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Contributed by Angelina Ramirez
Executive Director,Washington Heights BID
The end of June marks the start of summer vacation. Students and teachers alike are enjoying some rest and relaxation from a grueling school year.
The businesses in the Washington Heights Business Improvement District (BID) can provide you with all the necessary products and services you need to enjoy your summer. From bathing suits to footballs, our stores have it all!
Summer is the time to go out and play! During these warm days, families can spend their weekends at pools and beaches to beat the heat and keep cool. Colorina Kids and Modell’s offer great bathing suit options for the entire family.
Summer is also a great time to go biking. So if you’re going to go for a ride in one of the beautiful parks in Uptown Manhattan, visit Manny’s Bicycle Shop for your cycling needs.
For those rainy days when you’re stuck indoors, video games from Viva Game and Phone and board games from Hobby Land can definitely keep you occupied. And, an air-conditioned matinee or two at Coliseum Cinemas can also keep you entertained- and cool.
Summer is also a popular time for families to take a vacation. If you’re planning your great escape to some exotic location abroad, visit Don Quixote Travel or Daysi Travel. They can help you get some great summer deals!
During this time of year, many people are outdoors enjoying the wonderful warm weather. The increase in foot traffic also creates a huge issue for our community: litter. Throughout the year, the Washington Heights BID focuses on keeping the community clean and litter-free by providing sanitation services. Although we increase these services during the summer months, we still need your help to keep our streets clean. The cleaner we keep our shopping district the more we discourage littering and the prouder we can all feel about beautifying our community.
Please help us keep our neighborhood clean.
Hobby Land and Gifts
4271 Broadway near W 181st St
212-568-3979
Hobby Land might not be your first thought of places to shop for the summer. But this neighborhood institution with community roots dating back to 1938 has a great selection of beach toys, water pistols, and wading pools. Additionally, owner Mike Patel can recommend a variety of board games that are great for bringing along to the park for a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Coliseum Cinemas
703 W 181st St at Broadway
917-578-3283
What will likely be the summer’s biggest blockbuster is the final Harry Potter film, expected to open at Coliseum Cinemas any day. “It’s supposed to be the biggest of all the Potters,” said Jesus Nova, who has run the theater since revitalizing it 2003. It’s hard to beat Coliseum’s ticket prices, $9 for adults and $6 for children and weekend matinees. Check the listings for frequent documentaries and independent films as well.
Manny’s Bicycle Shop
8 Bennett Ave near W 181st St
212-927-8501
As bicycling options on Manhattan Island continue to grow so does the presence of Manny’s Bicycle Shop, which offers it all. There are bikes for men, women, and children, including a variety of popular GT mountain bikes. There are rentals for occasional riders. If you take a tumble on the trail, the repair department can fix your ride as good as new. And of course there is a full range of accessories. Don’t forget your helmet!
Don Quixote Travel
720 W 181st Street near Bennett Ave
212-927-9832
If you need to escape to a sandy warm beach in the Islands or Miami this summer, or any time, Don Quixote Travel, a neighborhood institution since 1967, is ready to help you get there. But owner Nancy Jimenez is quick to note that, “We do everything that a passenger needs.” That includes booking European packages, cruises, hotels, and rental cars. Her favorite summer destination? Cancun, Mexico.
Colorina Kids
1442 St Nicholas Ave at W. 182nd St
212-928-5611
Colorina Kids is a department store for children where you can buy beachwear any time of year because so many local families regularly visit the Dominican Republic. But when the mercury climbs on St. Nicholas Avenue where the store has been located since 2004, Colorina Kids becomes just a bit more summery. “We carry clothes, bathing suits, sun dresses, sandals – anything that you would need for summer,” said part-owner Eddie Sitt.
Viva Games and Phone
1420 St Nicholas Ave near W 181st St
212-928-6778
If your idea of summer vacation is quality time with your home entertainment center, check out Viva Games and Phone for the latest releases. Games like “Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops.” Grown-up movies like “Sucker Punch” and “Insidious” and kids’ fare like “Toy Story 3,” on DVD and Blu-ray. Viva also offers monthly specials: through the end of July it is $20 off an Xbox system.
Daysi Travel Inc.
1395 St Nicholas Ave near W 180th St
718-796-9280
Daysi Travel, in business for 27 years and with 11 locations throughout New York City, is an expert on travel to the Dominican Republic, both for Northern Manhattanites going on vacation and visiting families back home. Store manager Michele said that with the onset of summer business does not necessarily increase. “We are always busy,” he said. Daysi Travel also does money transfers.
Modell’s Sporting Goods
606 W 181st St at St Nicholas Ave
212-568-3000
If it’s summertime, it’s time to get outside and recreate. No store in Northern Manhattan gives you more outdoor fitness options than Modell’s Sporting Goods. There is an incredible gear selection for team and individual sports and sweats and jerseys for folks who just want to look like they are staying in shape. You can also find lots of indoor exercise equipment if you prefer to work out in air-conditioned comfort.
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