I was just thinking how I miss having Staples right here in central Forest Hills. What a pain not to have it within walking distance any more. The car-less, like myself, now have to rely on ordering everything from them online and waiting a day or two to get it, or venturing to some nearby store by subway and then lugging bales of paper, etc. home. What an inconvenience. Do you guys find you can buy most of what they offered at other local stores? And while on the subject, do you miss any other local businesses that have shut their doors?
Venture more to Metropolitan Ave Drake! The Staples along Metropolitan Ave has everything (there's a Q23/Q54 bus stop right across the street). Trader Joe's and Michael's are right there and Panera Bread is just around the corner. If you get too tired from all the walking and lifting you can stop by at Eddie's for some home made ice cream.
ReplyDeleteOrder the boxes of paper online and get everything else along Metropolitan :D
Too much hassle for papers and other office supplies. Won't cut it for me. I didn't move to Forest Hills years ago so I would have to trek all the way down to Metropolitan Ave. to go shopping for these types of things. The only times I go to Metropolitan is when I have plenty of time to walk down there and get something good to eat or a friend takes me along by car.
DeleteLet's face it, there's a reason Metropolitan Ave. is so much quieter than Austin St., and that's basically the subway access. And I suspect those on Metropolitan Ave. like it that way. But that doesn't mean those of us without cars are going to undertake the hassle of shopping down there or heading down there to eat on a regular basis. It's just not realistic given we all have just so much time in a day.
DeleteI understand and I personally want Metropolitan to be the "hidden gem" of Forest Hills. Still a lot of local stores operating with a healthy dose of franchise stores. Very quiet but not too dead. Also near the park and the sight of horses passing by my street will never go old. It really is night and day in comparison to Austin Street. But it wouldn't hurt to go visit our side of town once in a while :P
DeleteHonestly, it's not THAT far on a nice enough day. I have a car and used to drive to Trader Joe's all the time, but after my son was born I realized I could just as easily walk there with him in the stroller. I made all the stops Anonymous mentioned (Trader Joe's, Michael's, Panera, Eddie's), and it's a pleasant walk. The Staples on Metropolitan is actually much nicer than the Continental one used to be anyway.
DeleteI always thought a "dollar van" type service would be perfect in our neighborhood. In DC, they have dollar buses that make limited stops from the district to sweet places like Georgetown. They run every 10 minutes so you know when the next one is coming. The MTA buses usually arent on schedule and make too many stops for a convenient roundtrip TJ's visit. I'd happily pay a dollar each way if they had a service (bus or van) that took you to the must haves on Metropolitan from 71st and Continental (I.e. TJ's, Home Depot, and Stop and Shop).
ReplyDeleteThe main reason why the MTA bus takes a while to get to Metropolitan Avenue is because of the private road along Continental Avenue. I would LOVE to have a shuttle just zip through Continental Ave from Metropolitan so I could get to Austin Street quicker.
DeleteDollar Vans were possible in D.C. because everything fell under the rules of Interstate Commerce, which tend to be looser compared to local regulations. There are some dollar vans in NYC, but only in under served neighborhoods and permits have been issued. We had dollar vans (Gwah-Gwah's) in New Jersey that traveled to New York. There was limited regulation, they had reckless drivers and the local municipalities had no right to inspect the vehicles for "safety" checks beyond semiannual state inspections. Walk, I'm sure you can use the exercise.
DeleteObviously I'm not proposing an under serviced business that you'd find in Flatbush (not bashing, I use to use the vans all the time). I think a shuttle van, similar to those serving airport/hotel transfers, would be welcomed. You say get exercise but lets be realistic when we're talking about shopping for home goods and groceries for a family. Maybe you can comfortably carry your groceries from TJ's, Stop and Shop, Staples, Home Depot and Sports Authority in a granny cart walking down 71st. In the meantime, I'll continue shopping in places within reach.
DeleteRouge.
ReplyDeleteI miss Rouge too!
DeleteThe best thing about Metropolitan is that you can take the Q54 bus to Williamsburg. Whoo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteHey thats pretty sweet, didnt know that
DeleteI drove down Metro to Williamsburg once and it seemed to take forever. longer than sitting in traffic on the LIE/BQE. Can only imagine how long the bus ride would be!
DeleteKoch and Nord, Buy Rite and Woolworth. Miss those three like crazy. I also miss Plasticworks, mainly because it was so kooky. Sidetrax too, for the same reason, there's no place where I can buy a frog in a bikini in Forest Hills anymore!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe I forgot Carvel on Queens Boulevard and Hallmark on Austin St. I love Carvel's parfaits. I miss Victor's on Austin St for purely nostalgic reasons.
