Astoria, Restaurants Jan 04, 2017 January 2017 Astoria Closings, Openings, and Sales News An update on closings, openings, and sales of restaurants and retail in Astoria. Share this Scoop by Meg Cotner total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print An update on closings, openings, and sales of restaurants and retail in Astoria. by Meg Cotner Share this Scoop total shares! Twitter Facebook Email Print Related scoops Another One Bites the Dust? Astoria Cove and 421-A Astoria News and Rumors – Food, Food, and More Food Astoria News and Rumors, Summer 2016 Edition We noticed there are a bunch of little tidbits regarding openings, closings, and notable businesses for sale in Astoria (and one in LIC), so we thought we’d share them here as a group. First, the sad/bad news. Closings First, one that for me is a total gut punch—the closing of Astor Bake Shop (12-23 Astoria Blvd). From their Facebook page: “Many thanks to all of you who were patrons of Astor Bake Shop & Restaurant. Unfortunately we will not be reopening but wanted to express our appreciation to our patrons. we loved our little corner of Astoria and will miss it dearly. May you all have a Healthy and Happy New Year. All the best for 2017!” With Astor Bake Shop leaving and the old Hellgate Social/Pop Bar space still empty, it’s a big commercial hole in the immediate the area, which is seeing some development. And then there’s the closing of Cavo (42-18 31st Ave), which just feels like the end of an era. There were announcements on their Facebook page, including the straightforward, “Cavo will close its doors for good after our NYE bash!!! Happy New Year.” A lot of folks are lamenting the end of a place that represented their 20s. Dino Philippou, a Cavo owner, has a new place in the works—more on that below. We mentioned MexiBBQ’s closing (37-11 30th Ave), and are looking forward to seeing what they will put together for their “new concept,” whatever that is. We’ve heard that beloved Astoria thai restaurant Wave Thai will also close, likely in February. The building is on the block that has been completely sold. Here are some of the notable businesses at risk: 21-01 to 21-19 31st Street—Verdi Fresh, Thai Elephant, El Olivo 21-25 31st Street—ABC Superstore 21-37 to 21-39 31st Street—Wave Thai Photo credit: Daniel P. on Facebook Bargain Stop (33-03 30th Avenue) is closing, and word on the street is that it will be gone by the 28th. Openings, Now and To Come Blend (37-17 30th Ave) has their awnings up and will open later this month. And the new location of Greenbay (31-10 30th Ave) is now open. Nature’s Soul Organic Cafe (33-04 Broadway) is opening where that oft-shuttered nightclub ICE used to be, and is hiring a chef, which means they are opening soon. Facebook confirms it. They’ll offer organic food (obvs), both conventional and cold pressed juices, acai bowls, wraps, and other dishes deemed healthy. Later this spring QNS Cafe will open, located in the old Last Stop space (22-35 31st Street). They have a website up as well as an Instagram account, which has details of their offerings in the header: “From scratch baked goods, gluten free, raw, vegan, organic salads, Joe’s Coffee NYC, cold pressed juices.” This is the new venture from Cavo’s Dino Philippou. For Sale Brazilian restaurant Malagueta (25-35 36th Ave) is for sale. Particularly notable in the listing is that rent is $3500/month, which seems pretty good: “Well know restaurant is for sale in the heart of Astoria, This 40 seat restaurant currently serving Brazilian and Continental cuisine. Liquor license in place included. All fixtures and equipment stays. Long term lease in place and rent is only $3500 per month for close to 1000 sq ft. plus basement. Family friendly. Friendly party atmosphere on the weekends.” If you have anything to add to this list, leave us a comment! Twitter Facebook Email Print 30th ave36th AveBroadwayclosingsditmarsopeningssales About Meg Cotner Meg Cotner was trained as a harpsichordist and now works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of "Food Lovers' Guide to Queens," and is a skilled and avid home cook, baker, and preserver. Related scoops Another One Bites the Dust? Astoria Cove and 421-A Astoria News and Rumors – Food, Food, and More Food Astoria News and Rumors, Summer 2016 Edition 18 Comments George Ost December 24th, 2018 Walk up and down Steinway Street and count the amount of stores that are vacant. Rents are absurd !!! Compare that to residential rent : $1,100 for a room !!. Headlines of the Daily News said the middle class is becoming extinct. In NYC. Reply David G February 20th, 2018 El Olivio was my favorite restaurant, I’d travel from Rego Park to enjoy the food and friendly staff. What a shame. Reply Bobby January 31st, 2017 New signage says there’s a Rosa’s Pizza opening on 31st Ave & 21st St. Reply Yasss February 16th, 2017 Right across from Vidali’s. Another stupid move by another Astoria owner Let’s put a pizza spot in 100 feet from another pizza spot. Yay That sucks about Wave Thai. No one should be building up here. Ditmars area should be left alone Reply John J Gianfortune April 29th, 2017 Ross’s pizza is very famous and it’s name alone will cary it very far! Reply Erik January 18th, 2017 Looks like whatever new restaurant took the place of Burnside Biscuits/Astoria Cafe is opening soon, they just installed all new windows and took off the paper Reply Emily Rios January 24th, 2017 Hey Erik. We know