrodite at 119th and Lenox, and just a wire hanger's throw from the newly-opened Marcel on the corner of 115th and Frederick Douglas.

I guess, given their name and it being Valentine's Day and all, it kinda makes since.

So how do Harlemites use this to help them celebrate the day of love? Easy.

Drop by Harlem Vintage's Valentine's Day bubbly tasting today from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Pull the classic: "Oops, it looks like I spilled Champagne on your shirt. Why don't you come back to my place and take it off so I can bring it to Aphrodite cleaners?"

Score.

Bonus: Not telling them which Aphrodite location will add extra time for your enjoyment.

· Aphrodite Cleaners: The Starbucks of Uptown? [Harlem Fur]
· Reviews: The Centerline, Aphrodite Cleaners [Harlem Fur]

Posted by Chris at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

So concludes another campaign with another victory. And this being the case, this is the third instance in a year's time that I am reassuring ConEd that I will not forget to pay the bill, pleading with the credit card company not to charge a late fee, and re-introducing myself to Cheryl and the cat. ("Seriously, you know me. I live here, with you. We sleep in the same bed.")

Thankfully, my being around has absolutely nothing to do with Harlem rockin' along. Here is some of what I missed posting on:

Zoma, the Ethiopian restaurant on 8th Ave at 113th Street is now open, and Cheryl and I had a very enjoyable dinner last month. Inside, the decor has a refined simplicity, which was complemented by the noticeably attractive staff and clientele. Also, the chic minimalism sets a nice, even background for the complexity of flavor and spice found in every dish we enjoyed that night. I ordered the Tibs Wett, strips of sirloin simmered in a spiced stew with berbere, kibe, garlic, cardamon, coriander and more. Cheryl ordered the Zoma Tibs, cubed filet mignon pieces marinated in Tej, green peppers, red onions and a special sauce. Both entrees tasted pleasantly authentic, not watered down for wider appeal. But be warned, as someone who often measures what I eat in pounds, not servings (serious), even I was challenged by the rich flour-less chocolate cake.

· Zoma [Official Site]
· Zoma Review [via UPTOWNFlavor]

Harlem Vintage, whose recommendations were enjoyed by guests at both our housewarming and New Year's parties, will soon be opening a wine bar next door to their location at Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 121st Street. Following up on rumors found online and in the Harlem Fur inbox, a rep did confirm that the construction next door is their's, and the bar's projected opening is this summer.

· Harlem Vintage [Official Site]
· Harlem Vintage Grows [Curbed]

And everybody is still building stuff all the time everywhere.

· Around the Block Construction [WATPA?]

Posted by Chris at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Signs are in the windows at 113th and Frederick Douglass Boulevard for Zoma, a new Ethiopian restaurant.

I called the number on the awning, but no answer yet.

Posted by Chris at 08:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

On the heels of a Starbucks-like uptown blanketing by Aphrodite, another Harlem cleaners opened this past weekend. Marcel, on the corner of 115th and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, is up and running and offering 50 percent off.

At this rate, I will know the summer of 2006 as the summer I never paid full price for dry cleaning.

And speaking of openings, UPTOWNflavor today produces a CNNMoney article delving into moves like Chuck E. Cheese's into Harlem.

As UPTOWNflavor writes, "the article offers some statistics that might be a little surprising to some. As the cost of living rises and wages decrease for the middle class 'research shows that inner-city residents with lower per capita income tend to spend a higher percentage of that income on retail purchases.' Harlem is used as the model of what is defined as 'inner-city penetration.'"

Posted by Chris at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I called Harlem historian Michael Henry Adams yesterday to break the news when I saw the sign at 124th St. and Manhattan Avenue announcing that a Chuck E. Cheese's will soon open. "Oh lord," he said. "First an IHOP, now Chuck E. Cheese's."

Michael has long predicted that Harlem's revival is being managed in such a way that the neighborhood's history will be lost, and we will end up with Paramus, NJ. I'd say that with the opening of Manhattan's only Chuck E. Cheese, above a Nine West Outlet, he has hit the nail right on the head.

