Long Island City new local biz update: bistros, burgers and more
New businesses opening up in Long Island City. – Photo by Jesse Winter
What a long, strange summer it’s been in Long Island City. As usual, LIC entrepreneurs have been busy bees and there’s so much new business about to pop, it’s mind-boggling. A perfect post to celebrate the Autumnal equinox with – we bring you, our favorite and faithful readers, this Fall’s bounty of biz:
99 bottles of beer on the wall. We’re not kidding, and neither is Alewife Queens, the self-described Beer Bistro that’s transforming the old Lucky Mojo spot on 51st Ave between Vernon Blvd & 5th St. Akin to owner Daniel Lanigan’s other establishments, Alewife Baltimore and Lord Hobo, Alewife Queens will offer 28 beers on draft, and yes, 100 different varieties of bottled beer.
While there’s a clear emphasis on the brew, the nosh is not forgotten, as the menu will offer elegant & reasonably priced gastropub fare. Alewife’s blog has been chronicling their painstaking and extensive buildout of the two-story space with outdoor deck, which also includes a complete facade facelift. (Hallelujah.) What is shaping up to be a unique neighborhood tavern will manifest very soon – projected opening is the first week of October. We’ll drink to that! Cheers. 5-14 51st Ave, Hunters Point, Long Island City
- Oh, lighten up LIC. The folks behind the renowned Laughing Skull in Atlanta are opening a 7-day-a-week comedy club in a pending Hunters Point location called “The Laughing Devil.” Unlike the tourist traps in Manhattan, the Laughing Devil will truly be a neighborhood space – both managing partners live within a block of the new venue. Expect affordable vittles and big names in an incredibly intimate space – comedians at their other clubs include Dave Attell, Marc Maron, Margaret Cho, Doug Benson, and more. Sign up to learn more at LaughingDevil.com. And after you bust a gut, you can fill it up at one of the many new restaurants in the queue for Hunters Point.
Checking up on the Alobar, Long Island City. – Photo by Jesse Winter
Modern-Retro Bistro Alert. The long awaited Alobar is finally getting ready to open in October. The food can best be described as Old meets New American; new in execution but with a definite nod to America’s Old World roots, and an emphasis on keeping ingredients local and seasonal. Alobar will be offering a large charcuterie section with homemade salumi, sausages, pate’s, artisanal cheese, and pickles. Expect a full bar, some awesome craft beers, amazing cocktails, and a straightforward but great wine list. 46-42 Vernon Blvd, Hunters Point, LIC
And then there was Neon. In November, the long-time neighborhood fixture Krypton Neon, which creates custom Neon lighting for stage, screen, TV, museums, artists and businesses, is moving to a new Hunters Point location on 46th Ave near 5th St. Neon Artist & Owner Kenny Greenberg is “sad to lose the street presence we’ve enjoyed for so many years. The good news is we get to stay in the hood and we’ll have a larger space.” Kenny plans to explore new ways to keep his connection with the community going: “There’s plans to have occasional events reminiscent of our old Art-O-Mat days, and I’m interested in partnering with other local biz that want to enhance their visibility and at the same time, ours.” Get in touch with Kenny at kenny@neonshop.com with any collaborative ideas or needs for Neon.
The backyard garden at the LIC Gyro Company. – Photo by Jesse Winter
The Change Up. The old La Vuelta spot on 44th Drive @ 11th Street has morphed nationalities! After 10 years of being a Latin influenced bistro, the owner Elia has decided to get back to his own roots with a Greek & Mediterranean concept called the LIC Gyro Company. The menu includes three kinds of gyros with homemade briskets – lamb & beef, pork, and chicken – as well as souvlaki, and classic spreads including hummus and tzatziki. The very short trek off the beaten path (aka Vernon Blvd) to LIC Gyro is worth it even just for the large backyard garden, so go catch some time & mezze in there before winter blows down on us. They’re open! 10-43 44th Drive, Hunters Point, LIC
Hot off the Presses. Big City Graph-x & Printing has moved to a bigger and better space just a few minutes away from their old spot on 11th St. 47-01 Van Dam St, Long Island City Map it, yo.
