News Briefs (March 7)

Attorney General James Sues Large-Scale Predatory Lending Operation Targeting Small Businesses

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against major operation of over 40 companies and individuals, alleging they exploited small businesses through fraudulent loans with exhorbitantly high interest rates disguised as merchant cash advances. The parties being sued include Yellowstone Capital and its founder David Glass, Delta Bridge Funding, along with several other individuals involved in negotiating the loans. 

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking at least $1.4 billion in interest and fraudulent fees and a court order for the businesses to stop their illegal operations. 

AG James alleges that Yellowstone Capital and other businesses used a string of different company names, meaning that each is part of the same predatory lending scheme. Yellowstone’s aliases include  Fundry, Green Capital Funding, High Speed Capital, Capital Advance Services, and Delta Bridge. 

City Bakery, a Manhattan restaurant in Union Square, is one of the impacted small businesses. The bakery, which once employed 30-50 full-time staffers, was forced to close in 2019 after facing skyrocketing debt to Yellowstone which required them to pay more than $2,000 per day. 

“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, and they face severe challenges without also having predatory lenders taking advantage of them,” said Attorney General James. “Yellowstone Capital, Delta Bridge, and the other companies pretended to offer a helping hand, but instead provided only illegal, ultra-high-interest loans. Numerous small business owners struggled because of the outrageous loans issued by Yellowstone Capital and other predatory lenders. My office will not allow any scheme to harm small businesses, their owners or employees, or the millions of New Yorkers who rely on them each and every day.”

 

Forest Hills to host monthly community cleanups on Metropolitan Avenue

A group of elected officials, local business owners, and nonprofit organizations announced on Tuesday a new collaborative series of monthly cleanups on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, set to take place from March until at least the end of the school year. 

Included in the group are Metro Village of Forest Hills, Community Board 6, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Senator Joe Addabbo, the Forest Hills Green Team, and Forest Hills Stadium. This grouping formed at the culmination of a 2023 series of local cleanups organized by separate groups. 

“Metro Village of Forest Hills is so grateful to be part of a neighborhood where community members, leaders, and elected officials are dedicated to working together to improve the community. We look forward to participating in this ongoing beautification project and are hopeful that community members of all ages will get involved, including my 5 year-old son, Jacob. We want the streets of Metropolitan Avenue to reflect the beauty inside the shops,” said Rachel Kellner, founder of Metro Village of Forest Hills.

The first cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. Volunteers will meet outside Aigner Chocolates at 103-02 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. For those looking for additional information, email metrovillagefh@gmail.com or contact the district offices of Assemblyman Hevesi, Council Member Schulman, or Senator Addabbo. 

 “Forest Hills Green Team looks forward to working with all our partners on this community clean up event series. Metropolitan Avenue is heavily traveled, so clean up efforts here are especially needed, and will have significant visual benefits for neighbors. It’s a good complement to our landscape planting and beautification project at the nearby LIRR overpass area nearby on Yellowstone Blvd,” said Dan Miner, co-chair of the Forest Hills Green Team.

 

Astoria Bookshop Turns Page on 10 Years 

Guests filled up the shop to celebrate 10 years since the bookshop opened in Astoria. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

By Iryna Shkurhan | ishkurhan@queensledger.com

Astoria Bookshop celebrated their 10 Year Anniversary on Monday, as well as a grand reopening in a new location, with an all day celebration featuring special guests and activities. 

For close to a decade, Astoria’s only bookstore was stationed on 31-29 31st Street. The queer and woman-owned shop opened for business on August 21, 2013 and has generated many bookworm regulars who could browse a wide selection in an intimate space. But earlier this spring, the books moved less than a mile away to their new home at 36-19 30th Street.

“For the past two years we’ve just been bursting at the seams,” said the store’s founder and owner Lexi Beach. “We just didn’t have room to carry everything.”

The new location is 40 percent bigger and has a garden with seating for guests to enjoy their newly purchased reads. Beach says that the bigger location has given her, and the seven other booksellers, the chance to play around with fun new subsections and stock more books in each category. The reaction to the new location has been split down the middle. Some of her regulars complain that she’s further away now, while others are glad that their trip to the shop got shorter. But everyone is happy about the new garden, especially the dog owners. 

The garden has several seats and is dog friendly. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

The party started with a storytime for the kids in the morning, and a station to create their own bookmark afterwards using cut out shapes from advance copy picture books. Meg Jones-Wall, of 3am Tarot and the author of Finding the Fool: A Tarot Journey to Radical Transformation, was also available for tarot readings in the garden in the evening. 

Casey McQuiston, author of the bestselling novel Red, White & Royal Blue, was another popular guest. Their book, which was adapted into a film this year, centers around the son of America’s first female president falling in love with a prince of England, and having to keep it under wraps. Fans of the queer novel had the chance to ask McQuiston their questions about the book, or for new recommendations. 

Even City Councilmember Tiffany Caban, who represents Astoria and other western Queens neighborhoods, briefly stopped by the celebration. 

Since day one, customers have been able to order their books online to be shipped directly to their home, or picked up in store. But since the initial opening, more and more people have ordered their books online, even if they live nearby in Astoria. The shop has even shipped books to all six continents. 

“Still, most of our business comes from here and most of our business is in person. It has not changed. And I don’t think that’s really going to change,” said Beach, who believes that the physical space of a bookstore, especially one that offers community events, cannot be replaced. 

Lexi Beach previously worked in the book publishing industry before taking the leap and starting her own business. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

The shop frequently hosts authors for various readings and meet and greets, as well as storytelling for kids. She says that giving people another reason to visit the bookstore, since most people are not buying a new book every week or even every month, is central to her mission. 

“The first steps that I took trying to open a bookstore were so much easier than I thought they would be. And so much easier than trying to find my next publishing job,” said Beach, who worked a range of roles in the book publishing industry for close to a decade before taking the leap of starting her own business. “I was like, oh, maybe this is the direction that I’m supposed to go in.”

