'This is Queensborough' December Issue

Neir’s for Years

Owner Loycent Gordon presents the future of Neir’s Tavern

INSIDE:

• Business Persons of the Year Honorees

• Innovation Queens approved by City Council

• A ‘Slice’ of Queens: The Astoria Pizza Crawl

Spirit of the Season

MESSAGE FROM THOMAS J. GRECH, PRESIDENT & CEO AND HOWARD GRAF, CHAIRPERSON

Another December is upon us and with it comes all the traditions we associate with this magical time of year. Holiday decorations, an atmosphere of excitement in the air all contributing to the spirit of the season.

There is undoubtedly no other time of the year the invokes the feelings we experience during these four weeks.

Queens Chamber is grateful to play a role in bringing a portion of happiness by strengthening our business community.

This month we paused to celebrate our Business Persons of the Year. Seven incredibly intelligent, smart individuals representing all sectors of business who work tirelessly day in and day out to make Queens a more sustainable place to live.

Our honorees are Serge Abergel from Hydro-Quebec Energy Services, Rachelle Antoine, The Port Authority of New York New Jersey, Loycent Gordon, Neir’s Tavern, Dr. Stacie NC Grant, JFK Redevelopment Program, Peter Kapsalis, Cine Magic LIC Studios, Kevin O’Connor, Dime Community Bank, and Dr. Edwin Simpser, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.

Because of their contributions lives in our community will be changed for generations to come.

Howard Beach HOPE is present-

ing their Annual Holiday Lights on Cross Bay Boulevard which is supported by Council Member Joann Ariola and local businesses in Howard Beach CD 32. This lights spectacular celebration runs through early 2023. Don’t miss out, it’s a treat for the entire family.

Visit our events calendar via our website www.queenschamber.org for details on these and all activities available to add a little extra joy to your holiday season.

Throughout this year Queens Chamber has been committed to ensuring we provide you with the highest quality of programming to educate you, in-person events designed to expand your professional network, and resources which simulate business growth.

As President CEO and Board Chair we don’t take our responsibilities lightly.

Each day we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you the business community and help make Queens the BEST place to live, work, play and most importantly do business.

Thank you for supporting Queens Chamber this year. It’s our sincere hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

May the spirit of the season bring you tremendous happiness.

Until next year, Queens STRONG!

HOWARD GRAF CHAIRPERSON

THOMAS J. GRECH PRESIDENT & CEO

QUEENS QUICKLY

Innovation Queens Passes

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com

Innovation QNS, the controversial five-block $2 billion development project, which will essentially create a new neighborhood in Astoria, passed the City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

The massive development gained support from the local Councilwoman Julie Won who has expressed support for Innovation QNS, the controversial five-block $2 billion development project, after negotiating for higher levels of affordability and concessions.

Won, who represents the swath of Astoria that will be rezoned, pushed for 55 percent affordability for the 3,190 unit project in recent months but indicated her support for the project at 45 percent affordability after negotiations with developers, she revealed in a Mon. Nov. 21 City Council land use meeting.

The project, which passed with 46 votes and only one vote against, now features 1,436 affordable units – more than double the 711 units originally approved by the City Planning Commission. An estimated 658 units will be offered to those at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, which equates to $66,700 for a family of four and $46,700 for an individual renter, according to Won’s office.

365 units will be slated for individuals making $28,020 to $40,020 for a family of four, 293 units will be reserved for households exiting the shelter system or who are at the risk of homelessness, and another 167 units range income thresholds of 31-50% of the Average Median Income.

156 market-rate units were additionally converted for people exiting the shelter system, parking space decreased from 1,390 spots to approximately 900 and the project increased the amount of affordable two and three family-sized units from 284 to 554, as part of final negotiations.

Won’s office also secured a commitment of $2 million to fund free legal advocacy services for low-income tenants in the area.

“From Day 1, I have stood with my community in demanding deeper affordability from this development–and because we held the line, the Innovation QNS project has doubled the number of affordable units than initially offered, from 711 to 1,436 affordable units,” Won said in a statement. While only voting in an advisory capacity, the proposal for Innovation QNS was shot down by Queens Community Board 1 back in June, with calls for increased affordable housing.

“We still have many concerns. It didn’t reach the threshold that we necessarily wanted in terms of the percentages of affordable units, even though Julie [Won] fought really hard, and I think she was really tenacious in terms of getting as much as she could for the community,” Evie Hantzopoulos, a western Queens community activist who has been

critical of the development, said in an interview. “I think, overall, we still have concerns long term for this project.”

Hantzopoulous said that a few of the concerns she still has are in regards to whether the vouchers used in the project will be honored and whether the affordable housing units get built at the end of the development rather than earlier.

“Today’s approval of Innovation QNS is a truly historic moment for New York City’s efforts to ensure its long-term economic sustainability and provide equitable access to real opportunity,” said Marty Burger, CEO of Silverstein Properties in a statement following the vote. “This shows that when the real estate community works with our elected leaders, neighborhood groups, unions, housing advocates, and community members, we can find ways to address the city’s toughest issues, including affordable housing, infrastructure, and jobs.”

Sanchez

Rendering of proposed open space via Innovation QNS.

QUEENS QUICKLY

Willets Point to get soccer stadium

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com

Queens has hit its goal.

After years of pushing, the industrial neighborhood of Willet’s Point will possibly be getting its own soccer stadium to host the New York City Football Club, city officials announced on Wednesday.

The new development is a historic one: the new 25,000-seat soccer field will be 100% financed by the owner, add 2,500 units of 100-percent affordable housing and also features a 250-key hotel, according to the Mayor’s office. The project will also be built with 100 percent union labor and bring a new 650-seat elementary school to the area.

“Until today, Willets Point will no longer be an unsightly or a dumping ground. Which is why today I'm not just excited as a football fan. But more importantly, I'm excited as the New Yorker to announce a project like none other seen by this city, or any city in this nation,” said East Elmhurst Councilman Francisco Moya, who has been a long-time supporter of bringing a soccer team to New York City. “We are about to build a brand new neighborhood in the city of New York.”

In a follow-up interview, Moya emphasized that “bringing in the right partners” was instrumental to the projects’ success. The soccer expansion was on Moya’s list of major policy goals since he was in the new york state assembly in 2013.

