This Is Queensborough: April 2023

I’m

GJDC

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131

Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement

Produced by BQE Media 45-23 47th Street, 2nd Floor Woodside 11377• 718.426.7200

Send articles & photos to: queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

One Team for All

specifically our New York Mets. I’ve been a proud fan for decades and I’m thrilled to share the love of the game with my teenage son, who in his own right is one heck of a player.

The season runs from April 1 through October 3rd, not including playoffs with 162 games on their schedule. It’s one baseball team for me but as it relates to Queens Chamber the one team is our business community.

THOMAS J. GRECH PRESIDENT & CEO

HOWARD GRAF CHAIRPERSON

What makes a great community? Is it the people? Is it the business? Might it be community resources like the librar-

The Chamber staff tirelessly works on your behalf providing business resources, networking opportunities to expand avenues which grow your clientele, and advocating on your behalf to create a more sustainable community for you to conduct business.

Allow me the opportunity to direct your attention to our Chamber Events calendar via our website www.queenschamber.org where numerous opportunities are

listed designed with you in mind to develop and strengthen your organizations.

For instance, Commercial Lease Assistance Program Overview +, this virtual information session in partnership with Accompany Capital will provide you with helpful tips on signing and negotiating a commercial lease.

Perhaps you’re in need of resources, and as a business owner this should always be on your list. Register to attend our complimentary Business Resources Fair at Poppenhusen Institute in College Point. By way of this fair, you’ll meet representatives from city agencies and other local organizations.

These are just a couple examples of the numerous events happening this month to assist in elevating your organization and they’re all just a click away via our website.

Just as there is one baseball

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It Takes a Village

ies and parks? I venture to say it is a collaborative effort of all of the above and so much more.

“It takes a village” is an idiom, which means many people must come together and cooperate to achieve a goal. This idiom could easily describe how the Queens Chamber works and manages to be successful.

The role you play in the process is extremely important. As business owners you’re the fabric of the community by opening your doors and providing good and services to sustain our 35 plus Queens neighborhoods year in and year out. You’re much more than a business in the lives of those you serve, your employees and your families.

I’m reminded of community in

my everyday business operations, and for the purposes of this message, it’s our cover story. This month we feature the President & CEO of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Justin Rodgers, and the great work the organization does on behalf of Jamaica, Queens.

Together with numerous stakeholders, for over 55 years GJDC has been a beacon of hope creating residential, business and recreation opportunities in our community. Read all about the great work Justin and his staff are undertaking to contribute to the “village” in the pages of this issue.

Queens Chamber tackles the entire borough facilitating efforts, which you, our business own

team for me, continue making Queens Chamber the only team you’re on when it comes to advancing, growing, and showcasing your business. We’re one proud Queens business community, as the saying goes “Teamwork makes the dream work”.

I continue to express how lucky I am to have the greatest job in the world, President of this amazing 111 + year old organization. It gives me tremendous joy to play a role in the advancement of a strong robust business community.

Thanks to each and everyone of you for your continued support.

Queens STRONG!!!

ers, ultimately reap the benefits. From advocating to educating to networking, it’s all under one umbrella here at the Chamber. If you have yet to take advantage of all the resources available, don’t delay click this link www.queenschamber.org to get started.

On behalf of the entire Queens Chamber Board, thank you for your support of this amazing organization and contributions to the our diverse village and our goal of making this the best place to live, work, play, and most of all do business.

We’re just a few weeks past the start of one of my favorite seasons of the year, opening day of national league baseball. More

QUEENS QUICKLY State’s First Woman-Owned Dispensary Opens in Jamaica

First Legal Cannabis Dispensary Comes to Queens

BY IRYNA SHKURHAN ishkurhan@queensledger.com

With a line of eager customers stretched around the block, the first legal adult-use cannabis dispensary in Queens opened its doors on Thursday afternoon.

Good Grades, located on the corner of Jamaica Ave and 162 St., is a woman-owned recreational marijuana business — the first of its kind in the state and city. The owners were selected as some of the first applicants to receive a retail license in an attempt to counter the detrimental effects of cannabis prohibition that their family experienced firsthand. This is the sixth store of its kind to open in the state. This marks a new beginning for co-owners, Extasy James and her cousin Michael James, Jr., a Jamaica, Queens native. Extasy’s father was deported to Jamaica when she was three- years-old following a cannabis-related criminal conviction. Being the eldest daughter of four children, she says that the responsibility of carrying her family forward fell on her shoulders.

“I think the city is giving families a second chance and as African

Americans, we've been targeted the most,” said Extasy, who was born and raised in the Bronx, during the grand opening.

The store will remain open for 30 days as a “pop-up” shop and then close for final construction. The location will reopen permanently by the end of the year. In the meantime, various strains of flower, prerolls and edibles are available for purchase.

“This new endeavor is a significant milestone for our family, hometown and women in New York,” said James, Jr. who is also an attorney that works with minority small business owners.

A Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license is designated for business owners that were implicated, or had a close family member impacted, by the long-standing criminalization of cannabis. By giving justiceinvolved owners priority in receiving the first retail licenses, the state hopes to build an equitable foundation for its novel legal marijuana industry.

“I think this has been a long time coming for Queens,” said John Panella, 73, who has been smoking marijuana since he was 16-years

old. He was one of the first customers on line, arriving an hour before the store opened. “They seem to be opening up cannabis places in New York City at a snail's pace.”

Several waiting customers expressed that obtaining weed in the city prior to legalization was never difficult. But without governmental regulation, customers worried about the source of the plant and whether harmful chemicals, pesticides, or even fentanyl were in the mix.

Ming Gaffney, a 33-year old Hollis resident, said that she doesn’t mind paying a higher price for products if it brings her peace of mind knowing where they came from. She was also proud to support a woman owned business.

"With the opening of Good Grades in Queens, we're continuing to build on our progress to create a safe, regulated cannabis industry in New York," said Governor Kathy Hochul.

All legal dispensaries in the state will only sell products that are cultivated by New York’s farmers within the state. Flowerhouse, culti-

vated in upstate Walden, NY, is one company whose flower products are sold at Good Grades.

Since legalization hit the state, a wave of smoke shops that also sell cannabis products without a license have popped up across the city. At the end of January, the Sheriff’s office raided three smoke shops in Queens, two in Whitestone, and confiscated millions of dollars in products.

In neighboring Richmond Hill, a 20-year-old employee at Plug Smoke Shop was shot and killed during a daytime robbery last month. The store was open for less than a year.

Extasy declined to comment on the unlicensed sale of marijuana in neighboring smoke shops. Instead, she wanted to focus on how the legalized route can serve as an inspiration for the community.

“I want everybody to know that you can have a second chance, if your family or anybody else was wrongly convicted or jailed, you can reunite your family and you can make something of yourself,” she said.

The line at Good Grades on its opening day

QUEENS QUICKLY

Downtown Jamaica BID Nears Finish Line

BY ALICIA VENTER aventer@queensledger.com

The new Downtown Jamaica Business Improvement (BID) is one step closer to permanent consolidation, electing their board of directors at the Sutphin Boulevard BID’s annual meeting on Wednesday, March 29.

The new BID will be the combined areas of the Sutphin Boulevard BID, the 165th Street Mall Special Assessment District and the Jamaica Center Special Assessment District. The new board of directors are former members of the special assessment districts.

Under the consolidation, the Sutphin Boulevard BID will operate all contracted services previously provided by the three BIDs except for sanitation on 165th Street, which

will still be managed by the street’s special assessment district.

“On behalf of my Commissioner Kevin Kim, I want to thank you all for being valued partners,” said Calvin Brown, Deputy Commissioner for the Neighborhood Development Division of the Department of Small Business Services, who came to represent his entity’s continued support for the consolidation. “So much support has been given to small businesses and the Downtown Jamaica commercial district by Jamaica Center [Special Assessment District], 165th Street [Special Assessment District] and the Sutphin Boulevard BID. This expanded BID will allow you all to make this a greater Downtown Jamaica BID.”

The board of directors of the 165th Street and Jamaica Avenue Special

Assessment Districts will be responsible for the liquidation of the organizations under New York law once they are finished with their duties.

According to the presentation provided to the newly appointed board of directors and concerned community members, the assessment charge for business owners who are part of the BID will decrease by an average of 12%

The process for consolidation began in June 2022, when Local Law 70 authorized the future consolidation of the two Special Assessment Districts’ geographes into the existing Sutphin Boulevard BID with an amended district plan.

As of January of this year, the Sutphin Boulevard BID expanded to accept the geographies of the two previous entities, which no longer existed following this growth.

However, their associated nonprofit entities remain.

The newly elected board of directors is set to elect a chair, vice chair, secretary and a treasurer at their next meeting. A date was not announced for this meeting, only that it would be in April.

A BID is “a geographical area where local stakeholders oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of their commercial district,” the New York City Small Business Service website reads.

Such services include installing christmas lights in the neighborhood — which was a little over $18,000 last year for the Sutphin Boulevard BID according to their financial documents — and sanitation services.

There are currently 13 BIDs in Queens.

Remaining Outdoor Dining Sheds an ‘Eyesore’ for Some

BY IRYNA SHKURHAN ishkurhan@queensledger.com

What started off as a lifeline for restaurants during the pandemic is now becoming a nuisance for residents and businesses alike.

Under the Open Restaurants program, 12,000 outdoor dining permits were issued by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) which allowed restaurants to construct and place structures on the streets, given they follow some guidelines.