That knowledge of the book world easily transferred over to her current duties of meeting with book representatives, and selecting what titles will fill up the shelves and tables. 

Her liberal arts degree in Spanish literature has also come in handy. She’s able to chat with Spanish speaking visitors and guide them through the growing Spanish speaking section, with books for both adults and kids. 

Visitors browse the shelves. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

“Even on the toughest day, it’s still better than any other job I’ve had,” said Beach, who lives on the Upper East Side with her wife and dog. 

Meng Awards 1 Million for Small Business Legal Desk 

Congresswoman Grace Meng allocated one million dollars for the Queens Chamber of Commerce to start a Small Business Legal Desk. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

By Iryna Shkurhanishkurhan@queensledger.com 

Small businesses in Queens will soon have access to free legal advice in five different languages through a new pilot program spearheaded by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. 

Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents much of the borough, awarded the Chamber with a check for $1 million outside the Small Business Development Center at Queens College in Flushing. 

“This will consist of pro-bono, professional support to help small businesses avoid costly issues and mistakes that could impact the force and the strength of our workforce,” said Meng at the event on Thursday. “It will especially help small immigrant owned small businesses and link the small business community that I’m proud to represent.” 

She also pointed out that when business owners run into legal hurdles, they may not know exactly where to turn. Without resources to have a lawyer on retainer, or prior experience dealing with legal issues, they can fall victim to scams and end up in a worse situation than before. 

With the funding, the chamber will bring aboard lawyers, accountants and human resources professionals who can advise business owners in times of need, and in multiple languages – Mandarin, Korean, Bengali, Russian, and Spanish. 

Tom Gretch, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, recounted that during the pandemic, many business owners lost out on available government assistance, such as the Paycheck Protection Program loan, due to language barriers and a lack of expert advice. 

“We see the importance, especially in places like downtown Flushing, and other areas of Congresswoman Meng’s district, the importance of outreach, which is why we have people that speak different languages on staff,” said Gretch, who noted that Asian-American communities are growing in size and influence, both locally and across the nation as indicated by the 2020 Census count. 

Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Gretch applauded the initiative. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

The Queens Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,400 businesses that employ over 150,000 Queens based employees in a range of industries. 

As the daughter of small business owners, who went from working in one of Flushing’s first Chinese restaurants to owning their own, Congresswoman Meng says the cause is personal. 

“They are helping to create jobs, they are helping to provide much needed services and goods that otherwise we would lack in our local neighborhoods,” said Meng. “And they provide a source of comfort.”

The Chamber is not the only group helping business owners take off, and stay afloat, in the borough. Several speakers at the event pointed out that the Small Business Development Center has been a key supporter of entrepreneurs and small businesses owners for over two decades.

Since 2001, advisors at SBDC have worked with close to 8,000 businesses, and helped invest over $100 million in the local economy, according to their website. They help business owners navigate a range of actionable steps, including setting up a business plan, marketing, securing funding, exports goods and adhering to regulations. 

“This is news that’s important not only for the Chamber of Commerce, but for everyone who lives and works in the world’s borough,” said Frank H. Wu, President of Queens College, at the gathering. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of this community.”

Neighborhood Favorite Alpha Donuts Closing After Almost Half a Century in Business

A small one-story shop sits on a street in Sunnyside, Queens, connected to two other small buildings. The shop has a bright yellow sign with the words "ALPHA DONUTS" written on it in red.

The Alpha Donuts storefront.

By Carmo Moniz | news@queensledger.com

As a child, Jennifer Dembek, a Sunnyside resident of 48 years, would sometimes be greeted with donuts from her grandmother after school. The donuts came from Alpha Donuts, a community staple where Dembek said she could always find a good meal, a friendly face and great service. Dembek is one of many Sunnyside residents with fond memories of the shop, which is closing its doors after 48 years of serving the neighborhood.

“I grew up with this place which was great, it’s a staple in the neighborhood that we’re losing,” Dembek said. “I’m sad to hear that it’s closing.”

The beloved donut spot, which has been gutted of its insides and now sits empty on 45-16 Queens Blvd., is closing due to financial difficulties caused by inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to owner Patty Zorbas. Zorbas, who left the shop on Friday, has been running the business for the past 30 years.

“I gave so much of myself to this place,” Zorbas said. “It was a pleasure, all these years, it meant so much to me.”

Throughout its nearly 50 years in business, Alpha Donuts remained a family operation, according to Zorbas. She said that before she took over the shop, her sister-in-law had been in charge of the business, and before that her husband, who has since passed, was running it.

“This was my baby,” Zorbas said. “I have so many beautiful memories, it breaks my heart that I have to go.”

Yesnia Rumaldo, a friend of Zorbas’ who works in a nearby jewelry shop, said that she has gone to Alpha Donuts every morning for the past 24 years and is saddened to see it close. 

“This is the only place that you could come, where you find somebody friendly, always with a smile on their face, doesn’t matter what,” Rumaldo said. “They were always ready for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got money or if you don’t have money.”

Alpha Donuts is not the only small business in Sunnyside to have been hit hard by the pandemic. Three years ago, KMIA Salon, once located in the building to the right of Alpha Donuts, also closed due to financial struggles brought on by COVID-19. 

Food service and retail establishments were more affected by COVID-19 compared to other businesses, remaining below pre-pandemic levels even when many industries were beginning to bounce back, according to a report released by the New York City Comptroller last year. 

Anne Smyth, who has lived in Sunnyside for 35 years and was a frequent customer of the donut shop, said that she has noticed businesses closing more frequently in the neighborhood. 

“I’ve been here 35 years and it was the freshest coffee, food — everything,” Smyth said. “The whole neighborhood is so nice and Sunnyside has gone down so much. They’re taking away everything, rent is far too high, they’re bringing everything down. It’s not fair.”

Smyth added that Alpha Donuts was a common gathering spot for older Sunnyside residents, and said she is concerned about where they will go now that the shop is closed.