“I think the future of what it means not just for the kids right now, that will one day, be playing soccer right now in the fields in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, but one day will be able to , play professionally for their local home club,” Moya said.

While the stadium still has to go through the city rezoning policy, known as ULURP, the project has the support of Councilmember Moya. Traditionally, the City Council votes in accordance with the residing councilmember's decision regarding rezonings – a policy known as “member deference.” The new stadium is slated to open in 2027 and is projected to create $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 40 years, creating 1550 permanent jobs and 14,200 construction jobs, according to the Mayor’s office.

“The goal has always been to make Queens a true live, work and play community. And we just scored the most incredible goal you can imagine,” said Queen Beep Donovan Richards.

“And in a borough that historically hasn't gotten

its fair share of affordable housing. We're going to build the city's largest 100% affordable development right here in 40 years in Queens County.,” he continued. “And in a borough, we call the world's borough, we're going to be the capital of the world's most populous sport.”

Local stakeholders have been pushing for development as early as 2018 with the Willets Point Task Force.

“As a strong advocate and longtime supporter of the redevelopment of Willets Point, and an original member of the Willets Point Task Force, we are thrilled with today’s once-in-a-lifetime development opportunity,” Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO of the Queen's Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. “This triple play of affordable housing, a state-of-the-art soccer stadium, and farreaching economic development makes this development a winner. We are proud of Mayor Adams and the efforts of his team to jumpstart this and get it done.”

“This was a blighted, underutilized and ignored piece of real estate in our city had little infrastructure and was prone to flooding,” Mayor Adams said. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a brand new neighborhood. I'm proud to share our vision here today.”

GREEN SPOTLIGHT Queens is Green Initiative: Demand Response

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge to help fight global climate change. In that effort, what is important to note, the battle against carbon emissions will not be won by a single solution or company. It will be a collaboration, which leads to the genesis of Queens Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Tom Grech’s Queens is Green initiative. Decarbonizing Queens will be achieved through a roadmap of multiple resources ranging from Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Smart Buildings, EV Charging Stations and Demand Side Energy Management. Solution suites from businesses that all belong to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Whether one is motivated to become a climate change leader or tasked with complying with New York City’s Local Law 97 or New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New Yorkers and Queens residents are going to be held responsible for the decarbonization of the built environment from 2024 - 2050.

We are in this together and the Queens is Green initiative provides a resource rich collection of subject matter experts and solutions to help buildings develop their gameplan and exceed their carbon reduction goals. This month’s Green Spotlight features the work of Chamber member CPower Energy Management. CPower Energy Management is deeply honored to be participating in the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Queens is Green Initiative.

Where CPower Energy Management fits into the Queens is Green solution suite is related to a building’s Demand Side Energy Management plan.

Managing energy demand and balancing New York’s electricity transmission and generation is going to be critical to New York’s aging Grid infrastructure while buildings transition from fossil fuels to electrification to condition their spaces.

Combined with helping grid balance and reliability buildings currently participating in Demand Response in the 5 boroughs of New York City can earn over $250,000 annually. Whether a Demand Response event is called or not, by enrolling in ConEd & NYISO Demand Response programs, having the ability to curtail energy during a 4-hour event will earn your building annual Demand Response revenue for participation.

ConEd just completed a 1.8-billion-dollar AMI meter upgrade which brought over 4.7 million smart meters to New York City laying the foundation for the City’s Smart Grid. These smart meters will allow buildings to partici-

pate in Demand Response and earn Demand Response revenue on a yearly basis. Not only will the Demand Response participation provide stronger resiliency to the Grid during brownout or blackout situations, but the revenue earned from Demand Response participation can also be invested back into Decarbonization measures creating a nice virtuous loop for building owners.

Because of how lucrative Demand Response earnings can be. CPower has developed Building Management as a Service and Energy Storage as a Service solutions that we can install at our client’s site at $0 upfront cost. The Building Management, Energy Storage equipment and installation services will be covered across multi-year contracts and paid off from the Demand Response revenue earned. These two solutions are a notable example of how buildings owners in Queens can future proof their properties and add Distributed Energy Resources to their site, which are foundational pillars of a decarbonization plan while removing the financial burden of doing so.

The greening of the Grid is also an important part in New York City’s built environment carbon neutrality goals. Governor Hochul has pledged to have 70% electricity in New York State carbon free by 2030. One way in which that will happen is through Demand Response’s upcoming DER Participation Model.

The DER Participation Model will reward buildings with Solar Plus Battery assets Demand Response revenue for injecting renewable energy back to the Grid when the Grid needs that electricity to prevent a brownout or blackout. Buildings will be able to glean the dual benefit of not only greening the Grid but being compensated for being a resource to provide resiliency back to the Grid in the DER Demand Response program.

CPower looks forward to collaborating with the Queens Chamber of Commerce in the Queens is Green initiative. “The World’s Borough” is leading the world in its fight to save the climate.

QUEENS OPENINGS QUEENS OPENINGS

Heritage Kulfi expands market to NYC

By Stephanie Meditz news@queensledger.com

Heritage Kulfi, a family-owned business with a unique spin on the popular South Asian dessert, continues to spread to markets around the country. Born in Manhattan to Pakistani parents, Mansoor Ahmed founded Heritage Kulfi in 2020.

After years of experience in the frozen dessert industry, he was inspired to bring his South Asian heritage to a wider audience.

“In 2020, with the onset of COVID and how everything was being impacted, I just had to take a step back and try to create something that was entirely mine and something new and innovative in which I could be creative,” he said.

“It also speaks to my own identity, the foods I grew up with, and something that’s new to the world of frozen desserts.”

Kulfi is a creamy, dense, South Asian frozen dessert that is traditionally served in popsicle form.

By making kulfi into an ice creamlike texture, Ahmed brings something new to the table while still honoring his roots.

He also incorporates ingredients and flavors commonly found in South Asian cuisine, including cardamom chai, rosewater and saffron.

“Our flavors that we offer, you won’t find anywhere else,” Ahmed said. “That’s keeping in line with traditionally what kulfi is, but also being innovative in using these ingredients in a particular way.”