I tried to get a colorful quote from him on Chuck E. Cheese's, encouraging foul language, but he is good at sticking to message. Michael said that he laments places like IHOP and Chuck E. Cheese's opening up when Harlem is loosing its cultural treasures. He readily gave two examples. The Museum of the American Indian moved to the Financial District, and St. Thomas the Apostle, on 118th between St. Nicholas and Frederick Douglass, lost its side alters to St. Patrick's Cathedral, and its main alter to a jackhammer.

When asked why he thinks this is happening, Michael does not hold back. "It is just an inevitability when you have people like the mayor and other politicians who see Harlem as the lowest common denominator." He compares them to a marauding army of the past taking spoils.

Well, at least Bill Perkins, who made the rat problem a central issue, is runnign for office again. Perhaps he can go after this rodent on day one.

Anyway, Michael's day was not all bad. When I called, he was preparing for a photo shoot with the Times for his role in the Museum of the City of New York's upcoming exhibit "Black Style Now." The exhibit, which opens September 9th, explores the history of African-American style and its influence on design. Michael will of course be at the reception September 8th.

Ed's note: I was holding off on this post until Curbed returned from vacation in a week, but UPTOWNflavor, via Greasy Gudie, beat me to the punch.

Posted by Chris at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The Centerline

Harlem resident and political moderate Jonathan Funke picked up his blog, The Centerline, this month. Don't worry, it's not focused on Harlem. The Centerline will be a great medium for Jonathan's centrist take on politics.

Jonathan is an all around clean and solid writer, whose jazz reviews I enjoy reading in The New York Press. He set out to write The Centerline early last year, but became sidetracked. "Why?," he writes, "Because - like any political moderate you can point to - I had a job and a life to attend to. That's why 'irate moderates' are so rare." Thankfully, the Lamont / Lieberman Senate race in Connecticut brought him to the keyboard.

The Centerline is a welcomed addition to the Harlem blog roll; it helps illustrate the wide variety of ideas in our neighborhood.

Aphrodite Cleaners

The review is belated, but I have only good things to say about the Aphrodite Cleaners on Lenox and 119th Street.

On their second day open, I dropped off shirts, pants, suits and bedding. To a certain extent, I thought by dropping off so many things I could best judge the cleaners on a variety of items, but more so I just didn't feel like dragging another load of anything to the cleaners in TriBeCa I had been using. My thought was that even if Aphrodite was not the best, at least I didn't have to endure another two 'sweaty arm' subway rides to get a couple of things cleaned.

I did not have to worry. The woman at Aphrodite was courteous, professional, and efficient, and aside from a credit card reader malfunction that was fixed later that day, everything was great. All of the items I dropped off came back clean, smelling good, well pressed, and on time. Even the micro-fiber comforter was completely free of cat hair. (Cimbi took care of that in a matter of hours.) And best of all, they gave me a delivery bag.

I feel that a new era in my life has begun.

Remember, there is also one on 117th between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue.

Posted by Chris at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Both Central Harlem Aphrodite organic dry cleaners are now open! The location at 304 West 117th Street, between Frederick Douglass and Manhattan Avenues, has been open for at least a week now. More importantly though, the Aphrodite at 169 Lenox Avenue (119th Street) in the Normandie opened Saturday.

I woke up early this morning to make sure I had time to drop off my dry cleaning at the Aphrodite cleaners on Lenox Avenue. Both cleaners have free pick up and delivery, but for the maiden run, I brought my dry cleaning down myself. I cannot tell you how nice it feels to wake up and walk a block and a half to drop off dry cleaning after years of trying any number of work around strategies.

To sweeten the deal, both Aphrodites are offering opening specials. Regular dry cleaning is 30 percent off, dress shirts are 99 cents each, and wash and fold is 80 cents a pound. I dropped off a few regular dry clean items, a couple of shirts, and two comforters. Reviews of each will be out by the week's end.