“They go in there, they have a cup of coffee, their cup of tea, they can sit there, they can have a toast or whatever they want,” Smyth said. “It’s gone, there’s nowhere else to go for them. It’s absolutely dreadful.”

Speaker Adams Joins Schulman on Forest Hills Small Business Tour

The group visited small businesses on Austin St. in Forest Hills.

By Iryna Shkurhan |ishkurhan@queensledger.com 

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams joined City Councilmember Lynn Schulman on a tour of small businesses in Forest Hills on Thursday, June 15. 

The goal was to gauge the opinions of business owners and their employees on economic concerns, street design and any other frustrations they may have. Many expressed struggles to attract customers and generate the same level of revenue prior to the pandemic, while others shared their thoughts on how to improve the design of bustling Austin Street. 

Thomas Grech, the President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, also joined them in going door to door to offer businesses resources on how to expand in today’s digital age, such as social media promotion. 

The tour included a visit to a dry cleaning business on Austin Street.

“I really felt good about showing the speaker, all the diversity of the store owners and the kinds of small businesses we have and all of their unique stories,” said Schulman in an interview with the Queens Ledger. “That’s what makes a community, the local mom and pop shops.”

Thank Heaven, a children’s boutique selling baby clothing and toys, is a family run business that has sat on Austin St. for the past 19 years. The owner, Ariena Thomsen, expressed that business has been slow, especially following the pandemic. 

“It’s not nearly what it used to be when I first opened,” said Thomsen during the tour.

To stay afloat during the crisis, she took out loans because she was not entitled to pandemic government loan programs because she has no employees. Now she is stuck with paying off the debt, despite less incoming business. And competing with online retailers like Amazon has made it even more difficult to generate revenue. 

“We know that while business is improving, it’s not improving for everyone,” said Schulman. “And so we need to help them in certain ways.”

The owner of Renegade Hair Salon, which has been in business in Forest Hills for decades, expressed similar concerns about slower business following the pandemic.  

“It’s a lot slower, people are letting their gray grow out, people have really long hair,” said owner Tony Rinkon. 

He also complained that there is constant traffic and honking on Austin St. where his storefront stands. And many of his customers blame the traffic and congestion on the street when they come in late for appointments. 

“All day long you hear honking,” he said, while expressing to the speaker and councilwoman that he is in favor of converting the street to a one way to create better flow. “If you tried to make the street like they say a pedestrian only might as well shut every store down immediately,” Rinkin added.  

Other people in the neighborhood believe that banning cars from Austin St. is the best solution to make the street safer for pedestrians and cyclists, without hurting businesses in the process. 

Pedro Rodriguez, a longtime Forest Hills resident, and founder of a safer Austin St. collective, joined the tour to convey support for making segments of Austin St. car free.

“The reality is, the current conditions are preventing certain people from coming here. So there’s a lot more people that will come here more often, but cannot,” said Eric Zolov, a Forest Hills resident who was biking past the tour. 

Schulman said that she commissioned the Department of Transportation to conduct a survey of Austin St. to determine what redesign solutions are best. 

“As we heard on this tour, there are concerns about congestion, noise, the proliferation of illegal smoke shops, the need for more foot traffic, and additional support needed from all levels of government,” said Speaker Adams in an email to the Queens Ledger. “It’s critical that we continue to listen to our small businesses and local merchants to better understand their challenges and concerns.”

Forest Hills Festival Uniting Communities For A Generation

2019 Forest Hills Festival of the Arts on Austin St. Photo: Michael Perlman

By Michael Perlman | mperlman@queensledger.com

For over 20 years, the Forest Hills Festival has been a tradition that unites Forest Hills residents and visitors with local merchants and nearby businesses, offering nearly every type of service.

On June 11 from 10 AM to 6 PM, diverse international foods and high-quality merchandise including novelties will line Austin Street from 69th Road to 72nd Road, and “Restaurant Row” will once again become an outdoor performance venue.

This festival, which is among the most distinctive neighborly and family-friendly events citywide, is the creative vision of Leslie Brown, longtime president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is the 3 C’s: “Commerce, Community, Culture.” “Culture brings the community together and commerce makes the community thrive.” Chamber members consist of 125 local members.

“My goals are to support our community’s small businesses and promote Forest Hills by bringing as many visitors and residents together to enjoy shops, restaurants, and all businesses,” she said.

Not only is Brown the founder of the Forest Hills Festival, but Jazz Thursdays each summer. She reminisced, “The festival came about as a way to showcase Forest Hills businesses and allow its business owners and residents to come together at a fun family event.” Part of her vision was to showcase local talent. Throughout the festival’s history, performers included dance students, martial arts students, fencing students, young musicians from local music schools, local jazz singers, and even world-class performers on a large stage. “This year will be the 3rd annual Sandwich Eating Contest, sponsored by Stacked Sandwich Shop,” she said.

This is community at its finest. She said, “Many families and people plan the start of their summer activities by attending the festival. The rides, the local talent showcased at the beginning, and the entertainment that continues in the mid-afternoon is what everyone looks forward to. There is always something to discover and someone to meet.”

The business district began to take shape after Forest Hills’ founding in 1906, and Austin Street would soon be nicknamed, “The Village.” Even today residents and merchants share long relationships of community support, according to Brown. “Business owners will support a patron’s kids’ Little League team, or a customer will spread the word about a business they love. Mutual respect and connections still exist here, so we need to celebrate such communities, since AI and internet shopping lead us away from human contact,” she said.

Not only have a few new stores opened this year, adding to the community’s diverse offerings, but the owners are ethnically diverse. Year-round, Austin Street becomes a magnet for shoppers from the five boroughs and Long Island.

Nancy Valentin, owner of NV Jewelry, founded her business in June 2010 and participated in at least 10 festivals. She feels additionally proud being raised in Forest Hills. Her kiosk will offer earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, and of course new jewelry creations. “No matter what circumstances or challenges women have endured in their lives, a piece of jewelry will empower them, and make them feel the very best,” she said.