Dunkin Donuts materializing on Vernon Blvd, LIC. – Photo by William Garrett
Time to make the… Yes folks, who can miss the new Dunkin Donuts opening on Vernon Blvd at 49th Ave? Well, duh.
And the chain-ification of LIC continues. Subway Restaurant is making headway in their new space at the bottom of 10-50 Jackson Ave.
You want fries with that? Vernon Blvd is being graced with two new burger joints, both occupying corner spots. At the corner of 47th Rd, Corner Bistro is getting ready to deliver their famous burgers, sit down-style. At the corner of 47th Ave, Petey’s Burger of Astoria-fame is setting up a take-out burger joint.
LIC’s Margaritaville. Brought to us by the folks that created LIC’s popular SHI restaurant, is Skinny’s Cantina, at 4705 Center Blvd – opening date is still pending.
More sweets! The Chimney Cake, a Hungarian Bakery has recently opened in 10-50 Jackson Ave.
Get Groomed. Snob Nails at 47-34 Vernon Blvd has opened for biz.
Pho-gettaboutit. A Vietnamese joint is heading to the current Krypton Neon space on 47th Ave, just off Vernon Blvd. (Runner-up titles: Pho-bulous. Un-pho-gettable. Pho-nomenal.)
I can’t wait for Pho Place open up in LIC!!!
yes, Petey’s Burger is opening in old Art-o-mat space.
I can’t say that I am happy with the size of Dunkin Donuts sign/awning. You think they could have made it a bit smaller, to better fit in the neighborhood? I can just imagine the neon glare it will produce…
Of course you’re not happy.
The best part about Dunkin Donuts is they misspelled Es(x)pressos!! I really don’t think we need them in the neighborhood. We just need a good coffee shop / cafe with better hours
Boycott dunkin donuts & subway. We need to send a message to landlords NOT to rent to chains.
Expresso is unacceptable.
Dunkin’ Donuts is a huge eye sore. Everyone knows there are coming to the neighborhood, so it’s really too bad they couldn’t have tried to keep with the design of other buildings on Vernon. Best example- in Greenpoint, there’s a Starbucks built into an old theatre, marquee and all.
But, I’m still a local coffee man so I’ll go to Sweatleaf and Cranky’s before DD. I wonder if the local joints plan on running a competitive promotion?
You can boycott DD all you want, but they are going to mint money at that location. It’s on everyone’s way to work. The cops alone will keep it thriving. And strangers coming to the neighborhood will definitely go there. It’s like the worst possible thing that could have come there. Shame on the landlord. It’s horrible. I have a hard enough time keeping my kids from eating junk.
“Expresso” is inexcusable. I’m planning to boycott just based on that.
I find it funny that everyone is so up in arms about a donut place. There was so much good news in this article to be happy about! I for one can’t wait for Alobar. The place looks amazing. I’m happy that there is new stuff coming and Vernon Blvd is filled up again.
Why is there no mention that Ethereal closed? It was the ONLY store in the entire neighborhood. We need shops, people!!!
I’m so excited about Alewife. I have been following their blog…
LIC is demanding! Liqcity I have no idea how you do it.
There’s nothing wrong with the word “expresso.” Look it up in Webster’s. It’s just a less used variant of “espresso.”
But there’s everything wrong with that hideous DD awning. And guaranteed that place will be among the most popular businesses on Vernon.
So you might mourn the loss of places like Ethereal and Purple Pumpkin. But if you don’t spend money there, those places can’t survive.
