Exciting Roosevelt Island Retail Update - Restaurant For Former Dayspring Church Site To Be Announced Soon, Revolving Rooftop Bar For 28 Story Riverwalk Building 9 Considered But Rejected - Planned Main Street Mexican Restaurant To Be Mediterranean Instead, Cafe Eleanor Panini Bar To Open This Summer & More

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder David Kramer of Hudson Related spoke to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee yesterday about status of under construction Riverwalk building 8 & the future Riverwalk building 9. (Stay tuned for story soon)

Mr Kramer also gave an update on Roosevelt Island retail. Starting with the good news, Mr Kramer gave a hint of what he calls exciting news to come about the vacant Dayspring Church space

in response to my question about rumors of a restaurant to open in the space. Mr Kramer expects an announcement this week about the Dayspring Church space which has been marketed as a restaurant/events space.

Other Roosevelt Island retail news - Eleanor's Cafe Panini Bar at 503 Main Street in the Riverwalk Building is expected to open this summer.

The plans for Mexican Restaurant Onda at 548 Main Street (projected to open in summer of 2017) have been revised. The same owners are changing the concept from a Mexican Restaurant to a Mediterranean restaurant due to gas capacity in the space. The margaritas and chips Roosevelt Island residents were hoping for is not to be.

The Bubble Tea Cafe will not re-open. The store was expected to be sold to new owners but that deal fell apart in the last couple of days.

Hudson Related is working with Dr Jack Resnick to keep medical facilities in the former Urgent Care space.

No update on new tenant for former Riverwalk Bar space, closed since last Labor Day. Mr Kramer described the space as the jewel in Roosevelt Island retail crown that has received some nibbles from interested restaurants owners but nothing definite. Non-restaurant uses have been proposed but Mr. Kramer says Roosevelt Island needs a Restaurant Bar in that space.

Mr Kramer encourages Roosevelt Island residents to support Main Street retail. Here's what he had to say.



The Twitterverse reported David Kramer's Hudson Companies signed retail lease for rooftop bar at one of their Brooklyn properties.

Announcing our latest retail lease at The Breeze! 6,000 SF from the team behind the incredible Lavender Lake to become the new dining and bar destination at 315 Meserole in #brooklyn. https://t.co/mhh29UHOg5 @commobserver @S9Architecture @ABSPartners

— The Hudson Companies (@TheHudsonCos) May 30, 2019

pic.twitter.com/0A4ssqMmh5

— 10044ROX (@NYTTYTTYY) May 30, 2019

Surprise, for one brief moment, a revolving rooftop bar was considered for the future 28 story Riverwalk building 9.



But was rejected.

UPDATE 6/3:

I’m eagerly awaiting more details on the Dayspring Church space. Puzzled by the change of plans from Mexican to Mediterranean stemming from a gas capacity issue. Not surprised about bubble tea. Never seemed like they were trying very hard.

— Minnehanonck (@minnehanonck) June 2, 2019

Jupioca Healthy Juice Bar Signs Lease In Riverwalk Offering Nutritious Smoothies, Teas & Acai Bowls - Latest Update On Roosevelt Island Retail

A new retail tenant, Jupioca,

Image From Jupioca

is coming to Roosevelt Island's Southtown area this spring offering healthy juices,

Image From Jupioca

smoothies, tea and Acai bowls.

Image From Jupioca

in the former Nail Salon Space next to Starbucks.

According to this press release from Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related:

Hudson Related Retail LLC today announced the signing of Jupioca, a new juice, smoothie and tea shop to a 10-year, 700-square foot lease at 455 Main Street, located in the retail portion of the Riverwalk Place Apartments in a space previously housing the Swan Nail Salon. The addition of Jupioca will add to the growing, eclectic mix of storefronts on Roosevelt Island. Jupioca at 455 Main Street is expected to open in spring of 2019. Jupioca will serve juices, superfood green smoothies, protein shakes and Acai bowls, inspired by high-quality, fresh and nutritious natural ingredients.