Michelle Charlesworth of Eyewitness & Nancy Valentin of NV Jewelry.

Valentin embraces the sense of celebration that runs throughout the streets of the festival, as well as the rapport she builds with longtime and new clients. “Leslie Brown does such an amazing job selecting diverse vendors. She always cares about the needs of others, which truly shows,” she continued.

“The Forest Hills Festival is one event I look forward to all year long,” said Christopher Iavarone, owner of Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts at 73-25 Woodhaven Boulevard, which serves the community since 2009 and puts on a show every year. The students will take the stage and provide demonstrations.

Sensei Christopher Iavarone of Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts, Demonstration on Restaurant Row.

“It enables me to plug into the community and showcase kids who worked hard in their classes and give a platform to express themselves through martial arts. I choreograph the moves and the music. The community will have an ‘inside view of our school’ on a daily basis.” Kickboxing and jiu-jitsu are the true forms of the art, but by having different people perform, introduces a new dynamic each year. “When we put up a tent and have a huge tiger, it brings smiles to our community, and then we get to work with people one-on-one,” he continued.

Iavarone explained his mission. “Self-defense and physical conditioning are two most important aspects. We help kids who aren’t confident, but then are able to defend themselves from bullies. Adults also benefit greatly, as soon as they step through our door.” He considers his classes as a 3D activity. “It’s fun, teaches a life skill, and you get fit.”

The musical sensation, Yacht Lobsters, is sailing the waves and will newly take the grand stage on Restaurant Row. The seven-piece ensemble will engage a large audience at 3 PM, followed by a second set at 4:10 PM.

Yacht Rock is a genre that is a conglomeration of many artists, mostly from the 1970s and early 1980s. As a tribute band, the goal is typically to emulate their sounds. “For a tribute to be unique, it’s almost an oxymoron, but we take it pretty seriously. We go beyond copying music by taking songs that we heard a million times and love, and doing something unique,” explained musician David Mendelson of Yacht Lobsters, who anticipates performing and giving back to his birthplace, Forest Hills.

Singing sensation Yacht Lobsters. Photo: Arazelly Guevara

The character of the musicians also distinguishes them from other tribute bands, and Mendelsohn considers their harmonious teamwork a blessing. Afterall, vocal harmonies are a significant element of the genre. “We are trained musicians from NYC, who I feel are some of the best in the world,” he said.

Some staples of Yacht Rock are “Africa” by Toto and “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates. Their repertoire even reflects the sounds of Steely Dan, which bears Forest Hills roots. Yacht Lobsters is big on medleys, and therefore takes segments of classics and consolidates them along a theme, which may include some titles that may not qualify as Yacht Rock, but complements it. “The Magic Medley,” consisting of “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John and “Magic” by Pilot, and it may also allow the audience to hop on a “Magical Mystery Tour” by The Beatles.

Also original is how songs typically performed by high tenor males take on a new context through their female solo vocalist, Charly Kay, a master of blue-eyed soul. The band also takes pride in jamming and improvisation, varying from typical Yacht Rock.

Since the mid-2000s, Rysa Childress, owner of All Star Studios, made a mark on the Forest Hills Festival. She explained, “The kids love dancing for their very own community, and we hope it spreads joy to all. After the performance, our booth turns into one big dance party. You can stop by to get information about our programs and free trials, to just say hi, or to dance with us.”

All Star Studios team performing at their best, 2021. Photo: Rysa Childress

As a small business owner, she strives for a family atmosphere and giving back to the community through their art form is emphasized to all dance students. She explained, “Our Shining Star dance team does do competitions, but that is not our main focus. The teams do a multitude of performances to share their love of dance with the community and fundraise for those in need. Outside of their year-end recital, many team dancers perform for seniors in nursing homes, kids in programs at Queens Center mall, and have done an amazing job with fundraising events and shows for Autism Awareness organizations.” In their studio, she coordinated the PJammin’ Party to fundraise for American Childhood Cancer Association, donate time, gifts, or money to City Harvest, Forestdale Foster Care & Social Services, and From Our Hearts To Your Toes.

For a few years, Dream City, owned by Corrie Hu, has been a festival participant. Dream City is a children’s play and learn center that is on a mission to create a fun and safe learning environment, sparking curiosity while encouraging social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Corrie Hu, founder of Dream City, 2nd from left.

Hu opened prior to the pandemic in January 2020. She reminisced, “While we were only open for 7 weeks before NYC shut down, I was so touched and amazed at the support from our community, and that we were welcomed back as soon as it was safe to re-open. Dream City is a type of business that requires a high level of trust from parents to bring the most cherished people in their lives to our business, and I am forever grateful for their trust in us.”

Participant Stephanie Khan is a perfect example of a business that recently underwent expansion. Now the Stephanie Khan Medical Office is located at 110-78 Queens Boulevard. Many years ago, statistics revealed that there is a shortage in primary care physicians. Therefore, nurse practitioners were to fill in the gap of primary care. She wants fairgoers to be educated on what is a nurse practitioner and how they can help the health of their loved ones.

Khan explained, “Many illnesses and complications are manageable through medication and lifestyle choices. It is important to have strong communication and relationship with your healthcare provider, which is something I strive for. I also focus on shared decision-making, when it comes to treatment options. My goal is for people to feel empowered over their health and to empower future nurses and nurse practitioners to follow my lead in improving primary care.”

Chef François Danielo and fifth-generation breadmaker of La Boulangerie de François at 109-01 72nd Road, is a mainstay at the festival. He has participated in nearly all since opening in 2011, initiating an authentic bakery cafe experience in Forest Hills. He will always cherish the community’s response. “I will always remember the first time we made crepes outside for a 14th of July, French Bastille Day,” he said.

Francois Danielo of La Boulangerie, right, in September 2017. Photo: Michael Perlman

As patrons sit at a communal table at the café and observe the art of baking through a viewing window, fairgoers have observed the preparation of crepes, in addition to enjoying native pastries. When asked about his favorites, he selected the croissant, and as for more recent additions, Ispahan and Caramel Petit Gateau.