Ahmed ensures that the ice cream is made with authentic ingredients every step of the way.

He sources Alphonso mangoes directly from India to use in his products.

Continued on Page 30

Five Iron Golf opens in LIC

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

As temperatures continue to plummet, avid golf players — as well as interested novices — no longer need to bundle up to enjoy the fun of the course. Instead, they can head to Five Iron Golf in Long Island City, the newest addition to a continually growing neighborhood.

Five Iron Golf, located a block from MoMA PS1 at 24-22 Jackson Ave, features seven custom-built TrackMan golf simulators. This technology can track the movement on the ball and where it would go in a real-life course. The projectors display an animated graphic of the ball traveling, capturing back spin, side spin and more.

For the intense golfer, TrackMan provides analytics to help improve their game: the distance the ball traveled in yards, the angle the club was facing on contact and more. There are also trainers who provide lessons.

“We are a new space that can provide a lot for the neighborhood, and

we want to be there for the neighborhood,” Jonathan Cruz, the general manager of Five Iron Golf Long Island City, said in an interview. “We want to be the place where businesses can entertain clients or host public events, or the birthday party that the family has been trying to figure out where to set it up. Now you have this space.”

“A fan from a distance,” Cruz is a Brooklyn native who has managed events across the city, from the “Stranger Things Experience” to New York Fashion Week. This is his first experience as part of the Five Iron Golf corporation, and he looks forward to bringing his expertise to Long Island City.

“I quickly learned how much of a community Long Island City is. Every day, new folks stop by asking us questions and telling us they live right down the block,” Cruz said. “They are supportive. They are intrigued. There is this sense of community that you can’t just find anywhere.”

The location has league nights,

where a team can take on other groups in “friendly competitions.” Those who do not have a team can enter as free agents to be chosen by groups.

The location also features a bar, a restaurant and shuffleboard. Cruz explained that Five Iron Golf is not exclusively catered towards golfers, and will happily “watch a sitcom” with customers at the bar.

Simulators can be booked hourly, with weekday off-peak hours (from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) priced at $70.

After 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and on the weekends, a simulator can be booked for $85 an hour.

To visit Five Iron Golf, take the subway to the Court Square subway station, as the venue sits adjacent to the station.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.fiveirongolf.com/ lic/

“We want this to be the place where you take the risk and try golf,” said Cruz. “You never know until you try it.”

A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

The Astoria Pizza Crawl

By Robert Intelisano

Astoria for pizza? Astoria is known for its cosmopolitan blend of people, cultures and small businesses tucked in the northwest corner of Queens. Astoria borders Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside as well as the East River on their north and west sides.

What is now known as Astoria was first settled by the Dutch, English and Germans in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Irish flocked to the area in the 19th and 20th century with a highpoint between 1920-1930, when rents increased in Manhattan after WWI. The movement was followed the next 2 decades by many Italians, Jews and then in the 1960’s, Astoria saw a large increase of immigrants from mainland Greece!

Astoria was originally named “Hallett’s Cove” after the landowner William Hallett, who lived there in 1659. A long fight to rename the area ensued. Many years later, Hallett’s Cove was then renamed after John Jacob Astor to convince him to invest in the area. Astor had become the richest man in America in 1840 with a net worth of over $20 million. Today, that would be over $685 million.

In the mid-late 1800’s, the industrial boom brought many German immigrants to Astoria, who were mostly furniture and cabinet makers. Henry Steinway was the most famous settler. He founded the Steinway Piano Company in 1853. Eight adventurous pizza-loving business owners congregated for My Astoria Pizza Crawl! We started at “Basil” Brick Oven Pizza; a hidden gem located at 28-17 Astoria Boulevard. This Italian restaurant has a rustic West Village vibe with good music and exposed brick walls. Basil sits across from the MP garage, so parking is not an issue. There is complimentary 2-hour parking which they validate.

Basil Brick Oven Pizza opened in 2011 and is owned by Ugo Mattei from Naples, whose family has a multi-generational tradition of pizza making since they settled in

America in 1955. Basil serves over 40 different types of artisanal 12” personal pies from their authentic wood-fired (800-900 degrees) pizza oven using San Marzano tomatoes, imported buffalo mozzarella and other farm to table ingredients. They offer a full menu of Italian dishes as well.

We ordered two pies. First up was their Margherita (tomato sauce, oregano, roasted garlic, extra virgin olive oil and basil) pie which I call the S.A.T. (scholastic aptitude test) of pizza, because it’s the only way to do an apples-to-apples comparison with other pizzerias and restaurants. The Margherita pie was evenly cooked with charred heat bubbles and a thin and crispy crust.

For the finale, we tried their featured “Basil” Pesto pie (see picture) which consisted of pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella (made daily), oven baked rosemary potatoes, pine nuts, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Several of the attendees voted the “Basil pie” the best pie of the 6 we sampled that evening! Basil Brick Oven Pizza also has gluten free pizza options and an extensive wine list.

We then walked 0.4 miles to Bellucci Pizza (the original location) at 29-04 30th avenue while sharing pizza stories along the route. I was impressed with the group’s pizza passion!

Bellucci Pizza is more of a “grab and go” slice place, although they do have a seating area next to the shop which seats roughly 20 people. There, the elite eight split 4 slices of their “Vodka Roni” slice (from an 18” pie) which they call their showstopper, as per their website!

The “Vodka Roni” lived up to the hype! The pie consists of fresh mozzarella, two types of Hormel Rosa Grande pepperoni (of which one is thinner) which cups and chars very well. After the pie comes out of the oven, they douse it with their vodka sauce and top that with fresh ground black pepper and grated cheese. The crust was firm and crispy, cooked just right in their electric oven!

These slices also received votes

for best of the 6 that we tried. One attendee loved it so much, she called Bellucci and drove back there to pick up an 18” Vodka Roni pie for her daughter and drove it all the way back to long island. Now that is good parenting!

Our third and last stop on My Magical Astoria Pizza Crawl was at Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar, which was a 0.3 mile walk from Bellucci. Vesta is located at 21-02 Astoria Avenue. Vesta Trattoria, which translates loosely to “Roman Goddess Italian Restaurant” is a small, cozy and dimly lit sit-down Italian restaurant. A reservation for 8 was needed in advance.