Looking forward to Alewife, but I hope it is a more considerate neighbor than Smokey Joe’s. Guys, it’s a quiet residential street. Please keep your doors closed and the drunk frat boys out
Etheral was still open? With 5th ave prices on Vernon Blvd, I’m not sure how they stayed open that long
Looking forward to Dunkin Donuts opening! I understand it’s tomorrow!!! Yeah!!
I love these posts! Thanks so much.
Are you pho real?
#18 I know what you mean about Ethereal. When they 1st opened it was priced like Barney’s but it seemed they changed their merchadise to more affordable clothing. I did buy quite a few things there until I found a dress that I purchased there much cheaper in the city. I liked the owner very much though and was hoping they would succeed. I doubt there will ever be much retail on Vernon. I agree with that out of control awning on DD but they are in a great location.
Ethereal was awesome!!! If she charged more it’s because she was being gouged for rent. She loved this neighborhood and had no choice but to pack up and leave. Stores can’t survive on Vernon Blvd. It’s a fact.
I hope they don’t serve faux pho.
I can’t wait to get some DD Coffee! Landlords will continue to rent to chains like DD because they will be in business forever and will pay their rent every month. There will be more to follow. Subway on the other hand doesn’t have a chance.
25, I think you’re partly wrong. Subway will also be a huge hit too. And so would any other crappy chain junk food place.
They won’t stay in business if we don’t go to it. Chains have failed in bad locations. They are not immune. It’s a franchise, so it’s an independent operation. And I’m sure the rent is through the roof, so I wouldn’t call them successful just yet. It will be interesting to see what happens.
anyone who chooses Subway over places like E&I and Mario’s is a moron. If you feel like getting ripped off and possibly food poisoning, then Subway is a great option for you.
People will eat at subway too. You guys don’t understand PEOPLE EAT THIS CRAP. That’s why chains flourish. If we all change our diets then these fast-food stores will go out of business. The other problem is that healthy food is so expensive. The grocery stores around here are really overpriced so even cooking your own food is not a cheap option. DD & Subway are cheaper. That’s the problem.
What is the big deal about these “chain” stores? Just because a DD is opening up in our neighborhood is not necessarily a detriment. Ultimately, the people that live here will determine which businesses stay and which businesses shut down based on how much it is frequented. Wanting any business that opens in our neighborhood to fail is just asinine in my opinion.
#30 You are so right!!
#30 I totally disagree. Fast food chains definitely degrade the quality of a neighborhood commerce center. If Vernon Blvd was populated by McDonalds, Burger King, White Castle, Starbucks etc… instead of the independents that are currently there, it would be a totally horrible feel. Sorry, I think the DD is a bad addition and leads us in the wrong direction. We don’t need another vehicle for caffeine and cheap sugary food. We don’t need dunkin donuts especially when we have so many great cafe’s run by local people who pay exorbitant rents and now have to compete with a chain that adds no benefit to the neighborhood.
I disagree #32. Do you really think people are going to come from all over to go to the DD on Vernon Blvd? There are DD’s all over the city. I think #30 is right. The people in the community will determine who stays and who goes.
It appears that the owners of Dunkin’ Donuts realized today that there was a misspelling on their sign and one of liQcity’s roving photographers happened to be on hand to catch it. A word with one of the contractors confirmed that yes, they were correcting the spelling of ‘expresso’. See LIC? Local business owners can take feedback. Unless it’s a coincidence… (insert theme song to Twilight Zone here.)
Hahahaha. Maybe they’ll take the feedback and not open.
They should take the rest of the sign down
If it weren’t for that awning, it really cheapens Vernon!! You can see it from a plane!!
it’s a gaudy monstrosity
Dunkin Donuts – PLEASE take that sign down. Its terrible.
regarding Ethereal and other shops – the problem is that, except for bars and restaurants, people in the neighborhood generally don’t shop in the neighborhood, for whatever reason.
#38 You’re so right! I don’t love the fact that a chain store is opening but the worst of it is the out of proportion advertising. That strip of Vernon looks pretty run down with several of the shabby store fronts and now it looks like a cartoon came to town!