“Jupioca will be a fantastic complement to the other offerings on the island,” said Alex Kaplan, Project Manager at The Hudson Companies. “We are glad to have quickly occupied the former nail salon space with a new and exciting option for Roosevelt Island residents and visitors.”

“We are committed to introducing every American to incredibly nutritious drinks so that everyone can enjoy their benefits,” said Jin Zheng, owner of Jupioca. Just make our no-sugar, highly nutritious drinks a part of your daily routine and see the incredible difference they make to your lifestyle. And we are so happy to announce- we are going to have Thai Roll Ice cream, a very popular frozen dessert in Asia!”

Jupioca’s drinks will be sourced daily from fresh and locally grown vegetables and fruits. The drinks will support healthy diets, and help to detox and cleanse the body. With this lease signing, Jupioca adds to their eight locations in throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Joshua Strauss and Alex Arsenis of RKF represented both Hudson Related Retail LLC and Jupioca in the deal. The nearby Shops on Main also feature a salon, dry cleaner, wine shop, diner and Chinese restaurant, all of which add to the variety of retail along the corridor.

In March of 2018, Lisa Management, the property management arm of The Hudson Companies, Inc, took over all marketing and leasing for the remaining available storefront at the Shops on Main retail corridor. Since then, Lisa Management has signed two new retail tenants: the forthcoming Liukoshui hot pot restaurant and PupCulture pet care and spa service.

Hudson Related's Alex Kaplan adds:

We are looking forward to a spring/summer 2019 opening for Café Eleanor and Hot Pot.

We are still searching for a new user for the former Riverwalk Bar & Grill space.

I asked Hudson Related regarding status of Mexican restaurant Onda which was supposed to open in 2016 but was last reported in March 2018 to still be working on obtaining their permits. Rumors are that Onda will not open but Ms Kaplan did not respond to inquires about Onda.

Also, as reported earlier today. the Dayspring Church was evicted from its stone cottage last week and the Roosevelt Island Islamic Society leased space in the former Cabrini Chapel.

More info on Roosevelt Island's new Jupioca retail store at their web site.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Store Update - Lisa Management Replaces Cushman As Retail Broker, Onda Mexican Restaurant & Cafe Eleanor Panini Bar Seeking Building Permits, Starting Work Soon?

Roosevelt Island Main Street stores have a new retail leasing broker.  Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related has named Lisa Management to try and lease up the long time vacant Roosevelt Island Main Street store spaces.

Prior to Lisa Management,  Cushman Wakefield Retail had been the Main Street retail broker since 2015 and before Cushman, Winick Realty starting in 2012.

According to a Hudson Related press release:

Hudson Related Retail LLC has hired Lisa Management to become the new broker for storefront space along Roosevelt Island’s Main Street retail corridor—also known as the Shops on Main. Lisa Management’s efforts will be geared toward attracting diverse, high-quality tenants to add new retail options for Roosevelt Island residents and visitors.

“We are thrilled to have Lisa Management come on board as broker to lease our remaining spaces and continue the activation of Main Street’s retail corridor,” said Alexandra Kaplan, Project Manager at The Hudson Companies, an affiliate of Hudson Related Retail LLC.

“We will be taking a fresh look at leasing the remaining spaces focusing on attracting neighborhood amenities to serve the diverse population of Roosevelt Island,” said Jorge L. Jorge of Lisa Management.

Lisa Management will take on marketing and leasing for the remaining spaces along Main Street. These include 2,000 SF at 521 Main St., 2,229 SF at 563 Main St., 2,172 SF at 544 Main St. and 505 SF at 568 Main Street. As property managers of the Shops on Main since 2002, Lisa Management will be building on their extensive knowledge of Roosevelt Island retail in this expanded role.

Since 2016, there have been several new lease signings at the Shops on Main. These include Onda, a Mexican restaurant; Music & Play Station, a children’s music school; and BubbleCool, a bubble tea shop. The Shops on Main also feature a salon, dry cleaner, wine shop, diner and Chinese Restaurant, all of which add to the variety of retail along the corridor.

