Get Connected > Jackson Heights of Yesteryear
Any long time Jackson Heights residents out there?
Chuckster:
I've been living in the neighborhood for a little over 30 years now, and have witnessed many interesting changes in Jackson Heights. Just along the strip of 37th Avenue, along the 70s, there's been so much turnover in businesses and at the same time, we've also had a few that have held their ground. Here are a few for those that may be curious:
Courtesy Drug Store then a Rockbottom Pharmacy where the now Commerce Bank is located at 74th Street
Key Food Supermarket where the now Duane Reade is located at 73rd Street
Pizza Boy pizzeria -- seems like they've been there for quite a while...at least since the mid-1970s
Large liquor store on the southwest corner of 37th and 75th Street
Decent fish market next door to Dunkin Donuts on 37th Ave
Lousy fish market on the northeast corner of 78th Street and 37th Ave
Used bookstore (very quaint) -- on 37th Ave., somewhere between 77th and 78th Street approx.
Fur coat storage and cleaning service, next door to bookstore mentioned above
Brandon's trinket shop on 37th near Baskin Robbins - also very quaint.
Trade Fair was another supermarket in those days. It seemed to cater more to the neighborhood elderly and always seemed to be poorly stocked.
Met was also a supermarket (Shop Wise). If you think it's bad now, you should have seen it back then.
Social Security Office maintained a branch on Roosevelt Avenue where the large 99 cent store is now located
Mom and Pop butcher shop on 74th Street before Roosevelt Avenue
Lamston's shop (similar to Woolworth's) on 74th Street
Another Key Food supermarket on 74th Street
Stationery and school supplies store on 74th Street
Mature woman's garment shop on 74th Street
Photo developing shop on 74th Street
Hardware/Houseware shop on 74th Street
2 Floor Woolworth's on 82nd Street
WOW! I think 74th Street has seen the biggest change. Anyone out there want to add some more? It would be interesting to know what existed even earlier.
fishcado:
I saw a Pizza Boy delivery car the other night. I was wondering it if was the same one.
Don't forget the Lamston's that use to be on 74th Street and the Colony Theater on 82nd street (I used to work there as an usher was "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot" too many times to remember).
fishcado:
Oops saw you mentioned Lamstons. There used to be the Discount Books where the Realty store is on 77th Street and the old antique/thrift ship that used to be next to the newspaper store on 75th street.
Avela:
How about Ferns Stationary on 74th Street?
Aronan:
I'm born and raised in Jackson Heights.
I went to PS 69 and IS 145 when they were literally half the size they are now.
Across the St. from PS 69 there used to be a Sizzler where the Jewish Community Center now stands.
The liquor store mentioned above was actually on 73rd st. It was Sam's Liquor Store, Sam always gave me pennies when I went in there with my father.
On the corner of 73rd St. and 37th road where Kabbab King is now, there used to be a place called Dumbarton Oaks, it was a stripper bar but prior to that it was actually a respectable restaurant (or so I've been told).
On the same block just past the Eagle (or Earle) theater there was a pizza shop, Benny and Tony were the father son team that ran the place. Sal's barber shop (now on 76th st.) was also there. Sal still cuts my hair some times. A tiny little deli that never seemed to do any business, and The Magic Touch an old style gay bar. Across the st. there was a type writer repair show. which lasted for the longest time and I believe was replaced by a travel agent.
Going west on Broadway where the Korean Market is now, there used to be an A&P.
One more block west at 72nd and Broadway there was Gibbons, an Irish bar & restaurant.
Over to 37th ave. near 79th St. where Novo currently is was Barrs Toy store. Next to it where the Starbucks is allegedly going was a bridal shop.
On the South side of 37th ave between 74th and 75th there was a Carvel Ice Cream store.
The building that currently houses The Renaissance Charter School on 37th ave between 81st and 82nd used to be C&S a horrible department store that no one ever went to.
There was a candy store on the South East corner of 82nd St.
The Woolworth's on 82nd st. was indeed 2 floors and had a diner in it.
On Northern Boulevard next to the Mark Twain Diner there used to be an Arby's. Where Rite Aid is now there was a C-Town.
On 76th St. just behind a small car lot there used to be Northern Lanes. Our other bowling alley.
Natives on 83rd and Northern used to be a movie theatre.
That's all that comes to mind at the moment.
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