Posted by Chris at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Cheryl and I joined a small group of people this evening for a sneak peek of the day spa soon to open on the top floor of Nubian Heritage. Located on 5th Avenue between 125th and 126th Streets, the spa will reside on the second floor in Nubian Heritage's flagship store. The store includes Boma Coffee & Tea, aromatherapy, bath, beauty, and accessories departments, and Vera Moore Cosmetics.

Vera Moore herself lead the day spa tour. The venue will have all of the features of a salon, including hair and nail care, in addition to spa amenities that include a massage parlor, hydro-therapy, and a room with equipment that looked ready to perform dental work.

Many of the rooms had amazing light. The yoga/pilates studio drew in considerable sun even in the late hour through large windows looking South over 125th street. A room for massage and hydro-therapy was also exceptionally bright, as it drew in light from the setting sun through windows overlooking 5th Avenue.

The decor, under the direction of Nubian Heritage's Creative Director Jullanar Barron, is coming along quite nice. Jullanar, whose creative domain also includes product packaging, is in the photo below.

I did not want to ask if the spa will be unisex or not, but I had the question answered nonetheless when the tour entered the men's restroom and changing area. Yes, it will have services for men too. While looking at the women's changing area, I was told that would be the last time I would be stepping inside. That's what they think.

And my reason for questioning the unisex vs. monosex design is not that I think men don't need spa services. A few blocks to the South, in new storefront space on 116th Street between Lenox and 5th Avenues, I have been watching a sign for Braxton with the tag-line "Exceptional grooming for exceptional men." Clearly, this is a salon of the no girls allowed variety.

Posted by Chris at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Billie's Black, a new gourmet soul food restaurant on 119th between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and St. Nicholas Avenue, opens today, Friday, June 23rd.

UPDATE: As per a photo taken this morning, it seems Billie's Black still has a ways to go before opening.

UPDATED UPDATE As per Harlem Fur tipster flip, Billie's Black did open on Friday, and hosted a packed house!

NEXT: On Saturday, June 24th, Tribal Spears Gallery at 2167 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, between 116th and 117th Streets, holds an opening reception in both galleries from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

The Tribal Gallery features sculptural artists Keith Anderson (California) and Yuko Ueno (Japan). The Johnson-Byrd Fine Art Gallery features abstract artists Derrie Clemmons (Chicago), Spencer Eldridge (Harlem), and Va Ronique Paronneau (France).

Tribal Spears Cafe offers a solid selection of coffee, tea and small edibles good for both gallery goers and those looking for place to access a free Wi-Fi connection.

Posted by Chris at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Harlem Fur tipster let us know that Halstead Realty will be moving into storefront space in the Normandie, a Halstead listing, on Lenox Avenue at 119th Street. Halstead joins children's shoe store Purple Reign and organic dry cleaner Aphrodite in inhabiting the Normandie's ground floor.

Halstead's arrival in South Harlem will complete the real estate trivium quadrivium, with Prudential Douglass Elliman and The Corcoran Group and Warburg (thanks Tom) on Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 114th and 120th Streets.

Posted by Chris at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

In response to yesterday's posting on the two Aphrodite organic dry cleaners opening in South Harlem, Scott wrote in to say that one recently opened near him on Columbus Avenue between 107th and 108th. Being that neither of the two Harlem locations are on the Aphrodite website yet, nor the Columbus and 107th location, I checked it out last evening to see if it is part of the same chain or just a cleaners with a similar name.

As determined by the logo, the Columbus Avenue location is part of the same chain.

With all of the Aphrodite cleaners opening up, I am wondering if in the near future people will be able to tell if someone is from above or below 96th Street based on a use of Starbucks vs. Aphrodite cleaners.

Person One: Hey, wanna go see The Road To Guantanamo at the Walter Reade Theater?
Person Two: Yes. Let's meet at Starbucks first so we can sit together.
Person One: Great. How about the Starbucks at 58th and 8th?
Person Two: No, let's go to the Starbucks at 60th and Broadway.