Danielo considers Forest Hills a small town that grants a great warm feeling. “Our bakery is like the town bakery, when patrons come and buy their bread and croissants.”

Twenty-four-year resident Christine Sheehan opened Dude’s Delicious Dog Treats last year. Her kiosk will offer homemade dog treats with quality ingredients. She aspires to grow the brand and business, while contributing to the health of dogs.

Dude’s Delicious Dog Treats table setup. Photo: Christine Sheeha

In response to last year’s festival, she said, “I was thrilled that we sold out, but more importantly with the great community response and most specifically our dog community. Many of our dog park buddies not only purchased items, but to sing the praises of our products to other dog owners. It really warmed my heart to see so much support and meet other dog parents and dogs.”

She founded her business stemming from a passion for dogs, baking, and the many lovely residents she met as a result of getting her dog, Dude. “I never thought that a dog would enrich our lives the way it has, but my husband and I can no longer think of life without him,” she said.

Sheehan will be in front of the new Pet Club that opened on May 14 at 71-24 Austin Street. “Our businesses can support each other by being a gathering area for dog owners,” she said.

Authentic Mexican food & entertainment at Lime & Salt Cantina

A small business with a huge heart

By Michael Perlman

mperlman@queensledger.com

Obet Juarez & his staff Emmanuel, Francisco, William, Claudia, Isidro and Catalino give a thumbs up to community.

Queens is nicknamed the “The World’s Borough.” Holding up to its title is a most diverse culinary landscape, where Lime & Salt Cantina holds the mark of distinction for a Mexican restaurant and bar, inspired by iconic taquerias and longtime traditions.

At 98-102 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, freshly prepared authentic dishes, cocktails and entertainment come together in a colorful ambiance, creating a unique community destination.

Owner Obet Juarez, a 34-year-old Sunnyside resident, cultivated his dream by bringing part of his native residence of Puebla, Mexico to Queens Boulevard, which came to fruition on Feb. 4 of this year.

From the moment patrons enter, they are often greeted by Juarez and his friendly team. Then the personalization continues while sitting at cozy booths or at the bar, creating the sensation of an extended family.

“My recipe for success is to love what I do,” Juarez said.

The chef is his brother, who not only has experience preparing Mexican dishes that resemble “food art,” but with cuisines including French, Italian and Greek.

“We learned from our mother’s style of cooking and loved it so much, that we wanted to share it with the world by offering our food alongside our famous cocktails to introduce something special for the neighborhood.”

His role model also included his bosses. “I saw how well it went for them, so over the years, I wanted to do the same,” he continued.

A bird’s-eye view of authenticity, courtesy of Lime & Salt.

Signature elements of Puebla, the fourth-largest Mexican city, include its culinary history, pottery and Colonial architecture.

Juarez, who emigrated to the U.S. at age 16, has worked in the culinary industry ever since.

He recalled, “I began working as a dishwasher and then I moved into the kitchen. From there, I worked on the floor and was a bartender for 10 years.”

Juarez takes pride in his heritage. He said, “Throughout my time working in Manhattan, I wanted to open a place that felt like home. I dreamt of a Mexican restaurant, where I could sell food that originated in my home country.” The restaurant name bears cultural significance. “We came up with our name, ‘Lime & Salt’ through the years of saying it, since we use lime and salt for our tacos, beer, shots and more foods. It’s very common and the name sounds catchy,” said Juarez.

Lime & Salt’s walls feature murals of a map of Mexico with maracas, a calavera, which is known as a decorative skull, tacos and a chihuahua bearing the Lime & Salt logo.

Other decorative features include a mariachi sombrero, tequila bottles and traditional colorful collectibles hanging from the walls and the ceiling.

Without a doubt, Lime & Salt’s ambiance has been a breeding ground for unique memories since its opening.

“We have a mural that says, ‘Will You Mariachi Me?,’ and we actually had a couple who got engaged here and took a picture with it,” Juarez said.

Site of a proposal. Photo by Michael Perlman

Patrons can sing their way into the weekend with karaoke every two weeks on Friday beginning at 7 PM (subject to change). Occasionally, a DJ adds to the vibe.

Juarez explained a most anticipated dish as the nachos and steak nachos to be specific.

“It comes with mozzarella, black beans, ranch, sriracha, pico de gallo, guacamole and any choice of meat ranging from chicken, chorizo, al pastor, steak, shrimp and birria, but what makes the nachos special is the way our chef prepares the chipotle cheese sauce.”

As for the most unique dishes, he highlighted “mole enchiladas.”

“It is from my hometown. It’s a very unique sauce that is made with 60 ingredients. Examples are chocolate, almond, crackers, raisins and different kinds of chili peppers. It’s a sweet sauce, which is very common where I’m from.”

Their signature dish, “Boulevard Molcajete,” consists of carne asada, chicken, chorizo, queso frito, nopales, papalo leaves, cebollitas, cilantro and salsa mocha, which is served with rice, beans and tortillas.

To warm up this winter, “caldo de pollo” soup or “tortilla soup” would do the trick.

Patrons also have a lesson while enjoying a wide selection of taqueria, such as “al pastor,” consisting of onions, cilantro, marinated pork, grilled pineapple, salsa verde, radish and cucumber, which is served with three tacos. Eye-catching sides include adobo fries and nopales & cebollitas.

A meal is not complete without dessert. A classic is the “tres leches” Mexican milk cakes.

A full lineup of unique cocktails includes a “Rego Park Old Fashion,” consisting of bourbon, amaro Averna, special house syrup and orange aromatic bitters.

Signature cocktails, courtesy of Lime & Salt

For additional zing, choose a “Sweet & Spicy.” This is a serrano-infused tequila, passionfruit, triple sec and of course, lime and salt tajin.

Juarez is a humanitarian. “I donated outside of my restaurant, but we are open to partnering and contributing to community causes,” he said.

Additionally, he is open to hosting community events, family gatherings, parties for all occasions and catering outside his restaurant.

