LIC blues: McReilly’s Bar on Vernon Blvd forced to vacate
McReilly’s Bar closing down, 4642 Vernon Blvd @ 47th St, LIC
From the liQ inbox comes the news:
“Long island City’s cherished pub McReilly’s on Vernon Blvd has just been given a one month vacate notice. McReilly’s is one of the friendliest neighborhood spots with one of the best local kitchens. My understanding is that this is a complete surprise to McReilly’s owners and contrary to the promises made by the building’s new landlord. Ironically the pub’s owner recently testified in favor of development saying that she thought it would increase her business. They have been ordered by the owner to vacate by August 31.”
NNNNNOOOOOOOooooooooooo!
Interesting comment from Queenscrap:
The specifics of the dispute aside, it should be obvious that a place called McReilly’s could never exist on Vernon Boulevard in the new LIC, New York’s 39th neighborhood to become home to hipster boutiques and fusion restaurants and faux dive bars in the shadow of glass condo towers.
Two years ago, my new roommate and I were taking the air on Vernon, and decided to stop in at a newly-opened Vernon boite (not normally my cup of tea, but I like to give the new guy a chance). Although there was but one couple at a table and one customer at the bar, who soon left, the bartender could barely be bothered to serve us, seeing as we were interrupting her conversation about upcoming modeling assignments. Now, I don’t need my ass kissed, in fact prefer to be left alone, but a brand new place in a still obscure nabe? You could try a little. My sense of the foreignness of the place was cemented when a town car driver came in, asking for directions to Roosevelt Island (a whole ‘nother story…) Naturally, I was the only one on the premises who could tell him to simply go straight and hang a left on the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Not exactly clandestine knowledge–and this was the day after the tram got stuck for hours, the place was kinda on everyone’s lips.
At that point, I clearly saw the future of the new LIC, just like the rest of NYC under Mayor Mike: a place solely dedicated to the business and pleasure of total strangers, of people from somewhere else. Whether openly stumping for foreign investment, plumping for tourism, shilling for the real estate industry or generally concentrating on the high end by rezoning the whole metroplis to his liking, which necessitates the influx of workers from elsewhere on the low end to do all the work, we’ve all seen the result: Bloomberg’s “Utopia,” (which, of course, means “no place”), or as I like to call it, “Doomburg,” ’cause this city is done.
Then leave and we’ll all be happier, as will you Queenscrap. Bye.
Hi liqcity - That piece from queenscrap is just that - a piece of total CRAP. McReilly’s has been a drinking and dining spot in LIC for 20 years and has always had a wonderful mix of newcomers and oldtimers alike! They always win the QW website poll for the best burgers in the hood. The rest of their menu is quite amazing too!
It is a place that shines in the true Irish tradition of hospitality where it doesn’t matter whether your collar is blue or white—your status in life doesn’t matter when you get together to share a pint or two! Skinny jeaned hipsters are as welcome as power brokers, firemen, artists, cops, preppies - you name it we are all the same when we convene there.
Hope they can find a new location in the hood.
The transformation of LIC into Murray Hill East continues.
So, No. 4, what’s your point? You think it’s a good thing that a popular, authentic bar gets tossed out on its butt with a month’s notice? I’m sure you would feel differently if one of the new places was treated as callously by a landlord, who, of course, would have been accused of being an intolerant cranking standing in the way of progress.
So #7, what would you do if you owned this buiulding? Are you saying that you would continue to let them stay when you could earn 3 or 4 times more? Save it. You would do the same thing. If they did it to one of the new resturants my reaction would be the same. A lease does not entitle you to stay in a spot forever.
“Hi liqcity - That piece from queenscrap is just that - a piece of total CRAP. McReilly’s has been a drinking and dining spot in LIC for 20 years and has always had a wonderful mix of newcomers and oldtimers alike! They always win the QW website poll for the best burgers in the hood. The rest of their menu is quite amazing too!”
Read more carefully next time. That comment was not left about McReilly’s, but about one of the new bars in the neighborhood, hence the “newly-opened Vernon boite” portion of the 2nd sentence. (Means nightclub in French, BTW).
Does everything really need to end up being part of development vs. no development feud. Couldn’t this just be a case of a difficult landlord? I’m pretty sure difficult landlords can exist no matter what is going on elsewhere development-wise.
McReilly’s has been on a month-to-month lease for at least a few years.
8, it might come as a shock to the likes of you, but even people in business can have a soul. How about giving the place more than 4 weeks to hit the road?
Whatever. You and your friends will get the kind of neighborhood you wanted. Enjoy it.
Ugh, I’m with #4. Stay on your own website Queens Crap.
Hey, LiQCity posted the comment he took from my website. And I will go wherever I please on the ‘net, thanks.
What is so terrible about the excerpt from Queens Crapper? Seemed pretty much on the money to me.
No hipsters on Vernon, just yuppie scum.