Their chef, Michelle Vido trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and she has worked at fine establishments such as the River Café, Monkey Bar and Little Giant to name a few.

What makes them different is that they do not use yeast in their pizza, so the crust is super-thin with a unique chip-like consistency. It is a cool scene with custom upholstery and paintings by local artists on the walls.

We tried 3 pies, the first one was their Margherita (see picture) which was a little different as they use both mozzarella and provolone. Next up was their Diavolo Arrabbiato (Angry Devil) which consisted of fresh mozzarella, provolone, hot soppres-

sata and spicy maple syrup. The 3rd pie we tried was their Salsiccia (Sausage) pie made up of house made pork sausage, cherry tomato, tomato sauce, mozzarella and provolone.

Vesta is open 7 days a week for lunch, brunch and dinner. They serve a unique brunch pizza pie called “The Hangover” which is pizza with bacon, sausage, egg, potato, sauce and provolone.

The bottom line is Queens Pizza is for real! Astoria has become a pizza hotspot and before long these spots will be in the NYC guide books. Do yourself a favor and spend a half day in Astoria, walk through Old Astoria (see the Victorian Mansions) then try these spots, you will thank me later! Let me know what you think at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.com.

The Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar “Margherita Pie” with no yeast

The Basil Brick Oven “Basil Pesto” personal pie

The Queens Chamber of Commerce honored seven people this year for their annual Business Persons of the Year Awards Gala.

The gala was held on Dec. 6 at Terrace on the Park in FlushingCorona Park.

The event honored a collection of people who “ exemplify business acumen, street smarts, hard work, success and doing well by doing good,” their website states.

The Queens Chamber also held

their Toy Drive at the event.

New, unwrapped toy donations were collected at the registration table the night of the event.

Profiles of each of the honorees are included in this magazine. Details about their hardwork and dedication are included in each story.

Read on to learn to learn about how each of the honorees has contributed to the betterment of the Queens Community!

BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR

Serge Abergel of Hydro-Quebec

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

Serge Abergel is the Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Quebec, a Quebec-based company that generates, transmits and distributes clean energy throughout Canada and areas of the United States.

“We are in this huge energy transition. We are trying to lessen our usage of fossil fuel,” Abergel said. “People are looking for alternatives to using fossil fuels. This is especially relevant in the case of New York City and in the case of neighborhoods like Queens.”

Abergel is responsible for the U.S. operations — all energy exports from Quebec to the United States. Talking to Queens residents, Abergel shared, led to an immediate connection between the company’s mission and their desires.

“Especially in Queens, you have part of the community that is right next to oil burning fossil-fuel peakers,” Abergel said, referencing the Ravenswood Generating Plant — which is currently undergoing their “Renewable Ravenswood” effort to produce 100% renewable energy.

“Those are fossil fuel generating plants,” he continued. “The big issue of these things is that they pollute, they worsen air quality in areas like Queens, and they create health consequences.”

To engage with the community, Hydro-Quebec cultivates partnerships because “it is the only way we are going to have that successful transition [to renewable energy,]” Abergel said.

The company has worked to partner with community organizations throughout Queens, such as the Variety Boys and Girls Club of

Queens based in Long Island City, and through working with local schools.

“We are thinking differently and we are thinking about real relationships with real people,” Abergel explained. “This [recognition] is less about me, but all these people who took part in this process.”

Recently, Hydro-Quebec, partnered with Transmission Developers Inc., donated $1.25 million to fund a science lab as well as STEM programming in the new clubhouse of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

In local schools, Hydro-Quebec supports a laundry program for lowincome families to ensure they have access to clean clothing.

These partnerships, Abergel emphasized, are “not transactional” or short-term — they are looking

for further partnerships and to be a part of their existing relationships beyond the foreseeable future.

“We deeply believe in this,” Abergel expressed. “We are committed long term… What we want is not just to support financially, but to be there, interacting with people, for years to come.

BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR

Dr. Edwin Simpser, CEO & President of St. Mary’s

By Jessica DeFreitas news@queensledger.com

Dr. Edwin Simpser serves as CEO and president of St. Mary’s Healthcare System of Children.

Based in Bayside, Simpser joined the hospital’s staff 23 years ago as Chief Medical Officer.

Simpser is a practicing pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist, and earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.

He completed his residency at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Simpser has taught many students, residents and fellows across New York City, including at Cornell University Medical College, NYU School of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He is an advocate for special needs children and their families and has dedicated himself to spreading awareness for them.. He has worked with children with complex medical conditions statewide and nationally.

With a dedication to serving children with these conditions, he became Co-Founder and President of the Pediatric Complex Care Association, a national organization of children's healthcare facilities devoted to medically complex conditions.

Simpser feels proud to be recognized as a Business Person of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“I am honored to be selected by the Queens Chamber of Commerce as one of their 2022 Business Persons of the Year, this award is just a testament to the tireless work the staff at St. Mary’s does everyday to provide the highest quality of care to some of New York City’s most medically fragile children,” he said.

Simpser’s medical talent has made him a member of many esteemed medical associations focused on issues of pediatrics and medical care for children with special health care needs.

He is also very active in numerous New York State committees that focus on children’s health issues as part of the state’s Medical Redesign Team.

Among his many accolades, Dr. Simsper is also a Clinical Professor at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell in Hempstead, New York.

Simpser’s daily operations are at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, but he also provides care to patients at North Shore University Hospital, New York Hospital and the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

He took a vital leadership role in the construction of a new Children’s Pavilion at St. Mary’s, and the development of various innovative programs for special needs children.

These developments include St. Mary’s Center of Pediatric Feeding Disorders and St. Mary’s Home Care, a special needs Certified Home Health Agency for children and young adults.

COVER STORY

Neir’s Tavern on its road to 200 years

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

Loycent Gordon has been the owner and proprietor of “Neirs Tavern” in Woodhaven for 14 years.

Located at 87-48 78th St., Neir’s has been deemed “the most famous bar you’ve never heard of,” and is in its 193rd year of operation.

Nearing its bicentennial, Gordon is aiming to solidify the future of Neir’s Tavern, hoping to create a strategic board of directors and to possibly have the building become a historic house. Above all, Gordon feels Neir’s Tavern should be owned, not rented.

