Retail

Retail Space on East 81st Street – 331 E 81st Street, Yorkville / Upper East Side

Address: 331 East 81st Street, New York, NY, 10028
Price: $10,000/month
Square Feet: 600 SF
Type: Retail Space

Property Overview:

Located on East 81st Street in the charming Yorkville neighborhood of the Upper East Side, 331 E 81st Street offers 600 SF of retail space at a competitive price point. Ideal for beauty salons, barbershops, coffee shops, small boutiques, art galleries, or service-based businesses. Situated between First Avenue and Second Avenue, this space benefits from strong foot traffic from local residents, families, and dog walkers, with proximity to Carl Schurz Park, the East River waterfront, and some of the city’s best dining, shopping, and transit.

Key Features:

Prime Yorkville / Upper East Side Location:

• Situated on East 81st Street, a quiet, tree-lined residential block in the heart of Yorkville — one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable, family-friendly, and community-oriented neighborhoods, known for its pre-war architecture, tree-lined streets, strong sense of community, and excellent quality of life.
• Located between First Avenue and Second Avenue, placing your business in a densely populated residential corridor with strong community ties and steady foot traffic from local residents, families, and dog walkers.
• Just steps from Carl Schurz Park (86th-90th Streets along the East River), a beloved waterfront green space featuring walking paths, playgrounds, dog runs, and stunning East River views — home to Gracie Mansion (the official residence of the Mayor of New York City).
• Minutes from the East River Promenade, offering beautiful waterfront walking, running, and biking paths with stunning views of the Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and Long Island City.
• Close to Gracie Mansion, Asphalt Green (a community fitness and sports center at 91st Street and York Avenue), and John Jay Park.

High-Traffic, Neighborhood-Serving Corridor:

• East 81st Street between First and Second Avenues is a quiet but convenient residential block, drawing a mix of local residents, families, dog walkers, and park visitors.
• The area is known for its strong daytime foot traffic from residents running errands, plus strong evening and weekend traffic from families, dog walkers, and visitors to Carl Schurz Park.
• The neighborhood’s strong sense of community and loyalty to local businesses make it ideal for businesses that rely on repeat clientele and word-of-mouth referrals.

Compact & Efficient Retail Layout:

• 600 SF of well-proportioned retail space — ideally sized for a beauty salon, barbershop, coffee shop, small boutique, art gallery, or service-based business.
• Attractive storefront with good street-level visibility on East 81st Street, a quiet but convenient residential block with steady local foot traffic.
• Functional floor plan suitable for a coffee counter with limited seating, a salon with 2-3 stations, or a small retail boutique with curated merchandise.
• Large windows providing abundant natural light and prime window display opportunities.
• At $16.67 per square foot, this represents solid value for retail space in this prime Upper East Side location.

Excellent Transit Access:

• Close to the 86th Street subway station (4, 5, 6) on Lexington Avenue (approximately a 10-minute walk), providing direct access to the entire East Side of Manhattan and Grand Central Terminal.
• Short walk to the 86th Street station (Q) on Second Avenue, providing access to the Second Avenue Subway.
• Multiple bus routes serve First Avenue, Second Avenue, and 81st/86th Streets (M15, M31, M79-SBS, M86-SBS).
• Convenient for Upper East Side residents, medical professionals, and commuters from across the city.

Affluent, Loyal Customer Base:

• Local residents — Yorkville is home to a mix of longtime residents, young families, and medical professionals, with strong community ties and loyalty to local businesses.
• Carl Schurz Park visitors — daily visitors to the park, including dog walkers, families, and joggers.
• Medical professionals — proximity to Weill Cornell, NY-Presbyterian, HSS, and Memorial Sloan Kettering creates additional foot traffic from hospital employees and patients’ families.
• Ideal for businesses such as:
• Beauty or nail salon
• Barbershop
• Coffee shop or cafe
• Small boutique or concept store
• Art gallery or frame shop
• Pet supply or grooming
• Pharmacy or drugstore (small-format)
• Dry cleaner or laundromat
• Tutoring or test prep center
• Dental or medical office (small-format)

Highlights:
✔ 600 SF of retail space in Yorkville / Upper East Side
✔ $10,000/month — solid value at $16.67 per square foot
✔ Attractive storefront on a quiet, tree-lined residential block
✔ Steps from Carl Schurz Park and the East River waterfront
✔ Functional, compact layout perfect for salon, barbershop, coffee shop, or boutique
✔ Strong local residential customer base with community loyalty
✔ Close to world-class hospitals (Weill Cornell, NY-Presbyterian, HSS, MSK)
✔ Excellent transit access — 4, 5, 6, Q trains and multiple bus routes

Conclusion:

331 E 81st Street offers a solid opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking well-located, affordable retail space in the heart of Yorkville — one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable, family-friendly, and community-oriented neighborhoods. With 600 SF of functional, flexible space, a prime East 81st Street location steps from Carl Schurz Park and the East River waterfront, and access to a loyal, high-traffic customer base of residents, dog walkers, and park visitors, this property is perfect for beauty salons, barbershops, coffee shops, small boutiques, or art galleries looking to thrive in a neighborhood known for its strong sense of community and quality of life — all at a solid value of under $17 per square foot.

Contact us today to schedule a private tour and secure this Yorkville retail space!