I have no problem with Queens Crap, I just have an issue with the special breed of racism that is doled out over there. If you are over 21 go over there and read the posts for a week. He/she shames all of Queens with his/her backwards thinking. Having said that this post is on the money. This place will be missed, but as someone said this is unfortunately the price of progress.
Go to any blog on the ‘net and see the same thing. Take a look at some of the comments on the Daily News website, where you have to register to comment.
I rest my case.
It doesn’t happen here. It’s all very shameful. Take some responsibily for your domain.
Well then, genius, it sounds like you DO have a problem with Queens Crap. Here’s a solution: don’t visit if it bothers you. Kind of like, “if you don’t like what you hear on the radio, turn the dial.”
Sorry, when I moderated the comments, I was criticized for it. Now that I don’t, I am criticized for it. I realize I can’t please everyone, so I am just not going to concern myself with it anymore.
Maybe you should take some responsibility for your neighborhood turning into a shell of itself and not be worried about what is posted on my blog.
17 says the bar leaving is an unfortunate and inevitable “price of progress.” So what kind of “progress” is it if all the long-time local places with some history and character get kicked out?
I posted a similar comment on the Cangro thread. Other cities around the world manage to keep places that have been in business for eons and fold them into the developing neighborhoods. In NYC, policies are in place to ensure that it is an imperative to kick them out. It runs counter to everything we know about what makes a great neighborhood. God, we are such idiots!
That is sad news. The bar will be missed. Will definitely have to stop by before it goes. I guess it’s kind of a shock to the owners, but I hope they are able to start again somewhere else. Though that seems like such a shame.
Hey, you trying to impersonate me? Stop it!
Although what you said was true.
23, musn’t grumble. What did they expect, that their landlord might treat them fairly? Tell them it’s all in the name of progress that they leave. I’m sure then they’ll understand!
McReilly’s food is among the best, and I’ve never been disappointed. They have the best burgers, plus a really friendly and easy atmosphere. It’s a comfortable place to be in.
I, and some others in the area, first heard about this impending closing, 2-3 years ago. As soon as their lease was up, the landlord was not going to renew it, because (at least according to what I heard at the time) the landlord was going to increase the rent by so much, that the management didn’t think it was worth it (or something on that order).
It won’t make any sense, if it’s only to be replaced by another bar/bar-restaurant. I, and I’m sure hundreds of others, will be sad to see it go. It’s an old style New York Pub, and they’re all disappearing.
If you’re new to the area, and have never been there; I suggest you visit before they close. A nice piece of Hunters Point history, will soon be gone.
Charlie.
Sorry!
21, (aka 9,14, 18, and 21-23, aka Queens Crapper) if you are going to post under multiple names within minutes of each other to make it seem like you have the peoples suport, please remember to change your name before you hit send.
Not responding to you anymore. You clearly love an audience and I’m not going to give you one. You have already lowered the quality discourse with your presence.
@15 - Do you actually live here? Obviously you know nothing of the widespread popularity of McReilly’s Pub. (and a small reprimand to liqcity - it’s a “pub” not a “bar”).
I don’t know what new “boite” that queenscrap commentater wandered into - But it is certainly not the attitude that I have experienced in our new places that are eager to please customers and be accepted into the neighborhood.
Queenscrap is a decent site. Some great Queens news comes through that site. What’s the problem? I’ll tell you. The REAL problem is what’s happening to our neighborhoods and our city right underneath our very distracted eyeballs. Start paying attention and it is very scary what big corporation/developing is doing to our communities. But check out the Brangelina twins first. (Distractions distractions….)
29, I’m 15 and 22, and am a fan of the bar. It was clear to me that Queen Crapper was NOT referring to McReilly’s in the post. I thought on balance that the comments were not inflammatory at all. I’ve read worse on liqcity. The last paragraph’s sentiments have been echoed by many people I know.
Irish pubs are integral to any NYC neighborhood. This is a huge piece of LIC history leaving. LIC was mainly Irish and Italian immigrants… and industry. As we all know (or very few of us) the Irish pub in NYC is a landmark wherever it is. The legacy of the Irish and what they went through here is a huge mark upon NYC history. And especially in LIC. McReilly’s you will be missed, this is very unfortunate, and at the very least I hope you go out with the best month you ever had in this neighborhood, and a little Irish jig. Our spirit can never be defeated. Look what we did with this city. Cheers.
Hey I signed up for this shiny avatar thing to prevent the impersonation crap that goes on. I know it’s hard for some people to believe that there may be others out there who don’t like what is happening. And since there are multiple comments posted moments apart basically saying the same thing in the same tone about how it’s just tough what happened here but that’s life, maybe I should make the same accusation about you, Anonymous!
Lanigan (32), I loved your post. You show the spirit of LIC I have always cherished. Sadly, most people today could give a crap, as long as they make their stack.
P.S. any word on what will replace it?
Rightio #34. The building owners fall into that category. Fine, they want to make some money off their building on Vernon. Fair enough. A THIRTY DAY VACATE NOTICE??? To a business that’s been there for years and years. That’s just evil. Greed is so ugly sometimes.