Even the simple sheds, generally constructed with plywood and nails, cost several thousand dollars and required even more in maintenance costs, according to restaurant owners that spoke with the Queens Ledger. The more extravagant structures, built with sturdy materials and decorated to the nines could climb over tens of thousands of dollars.

Some community members complain that sheds are falling apart after not being utilized or maintained, creating eyesores for the

neighborhood. But the steep cost involved in maintaining these structures, combined with overall rising costs of food and other necessities, is posing a challenge for businesses.

The DOT says that “The City is committed to retaining the temporary program until the permanent program is in place,” according to their website that was updated in March. No further timeline on a permanent open restaurants plan that is currently “in development” has been unveiled.

“Some of the sheds that are out

there now are ugly and just an eyesore,” said Theodore Renz, a Queens Community Board 5 member. “I hope that the criteria that they come up with is something that is aesthetically pleasing to the community, and at the same time is cost effective for the restaurant.”

Some restaurants said that given the opportunity, they will keep their dining sheds up permanently. Especially for businesses with limited indoor space, an outdoor area can be crucial for servicing more customers and providing them with

other options.

“It really, really, really helped our business. I don’t know if we could have survived without it,” said Jackie Gorzelnik, the owner of Plein Air cafe in Ridgewood on the impact of outdoor dining when her business opened during the pandemic.

“It’s not fancy. It’s very utility. And to maintain it, it’s just like a coat of paint here and there,” said Gorzelnik, who reported that the

Continued on Page 18

Effort to insulate sheds against rats.

Community is Therapy at Venture House

BY IRYNA SHKURHAN ishkurhan@queensledger.com

Venture House stands unassuming on Hillside Ave in Jamaica, Queens with its yellow brick exterior and arched windows.

To a passerby, there’s not enough to guess that a vibrant community, known as a clubhouse, dedicated to helping people with serious mental illness (SMI) find their place in society exists on the other side of the lofty teal door.

Unlike other mental health service providers structured around a hierarchical model that puts psychiatrists at the top and patients all the way on the bottom, Venture House aims to give its members autonomy without skimping on support and resources. Members are heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the clubhouse, while also countering the isolation that can come with their diagnosis through friendship.

“We are not in the business of turning people away,” said David Plotka, the Program Director at the Queens location. Anyone over the age of eighteen diagnosed with a SMI — bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression — living in the five boroughs is welcome to become a member for life.

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a mental health agenda that plans to invest $20 million in the expansion of mental health services such as overdose prevention and serious mental illness support. One key proponent of his plan is to expand clubhouse capacity across five boroughs. Currently there are 14 locations across the city and four in Queens. Venture House also has a second location in Staten Island.

The clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation first sprouted in 1943 by a group of New Yorkers who were discharged from a psychiatric facility but wanted to sustain the mutual support they found in each other. In 1948, the first clubhouse, Fountain House, was opened in Manhattan and is still supporting members today. There are 320

clubhouses around the world in 30 countries that are accredited by Clubhouse International.

Since day one, Venture House’s employment strategy has focused on transitional employment — a parttime temporary work placement that lasts approximately six to nine months. For those with a checkered employment history or blank resume due to their psychiatric history, completing a temporary placement evokes a sense of accomplishment, without the pressure of holding it down forever.

“It’s a little bit of a reframe, if you will. It’s not that you left a job, or maybe you couldn’t sustain the job after a year or nine months, it’s more like, congratulations, you finished the placement and that’s reason to celebrate,” said Plotka. “We want people to feel a sense of success and then maybe they’re looking for more permanent employment.”

Members are currently employed at UBS Arena, Citi Field, West End Tennis Club at Forest Hills, and Turn the Page bookstore in Bayside, among others.

“I had extensive work history and education. However, when you have a gap of ten years, it’s intimidating, and it’s embarrassing, there’s a lot of shame,” said Janet Perisa. “And Venture has helped me to not be

ashamed.”

Before members pursue employment in the real world, they are encouraged to participate in the clubhouse’s work-ordered day, which runs parallel to typical nine to five working hours. Members can choose to prepare lunch in the kitchen or answer phones at the front desk. Some give visitors tours of the facility and process intake data while others ensure its cleanliness.

A healthy daily lunch is available for just a dollar. And at the member run coffee shop on the first floor, a cup of coffee goes for an affordable 35 cents.

Staff at Venture House describe the clubhouse as “purposely understaffed” as part of the clubhouse model. While daily attendance averages at 80 members, there are only 18 paid staff members, many of whom are visually indistinguishable from members. This is part of the effort to make carrying out clubhouse responsibilities impossible without member involvement.

“You’re hearing voices. That’s okay. We don’t care. You can slice a tomato. We’re making a salad,” said Juliet Douglas, Venture House CEO for the past six years.

Douglas, who has thirty years of experience in almost every corner of the mental health field, says that

the freedom and lack of structure at Venture House can be starting for some newcomers. If individuals have a history of being institutionalized at psychiatric facilities, where restrictive structures are in place, it can be startling to be asked, “What do you want to do?”

The International Standards for Clubhouse Programs states that “There are no agreements, contracts, schedules, or rules intended to enforce participation of members.”

“People can come just to socialize, because socialization in itself is a goal. So no one is forced to do anything, but we try to help them to understand that we need them to participate,” said Douglas.

Growing up in Flushing, Janet Perisa, 44, first began displaying signs of serious mental illness at age ten. After struggling to attend school regularly like her peers and running away from home, she was hospitalized in a psychiatric facility for two months at 15 years old.

Despite her struggles, she was able to obtain her GED and start attending CUNY City Tech to study fashion marketing at 22. Perisa thrived while pursuing her passion and is proud to say she made it on the Dean’s list. She went on to pursue a

Continued on Page 14

Members Sarah, Dave, Richard and Janet outside of the clubhouse.

Ramadan Food Drive feeds 150 families in Astoria Facing Rising Prices, Astoria Welfare Society Distributes Staples for Holy Month

BY ALICIA VENTER aventer@queensledger.com

The Astoria Welfare Society partnered with Hydro-Quebec and Queens Together to support the needs of Islam-practicing Astorians with a food drive for the start of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23..

Over 150 families were fed on the first day of Ramadan, each given staple cooking ingredients including flour, dates, beans and oil — these basic items are crucial for the month of Ramadan, explained Md. Jabed Uddin, the general secretary of the Astoria Welfare Society.

“Every week, in different places, we are serving the community,” he said. The Astoria Welfare Society is also keeping a community fridge for Ramadan, and is distributing food to mosques throughout the area to break fast.

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting in Islam, and the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Observed by Muslims across the world, it is a month of prayer, reflection and fasting, abstaining from food and drink between dawn to sunset. This fasting is to increase spiritual discipline and strengthen one’s relationship with Allah.

Hydro-Quebec donated $2,000

for the food drive after Peter Rose, the Director of Stakeholder Relations in New York, was told by Uddin that the Astoria Welfare Society wouldn’t be able to host a food drive this year. Without any other financial support, Rose was more than willing to offer what the Astoria Welfare Society needed.

“This was a basic community need that was not being met. As a good corporate citizen, this was something we should help with, so I’m really happy,” Rose said.

With the Consumer Price Index showing a drastic six percent increase in inflation for New York City, the average cost of living for residents has inherently grown with it.

“I go to the grocery store and everything is more expensive. It wouldn’t surprise me that people are going to have a hard time getting just the basics for Ramadan. So I said yeah, we are going to sponsor this, because it’s the most important month of the entire year,” Rose shared.

Hydro-Quebec is an electricity company based in Canada that generates more than 99% of its electricity from water. In a 25-year contract with the city, Rose expressed how their long-time permanence

in New York gives them an obligation to participate and support the community. Notably, they have been involved in the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, and have partnered with a local laundromat to ensure low-income children have access to clean clothes for school.

“We do all these community projects because we need to leave a legacy,” Rose said. “We need to help support the community in the needs they have.”

Soon after Hydro-Quebec threw their support behind the food

drive, Queens Together, with Councilwoman Julie Won’s office, provided $1,000 for the drive.

A restaurant association and community service organization, Queens Together started in 2020 — the start of the pandemic — to help small businesses and the community.

“Give people the staples they need to cook, and that empowers them to take care of their families,” shared Jonathan Forgash, co-founder and Executive Director of Queens Together.

‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

Forest Hills, a Pizza Hotspot?

BY ROBERT INTELISANO

When you think about Forest Hills, many things come to mind as Forest Hills has a rich history as an integral part of Central Queens. You can walk along the boutiques and retail shops on Austin Street and Metropolitan Avenue and hear a variety of languages being spoken.

In 1911, the Forest Hills Long Island Railroad Station opened taking passengers from Forest Hills to Madison Square Garden in 18 minutes. The U.S. Tennis Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills Gardens from 19131978, before relocating to the expansive Flushing Meadows Park. Forest Hills Stadium is a premier concert venue hosting major acts such as The Beatles (in 1964), Rolling Stones (in 1966), Jimi Hendrix (in 1967) and Tom Petty (in 2017), just before Petty’s untimely death.

Now, there is a burgeoning foodie scene in Forest Hills. Austin Street boasts two Michelin Award winning Asian Eateries, Spy C Cuisine and Memories of Shanghai. These two restaurants replaced my favorite Michelin Award winning Danny Brown’s Wine Bar (formerly on Metropolitan Avenue), that closed in 2015. Restaurant Row on 70th Road between Queens Boulevard and Austin Street is home to excellent Cuban, Japanese, Middle Eastern and Eastern European food to name a few.

