16 Handles adds fifth outpost

By Rebecca Olles - Chelsea - 16 Handles will add Chelsea to its rapidly growing list of New York City locations when the frozen yogurt company opens its doors on the corner of 19th Street and Eighth Avenue in March.

The three-year-old franchise signed a 12-year lease for 3,200 square feet at 178 Eighth Ave., which includes ground-floor and basement space. A fan base in Chelsea prompted the company to open the new store, said Solomon Choi, 16 Handles’ founder.

Mr. Choi said 16 Handles is also seeking new locations in Murray Hill, Midtown East and SoHo. Four stores are already open in Greenwich Village, the East Village, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side.

“The location is a prime corner in the crossroads of Chelsea that will give 16 Handles the exposure in the market,” said William Abramson, director of brokerage at Buchbinder & Warren Realty Group.

The asking price was $75 per square foot.

Davie Berke and Paul Berkman of Newmark Knight Frank represented the tenant, and Mr. Abramson and Dan Satterwhite brokered the deal for the landlord, Between 8th and 19th LLC.