Ownership, Gordon believes, would solidify the safety of Neir’s Tavern.

External forces would not impact the future of the bar. In order for “Neir’s for Years” — a

community effort, seen on the walls of Neir’s Tavern, to ensure the longevity of the bar — to come to fruition, Gordon feels it must be autonomous from a landlord or anybody beyond devoted supporters.

“I just feel like Neir’s Tavern shouldn’t be dependent on one person. It’s way more important than that. We need to have a real sustainable model, not one that’s predicated on who has the cheapest prices of beer,” Gordon said. “I know that’s counterproductive to a business and trying to get customers, but I think at the end of the day that Neir’s Tavern is the deal. It’s the deal of the century.”

Acting with a board of directors, there are avenues of revenue that Gorden feels will best ensure the future of the bar.

“We need to figure out how Neir’s Tavern can rise above that fight for customer’s attention. We

don’t have all the money in the world to have that economy of scale, of advertising, of buying a ton of products so that you can get it cheaper,” Gordon said. “What we can have is this hope for economy of the community. If everyone can do a little part, we are more powerful than what any advertising dollar can do.”

Gordon does not want the future of Neir’s to sit on his shoulders alone. That, he feels, makes

“I think at the end of the day that Neir’s Tavern is the deal. It’s the deal of the century.”

COVER STORY

Neir’s owner works to preserve its history

it too vulnerable, and he faithfully believes that it must last beyond his time as owner.

“I’m now transitioning to ‘What is Neir’s like without Loy?’ and that’s scary. I’m looking at a different way that Neir’s can survive without me,” he said.

He looked at the street name, recently titled ‘Neir’s Tavern Way,’ and emphasized that owning Neir’s is an act of service — hence why it is not named ‘Loycent Gordon Way.’

As a small business owner, Gordon has faced an array of challenges.

Most notably, he was nearly forced to close the bar in 2020 following a jump in rent from around $2,000 to $5,000 plus other expenses.

With support from elected officials — including the office of thenmayor Bill DeBlasio — the community and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, an agreement was reached for a new five-year lease with a considerably lower rent.

“The small business owners have glorified jobs,” Gordon said. “They could get paid similarly or even more working for someone. But they don’t because there is a level of passion that they aren’t willing to give up — doing something for hopefully the next generation.”

For his contributions in saving Neir’s Tavern and his devotion to the bar — and by extension, the community — Gordon has been honored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce as a Business Person of the Year.

However, he felt it necessary to emphasize that he alone did not save the bar.

“I can’t eat all the burgers and drink all the beer,” Gordon said. “We have to work together to make

sure Neir’s presses on.”

Prior to becoming the owner at Neir’s Tavern, Gordon had never runned a bar or restaurant. He is an immigrant, coming to the United States at age 10.

Helped by a community of staff at P.S. 116, he went from being overwhelmingly behind educationally in his fourth grade class to graduating at its top, receiving a standing ovation from parents and staff at his graduation.

He recalls janitors peeking their heads through the door windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gordon

crossing the stage.

This experience left a lasting impression on Gordon — an impression that made him see the failing state of Neir’s Tavern as a way for him to give forward the support that was given to him.

“I came into Neir’s Tavern seeing that it was going to close. The long forgotten place that was special, just as I felt I was, but wasn’t given the love,” Gordon said. “This was my opportunity to give back. What if I could save one of America’s oldest places as an immigrant, as my service.”

Beyond his work at Neir’s Tavern, Gordon is an active firefighter.

He was the first graduating class to be hired following the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Neir’s Tavern offers a distinct experience to its customers. Service is part of Gordon’s identity.

From a bowl that allows people to leave behind a community memory and mementos from the 1800s, there is more to Neir’s Tavern than beer.

“It’s about preserving one of America’s oldest places,” Gordon said. “There’s not many of them left.”

“I came into Neir’s Tavern seeing that it was going to close. The long forgotten place that was special... this was my opportunity to give back. What if I could save one of America’s oldest places as an immigrant, as my service.”

BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR

Dr. Stacie NC Grant, JFK Redevelopment

By Jessica Meditz news@queensledger.com

Working as the Community Advisory Council Facilitator for the JFK Redevelopment Program, Dr. Stacie NC Grant’s proudest honor is serving the Queens community.

Among Grant’s many accolades is that she serves as Chief Brilliance Officer of C&G Enterprises Unlimited, LLC, selected to be the facilitator for the $18 billion dollar redevelopment project.

The project strives to upgrade John F. Kennedy International Airport into a world class facility, with complete makeovers to Terminal 4, Delta/JFKIAT; Terminal 6, JMP; Terminal 8, American Airlines; as well as the New Terminal One (NTO).

Grant describes JFK as “the window to the world,” and said the new development will be able to best serve the millions of passengers that come into the World’s Borough.

“We haven't had this level of investment in the JFK Airport, ever. So this is historic, what we're doing. My job is to ensure we come together to make sure that all voices are heard, represented, and that updates are given to the community,” she said. “Everyone is at the table, coming up with ideas around how the community can be better as a result of this reinvestment.”

The Community Advisory Council meets quarterly, and embodies four committees: the Business Development Committee, the Career/

Workforce Development Committee, the Environmental Stewardship Committee and the Education Committee.

Grant said she values working with all walks of life as the facilitator, from the community, elected officials and terminal developers, to the everyday business person who wants to learn more about the project and potentially become involved.

“I would say the greatest achievement is being able to introduce many community residents to the program and some who've gone on to not only become certified, but to win contracts,” she said.

In addition to the work with JFK, C&G Enterprises Unlimited has done business with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Education, providing facilitation and training and development work.

Grant is the International President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which provides scholarships, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood across the globe, and the founder and CEO of Destiny Designers University, the only training and development platform for Faithpreneurs (faith-based entrepreneurs and faith-based professionals).

She is also a bestselling author, media personality and award-winning international speaker, receiving the 2016 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service from 44th President Barack Obama.