There are also many very good Pizza options within a one-mile radius of Austin Street and Metropolitan Avenue including Dee’s Wood-Fired Pizza, Lillian Pizzeria and Nick’s Pizza!

I will be leading a Forest Hills Pizza crawl in the summer, and it starts off with “Austin Street Pizza,” which opened at 71-63 Austin St. back in January 2021 in the middle of Covid-19.

Austin Street Pizza’s confidence in Forest hills has worked out as there were lines out the door at the opening and they have been doing well the past 2+ years. They have a diverse menu with almost 20 different Pizza options. Locals enjoy their variety of square slices topped with the likes of charred pepperoni cups or truffle cream sauce with cremini mushrooms. Their squares are crispy on the bottom and soft in the middle. They also serve traditional NY-Style slices as well as a gluten-free regular slice with organic sauce and aged mozzarella. They have 3 salad choices and a variety of sweets with 2 calzones (Traditional with Mozzarella and Ricotta) and a tasty truffle calzone. A unique dessert worth trying is their dough puffs stuffed with Nutella called Gibbys! To compliment the pizza, they have a variety of San Pellegrino flavored specialty drinks. They currently have outdoor seating only.

A short walk around the corner and next to the iconic “Midway Movie Theatre” sits “Gloria Pizza.” The Forest Hills Midway Theatre opened on September 24th, 1942, originally called the RKO Midway Theatre, named for the famous Battle of Midway. The theatre closed for a year for renovations and reopened as the UA Midway 9 Theatre in 1998.

Gloria Pizza has a long history of their own as they opened in Flushing in 1960. Gloria Pizza was the 5th pizzeria to open in Queens and for 25 cents, you got a slice and a coke (so I am told). After closing for a stretch of time, there was enough customer demand to reopen their doors in April 2012 and they relocated from Flushing next to the Midway Theatre

at 108-22 Queens Boulevard.

Gloria Pizza is family-owned and operated and their recipes date back for generations. Owned by Thomas Zaremba, his father-in-law Lucio Musco helped start the original Gloria Pizza on Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in downtown Flushing in 1960. The original Gloria Pizza was a popular destination for local shoppers, students and 7-train commuters.

Zaremba honed his skills working in the Flushing pizzeria from the 1970’s until it closed in 1994. During the shop’s heyday, it would be packed from opening to closing. After they closed, Zaremba helped start restaurants in Manhattan and Long Island. The Love for Gloria Pizza mostly on social media after they closed, helped encourage Zaremba to come back to Queens. Forest Hills was chosen for their new location based on balanced demographics.

Gloria offers a solid variety of 10 different pies and slices. In addition to their staple Neapolitan and Sicilian slices, they have unique options, such as their Artichoke Pizza slice, Chicken Marsala slice, a Gluten Free slice and a Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Pizza slice! They offer both pickup and delivery options.

The logical 3rd pizza crawl spot (where we have a full sit-down dinner with pizza, salads, main courses and adult beverages) would ordinarily be Nick’s Pizza on Ascan Avenue, a short walk from Gloria; however, I featured them and Dee’s last year.

My Forest Hills pizza “sleeper” pick is “Portofino Ristorante!” Located on the corner of Queens Boulevard at 109-32 Ascan Avenue, Portofino has been a Forest Hills staple since the mid 1970’s. Owned by Carmine Polito, who often greets customers at the front of the restaurant, Portofino is known for serving consistently superb Italian cuisine. I remember him greeting my family, in particular talking in Italian with my Grandfather Salvatore when we came in on Friday’s nights as a boy.

In addition to an extensive lunch and dinner menu and wine list, Portofino has a separate children’s

menu. They are open 7 days per week from 11am-11pm. Portofino has a reputation for fine dining Italian; however, few people know how good their pizza is to this day!

There are usually between 6-8 pizza by the slice options available at any given time at Portofino. I like that they still use old-school deck ovens and they, unlike most Italian restaurants that serve pizza, have a designated area (straight as soon as you walk in) to sit and be served pizza and or 4 delicious calzone options.

Their crunchy crust Margherita slice is one of my favorites! My tailor John Timsina comes in from Thailand (he will be here from May 22nd-24th) and we host custom suit events usually twice per year. John has tried pizza all over the world and his favorite slice is the Portofino Margherita! Rest assured we will be there to celebrate the evening of Wednesday May 24th!

Regardless of what I call Pizzaflation (meaning inflation on pizza ingredients higher than the average), pizza is alive and well and Forest Hills IS a Pizza Hotspot!

Where is your favorite Queens Pizza spot? Email me at Rob@ InsuranceDoctor.us as there is still time to nominate your favorite pizzeria for a review before my rankings are released in the January 2024 edition of This is Queensborough Magazine!

With John the Tailor at Portofino

Gloria Pizza “1 and 1” a Regular and a Sicilian Slice

QUEENS TECH CORNER

Dawn Charles of FLVSH

This month’s featured tech entrepreneur is Dawn Charles, owner of FLVSH, a messaging app that utilizes low-latency Bluetooth to create a mesh network to enable mobile communication without relying on cell towers.

How did you get your start in tech?

During the pandemic, I had a lot of time to reflect not only on making positive changes to my life, but how I could make a positive contribution to my community. With everything going remote and virtual, a mobile app seemed like a natural solution.

What is your latest project and why are you excited about it?

We are in the process of launching our messaging application that utilizes low latency

Bluetooth to create a mesh network to enable mobile communications without relying on cell

towers. In order to increase a sense of community, we’ve also deployed the framework blockchain in order to reward users with a native token for stabilizing portions of the mesh network. As we grow, we intend to create a decentralized communications platform that can be expanded seamlessly and is controlled by the users.

Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

The Tech Incubator that was launched by the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Tech Council acts as a beacon for talent and innovation in Queens. It has the potential to turn this part of the city into a bastion for inventiveness, thereby attracting investors and companies and increasing the investment in and visibility of the borough.

It is a great opportunity for all involved, and we are excited to be a part of that.

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

VBGCQ & Magnolia Gardens Awarded $1M by NYSERDA

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a round of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) buildings awards this month, two of which were given to Queens-based projects.

$13.5 million was awarded to 14 projects throughout New York State through the third round of the more than $48 million Buildings of Excellence Competition. These awards recognize the design, construction and operation of clean, resilient and low-carbon or carbon neutral multifamily buildings.

The Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ), located on 21 Street and 30th Road in Astoria, has received a NYSERDA Buildings Award of Excellence and a $1 million prize for its $225 million expansion project.

The project includes more than 200 units of affordable housing and an 110,000 square foot club expansion, which includes two swimming pools, a planetarium, a 1,000 seat multi purpose sports arena, a theatre, STEM Lab, Teaching Kitchen and education space.

“A non-profit and business incubator/lab and club operated retail space on 21st street is also part of the plan,” according to Costa Constantinides, CEO of VBGCQ.

MEGA Development Corp. is the developer partner while Ettinger Engineering Associates is the lead engineering firm on the project. ICL is the housing development partner. According to Constantinides, the

list of firms partnering with the Boys & Girls Club in the development project is growing.

“The investment in our children by the corporate community is impressive. These companies are investing in our capital project as well as funding programming for the 16,000 children we will serve each year for the next half-century,” he said.

GrubHub is investing $1.25 million for the Teaching Kitchen. HydroQuebec is investing $1.25 million for the Renewable Energy Learning Lab. Attentive One is investing $1.5 million for the Teen Academy and Equinor Beacon Wind Technology is investing $1.75 million to build as well as help operate and support the Media Center.

“It’s an extraordinary project that will revolutionize learning in Astoria and Long Island City,” continued Walter Sanchez, president of the Board of Directors at Variety.

NYSERDA pointed out that the awardees not only offer affordable housing but also are all-electric and carbon neutral at their core — with no use of fossil fuel combustion in daily use — making them highly efficient.

“We are also including solar energy with the caveat of having a hands-on educational component for the children we serve, to be able to learn about how our geo-thermal energy source works,” said Sanchez. Groundbreaking is planned for spring of 2024.

An award with a $1 million

Grant was given to Flushing-based Magnolia Gardens. A first-of-its-kind for New York City, Magnolia Gardens plans to offer 90 modern apartments of transitional housing and offer Asian language services for families in the development, which is intended for families with at least one child under the age of 21.

Families will stay there for a year before moving to permanent affordable housing. Magnolia Gardens is at 133-04 39th Avenue in Flushing and is developed by Asian Americans for Equality and Urban Resource Institute. Groundbreaking was set for the fall of 2022, but has been postponed for environmental remediation and other requirements. The public will be notified of the groundbreaking when a date has been confirmed.

NYSERDA noted that the competition supports the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and ensure at least 35 percent,

with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed toward disadvantaged communities.

The awards event took place at the AIA Building in downtown Manhattan on Tuesday, March 21.

“We congratulate today’s winners” said NYSERDA CEO Doreen M. Harris at the event, “and are particularly proud of their commitment to advancing low-carbon building design that sets a new standard for climate-friendly construction and operation. These awardees join a group of thought- leaders that are paving the way to tackle one of the highest greenhouse gas emitting sectors in the state by demonstrating that building with a low carbon footprint is profitable and in-demand.”

Funding for this program is through the State Clean Energy Fund and is part of NYSERDA’s more than $165 million investment in new construction and gut rehab projects in the multi-family building sector.