#8 said “So #7, what would you do if you owned this buiulding? Are you saying that you would continue to let them stay when you could earn 3 or 4 times more? Save it. You would do the same thing. If they did it to one of the new resturants my reaction would be the same. A lease does not entitle you to stay in a spot forever.”
As a landlord I can tell you that it is sometimes more important to have a good tenant at a lower price. This landlord doubled the rent and strung them along with various promises of future perks - for example to allow use of the yard (I know, I know, let’s not go there, it’s off point).
What I think sucks is the one month notice while leading them on. It barely allows time for them to make any plans. It’s barely time to take the place apart and move out. Sure there are no rules about being nice in business but that doesn’t mean I can’t be disgusted.
My guess is you will see a building go to full zoning height here.
YES. It’s the ONE month’s notice that’s horrifying. These are people’s lives you know.
I’m with Lanigan. Let’s give McReilly’s the best month they ever had in LIC.
Queenscrapper - In my response re: crapper commenter, I was referring to paragraph #1 where he said that an old time place could not survive in a gentrified LIC. I was pointing out that a large cross section of the population gathers at McReillys.
Please do not insult my intelligence - I was a French Major in college and hold a masters degree in English literature - I certainly know how to read. I too know what a “boite” is.
But I think what the commenter was getting at was less about who visits the place and more about how much more the landlord can get now because the area’s been gentrified. The questions are: is he flipping the property? Does he have to deliver the place vacant? Did he buy it with the intentions of simply maximizing rental income? Or is he going to build up there?
P.S. I wasn’t trying to insult your intelligence, as I didn’t know what a boite was until I looked it up myself. I took Spanish in school. Now, if he had said discoteca, I’d have gotten it right away.
It’s important to note that we do no t have any details as to why the lease is ending. Could be a landlord tenant dispute. Other tenants could have been complaining about him. He could be behind in his rent. Anything. We don’t know so before assuming that some money greedy landlord is out to make a buck lets stop to think about that. McReilly’s has been on a month-to-month lease for at least a few years. Any time a commercial lease goes month-to-month, that’s basically a warning to start looking for another place. Any landloard with a desire to keep a tenant will extend the lease early in the process and look to lock up as much time as possible. Not saying its right or wrong, but the warning signs have been there for a long time. Nevertheless, the place will be missed.
OMG #6 Nick. I truly hope that is not the case.
Is he flipping the property? Does he have to deliver the place vacant? Did he buy it with the intentions of simply maximizing rental income? Or is he going to build up there? Great questions, but I don’t think any of it is our concern. Again the speculation is not good. For all we know this place is owned by a 70 year old man who spent his life scrapeing together nickles to buy the place and is now looking to retire and move to FL. Let’s all stop using this a fodder for whatever agenda you have. Stop by and have a burger before it closes and save all the drama and politics.
There is no dispute. The rent is up to date. He bought the building at a great price and oddly it was less than McReillys offered. They were paying a hefty rent to begin with. He doubled their rent and would only offer them a month to month lease. I’ve met him. He is not a sweet guy. It is purely about money.
“Great questions, but I don’t think any of it is our concern.”
Oh that should be a very big concern. It’s part of how you judge what’s going on in a neighborhood and whether or not you want to live in or open a business there.
i havent seen a lot of people in mcreillys lately
As I said before, Vernon Boulevard is going down the tubes and it is getting worse and worse. It is a shame that McReiley’s is closing. It is once again regrettable that our elected officials spend so much of their time trying to screw Blend out of its liquor license and not enough doing what they can to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood by ensuring that places like McReiley’s continue to exist. A shame. Thanks Eric and Joe.
I know that is is a bit of a stretch, but hypothetically speaking, there is a way for the neighborhood to potentially put the brakes on McReilly’s “eviction”.
It ’s probably too late in the game to work, with them having to vacate by Aug. 31st, and like I said, it is a bit of a stretch, but it could be done.
What the neighborhood residents who want them to stay would need to do, is to band together to form a group, and to begin a petition stating the community’s desire for McReilly’s to stay, and that all the signees of the petition vow to boycott any buisness that goes into that location, no matter what kind of business it might be. Give the a copy petition to the landlord, the send copies (with a cover letter explaining everything) to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs, The NYS Liquor Authority, Community Board 2, every elected official representing Hunters Point, And to all of the local and regional newspapers and news agencies.
By making widespread knowledge of the community’s intent, any prospective business tenant(s) will probably have second thoughts, and others will steer clear.
Of course, the landlord could sit on it for a few years (if the idea were to work), and miss out on collecting a commercial space’s rent, but to his/her/their economic disadvantage .
Just a thought.
Charlie.
Pardon the typos.
Charlie.