Besides maintaining his dream business that supports the community, his family and staff, he said, “My long-term plan is to create more jobs by opening more businesses.”

Patrons have warmly welcomed Lime & Salt.

A bustling crowd.

Forest Hills resident Audrey Pavey explained, “After reading about this restaurant on Facebook six months ago, I decided to stop by and try it. I had the ‘Mexican cobb salad’ and I always get it to go. I get home late from work and I’m always looking for a quick and convenient place. I love the flavor of the chicken, chorizo, avocado and corn. I am a creature of habit.”

She also admires the rapport and embraces the small business model.

“The owner and staff are very friendly and always invite me to have a seat at the bar, while I wait for my food to go. It’s a very comfortable atmosphere,” Pavey said. “I try to support our local businesses whenever I can, since it’s important to have a thriving community with places to eat, drink and congregate. I hope Lime & Salt remains part of our community for a long time to come.”

“The food is fresh and full of flavor, and we love it,” said Niki Szenasi of Rego Park. Her daughter can attest to that. “So far, I’ve ordered delivery. My two favorite dishes are the chicken quesadilla and the chicken burrito. The ambiance is colorful and fun. I’m also such a loyal customer due to the friendliness of the staff. Every time I call to place an order, the person on the phone is welcoming and overall very pleasant. It’s so important to preserve small businesses since they add personality and character to our neighborhood and help put money back into it,” Szenasi said.

She envisions holding events there. “I could totally see myself hosting a Women’s Empowerment gathering. It’s a wonderful addition to our neighborhood and I’ll continue supporting Lime & Salt.”

Forest Hills resident Lauren Gantman cannot forget the veggie fajita, which she first tried last summer, and most certainly the accommodations.

“I have food allergies, so the wait staff and manager checked all ingredients. They were able to adjust the platter specifically. It’s important to feel safe eating in a restaurant,” she said.

Eddie Alvarez and his family, who live nearby at Birchwood Towers, discovered Lime & Salt over the summer after encountering Yelp.

“One evening, my wife, our three-year-old and I were blown away by the hospitality, food, overall service and experience. We are big foodies and eat here quite a bit,” he said. “We have been here on Fridays for Happy Hour, as well as socializing with family, friends and kids. I have a small group of Forest Hills dads and we grab drinks occasionally, and last week, my wife scheduled a ‘mom’s night out.’”

Some favorite dishes that they don’t seem to deviate from are nachos, mahi-mahi tacos and shrimp tacos.

Their daughter orders from the Kids Corner menu, and enjoys her empanadas and French fries.

“The food is authentic and seasoned just right, and the drinks measure up,” he continued.   

When Juarez is not in the dining area and interacting with patrons, he cherishes his family time, especially with his two daughters.

Owner Obet Juarez & manager William, Photo by Michael Perlman.

“We hope to impress this lovely neighborhood and offer new experiences. From what we have noticed, it’s filled with wonderful people who are from various countries, and we are happy to be part of the community,” Juarez said.

Lime & Salt’s hours of operation are from 11:30 am to 11 pm on Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday.

Patrons can call (718) 275-1575 or place an order online via Grubhub, Seamless, Uber Eats and DoorDash.

For more information about this community gem, visit www.facebook.com/limeansaltRegopark, @lime_andsalt on Instagram or www.limeandsaltregopark.com.

Village Grill: A town center in Forest Hills

Embracing the magic touch and humanitarian values for 10+ years

By Michael Perlman

mperlman@queensledger.com

Owner Dina and waitress Angela.

For nearly 11 years, owner Dina Stergiopoulos of Village Grill has opened her heart to Forest Hills patrons and the greater community by working long hours to freshly prepare signature Greek meals and classic American favorites.

Situated on an inviting corner of Ingram Street at 73-01 Yellowstone Boulevard, patrons have sparked friendships with the owner, waitress Angela and fellow patrons, all while enjoying diverse scrumptious foods at reasonable prices.

Along with her late husband, Panagiotis Stergiopoulos, they opened Village Grill on Feb. 28, 2012, which may seem as if it was yesterday.

He was a much-admired face of the community, but passed away on Dec. 31, 2021 after battling cancer.

“My husband was funny, outgoing and always smiling,” Stergiopoulos said.

Panagiotis with food to be donated during the pandemic.

Today her husband is fondly remembered by patrons, and she is committed to keeping his spirit alive with every meal she cooks and by continuing to give back to the community by donating meals to people in need.

Stergiopoulos will host the “Village Grill Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway” on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“There will be 50 turkey meals with mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, biscuits and apple cake. My goals after my husband passed were to become a better person and try to help people and carry on his legacy,” Stergiopoulos said.

“I want to provide a warm home-cooked meal to people in need. This is a way to remember my good-hearted husband, so his soul can be at peace.”

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple donated a total of 40 meals to Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Northwell Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and the 112th Precinct.

Patrons do not need to travel far to feel as if they are in Greece for an afternoon or dinner engagement, thanks to the charming ambiance that features the color scheme of the Greek flag, model sailboats, paintings and ceramic artwork. One can even take a Greek crash course, where a sign features catchphrases such as “kalo fagito” for “good food,” “orea mera” for “nice day” and “kalimera” for “good morning.”

Stergiopoulos was raised in America, but when she was 16, she built upon her family’s Greek heritage in Athens. Her husband was born and raised in Volos, Greece.

“We came to the USA in 2003 and got married on Oct. 28 of that year,” she recalled.

Dina & her late husband Panagiotis preparing sausage.

They lived in College Point and later relocated to Forest Hills, a close distance to Village Grill.

A tradition runs in the family. “Everyone in my family likes to cook,” said Stergiopoulos.

“My grandma, Pige, was an influence on all of us, as she made everything good, but her signature dish was stuffed grape leaves with rice. My grandma taught me how to prepare them two years before she passed. Mine are good, but my grandma’s were excellent.”

Pige did not use a recipe book. “Her measurements were a handful of this and a pinch of that,” Stergiopoulos chuckled.