Magnolia Gardens Imagined.Rendering by Urban Architectural Initiatives

Representatives from Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, MEGA Contracting, Ettinger Engineering Associates and ICL receive buildings award by NYSERDA Rendering of the VBGCQ expansion.

COVER STORY

GJDC’s Justin Rodgers Reimagines Jamaica Avenue

BY ALICIA VENTER aventer@queensledger.com

Justin Rodgers has been a part of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) for 17 years — however, Jamaica has been a part of him for much longer, having grown up in the Southeast Queens neighborhood.

Margherita Pizza was the place to be growing up (and today, he noted, as the pizza parlor is still open) for now-President and CEO of the GJDC.

It’s this connection, Rodgers explained, that led the Board of Directors at GJDC to unanimously elevate him to President and CEO in June 2022 after he served as Interim President from November 2021. He is the third president of GJDC since it was formed 56 years ago.

“In the eight months that I was actually interim president, I was able to do a lot in a short period of time. I expanded our business service group and I was able to raise money for the corporation. I was able to really prove that I can run the corporation,” he shared. “That being said, I think that what I had over other candidates is that I’m personally invested in Jamaica. I’m from Jamaica. That’s one hundred percent why I am still here after 17 years.”

To develop Jamaica, Rodgers began his time at GJDC developing Jamaica Avenue, the neighborhood’s bustling shopping corridor.

The street grew in the 1920’s as Jamaica became a transportation hub. LIRR lines, subway lines and buses all converge near Jamaica Avenue, and major shopping centers began to appear.

In 1930, on the corner of 171st St. and Jamaica Avenue, the first King Kullen Grocery Company, which the Smithsonian Institute has deemed ‘America’s First Supermarket,’ was born. It has been home to department stores including Macy’s and Gertz, and now welcomes national brands such as Target, Aldi, Burlington, Old Navy

and Primark.

Bringing national brands was Rodger’s project for 14 years, as concerned residents expressed to him how they were driving to Nassau County or hopping on the E train to the Queens Center to shop at those locations.

Now, Rodgers leads the effort to bring mom-and-pop shops back to Jamaica. The key, he explained, is to present real estate that is on the side streets to Jamaica Avenue.

“It’s not financially possible for mom and pop shops to open on Jamaica Avenue due to the high cost of rent. You just can’t make the numbers work. But you can make the numbers work on side streets,” said Rodgers. “So now we’re in the process of working with potential restaurant tours on some of the side streets.”

Retaining businesses was a point of concern during a recent meeting of the Sutphin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) Annual Meeting, when the board of directors was elected for a newly consolidated BID emerging from the Sutphin Avenue BID, the 165th Street Special Assessment District and the Jamaica Center Special Assessment District. The question arose: What must be done to get businesses to stay open in Jamaica?

The issue with businesses retention, Rodgers described, has a considerable amount to do with the new busways along Jamaica Avenue. Implemented in October 2021, these busways allow only buses, trucks and emergency vehicles to make trips along Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Blvd. and 168th St. in both directions. This bus project was designed to increase bus speeds and reliability for 14 bus routes on Jamaica Avenue and 19 bus routes on Archer Ave.

On Jamaica Avenue, all other vehicles may make local trips to access the curb, the DOT stated on their website, but must make the next available turn off the busway.

Some businesses have seen a 40-50% drop in business, according

to Rodgers, since this was implemented, and the GJDC is trying to work with elected officials and the DOT to try and find ways to modify the busways.

“The busways have really harmed businesses, not only along Jamaica Avenue, but also on the side streets. The reason why is because Queens is a driving community, specifically Southeast Queens,” he said. “It’s very difficult to navigate around Downtown Jamaica if you are driving. Some people just don’t want the headache and they don’t come anymore.”

Rodgers suggested that busways be limited only to peak hours.

The consolidated BID that is coming to Jamaica, Rodgers described, will “100% benefit the businesses,” because its $1.4 million assessment will allow them to provide additional services to the businesses and the

community.

Those additional services must be voted on, but they can mean more vendors, security and additional cleaning days.

Crime is a major concern for those who are looking to shop on Jamaica Avenue, especially with the recent shooting of a 22-year-old cop along the street. However, Rodgers emphasized that the shooting was an “isolated incident,” and that efforts by the 103rd Precinct and their Commanding Officer Eric A. Robinson’s involvement in community events and presence have made Jamaica a safer place.

Since taking the helm at GJDC, Rodgers has been able to provide national retailers to the residents of Jamaica, and continues to work in order to ensure small businesses continue to feel supported. For more information, visit https://gjdc.org/.

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Property Loss — What Are Your Next Steps?

According to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), 98.1% of insurance claims are due to property damage/losses. The majority of these losses, nearly 80%, are due to wind, non-weather-related water damage, hail, weather-related water damage, and theft. From that list, wind, and hail damage accounted for about 35% of submitted property damage claims. That’s cold comfort if you find yourself in this camp with the need to submit a property insurance claim. For most of us, our first reaction is emotional. The second is to call our insurance company. Before you do, you need to read this article. In this posting, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will advise you on the best steps to take to bring about an optional outcome: the maximum settlement that your policy allows as quickly as possible.

To get started, call an independent, public property loss adjuster first, not your insurer. As a corporate entity, insurance companies have their best interests front of mind, not the interests of their policyholders’. This means that insurers seek ways to mitigate their risk, and they do this by limiting the final payout. Translation: your insurance company will likely offer you a lower settlement than you are due. This can have a devastating effect on returning your life to normal. The low-ball offer may not cover needed repairs, renovations,

or replacement values. Go it alone, and it can even take a protracted timeline for that potentially inadequate settlement check to reach your hands.

What should you do instead?

Team with a property loss adjuster for assistance in documenting and submitting your property loss claim. We have expertise in the real estate and building trades, so your claim will accurately assess and reflect true rebuilding, renovating, and replacement costs. Moreover, our claim submission will take into account any possible hidden damage/issues that may not immediately manifest. Once your claim has been submitted, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will advocate for you with your insurer. Think of a public property loss adjuster as your knight in shining armor. We’ll manage every facet of your property loss claim and work on your behalf with your insurer to negotiate a quick, fair, and equitable property insurance claim settlement.

The difference to having a public property loss adjuster to intervene on your behalf is that our

team holds the insurance company accountable. Additionally, we create urgency regarding your claim so that it will be settled quickly. We’re human, too, and understand that depending on the extent of your property damage/losses, this is not the best time for you to be keeping after your insurer for claim processing updates. This is especially true if your business and/or family has been displaced due to the damage/losses your property may have sustained.

Our team will fully appraise themselves with your home, business, and property policies. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers’ is an industry expert – we have managed over $100 million in claims nationwide. Years of experience in interpreting policy language ensures that your claim includes our professional expertise in damage valuation, while our construction/real estate experience allows us to produce optimal results for our clients. In short: we want your lives to return to normal as expeditiously as possible, with every dollar you are due accounted for.

Whatever the cause of your property damage/loss, before you submit your property insurance claim, contact United Public Adjusters & Appraisers immediately for your best options and next steps. We’ll be glad to be there for you when you need us most!

Philip L Maltaghati

United

Public Adjusters &

Appraisers, Inc.

646-369-3099

Unitedpublicadjusters.com.

Venture House Offers Autonomy to Queens’ Mentally Ill

Continued from Page 7

bachelor’s degree in creative writing at The New School, where she wrote the fashion column for her school’s paper, all while holding down several jobs.

When the financial crisis of 2008 hit, Perisa says her dreams crashed alongside the stock market. Like many others who graduated into the recession, she struggled to find a job after college. This triggered her

severe mental illness symptoms and she found herself in a partial hospitalization program. She describes the next decade as a hamster wheel of hospitalizations at psychiatric hospitals and stints at out-patient programs that were too rigid and induced a sense of loneliness.

Then someone told her about Venture House.

“We have freedom of choice to lead self directed lives,” said Perisa. “When you’re in the system, you’re

oftentimes invalidated by the place.”

Initially she sought friendship from the clubhouse, but as she found her footing she discovered a sense of purpose in helping out other members by utilizing her strengths and experience. Eventually she was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2016, on which she served for seven years.

This past February, Perisa was hired as a Peer Specialist at Venture House’s young adult supportive

housing program in Brooklyn. She is the only member that has been hired on Venture House’s staff. While Venture House connects its members with psychiatrists and therapists, there are no clinical mental health treatments offered inside the clubhouse.

“Our therapy is in creating community,” said Perisa. “We’re like this beautiful bouquet of personalities and we are all instrumental in making the clubhouse work.”

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Continued from Page 6

outdoor structure cost a couple thousand dollars to build, and another couple thousand for a rebuild.

While she says that issues such as graffiti and rodents entering the space occasionally arise, the benefits of having more space outweigh the negatives.

The owners of While in Kathmandu, a Nepali restaurant in Ridgewood, dealt with the same issues when they had their shed up. They also struggled to deal with noncustomers who would congregate in the shed and utilize free electricity. Loiterers did not leave the space better than they found it.

Bikash Kharel, the manager and co-owner, says they took down their outdoor dining hut on the sidewalk two months ago because they felt it was no longer necessary, especially since they have a backyard. But they said that the removal process was just as difficult, and costly, as the installation.

“I did start noticing that it was falling apart in some ways because it was not utilized every single day. It was not taken care of in the best possible way,” said Kharel.

