The Upper East Side is about to get a whole lot happier.
Happier Grocery, an upscale, community-driven grocery store founded in 2023 in NYC, recently signed a 20,500-square-foot lease at 210 East 86th Street in what was once the City Cinemas movie theater space, marking the swanky supermarket’s second location.
The store, which has widely been compared to LA -based organic, luxury market Erewhon, was co-founded by brothers Dawson and Wells Stellberger (a former Marc Jacobs designer) and has its flagship location on SoHo’s Canal Street.
The newest location of Happier Grocery is set to open in the latter half of 2027 in the old movie theater space, which abruptly closed back in 2019 and has been vacant ever since.
Christian B. Stanton, principal at the global real estate advisor Avison Young, which arranged the new lease and represented the landlord CSC Real Estate, shared that the arrangement “transforms a long-vacant former movie theater space into a vibrant, wellness-focused destination that will add new energy to one of the Upper East Side’s most active retail corridors.”
“Happier Grocery brings a fresh concept to the neighborhood, combining a curated, high-end grocery experience with a social atmosphere that complements the area’s strong residential base and established food retailers,” Stanton said in a statement.
Happier Grocery has become known amongst Manhattan trendsetters for its high-end, boutique health food offerings — such as “Grey Milk,” a concoction made with sesame almonds, Himalayan salt, lemon, charcoal, filtered water and maple ($16.49 for 16 ounces) and mocha overnight oats ($11 per 8.5 ounce container).
The multipurpose market also regularly hosts events like yoga classes and wellness workshops in its event space known as The Apartment, which features a full-service kitchen, podcast room, guest-in-residence bedroom for visiting chefs, artists and collaborators, and even a rooftop garden complete with Italian honeybees, fresh fruits and veggies.
Reactions to the luxe store’s UES expansion have been mixed, with luxury lovers eagerly anticipating the opening.
“Christmas comes early!!!” one jazzed commenter posted under the Instagram announcement on the lease made by @uppereastsideny.
“Weeping (positive),” said another hyped customer-to-be.
Others were not as excited for the store’s second locale.
“Ugh…we don’t need another high-end grocery store,” said one commenter clearly not eager to pay nearly $20 for a smoothie.
“No thanks,” added one more succinct naysayer.
According to Progressive Grocer, rumors have been buzzing that Happier Grocery could also open a third location in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, though this has not been confirmed.
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