Sept. 2, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge
An old-school coffee shop on the corner of 30th Avenue and Crescent Street is revamping after more than three decades in the neighborhood.
The Crescent Corner Coffee Shop, at 23-42 30th Ave. – next to Mount Sinai Queens – is closed for renovation with plans to transform into a more upscale diner, according to co-owner John Sakellis.
The restaurant will upgrade the standard coffee shop fare it has offered for years, Sakellis said. Daily fresh cream soups will replace canned soups, paninis and wraps will replace hot open sandwiches, and a number of dinner items will be added to the menu.
By Sakellis’ description, the revamp will allow him to negotiate shifting tastes and demographics in the neighborhood.
“What we’re doing is trying to upgrade the store according to today’s demand [and what] the new clientele are looking for,” he explained.
However, he added, “we’re not going to do drastic changes to scare the people away we want to keep, especially the older people that used to come in – I want to keep them in the neighborhood, I want them to feel comfortable.”
Sakellis said he will likely change the name of the eatery to eliminate the phrase “coffee shop.” Hours will also be extended for dinner until 10 p.m.
Sakellis aims to reopen by the beginning of October.
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9 Comments
You mean they are finally going to clean the bathroom?
I liked the old school coffee shop, it’s part of Astoria culture but being the previous owners couldn’t afford the new lease of 15k, they opted to sell the business. As for the new owner, I wish him luck in his new endeavor. As to the lady that made the remark of older people won’t be around long, true, imagine when you get there as well lol. For myself I encourage new business but remember, the gentrification that Astoria has gone through the last 5 years and rents skyrocketing where young individuals are forced to lose their privacy buy sharing apartments should leave you thinking the older folks are deep router where as the younger ones are always hopping around to accommodate their income bracket. In other words, today you might be sharing an apartment on 30th avenue and tomorrow you might find yourself moving because either you can not afford it or you don’t get along with your roommates. Therefore your roofed have to accommodate both parties. Many upscale restaurants pop up and the in thing is to try them on occasion. Sometimes old fashioned establishments are more bang for your buck and a sense of family. Just like cheers, everyone knows your name.
The previous owner, Kosta, still owns the store as well. Always had good and fresh food!
They need to open a Starbucks!
About time. This place is a dump. Hopefully the old owners are gone. Very rude people.
Mike’s Diner upgraded and lost a lot of people. (they upgraded their prices too) I like this coffee shop. Hope they still have those good morning specials.
Went in there after getting my broken nose attended to…. boy did the old guard stare down my husband… (I had fallen and cracked my nose on the corner wall at the bottom of our steps) Sometimes old school is the right school.
Mike’s Diner just refaced their front and replaced the windows with retractable door windows. I can understand the prices driving away people, but not a minor renovation (which is a major improvement IMO).
People in the Ditmars area have other options nowadays especially when one opens up every other month.
Thank god! My mother went in there when I was at Mount Sinai Queens to get me and her something to eat. She walked in the door and before taking another step she walked out. I hope he does make drastic changes. He shouldn’t be afraid to make them. The older clientelle won’t be around forever and there are many newer, younger people coming in and out of Mount Sinai who he could really profit from. I like the longer hours but 24 hour would be great too. It’s what the neighborhood needs.