Queens' Big Apple

Apple Store Opening This Weekend in Queens Center Mall

I've seen this reported on a couple of business news sites, including New York Business Journal, which says it will open there this Saturday. So this would be much, much earlier than initial reports a few months ago reported.

Apple Store Coming to Queens Center Mall

It marks Apple's first store in Queens, and the company reportedly says it will be the biggest store in a New York mall...

The news was reported today on the 9to5Mac blog:

First Apple Store coming to Queens as new Brooklyn & Manhattan stores running behind

The first Apple Store for Queens will be located in the Queens Center Mall on the second floor. One source says this store will be the largest Apple retail outlet located in a New York mall to date, and Apple is expecting revenues for this store to even beat out some of its flagship counterparts located elsewhere in the state. The store is under construction and is expected to open later in 2015, but an official announcement may come sooner…

Rumors and Happenings

Just a few tidbits people have either commented about, or I've seen. Various rumors and possibilities and stuff still to be sorted out:

1) Very surprised to hear that Moca Asian Bistro on Restaurant Row was shut down by the health department recently. I have been leaning towards Jade recently for my Asian fusion fare, but this was always a close second. I especially liked their boneless bbq spare ribs. They even made it onto my Recommended Restaurants list. Hopefully, they'll reopen.

2) And while I'm on Restaurant Row, hard to believe that someone hasn't snatched up the former Liang's space there. I mean if you are anyone who wants to own a restaurant, it's one of the best locations in Forest Hills, possibly all of Queens. Thousands of people come to that street every weekend to eat from all over the Borough, Long Island, and the rest of the City. Hard to see how a good restaurant wouldn't thrive big-time in that location.

3) A couple of things from comments here: a) Apple store is the rumor that refuses to die. The latest had it going into the Men's Warehouse location on Austin, and b) Lucille Roberts will be closing. Can't vouch for either of those, just telling you what others have commented about here in the past couple of months. By the way, how much longer do you think Barnes & Noble has? I used to love browsing in there, but have to admit I haven't done so in months since I've gotten my Kindle. I now browse electronically, virtually, whatever.

4) Crimes in The Gardens. A friend sent me some photos this morning of a beautiful new car stripped apparently overnight of all its tires. I'm not posting the pics because I don't want to invade the victim's privacy. But what chutzpah these thieves have, so brazen. The car in the photo is clumsily lifted up off the street by pieces of wood, quite precariously by the way.

Apple Store Of My Eye

Over the weekend I went to take a look at the former Mandee store on Austin because someone on the Facebook page was wondering what they're doing there. There is some construction going on, but lord knows what is being done. There were no clues from looking at it.

And then I turned around and right in front of my face I realized is the absolutely perfect building in Forest Hills for the much-rumored Apple Store....
Enough space? Check. More than enough.
Perfect location? Check.
Cool, urban-chic architecture? Check...

What more could they ask for?!

One Sweet Apple

Whether we end up getting the Apple Store or not, the story sure has brought Forest Hills a shot of some great -- and far-reaching -- buzz! And, there ain't nothing wrong with that!

Apple Store Coming to Queens, NYC: Why Not Brooklyn?

It feels kinda nice to be seeing headlines like these. We've been playing second fiddle to Brooklyn for so long, it's cool to see the tables turned for a change! :)

Apple Store: Why, and Why Not?

Here are some thoughts on why I think Apple would want to open a store on Austin, and why it wouldn't:

Why:

1. The company could make another big splash by redesigning a stand-alone building in a major Queens hub. They like to do something eye-catching architecturally sometimes, rather than just open another mall outlet. An Austin St. location, especially that large empty building down near Barnes & Noble, could provide that.
2. Our demographics are very Apple-friendly. A lot of young people moving into Forest Hills. And, a lot of people with money.
3. Easy proximity to transportation, from all the subway lines to the LIRR to Queens Blvd.
4. Our demographics are very Apple friendly. A lot of people with just an average amount of money. Have you looked at Apple products lately? You don't need to have a lot of money to snag an iPod.
5. The lack of parking. Yes, that's right, the lack of parking. You don't need a car to buy an iPod which clips onto your tie.
6. The lack of parking, part 2. How much more hip can you get than an Apple store which caters to all the young people of Queens who don't drive, but walk? And Apple likes to be hip.
7. Space. We have lots of it on Austin.
8. Forest Hills. It's an up and coming neighborhood. How many are there in Queens?
9. Forest Hills - it has one thing Queens Center Mall and Rego Center don't have. Um, it's actually fun to shop! (And would be even more fun... if we had an Apple store :) )

Why Not:

1. The developer has reportedly bragged about big deals like this before, and they haven't come to fruition.
2. Foot traffic, or lack thereof. Apple might be taking a risk. Would the store attract enough customers, compared with, say, the Queens Center Mall?
3. Forest Hills - our neighborhood is changing, but that's just it, it is changing. Its demos are partially very Apple-friendly. But there's also a large part of the population that still uses typewriters ;)

Austin to get Apple Store?

Hmmmm, so it appears all those rumblings about an Apple store coming to Forest Hills have been true after all.... Need I say this is beyond exciting?

From The Daily News:
Queens aims for Apple core 
Developer angling for iconic store in Forest Hills

Could this be the location? I think this used to be Mandee, down at 7000 Austin. And I think it's still empty, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.