During a DOT inspection, the department inquired about whether the structure was still being utilized and offered to remove it within a week if it wasn’t being used anymore. After Kharel agreed, his team began to dismantle the shed and removed the roof and lights in preparation. But four weeks later, the DOT still had not arrived to complete the removal.

“I finally got to speak with somebody and they told me that we are on the line to be processed for it but it’s not going to be anytime soon. Maybe two or three months,” recalled Kharel. “So that left us in a limbo. Do we wait for the city to come to do it or do we experience a hazardous situation where something might happen.”

With the aesthetic of the restaurant in mind and a half broken shed

out front, they decided to proceed and dispose of the entire structure themselves. With the cost of labor and rental equipment combined, the total price of removal exceeded a thousand dollars.

“But this is all about the socioeconomics of the restaurant,” said Kharel. “The more upscale places have been able to maintain really nice beautiful looking locations versus restaurants that are not in the same demographic. They’re making that kind of money to spend that kind of money.”

One Ridgewood business owner with an outdoor structure, who wants to retain anonymity, says that their neighbor’s hut is an eyesore for the block. They complained that a lack of maintenance and adherence to code is spilling over into their hut, that is meticulously maintained and invested in.

They also complained that the neighboring business owners do not discourage non paying individuals from using the space to sit and smoke, which is not allowed under DOT guidelines.

“By participating in the program, you are taking responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of the roadway curb space in front of your business,” reads the DOT guidelines. “Smoking and electronic cigarette use is not allowed in outdoor dining areas.”

According to the DOT, inspectors will make both proactive and complaint-driven visits to restaurants part of the program. Typically they do not require interaction with the business owner.

“I would say it is a responsibility of the business owner to maintain the structures and make them clean and rodent proof,” said Gorzelnik. “That’s our responsibility. That’s not on the city.”

Without significant snowfall this past winter, many sheds remained outside for longer than ever. The wear and tear is showing on many, especially when graffiti is also present.

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

The Dads of Doggie Day Care

BY NANCY RUHLING

When the wooden gate swings open, Beycon, Brandon and Django rush to the front of BB’s Playhouse, barking a furiously shrill greeting to their pal Tricia, a big, fluffy snow-white Goldendoodle.

They do zoomies around the space, playing paw tag among the leafy-green trees, grass and storybook clouds of the hand-painted mural that covers the walls.

Tony Bendinelli and Richard Pando, partners in life and in business, are having just as much fun as the canine charges they cater to. Wearing matching light-grey sweatsuits and baseball caps, they supervise the pack, getting sloppy kisses as a reward.

Tony is tall, Richard is dark; each is bearded.

Since opening the doggie daycare and boarding boutique on Broadway nearly a year ago, Tony and Richard have been spending all their waking hours (and sometimes even their sleeping hours) at BB’s.

They’ve never stopped to tally

their time, but, gee, they easily spend 40 to 60 hours each per week with their furry friends.

But they knew exactly what they were getting into: Since he was 16, Richard has worked in retail, mostly men’s wear and men’s and women’s footwear; Tony, an uber athlete who is a part-time CrossFit coach and personal trainer, has made his career in the catering/ events planning business.

Richard, who is from Tampa, Florida, and Tony, who hails from San Angelo, Texas, arrived in Astoria around the same time.

They met at Ritz, a bar and lounge in Hell’s Kitchen, some 15 years ago.

“It was one very drunken night,” Richard says. “His first words to me were, ‘Do you need water?’”

They exchanged phone numbers or business cards, their versions of the story diverge on this point, but it doesn’t really matter because they ended up together.

They had their first date a month after their introduction.

“Richard called me and invited me to dinner,” Tony says.

“I made Spanish tapas,” Richard

says, adding that it’s a specialty of his, one he learned to make from his Spanish immigrant parents.

Both agree the food was fantastic.

They had brunch together the next day, and three years later Tony moved into Richard’s Astoria apartment.

As the years went by, Richard moved up in the retail world, eventually managing several stores for a series of different companies, while Tony made his mark in the events-planning industry.

Their jobs ended during the pandemic: Tony lost his immediately; Richard managed to hang on a little longer.

“I was working for a Spanish fashion company that was opening a retail store in Manhattan, and I was the only employee who didn’t lose my job,” he says.

Tony stepped up to help him out with the store’s online sales, which were the only thing keeping the enterprise going.

“We used to ride Citi Bikes to Manhattan, package up the shoes and send them off,” Tony says. “The streets were empty – it felt like we were the only people there.”

It was during this time that they began talking about starting their

own business.

“For a hot second, we were going to have a Spanish tapas restaurant,” Tony says, adding that he’s very happy that idea didn’t work out because, well, restaurants really are a lot of work, and the equipment is quite costly.

Their two rescue dogs – 7-yearold Beycon (it’s pronounced Bacon) is a Treeing Walker Coonhound, and 11-year-old Brandon is a Chihuahua/German Shepherd mix (don’t’ even ask) –inspired BB’s Playhouse (get it, B and B, Beycon and Brandon?).

Tony and Richard hope to open more BB’s Playhouses as this one gets off the ground.

“We will always keep them small,” Richard says, as he scoops poop off the floor then cuddles the canine who deposited it there.

“Because,” adds Tony, “we want to keep them personal.”

That’s right, Richard adds, “We want every dog to have the best experience possible.”

Tony will spend the night at BB’s Playhouse caring for some boarders.

Come 10 p.m., when it’s officially lights out, he’ll be on the floor on a thick roll-up mattress, canines curled around him, watching TV.

Richard with Beycon.

Tony and Brandon.

QUEENS NEWS

Local Food Pantries to the Rescue

BY PAMELA RIDER

The Jamaica area has an abundance of food pantries. “Deliverance Temple Food,” Morris Brown AME Church-Helping Hand FoodPantries, Brooks Memorial United Methodist, Bethel Mission Church, Inc-Food, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church, Rush Temple AME Zion Church, are some of the sites that provide food weekly, just to name a few.

Bethel Tabernacle runs their food pantry in the style of “grocery shopping.” Coordinator Jim Parsons said. “I think that it’s important to make pantry service more of a grocery shopping experience. It adds warmth and flavor.”

“I am so thankful for these pantries,” said 87 year old Martha Wilson. She added, “I don’t know what I would do without them. I only receive social security, and we all know how that is.”

Many communities have a local “food pantry,” sometimes mistakenly called a “food bank.” Most of these community food pantries are sponsored by local area churches and/ or community coalitions. A food pantry is a distribution center where hungry families can receive food.

These pantries are supplied with food from Food Banks, Grocery Store Overstock, Thrift Store Profits to Purchase Food, Community food collection/ dona-

tions, and Free from our Garden participants. A community food pantry’s mission is to directly serve local residents who suffer from hunger and food insecurities within a specific area.

The history of food banks/ pantries and soup kitchens in America, can be traced back to the year 1929 with the effects of growing depression. When food pantries and soup kitchens first appeared, they were run by churches or private charities that served mostly soup and bread.

Food banks receive food from federal programs. The USDA purchases food from farmers and delivers it to food banks for distribution in their communities. Presently, food pantries serve much more than soup and bread. Specifically, food pantries provide families with canned soup, canned fruit, canned and fresh vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and dairy.

“City Harvest,” is the world's first and largest food rescue organization established in 1980 that helped start the food rescue movement when a group of New Yorkers saw that New York City had an abundance of excess food, even while a number of residents struggled to feed themselves and their families. It is a Non-Profit Organization located at 150 52nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11232.

New York State recipients of the “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP), have received a 15% boost in SNAP benefits since January 2021 due to the COVID crisis by “The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance” (OTDA). The increased benefits were intended to stop once the government declared an end to the Covid public health emergency.

Although the public health emergency has been extended until April, Congress passed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023” in December 2022 that ended the supplemental “Emergency Assistance” benefits. February 2023 was the last

month that supplemental benefits were issued to eligible recipients; nonetheless, food prices continue to rise due to deficits of natural reproduction.

CBS News reported in January 2023 that the cost of eggs is soaring as America's eating habits change. A deadly disease “The Avian-flu,” wipes out millions of birds which has resulted with an inflation for the price of eggs.

On January 23, 2023, “The Economics Daily- Bureau of Labor Statistics” reported that consumer prices for all items rose 6.5 percent from December 2021 to December 2022. Food prices have increased 10.4 percent reflecting an 11.8 percent increase in prices for food at home, and an 8.3 percent increase in prices for food away from home.

The Covid pandemic has caused a significant change in America's dynamic on a substantial level. For many, food pantries are a lifeline that affords not only the “homeless or underprivileged” individuals a means to an end, but also to hard working adults.

Lawrence Walker, a 67 year old retired MTA worker said, “Even though I get money from my retirement and social security, I’m grateful that I can get some type of relief on my pocket by visiting my local food pantries!”

Wilma Silks, a health care worker said, “You’d be surprised with the quality of the food that is given. Some of it is good name brand items, and many times the vegetables come from farms that donate to pantries. People used to think that pantries were for the poor and underprivileged, but now-a-days, many of us are considered underprivileged due to inflation.”

Local Food Pantries are used as a subsidy which accommodates many working individuals on a tight budget to put needed food on their table for themselves and their families.

For information about your community food pantry, go to https:// www.foodpantries.org.

Astoria Starbucks Workers Strike, Again

BY IRYNA SHKURHAN ishkurhan@queensledger.com

Workers at two unionized Starbucks in Astoria joined over a hundred stores across the country to strike for fair labor practices on March 22, the same day as the company’s ‘Founder’s Day’ celebration.

