Parking on Borden Ave, LIC
Well, well, well. It seems the neighborhood activists over at One Hunters Point condos at the corner of Borden Ave & Vernon Blvd are very busy these days making noise about problems in their immediate environment. First, a successful letter writing campaign to the MTA to decrease the drone from the nearby LIRR train engines (more successful than our politicians with the shuttle bus) and now this »
It has come to liQcity’s attention through multiple local tipsters that there’s been a bunch of recent muggings in the Hunters Point area, especially near the waterfront, that have apparently gone unreported through the local police. The buzz is:
A woman was mugged on Friday evening around 11pm at 47th Rd & Vernon Blvd. She was struck from behind and robbed of her possessions, including her coat. She was also denied the ability to file a police report with the 108th precinct, since she did not have ID on her. (direct from woman attacked)
A woman was mugged the prior weekend also at 47th Rd & Vernon Blvd, apparently also struck and robbed of her possessions, around 10pm. Police report supposedly unfiled. (from friend of woman attacked)
A man was mugged by multiple attackers, also robbed of his possessions at 44th Road & Vernon Blvd at an unknown time & day last week. Police report supposedly unfiled. (from friend of man attacked)
Four Vernon Blvd buildings/businesses between Jackson Ave & 46 Road were burglarized within the last two weeks. All incidents were supposedly able to file police reports.
liQcity has received other accounts of recent local muggings »
Last Saturday, right here on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City proved that Queens can deliver a fashion show to rival the fancypants at Bryant Park. Produced by Subdivision Boutique and Sumie Tachibana (a participating LIC designer-in-residence), the fashion show featured local Queens and Brooklyn designers, and sexily sizzled the large crowd in attendance »
Filipino BBQ & Sushi at ‘Ihawan’ to open soon, Long Island City
For over a year now, the stalled restaurant-to-be, Ihawan, has sat vacant and forlorn on 50th Ave right across from Cafe Henri. There have been all sorts of rumors as to why… something about the C of O not legally permitting a kitchen. Let’s just say, there were probably lots of lawyers and tears involved to get a restaurant to the finish line and not be able to cross it for one year and almost 4 months.
Well whatever the conflict is, it seems to be resolved now »
Antigone at the Secret Theatre, Hunters Point, Long Island City
You don’t need to go to Broadway, or even Brooklyn, to see great theater. Hunters Point boasts two excellent theaters, The Chocolate Factory whose new show, Red Metal Mailbox – [ ], is opening tomorrow night, and The Secret Theatre, whose latest production with The Queens Players, Sophocles’ Antigone, directed by Greg Cicchino, liQcity attended this past weekend.
The two theaters couldn’t be more different in terms of vision, approach, and repertory. While The Chocolate Factory excels in presenting new experimental and multimedia work, The Secret Theatre presents classics from the theater repertory, whether it’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, produced beautifully last fall with just the right proportion of kitch, or the classic Hamlet, coming up in April.
Within a few minutes of the Secret Theatre’s Antigone »
“Rescue Me” with Dennis Leary shooting on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
Despite the potential elimination of essential tax credits, television shows are still filming in Long Island City. An episode of “Rescue Me” with Dennis Leary is shooting today on Vernon Blvd at the St. Mary’s Church, and also in one of the top floors of Ten63 Jackson.
Small rental building on 51st Ave nears completion, Long Island City
While condo construction in Long Island City is tangibly stalled by the economic slowdown, some projects (new and in progress) are still going forward »
Baby’s clothes at Ethereal Boutique, 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC
liQcity welcomes two new sponsors who also have some great stuff for Long Island City, especially if you’re staying local this weekend »
Condo building at Vernon/Jackson continues to rise, Long Island City
In Long Island City real estate news, the buyer incentives being offered by various local condo developments are getting more press. With video. On the flip side, buyers in contract already at some of the local developments are, um, not happy »
Purple Pumpkin closes doors on Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
Well, well, well. How things can change so dramatically from one season to the next. 2008 saw more business openings in Long Island City than we could keep up with, and now in 2009 we’re seeing more retail vacancies than ever in Vernon/Jackson, including multiple businesses which seem to have gone under.