Oh that is just silly about Vernon going down the tubes. All you have to do is look across the street: the Manducatis restaurant family (who have been in LIC forever) are opening a new place directly across the street from McReilly’s. You can’t get more “preserving the local integrity of the neighborhood” than that.
freeze time! lets pretend its 1977.
o wait, son of sam, muggings, blackout, …
never mind
This place really didn’t look like anything special. Maybe it had great cheap burgers, but that’s not any major loss. If there is a neighborhood demand for a good Irish pub and it would do good business, another will open or they will relocate.
“The times they are a changing…”
#50, I would not get behind that. One it punishes some unrelated business that has nothing to do with why the Pub was booted out. Second, its none of my business who this owner chooses to rent to. This is a private transaction. If you were renting a bedroom to a tenant and decided to evict him for whatever reason would you like it if the community came together and said hey, we are a big fan of who you are kicking out, so you must keep renting to him because we like him?
P.S. Vernon is not going down the tubes. Being here for 11 years I would say during the time I’ve been here it’s better than ever.
#56 - So its none of your business if the owner choses to rent it out to a brothel or to drug dealers? Or even less extreme to a crappy chain store like a subway or dunkin donuts that is going to diminish the value of surrounding properties?
I think that Charlie had a great idea. In fact, its the first time I really agree with him and I’d be happy to support such a petition. McReily’s is great for the neighborhood.
Brothel and drug dealers are illegal thus making it a police matter. Crappy chain stores are not illegal. Either case it’s not my business what two private citizens contract to do. As much as I would miss McReilys, I would purchase a cup of coffee and a donut from dunkin donuts in a heartbeat. Life goes on.
This is BULL SHIT! that’s an institution. BEST BURGERS HANDS DOWN IN LIC.
My idea was not to address as to why they are being booted out, or anything else. If they were bad tenants, I’m sure the nieghborhood would know that by now. I was going on the premise that there were no legal landlord-tenant hassles. My idea was only to show what the community can possibly do, if they really wanted them to stay.
They’ve done great business throughout the years, and every time I’ve gone in, they’ve been busy. I think, and I’m sure there are others who would agree, that there has been, and still is a demand for a classic New York Irish Pub, in Hunters Point. Though # 54 may think it is no major loss, others would strongly disagree, myself included. Though it may not look like anything special to # 54, it’s McReilly’s substance and not it’s facade, which makes it what it is.
It’s also not about punishing some unrelated business, because if a business won’t open there to begin with, it can’t be affected one way or the other. The point is, to make it unattractive to prospective retail tenants, thereby forcing the landlord to reconsider his position, and to seriously negotiate with McReilly’s management. If the landlord chooses not to, and decides to leave the place vacant, then it’s a financial burden the landlord will have to bear. After all, it is the people of the neighborhood (for the most part) who will be shelling out the money, which will be used by the business, in paying the rent to the landlord. Now, because it is the area residents’ money, I would think that the residents might want to have a say, in what kind of establishment operates from that location (or any other, for that matter). My idea was simply to show what could be done by the community, in taking steps to ensure that.
I just wanted to show how it is possible, for the community to have a real say in just about anything.
Charlie.
One good guess is that the landlord will try to open a swank bar on his own. I’m afraid that much of the new community just can’t understand what’s being lost here. It’s not just the burgers, the curry, the Irish breakfast, it’s the atmosphere and attitude of a true local pub. This is not something you create overnight. We really don’t have that anywhere else in this neighborhood.
I think Charlie’s idea is not so crazy.
62, I appreciate your sincerity and am so sad about this news. But does the new community even give a hoot about McReilly’s? That’s the crux of it for me. It seems as though the neighborhood Irish bars are dying all over the city due to changing tastes, demographics, and even drinking habits. Unless McReilly’s can come back and reinvent themselves as a gastropub — a more well-appointed place like you’d see in Dublin or London, with a traditional pub environment and a daring menu, etc.– they won’t be able to afford the price of doing business anywhere in LIC.
By the way everyone, another reminder here. Please check the name box before you post your comment. If not, then the previous person’s name might appear for your post. as it did for # 62, with my name on his post.
LiQcity, could you take care of the glitch?
Charlie.
I don’t believe it was a matter of how well McReilly’s was or wasn’t doing, as #63 suggests; but a landlord-tenant thing. There was no need for them to change anything, to attract customers. They had plentyof customers.
Charlie.
Charlie, I agree with you most of the time, but you are misguided here. Yes, it is possible to do what you are suggesting, but think about what you are suggesting. If a landlord has an issue with a tenant (real or percieved) you want to come in and veto his right to decide who he wants in his space. I just can’t get behind that no matter how much I loved McReilly’s.
Yes, and the residents have a right to spend their money where they want to. That includes the right to not spend it at any given business. Again, my point has nothing to do with any dispute between the landlord and tenant, or even about what the landlord wants for his location. It was about what the people want in their neighborhood, and what they can do to help get it.
In addition, communities do get involved in landlord-tenant affairs in other situations, such as with co-ops, and with private/”bedroom” communities. This is only about a commercial endeavor, not about a family renting an apartment. I don’t see why a community shouldn’t get involved in such affairs, if they want (or don’t want) something bad enough. If people can get involved in what kind(s) of business comes into their community, then they should also have the right to get involved in the reverse.
