Well, I have a follower on Twitter—with an actual name—who tells me she has heard first-hand from workers at the site of the former Strawberry on Austin Street that it is being turned into a Shake Shack. This is the strongest evidence I have so far about the rumors actually being true. I trust this long-time follower on Twitter and believe the only way this information can be wrong is if the worker didn't know what he was talking about, which would be odd indeed.
And, then there's this bizarre post today on the Queens Gazette website:
Shake Shack Coming To Forest Hills!
Jeez, if you have the information, just tell us. You're a newspaper, or, something... I don't actually know what the Queens Gazette is come to think of it.
Anyway, it looks like the proverbial cat has gotten out of the bag and the number of sources holding onto this ridiculous secret are starting to have trouble holding onto it and it is seeping out to the public. Why this is such a secret and being so closely guarded is truly one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen. What's the big freakin' deal? Just let us know already. This has been going on since at least June, with the first comments on this blog about the Shake Shack in the Strawberry location appearing back then.
In any case, I am starting to imagine a Shake Shack on Austin Street and delightful vittles like lip-smacking juicy burgers, awesome fries and indulgent shakes and desserts! Woe to my waist-line!
And, then there's this bizarre post today on the Queens Gazette website:
Shake Shack Coming To Forest Hills!
Jeez, if you have the information, just tell us. You're a newspaper, or, something... I don't actually know what the Queens Gazette is come to think of it.
Anyway, it looks like the proverbial cat has gotten out of the bag and the number of sources holding onto this ridiculous secret are starting to have trouble holding onto it and it is seeping out to the public. Why this is such a secret and being so closely guarded is truly one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen. What's the big freakin' deal? Just let us know already. This has been going on since at least June, with the first comments on this blog about the Shake Shack in the Strawberry location appearing back then.
In any case, I am starting to imagine a Shake Shack on Austin Street and delightful vittles like lip-smacking juicy burgers, awesome fries and indulgent shakes and desserts! Woe to my waist-line!
If not a Shake Shack, then definitely a restaurant of some sort. DOB filing is for change of use to "eating and drinking establishment".
ReplyDeleteThe applicant is Howell Belanger Castelli Architects.
Among their clients? Shake Shack!
It would definitely have to be a chain. Nothing else could afford a size that large and seems all the smaller independent restaurants prefer South Forest Hills / Metropolitan Ave.
DeleteHere is the incorporation information for Forest Hills.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bizapedia.com/de/SHAKE-SHACK-FOREST-HILLS-QUEENS-LLC.html
I don't know what bizpedia is, but it is not the official state database of either New York or Delaware. The official online records of the State of Delaware do not show any listing for Shake Shack Forest Hills LLC. If you check the file number shown in the bizapedia in the official database of the State of Delaware, it links to the records of Shake Shack New York LLC, not to Shake Shack Forest Hills LLC. The official database for the State of New York does not show either a New York entity known as Shake Shack Forest Hills LLC or a Delaware entity with that name and registered to do business in New York.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, in addition to Shake Shack being a client of Howell Belanger Castelli, so are Burger King, Bobby's Burger Palace, Houston's, Starbuck's, Boston Market and ten other food service entities.
I feel bad for Smashed and Twisted, they already seem to be struggling since it's usually empty when I pass by. This will be major competition. I wonder how Bare Burger will fare?
ReplyDeleteIf you really felt bad for them, you would at least know their name (Twist and Smash'd)
DeleteTwist and Smash'd needs table service and slightly upgraded decor, plus a liquor license (like they have in Astoria). If only they'd make it a nice comfy or glam place to eat, we would have taken our party of 6 off the half-hour line at Bare Burger recently and spent some Friday night money at T&S.
DeleteUh they also need normal size burgers
DeleteI'm usually sympathetic to struggling businesses, but Twisted and Smash'd is an example of poor management, overpriced food, and indifferent service. I ate there once and never again - tiny burgers, tasteless "potato on a stick." No tears shed if it closes.
DeleteTwist N Smashed is, in my opinion, delicious. And I don't think that their problem is table service or even booze, though those would help. It's time. They take FOREVER to make a burger. Are they carving the meat from scratch in the kitchen?
DeleteI stand by my review when Twist and Smash'd first opened: http://edgeofthecityblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/twist-smashd-review.html
DeleteThe food was great, the size of their portions, not so much. I maybe went back once in all this time because of that. I don't have $$$ to throw out on a premium burger and still leave hungry. Shake Shack I never have that issue with.
I went to T&S once and was unimpressed. It took forever, was fairly expensive, and was just average. Im actually surprised they havent closed already - they never look busy when i walk by. Unless SS causes some sort of weird spillover business for them, Im guessing they'll be closed soon.
DeleteI've gone to McDonalds more since my trip to T&S, and I dont even really like McDonald's. Haha.
I'm happy there'll be another burger joint to choose from! Though I'm still hoping there'll be better Asian restaurants to show face here also (like a really good ramen place or something).
ReplyDeleteI'll be first in line! Lines will be around the corner, I'm sure.
ReplyDeletewell, when forest hills decides to commit to something, we really commit. first, 'cheap whore'-looking dress stores (at least 10 to choose from). second, bars (station house, banter, & that filthy times square-wannabe public house all opened within a two month span). third, medical centers of all shapes and sizes. fourth, all the burgers in the world. cheeburger, twist and womp, bareburger, shake shack (RIP johnny rockets, you blew your load early). i'm excited to see what we'll get five of next.
ReplyDeleteThe rent for the location were JR used to be was so high that the owner moved and is netting more profit for doing similar volume.
DeleteI love Bareburger!! But I also love Shake Shack. I guess I'll ping-pong between the two. Bareburger has restaurant-like seating, though, which I like.
ReplyDeleteDelightful vittles are always a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with one of the above posters would love to see a great ramen joint ! I think it would really do well
ReplyDeleteI find it amusing that people on here were b!tching and moaning about Dunkin Donuts affecting the business of the smaller shops but on the flip side completely welcoming of a Shake Shack and not caring about the smaller shops affected by this.
ReplyDeleteThey already have the SHAKE SHACK sign up on the outside of the store on Austin Street! Patience people.....any day now. Yeah! I am so happy, sick of waiting on line in the city. Now I can wait down the block from home. LOL!
ReplyDeleteSee Ya at the SHACK!