Ice Cream Hit Morgenstern’s Plans a Big New Shop in Greenwich Village

Hit ice cream bar Morgenstern’s is expanding to Greenwich Village, in a plum corner space that owner Nick Morgenstern says will be the shop’s flagship location. At 490 LaGuardia Pl. at West Houston Street, Morgenstern worked with the Silver Spurs owners to take over the now-closed diner for a much larger space than his Lower East Side original that could include full-service dining.

Morgenstern is going in front of the community board tonight to appeal for a liquor license, Bowery Boogie reports, though he declined to say how liquor would be used in the store. He did hint, though, that the larger size of the space — 2,000 square feet with a downstairs prep area — and bigger kitchen allow him to “do a lot more” foodwise, and that there will be “many more” ice cream flavors. While seating is definite, tonight’s community board meeting will influence the service style and liquor component.

Regardless, Morgenstern aims to open by summer. He’s been working with the building’s landlords, who also owned Silver Spurs, which closed in March after nearly 40 years, to potentially hire Silver Spurs’ employees.

Morgenstern, a former Gramercy Tavern and Daniel pastry chef, also owns El Rey and opened the first Morgenstern’s in 2014 to long lines and exacting formulas that offer options like four different kinds of vanilla ice cream (Madagascar, bourbon, rose, and burnt honey). He’s also working on an all-day restaurant and rooftop lounge at the upcoming Ace Hotel on Bowery.

• Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream Taking Over Shuttered Silver Spurs in the Village [Bowery Boogie]