Comments on: Life, death, and transformation in Long Island City. Of storefronts, that is. http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is A Blog About Life and Real Estate in Long Island City, Queens, NYC Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:18:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9404 Anonymous Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:21:49 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9404 34, at the risk of sounding pedantic (and I'm only replying because I hate when people so obviously wrong try to lecture everyone else), 50th Avenue is an east-west cross-street and Center Boulevard is a north-south avenue. 50th Avenue runs into Center Blvd. the same way a cross street in Manhattan intersects with an avenue. You need to bone up on your geography. 34, at the risk of sounding pedantic (and I’m only replying because I hate when people so obviously wrong try to lecture everyone else), 50th Avenue is an east-west cross-street and Center Boulevard is a north-south avenue. 50th Avenue runs into Center Blvd. the same way a cross street in Manhattan intersects with an avenue. You need to bone up on your geography.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9387 Anonymous Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:24:50 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9387 #34 wrong, look at a map. #34 wrong, look at a map.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9379 anonymous Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:22:03 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9379 It's really a moot point - 2nd St becomes Center Blvd at 50th Ave - It is still basically the same street. In Manhattan Park Ave. So becomes 4th Ave. when you cross 14th St. Do you say Ave. of the Americas instead of 6th Ave? - same street with different names. It’s really a moot point - 2nd St becomes Center Blvd at 50th Ave - It is still basically the same street. In Manhattan Park Ave. So becomes 4th Ave. when you cross 14th St. Do you say Ave. of the Americas instead of 6th Ave? - same street with different names.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9370 Anonymous Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:35:13 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9370 Everyone knows 2nd Street ends at 50th Avenue Everyone knows 2nd Street ends at 50th Avenue

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9351 Anonymous Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:13:42 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9351 It's Center Blvd. You would think a blog about LIC real estate would actually live in the neighborhood and be able to know it's Center, but having walked past it, not what google map or mapquest says. It’s Center Blvd. You would think a blog about LIC real estate would actually live in the neighborhood and be able to know it’s Center, but having walked past it, not what google map or mapquest says.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9347 Brandon Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:56:21 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9347 Yeah, wait, isn't that Center Blvd.? Or does it regain its name up there as 2nd again? Yeah, wait, isn’t that Center Blvd.? Or does it regain its name up there as 2nd again?

]]> By: anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9340 anonymous Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:51:53 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9340 Apparantly it does. liqcity just posted pics of the interior and the address is 47th Road bt. 5th & 2nd. Apparantly it does. liqcity just posted pics of the interior and the address is 47th Road bt. 5th & 2nd.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9334 Anonymous Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:47:03 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9334 2nd street doesn't go that far north. Do you mean Center Blvd.? 2nd street doesn’t go that far north. Do you mean Center Blvd.?

]]> By: anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9327 anonymous Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:06:32 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9327 Foodcellar location - Just walk down 47th Rd. towards the water. It is in the EC2 bldng. at 2nd st. There is a google map on the QW website. Foodcellar location - Just walk down 47th Rd. towards the water. It is in the EC2 bldng. at 2nd st. There is a google map on the QW website.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9326 Anonymous Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:44:17 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9326 What is the exact address for "foodcellar"? I don't believe it was ever published. What is the exact address for “foodcellar”? I don’t believe it was ever published.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9308 Charlie Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:02:37 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9308 Sorry # 24. I am so used to having my posts taken out of context by those who don't pay attention to what I've written. They way your post was written, indicated that I was stating that "location" was the only reason for their success. I've heard great things about Communitea. By the way, I only drink decaffeinated beverages. Charlie. Sorry # 24. I am so used to having my posts taken out of context by those who don’t pay attention to what I’ve written. They way your post was written, indicated that I was stating that “location” was the only reason for their success.
I’ve heard great things about Communitea.

By the way, I only drink decaffeinated beverages.

Charlie.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9306 Anonymous Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:55:35 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9306 Definitely less caffeine for Charlie. Definitely less caffeine for Charlie.