Next Level Floral didn’t even bother with the signs. They just quietly disappeared from their Vernon Blvd storefront (at 44th Drive) without a peep. The Purple Pumpkin has also closed their doors on Vernon, but are keeping up business activity on the website. It’s rumored that another Vernon business might move into the space, but it’s speculation at the moment so we’ll just leave it at that. Spa DiSilva didn’t even get officially started, but now they’re officially finished, and the retail space is for rent.
Generally, things are looking pretty bleak for retail on Vernon right now. Vacancies include »
View from the Ravel Hotel rooftop, Long Island City
Morning linkage right this way »
Pulaski Bridge, Long Island City
Some stuff going on around Vernon/Jackson tonight…
1) The Creek is hosting a community meeting tonight @ 7pm about creating a separate bike lane on the Pulaski Bridge, which runs between Long Island City & Greenpoint, Brooklyn:
“As long-time cyclists, TA members, and commuters in NYC, we are researching and advocating for the creation of a protected bike lane on the Pulaski bridge between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Long Island City, Queens Separate pedestrian and bike paths are critically needed on the bridge to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. In addition, our goal is to facilitate efficient multi-nodal access between North Brooklyn, Long Island City, eastern Queens, and important public transit hubs to and from Manhattan and other parts of the City.” 7pm, 10-90 Jackson Ave, just west of 11th St, Hunters Point
2) Live Spanish pop tonight at the LIC Bar »
5th Street parking to vanish like this view? -Long Island City
Ok Hunters Pointers, here’s your chance to get involved some good ol’ fashioned community politics (if you dare). On the table, the very controversial issue of neighborhood parking, specifically in the Vernon Jackson zone on Vernon, and also 11th Street. One possibility is increased metered parking on side streets near Vernon. (Hopefully also the DOT will address the dangerous intersection at Pulaski & Jackson Ave.) And parking also might be temporarily (permanently?) removed along the entire stretch of 5th street.
10-17 Jackson Ave, Long Island City. Rendering courtesy of V Studios
The new development rising on the famous corner of Vernon Blvd & Jackson Ave is finally identified as 10-17 Jackson Ave, a 9-story condo development with ground floor retail:
“It will contain approximately 33 units and ground floor retail which is being built with the potential for a restaurant in mind. The exterior will be a combination of floor to ceiling ribbon glass, stainless steel shingles, and perforated aluminum screens. The architect says that he is going to pains to blend in with the community.”
Hello liQcity readers. If you’ve noticed since the holidays posting has been sparse, it has. It will continue to be so until the end of Jan, picking up steam as some new contributors and partners come on board in Feb. We’ll throw some linkage and vitals out to you as we can, and please stay tuned for a greatly improved liQcity thanks mostly to all of your feedback. LIC is a great community and we are proud and honored to be a part of it.
Speaking of LIC community, a group of LIC business owners and residents are actively campaigning to get the City to help LIC business and general activity continue on the weekends while the 7 train is shut down for the next two months. (Seems they have wisely given up on our very disappointing transportation authority.)
Tomato & Wasabi, 25-36 Jackson Ave, Court Square, Long Island City (718) 361-0110
Long Island City really is becoming a nexus for sushi fusion… the latest is Tomato & Wasabi on Jackson Ave at the corner of 44th Drive in Court Square. Taking fusion to new heights (?) by combining Korean & Japanese cuisine with good ol’ NYC pizza. Hence »
Long Island City calendar, Art-O-Mat
Art-O-Mat, the LIC gallery and artisan craft store on Vernon Blvd, has released a Long Island City 2009 calendar exclusively featuring the work of local artists.