Hudson Related's Alexandra Kaplan reports that the Cafe/Panini bar to be located in Rivercross at 503 Main Street will be called:

Café Eleanor... .

and:

...will be pulling permits soon and starting work.

Future Home of Cafe Eleanor

Ms Kaplan adds that the Onda Mexican restaurant to be located in Roosevelt Landings at 548 Main Street is ;

... working on obtaining their permit as well.

Onda Mexican restaurant lease signing was announced in December 2016 and, at the time, was scheduled to open in the summer of 2017.

The newly named Cafe Eleanor Cafe/Panini Bar lease was announced in July 2016 and scheduled to open in Summer 2017 as well.

Long Lines Greet Roosevelt Island BubbleCool Bubble Tea Cafe Soft Opening Today, Try It Out - They're Hiring Too

Long lines greeted

the soft opening

of Roosevelt Island's newest shop on Main Street today - BubbleCool Bubble Tea Cafe.

The BubbleCool owners told me today the soft opening will continue for the next 10 days and then they will have a Grand Opening.

Bubble Cool plans to to be open daily from 10 AM to Midnight.

It's good to have a new Roosevelt Island retail opening.




Still waiting for Nisi/Trellis, the new Mexican restaurant and Cafe/Panini Bar to open.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Update - What's Happening With Nisi/Trellis, Onda Mexican Restaurant & Cafe Panini Bar?

The most often question I'm asked is:

When will stores open on Main Street?

 Yesterday, I asked Roosevelt Island Shops On Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson Related:

Can you update on status of Nisi, the Mexican restaurant and Juice Bar?

Hudson'Related's Alexandra Kaplan replied:

Juice bar is actually a café/panini bar. It is finalizing design and approvals.

Mexican restaurant is in the process of getting build-out approvals as well.

Nisi – I don’t have an update on right now- but will also reach back out with an opening date – when that happens.

I know that is not a satisfying answer for Roosevelt Island residents, but it's all we got.

At least the Cornell Tech Cafe is open and it's getting great responses from Roosevelt Island residents. Here's what it looked like on July 31 opening day.



On June 13, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee received this Main Street Retail update from Ms. Kaplan



A resident suggested yesterday:

Since there are so many empty spaces on Main Street has anyone considered a $.99 store? I know our family loves to shop at them and we enjoy them especially when looking for small inexpensive gifts for children and also when buying gifts for Sunday School. I would think it would be something a lot of people would like to consider buying there.

Cornell Tech built an entire campus on Roosevelt Island in 2 1/2 years. Roosevelt Island can't fill it's vacant stores in more time than it took to build Cornell Tech - That's crazy.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Update - Bubble Tea Cafe Coming But Cafe/Juice Bar And Mexican Restaurant Not Opening This Summer - Trellis/Nisi Will Open But No Date Known

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee received a Main Street Retail update yesterday from Master Leaseholder Hudson Related representative Alexandra Kaplan (full audio web cast of meeting here).

Ms Kaplan reported that a Bubble Tea Cafe will open in the former Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets space. Ms Kaplan noted:

... What made this transaction move quicker is that it was a ready to go space, so we are working on making all our spaces as ready to go as possible with lights in the right places and where when you turn on a switch, lights come on. A potential tenant can walk in and see the vision of what it can become and not see a daunting amount of work....

Ms Kaplan added that the planned Mexican restaurant Onda (548 Main Street) and Cafe/Juice Bar (503 Main Street) are in design and getting ready to start work. Neither will be ready to open this summer.

About Trellis/Nisi, Ms Kaplan added:

... It is a story of a very good intentioned operator who has had every misfortune happen to him during this renovation process....

... He will open. It will happen.... He's put alot into this....

RIOC Director David Kraut asked:

Has anybody approached you with an idea of putting a decent bar on the Island?

Ms Kaplan replied no, but both the Mexican restaurant and Cafe/Juice Bar will have a liquor license.

Here's the discussion on stores



and the new Library and Catholic Church. The Library design is nearly complete and the Catholic Church has begun demolition.



at 504 Main Street.

UPDATE 9:55 PM - Ms Kaplan adds:

The name is BubbleCool and they expect to open later this summer.