If a community has a long established bakery, in a quiet family oriented neighborhood with great products, and does financially well; should the residents not get involved if the landord wants them to vacate, so a tatoo parlor or a biker bar or a video game arcade (for examples only), willing to pay twice the rent, can open shop? The same laws and rules do not apply for landlords who rent commercial versus residential space. Now, no one knows what kind of establishment will open in the McReilly’s spot. It could be a successful sub-contractor’s office, or even another NY Irish pub; one with lousy food and higher prices.
I’m not trying to stir up controversy, as everyone has their own views, and that is fine. Again, I was only showing what could be done, by those who would want to go in that direction.
I am not one to just complain, and complaining is okay, but I try to come up with ideas and/or possible solutions to things, and I put them out there for all to see. Anyone is welcome to agree, disagree, to like it or not like it. That’s personal perspective. It’s just an idea, for those who would prefer an option of that order.
Charlie.
i am so glad that this bar is closing down . I went there one time with my friends and i just had an awful experience. This bar closing is a great thing for our community - at least in my opinion .
Charlie, you are wasting a lot of space with your pie-in-the-sky idea. Any business that moves into the space knows that your plan to have the entire community boycott it is an unrealistic pipe dream. If it is a good business, people will go there. If the community wants a pub like this and it would do better business than some other type place, then someone will open a pub. If the food or service isn’t good enough, it won’t make it. I like the idea above about a gastro-pub, those are getting very popular.
Why would the landlord evict a tenant that can pay the market rent? No one here knows why the landlord is doing this, so until we know the reason we are all just speculating and assuming things.
Bummer. I’m with the folks who want to help them go out with a bang. I’ll make sure to make several trips this month. A great place with great food and an absolute lack of pretentiousness. It will be sad to see them go.
That said, as a former retailer, I can relate to the dilemma. The only was that you can ensure your location is to own the building, otherwise, you can be blindsided at any time.
And hey Crappy, nice to see you here!
it saddens me deeply that a place like this is on it’s way out. What’s to replace it? another thai/sushi place? With terrible decor. Not that Mc reilly’s is anything to write home about. Their warm irish soda bread will be missed if this place kicks the bucket. We need establishments that have some character to them. Like LIC bar, communitea, sweet leaf and Sage american kitchen. This is what should replace Mc reilly’s if it goes. It’ll be a sad day when the last sud will be drank there. Let’s get the community together and rally up all the troops in the neighbourhood and have a toast for this place.
Space is not a problem, so I don’t know where you came up with that, #69.
Anyway, you’re missing the point and just don’t get it, so I won’t bother to explain it further.
Those who understand, know where I’m coming from.
Charlie.
Warm irish soda bread? really? I will have to check that out. Love that stuff.
Maybe McReilly’s could move into Artomat’s space. That place seems to be closed so often that it is barely used.
74, Interesting that you bring that up as the idea has come up with us at Artomat. Please note that Artomat is an all volunteer operation and that is why we are not open as much as we would like. We have managed to put up 20 exhibitions in 3 years, several history nights and other special events, and sell a lot of artist’s work.
So it would be a shame to lose this gift that was given to the community by a combination of local business, developers, residents, and artists. But as I said, we have thought of this.
On the other side of the coin, it is an expensive operation to move a restaurant/pub. Artomat is smaller than the present space at McReillys and they would likely lose tables at a time when they would need more..
Hey #63, my favorite Irish pub the Emerald Inn on the UWS is on its deathbed because of constantly increasing rents despite its enormous popularity. The Emerald is reliably packed - families eat there during the day and regulars as well as younger folks (musicians, actors, dancers) have a great time well into the night. The place has been there since the 40’s and does not need to reinvent itself as a gastropub because the food is fantastic and they have no problem getting people through the door. Unfortunately a small pub can’t expect to bring in the same revenue or afford to pay as much rent as huge international companies that sell trendy, overpriced luxury product (in that neighborhood it’s Kiehls, Clarins, L’Occitane,etc.). Obviously landlords are going to charge as much rent as they can, not to stay afloat, but to make more money. But unfortunately , these set of rules for “survival of the fittest” do NOT reflect what the community wants.
Pubs like McReilly’s and the Emerald are relevant because they establish community and represent integrity amongst New York’s constantly shifting landscape of culinary trends and social vogues. They were created by and serve the community without purporting to be anything more. The sentiment that McReilly’s is irrelevant because they aren’t doing anything new is a sentiment that will undermine the LIC community and turn it into a bedroom community.
I want to stress that I’m not of a mind that LIC does not have room for growth or change. I welcome change that reflects the interests of the neighborhood and that develops an interactive and vibrant community.
We’ll always have the Shannon Pot. I guess. Meh.
