Long Island City’s retail unleashing a bounty this Spring

The retail glut that was plaguing Vernon/Jackson this winter, seems to rebounding with a vengeance. Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Newly Open

• A new hair salon called New York Looks has opened in the old Purple Pumpkin space. Specializing in coloring, wet/dry cuts, mani/pedis & full-service waxing. 47-14 Vernon Blvd, Vernon/Jackson, LIC, 718.784.3857

• Dutch Kills Bar is open! Experience the classic cocktail, painstakingly recreated in our hood. 27-24 Jackson Ave, Court Sq, LIC

Impending

• Matted LIC, a custom framing & gift shop, is opening in the old Casa Vizcaya sales office. The store will feature an art gallery, a large selection of frames, handcrafted gifts, home furnishing and personal accessories. The owners are bringing their experience of 37 years in business as Frame Art Gallery in Fresh Meadows, Queens. The store will be accepting portfolios from local artists to display in the gallery. More info coming soon. The store should be open with in a couple of weeks. 46-36 Vernon Blvd, Vernon/Jackson, LIC

• It’s official, LIC is going to the dogs. Some kind of Doggy Day Spa/pet store is rumored to be coming to the 2500 SF retail space in the bottom of Avalon Riverview North 4-75 48th Ave, Queenswest, LIC

• Also a rumor: a new, fancy Italian furniture store is slated to arrive in the ground floor retail space at 10-50 Jackson Ave.

• In the space next to Ethereal Boutique is manifesting an American/Latin bistro. Projected to open in the early fall. 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC

• Old, old Next Level Floral space at 47-30 Vernon Blvd is still manifesting some kind of mystery restaurant, still sort of rumored to be Italian. (Super-Rumor)

• There’s a new pub still brewing in the old McReily’s space. Burgers, fries, beer…you know, a pub.

• Ihawan is scheduled to pop next week. We’ll keep you updated.

Not Happening

• Supposedly, Dunkin Donuts is no longer coming to Ten63 Jackson. It seems the residents opposed the national chain tenant, and apparently the developer listened. No donuts for LIC.

Closing Doors

• We’ll do a dedicated post about this, but just to get the word out… Art-O-Mat will be sadly closing its doors at the end of this month.

“ARTOMAT TO SAY GOODBYE?? — As some are now aware, we have made the difficult decision to wind ARTOMAT down and close its doors. We have had an amazing run and we are grateful for the incredible support all of you have given just by being there. We are especially indebted to our dedicated volunteers. We have had support and enthusiasm from the family owners of Plaxall the likes of which we have not seen anywhere else. And most important we feel we have shown the need in this community for the type of space ARTOMAT has been.”