Through her work with the JFK Redevelopment Program, Grant seizes the opportunity to build a great legacy for “our children’s children’s chil-

dren” here in Queens, and feels honored to be recognized as a Business Person of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“It's humbling to know that others see your efforts in trying to create space for others…Even during COVID, keeping the community encouraged through a very challenging time by offering free resources and using media as a way to connect and to create space for a very confusing time we were all witnessing,” she said. “I believe wherever you live, you should also serve — and it's my honor to serve Queens.”

Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com

Kevin O’Connor has served as the CEO of Dime Community bank since 2020.

The bank has over 60 branches across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Long Island; 800 employees and $12 billion in assets -- making it one of the largest community banks in the region. O’Connor recently led the creation of the Dime Community Bank Foundation, which was designed to expand the bank's charitable operations.

Before his role at Dime, O’Connor was the CEO of Bridgehampton National Bank for 13 years, leading the Long Island bank through a period of growth and financial stability. The Long Island native has focused on organic growth, strategic acquisition and communitybased customer service and culture in his financial leadership positions throughout the years.

O’Connor sits on the boards of Pursuit, the New York State Bankers Association, the Hauppauge Industrial Association, and the Long Island Association. He is also on the board of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and is part of their affiliate entity, Brooklyn Alliance Capital. O’Connor also is a current member of the Board of Trustees of Suffolk County Community College and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

“I am thrilled that both Dime Community Bank and I are being honored this year. Dime Bank has been a fixture in Queens for over 100 years and has been the home to many ‘firsts’ for the people in that borough – Dime is where they got their first savings account, their first mortgage, and their first business loan.Dime Bank is proud to be an integral part of community in Queens,” O’Connor said in a statement.

Rachelle Antoine, Port Authority of NY NJ BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR

By Jessica Meditz news@queensledger.com

Rachelle Antoine serves as the Manager of External Affairs & Community Outreach at Port Authority of New York & New Jersey for the massive $18 billion JFK Redevelopment Program.

A Queens Village resident, Antoine strives to keep members of her community informed about the happenings of their local airport utilized by folks around the globe.

The JFK Redevelopment Program seeks to transform JFK Airport into a modern, 21st century airport, which will offer unified terminal layout, updated amenities, redesigned on-airport traffic pattern and enhanced security among more upgrades.

The idea of a redevelopment was born with the intention of accommodating for the projected growth of the airport, which is expected to reach 75 million passengers a year by 2030.

“On a daily basis, we have to conduct a lot of outreach, touch base with businesses to provide access and opportunities on the program and I’m also in charge of develop -

ing these community initiatives on behalf of the project,” Antoine said of her role.

The JFK Redevelopment Program has a Community Advisory Council consisting of 45 members to provide updates on the project and review proposals that come from the community.

Antoine also operates the Community Outreach Center, which provides an environment for locals to pose their own questions pertaining to JFK.

“This is a major project happening in Southeast Queens, so when we are thinking of opportunities that are right here in our backyard, I always say these two words: outreach and engagement. We're doing our part by conducting the outreach, but the engagement is the piece that is vital for the community, because there's jobs, there's access, there’s construction jobs and there's aviation jobs that are available,” she said.

“So I think in terms of outreach, it’s important for the community to get access to these opportunities.”

Antoine will hit the two-year mark in her role as Manager of External Affairs & Community Outreach at Port Authority in March of 2023.

She filled the shoes of now-Councilmembers Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers, who served in the position prior.

“They needed someone to ensure that the work continues,” Antoine said. “Nantasha and Selvena started, but the pandemic hit, so there was a major pause on the program.”

“They helped get the program off the ground, but the actual drive is on me now because right after the pandemic, a lot of work needed to be done.”

Her past career endeavors include serving as budget director for the New York State Assembly, a data analyst for NYC Administration for Children's Services and a social worker for the Office of the New York City Public Advocate.

She earned a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University, specializing in community-based matters.

Antoine feels proud to be honored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce as a Business Person of the Year for her work in the borough, as well as grateful to wake up every morning doing something she’s passionate about.

“I think what I love the most is

meeting someone and providing them with access…whether it's connecting the person to a terminal developer, or helping a local firm getting their MWBE certification, I think, for me, what makes me really happy is just connecting folks to possible opportunities,” she said.

“Small businesses sometimes have little hiccups and issues, so to get them funding or to connect them with another organization, even though they may not be able to get a project or some sort of bid, but that little work that we can help them to get one step closer to bettering their business is what actually makes me happy.”

Peter Kapsalis of Cine Magic LIC

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com

Peter Kapsalis, The owner and CEO of Cine Magic LIC Studios, a roughly 100,000-square-foot studio operation in Queens, came from humble beginnings.

Starting in 1993 as a film equipment manufacturer and rental company, Cine Magic pivoted into the studio business in 2006, using funds and clientele to open up their original 3,000-squarefoot studio on Elizabeth Street. In 2008 they expanded to a larger 144,000-square-foot location on the Williamsburg Waterfront after getting calls for bigger jobs. And by 2011, they expanded into a 5,000-square-foot larger studio on

the Greenpoint waterfront, known as Cine Magic East River Studios.

“We like to open the biggest studios because they tend to get sets that stay up between seasons and give you continuous type of tenancy, which, you know, who wants an empty studio?” Kapsalis said.

And the philosophy has been working.

Kapsalis’ studios work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Hulu, Disney Plus and Showtime – having hit shows such as “Billions and “Only Murders in the Building” filmed at Cine Magic studios.

Kapsalis emphasized the transit connectivity into Manhattan, the other studios in the area, and that the location is zoned as an industri-

al business zone as some of the reasons for the 2020 LIC expansion.

“The opportunity for us was that you can find a full city block that we’re able to basically lease and see the area around there for potential expansion beyond the initial LIC expansion. We're looking to expand as we speak,” he said.

Kapsalis said that although he was raised in Brooklyn, he’s a Mets fan so he has always been around in Queens – and is humbled by the honor of being a Queen Chamber Business Person of the Year.

“The Queens Chamber people are very nice people, they seem to be very engaged with the businesses, and they’ve helped us introducing different parties that build studios.”

