Buy, shop & eat in LIC with liQcity’s Sponsors Specials for March

Lolly’s Early Learning Center now enrolling, 47th Ave, LIC – Photo

It’s the beginning of a new month, and that means it’s once again time for liQcity’s monthly Sponsor Specials post. Meet our sponsors and check out their specials for the month of March. Thank you all for your support!

• Lolly’s Learning Center, LIC’s newest Early Learning Center, is offering a waived enrollment fee for the entire month of March. Contact Ilana for a tour and mention liQcity for the discount. Lolly’s offers classrooms for 2, 3, and 4 year olds, and will be open 12 months, 8am-6pm, Mon-Fri. Their grand opening is coming up on April 6th, 2010. Now enrolling! 5-44 47th Avenue, LIC, 718.729.9071

• Little Ones is an early childhood learning center located in the spacious ground floor of a Queens West condo right near the waterfront. For 7 years, they’ve been offering a memorable and nurturing preschool experience for children 2 to 4 years of age. Contact them at 718.392.1254 or littleoneslic@gmail.com for more info; brand new website coming soon. 4-74 48th Ave, LIC

• LIC’s adaptive-reuse Breadbox Café has been open on 11th St between 47th Rd & 47th Ave for several weeks now, looking more homey, furnished, and stocked up with bagels but also a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, treats, teas, and more. And yes, the rolling pins on the facade (which have caught quite a bit of media attention) are coming! But they’re waiting to do it right (and with flair) when the weather improves – look out for details soon. 47-11 11th St, LIC, 718.389.9700

• Madera Cuban Grill & Steakhouse is set to be the latest addition to Vernon Blvd’s strip of multicultural restaurant offerings. Madera “will be serving delicious Cuban cuisine and the type of tender, Midwestern steaks you can only find in the finest steakhouses… and grilled to luscious perfection!” Keep a lookout for their opening – they’ll leave the lanterns on for you. 47-29 Vernon Blvd, LIC

• CrossFit is a broad general strength and conditioning program designed to build a well balanced, healthy individual, and they’ve brought a training center to LIC that’s right off Vernon Blvd. CrossFit LIC is holding FREE Saturday classes (no prior experience is necessary, sign up here), and for those who want to try CrossFit for a month, you can check online to find out when their next Foundations Program starts. 5-26 47th Ave, LIC, 646.415.8363

• Little Closets is Vernon Blvd’s own children’s consignment boutique. Following in the community-oriented tradition of Art-O-Mat, Little Closets hosts FREE events like Prenatal Yoga March 11th, 18th, and 25th, a Nany Photography session on March 17th, and a Lolly’s Learning Center meet & greet on March 20th – more info on their blog. Store & sale updates: last weeks of final sale colder weather items; ridiculous sales on designer brands (50% off Little Closets’ price); brand new rain boots and umbrellas for Spring; gorgeous consigned Spring dresses for the holidays; Haiti orphanage drive continues: donate & receive a 20% off coupon for the store. 46-46 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.707.0470

• Film Biz Recycling is a prop house/boutique that receives donations from film and TV productions. It’s always fun to look through their ever-growing collection (check online for new items), and you can now buy eco-friendly food service items by the sleeve or by the case for your small production or anything else – you can also return what you don’t use. PS – email them if you’re interested in volunteering: volunteer@filmbizrecycling.org. 43-26 12th Street, 2nd FL, LIC, 718.392.3304

• The lovely ladies of Primp & Tease Salon on 50th Ave are a classy group to turn to when you need hair, makeup, and color services. They also do highlights and lowlights, lashes and brows, event styling, and even bridal services. Take advantage of this month’s special: the blow-dry addict package is $120 for a series of 5 blow-dries. Call/stop by to purchase: 718.472.2001. 5-02A 50th Ave, LIC

• Local Long Island City printer/design studio Big City Graphics offers printing, marketing, and design services located conveniently in the neighborhood. BCG has also devised the perfect way to beat the winter slump: their current limited-time special of 5,000 4×6 postcards for only $99 (see flyer here). Times are tough but that doesn’t mean you should stop promoting your business, website, gallery, etc! Contact them for further details. 46-09 11th St, LIC, 718.706.9670

• Vernon Blvd favorite Ethereal Boutique features a mix of classy and edgy designer apparel, vintage fashions, and clothing for women, men, and children. This is in addition to a selection of luxurious accessories, jewelry, handbags, hats, shoes, and more. This is a great stop for unique, often one-of-a-kind finds that won’t break the bank. 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.482.8884

• Thinking of trying yoga or finding a new studio? The relatively new and intimate Yoga Studio 6 has found a serene space in Arris Lofts that’s extremely welcoming to seasoned and first-time yogis alike. The studio is now pleased to offer their first Prenatal Yoga Workshop – join them and meet other mothers-to-be on March 28th from 9:30-11am. “Focus will be on specific postures to encourage baby into favorable birthing position and to prepare the pelvis for labor and delivery.” $20 if you register by March 24th, for more info: alicia@yogastudio6lic.com. ‎27 28 Thomson Ave, Work Studio 6 (1st FL), 718.361.5515

• The Yoga Room is a beautiful space for yoga and pilates right off of Vernon Blvd, offering classes that are open to everyone. They offer many classes for flexible schedules including a variety of yoga styles like Hot Yoga and Vinyasa, in addition to pilates, massage, acupuncture, teacher training, and many different types of workshops. Check out TYR’s March workshops in both their Astoria and LIC locations, including the Foam Roller Pilates workshop in LIC on March 6th and the Yin Yoga workshop on March 14th, both in LIC. 10-14 47th Rd, LIC, 718.786.7962