VS.

Person One: Hey, wanna go see what's playing at Imagenation's Soul Cinema theater?
Person Two: Yes. Let's meet at Aphrodite cleaners first so we can sit together.
Person One: Great. How about the Aphrodite at 117th and Frederick Douglas?
Person Two: No, let's go to the Aphrodite at 119th and Lenox.

Posted by Chris at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

No more need to carry one's dry cleaning to work, making the arm carrying the load even more sweaty than the rest of one's self. Two Aphrodite organic dry cleaners will be opening up in South Harlem for those of us damping up office attire in the summer heat. (I suppose they can also be used by those spilling caviar on themselves.)

I am sure my office mates are just as excited as I am.

The first is at 304 West 117th, between Frederick Douglass and Manhattan Avenues.

The second is on Lenox Avenue at 119th Street in the Normandie.

Posted by Chris at 08:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Delores Martin, a bar maid at Minton's Playhouse for 14 years before it closed in 1974, was able to take the stage and say a few words at the legendary jazz joint's re-opening on May 19th. Her son, Kevin McGill, shared some photos he took of the night with Harlem Fur.

We have to say Dolores looks great. Kevin is a graduate of New York Film Academy, with a background in television production, so he has a learned take on how to make a person look good. However, artistry aside, Harlem Fur thinks Delores has a timeless beauty. If we didn't tell you she is the woman on the left, could you guess which woman was her?

More of the photos Kevin sent are up on flickr here.

Posted by Chris at 09:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

...and the guest list was hotter than a Chevy tailpipe in summer.

The Chairman of General Motors Rick Wagoner, Mayor Bloomberg, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Congressman Charlie Rangel were all at the opening of Saturn and GM dealerships located at 2nd Avenue and 127th Street today.

For those of you who missed the broadcast, here is the 7 Online link.

I'll have some photos up later. Until then, please accept their stock chart in substitution. It goes very well with the Harlem Fur color scheme.

Posted by Chris at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bonus! Womens Wear Daily, which is not something I normally read, has an article on one of N's designers, Nicole Miller.

Posted by Chris at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

Harlem saw two great openings this weekend, and Harlem Fur was kinda there.

Bonus: If you read to the end, you can find out how a free bag of Innova cat food, courtesy of Posh Paws, can be yours!

Minton's Playhouse
Minton's Playhouse was a raging success on Friday. The jazz was hot, the joint was packed, and the drinks were surprisingly well priced. I know most of this because I took photos like the one below.

I will be posting more shots from Friday night at Minton's on Flickr. Take a peek by clicking on the photos in the right-hand side bar. I have a shot of Mr. Earl Spain, the jazz impresario who did what Robert DeNiro could not and re-opened the birthplace of be-bop. The first person to point out Dean, my co-op's president, wins a Posh Paws logo food lid.

Posh Paws
Cheryl and I made our first purchase at Posh Paws on Sunday. We bought Cimbi a blue Flexi-Mat pet bed for the windowsill. The attractive and durable fabric is machine washable and dryable, which makes it ideal for cleaning before our allergic friends come over.

Cheryl and I also met the owners, Doris and Helen, two warm people who are very knowledgeable about companion animal supplies.

Please don't think Cimbi will eat just any cat food, or Cheryl for that matter. Previously, we tried giving our animal Greenies, as we ended up with 20 or so sample bags from a cat show at Madison Square Garden. Neither the cat nor Cheryl showed any interest in them. Not knowing what to do with the remaining bags, we gave them out to Trick-Or-Treaters last year while keeping straight faces. (We didn't live in Harlem then.) Cheryl is sitting next to me right now saying, "don't worry, it wasn't malicious... the kids couldn't get sick... and if they read what it was before eating it, they could give it to their pets."

Now for the good part, how a bag of Innova cat food, courtesy of Posh Paws, can be yours. If you are a Harlem resident, send a photo or two of your cat with a brief bio and a memorable anecdote to editor [at] (no spam) harlem fur [dot] com. I will post your kitty on Harlem Fur and mail you the bag of food. Please specify regular or lite food.

