Pinkberry Columbia To Relocate Despite Rise In Sales Throughout Pandemic

Upper West Side NY

24 September, 2021

10:15 AM

Description

Columbia Daily Spectator BY BELLA DRUCKMAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 As Columbia students return to Morningside Heights for the first time in 18 months, many eateries have welcomed them in droves. Despite serving a reliable customer base, Pinkberry's Columbia location is set to close on Sept. 29, just weeks after the first day of classes. Kung Fu Tea, a beloved bubble tea location on 111th Street that closed Sept. 19, shuttered abruptly as well—and without an explanation. Despite the pandemic, however, neither a decrease in sales nor a loss of customers caused the upcoming closure of this Pinkberry location. In fact, throughout the pandemic, Pinkberry Columbia's sales increased, according to store manager Kevin Philip. "When COVID came in and brought everything to a running halt, [sales] actually shot up," Philip said. "So surprisingly, when COVID started, we went from being about the number five store in the city to being number one. It's maintained the same [ranking] now as well." Rather, the branch is scheduled to close because the its lease ended and was not renewed. Spectator was not told why the Pinkberry branch chose not to renew its lease, and it is unclear what will fill the space once Pinkberry moves out, making it one of many storefronts on its block left vacated. The sea of empty storefronts in which Pinkberry swims—starting with Hex & Co's old location and ending with a space meant for a multi-story retail leaser—will soon overtake the rest of the block. These empty spaces are attributed in part to rising rent prices throughout Morningside Heights and challenges presented by COVID-19. Pinkberry aims to remain in the area, although the company will need a few months to find a new space to occupy and then prepare it for business. Pinkberry seeks to retain not only its Columbia customers, but the residents that live in the area. Likewise, the Morningside Heights community does not want to lose one of the only options for frozen yogurt in the area. "I've had customers themselves telling me, 'Hey, I've seen an open space over here.' So customers themselves are also suggesting spots and suggesting locations that they see are open to kind of help [the relocation] out." Deputy Editor Bella Druckman can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @bella_druckman. Founded in 1877, the Columbia Daily Spectator is the independent undergraduate newspaper of Columbia University, serving thousands of readers in Morningside Heights, West Harlem, and beyond. Read more at columbiaspectator.com and donate here.