Stergiopoulos and her husband had a dream.

“We wanted to work hard and retire in Greece at a small village outside Athens, where he could have a small parcel of land and raise his own chickens and plant vegetables,” she said. “I am focusing on the business very much these days, so I do not feel the pain that is left behind when a loved one goes away. I am very blessed that I have customers; my friends that have supported me. My customers walk into my shop and I mostly know them by name. They walk in and say, ‘Dina, what am I eating today?’ That is a beautiful feeling. I greet my customers like friends that come to visit. It’s beautiful how even customers that moved away still come to dine.”

Village Grill has a “recipe for success.” “I always say we are not perfect, since mistakes happen, especially when it is very busy. If a dish is undercooked or overcooked and is brought to my attention, I will make it right. The one thing I say and I am always proud of is that it’s fresh. This is how I managed to stay open for nearly 11 years,” she said.

Between the walls are many timeless memories.

Dina & her husband Panagiotis upon first opening in 2012 .

Stergiopoulos considers the restaurant as her home that she erected with her husband, and she spends more time at the restaurant than her residence.

“It is our baby,” she said.

A memory of the recent past surfaced. “Even when my husband was ill in the wheelchair, he spent his day at the restaurant window, greeting people as they walked. He did not want to stay home.”

Another fond memory was celebrating her husband’s 55th birthday on April 9, 2021, where not only family was in attendance, but a family of close friends. To mark the occasion, there were 55 balloons.

Dina’s husband Panagiotis, head of table on his 55th birthday with 55 balloons, April 9, 2021.

Family-style recipes are always on the menu, in contrast to gourmet recipes.

Stergiopoulos said, “People want to eat, especially if they’re enjoying their food, so we serve a good-sized portion.” For example, a platter consists of a Greek salad, a side dish and meat. Once a patron orders a platter, they receive their salad as the meat is freshly being prepared.

“Every souvlaki and meat is cooked to order,” she continued.

Stergiopoulos is detail-oriented, which also contributes to her success.

When patrons often ask what makes a great Greek salad, her response is the olives and the feta cheese.

“I only use imported Greek feta and olives. I am in general a big cheese eater, and when I go out to eat, if another restaurant doesn’t know the brand of feta, I won’t order the salad,” she said.

Since day one, she goes on a trek for quality meat. She explained, “I don’t order meat to be delivered, but have to hand-pick it to ensure it is not laying around on a truck. I cut and marinate all of my meat at the restaurant, and it’s never frozen.”

Spinach pie is among her patrons’ favorites. “It is prepared with many fresh herbs and original feta to make the difference,” she said.

Dina & her “Never trust a skinny chef” collectible.

A popular soup is chicken avgolemono, featuring celery, carrots, lemon and orzo.

A unique pita sandwich is Bifteki souvlaki sandwich, which consists of a meatball with spices, tomatoes, red onions and tzatziki sauce.

A beef gyro platter (80 percent beef and 20 percent lamb) and features a small Greek salad, tzatziki, pita and a side of one’s preference.

Also available is a variety of starters, salads, burgers and wraps, such as the Santorini fish wrap and a Mediterranean wrap. Authentic sides include oven-roasted lemon potatoes and grilled vegetables.

A meal is not complete without dessert, such as baklava, galaktoboureko and rice pudding.

A full line of beverages includes Greek coffee, cappuccino and shakes.

Every day on Village Grill’s hot table, comes the “Special of The Day,” which remains identical on certain days. Stergiopoulos said, “Monday is always oven roasted chicken legs. Wednesday is spaghetti Bolognese, and Thursday it’s chicken again, since people love it. Friday is usually a fish dish, Saturday is pastitsio (Greek lasagna) and Sundays is usually beef stew. People ask me what is in this dish, and my answer always is ‘a lot of love,’ since I like to cook and create new recipes.”

Village Grill is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with the exception of Tuesdays, and free delivery is available until 8:45 p.m.

Village Grill’s authentic Greek ambiance.

On her day off, she is an early and determined riser who cleans her home and then enjoys a leisurely walk with her dog, goes shopping and watches TV with Sophie at her side.

“Cleaning is another obsession. If your space at home or in your ‘second home’ is clean and orderly, your life will be,” she said.

If Stergiopoulos decides to retire someday, she hopes to relax, but cannot visualize herself sitting and doing nothing. “I want to volunteer in helping people in any way I can, and especially young children,” she said.

Until then, her priority is Village Grill, where every day she shares her magic touch among a community of friends.

She is open to community partnerships for the upcoming Village Grill Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, particularly to benefit the needy. Interested organizations can email villagegrillnyc@gmail.com or call 718-544-4024.

Chic new cafe opens in Forest Hills

Forest Cafe wants to be an ‘oasis’ for locals

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Forest Cafe’s attractive storefront.

All coffee lovers of Forest Hills and its surrounding communities now have a brand new cafe to add to their lists.

Forest Cafe, located at 68-04 Burns Street, celebrated its grand opening last Saturday, inviting the community into their spacious, bright and comfortable location.

The cafe is powered by the family-run staff of sisters, Julie and Nina Fung, and Nina’s fiancé, Paul Shim.

The trio has been residents of Forest Hills for about a decade, and are proud to serve their neighbors and the community they call home.

Forest Cafe’s three-person team (L to R): Nina Fung, Paul Shim and Julie Fung.

“Since we’ve been residents of Forest Hills for such a long time, we’ve always wanted a cozy cafe in the neighborhood to be able to study and work,” Julie Fung said. “Earlier this year, we saw this place and we just had a very clear vision of what we wanted it to be.”

The space, decorated in a trendy, minimalist style with pops of green both in the form of plants and the canopy exterior, offers a peaceful and cozy atmosphere for patrons.

Photo courtesy of Julie Fung.

Fung describes the cafe’s interior as a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian influences, and a mixture of all their decorative tastes.

There is ample seating for guests, including booth-style tables, stool seats, window benches and two cushioned chairs situated by a coffee table.