Two Expat New Yorkers are Turning Investment Back into NY

Queens is a Major Beneficiary

Richard Scola, is a lifelong New Yorker, who spent four years in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War (1990-94), joined the NYPD (1996-97), and continued to serve NYC as a member of the FDNY (1998-2006). When rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero on 9/11 severely affected his health, Richard made the difficult decision to take his family and relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Richard Scola

As a Service Disabled Veteran, Richard was seeking a change and a fresh start in life with a new career in Real Estate, and partnered up with fellow New Yorker, Adam Levinson back in 2007.

Together they built a successful real estate business across the Southeast and in 2019 their passion, faith, and nostalgia for the city of New York is what caused them to return an investment back into the city they love so much.

They saw great potential in this investment in a time when most were turning their back on the city.

Richard and Adam recently joined forces with George Kyrimes and Michael Gatzonis of TriArt Construction and Gatsons Electric Inc, local Queens entrepreneurs with a similar mindset and passion for the “Big Apple.” The Tri-Art and Gatsons portfolio of work has many impressive projects for companies such as Tishman Construction, Columbia University, Catholic Charities, the East River Towers, 20 stories with 75 units; View 59, 12 stories and 39 units, and many more.

This new synergy of passion has developed into what is now a group with its overall core competency being the ability to manage the construction of ground-up developments and

complex gut renovations in various phases. This is an important characteristic not only to the company itself, but to many clients as well and adds value to their relationships.

Despite the fact that many have seen the recent years as a period of decline in New York City, Richard and Adam look at this as an opportunity to continue to invest and support the community by partnering and hiring local talent and continuing to build local businesses. They feel that these two principals will help continue to bring success to their companies, partnerships, and New York City as a whole.

New York City will always be full of potential, but will sometimes still need the help of men like Richard and Adam.

These men are confident in these investments, knowing the city will reciprocate somehow, some day. In the meantime, they can focus on their successful careers while they slowly build up the city once again as they have great visions for the future.

Richard Scola

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Mom and Dad Just Aren’t the Same

By Teres Rodnet, CSA

Holidays are the perfect time to spend quality time with our families. Whether you travel from out-of-state or the neighboring city, the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for families to gather and make new memories and reflect on old ones. It’s also an opportunity to observe your elderly adults physical, spiritual, and mental capabilities.

Unfortunately for some families, the good times can often be overshadowed by the concern for a loved one. So, what happens when a family member mentions that “Mom and Dad just aren’t the same?” Home –it’s where “the heart is” and the place where most aging adults will say that they wish to live.

The ability to do this safely is crucial to remaining as independent as possible, with the lowest level of care needed, and in one’s chosen environment. It can be a difficult moment when you come to realize that your Mom and/or Dad need senior care, whether in their home or in a setting like assisted living.

Just as our parents kept us safe, sheltered and secure when we needed it – there comes a time when we’re called upon to return this same love to our parents. Some of us will provide care to our parents in our own home for a period, but this is not always possible for all families, or always desired by the children or parents themselves. Many families find themselves searching for senior assisted living for loved ones who aren’t safe living alone. If you see that your loved ones need assisted living care, here are some steps that can help you find the right care:

1. Get Your Loved One Involved -- The more involved your parents are in the search, the better. Of course, you can do much of the legwork for them, but have discussions with your parents about their desires and preferences and, ideally, present them with a range of options.

2. Determine What You Can Afford -- Like it or not, money is going to be a factor in most families’ searches. Realistically consider what your family can afford monthly. Look into Veterans benefits, long term care insurance, life insurance policies with a long-term care rider, and assets.

Look for creative ways to pay for care.

3. Get Connected with Senior Industry Professionals -- You can consult a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) at any point in the transition process, but it’s helpful if you have already done a little investigating into what your family can afford. Most CSAs offer free services to seniors and their families. Your CSA can provide a list of senior communities that meets the needs and preferences you have already established, and ones that are in your price range. This list of communities is an excellent starting point for your search. From there, a logical way to proceed with the decision-making process is through the process of elimination.

4. Tour Senior Communities -- No amount of time viewing photos, brochures, floor plans or reviews can substitute for an in-person visit to a community and visit more than one. A good time to tour is during a meal so your loved one can try the food and get a good sense of the community’s culture because residents tend to be more active during mealtime. Narrow down your search of favorites and perform follow-up tours.

5. Come to a Decision Whether -- your parent is choosing the community themselves, or whether you need to make that decision for parents impaired by dementia or Alzheimer’s, try to make sure that everyone in your family feels good about the choice. When possible, have conversations with your parents discussing the pros

and cons of each option and try to find consensus about the right decision. Your CSA can provide feedback about your favorite communities; help evaluate issues such as care requirements, finances, and amenity preferences to help you make an informed and confident decision.

6. Make the Move -- When families and seniors select an assisted living community, it’s a life changing decision. It can be such an intimidating choice that many families come down with analysis paralysis and postpone a move out of fear of making the wrong choice. It’s risky to procrastinate when a loved one needs care, as the delay can lead to avoidable accidents and medical problems. Have confidence in your choice and make the move. Every family situation will be unique and will require different solutions. It takes everyone’s willingness to observe, discuss, and change to have the greatest effect with this transition process. There are no perfect answers just the best answers to meet your family’s dynamics.

Remember, senior industry experts are available to help seniors and their families adjust to a new environment. So don’t be afraid to acknowledge that “mom and dad just aren’t the same.”

Teres Rodney. CSA Certified Senior Advisor Oasis Senior Advisors, NYC

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Rock-Rock Rockaway Beach Jacob Riis Bathhouse, Summer 2023!

By Maria Iacovone, Principal & COO ads ENGINEERS. DPC

Rock-Rock, Rockaway BeachWe can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach! …. Dee Dee Ramon said it best, back in 1977 he wrote a song about his favorite hangout and the home of Joey Ramon. Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY has been a diamond in the rough since the early 1930’s. It has an amazing history and is the largest urban beach in the United States. Because of its surf friendly waves, it is popular with surfers and the only place you can legally ride a surfboard in the New York Metropolitan Area. Also, home to Jacob Riis Park, located on the southwest portion of the Rockaways.

Jacob Riis Park, signature Bathhouse built in 1932 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, has been in the news as of late due to the

$50 million renovation it is undergoing. Currently, it is the home of pop-up vendors under the banner of Riis Park Beach Bazaar, but that is all going to change by the Summer 2023!