exactly what’s going in that space! https://weheartastoria.com/2016/11/barebugers-new-concept-barbecue-called-salt-bone/ Reply Jenna January 16th, 2017 I saw today that the old location of Simply Fit on astoria boulevard is going to become a Paint and Wine place ! They have their awning up so maybe they will open before summer! Reply Lauren E. January 9th, 2017 For the love of god, no more juice places. Reply Jessica January 5th, 2017 Wave Thai noooooo, Astoria loves you! DON’T GO! Reply Donna February 13th, 2017 I absolutely love Wave Thai. This breaks my heart. Reply Katie January 5th, 2017 Any word about the Carioca Grill closing and what will be replacing it? Reply Astorienne January 5th, 2017 Bargain Stop (30th Ave and 33rd St.) is closing. The furniture branch a few doors down is now closed as well. It’s safe to assume all three buildings that made up that store are going to be knocked down and replaced by something too tall for the neighborhood. Reply Erik January 18th, 2017 Yep, the people working there said the owner sold the building and plans to build a “high rise” in it’s place Reply magda February 3rd, 2017 If we can find out when the community board meeting is, and if we get people together to organise, we can make a case against such an inappropriate construction. If anyone is interested, lmk here. Reply Yasss February 16th, 2017 They aren’t selling and you can’t put a high rise here because of zoning There’s a sign on the building that says for lease for the entire corner space, including retail Does anyone look at things when they walk by? There is no record of sale online anywhere. Ownership shows the same entity for the last 7 years So much gossip on this town Zoning Zoning districts C4-2A ? Zoning map 9a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Residential FAR 3 Commercial FAR 3 Facility FAR 3 FAR as built 1.97 ? Allowed usable floor area 14,751 Usable floor area as built 9,686 Reply Asa February 17th, 2017 Does anyone know about any community meetings regarding this development on 31st avenue? I live nearby and would like to know more about the impending changes. Reply Ashley Falzone January 5th, 2017 Bargain goods on 30th is closing too!! Which was so useful for cheap and fast home goods :( Reply 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.
George Ost December 24th, 2018 Walk up and down Steinway Street and count the amount of stores that are vacant. Rents are absurd !!! Compare that to residential rent : $1,100 for a room !!. Headlines of the Daily News said the middle class is becoming extinct. In NYC. Reply
David G February 20th, 2018 El Olivio was my favorite restaurant, I’d travel from Rego Park to enjoy the food and friendly staff. What a shame. Reply
Bobby January 31st, 2017 New signage says there’s a Rosa’s Pizza opening on 31st Ave & 21st St. Reply
Yasss February 16th, 2017 Right across from Vidali’s. Another stupid move by another Astoria owner Let’s put a pizza spot in 100 feet from another pizza spot. Yay That sucks about Wave Thai. No one should be building up here. Ditmars area should be left alone Reply
John J Gianfortune April 29th, 2017 Ross’s pizza is very famous and it’s name alone will cary it very far! Reply
Erik January 18th, 2017 Looks like whatever new restaurant took the place of Burnside Biscuits/Astoria Cafe is opening soon, they just installed all new windows and took off the paper Reply
Emily Rios January 24th, 2017 Hey Erik. We know exactly what’s going in that space! https://weheartastoria.com/2016/11/barebugers-new-concept-barbecue-called-salt-bone/ Reply
Jenna January 16th, 2017 I saw today that the old location of Simply Fit on astoria boulevard is going to become a Paint and Wine place ! They have their awning up so maybe they will open before summer! Reply
Katie January 5th, 2017 Any word about the Carioca Grill closing and what will be replacing it? Reply
Astorienne January 5th, 2017 Bargain Stop (30th Ave and 33rd St.) is closing. The furniture branch a few doors down is now closed as well. It’s safe to assume all three buildings that made up that store are going to be knocked down and replaced by something too tall for the neighborhood. Reply
Erik January 18th, 2017 Yep, the people working there said the owner sold the building and plans to build a “high rise” in it’s place Reply
magda February 3rd, 2017 If we can find out when the community board meeting is, and if we get people together to organise, we can make a case against such an inappropriate construction. If anyone is interested, lmk here. Reply
Yasss February 16th, 2017 They aren’t selling and you can’t put a high rise here because of zoning There’s a sign on the building that says for lease for the entire corner space, including retail Does anyone look at things when they walk by? There is no record of sale online anywhere. Ownership shows the same entity for the last 7 years So much gossip on this town Zoning Zoning districts C4-2A ? Zoning map 9a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Residential FAR 3 Commercial FAR 3 Facility FAR 3 FAR as built 1.97 ? Allowed usable floor area 14,751 Usable floor area as built 9,686 Reply
Asa February 17th, 2017 Does anyone know about any community meetings regarding this development on 31st avenue? I live nearby and would like to know more about the impending changes. Reply
Ashley Falzone January 5th, 2017 Bargain goods on 30th is closing too!! Which was so useful for cheap and fast home goods :( Reply