Born in '51, I've lived in Jackson Heights my entire life. To comment on some of the things I've just read: the store that once occupied the block between 81st & 82nd on 37th Ave., was Fields. It had good quality clothes for the family. Eventually it became CSR or whatever it is and the quality is definitely long gone. Down 82nd was a women's store named Clarks that had somewhat pricey, but good quality ladies clothing. Across the street is where the Colony Theater used to be. On the other side of Roosevelt was the Jackson Theater recently closed.
The area now housing the Natives Restaurant on Northern Blvd. & 82nd St. was the Boulevard Theater that also served as the place from which we graduates of JHS 145 said goodbye to junior high. Oh, Pulitzer, Oh, Pulitzer, the scene of happy days!!!
Some of the restaurants that are no longer serving the area are Luigi's and Dragon Seed, although the Cavalier is still sitting on 37th around 87th St.
There used to be a great gourmet food store on the corner of 76th & 37th that had windows laden with string licorice, candy dots and all sorts of other "penny" candy that made me drool as a kid. Inside, of course, were all sorts of "adult" goodies like caviar, cheeses from around the world, etc. The store actually still exists on the other side of 37th & 76th (going toward 35th avenue) but it is much smaller and no longer has all the goodies.
I grew up on 93rd St. & Elmhurst Ave., diagonally across from the Polk Theater that was great until the early 70's when it went porno. Across from the Polk was a triangle street that went from 93rd to 94th Street and sat between Elmhurst & 37th Aves. Sitting on this triangle was a large Carvel that, alas, closed years ago. The block has now been filled up with a variety of stores.
One staple of the area that has fought the changes seems to be Jahn's; long live the Kitchen Sink!
I know all I'd have to do is start chatting with some of my old friends and more memories would come back. In the meantime, here's to Jackson Heights!
