District News
A Retail Renaissance on Amsterdam Avenue
May 1, 2019
When you spend an afternoon in Lincoln Square, there are so many options available to plan the perfect day. The neighborhood is home to theaters, cultural institutions, fine dining, outdoor seating, shopping, and more! Stretching north from Columbus Circle up to 70th Street, our BID boundaries include Broadway, Columbus Avenue, Central Park West, and Amsterdam Avenue. Lately, Amsterdam has been a retail renaissance with so much to choose from, so let's spend a day on the avenue.
The east side of Amsterdam Avenue, between 60th and 70th Streets, is our western-most boundary. Along this stretch of Manhattan sidewalk, you'll find spas, libraries, and a unique spot for drinks. Heading north from 60th Street, you can can sign up for a class at CrossFit SPOT (55 Amsterdam), which offers a number of deals for new members. You'll soon come upon the Amsterdam Avenue entrance to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (111 Amsterdam). Opening at 10:30am daily (closed Sundays), pop into the Performing Arts Library for free art exhibits, historical archives for sound and theater, and free events, in addition to the materials for use. Or, you can head to the New York Public Library's Riverside Branch one block north (127 Amsterdam) opening at 10:00am daily, which hosts a lot of community clubs, including an adult coloring club, bridge club, children's activities, and even classes for computer literacy. Check out Riverside Branch events here.
If you're looking for a place to get some work done in the morning, head to the Starbucks location (141 Amsterdam) on the corner of 66th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. There, you can grab coffee and a light breakfast and enjoy some time in a window seat, overlooking the avenue. On that same block, you can book some rejuvenating appointments at LaserAway(147 Amsterdam) or Dream City Nail Spa (145 Amsterdam). In one afternoon you can treat yourself to a facial at LaserAway, other services, and a mani-pedi at Dream City. At the north end of the block, Wok City (153 Amsterdam) offers takeout Chinese dishes where you can grab a quick lunch during your day. Between 67th and 68th Streets there is another nail spot, Kolor Nails & Spa (167 Amsterdam), where colorful manicures are just one appointment away.
Head another block north between 68th and 69th Street, and get some personal care product shopping done at local, long-time Lincoln Square drugstore Chateau Drug & Homecare. Next door to Chateau is another opportunity for relaxation and spa treatment at West Side Spa, where customers can book professional massages and skincare treatments, among other options, and coming soon to the retail space just south of Chateau (181 Amsterdam), Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own ceramics chain, will be opening soon. You can also stop into German Kitchen Center (191 Amsterdam) and browse the showroom. Another block north, you'll find Capezio (201 Amsterdam), where you can shop dance ware and accessories for both children and adults. To finish off your afternoon on the avenue, grab a glass of delicious French wine at Vanguard Wine Bar (189 Amsterdam), and enjoy a cozy atmosphere with some small plates.
For your convenience, there are a few service spots on Amsterdam Avenue, too, such as a UPS Store (163 Amsterdam), where you can easily ship packages, update your passport photo, or get a document notarized. There is also a barber shop The Barbers on Amsterdam (165 Amsterdam) and two dry cleaners, Lincoln Terrance Cleaners (149 Amsterdam) and Tower West Cleaners (161 Amsterdam), where you can entrust your dry cleaning without traveling far. Plus, if you need medical help, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care (199 Amsterdam) isn't far away either.
Also, though just outside of our district boundaries, the east side of Amsterdam Avenue has some good offerings and services, too. Check out NYU Winthrop NYCyberKnife, Spruce and Bond, and Flywheel Sports Lincoln Square all at 150 Amsterdam. Up at 68th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, grab a coffee and sandwich at Boule & Cherie. Plus, the Martin Luther King Jr. High School campus is getting a face lift!
We expect more changes on the avenue in the near future!