How does McReilly’s get priced out of its spot and some of the more random random businesses stick around forever? Like the 4 business across from Tuk Tuk. I’ve got nothing against delis, check cashing places and dentists, but those spots seem like prime store front spaces and it is hard to imagine they can pay high rents.
Maybe they locked into really long leases.
#78 - The dentist owns the bldng and does a thriving business. Check cashers does a thriving business as does our only news stand. What is your point? McReillys does very well. What people are missing here is a vital link. McReillys was in position to buy the bldng and the former landlord blindsided them. Then along came a new owner who would not give them a lease and agreed to a “month to month” arrangement - apparantly with a promise that he has broken. Perhaps they were naive to believe him; nevertheless, they are now in a position of no reprieve - On a “month to month arrangement” the landlord wins! Charlie’s idealistic view is great; however in a “catch22″ like this one it will never work. If they had a lease and the landlord tried to break it for “nonsense” reasons, they could go to court - but sadly that is not the case here
My point is that I have much stronger desire for hamburger and beer than cash-checking and dentists. What’s your point? That my selfish needs should not dictate what happens around here? How dare you.
#81 - I do hope you are joking; otherwise. I would offer up a rebuttal. In the meantime, I don’t know why I even bothered to respond to such an asinine comment.
We should maybe go to the Shannon Pot more often. They seem to do fine though.
Yes, let’s go with #82. He/she seems like fun.
I’m with you #78, I was curious why that area was not “gentrifying” as well.
A lot of businesses on Vernon own the buildings. Honestly I think people should stop focusing on Vernon, and move over to Jackson. I see so much wasted storefronts over there. 10-63 totally succeeded there.. until they got kicked out for the condo development that also stole their name concept.
More random businesses–Just Things on the corner, and the card shop that has like 4 cards. Just sayin. I’m with you #86, I always used to walk along Vernon and now I walk along Jackson even tho I live closer to Vernon. Jackson is only going to get nicer.
What a sad, sad day. I eat there on average twice a weak. Well more cooking for me because I can’t afford anyone other the la veutla (sandwiches) and tuk tuk. What a shame. The current landlord purchased the building for less than what Noreen had offered. In addition to the previous owner promising to sell to her. I guess she wasn’t Italian enough. But in stead sold to a guy who HAD (all you reactionists) a cluster of transvestites prostitutes working from above in addition to insisting on cash from all of his tenants. ILLEGAL!!!! And now wants $70 a square foot. That’s just insane. How much money is enough? He paid under $550.000 for the building. He says he has a tenant who wants the space……my guess is if he does, it’s someone laundering money.
SAD SAD DAY.
No way did someone pay only 550k for that building. Maybe 5.5 million, but no way it sold for under a mil.
#87 - The woman who runs Just Things owns the bldng. You should stop by when she’s open - she sometimes has some amazing buys! The card shop is a “gift” store not specializing in cards a la a Hallmarks franchise. They both serve a purpose in the community. There are spaces on Vernon in need of tenants - no need to suggest displacing businesses that are mainstays of the neighborhood. BTW Just Things has been there for many years - probably much much longer than you have lived here. Why not get a sense of the community before you start whining!
#88’s right - the building, 4642 Vernon, last sold for $575,000 in 2005 . Check Nextag
While insisting on cash is apparently legal no one I know has a particularly warm and fuzzy feeling about this guy. He’s new to the neighborhood and seems to want to play things his way. It’s his right but it’s still sad and probably unnecessary.
McReilly’s should move into the Next level’s old spot on Vernon. Closer to the subway and it could possibly be an even bigger space than their old location. Or ask Cassino to let them move into half their space. The whole two ‘fronts’ of it are barely ever being used completely.
Sad sad day. Charlie has said alot of dumb things before, but he’s got this one 100% right and I am starting to like the guy.
Anyone arguing that having another condo sales office, check cashing store, or donut shop in McReiley’s place is an improvement to the neighborhood is flat out wrong.
To #90–That was me who mentioned Just things–I said it was random, but that was not a put down. I go in there all the time, have bought lots of stuff and yes, she does have great finds. I wouldn’t mind a few more things in the gift shop though. Would never dream of suggesting displacing long term businesses.
The Shannon Pot is the Shit Pot!
Is it just me, but is it a little bizarre that “a cluster of transvestiete prositutes working from above” didn’t even get one comment?
I love LIC.
Hi #97 - Here’s a response on the tranny prostitutes. They were indeed hq’ed in the bldng. I quess the “heat was on”, because I was told yesterday that they are now operating out of Flushing.
#95 - sorry if I misunderstood you - glad to hear that you support the neighborhood. BTW - if you ever have a toothache, Dr. Dan is a wonderful dentist!
97, I can attest as a separate poster that the ‘transvestite prostitutes’ is true. They are thankfully not there anymore. I frankly have no objection to either category but these were scary and potentially dangerous characters. You live in NYC in enough neighborhoods to just know.
But I don’t want to divert from the main issue. We need to find a way to help businesses that are integral to the community when they are under attack.
