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Sep 26, 2019

Openings, Closings and Rumors: Early Fall 2019

What’s in, what’s out in the neighborhood lately… OPENINGS New Yorkers used to have to take a bus, train and ferry to outfit their apartments with affordable minimalist furniture while (…)

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What’s in, what’s out in the neighborhood lately…

OPENINGS

Mock-up_Credit to IKEA.

New Yorkers used to have to take a bus, train and ferry to outfit their apartments with affordable minimalist furniture while enjoying mini meatballs (it was located in Red Hook)–but now, there’s an IKEA on the Upper East Side AND one coming to Rego Park in Queens. IKEA announced this week that it will be opening a “115,000-square-foot store in the Rego Center shopping mall in summer 2020,” according to Patch.com. The area is already pretty crowded due to the mall, but at least we’ll have a close location? What do you think?

Credit to Sway Cafe.

Cafe Sway

This coffee shop popped up earlier this month on 34th Ave and 42nd St; their grand opening was this past Sunday. According to their Facebook page, they also offer a menu with sandwiches, pastries and crepes–with Balkan specialties. Let us know if you check it out!

41-10 34th Avenue

Viva Viva Taqueria Cantina

We noticed this sign on the old Bonjour Crepes location on 30th Ave. It doesn’t appear to be a chain, and who can say no to more happy hour margaritas?

3410 30th Ave

Remix Market 

The Junk Luggers parking garage on 11th St between 34th Ave and Broadway is now a Remix Market re-use space. According to their website, it’s a “refinishing shop established for the purpose of upcycling furniture and other household items.” A neighbor let us know there are lots of furniture and random stuff in good shape. Not everything is priced so they should be open to bargaining.

33-56 11th St

Credit to r40LIC.

r40

This new Argentinian restaurant in LIC looks delicious. According to their website, the restaurant boasts an “open kitchen equipped with a wood burning parilla, a seasonal backyard oasis and locally sourced food prepared with thoughtfulness.” Their menu isn’t online yet, but the photo gallery showcases some type of prawn with large calamari and lemon, and some refreshing fruity cocktails!

47-16 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City

Ibari

New shop featuring textiles and gifts from Africa.

23rd Ave between 27th and 26th St

And there’s a new pet boarder and groomer on 21st Ave and 31st St. We don’t have the name or photos of the space, so let us know if you do!

Also, check out our piece on Bar Dalia coming to the old Pachanga/Freckled Moose space this winter!

CLOSINGS

Credit to Gimo Nasiff.

Bungalo Lounge

According to Craig’s list, Bungalo Lounge on Broadway is on the market. It was only open a few days a weekend, and never seemed crowded except on the weekends when there were ample noise complaints, so it makes sense that it’s time has come…it’s a well-trafficked spot so who knows what will be there next!

32-03 Broadway

logos-republic-bar-astoria-queens

Republic Pizza & Bar

Republic Pizzeria and bar on Hoyt Ave North has been closed for a little while (seemingly after a metal multi-story addition to the building), and now appears to be on the market as well.

33-29 Astoria Blvd

 

A&F Catering

After 52 years on 23rd Ave, this family-run deli/catering business is going. Sad to see such a long-standing business shut down.

2802 23rd Ave

A speed-round of closings we don’t have extra insight on:

  • Duane Reade on Broadway/Steinway is closing (4002 Broadway)
  • Bar Italia has been closed (35-03 Broadway, Astoria)
  • Joe’s Asian Fusion has closed (3319 36th Ave, Astoria)

RUMORS

Credit to Google Maps.

Polito’s

We’ve been getting lots of questions about Polito’s on Broadway since it has been covered in paper. It has not closed down, but has apparently moved to Steinway (at 34th Ave).

Credit to Loose Leaf.

Loose Leaf

UPDATE: According to readers this has just opened back up!

Loose Leaf Tea has been covered in paper as well. Unfortunately we haven’t heard back if it’s permanently closed or just renovations. Let us know if you know!

28-10 23rd Ave

The Bad Ass

We haven’t been able to get a concrete answer on this one either, but it appears to be closed. Their Instagram (where we were communicated with them) appears to be deleted, and according to this Reddit thread the owner is “re-thinking the concept.”

26-17 23rd Ave, Queens

16 Comments

Jackie

I see looking at the picture of Astoriana that yet another brick building has been painted white. The Joanna Gainesing of our neighborhood must be stopped.

Reply
Maria Trotta

I am devastated to announce that MichaelAngelos on 23rd ave bear ditmars seems to have closed. I have been eating pizza here for almost a decade and it just vanished! Why?! What till I do now?!

Reply
Dana

Loose leaf was closed temporarily while the owners were in Greece sourcing tea. I stopped in one day and talked to the owners

Reply
Craig Weisfeld

Hoping that the owners of The Badass bar re concept the bar into a bar that isn’t the worst bar ever with a name so stupid it defies belief. So sad to hear about Andrew and Franks though.

Reply
Jill

Hi new to the neighborhood- what is the story with Food Emporium?
Is it going to open any time soon?
Thanks

Reply
Tyler Rhubright

They JUST put up “Now Hiring” signs this week!! So, FINALLY, it looks like it may be opening soon :)

Reply
Nancy Alvarez

Hi,
I have a question about Blossom Nails that was on 31 street and Ditmars Blvd. Di you know if they relocated or did they just close?
Thank you,
Nancy

Reply

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