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…

Odd, Disney-esque Villa Taking Shape

I couldn't help but notice this odd, Disney-like villa taking shape near the Queens Center Mall when I went for my periodic DMV-like experience at the Time Warner Cable Center today. It seems that the illusional pleasantness of "America" is encroaching upon, of all places, the NYC Borough of Queens! Who would've thunk! This block appears to contain an Olive Garden which looks like something out of the Harry Potter Theme Park experience down in Orlando and I am told there will be a few other chain restaurants.

Queens Center Mall Owners Bought Atlas Park

I guess if anyone has a chance of reviving the struggling Atlas Park, it would be these guys:

From The Daily News:

THE FIRM that runs Queens Center Mall, among the nation's busiest shopping centers, landed a struggling rival complex at a recent foreclosure auction:
Qns. Center Mall owners snap up rival at foreclosure sale