Anyone for getting together as a group one night at Mcreillys to bang ideas together? Make sure Naureen and Padrick are there?
88, What is the meaning of your “I guess she wasn’t Italian enough” comment in reference to the building owner. How dare you post such drivel? Liqcity, if that remark doesn’t qualify as an ethnic slur then maybe you can explain what is.
Hi@95 - Sorry if I misunderstood you. Glad to hear that you support the neighborhood. BTW if you ever have a toothache, Dr. Dan is a wonderful dentist!
The tranny prostitutes did indeed operate out of the bldng under the eyes of the new landlord. I guess the “heat was on”, because I was told yesterday that they have moved their operation to Flushing.
No Irish bars and no tranny hookers? Two more reasons to hate gentrification.
Oh God it looks like the PC police are here, too.
Thank god they are. Some websites which shall remain nameless are less vigilant and have a bad reputation as a result. LIQCity runs a quality site here and I’m sure does not want to be associated with some of the trash that occurs elsewhere on the web. Its a blessing to have this forum to exchange ideas on both sides of the issue. some other places on the web are less friendly to alternate views.
Are you guys sure they were hookers? I thought they were tranny drug dealers. Maybe a side business?
I liked the idea of meeting at McReilly’s but maybe smaller groups would be a good way to start. Less to organize, and then at some point join all the groups to rally. But all this has to be done ASAP. If nothing else, it would just be great to see this landlord exposed and maybe get some humility on the way. McReilly’s is one of my favorite places in LIC!
Hi #106 - Remember how it goes? “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll”.
1. Do they want to stay, or relocate, if possible? what rights do they have under a month-to-month lease?
2. THEY own their liquor license right, not the landlord?
3. Who owns the furnishings and equipment?
4. Do we know of another space? or a Broker who could look? what were they paying? is the Vizcaya space temporary?
If they want to stay here, we should help. It is successful. It is popular. It is unique. This is not about nostalgia, or extended life-support. The demographics in McReilly’s cut across all groups. There is no us-them issue here.
All NYS Liquor Licenses are issued to the corporation, in the name of the proprietor, at the address of the establishment. They must be reviewed and renewed every three years. they are not transferable to anyone, even the closest of family members, under any conditions, including the death of the proprietor, and cannot be used for another location, even if that location were to be next door. There are however, ground rules for the issuance of a new license, for the inheriting owner.
For those interested, when a liquor license expires without having been renewed or replaced/applied for by another, prior to the original’s expiration date, then any privileges that had existed with the expired license, such as “grandfathering” (meaning the establishment was in place at that location before any laws, such as the 500 ft. rule), die with the expiring license. This is the case with Dominie’s Hoek. They are still under the “grandfather” clause, concerning distance from a house of worship or a school.
McReilly’s is a neighborhood institution. It deserves to remain in Hunters Point; either at the current location or at another one, close by.
Charlie.
Hmm I wonder if McReilly’s needed to apply for a new lic. whether it would get objection from the community/
Maybe one of the LIC families that own several properties in the area could come in a help this neighborhood pub.
I believe (but I am not sure) that approval by the Community Board is only for an initial license, not renewals. If a previously licensed establishment moves to another location within the same Community Board, then I don’t think they have to obtain the Board’s approval, but again, of this I’m not sure. I don’t know the rules for Community Board approval concerning an on-premise establishment. An off-premise establishment (wine & liquor store) does not have to gain Community Board approval.
Charlie.
Made a lot of friends, threw a lot of darts, drank a lot of beers, watched a lot of Mets games, ate a lot of burgers here. Sad to see it go.
I would definitely sign a petition or attend a meeting to save McReilly’s. Soda bread!
Charlie - I believe, according to such situations occurring in Manhattan recently - They do not need Cb approval to transition from one owner to another in the same location, but to transfer to a new location, they have to first go before the CB before going on to the SLA.
Okay, thanks #116. I was unsure, concerning the whole Community Board thing.
I wouldn’t even think of trying to understand Manhattan rules. I’m curious, does Midtown Manhattan even have Community Boards? It has an extremely small resident population.
Charlie.
Charlie - Are you joking with me? Midtown has a very dense residential population. And yes there are CB’s serving every area of Manhattan. SLA rules apply to all boroughs equally. CB’s in Manhattan operate in the same way as CB’s in other boroughs.
Really? Now that I think more about it, you’re right, although I wouldn’t consider it to be very dense (persons per square whatever). When I think Midtown, I usually think of 34th to 57th between Lexington and 8th. I guess it’s all in one’s perspective. I always visualize it as a sea of huge buildings, and businesses. Did you happen to live in Midtown, at some point in your life? I’ve only worked or shopped there, in my life. It’s probably because of that, along with the tremendous amount of tress in the forest, getting in the way, that my mental image of Midtown, is the way it is.
Charlie.
Oh, one other thing; I (and I’m sure there are others) consider everything east of Lexington Ave. to be the “East Side”, along with everything west of 8th Ave., to be the “West Side”, and neither to be a part of “Midtown”.