Update On New Roosevelt Island Mexican Restaurant & Bar Onda Scheduled To Open In Summer 2017 - Experienced Owners Excited To Become Part Of Roosevelt Island Community

Received more information regarding the new Mexican restaurant and bar, Onda, scheduled to open at Roosevelt Island's 548 Main Street in the summer of 2017.

Image of Roosevelt Island's 548 Main Street Empty Storefront

As reported December 7:

... Hudson Related Retail LLC has signed a lease to bring a new contemporary Mexican restaurant and bar to 548 Main Street on Roosevelt Island. Onda will occupy an approximately 2,000 sq. ft. storefront in the Island’s retail center— known as the Shops on Main— and will be operated by D&D Restaurant Group. As the Island’s first sit-down Mexican restaurant-bar, Onda will serve authentic, rustic cuisine and offer both small and large plates in a modern setting. The restaurant, which plans to apply for a liquor license, is anticipated to open in Summer 2017....

According to a Hudson Related spokesperson, the owners of Onda are:

• Dino Siamas, former partner at 151, Vue, Nero and Island Restaurant Lounge​ (LIC),​
• Ike Gizas, former GM at Philippe, Jue Lan and S Prime Steakhouse and
• Daryl Nisivoccia, current partner at The Diner in the Meatpacking​ District​

A spokesperson for D&D Restaurant Group added:

We are looking forward to opening Onda and to becoming a part of the Roosevelt Island community. We are touched by the outpouring of support and excitement for the addition of a modern Mexican restaurant to the existing offerings on Main Street, and will make more details available about our concept and menu as soon as we can.

Roosevelt Island residents are eagerly waiting

Image From The Sonoran Lifestyle

for the opening this summer of our new Mexican restaurant Onda. Margarita nights are already being planned.

Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

Great News - Contemporary Mexican Restaurant & Bar, Onda, To Open Summer 2017 On Roosevelt Island Says Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related - I'll Have A Margarita Please

Reported October 17 that a new ethnic restaurant will soon sign a lease for Roosevelt Island's 548 Main Street.

Image of Roosevelt Island's 548 Main Street Empty Storefront

Well, it actually happened!!!! A new restaurant will open this summer on Roosevelt Island's Main Street in a long time vacant space. According to Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related:

Hudson Related Retail LLC has signed a lease to bring a new contemporary Mexican restaurant and bar to 548 Main Street on Roosevelt Island. Onda will occupy an approximately 2,000 sq. ft. storefront in the Island’s retail center— known as the Shops on Main— and will be operated by D&D Restaurant Group. As the Island’s first sit-down Mexican restaurant-bar, Onda will serve authentic, rustic cuisine and offer both small and large plates in a modern setting. The restaurant, which plans to apply for a liquor license, is anticipated to open in Summer 2017.

“We are excited to help meet the desire of Roosevelt Island residents for more sit-down dining establishments and a wider diversity of food options,” said Alexandra Kaplan, Associate Project Manager at The Hudson Companies, on behalf of Hudson Related Retail LLC. “This restaurant will not only serve the existing residents of Roosevelt Island, but also the incoming students and faculty of the Cornell Tech Campus.”

"We are thrilled that another restaurant will soon open on Main Street, which has reestablished itself as the heart and soul of Roosevelt Island," said Susan Rosenthal, President/CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC).

Cushman & Wakefield represented Hudson Related Retail LLC in this transaction.

In July, Hudson Related Retail LLC announced the signing of a lease for a café and wine bar located at 503 Main Street, which will serve juices, smoothies, and light fare such as paninis, salads, and bakery items. The café will be operated by same owners of Wholesome Factory—a gourmet and organic natural food market— and Island Wine & Spirits, two successful businesses on Main Street.

In 2011, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation designated Hudson Related Retail LLC, a joint venture between development firms The Hudson Companies and The Related Companies, to help revitalize Roosevelt Island’s Main Street retail corridor and bring in new amenities. This has included completing major arcade and storefront renovations, along with other capital improvements.

I'll have a margarita please. How about you?