There will be a Opening Party for the calendar this Sunday, Dec 7th, from 7-10pm at Domaine bar a vins, 50-04 Vernon Blvd. The artwork featured in the calendar will be on display at Domaine for two weeks following the Opening Party on Sunday. Refreshments will be served, but of course.
View from 49th Ave & 5th Street looking South, Long Island City
The hotel development boom in Long Island City is not limited to Dutch Kills, though it certainly is concentrated in Queens Plaza. But never fear Vernon/Jackson, we are on the hotelier’s radars as well. It looks like a couple of adjacent parcels on 50th & 49th Aves between Vernon & 5th St are going to be transformed into a hotel »
Butcher Juice Bar and Hookah Cafe, 49-16 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
We got wind of a hookah bar opening above the Butcher Deli at 49-16 Vernon Blvd (corner of 50th St next to the parking lot) a while back, and didn’t hear anything again until recently, when signs have emerged announcing the Butcher Juice Bar & Hookah Cafe.
Sage General Store, 24-20 Jackson Ave, Court Square, LIC (718) 361-0707
This fall really boosted Long Island City’s supply of food. Just a quick recap of what’s opened since August: foodcellar, SHI, Duane Reade, Manducatis Rustica, and Sage General Store. Not to mention what’s in the works: MetFoods, Sushi Siam. Though it’s not very new, let’s throw Ion’s Corner Romanian Cafe into the mix as well, since it’s new to us. And Ihawan’s with us in spirit.
Marathon runners make their way down Vernon Blvd this past weekend, LIC
Holy Linkage! Well, we’re playing a bit of catch up, and as usual lots of activity in Long Island City.
The Queensbridge Theatre Cafe is progressing in its development in the little village of Ravenswood, just north of the Queensboro Bridge. Gothamist interviewed one of the owners about the dying nightscene in the LES and the consequent decision to open a venue in LIC, which is currently scheduled to pop in February 09.
Sushi Siam, Vernon Blvd @ 48th Ave, LIC
The new Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant that’s been brewing at the corner of 48th Ave & Vernon (the old 5SL sales office) has some signage action. Sushi Siam will soft open sometime in the middle of November. According to the new owners, the restaurant will feature a full Thai menu, along with Sushi and traditional Japanese offerings.
The storefront right next door is also undergoing a transformation into a dentist’s office. Actually, that whole block on Vernon »
Long Island City Halloween Events
There’s lots of Halloween activity going on tonight in Long Island City:
2:00 – 6:00pm Subdivision Boutique is hosting games and a trunk show. 48-18 Vernon Blvd
5:00 p Kids Parade down Vernon Blvd starting at Tournesol 50-12 Vernon Blvd
6:30 p (sharp) A Scary Witch tells a story at Manducatis Rustica, with apple cider and treats 46-35 Vernon Blvd
8:00 pm Lounge 47 is hosting a pumpkin carving party 47-10 Vernon Blvd
Radiant Movement Yoga and Pilates Studio at the Arris Lofts is hosting a Halloween Movement Feast tonight from 6-9pm, RSVP required.
If there are any other happenings tonight or this weekend for Halloween, feel free to post in the comments.
Cakes and tarts at Manducatis Rustica, 46-35 Vernon Blvd, LIC (718) 937-1312
For the Long Island City residents who hunger for a local bakery, you might want to stop by Manducatis Rustica and check out the handmade desserts. Someone else has. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the handmade gelato. There have been rumblings »
Ion’s Corner Cafe, 36-01 Vernon Blvd
If you’ve been biking down the not-so-new bike lanes on Vernon Blvd, perhaps you’ve noticed a not-so-new Romanian restaurant called Ion’s Corner Cafe on Vernon Blvd @ 36th Ave, right across the street from the pink bridge that goes to that little island between Queens & Manhattan. It’s been mentioned a few times in the liQcity comments, and a great not-so-new blog about happenings in Queens, local718, has a fantastic and detailed review of Ion’s Cafe »
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