Need some help to open a restaurant/bar in JH

[JIF]

Check out 74th Street Little India.... a restaurant there on the west side is shut down...that would be interesting...to have a Western restaurant amongst the stores along that street...

Also on Diversity Plaza...I think a place is shutting down...now that would make Diversity Plaza truly diverse...if a western style place opened up alongside the Desi ones. 

[Fidelia]

How about the health food store once they relocate to the big new store in the new construction.  Would be a very nice location.

I would avoid diversity plaza... not a  nice feel around there right now unfortunately,  although I know people are working hard to try and improve it.

[Fidelia]

How about the health food store once they relocate to the big new store in the new construction.  Would be a very nice

And by the health food store I mean the place on 37th around 83rd street where the store is currently located.  There will be a lot of new residential tenants in that new vin chu building, also, presumably with higher than average disposable income for the area - they could end up being a good source of customers. 

[JIF]

"I would avoid diversity plaza... not a  nice feel around there right now unfortunately,  although I know people are working hard to try and improve it."

The only way to change things...is to change them!  Proactively. To improve Diversity Plaza...WE need to improve it...including businesses...That's how anything ameliorates! By new businesses moving in...is one way.

Some folks only see what's there...others, who have vision, see what can be...

And New York is an encouraging place...for those who envision what's possible...

[Fidelia]

"I would avoid diversity plaza... not a  nice feel around there right now unfortunately,  although I know people are working hard to try and improve it."

The only way to change things...is to change them!  Proactively. To improve Diversity Plaza...WE need to improve it...including businesses...That's how anything ameliorates! By new businesses moving in...is one way.

Some folks only see what's there...others, who have vision, see what can be...

And New York is an encouraging place...for those who envision what's possible...

I understand what you're saying, and I agree it would be wonderful to have the first thing you see when you get off the subway into Jackson Heights be improved from what is there now, but I think the first priority needs to be to make sure this new business, which would add a lot to the neighborhood, and presumably will be a huge investment of time and money for some great people who care about Jackson Heights, survives.  They need to pick the right place so their business is viable.

[dssjh]

if only diversity plaza was accessible by subway......

[toque198]

The Tibetan Restaurant on Roosevelt btwn 75th & 74th looks like it might be closed again. That's a pretty big space that goes through to 37th Road and I know it has a kitchen and is vented and ansuled.

[dssjh]

i think it's closed for good this time. the space fronting Roosevelt is actually quite nice, and has a bar already in place. that side part is kind of nasty, and not really attached to the main section, if I recall correctly. that could be a terrific space if the price is right.

[toque198]

When I was there a few years ago (don't remember which owner) the 37th Rd part was a very informal dining room and takeout counter.  I think the kitchen is in that part so you really couldn't separate it.  It could be used as a casual bistro with the more formal dining room up front.  It would also allow for two menus with two pricing categories.  I never remember it lasting a full year under any of its reincarnations, maybe the price negotiations could bring this up.  I also remember when that space had a yearly fire.

[homeowner]

Yes.  The space where the health food store is currently would be a great location - not too big and not cramped.  Good luck and keep us posted.  There would be a great deal of support for a new restaurant that wasn't fast food or chicken!! 

[jeanette]

i'm a little perplexed. perhaps someone can set me straight. why does it seem there is a consensus that the 37th Ave. restaurants in the 80s are somehow lacking? For what it's worth, I would think dudley was interested in that area because it has a nice mix of pretty good establishments already; only that there is room for his vision. i'll admit i don't eat out much anymore these days, but what i can see from the outside looking in is not uninteresting--Arubamba, La Gran Uruguaya, Tomo, Las Margaritas, Party Pizza just opening, a few more i'm forgetting--looks diverse enuf to me, and none of it is corporate chain crap. Parking is a concern though.

[rhydewithdis]

If I can draw you out of JH, there is a hardware store that had very good space, and ideally situation on Skillman Ave right on the Woodside/Sunnyside border. Probably even more so than JH, you would find an ideal target crowd in this area.

http://sunnysidepost.com/2013/07/21/hardware-store-on-skillman-closes-as-rent-increases-and-business-wanes/

[Matibar]

This is a long shot, but the Rite Aid on 82nd Street between 37th and Roosevelt appears to be in the process of closing. They've moved all their prescriptions over to their enormously enlarged (doubled in size) store on 37th Ave between 82nd and 83rd. It seems likely that they will close the entire 82nd Street store.

This is a huge space, of course.

[JackM]

The Natural Foods store on 37th Ave. is moving across the street to an expanded space.  Their old space might be available (?)  Good luck.  I'll ask around.  Some unsolicited advice:  Make is simple.  Irish Pub.  Burgers, beers, wines (some healthy food for the more particular.)  I think you will do great.  We need a nice hangout.  A place where you can go to sit and drink craft beers and chat.   

[Dkaplan]

I agree with JackM. A nice pub would be a place I would frequent. I think it would fit great on 37th ave too if you could find a vacant spot.