]]> By: Me http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9305 Me Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:49:28 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9305 Yikes Charlie, take it easy. My post was not an attack on you as you seem to be feeling, but a reiteration of your post. I was expanding really on your last line to let people know what the other elements are, besides location, to Communitea being popular. Am a regular there so wanted to let people know. Maybe less caffeine for you? Yikes Charlie, take it easy. My post was not an attack on you as you seem to be feeling, but a reiteration of your post. I was expanding really on your last line to let people know what the other elements are, besides location, to Communitea being popular. Am a regular there so wanted to let people know. Maybe less caffeine for you?

]]> By: Melissa http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9301 Melissa Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:11:08 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9301 Communitea = nutella and banana panini = yummmmmmm. Communitea = nutella and banana panini = yummmmmmm.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9298 Charlie Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:52:50 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9298 #21, Go back and re-read my post, especially the last sentence. I carefully worded it, just so I wouldn't get responses like the one you posted. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that terrible product and service, is a death sentence for any eatery. Now, my opening sentence is a simple but mostly true, classic real estate and business adage; which is why (because its mostly true) it's a classic adage, to begin with. By the way, Ten-63 had great product, and they worked hard too. The owner of Ten-63 (I hope I'm getting the presentation of their name correct) is also the owner of Vine Wine. I know what it takes to make a small business work, I was a small business owner too. When you go back and re-read that last sentence, you will (I hope) realize what my implication was. So, please read what I am saying, not what you think I am saying. Charlie. #21, Go back and re-read my post, especially the last sentence. I carefully worded it, just so I wouldn’t get responses like the one you posted. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that terrible product and service, is a death sentence for any eatery. Now, my opening sentence is a simple but mostly true, classic real estate and business adage; which is why (because its mostly true) it’s a classic adage, to begin with.

By the way, Ten-63 had great product, and they worked hard too. The owner of Ten-63 (I hope I’m getting the presentation of their name correct) is also the owner of Vine Wine.

I know what it takes to make a small business work, I was a small business owner too. When you go back and re-read that last sentence, you will (I hope) realize what my implication was. So, please read what I am saying, not what you think I am saying.

Charlie.

]]> By: Me http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9297 Me Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:47:25 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9297 Actually I believe Communitea has survived because it serves great tea, coffee and food in a great atmosphere in a great location. If it had terrible drinks, food, service etc but with a great location it would not have survived. Remember that place Meridien where Masso is now? Survived less than a year. And there are plenty of other corner spots on Vernon that ain't exactly pulling people in so you have to give credit where is due and just don't say it is 'location'. These type of businesses take a lot of hard work, dedication and brains to put the right product in the right place. Actually I believe Communitea has survived because it serves great tea, coffee and food in a great atmosphere in a great location. If it had terrible drinks, food, service etc but with a great location it would not have survived. Remember that place Meridien where Masso is now? Survived less than a year. And there are plenty of other corner spots on Vernon that ain’t exactly pulling people in so you have to give credit where is due and just don’t say it is ‘location’. These type of businesses take a lot of hard work, dedication and brains to put the right product in the right place.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9296 Charlie Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:36:27 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9296 As everyone is probably aware of, location is everything. I recall that (many years ago) an audio/electronics business on 5th Avenue, just a few doors off of 45th street, was struggling and losing business to the same type stores on 45th Street. Well, a storefront from another type of business on 45th opened up, and they grabbed it. Almost immediately after opening, they had more business than they could handle. They had to hire more people, and their business nearly quintupled, compared to that of the previous year. All they had to do, was to move around the corner. That might explain in whole, or at least be a part of the reason, why Communitea survived. Charlie. As everyone is probably aware of, location is everything. I recall that (many years ago) an audio/electronics business on 5th Avenue, just a few doors off of 45th street, was struggling and losing business to the same type stores on 45th Street. Well, a storefront from another type of business on 45th opened up, and they grabbed it. Almost immediately after opening, they had more business than they could handle. They had to hire more people, and their business nearly quintupled, compared to that of the previous year. All they had to do, was to move around the corner.

That might explain in whole, or at least be a part of the reason, why Communitea survived.

Charlie.