DeleteLechter's. Well, I wouldn't really want Lechter's back, but rather a better version of Lechter's--something more along the line of Sur La Table.
ReplyDeleteYes! I've always thought a Sur La Table or a Williams Sonoma would do well here!
DeleteI wouldn't say no to a Whole Foods, either. (Or something similar)
Here is a throwback.. UJs Luncheonette on 70th Road. It was the best diner option in Forest Hills. Now we're left with TBone Diner and the dreaded Austin House. Can I barf now?
ReplyDeleteI second UJs. It could have used a facelift, but the food was decent enough. Would love for that type of "establishment" to open up in FH again.
DeleteOMG! UJs! I loved that place and was sad when they shut down. It really was the best diner option in our area, and while the food wasn't amazing, I thought it was pretty good. I also though the 50's themed décor kinda cute.
DeleteHere is a throwback.. UJs Luncheonette on 70th Road. It was the best diner option in Forest Hills. Now we're left with TBone Diner and the dreaded Austin House. Can I barf now?
ReplyDeleteI was a bit pleased when the 71st Staples closed, but only because I constantly found the employees there very rude, lazy, and incompetent. However, I do miss having it there. I don't go to Staples often, but when I do I find myself having to go several times in a short amount of time. I've been having to either drive to Metro now, or go to the Rego Park staples by my parent's place. In the alternative, I now find myself embezzling office supplies from work more often, but that's a whole other story...
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Staples on Continental had the rudest staff. I stopped going there long before they closed and drive to Metro. The lot there is hell, I park at Home Depot and take my chances. But hey, Trader Joe's, the craft store, one stop shopping!
DeleteI agree the parking lot for Staples is reason enough to stay away.
DeleteI would say Rouge. There needs to be a French bistro to come back to FH. Outdoor seating a plus. They can even serve La Boulangerie baguettes at the table.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be Franks and Fries on Continental. Where can you get a good kosher hot dog and waffle fries around here?
I do miss Staples but didn't shop there often. I tend to order things online these days or go to the one in Rego Park or Metro too.
Ahhhh. Annie's Franks and Fries. Good product and was always busy. I believe it was located where Invite Health shop is now. If there was a spot available with reasonable rent, a hot dog joint would do well.
ReplyDeleteI miss UJ's too! I also miss two make-your-own-salad places -- there was on on 72nd Rd down the block from where La Boulangerie is now, and then there was one in the mini-mall down by Barnes & Noble that would also give you fresh hot rolls with your salad. I don't know why we can't seem to keep a decent salad place open in the Hills.
ReplyDeleteMost missed business: Anne's Franks & Fries!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why there's still a Staples store on Metropolitan Avenue. In this day and age when you can order everything on line from Staples, unless it is a drop-dead emergency, you will have it in two days. Have I used the Staples on Metropolitan Avenue, yes I have. But I only go there to drop off UPS packages. Depending on what you spend, it is easy to get free shipping. If I am ordering a bunch of stuff, but it is not enough for free shipping, I will add a box or two of Keurig K-Cups to hit the free shipping bogey. If not it is also possible to find some free-shipping promo code.
ReplyDeleteOKO Yogurt (used to be next door to NY & Co.) has closed. Won't be the most missed but they had good bubble tea, soups and sandwiches. Oh well.
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ReplyDeleteOKO is now a sushi place. Guess they weren't closing. Just a lil remodeling.
ReplyDeleteLiang's....it was one of my fave restaurants.
ReplyDeleteI have far, far too many of these! I desperately miss Homefront Decor (formerly across the street from OLQM), which closed last fall. I bought some gorgeous pieces there - a side table, a couple of Victorian style lamps and some adorable smaller items - over the years. It was a beautiful shop and it suited this neighborhood perfectly. I also miss the old Mardi Gras restaurant - almost more than I can say. I only ate there once a month or so, but just walking past that bright yellow facade every day made me happy. Now whenever I walk past that awful generic bistro that's taken its place I want to cry.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other commenters who mentioned Rouge. Wonderful food, wonderful atmosphere. I loved it there. I find it amazing that Forest Hills currently has more than half a dozen places where you can grab a quick burger, but no French bistro.
I'm going back at least ten years here, but I also miss the Disney Store that used to be located across from Restaurant Row. (I believe Ann Taylor Loft occupies that spot now?) And The Melting Pot, aka the fondue place that used to be in Station Square! And Art World, the antiques shop/framing store that used to be near where The Flying Pig is now....I recently found out that Art World has a new store space nearby on Metropolitan Avenue...but it just isn't the same. :(
Does anyone have a picture of the UJs restaurant? I cannot for the life of me find it on google.
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