The Buffalo Wild Wings sign is, anyway... Here are a couple of shots of their new sign on what used to be the Forest Hills Theater. I wonder how many people walking along 71st Continental Ave. these days even realize that this building, which now houses a Duane Reade and the soon-to-open Buffalo Wild Wings chain restaurant, used to be a grand old movie house?
In any case, the new Buffalo Wild Wings sign is quite a bit of overkill if you ask me. It's sad enough that this beautiful theater (see photo below, courtesy of the website Cinema Treasures) had to close its doors years ago and become a drugstore, Staples and now a chain restaurant, but does its beautiful historical facade have to be defaced by such loud signage? I'm all for new businesses opening here, don't get me wrong—as long as they respect the character of the neighborhood. Maybe I could understand signs like these way up high if the building had exposure to Queens Blvd, where many people could notice it. But this new sign can only be seen from across the street...
See more photos of the old theater at this Rego-Forest Preservation Council photoset site.
In any case, the new Buffalo Wild Wings sign is quite a bit of overkill if you ask me. It's sad enough that this beautiful theater (see photo below, courtesy of the website Cinema Treasures) had to close its doors years ago and become a drugstore, Staples and now a chain restaurant, but does its beautiful historical facade have to be defaced by such loud signage? I'm all for new businesses opening here, don't get me wrong—as long as they respect the character of the neighborhood. Maybe I could understand signs like these way up high if the building had exposure to Queens Blvd, where many people could notice it. But this new sign can only be seen from across the street...