The majority of workers at the store on Astoria Boulevard and the corner of 31st Street, were outside at 7 a.m., armed with posters and chanting their demands for a contract negotiation to secure better wages and working conditions. Despite the train loudly rumbling overhead and complaints of strained voices, close to 20 people marched on the corner until 1pm.

“I’m happy to join other union stores on strike today because it’s never been more necessary than right now,” said James Carr, a Starbucks partner for four years. “Our union is small but now unstoppable, and we’re ready to start making moves.”

This location became the first Starbucks store in Queens to unionize after securing a unanimous vote on June 6 following a months-long effort in which one employee was illegally fired for unionizing. But, despite the successful unionization of 280 stores since 2019, not a single contract has been signed in food faith due to Starbucks failing to negotiate with union representatives. Workers say that while unionization has given them more bargaining power and a sense of national solidarity, they are still experiencing unfair labor practices such as illegal cuts to work hours and inconsistent scheduling.

“There’s a huge disconnect here between what we’re seeing on the shop floor, and the kind of money that executives are making,” said Maria Flores, who has worked at this location for three years. “We’re being priced out of New York as it is. We can’t afford rent, we can’t pay bills, we can barely afford our medical coverage.”

Outgoing Starbucks CEO, Howard

Shultz, is being investigated for union busting that started in 2019. He is set to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on March 29, to avoid being subpoenaed. Shultz stepped down as CEO on March 20, two weeks earlier than previously announced amid growing scrutiny. He still remains on the Board.

“Rather than publicizing rallies and protests, we encourage Workers United to live up to their obligations by responding to our proposed sessions and meeting us in-person to move the good faith bargaining process forward,” said a Starbucks spokesperson in an email to the Queens Ledger.

Workers say that Starbucks has failed to meet them at the bargaining table in an earnest way. Earlier this month, prosecutors at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleged that Starbucks violated labor law by refusing to engage by refusing to bargain if some workers attended the session remotely. The objection to the hybrid model in negotiation sessions has been the main way Starbucks

has delayed granting unionized stores their demands.

Several workers said that the company is illegally cutting their work hours under the New York Fair Work Week Law in Fast Food that bans a reduction of work hours by more than 15% week to week. After the rush of the holiday season is over, employees typically know to expect a reduction in hours due to a slower rush.

According to the law, employees are entitled to a regular schedule that has at least 85% of the work hours in their baseline regular schedule. Employers cannot request employees to consent to a reduction, but hours can be reduced if there is a just cause or good faith economic reason.

Workers allege that there is a four dollar pay differential between shift supervisors whose responsibilities include tracking inventory, opening and closing the store and handling money, compared to baristas who are responsible for taking orders and preparing food and beverages. Employees say that at this location, shift supervisors are being denied

both covering barista shifts and shift supervisor shifts due to the pay differential.

“We make every effort and have invested significant resources to ensure partner scheduling practices are in alignment with New York City’s Fair Workweek Law,” said the Starbucks spokesperson by email.

Employees on strike say that the inconsistency in scheduling is affecting their financial security and ability to afford essentials amid inflation and a rising cost of living in New York City.

“We’re being nickeled and dimed here at the store level,” said Flores.

On Wednesday, workers filed an additional ten complaints against Starbucks to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), after filing 28 complaints last month. DCWP confirmed that there is an open investigation into complaints around the NYC Fair Workweek Law.

Last July, Austin Locke was fired from the Astoria Blvd. location for engaging in unionization efforts following a successful vote. He was reinstated with $21,000 in back pay and penalties after DCWP found that his termination was in violation of the “just cause” protections of the Fair Workweek Law.

On a wider scale, the NLRB has issued 80 complaints against Starbucks, including illegally firing more than a dozen workers in retaliation for unionizing across the country. There have been over 500 unfair labor practice charges lodged against this company.

During the time of the strike, the store appeared empty and was not accepting mobile orders as usual. Two employees, and the general manager, did not participate in the strike and were able to keep the store open despite low traffic due to community support of the strike.

A table outside the store held up signs that read “We Demand a Seat at the Table Now!” and “Starbucks: Respect your Workers’ Right to Organize.” Next to a megaphone, sat a Dunkin’ cup.

Workers and supporters chanted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down!”

BY ROB MACKAY

April includes Fool’s Day and Tax Day, but it’s actually a happy, fun month in Queens. The days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and the flowers get their groove on. Humans can enjoy great Jazz, innovative art, updated wizards, apple blossoms, healing tea, and several Earth Day commemorations. Please read on for the details.

STEM Matters: Spring Break

April 10 - April 15

Students (grades 3-5) participate in Building Tomorrow’s Cities, a program that includes crafting models, discussing climate change, and exploring futuristic sustainable cities. Sessions are 10 am to 4 pm daily.

Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org.

Three Nights of Dance

April 14 - April 16

The Take Root program presents Janis Breener and Ocampo Wang on April 14 and April 15 at 8 pm. Then, the Fertile Ground New Works Showcase provides a venue for various emerging artists to offer

IT’S IN QUEENS!

works-in-progress on April 16 at 7 pm. Green Space, 37-24 24th St., Ste. 211, Long Island City, www. greenspacestudio.org.

Dual Keyboards: Marimba + Piano

April 15, 7:30 p.m.

Forest Hills resident Makoto Nakura, an international marimba superstar, and acclaimed pianist Barbara Podgurski offer an evening of commissioned works, including new music by David Conte and Philip Lasser along with transcriptions of beloved classical works.

The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, www. musicareginae.org.

Daniel Lind-Ramos: El Viejo Griot – Una historia de todos nosotros

April 20 - Sept. 4

This exhibition showcases more than 10 large-scale works that weave together Daniel Lind-Ramos’s multilayered practice, including many new or never previously seen works. The Puerto Rican artist uses found and gifted objects of personal, communal, and regional significance— such as debris, decorative objects

and everyday tools—to produce detailed assemblages that explore the African Diaspora’s traditions and histories.

MoMA PS 1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, www.momaps1. org.

World Premiere of Revolver + Choreomaniacs

April 20 - April 29

Choreographer Kathy Westwater’s “Choreomaniacs” is a piece for five dancers that explores the historical phenomena of choreomania – or “dancing plague” – in which people danced themselves to death during the Middle Ages. An accompanying duet, “Revolver,” which the artist began just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, explores the existential threat of super-catastrophes. Shows are Thursday through Saturday at 7 pm.

The Chocolate Factory Theater, 38-33 24th St., Long Island City.

Apple Blossom Carnival

April 22, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (repeats on April 23, 29, and 30)

Carnival rides, hayrides, games, local food and drink vendors, and an array of friendly animals.

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks, www.queensfarm.org.

Back to MOMIX

April 22 and April 23

MOMIX performers combine surprising physicality, riveting music, creative subject matter, and transformative use of props, costumes, lighting, and projections to create a multimedia experience that surprises, enchants, and astonishes. Shows are at 2 pm and 8 pm (April 22) and 3 pm (April 23).

Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.

Climate Arts Festival 2023

April 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A day of reflection on climate issues with creative workshops, art exhibits, interactive performances, compost, farm tours, and demonstrations.

Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.

Queens Green Day: Soil Jam

April 22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hands-on activities include planting, craft, terrarium workshops, a composting demo, and the Makina food truck.

Socrates Sculpture Center, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, www.socratessculpturepark.org.

Earth Day Awe Walk

April 23, 11 a.m.

Certified forest therapy guide Linda Lombardo leads a healing stroll through Alley Pond Park. The

The Earth Day Awe Walk is a certified therapy guide through Alley Pond Park

Check out Folklore Urbano Orchestra this month at Flushing Town Hall.

IT’S IN QUEENS!

event ends with a ceremonial tea that might include herbs found during the hike.

Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens, www.alleypond.org.

Brisket King NYC

April 26, 5 p.m.

Top-notch pitmasters go headto-head in a competition to create delicious BBQ and win a coveted crown. Attendees walk around sampling of a variety of BBQ, along with fiery artisanal sauces, local bourbons, whiskeys, brews, and accoutrements. Pig Beach Queens, 35-37 36th St., Astoria, www.pigbeachnyc.com.

The Sound of Music

April 29 - May 7

The St. Mary’s Drama Guild presents a version of this final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein. Featuring such cherished songs as “My Favorite Things” and “Do-Re-Mi,” this musical follows Maria Augusta Trapp, a governess of Captain von Trapp’s seven children. She brings music and joy to the household as the Nazis take hold of Austria. Shows on April 29 and May 6 at 6:15 pm and April 30

and May 7 at 3:15 pm. St. Mary’s of Winfield Auditorium, 70-20 47th Ave., Woodside, www.stmarysdramaguild.org.

An Ellis Island Tea

April 29, 4 p.m. Ganesha Balakarishnan talks about his book “The Long Direction: A flightless journey from Singapore to Canada,” which recounts his 10-month hitchhike around the world. The event kicks off a related photo exhibition.

Maple Grove Cemetery

Celebration Hall, 127-15 Kew Gardens Rd., Kew Gardens, www. friendsofmaplegrove.org.

El Barrio Project: Salsa by Folklore Urbano Orchestra

April 29, 1 p.m. This Colombian group, which is

directed by Pablo Mayor, presents a music-and-dance concert celebrating the traditions of Latin America. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. www.flushingtownhall.org.

