We just signed leases for our last 2 vacant stores in Riverwalk: Riverwalk Bar & Grill and Island Bagels.

When we started to develop Riverwalk, we initially designed retail spaces on the ground floors of Riverwalk Place & Riverwalk Landing, with all stores fronting the Riverwalk Commons. We have a total of 7 stores, and our vision has always been to attract great retailers providing neighborhood convenience to our residents.

We’ve aimed for a mixture of national brands (Starbucks, Duane Reade) and mom & pops (Fuji East), and wanted to offer the type of convenience retail—getting a slice of pizza, a latte, shaving cream, Japanese rolls, a pedicure, and of course, dry cleaning—that all New Yorkers expect. The stores should also complement the other retailers operating throughout Main Street on Roosevelt Island.

We’re very excited about the last 2 stores and the role they’ll fill on the island. Riverwalk Bar & Grill will be open for lunch and dinner and will offer a full bar, full menu and lots of TV monitors. It’ll be a Sports Bar/TGIF’s/the place where everyone knows your name. The owners include the current proprietor of Nonno’s Foccaceria and an owner of a similar bar/restaurant called Green Rock in Hoboken. The same ownership will also be opening Island Bagels, the place to get bagels, sandwiches & salads.

Construction has started and we hope both stores will open this Summer.