Also a plus is the complimentary Wi-Fi offered to patrons, as well as outlets to charge electronic devices.

Photo courtesy of Julie Fung.

“We really hope this place becomes an oasis for the Forest Hills community, for our friends, family or really just anyone who’s looking to stop by,” Fung said. “We wanted to make our cafe as peaceful as possible, which is also why we love this location so much. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Austin Street, while still being in the heart of Forest Hills.”

Forest Cafe offers a variety of drinks, including classic espresso drinks, such as Americanos, macchiatos, cortados, cappuccinos and lattes.

The drinks are made with Project X Coffee beans, which are inspired by Japan, grown in Brazil and roasted in Chicago.

They’re also excited to share some signature drinks, including their Forest latte, iced shakerato, ube latte, matcha latte, hojicha latte and a homemade iced tea.

The cafe’s namesake beverage is their signature latte that’s made with organic maple syrup, a hint of cinnamon and can be served hot or iced.

As for food, they serve croffles, which is a hybrid of a croissant and a waffle. They explained that the croffles are made fresh daily, and come in the flavors of plain, pistachio, Nutella or s’mores.

The team hopes to expand their menu soon, hopefully to include more savory items, as well as possibly obtaining a liquor license to experiment with drinks in the future.

“We make a lot of drinks at home that we’ve never been able to share publicly, or they’re hard to find. We have our own twist on these drinks, so that’s also what we wanted to provide,” Shim said.

“We enjoy seeing people drinking these drinks and enjoying it, and if it can get any better, we’d love to work on it,” he continued. “We all just love food, drinks and sharing it with others. It’s a love language.”

Living in the neighborhood for some time, all three team members love the beauty and the friendly, community atmosphere Forest Hills has to offer.

“I actually wouldn’t mind staying here for the rest of my life, to be honest,” Fung said. “I might wander here and there, but I think I’ll always want to come back to Forest Hills.”

“Our goal for this cafe is to become a staple in this neighborhood, a landmark. For example, if you’re in Forest Hills, you know about Forest Hills Stadium,” she added. “That’s how big we want to grow this place to be.”

Forest Cafe is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit @forestcafenyc on Instagram, or stop by Forest Cafe to welcome the business to the neighborhood.

Middle Village resident spreads good luck through jewelry

‘A little extra protection neva hurt nobody,’ says Erma Camporese

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

If New York had a personality, it would be seen in Brooklyn native and Middle Village resident, Erma Camporese.

Simultaneously blunt, yet as kind as they come, Camporese, 57, is known and loved by the local community.

Her wit, humor and textbook New York accent has earned her the title, “The Queen of Graham Avenue,” where she was born and raised.

You are likely to spot her at Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe at 433 Graham, where she frequents.

As an Italian-American, whose family comes from Sanza, she’s naturally very superstitious.

This motivated Camporese to start her own jewelry business, Creations by Erma, in which she specializes in evil eye jewelry.

“Everyone has a different symbol for the evil eye. But at the end of the day, the evil eye is the evil eye. Whether you believe in the Turkish evil eye, the Italian horn, it’s all the same meaning,” she explained.

“You’re not wishing bad, but you’re not wishing good either.”

Camporese’s jewelry spreads both good luck and positivity.

Camporese views the evil eye as a form of protection when someone wears it, leading her to make her business’ slogan: “A little extra protection neva hurt nobody.”

She emphasizes that the stylistic spelling of “never” is on purpose.

“I never use the letter ‘R’ when I talk. I used to have the word, ‘never,’ and a friend told me I had to get rid of it, because it’s not how I talk,” she said.

Camporese offers various creations in her online shop, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, keychains, eyeglass holders, wind chimes and rosary beads.

As a small business owner based in Middle Village, Camporese is proud to have over 4,000 followers on Instagram (@creationsbyerma), and her TikTok by the same name is not far behind.

She attributes much of her online success to the help of Nicolas “Nico” Heller, better known as “New York Nico.”

The social media personality is nicknamed the “Unofficial Talent Scout of New York,” and he and Camporese quickly became close friends.

“Believe me when I tell you I’m not conceited, but I became an overnight success. [Heller] always used to joke around and tell me he wanted to make me famous, and I’d just tell him to leave me alone,” she said with a laugh.

“On Labor Day weekend last year, I let him put up a skit, where I was being serious the way I was talking to him,” she continued. “About a half an hour later, he was like, ‘Have you looked at your phone?’ When I went to get my phone, I had like 1,000 messages.”

The two continue to collaborate and upload humorous skits to social media.

Camporese’s personality shines through her social media.

In the past, Camporese participated in a New York accent challenge with Heller, as well as commercials for companies including Bumble and Vitaminwater.

“I love Erma, the Queen of Graham Avenue. She is so Brooklyn, it hurts,” Heller said.

“I love that she is embracing the fact that she has a talent and is creating content of her own. I hope to see her on the big screen one of these days.”

In addition to her online presence, Camporese strives to be present in the community at various events across Brooklyn and Queens.

This Saturday, Creations by Erma will have a pop-up stand at the St. Stan’s Fall Festival in Maspeth, where she will sell her work.

On Oct. 22, she’ll participate in the Party in Pink Breast Cancer Fundraiser at P.S. 128 in Middle Village.

Camporese said she’s very big on paying it forward, which includes spreading awareness and donating funds for cancer research to NYU cardiac research in memory of her brother, Nelson Camporese.

She’s also a member of the Maspeth Lions Club and Our Lady of the Snow Ladies Auxiliary.

Everything Camporese does, including her jewelry and online content, is in the name of “amore,” or love.

“Sometimes I like to mind my business, but my personality sells, so I’ve been told,” she said. “Allowing my life to hold protection has shown me such great opportunities. Paying it forward is a big thing for me, I view that the good we put into the world is the good we receive.”

“Protection is for everyone, and I am ecstatic to share my work.”

Fill the Form for Events, Advertisement or Business Listing