(Google Maps)
End of an era. Lenny’s Bagels, an Upper West Side mainstay for over 23 years, is closing its doors. Customers walking by the iconic institution (at 2601 Broadway at W. 98th Street) on Wednesday were greeted by a sign informing them they had just one day left to buy their favorite bagels, lox and spreads before Lenny’s shut down for good.
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As a testament to the neighborhood’s love of Lenny’s, they were so swamped by customers trying to get in that last bagel with cream cheese that when we first reached out they were too busy to comment.
Eventually, we got in touch with owner Linda Choi who said “I am so sad, we have so many regular nice customers, we tried to keep the store open.” Unfortunately she added “the rent is too much, it’s unreasonable.”
Lenny’s joins the ranks of another longtime neighborhood establishment, New Parisian Deli, which closed after over 40 years of service earlier this month.
Known as much for its unique ambience as its food, Reviewers on Yelp have been quick to highlight the fact that among other things, “you could shoot a 1990 movie here without any change to decorum.”
The reviews of the bagels were varied, but one thing remained consistent across all of them: customers loved the spot.
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“So, am I claiming this is the best bagel in the universe? No. But I am claiming it is the best bagel that I have experienced in this neighborhood.”
“I am not going to claim that this is the best bagel shop in the city, or state, or universe… But I will tell you that I love this place.”
“The bagels at Lenny’s exude history. Not a prettied up, theme park history, but a genuine sense of generational knowledge.”
As one five star reviewer wrote, “There used to be a place like that around each corner of Manhattan but now good luck finding those.” Good luck indeed.
This is so upsetting. I believe it’s the same landlord as Regional, which also just closed after hiking the rent. There should be protests against this building.
When we first moved to the UWS over 30 years ago, Lenny’s had -“Buy a dozen – get 6 free”, best bargain around – always sorry to see a typical UWS shop leave
Oh, gee, maybe we’ll get another bank, or chain restaurant, or maybe another ad hoc homeless shelter for the poor souls who can’t afford a place to rest, feed themselves, clean up, etc.
And what are politicians doing about this? Pretty much, nothing. Perhaps they are feeding at the trough?
It’s time to really move in on the Real Estate greed in this city. The quality of life in this city has so deteriorated–overrun as it is by bland, homogeneous , corporate chains) that for the first time in my life (a life-long Manhattanite) I’ve been thinking of getting out.
We need to start filling the ears of our elected officials to protect such small businesses!
Lenny’s pumpernickel bagels made my Covid isolation bearable.
We have been loyal customers for – gosh – 20 years?
We will miss you very much indeed. Thank you, Lenny’s, thank you Ms. Choi.
When are our elected (who can be un-elected) officials going to stand up and protect all of these small businesses from greedy landlords? Small businesses are what make neighborhoods what they are. It’s disgusting how businesses try to keep their prices as low as they can in order to keep customers but when the majority of what you take in goes out as only rent (not even taking into account salaries, insurance, utilities, food, etc.) there’s nothing left.
The unrestrained greed of landlords is ruining our neighborhood! This is unacceptable.
This is sad news. Their My Two Suns bagel was special. Really sorry to see them go,
Absolute isn’t what it used to be. Like at all. Broad Nosh on 86th and Broadway is the new bagel king on the UWS.
We have, literally, not moved away from the neighborhood because of our love for Lenny’s Bagels and its people. This is devastating. Note to the greedy landlord and whatever shop might take its place: I will never shop at that corner again, and I hope the entire neighborhood will do the same so that we might exact some small measure of revenge for your heartless, shameful greed.
Love/loved Lennys for ever.
We are getting a ny style bagel spot here in honolulu in a few days
Tali’s Bagels and Schmears
Heartbroken that Lenny’s is closing. The Chois are such hard working and lovely people. It was heartbreaking to lose Cafe Viva too. I wish as customers we knew earlier and knew whom to contact about the rising rents in hopes our voices as residents and customers could make a difference. There are many empty storefronts and the few businesses that do come are not like those we are losing. But most of all, the owners and employees of the shops being priced out are our neighbors and friends; we love them and want to help. The Chois will be missed.
So sad to hear this. Lenny’s was my absolute (pun intended) go-to bagel spot. Greedy landlords are destroying NYC. I don’t care what replaces Lenny’s. It never will *replace* Lenny’s.
I’m confused about the “23 years”. Lenny’s definitely has been there longer. I went there when I lived on 96 and Broadway and I moved away from there in 1994. So Lenny’s has been there at least 29 years and I think longer……
There was a Lenny’s sandwich shop at 96th and Broadway; it’s not the same, and is now called Lenwich and the 96th location has closed.
Could’t say how long Lenny’s bagels have been there, but I think I would have discovered it in the mid90s, when I spent time in the area. Instead I went to Absolute Bagel at 108th and Broadway. (Still there and the bagels are slightly better, but Lenny’s is a big loss.)
What a shame. This was a great neighborhood joint with decent bagels and a very loyal customer base. And Linda was always friendly.
They’ll be missed.
Greedy landlords are evil. Elected officials who can’t protect local and small business owners are either weak or under rich landlord control — or both. Lenny’s has been the starting point for years of many long drives where I’d start early and wanted to take a nosh. I’ve lived on the upper west side all my 80+ years and have been so very disgusted by the neighborhood’s changes that I’ve left. Who will be the new UWSers? What food preferences and establishments will the bring? Oy!
BTW — The best bagels I ever ate were the “Flagels” at Goldberg’s bagels out on LI.
A
men.
Greedy landlords are taking the neighborhood away. No services. No Mom and Pops. Maybe I’ll leave too.
It is an absurdity with so many empty storefronts dotting the city that landlords and shills for the real estate industry will point to “market rents” as the culprit. They are not asking “market rents” when there are thousands of empties. Commercial rents should come down. With the diminishing amenities and services in our neighborhoods, residential rents should also come down. Why are they both going up??
I live in Louisville KY and discovered Lenny’s when visiting my sister when she lived at 96th and Broadway 20 years ago. Over the years i have packed boxes of bagels every visit to bring home with me (they freeze great), and bribed and enlisted countless friends and family to ship them to me as well. Hopefully she will find a new location where she can reopen.
This is why NYC needs vacancy taxes.
Charge a 5% tax after 90 days empty of the asking rent, then raise it 5% for every 2 months vacant.
Hit them where it hurts.
This is catastrophic news. All my love for the wonderful owners, staff, and patrons of beloved Lenny’s. May the evil, greedy landlord have a change of heart (or develop a conscience) and allow this necessary institution to survive.
Startling, shocking. like loosing a best friend. we’ve all been regular, or occasional, customers of Lenny’s for two to three decades. Hate to see them go. Not just because they were a constant in our ever-changing landscape, but because the bagels were EXCELLENT.
The less-than-48-hours notice may have been imposed by the landlord as well to forestall any organized protest.
There you have it folks. If you start a business AND have steady customer flow for 11 hours a day, 7 days a week AND charge market rates for your good AND do it for 20+ years AND avoid spending on expensive remodeling AND do the work yourself to save money AND have your spouse do the same….
you’ll close down and lose it all because your rent nearly doubles.