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The ownership group behind Friedman’s Restaurant and Pastrami Queen has purchased a retail unit on the Upper West Side that includes a restaurant space sitting empty since the start of the year. And rather than leasing the storefront, the group bought the building’s entire retail co-op, which also happens to house one of the neighborhood’s most famous businesses.
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The vacant storefront is 551 Amsterdam Avenue, at West 87th Street, which The Granola Bar left behind when it closed on January 18 after two years in business. Before that, the space was home to Kirsh Bakery & Kitchen.The group purchased the 5,000-square-foot retail unit at 541-555 Amsterdam Avenue for $4.135 million through an LLC called Mountain View Acquisition, according to Lee & Associates NYC, which represented the buyer. The seller, a family LLC doing business as 176 West 87th Leasehold, was represented by Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young.
According to reports, the plan is to open a new Friedman’s location in the former Granola Bar space, one that Lee & Associates says will be “tailored to appeal to the neighborhood.”
Friedman’s, which got its start at Chelsea Market, is known for breakfast classics, sandwiches and burgers, and has seven locations in the city. These include outposts at 50 West 72nd Street and 35 West End Avenue.
The sale has been reported by Commercial Observer and NYREJ.
The retail co-op is also home to Barney Greengrass, the longtime appetizing shop and restaurant, and Hudson & Charles, the butcher shop that also sells sandwiches and groceries. Both will stay put following the sale, according to Lee & Associates.
“The group is expanding its footprint in a top location on the Upper West Side, while also keeping a New York institution intact and operating for years to come,” Peter Braus, president of Lee & Associates NYC, said in a statement.
No opening timeline has been announced. We’ve reached out to Friedman’s ownership for more details and will provide updates if we hear back.
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