Astoria, Featured, Long Island City, Shopping Apr 19, 2016 MiQ, a Queens-Focused Retail Hub, is Opening in LIC + Looking For Vendors! Local small businesses, listen up! A new Queens-focused retail store is making its way to LIC, and is seeking local vendors to participate in the inaugural year. MiQ (short for (…) Share this Scoop by Lindsay Goyette total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print Local small businesses, listen up! A new Queens-focused retail store is making its way to LIC, and is seeking local vendors to participate in the inaugural year. MiQ (short for (…) by Lindsay Goyette Share this Scoop total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print Related scoops Free Small Business Seminars Come To Queens! Photo by reader Kylie C. Local small businesses, listen up! A new Queens-focused retail store is making its way to LIC, and is seeking local vendors to participate in the inaugural year. MiQ (short for Made In Queens) will land at 27-24 Queens Plaza South in early June, and will feature locally-made crafts, packaged food items, house wares, small batch artisan products, and designer goods. The shop will also perform double duty as a borough information center, providing the latest particulars on tourism, entertainment, and restaurant options in the neighborhood. They’ll have space for twenty vendors, and are hoping to sell out those spots. They’re striving for neighborhood diversity: they currently have vendors from Jamaica, LIC, Forest Hills, Flushing, and likely Jackson Heights. Representing even more neighborhoods is a major goal of theirs, so the more response they get from additional small businesses, the better. The potential opening date for the shop is Tuesday, June 7, which will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Operating hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am until 8 pm. The shop plans to be open until at least April 2017, thanks to a generous grant from Capital One Bank that will pay the rent for the first year. The Queens Economic Development Corporation will be running the store, and hiring individuals to work shifts. Rob MacKay of the QEDC explains the benefits of the spot for local business owners and consumers: “We have found that vendors have great products, but they don’t have the funds to pay for a long-term lease at a retail outlet. This store allows vendors to sell and promote their products without much overhead. For consumers, we will have a wide array of high-quality, artisanal crafts and food. There will be items you can’t buy in other stores. Plus, there’s Queens pride.” So, what do businesses need to know before signing up? Rent is $600 for two weeks or $1,000 for four weeks. Currently, only New York State-based companies can get involved, with Queens folks getting additional consideration. To learn more, contact QEDC Director of Business Services Sante Antonelli at (718) 263-0546 or e-mail info@madeinqueens.nyc. Good luck to all potential vendors! **UPDATE** Want to vend at MiQ? Read on… Twitter Facebook Email Print local businessLong Island Cityretailsmall business owners About Lindsay Goyette Lindsay has been eating and drinking her way through Queens since 2011. A casting director by day and Astoria explorer by night, you can usually find her checking out live music, theatre, or the newest neighborhood spot to enjoy a craft beer. Related scoops Free Small Business Seminars Come To Queens! Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.