]]> By: jb http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9295 jb Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:09:58 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9295 17/18- when Communitea opened in competition with our dearly departed 10-63, for example, many of my friends in the neighborhood predicted it would fail or derided it as a latecomer. Heck, even I didn't think they'd make it. Look at it now. 17/18- when Communitea opened in competition with our dearly departed 10-63, for example, many of my friends in the neighborhood predicted it would fail or derided it as a latecomer. Heck, even I didn’t think they’d make it. Look at it now.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9292 Anonymous Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:39:33 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9292 "Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they’d never survive." 13, jb, what businesses are you referring to? I don't recall anyone chiding businesses on Vernon. “Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they’d never survive.”

13, jb, what businesses are you referring to? I don’t recall anyone chiding businesses on Vernon.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9291 Anonymous Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:22:45 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9291 "Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they’d never survive." 13, jb, what businesses are you referring to? I don't recall anyone chiding businesses on Vernon. PS. also, when someone said "we don't need more bars," I think what they really mean is "we need other businesses besides bars." I don't think they mean to suggest that more bars wouldn't necessarily be successful. “Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they’d never survive.”

13, jb, what businesses are you referring to? I don’t recall anyone chiding businesses on Vernon.

PS. also, when someone said “we don’t need more bars,” I think what they really mean is “we need other businesses besides bars.” I don’t think they mean to suggest that more bars wouldn’t necessarily be successful.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9288 Charlie Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:42:29 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9288 Very good point #13/jb. A well thought out post, unlike the garbage of # 10/#8, who proves the point I've made in previous threads. Charlie. Very good point #13/jb. A well thought out post, unlike the garbage of # 10/#8, who proves the point I’ve made in previous threads.

Charlie.

]]> By: LIC res http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9286 LIC res Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:25:10 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9286 We need more places with outside seating. If you have a few heat lamps, you can definitely use them well into the winter. We need more places with outside seating. If you have a few heat lamps, you can definitely use them well into the winter.

]]> By: lic resident http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9285 lic resident Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:24:09 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9285 We need more places with outside space. We need more places with outside space.

]]> By: jb http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9284 jb Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:09:13 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9284 The market does its own magic in deciding what lives or dies on Vernon. Those businesses that are good, fill a need and are properly capitalized do succeed, and those business owners who get in over their heads, misread the market, or are unsuccessful in finding their unique selling point end up failing. Does Vernon need more bars? Who knows. If someone's got a concept for a bar that resonates with people and finds a unique audience, then yes. If you're talking about someone opening another pub in the model of the ones that already sit "half empty," then of course the answer is no. But making blanket comments without respect to the quality or content of the individual businesses is pretty useless. Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they'd never survive. And several now-successful businesses on Vernon have profited from the failures of previous businesses by walking into nicely built-out spaces that were nearly ready-to-go. Thank goodness for that business life-cycle that births new businesses out of the failures of the last. The market does its own magic in deciding what lives or dies on Vernon. Those businesses that are good, fill a need and are properly capitalized do succeed, and those business owners who get in over their heads, misread the market, or are unsuccessful in finding their unique selling point end up failing.

Does Vernon need more bars? Who knows. If someone’s got a concept for a bar that resonates with people and finds a unique audience, then yes. If you’re talking about someone opening another pub in the model of the ones that already sit “half empty,” then of course the answer is no. But making blanket comments without respect to the quality or content of the individual businesses is pretty useless.

Many of the great businesses on Vernon that we love now were once chided by residents who were sure that they’d never survive. And several now-successful businesses on Vernon have profited from the failures of previous businesses by walking into nicely built-out spaces that were nearly ready-to-go. Thank goodness for that business life-cycle that births new businesses out of the failures of the last.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.liqcity.com/buzz/life-death-and-transformation-in-long-island-city-of-storefronts-that-is#comment-9283 Anonymous Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:43:51 +0000 http://www.liqcity.com/?p=650#comment-9283 I don't think there are enough bars on Vernon. Well, Bars that I would consider fun. Most of them are old and dark with bad food. I don’t think there are enough bars on Vernon. Well, Bars that I would consider fun. Most of them are old and dark with bad food.

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