Watch-Blog
Word of Mouth: D2 Design & Works
By Claudie Benjamin Not entirely by chance, but sometimes long considered plans are spurred into action while on a walk to take advantage of beautiful weather or during conversation over a good meal. That’s what happened a number of years ago when an Upper West...
Space for Creatives
By Claudie Benjamin One day in 1982, Patricia Ripley, co-owner of Creative Energy Exercise Studios at 133 West 72nd Street and former manager of the Lotte Berk Method (an Upper East Side exercise salon) stopped in for a bite at Captain Nemo, a seafood restaurant...
Teaching Spanish virtually, on a jet and on 72nd Street
By Claudie Benjamin 20 years ago when Michael R. Bloomberg was first running for New York City Mayor, he recognized a need to learn some conversational Spanish to gain credibility with the city’s significant population of Latino voters. The teacher he chose was Juan...
Nutrition and your Pet
By Claudie Benjamin Just as humans have become increasingly concerned about nutrition over the past 30 years, this trend follows for dogs and cats. Sophia Angelakis has owned and managed pet food and supply centers in NYC over these decades and has developed definite...
Losing Those Covid 29lbs
By Claudie Benjamin Getting the most from personal training means clients need to set personal goals. And, now as emerging from the pandemic defines the current era, expert fitness trainers like Penny Smart, are committed to encouraging clients to set goals so they...
A Bit of Glitter Shine
By Claudie Benjamin On a balmy spring day Ruth and Scott Bienstock are standing at the open doorway of Outlette, their jewelry store at 220 Columbus Avenue. Locals stop by to chat or wave hello as they go by. This is totally Columbus Avenue's small...
Crème Brûlée enrobed chocolates & Ruby Bars
By Claudie Benjamin Kee's Chocolates are the creme de la creme of chocolate morsels and bars. These handmade chocolates that have secret recipes created by Kee Ling Tong are sold in a tiny store at 228 Columbus Avenue opened in October 2019. Kee tends to speak...
Plant-Based Dining Prescriptions
By Claudie Benjamin Imagine a creative who travels the world inspired by the sights, sounds and aromas he encounters but he’s flummoxed by the lack of one fundamental thing he cares passionately about. It seems almost impossible to find plant-based food...
Sailing the Seas Via Columbus Avenue
By Claudie Benjamin Passing on foot, bike or car Lokal's outdoor dining shelter at 83rd Street and Columbus may remind you of a totally different means of conveyance. Lokal Mediterranean Restaurant co-owner Serhat (Sergio) Cetin credits co-owner Murat Aktas for...
Nomads and Romantics
By Claudie Benjamin By some subtle magic, everything at the Peruvian Connection at 341 Columbus Avenue looks desirable. The beautifully hued flower patterned or woven geometric fabrics that look slightly bleached by the sun suggest that the wearer is a sophisticated...