Guaranteed it will be the most popular joint on Vernon. You can laugh all you want.
And I’ll bet half of you snobs will be lining up for your Munchkins and cheap coffee. Oh, the shame!
Man cannot live on veal brains and Sweetleaf alone.
#42 You’re missing the point…
I’m pretty sure I can live on Sweetleaf coffee and baked goods! YUM!! Support your local businesses people. They are the ones working hard and doing business right. It’s time we take a stance and drive out these big corporations. Let them cheapen some other neighborhood.
Local businesses are what make each neighborhood special and unique. They are what define a neighborhood and it’s time us locals support that idea.
#44 and 45 TOUCHE!!!!!!!
Yay for burgers!
pho-geddaboutit!
Is that sign pho real?
Dunkin Donut awnings do not have a “neon glare’. They are back lit with fluorescent lights. Neon can be much classier.
That sign is un-pho-tunate.
pumped for D&D! does anybody know if its gonna be 24/7? some of them are. Hope so.
How about today that DD location is for Starbucks? People here still saying” go to local biz only”? Remember most chain stores came from mom-pop store and went big after. People only want LOCAL but forget the competition make things better….
How about that comedy club? Good stuff- can’t wait.
Dunkin’ Donuts was open at 6am this morning and the sign has now been fixed to read ‘espresso’. Too funny.
Too pho-nny.
Boo to Starbucks as well #53. Are you really calling Starbucks a mom and pop store. I think there would be just as big of an uproar on this blog if they were putting in a Starbucks.
Pho lovers of LIC unite!
any business that opens is good for the community. if you dont like it dont go there.
tried lic gyro, great move changing it from la vuelta, the food was great!!
Actually, I don’t mind DD openning up in LIC
however, their HUGE SIGN is really EYE SORE.
I’ve seen better DD sign in other neighbors…
I guess the DD owner doesn’t want to spend money on the sign…
Why does everyone blame landlords for everything going out of business? Businesses sign leases and agree to pay a set rent? No gun to their head. They come to the landlord not the other way around. When a place goes out: They usually owe rent and the landlord loses. Then its empty, no rent the landlord loses again. When a new tenant comes in the landlord has to pay for leases to be drawn up and negotiated . Landlord loses again. A new tenant gets all sorts of concessions including a free rent period. Landlord loses again. Permits are filed to make changes for the new business. Real Estate taxes go up based on improvements to the property that were for the benefit of the commercial tenant not the landlord. Guess who loses again.
I don’t feel bad for any landlord in NYC. Especially one that has owned a building for years in a recently developed area.
#62 is probably a landlord
#62 gimme a sec while I go find my violin. Poor landlords. It’s such a losing game to own a retail space in NYC, that’s why the city gives them away like peanuts. Yeah, right. You didn’t mention the thousands of dollars you make in overpriced rent. Win. The escalations are usually 4+% percent on commercial leases. Win. Ability to sue tenants who go under for the remainder of the lease (that they are not even renting and you will probably rent to someone else at the same time so you’ll get double rent) and also get lawyers feed paid if you win. WIN. Commercial landlords also own every single improvement the tenant makes to the space – meaning a tenant spend $250K on a build-out, the landlord owns it when they leave. Win. (That’s why you give the free rent for build-out.)
If there are any landlords who feel their space is too much of a losing burden on them, I am happy to relieve you of it, and so would be many people, which means clearly it’s not as bad as you make it sound. Post the address here and I’ll be over in 5 minutes. I’m sure I won’t mind the headaches of being a landlord while I’m sitting around passively collecting thousands of dollars in rent.
There was about a dozen people in DD this morning when I walked by at around 7:30am. I would have stopped in myself had I not been in a hurry. If this is any indication they will do just fine.
Is Petey’s Burgers going in to the old Art-O-Mat space on 47th Ave & Vernon?