OPENINGS:
A new school has opened in Kips Bay, one that provides a Montessori education and will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Gold Material Montessori School, which already has locations in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and the East Village, will cater to children ages 2 to 6, and administrators are hoping the round-the-clock hours of operation will cater to the area’s hospital workers. 484 Second Avenue.
A new hotel has opened in the Flatiron District in the home of what was once the Martha Washington Hotel, a residence for single, young women looking to start a life in the city. The Hotel Lola, located on East 29th Street between Park and Madison, features sultry décor, dim lighting and a soundtrack of hand-picked jazz.
“This was the first hotel catering to all women," said Parag Gupta, general manager of the Hotel Lola, about the location’s history. “We tried to channel that same spirit and energy into what you see here.”
"Lola is fun,” he added. “Lola is sassy. Lola is independent. Lola is in the know. Lola knows what New York is all about." 29 E. 29th Street
COMING SOON:
Alison Eighteen at 15 West 18th St. is the latest restaurant venture from Alison Price Becker, the owner of beloved and long-closed Alison on Dominick, the New York Post reported. The new establishment occupies 7,000 square feet of prime Flatiron real estate. The food will vary throughout the day, beginning with coffee and baked goods in the morning and moving on to meats and cheeses in the afternoon. Alison Eighteen will also have a lower level including a billiards table and a large, communal table. The restaurant was scheduled to open in the fall of 2011, but the grand opening is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 31. 15 W. 18th Street.
Whisk, a well-known cookware destination in Williamsburg, is expanding its kitchen supply outlet to the Flatiron District, with a new spot planned for Broadway and East 22nd Street. The store discusses the impending move on its blog, promising to boost its bar and baking selections in the Manhattan location.
“We’re really excited for this new opportunity, and we are grateful for all of our customers over the past three years for making this possible,” the store wrote. “And, Williamsburgers — don’t fret — we’ll be staying put on Bedford Avenue for a long, long, long time.” 933 Broadway.
CLOSINGS:
Men’s clothing destination Rothmans is reportedly vacating the Union Square real estate it has occupied for the past 25 years, according to Racked. But no need to worry: The clothier is headed one block north at 18th Street and Park Avenue South to a space that will make it one of the largest menswear stores in New York City. In the meantime, Rothmans' website is advertising a moving sale with items going for as much as 75 percent off.
