Author: sobrien

Starbucks expands in Long Island City with new Vernon Boulevard location

Feb. 18, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  A Long Island City street corner that has witnessed a rapid rate of business turnover in recent years is now home to a new Starbucks location. The multinational coffeehouse giant opened its doors at 49-19 Vernon Blvd. on the corner of Vernon Boulevard and 50th Avenue late last year,… Read more »

Astoria rallies to save 90-year-old shoe repair shop after devastating fire

Hong's Shoe Repair suffered extensive damage in a blaze last Thursday. Photo Manuel Nunez

Feb. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Astoria residents have rallied to save a local shoe repair store that has served the neighborhood for over 90 years after the store suffered extensive damage during a fire last Thursday. Hong’s Shoe Repair, located at 22-60 31st St., suffered severe damage during the blaze, which broke out early… Read more »

Sunnyside seniors press Mayor Adams on transit, homelessness during town hall

Feb. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Mayor Eric Adams held an older adult town hall at Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) on Wednesday as part of a city-wide series facilitating older adult conversations with the mayor. The event, which took place at SCS’s headquarters at 43-31 39th St. on Feb. 12, was the 19th in a… Read more »

Materials for the Arts in LIC launches Young Designers program to empower the next generation of fashion talent

Models wear designs by 2024 MFTA Young Designer Miles Gaffney at Brooklyn Fashion Week. Photo by Shawn Punch.

Feb. 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Materials for the Arts (MFTA), a creative reuse center and exhibition space in Long Island City operated by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, has announced the launch of its Young Designers program. This initiative, in partnership with the BK Style Foundation, offers talented young designers, aged 18 to… Read more »

NYCHA residents invited to apply for Rise Light & Power-sponsored climate action grants to support sustainability efforts

Feb. 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien NYCHA residents across the city are invited to apply for a Rise Light & Power-sponsored community climate grant, which supports community-based projects addressing collaborative climate action and sustainability. NYCHA’s Resident Climate Action Grants program, now in its third year, is facilitated by the New York Climate Exchange and the… Read more »

Two Astoria women join newly formed Jersey Shore Wave women’s American football team

Feb. 12, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Two Astoria women have joined newly-formed Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) team the Jersey Shore Wave ahead of the new season of the highest level of professional women’s American football in the United States. Veteran quarterback Danneille Ayala, an NYU student studying sports management, and rookie wide receiver Megan… Read more »

Chocolate Factory Theater in LIC receives $1 million grant from State Sen. Gonzalez, moves closer to renovation funding goal

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez presents the Chocolate Factory Theater with $1 million grant last month. Photo: Office of State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez

Feb. 12, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez has awarded the Chocolate Factory Theater, a Long Island City performance space, a $1 million grant to fund the complete redevelopment of its permanent LIC facility. Gonzalez visited the Chocolate Factory Theater at 38-29 24th St. on Jan. 11 and presented it with a $1 million check… Read more »

CM Julie Won announces second round of surveys for OneLIC plan

Photo: Office of Council Member Julie Won

Feb. 11, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Council Member Julie Won and the Department of City Planning (DCP) have announced a new survey for three publicly-owned Long Island City sites near Anable Basin to solicit community feedback about local priorities for the three locations. The three sites, which include the six-story, 672,000-square-foot Department of Education building at… Read more »

Sunnyside Shines and Woodside on the Move launch ‘Restaurant Week of the Sides’ to support local eateries

Feb. 11, 2025 by Shane O’Brien Sunnyside Shines and Woodside on the Move will host the inaugural “Restaurant Week of the Sides” starting this Sunday, celebrating a diverse range of culinary options in both neighborhoods situated along the 7 line. The new Restaurant Week concept, which runs from Feb. 16 through March 2, features over… Read more »