Posted by Chris at 07:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

This Friday will not only be the re-opening of be-bop's birthplace, Minton's Playhouse, but it will also be the opening of Posh Paws pet store on Frederick Douglass and 114th Street. I am ecstatic.

As a great example, Cheryl and I had to get on the subway to find usable cat litter after 7pm in 2003. Petland, on 117th Street between Lenox and 5th Avenue, was the only place in Central Harlem that carried Feline Pine litter, and its 7pm closing time made it virtually inaccessible during the week. One night when we could not wait until the weekend to refill the litter box, I broke down and purchased a bag of Hartz pH, the only thing offered at three different delis. The stuff gave off enough dust in the apartment to give us both sore throats by the morning. I can't imagine what it did to the cat.

When we moved back to Harlem late last year, I was happy to see that Fine Fare on Lenox and 116th now carries both Feline Pine litter and a large selection of Fancy Feast flavors with gravy, Cimbi's favorite. However, I am more happy to know that Posh Paws, which will carry Wellness, Innova, California Natural and many more products, will be open at the week's end.

Now, all we need is a good vet and groomer.

Posted by Chris at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Hard up to wet your whistle in Harlem? Well Gabriel, blow that horn. It's the rebirth of the be-bop womb. Minton's Playhouse is set to reopen for the first time since 1974, dig? And yes, the bar is stocked.

The Fur has a history of the joint shorter than an epic Ken Burns documentary:

In 1938 tenor Saxophonist Henry Minton opened Minton's Playhouse using a part of the dining area in Harlem's Cecil Hotel.

Although the club had a house band, it was the after hours sessions that earned the joint its reputation as a place of innovation. The house band would play earlier in the night. Later, jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Mile Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Thelonious Monk and other musicians of the time would experiment with their music, eventually giving birth to Be-Bop.

Minton's ran for 32 years straight before shutting down after it switched over to disco. The Cecil Hotel changed to. It became a single room occupancy hotel for men down on their luck. The neon signs for both places remain, with the Cecil Hotel's on the corner of 118th and St. Nick and Minton's on 118th between St. Nick and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. Minton's is featured in the 116th Street 2/3 subway stop's glass mosaic.

In early February of 2001 the Cecil Hotel suffered a cigarette-sparked fire that injured twelve people and resulted in the death of at least one man. Had fire inspectors not been near-by when the fire broke out, the results may have been much worse.

Since closing in 1974, Minton's has seen a number of attempts by high-profile people to reopen the venue. Robert De Niro with restaurateurs Drew Neiporent and Melba Wilson (who opened the new Melba's on Frederick Douglass Boulevard) tried in 1996. In 1999, Wall Street hot-shot Kevin Ingram sought to reopen Minton's, but getting caught trying to launder $2.2 million in a federal arms money sting gave him little time to devote to the project.

Now it seems Minton's time to return is here. Harlem jazz club impresario Earl Spain and the owner of both Minton's and the Cecil Hotel, Housing Services Inc., will be opening the venue Friday, May 19th at 3:00pm. Live music begins, again, at 9:00pm.

Let Harlem Fur take you inside for a sneak peak.

Continue reading "Be-Bop, Be-Drunk: Minton's House Set To Play Again" »

Posted by Chris at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

When taking Cimbi to Marcus Garvey Park yesterday, I noticed that opposite Settepani on 120th off Lenox is a recently opened Champaign and caviar bar, Emperor's Roe.

Cheryl and I asked our friends Greg and Sara to try it out with us last night, and we gave it a thumbs up.

The owner told us it has only been open a week, and it shows great promise for summer, as the sides open up onto the sidewalk. Plus it also offers sushi, wine, beer and liquor, which might be a more frequent choice than the caviar, which quickly shoots up to $220 for a serving.

So, I guess whomever was overheard saying this was wrong.

Posted by Chris at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)