CrossFit LIC offers FREE Saturday classes, 47th Ave, Long Island City

Vernon Blvd pet store Kitty & Dog Lounge has been revamped, reorganized, and restocked. They’re offering pet supplies, food, clothes, toys, and even a lounge area with chairs, free coffee for humans and snacks for pets, as well as a pet-themed movie on a flat screen TV, in case you’d like to watch. And there’s always some new furry friends to meet, so stop by for a visit. 49-02 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.806.1219

• Sweetleaf is a cozy coffee shop in a lovely old building right on the corner of Jackson Ave and 11th St in LIC. They serve the renowned cuppa speciality joe known as Stumptown Coffee, named “best coffee in the world” by NPR. They’ve also got tea and treats made fresh on the premises every day, in addition to a nice little seating area you can use to chill out with your goods. Sweetleaf was also featured in the latest issue of Edible Queens Magazine in an article complete with a very useful how-to for the perfect cup of coffee. 10-93 Jackson Ave, LIC, 917.832.6726

• Vernon Blvd eatery El Ay Si is one of the newest additions to LIC’s ever-growing group of diverse restaurants. They serve world cuisine-inspired comfort food that covers everything from Chicken Fried Chicken to Wild Mushroom Agnolotti – oh, and don’t forget their hearty Mac n’ Cheese with Applewood Smoked Bacon. Check their Facebook page for the latest updates. They’re now open for lunch Tues-Fri from 11am-3pm, and for the month of March they’re offering FREE Mac n’ Cheese to liQcity readers who order from their new lunch menu. Take out and delivery is included in the promotion. 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.389.8781

• Court Square Wines & Spirits on Jackson Ave right near the 7, E, G, and V trains and the Citibank building, is the largest wine store in Long Island City. They’ve got a wide selection featuring well-known labels as well as unique wines, in addition to FREE delivery and competitive prices. And just in case you like a bit of culture with your wines, they also run exhibitions of the work of local photographers and artists throughout the store. 2420 Jackson Ave, LIC, 718.707.9911

• Easily accessible on Vernon Blvd, Into White Dental puts an emphasis on the artistry inherent in dentistry. They offer a range of services on a flex-schedule to adjust to their patients’ needs – contact them for an appointment or other inquiries. 47-43 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.361.3050

• State Farm offers auto, home, life, and other kinds of insurance and have a convenient LIC location on Vernon Blvd. LIC’s State Farm agent Mike Winter is offering a FREE gift for anyone who comes in for an insurance quote and mentions liQcity. He’s available for consultations Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, and after hours by appointment. 4813 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.707.0075

• Vernon Blvd eatery Manducatis Rustica is all about old world Italian flavors and specialties. Founded by the daughter of LIC restaurateurs Vincenzo and Ida Cerbone, the couple who own Jackson Ave mainstay Manducatis, Gianna Cerbone-Teoli follows in her family’s tradition by offering up an inviting, familial atmosphere alongside homemade Italian delicacies. Try the pizzas, pastas, entrees, and of course the desserts, including an irresistible variety of gelato. In addition, the main room is set up like a living room so you can literally make yourself at home and cozy up to the fireplace. 46-33 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.937.1312

• Charge & Ride, Inc. is a local transportation service with over 40 years in the business that calls LIC’s Vernon Blvd its home. They’re equipped with a fleet of 2007 and higher luxury sedans, SUVs, limos and bus services, and offer 3 great LIC airport specials: LIC to LaGuardia is $25, LIC to JFK is $40, and LIC to Newark is $55. Call 718.392.5200 or 718.32.TRY US to schedule door-to-door transportation to hotels, airports, and more for groups, corporate, and individuals.

Go Postal, local shipping/office center & more, 50th Ave, Long Island City

Testaccio Ristorante is another brand new addition to LIC’s restaurant scene. Offering everything from soups and salads to pasta and pizza cooked in their wood-fired oven, Testaccio brings contemporary Roman cuisine to their sophisticated yet intimate space on Vernon Blvd. Check their new blog for updates on menus, daily specials, and recipes. 47-30 Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.937.2900

• The Foundry is a gorgeously restored 19th century foundry that is available to rent for film and video shoots, photography, special events, parties, weddings, and seminars. It’s located directly across from Manhattan by the East River and next to the 59th Street Bridge, not too far from Queens Plaza. Check the rental info for all the details, specs, and rates; there’s also a rentable courtyard and terrace space. Contact them for more info. 42-38 9th St, LIC, 718.786.7776

• Long Island City’s Evandro Tech Motors specializes in European auto repair, restoration, and detailing (car cleaning). By appointment only. 10-01 45th Ave @ Vernon Blvd, LIC, 718.389.0430

• Go Postal is your neighborhood shipping center, office center, and more, located in between Vernon Blvd and Jackson Ave. They offer moving supplies, fax services, color/black and white copies, mailbox rentals, metered mail, passport photos, gift wrapping, scanning, internet access, Avanti greeting cards, and same-day courier services within a 35-mile radius. Open Monday thru Friday from 9am-6pm and Saturday from 10am-5pm. 10-18 50th Avenue, LIC, 718.472.5024