Jackson Heights Life

For reference, 23,580 square feet would be only a little bit larger than FoodTown.

Quote from: Ms. Jackson on May 02, 2017, 09:21:04 AM

I am trying to see the positive developments that may come from this. I don't think this chain invasion would spill over to 37th for the most part. 82nd Street Partnership seems to really be courting them, though. Let's hope these chains contribute (monetarily and by pressuring the City) to improvements of the surrounding infrastructure: 82nd Street subway station needs improvements, tree pit improvements, potholes fixed faster... and also give the developers with many storefronts the ability to offer lower leases for some smaller, local shops (we can dream!).

Totally agree. 

I grew up in Astoria, and my family still lives there.  I like the small restaurants, the little indie shops and the general character of the shopping districts.  The merchants there care enough to keep the streets in front of their stores clean, to not overly clutter the sidewalk by displaying merchandise on sale for $1.99 and taking up all of the walking space (like they do on 82nd), and they try to keep current with trends in housewares and clothing.  Our commercial district is getting better since we moved here about 12 years ago, but we still have way too many cell phone stores, 99 cent shops, drug stores and shops that sell cheaply made clothing. 

If Target were taking the place of a cute indie boutique, I'd be concerned.  Instead, it's an anchor tenant in a new development that used to house an abandoned movie theater.  How is that not an improvement?

Quote from: jh35 on May 02, 2017, 11:26:37 AM

Quote from: Ms. Jackson on May 02, 2017, 09:21:04 AM

I am trying to see the positive developments that may come from this. I don't think this chain invasion would spill over to 37th for the most part. 82nd Street Partnership seems to really be courting them, though. Let's hope these chains contribute (monetarily and by pressuring the City) to improvements of the surrounding infrastructure: 82nd Street subway station needs improvements, tree pit improvements, potholes fixed faster... and also give the developers with many storefronts the ability to offer lower leases for some smaller, local shops (we can dream!).

 
I understand now that because I live at 73rd Street and 35th ave, I live in a different demographic than I would see at 82nd street and 37th avenue. But, why are people waxing nostalgic about the small stores in this area? Do you really like the proliferation of 99 cent type stores?

If we had decent stores and restaurants like those in Astoria, I would understand your horror that a large store is opening a mini mall in this area. But many of the stores in this area are are slummy. There are no first rate supermarkets, no decent bakery, the decent non-Boarshead delis are gone (previous italian and russia-polish delis). I have no real hope for decent stores in the Bruson building because they would have announced something by now.

The Target store is very small compared to any other City Target I can find online. It is not like they are opening BJ's on 37th avenue. As someone said it is only a little larger than Foodtown.

I doubt that everyone is happy with the stores in JH. I see the Freshdirect truck all the time in this area. I get a delivery at least once a week. It is outlandishly expensive. I would rather have decent local stores.

Sure, I could have been more diplomatic and not said "slummy" but I couldn't think of a better word to describe almost bodega like stores.

The prices of co-ops in JH have risen dramatically recently and still we argue about a Target store, which isn't even up-scale. It seems to be in Elmhurst and it is replacing a derelict movie theater. 

Maybe some people with connections could work together to get some decent stores here. It does not seem that this is happening evidenced by the inaction at the Bruson building. (and the management of the Bruson bldg.'s aspirations to get a Burger King.)

Apologies for the ramble.

(someone asked about charcuterie and artisanal cocktails, good luck with that.)

I'm having a negative reaction to your post.  I don't think Foodtown is "slummy" and the fact that you find any store that you consider "bodega-like" to be "slummy" is your problem.  This is what I worry about when people talk about gentrification.  We're "slummy" if we don't have a Whole Foods?  Also, you may not think that the bakeries around here are "decent" but, for me, Cannelle and Lety's are far more than decent.