News Summary
Harry’s Table, an Italian food market located in Waterline Square on NYC’s Upper West Side, will close permanently on November 1, 2023. The closure follows the loss of a key contract, leading to the layoff of all 72 employees. Opened in 2022, the food hall gained a reputation for luxury and offered diverse Italian specialties. The closure reflects broader challenges facing food halls in New York City, contributing to a decline in their numbers since the pandemic. While some venues have closed, new food halls are set to open later this year.
New York City – Harry’s Table, an Italian food market situated in the upscale Waterline Square development on the Upper West Side, is set to close its doors permanently on November 1, 2023. This closure will result in the layoff of all 72 employees currently working at the venue.
The decision to shut down comes as a consequence of losing a crucial contract, as indicated in a filing with the New York State Department of Labor. Although a manager at Harry’s Table has communicated the closure date to the staff, there remains some uncertainty about whether the decision has been officially confirmed.
Opened in 2022, Harry’s Table was highlighted as potentially “the city’s most luxurious food hall” by media outlets. Unlike traditional multi-vendor food halls, its offerings were more akin to those found at Eataly, showcasing a wide array of Italian specialities. The food hall featured multiple counters, including a fish market, a gelato counter, a panini station, and a dedicated pizzeria, all complemented by exclusive Italian imports.
Additionally, Harry’s Table provided various services such as catering, delivery, and Italian cooking classes. The establishment also boasted several dining rooms available for private events, along with a sit-down restaurant serving classic Italian cuisine, further enhancing its appeal within the competitive dining landscape of New York City.
The Waterline Square complex, where Harry’s Table is located, was developed by GID, a real estate firm that acquired the site for $676 million in 2015. Comprising three towers, the development primarily houses high-end residential apartments and condominiums along Riverside Boulevard, between West 59th and 61st streets.
The imminent closure of Harry’s Table indicates a broader trend affecting food halls throughout New York City. Several similar venues, including Gotham West Market and Northend Food Hall, have also recently shut down, signaling possible challenges for this segment of the dining industry. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the total number of food halls in New York has sharply declined from over 30 to approximately 25 as of this year, contributing to concerns about the sustainability of these establishments in the current marketplace.
Despite the wave of closures, the New York dining scene is not entirely stagnant. Two new food halls, Shaver Hall and Time Out Market, are slated to open this fall in Midtown and Union Square, respectively, suggesting a potential shift and interest in revitalizing food hall concepts amidst existing challenges.
GID, the developer of Waterline Square, has refrained from commenting on the closure of Harry’s Table. Similarly, requests for comments from Cipriani, the operator of the food market, have gone unanswered.
As the food industry continues to evolve in New York City, the closure of Harry’s Table serves as a reminder of the delicate balance food venues must maintain in catering to changing tastes and economic realities.
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Additional Resources
- I Love The Upper West Side: Harry’s Table Set to Close
- Wikipedia: Food Hall
- Forbes: Harry’s Table by Cipriani
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City
- The New York Times: Harry’s Table Review
- Google Search: Harry’s Table closing
- Hospitality Design: Harry’s Table News
- Google News: Food Halls New York City
- Haute Living: Harry’s Table by Cipriani
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
