Jolson’s Liquor at 22-24 31st St. (NYC ZoLa)
Oct. 30, 2018 By Laura Hanrahan
After 85 years, Jolson’s Fine Wine and Spirits will be closing up shop—but only temporarily.
The store is moving from its site on 22-24 31st Street to a new and what appears to be a smaller location three blocks west at 26-20 23rd Avenue.
The store manager, Albert, who has worked at Jolson’s for 11 years, said the move was spurred by increasing rent prices in Astoria.
“You’re paying Madison Avenue prices on 31st Street,” he told Astoria Post.
The store’s last day at its current site will be tomorrow, and all remaining inventory will be heavily discounted.
Jolson’s new location, which was previously home to Jumping Bulldog, a dog day care, is expected to open in January 2019.
The store owners are currently waiting for a new license for the 23rd Avenue store. Once that has been granted, they will be able to open its doors.
Jolson’s is one of the oldest businesses in Astoria, and started in 1935 in its original Ditmars Boulevard location. It then moved to the former CVS location now under development on 31st Street, according to the Astoria Characters blog, before settling—for a bit—in its current location.
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9 Comments
The owners have changed over 85 years however a billion dollar company Jewel Management bought the building over twenty years ago. They own most of Ditmars and 31 Street and own the soon to be mall! Thanks to them Ditmars is going to look very different in five years! Maybe sooner! No more small businesses!
owner/manager is a very nice guy, and always has great recommendations. Will continue supporting no matter where they are located in Astoria.
I hope the new location keeps the “hurricane knocked over a recycling bin in 1972” appearance of the old one
Cheers to Robert, for a new location! Yes, keep the signage for sure, it’s what keeps Astoria historical.
Please keep the vintage sign and feel. And the cats!
I thought they owned the building.
You would think that over the course of 85 years somebody would have had the idea that they should own their own building. Buildings like that used to go for cheap, unfortunately not anymore.
Common sense is not that common.
The Jolson owners have not been the same for 85 years! The property was bought by a billion dollar company Jenel Management 15 years ago! They own most of Ditmars and 31 Street. Thanks to them Astoria will look very different in the next 5 years! Maybe sooner!