July 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin BJ’s Wholesale Club will open a Long Island City location early next year, the company announced Wednesday evening. The bulk goods warehouse store will open on 48th Street, taking the spot in the Plaza 48 mall that was once home to National Wholesale Liquidators. The news that BJ’s was… Read more »
July 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin The State Senate passed a bill Wednesday that aims to make sure that people are not detained longer than 24 hours if they have not been charged. State Sen. Mike Gianaris introduced the bill after seeing protesters at Black Lives Matter rallies being held for extended periods without being… Read more »
July 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin The State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits that come from commercial breeders. The bill, introduced by State. Sen. Mike Gianaris, aims to end puppy mills and breeding farms, where animals are typically overbred and often confined to poor living… Read more »
July 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin Elizabeth Crowley has conceded to Council Member Donovan Richards in the Democratic primary for Queens Borough President. Crowley, a former council member, came in second behind Richards on June 23 when in-person ballots were tallied on election night. She took to Twitter this afternoon to congratulate Richards. The official… Read more »
July 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin The state has suspended the liquor licenses of three Queens establishments after their customers were found to be disobeying social distancing rules and mask requirements. Two bars in Astoria and a pizzeria in Maspeth each had their liquor licenses suspended by the State Liquor Authority Monday, Governor Andrew Cuomo… Read more »
July 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin An Astoria council member wants the liquor license of a Steinway Street lounge revoked, citing overcrowding problems and an alleged history of violence. Council Member Costa Constantinides wrote a letter to the State Liquor Authority (SLA) on July 15 — prior to this past weekend’s mayhem along the stretch… Read more »
July 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Astoria residents are trying to sublet their apartments and head elsewhere like never before, according to a recent study. The neighborhood saw a whopping 600 percent increase in sublet listings last month when compared to the average for the first four months of the year, according to a Renthop… Read more »
July 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin An Astoria bar and lounge has been booted from the city’s curbside dining program after crowds of customers swarmed the street out front with little to no concern for social distancing rules. The city has suspended Brik Astoria, located at 32-16 Steinway St., from its outdoor dining program for… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track to begin Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan Monday — but indoor businesses that were slated to reopen as part of the phase will remain shuttered. Indoor malls, museums, aquariums and other cultural centers will not reopen Monday, despite their initial inclusion… Read more »
July 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has extended the city’s outdoor dining program through the end of October to help restaurants bounce back from the months-long coronavirus shutdown. The mayor made the announcement while also noting that he has added a number of streets in Queens — and elsewhere — to… Read more »