A string of Long Island City stores drops like flies
Las Vegas Restaurant, 21st St, LIC
Despite the continued flurry of new biz in Long Island City, a few adjacent storefront businesses along the corner of 21st St and 44th Drive seem to have all gone out at the same time.
The former Pickwick Discount Store space (which, up until recently, still bore the same dilapidated sign) is now mysteriously papered up but there are no signs anywhere dropping any hints.
Right next door, the store which once housed the Astoria Florist is also empty – apparently seized by the Marshal. The Las Vegas Restaurant on the corner was also closed by a court order at the end of December.
Wonder what lies in store for us there? Pun intended.
Did anyone ever go to these places? I can’t say that they will be missed.
Yes, people did go to these palces and I am sure they will be missed. I definately will miss the Pickwick. The owner of the Pickwick retired and could not find anyone to buy it. It was the only place left in the neighborhood that made keys and sold small hardware items. The Las Vegas restaurant was closed for selling liquor w/o a license. It was always really busy friday evenings.
does anyone know what’s going to happen to deitch project in LIC, now that Deitch is moving to LA? I believe the SoHo gallery is closing.
It is my understanding that Deitch is closing all of his spaces.
What a terrible thing to say that they will not be missed. These were businesses that were here for years and years. It is not easy having a businesses in this city, and when landlords raise your rents through the roof just because a neighborhood is supposed to be “up and coming.” is a shame. What do we need in this town. Do you really think we need another coffee shop or restaurant. This neighborhood needs businesses that every real neighborhood in NYC has like hardware stores and florists.
Hardware store and florists are the most unprofitable businesses in any neighborhood, much less LIC.
The E&I deli has great flowers, BTW.
And any business that caters to caffeine, alcohol or food will do well since that what yuppies like.
Sorry, didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers, I just never been to any of these places, nor heard anything about them until reading this. Was the food any good? What is a Pickwick?
@7 – Yuppies don’t make anything with their hands, and their culinary tastes are limited to hamburgers and fries, which would be an insult if they were made at home.
And apparently they have found a mysterious way to by-pass the need for keys…?
they didn’t like to serve white folks at the las vegas place.
Pickwick was a great little variety store that also filled the need for a lightweight hardware store, keys, miscellaneous screws, tools, clamps, etc. They had stationery as well among other household goods.
Hunters Point seems to attract places that are all fluff but little underlying quality. I keep trying to bring business to local places but almost but a few disappoint.
If you are going to specialize in bagels, learn how to make them. Visit some places that do it right. If you are going to invest $1M making a grand Italian restaurant, learn how to add some flavor instead of dumping a bland sauce on top of overcooked food. Even my previously favorite coal oven pizza place is producing doughy tasteless undercooked pies.
Other neighborhoods seem to attract restaurants that are about food. Here it is about drinks and hype and stupid fusion concepts. Is this the yuppie palate or do they all just think that ambience is enough?
I like the new sandwich place. Still looking forward to trying places I haven’t been to yet.
Which new sandwich place?
Good riddance to Las Vegas! That was the only place I have ever gotten food poisoning. Horrible.
Just for the record:
Las Vegas was not owned by the owner of La Vuelta (you may be confused because that person’s father does own another place in the area, but it’s the diner across the street from it – East River Coffee Shop on 44th & 11th). The florist was talking about closing that location for years, as their main shop is in Astoria. And, the former Pickwick is going to be a check cashing place.
A check cashing place? Sounds like the neighborhood is going backward. Who doesn’t have a checking account these days?
The neighborhood is stalled.
I’ve always enjoyed LaVuelta – give it a try.
13, Cranky’s
La Vuelta is great, I agree.
La Vuelta is excellent. They understand food. Drinks are great. Atmosphere is great. The owner has always supported the neighborhood and the arts.
I would stop by Las Vegas every now and then – they were the kind of place that would have two dishes available each night – chicken or carnes with beans and rice. It was cheap and mediocre, but sometimes nice to take home. I’m a small white girl and they were always nice to me, though I could feel I was the only white person in there. My only complaint would be that it was sometimes loud at night with drunk people on the sidewalk. A shame to see a small business go, but I hope they replace it with another small business, like a nice sit-down cafe or restaurant.
The hardware store was also quite handy and is indeed going to be a check cashing site. Not too crazy about that, I wonder what the demand is, but I imagine there must be one if they are opening it. Florist shop seems to still be on the market.
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The people who owned the Las Vegas place were the same ones who opened La Vuelta, no?!?