I guess it’s that perspective thing again.
Charlie.
Midtown runs from Murray Hill to 57th St. Think about all those hirises that are residential plus all the side streets that have midrise, hirise and brownstones that are all residential. These days midtown goes river to river within that radius. Yes - there are neighborhood divisions like “Hells Kitchen”, “Murray Hill” etc. but they are all considered to be part of midtown Manhattan as opposed to downtown and uptown.
#112, which families are you referencing? I’m willing to do some begging for McReilly’s if it would help.
I wonder why they still call it “Hell’s Kitchen”? I think the neighborhood is actually called Clinton. Organized crime and the Westies are gone from the area, so why keep a dangerous sounding nickname, such as that? I’m sure the area is nowhere near as dangerous as it once was. Wouldn’t that be disadvantageous to attracting potential residents? It’s not the same as with older New Yorkers still referring to Avenue of the Americas, as Sixth Avenue. There’s no negative connotations there.
I remember a bar, from when I was growing up in Brooklyn (where I had my first draft beer at 15), that everyone called the “Bucket of Blood”, because of the murders and hits which took place, in and around the establishment. Do you think it would attract many patrons today (if the bar were to still be in operation), if everyone still referred to it by it’s nickname?
Charlie.
So Charlie do you think a new liquor lic. for McReilly’s would have community support?
A real shame - it’s a great place for drinks and food. I’m hoping it can take over one of the other bars on Vernon that doesn’t have any business.
McReilly’s is a good tenant
#89 nothing on Vernon is worth 5 million
Maybe there was cash under the table there. Who is the new owner of the building?
Yep, # 124. They’re an established profitable business, with a proven track record within the community, the Dept. of Health, and with the State Liquor Authority. There would have to be a major skeleton found in their closet, for them not to get approval. That, I believe, is extremely unlikely.
Charlie.
Really? What’s Hell’s Kitchen like these days? Does anyone know? Whenever I think of neighborhood names and nicknames, it sometimes of reminds me of an old George Carlin routine, where he used to say Morningside Heights, or White Harlem, depending on who asked as to where he was from. Anyway, if my memory serves me correctly, the actual Turtle Bay itself was on the East Side by the river, in the area that is now the VA Medical Center and Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, wasn’t it? Wasn’t there also a Herbie Mann (jazz flutist) albumn by that name?
What’s with the slashes? Is that another technical glitch?
Charlie.
Hi charlie - The name “Clinton” never really took hold. It will always and forever be “Hells Kitchen”. There are no turtles in “Turtle Bay, but it is still “Turtle Bay!
BTW - Hells Kitchen is rapidly gentrifying. The neighborhood actually began its climb to respectability quite some time ago. One of its most notable residents was “Lenny Briscoe” - known in real life as the late great Jerry Orbach.
Maybe those people who run Plaxall could find some space for McReilly’s. That would be a good deed.
Charlie - I forgot to mention that “Turtle Bay” extends from 42nd St to 53rd St running from Lexinton Ave to the East River. It was named for an actual bay that emptied into the East River which is now the site of the UN bldng. It was never anywhere near Stuy Town.
Wow, thanks #132. Another myth busted; a myth in my mind, that is. You can learn something new everyday!
Here’s a maybe not so well known nickname. The stretch of First Avenue starting with the VA hospital @ 23rd Street and continuing northward to where the last hospital is (I am unsure of which one that is), is aka “Bedpan Alley”.
Boy, did we wander off the subject, but threads do that at times.
Charlie.
Charlie - It suddenly dawned on me. You are thinking of Kips Bay - It runs from 23rd St to 34th St. and sort of tangles up with Murray Hill and Gramercy. The VA Hospital and the Astor Levy public swimming pool are in Kips Bay. Again not far enough south to be part of Stuy Town.
Yes, Kips Bay; that does ring a bell. My brain must’ve mixed those two up. It’s amazing how the mind can retain things that are cute, but of no real value, like the topography of a sleep away camp I went to as a kid and the opening & closing themes of Gilligan’s Island, yet almost completely losing things which I was so adept in, like Shakespere’s plays, Morse Code and Military small arms weaponry (although with some practice, I could probably regain my expert weapons status). Although I was never really great with French, I could at one time read, write and speak it to some decent degree. It’s virtually all gone too. Hey, at least I can remember what Dawn & Ginger looked like.
The human brain never ceases to amaze me.
Anyway, in keeping with the thread, has anyone ever had McReilly’s chicken pot pie?
Charlie.
Such a shame!
This is a huge loss for the neighborhood. Where else do you get the mix of the local fire department, artists, local business owners, old timers, newcomers? The pub’s owners are some of the nicest people I know and the Irish staff have been a delight.
The prices have been a bargain, the portions are generous. The vibe is one of the most comfortable you may ever find here.
And there are those who keep asking “what neighborhood are we trying to preserve?”