Openings, Closings & Rumors: August 2020 (Pandemic Edition)

“Openings, closings and rumors” has been a staple WHA column, and so after many months we’ve attempted to round-up of all of the changes that have taken place in the neighborhood since the pandemic began.

Sadly we have seen a lot of closings, especially of indoor-centric spaces, which are undeniably a severe loss to our community. Still, there have also been a lot of businesses that have had to open up during the pandemic that community members can support, serving only to-go food or new stores you can peruse with a mask.

As usual, let us know if you have any questions or if we missed anything!

Openings

Soul Out: 24-14 34th Ave

Get your fill of comforting soul food. Order for takeout for delivery at number above; cash only.

Nneji: 32-20 34th Ave

Serving West African cuisine. We have a new business profile coming soon!

Heart of Gold: 37-14 31st Avenue

Local beers with small bites and a large outdoor patio.

Barzola: 33-01 Broadway

This is new in the since-shuttered Tierras Columbianas space. It comes from the owners of the restaurant of the same name in Jackson Heights, serving Ecuadorian food. Open for takeout and delivery.

Slush Astoria: 36-05 30 Avenue

Dedicated to frozen drinks, from slushees to creamy milkshakes.

Bar Dalia: 33-17 31st Ave

This brand-new cocktail bar is serving small bites and craft cocktails to-go, or you can hang in their outdoor lovely patio. Read more about it here.

The Barn Coffee Shop: 26-08 Hoyt Ave S.

This new coffee shop has a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, plus homemade sandwiches and pastries. Perfect to stop by on your way to Astoria Park!

Gift Box: 25-11 Broadway

This new gift and home goods store on Broadway is serving up cards, totes, books, stationary, fashion accessories and much more.

Cream Astoria: 37-01 30th Ave

Finally some soft-serve ice cream options in Astoria! And it opened just in time for summer.

Closings

You will all be sorely missed.

Raising Astoria: 26-11 23rd Ave

Classes, play space and birthday party event space.

The Yoga Studio: 2256 31st St.

You can read more about the history of the space it was in here.

The Happie House: 30-05 35th St.

Community yoga studio.

Dutch Kills Central: 38-40 29th Street, Long Island City

A historic gastropub with local beers and sustainable furnishings. Read more about its history here.

Romano’s: 32-21 Broadway

Long-standing Broadway pizza (& gyro) shop.

Kurry Qulture: 36-05 30th Ave

Upscale Indian restaurant. The owner recently shared “It is with both sadness and gratitude we share with you all that Kurry Qulture has closed permanently. COVID-19, and the subsequent restrictions placed on fine dining restaurants like Kurry Qulture, made it impossible to keep the business viable while maintaining our high standard of food quality and service.” Read the full statement here.

Don Coqui: 28-18 31st St.

Latin cuisine & live entertainment. Their second waterfront location on the Hudson in Haverstraw, NY is still open. As reported by Astoria Post.

Artropolis Bakery: 23-18 31st St.

17-year-old staple Greek bakery by Ditmars. As reported by Give Me Astoria.

Monika’s Cafe Bar: 32-90 36th St.

Casual cafe and cocktails bar with light bites and drinks. It was open for 24 years. They shared on Instagram: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of our beloved Monika’s Cafe Bar. As you are all aware, we have been closed since March 15 due to the widespread of COVID-19. We have been optimistic that when the isolation would be lifted, we’d reopen once again, however, the reality is that being closed has taken a hard hit on our business.” Read the statement here.

Gussy’s Bar: 20-14 29th St.

Bar with live music, showcasing alternative and Indie rock bands. The space itself was one of the oldest pubs in Astoria.

Simply Fit Astoria: 37-20 Astoria Blvd S.

Key Food Ditmars: 22-15 31st St.

This location of the grocery store chain will be shutting down in October. Read more about it here.

Rumors/Updates

Sldr: 32-21 Broadway

A “burger bar” in the previous Romano’s Pizza Place; not open yet. Follow @sldrburgerbar for updates.

Best Market: 37th St. & 20th Ave.

A reader wrote in with a rumor that Best Market on 21st St. was going to be closing. According to Patch.com, it will be turning to a Lidl grocery store instead (a German international discount supermarket) chain instead. It will close within the next few weeks in order to start the remodel.

Rebranding 2 Dive 4: 33-10 36th Ave

The underwater-themed bar “2 Dive 4” has now branded to be “Dive Bar LIC,” including a brand new menu. They have been renovating and will announce a reopening date, including a new outdoor dining experience, on their Instagram here.

BJ’s Wholesale Club & Burlington Coat Factory: Plaza 48

Apparently a BJ’s Wholesale Club and Burlington Coat Factory store are coming to the Plaza 48 mall space, located at 34-60 48th St. Astoria Post reported that the bulk good stores would be moving into what was a National Wholesale Liquidators store and Toys R Us. The spot borders Long Island City, Sunnyside and Astoria.

10 Comments

Doogie Howser September 8th, 2020

Yay. :)

Reply

Marina August 10th, 2020

Any update on the beer garden? Heard they recently temporarily shut down…

Reply

Gina August 9th, 2020

Any update on sugar and water? Closed? That would be a shame

Reply

Zehra Jaffri August 8th, 2020

Anyone know what’s happening with sek and sun on Broadway? They’ve been closed since the start of the pandemic and haven’t opened back up. I hope they’re not closing, it’s one of our favorite bars.

Reply

Tristan September 23rd, 2020

Sek’end Sun opening next week!

Reply

De August 8th, 2020

Best Market closed on July 31st.

Reply

Justin H August 8th, 2020

Best Market is already closed. :(

Reply

Brian August 6th, 2020

Also closed, alas:
Vitality and Health Natural Market

Possibly reopening soon (under new management):
The Strand

Reply

Tyler August 5th, 2020

Has Heart of Gold already closed, or have they not actually opened yet? Just walked by it today and all the windows are papered over..

Reply

Amanda August 7th, 2020

They’re not closed. They put up the paper every night. You can follow them on Instagram @heartofgold.nyc and they’re posting updating hours and beers etc.

Reply