More information is available at https://bit.ly/3JABukh.

SERVICES

ADVERTISING BANNERS

ARCHITEC TUAL SIGNAGE

BRANDING & RE TA IL SIGNAGE

CODE VIOLATIONS & SIGNAGE

CUSTOM LOGOS

ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS

GRAPHICS - WALL MURALS

INDIVIDUAL CUT - OUT LET TERS & LOGOS

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR SIGNAGE

WAYFINDING SIGNAGE

manhattansigns.nyc

Queens County Country Farm is hosting an April Blossom Festival over the last two weekends of April.

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Executive Director: Leslie Ramos

718.335.9421

82ndstreet.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org

QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and wellbeing of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the

Federation is a pan-Asian nonprofit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361

Executive Director: Christine Siletti

718.423.2434

info@baysidevillagebid.com

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361

President: Ed Probst

Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)

78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468

tgurung@accompanycapital.org

QUICK GLANCE: Accompany Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that provides

small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and oneon-one counseling.

Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115

bocnet.org

QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of Continued on Page 26

THE RIGHT PRODUCT, FOR THE RIGHT PRICE, AT THE RIGHT TIME.

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BUSINESS RESOURCES FAIR

April 20, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Registration Required!

Annual Meeting’s agenda is: Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance; Nominating Committee Remarks & Report; Swearing-in ceremony of officers and Remarks by Queens Chamber Chair – Howard Graf

Poppenhusen Institute

114-04 14th Road College Point, New York

”CHALLENGES: STRATEGIES AROUND RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND HARNESSING TALENT.”

April 21, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Committee for a timely event. Hear from key career leaders at Queens College and St. John’s University how to tap into the student pipeline and how to leverage those relationships and resources.

Queens College, CUNY

65-30 Kissena Boulevard

Jamaica, New York

2023 ANNUAL MEETING & BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

April 25, 2023, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Registration Required!

Annual Meeting’s agenda is: Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance; Nominating Committee Remarks & Report; Swearing-in ceremony of officers and Remarks by Queens Chamber Chair – Howard Graf

Bourbon Street

40-12 Bell Blvd, Bayside, New York

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE MTA

May 16, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and MTA present a complimentary webinar on May 16, 2023 for all contractors. MTA is looking for the following trades:

• Prime Construction Contracts

Ranging from $100,000 to $3,000,000

• Access to Business Loans up to $900,000, per Contract

• Free Construction and Business Development Training • Surety

Bonding Assistance

• Fast Track Payments Within 10 Business Days

Virtual

www.queenschamber.com

QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY 2023

May 2, 6:00 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the business community for Queens Day in Albany 2023! This annual event includes a meet-and-greet with the Queens Assembly and Senate delegation, tours of the majestic Capitol Building and Legislative Chambers, and a cocktail reception/food sampling of the finest Queens’ food and drink purveyors.

Buses leave from the Bulova Corporate Center

75-20 Astoria Blvd, Jackson Heights at 6:30 am

QUEENS BUSINESS EXPO 2023

June 7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

BIGGER, BOLDER, BETTER!

Don’t miss out on this business opportunity to meet over 140 Exhibitors, Multiple Panel Discussions, and a wide range of Speakers considered to be a who’swho in their respective field. Last year, thousands of people attended this expo so don’t miss out!

Citi Field

41 Seaver Way Flushing, New York

BUSINESS RESOURCE

FAIR

March 28, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the office of Council Member Linda Lee are hosting a multilingual small business resource fair on March 30, 2023 at the Hollis Library (202-05 Hollis Ave). Business Owners will have the opportunity to meet and greet representatives from City agencies and Local Organizations.

This event is open to the public. Complimentary Admission.

Hollis Library

202-05 Hillside Avenue Hollis, New York

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

CHHAYA CDC

37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

718.478.3848

chhayacdc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.

CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)

217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038

chinatownpartnership.org

QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.

With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375

President: Leslie Brown

718.268.6565

FHChamber11375@gmail.com

FHChamber@aol.com

QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meet-

ings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

GATEWAYJFK

Interim Executive Director: Barbara J. Cohen 516.730.3400

info@GatewayJFK.org

GatewayJFK.org

QUICK GLANCE: GatewayJFK is a publicprivate partnership providing neighborhood services, improvements and advocacy for the District’s off-airport cargo community and all who live, work or visit the area. A vital link in the global supply chain, GatewayJFK is a distinct and unique NYC neighborhood of major economic significance to the region, the nation, and the world. “

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354

Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONWOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202

gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432

Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli

718.526.2422

jamaica.nyc

@JamCenterBID (Twitter)

@jamcenterbid (Instagram)

@Jamaica Center BID (Facebook)

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430

Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci

President: Al DePhillips

Vice President: Joseph Morra

JFKCoCExec@gmail.com

jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

718.786.5300

longislandcityqueens.com

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378

President: David Daraio

718.335.1300

maspethchamberofcommerce.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate

718.205.3773

qelycate@bocnet.org

mibanyc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379

President: Salvatore Crifasi

718.894.8700

Sal@Crifasi.com

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897

New York, NY 10156

212.886.5867

murrayhillnyc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385

Executive Director: Ted Renz

718.366.3806

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309

Kew Gardens, NY 11424

Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546

queensny.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300

www.rdrc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street

Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org

QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820

info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secret, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104

President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688

sunnyside-chamber.org

QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of $55,000, t he chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104

Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800

director@sunnysideshines.org

sunnysideshines.org

QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of approximately $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435

Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110

sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net

QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Ave. and 94th Ave.

URBAN UPBOUND

40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

CEO & Co-Founder: Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor

QUICK GLANCE: Urban Upbound, originally known as East River Development Alliance (ERDA), was co-founded in 2002 by Debra-Ellen Glickstein, a strong advocate of economic development inclusion, and Bishop Mitchell Taylor, a lifelong resident of Queensbridge Houses, with the intention to develop high-quality services that address resident-identified needs. Since then, the organization has grown to serve thousands of youth and adults living in public housing and other low-and moderate-income neighborhoods annually

Aetna Better Health of New York

55 W. 125th Street

New York, NY 10027

https://www.aetna.com

Contact: Margaret Gonzalez, GonzalezM7@ aetna.com

Aetna Better Health of New York is a Medicaid Managed Long Term Care plan & MedicaidMedicare plan available to residents of select counties in greater NYC.

First Choice Vending

1486 Schenectady Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11203

Contact: David Futterman, hello@fcvsnacks. com

First Choice Vending provides a full line vending experience to keep your employees or customers satisfied.

MD Squad Property Group LLC

7 Penn Plaza, Suite 601 New York, NY 10001

https://www.md2pg.com

Contact: Michael Mintz, michael@md2pg.com

MD Squared Property Management Company

started in early 2014 with one goal – to provide reliable and consistent, top-quality management services.

Nationwide Financial

80 Garfield Street Garden City, NY 11530

https://www.nationwide.com

Contact: Michael Butler, michael.butler@ nationwide.com

Over the past 90 years, focusing on customers and valuing people have helped Nationwide become one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.

Queens Garden Florist Inc.

15410 Cross Island Pkwy

Whitestone, NY 11357

https://www.qgfloral.com

Contact: Zuccarello Peter, cs@qgfloral.com

For over four generations the Zuccarello family has owned and operated QG Floral & Landscape. Proudly serving NYC and surrounding areas, the talented QG team creates inspiring landscape designs and beautiful events. Our shop is always full of gorgeous flowers, artfully designed arrangements, and unique gifts.

NEW MEMBERS

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

A & S Rebar, Inc.

92 Main Street, Suite 206 Yonkers, NY 10701

https://www.asrebar.com

Contact: Andrew Simmons, simmons@ asrebar.com

Compass Café

142-82 Rockaway Blvd

Jamaica, NY 11436

Contact: Ruth Archibald, ruth@hopennyc. com

Dan Brennan Media

38-01 23rd Avenue, Suite 311 Astoria, NY 11105

Contact: Lawrence Hammel, larry@ hammelmedia.com

EFY Sales, LLC

37 Mackey Avenue

Port Washington, NY 11050

https://www.danbrennanmedia.com

Contact: Dan Brennan, Danbrennanmedia@ gmail.com

Farnum’s Finest

205-17 Jamaica Avenue, 1st Floor Hollis, NY 11423

https://www.farnumsfinest.com

Contact: Shawn Farnum, sfarnum@ farnumsfinest.com

Fiado Inc.

318 NE 117th Street Miami, FL 33161

https://www.payconfiado.com

Contact: Steven Carpio, Hola@somosfiado. com

Geto & de Milly, Inc.

276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 806 New York, NY 10001

https://www.getodemilly.com

Contact: Michele De Milly, mdemilly@ getdodemilly.com

Healthy NYRX Inc.

3261 85th Street

East Elmhurst, NY 11370

Contact: Violeta Khaimova, healthynyrx@ gmail.com

International Security Services, Inc.

