Dec. 26, 2018 By Meghan Sackman Assemblymember Aravella Simotas is continuing to make significant strides toward fighting sexual harassment, with the lawmaker set to introduce six bills in the new legislative session aimed at aiding and protecting victims. Simotas, who will introduce the package of bills next month, says the proposed legislation will help victims… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Christian Murray A liquor store operator with a checkered history is about to face fierce opposition as he attempts to open a new store by Astoria Houses. Xiao Wang, who operated the now-shuttered Baba Wine & Liquor at 3-15 27th Ave., plans to open a liquor store at 8-23 Astoria Blvd.,… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Meghan Sackman and Nathaly Pesantez A retired judge and former NYPD officer is facing an uphill battle in his quest to open a bikini bar at the troubled site that housed Aces. John Marks, who served in the Marines, was an NYPD officer in the 1970s, and is now a retired… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Meghan Sackman The California Farmer’s Market off Ditmars Boulevard has closed, with its last day of business held last Saturday. The 24-hour market, located at 21-61 31st St. opened about six years ago in 2012 and offered organic fruits, vegetables, fish and other grocery products. Calls to the supermarket for comment… Read more »
Dec. 20, 2018 By Meghan Sackman A New York City-based barbecue chain is planning on opening an Astoria location, and has scooped up the recently shuttered Studio Square space for its expansion. Pig Beach, a rustic barbecue-and-beer concept with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, will take up the 30,000 square foot venue at 35-33 36th… Read more »
Dec. 19, 2018 By Meghan Sackman A Manhattan hair salon has come under fire after one of its patrons, an Astoria woman, received a receipt from an employee with a racist slur written on it. The patron, Briana Tae, went to a Murray Hill Drybar at around 6 p.m. on Monday to get her hair… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2018 By Meghan Sackman After months of work, Nino’s AQ, an Italian restaurant, has at last opened its doors on Ditmars Boulevard. The restaurant opened at 35-01 Ditmars Blvd. on Dec. 5, and is the second Nino’s location for brothers Michael and Franco Vendome, who also run Nino’s 46 in Manhattan. The restaurateurs… Read more »
Dec. 17, 2018 By Christian Murray A Manhattan-based developer has filed plans to demolish a gas station on 21st Street and replace it with apartments and ground floor retail space. The plans call for the demolition of the Gulf Station at 21-09 21st Street. The property was bought by Barry J Leon, a partner in… Read more »
Dec. 14, 2018 By Meghan Sackman The Queens Library at Astoria near Hallets Cove is set to undergo a major revamp that officials say will re-envision the library as a “21st century learning facility for western Queens.” The library at 14-01 Astoria Blvd. has received $3.3 million in funding toward a full renovation as part… Read more »
Dec. 13, 2018 By Christian Murray The police are looking for a man who mugged two men–in two separate incidents–in Astoria this week. The first robbery took place at around 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday when the suspect approached a 24-year-old man from behind in front of 30-50 23rd St. and grabbed him by the neck…. Read more »