2720 86th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11223

https://www.issinvestigation.com

Contact: Michael Kozhar, info@ issinvestigation.com

Jaffe Realty, LLC

23-68 48th Street

Astoria, NY 11103

https://www.jaffe-realty.com

Contact: Brian Jaffe, brian@jaffe-realty. com

Law Offices of Evelyn V. Sylvester, PLLC

64 E. 111th Street, Suite 508 New York, NY 10029

https://www.evelynsylvesterlegal.com

Contact: evelyn@evelynsylvesterlegal.com

Level Squared Consultants Inc. 156-32 101st Street

Howard Beach, NY 11414

Contact: Alfredo Torres, alfredo.torres@ verizon.net

Metro Franchising 215-22 73rd Street

Oakland Gardens, NY 11021

Contact: Scott Campbell, scampbell@ metrofranching.com

Modulus Consulting

71-01 Auston Street, Suite 201A Forest Hills, NY 11375

https://www.modulusconsulting.com

Contact: Sheena Shook, sheena@ modulusconsulting.com

Mid Island Mortgage Corps 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 112 Westbury, NY 11590

Contact: Michael Balzano, mbalzano@ mortgage.com

Parkline Elevator 6946 185th Street

Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

https://www.parklineelevator.com

Contact: Ryan Callahan, Ryan@ parklineelevator.com

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen 61-34 188th Street

Queens, NY 11365

https://www.taimkitchen.com

Contact: Sarah Carden – Smith, sarah@ taimkitchen.com

3rdi Technologies, LLC 8914 Parsons Blvd

Jamaica, NY 11432

https://www.3rditechnologies.com

Contact: Roy Sirengo, business@3rditechnologies.com

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE EXECUTIVE STAFF SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

Howard Graf

Chairperson

Richard Dzwlewicz

Vice Chair

Patricia Mezeul

Treasurer

Nash Roe

Secretary

Kenneth J. Buettner

Stephanie Baldwin

Chad E. Callahan

Salvatore Crifasi

David Diraio

Steven DeClara

Patrick Yu

Associate Treasurer

Michelle Stoddart

Associate Secretary

Thomas J. Santucci

Immediate Past Chair

Thomas J. Grech

President & CEO

Joanne M. Persad

Chief of Operations

Arlene Diangkinay

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Richard Dzwlewicz

Charles Everett, Jr.

Joseph R. Ficalora

Tamara Gavrielof

Howard Graf

Fran Gross

1st Equity Title & Closing Services

A&L Cesspool Services Corp

A+ Technology & Security

AARP

Abrams Fensterman

Ads Engineers, DPC

AES

Allied Risk Management, Inc

Amna Construction Corp

Andromeda

Antun’s of Queens Village

APC Specialist LLC

ARK Import Export Center, LLC

At Your Side Home Care Service

Avison Young

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service

Barn Truck Rental

Barone Management LLC

Berkshire HathawayHomeservices

Laffey International Realty

Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com

Kelsey Brow King Manor Museum director@kingmanormuseum.org

BANKING & LAW

Mia Sultana Ball Signature Bank nsultana@signatureny.com

John Renda Edward Jones John.Renda@edwardjones.com

COMMUNICATIONS

Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com

Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com

Prabhleen S. Virk

Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com

Brendan Leavy

Business Development Manager

Jacqueline Donado

Strategic Program Coordinator

Jef Gross

Manager of Media Relations

William Blake

Dominick Ciampa

Joseph Farber

Louis D. Laurino

Jeff Levine

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Raymond Irrera

Kenneth Koenig

Lorraine Chambers Lewis

Bert Lurch

Meredith Marshall

Carl Mattone

Patricia Mezeul

Melinda Murray-Nyack

Maria Odysseos

Stephen Preuss

Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Broadway Stages

Brooklyn Tile and Design

BRP Companies

Bulovas Restorations Inc

Capital One Bank

Carben Construction Inc.

Carter Milchman and Frank

Catholic Charities Brooklyn &

Queens

Catholic Health

CBRE

CDS-Mestel Construction

Center for Automotive Education and Training

Century Development Group

Cerini and Associates, LLP.

Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization

Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC

Cipico Construction, Inc.

Coastal Flooring Solutions Combs & Company

Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com

Ryan Letts Cleonmaye Corporation rletts@cleonmaye.com

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES

Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu

Michael Shoule

JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com

FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com

Rachel Kellner

Aigner Chocolates rachel@aignerchocolates.com

MANUFACTURING

Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com

Community Care Rx INC

Cornell Tech

Cornerstone Land Abstract

Cort

CPower Energy Management

Crann Integrated Solutions

Crescent Properties, Inc

Cross County Mortgage LLC.

Crown Castle

Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd

Dedline AV

Diehl & Sons Inc. D.b.a New York

Freightliner

Direct Clean Service Solutions

E-J Electric Installation Co.

Elite Builders and Management

EMCOR NY/NJ

EMU Health

ENP Environmental, Inc.

ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP

EW Howell Construction Group

First Central Savings Bank

Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc.

NOT FOR PROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org

Christine Deska BellesBoard/Nonprofit Sector Strategies christine@nonprofitsectorstrategies.org

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com

Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.com

Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com

TECHNOLOGY

Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com

TRANSPORTATION

Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me

Juan Santiago

Thomas Santucci

Mark Scheinberg

Caryn Schwab

Sher Sparano

Michelle Stoddart

Gil-Bar Industries, Inc.

GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC

Goodwill Industries NYNJ

Graf & Lewent Architects

Greater NY Automobiles Dealers

Association

Grubb Properties

HANAC, Inc.

HE2PD, Inc.

Healthy Corner Pharmacy

Heatherwood Communities

Himmel + Meringoff Properties

Holt Construction Corp

HQUS DBA Hydro Quebec

Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc.

IKEA Queens

INDA, Association of Nonwoven

Fabric Industry

Inggroups

Innovo Property Group

J Strategies, Inc

J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc.

Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas / Showcase Cinemas

James E Fitzgerald

Janney Montgomery Scott

Jason Office Products

JGM Construction Development, LLC

Kasirer, LLC

Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc.

KMN Builders, Inc.

Krispy Kreme

Lenoblelumber Co

Levine Builders

Liberty Ashes Inc.

Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc.

M&J Commissary Inc.

Macerich

Madison International Realty

MediSys Health Network

Mega Contracting Group LLC

Mesirow Financial

Molloy College

Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens

Mr. T Carting Corp.

NBCUniversal

Nelson + Pope

New York + Atlantic Railway

New York Crystal Cleaning

New York Life Insurance Company

New York State Energy Coalition, Inc.

NOLA CONSTRUCTION INC

Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC

Northwell Go Health Urgent Care

NYEEQASC, LLC

Omni Funding Corp. of America

Onegroup

Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

Ponce Bank

Praxis Public Relations

Priority 1 Security LLC

ProCleanings Co

Prospect Cleaning Service, Inc.

Terri Thomson

Henry Wan

Mark Weprin

Patrick Yu

Daniel Zausner

QSIDE Federal Credit Union

Queens College CUNY

Queens Community House

R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc.

RBH Restaurant LLC.

Red Eye Group LLC

Regal Heights

REIL Capital

Renaissance New York Flushing

Hotel At Tangram

Ripco Investment Sales

Ronald Fatoullah & Associates

Rosco Inc.

Royal Waste Services

Russo’s on the Bay

RXR Realty

Samaritan Daytop Village

Securitech Group, Inc.

Signature Bank

Silvercup Studios

SkyTrac Access Group, LLC

SL Green Realty Corp.

SourceBlue

Spectrum Reach

Spoton

Squad Security Inc.

St. Francis Preparatory School

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

St. John’s University

Standard Group

Starbucks Corporation

Stellar Global Trading Inc

Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C.

Sullivan Engineering LLC

SUNation Solar Systems

Target

The Durst Organization

The L Grp

The Liquidity Source

The Sandhu Group

Triumvirate Environmental

Tully Environmental Inc.

Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

Universal Healthcare

US Bank

Valley National Bank

Vassilaros & Sons Coffee

Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western

Premier Collection

VOREA

W & M Fire Protection Services

Waste Management of New York LLC

Watch Guard 24/7

Waymo

Webster Bank

WellLife Network

White Coffee Corp

Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C.

YMCA of Greater New York / Queens Branches

Zara Realty

Vincent L. Petraro, Esq.

George Rozansky

Gerard Thornton

St. Joseph’s University receives grant for summer programming

BY MATTHEW FISCHETTI mfischetti@queensledger.com

St. Joseph’s University New York announced on March 24 that they received a $230,000 grant to provide summer courses for high school students from Brooklyn.

The grant awarded by the Teagle Foundation will be a collaboration between SJNY and Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York, a group that helps disadvantaged students become community-minded leaders. The

program will serve a total of 70 students over a three-year period starting this summer, according to SJNY.

“The Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York scholars come from historically underserved communities with little access to higher education preparation,” Lysandra Hutchinson, director of college access and collegian support for BHGHNY said in a statement. “Through extensive programming and assistance, our scholars will be able to experience firsthand what it's like to be a col-

lege student thanks to the opportunity to form this partnership with St. Joseph’s.”

The three-week program, “The Citizen’s Path, A Knowledge for Freedom Program,” will be available for high school seniors who are participants of BHGHNY. The program will give students the opportunity to earn college credit while learning about civic engagement, government and human rights by reading classical thinkers and writers and through trips and cultural events.

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

“The Teagle Foundation and BHGHNY are devoted to cultivating the study of liberal arts and fostering democratic citizenship,” said Michael Burke, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy. “I am honored to be part of the St. Joseph’s team that is working with the Teagle Foundation and BHGHNY to provide local high school students with the opportunity to experience a liberal arts education through The Citizen’s Path program.”

For more information visit sjny.edu

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

As a valued neighbor of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth, we would like to offer you a 15% Local Loyalty discount.

Pick up a Local Loyalty card at a participating Maspeth business, and present it at our front desk to receive your special 15% OFF rate! Scan the barcode to see the list of participating businesses.