For years the bathhouse has been underutilized and almost dormant. After surviving Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy there was some clean-up due to the storm damage, but it still is a shell of what was once there. For the past 10

years the entire community has concentrated on survival and resiliency due to the catastrophic damage Superstorm Sandy brought upon this area. Resilience is exactly what the Rockaway community has shown. Now 10 years later there will be a full restoration of the Historic Bathhouse that will once again grace this community. The restoration and renovation will include a hotel, catering hall, rooftop lounge, restaurants, bars, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor music venue, and retail shops. This will be a historic revitalization and something that ads ENGINEERS is proud to be a part of.

A great deal of ingenuity and expertise is behind this phased reopening of the bathhouse that will begin the summer of 2023. Our firm, ads ENGINEERS, along with CBSK Developers, Brooklyn Bazaar and renowned architectural firm Beyer Blinder Belle have been

working on this important community project since 2018 to restore the bathhouse to its original 1932 design while adding some incredible amenities.

This project is a reason to celebrate how far we have come since Superstorm Sandy, and the bright future ahead that will bring jobs and strong commerce to the Rockaways.

Grow your Business with the Power of Video

By: Erica Becker, Account Executive/ Producer at PH Consulting & Media

The growth of any business is driven and influenced by marketing through branding involving rigorous advertising and marketing efforts, particularly through video. Branding introduces a company, its products, values, and services to audiences and helps increase the interest of customers. PH Consulting and Media is a full-service advertising agency that helps our clients with brand enhancements through video advertising, video production, social media management, and ad campaign strategies.

Our agency has been providing complete media and marketing solutions for the past 10 years and is well equipped with techniques to cater to a large base of small, medium and family-owned businesses. Since small businesses are the backbone of New York City, we strongly believe in helping them tell stories, define values, and engage with customers through the power of video. One of the major benefits that our clients enjoy is our personalized approach and the human touch that we deliver with our campaigns. The unique storytelling strategy that we provide has gained a lot of positive reviews for our ability to create highly attractive commercials and leverage the potential of local cable television by buying and running those commercials to target local audiences. Video ad campaigns help clients communicate with their customers more effectively,

which is why at “PH” we are so passionate about providing these opportunities to smaller businesses, to give them the chance to shine like the big guys. Every day, our society becomes more and more digitally and technology based. From zoom meetings, digital billboards, remote careers, smart phones, digital/online check ins for hotels, smart cars to smart houses, we rely on technology and the internet to operate. Even the ads on the subway are transitioning over to being digital. If the world is progressing in this way, then your advertising approach and strategy should be too. Video advertising and marketing is the wave of the future, and it is crucial to incorporate video into any business strategy in order to survive and compete with the larger, powerful corporations. We believe that EVERY business should be using video, social media, the internet, and/or television to grow and thrive, which is why we will be providing all Queens Chamber members a 15% Holiday discount for any of our services/ packages. If you're looking for a media and marketing partner to work with, PH Consulting and Media is here for you. We take care of everything from ideation to strategy, planning to execution, production to broadcasting, casting to recording, and every process, activity, or service you might need to spread the word and increase your client base. We have an excellent client management team that provides a personalized customer experience, and are extremely dedicated and supportive of the brands and businesses that we work

with.

To learn more about our advertising agency, visit us at www.phconsultingmedia.com and contact me directly at erica@phconsultingmedia.com or 1(516)786-3360 ext 106 for any inquiries, questions, or just to chat!

INTRO TO QUICKBOOKS

DESKTOP

December 14, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Attend this unique webinar presented by Queens Chamber of Commerce and Business Outreach Center - BOC, Queens on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022. This webinar will cover: the main differences and Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Online VS QuickBooks Desktop; The different versions of QuickBooks Desktop; and an overview of QuickBooks Desktop menu system, and how to add an account to the Chart of Accounts and run reports.

This event is open to the public, complimentary admission to all.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

CRITICAL THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE BUSINESSPERSON

December 16, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Join Queens Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Workshop Series: The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Business: A Guide for the

Aspiring Entrepreneur. (In conjunction with NYIT Center for Human Resource Studies and Dispute Resolution Institute of New York)

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

December 21, 3:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Join the Comunidad Latinix, local businesses and Queens Chamber of Commerce on December 21, 2022 for an afternoon of networking and community support to small businesses in Corona.

Dreams NYC, 32-56 101 Street, Corona Register at queenschamber.org

HOLIDAY BUSINESS MIXER

December 21, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ‘Tis the season for networking! The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Floral ParkBellerose Indian Merchants Association are hosting a Holiday Mixer for business owners and entrepreneurs in Floral Park, Bellerose,

and Queens. Space is limited, capacity only 40. Light refreshments will be served.For more information, call (718) 898-8500 or email ghadji@queenschamber.org.

Santoor Indian Restaurant 257-05 Union Turnpike, Floral Park Register at queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER HOLIDAY RECEPTION FOR MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES!

December 22, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Come celebrate the holiday season with the Queens Chamber as we enjoy light refreshments, some appetizers & great company.Our DJ will play all your favorite holiday tunes; so please join us at this complimentary event! All members are welcome; RSVP a must! Enter using the south entrance of the building.

The Café at Bulova Corporate Center 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Jackson Heights Register at queenschamber.org

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

By Rob MacKay, Director Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation

December is special. The year’s final month encompasses an international sun event, a major Christian holiday, and a significant Jewish celebration.

It features gift-gifting for some, and it ends with an all-night party for others. Sometimes it includes snow. Queens is special, too. The borough is full of activity during the entire month with dance, film, music, shopping, and theater. Please read on.

Folds

Dec. 7 - Dec. 17

Four Ivy Baldwin Dance members move, molt, and mend a large visual art installation made in collaboration with Ukrainian visual artist Inna Babaeva. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 pm.

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

Holiday Historic House Tour

Dec. 11 @ 1 p.m.

Four Flushing landmarks will open their doors to the public during this 35th annual event. The participating sites Bowne House (37-01 Bowne St.), Flushing Friends Meetinghouse(137-16 Northern Blvd.), Kingsland Homestead (14335 37th Ave.), and Voelker Orth House (149-19 38th Ave.) will be decorated as they were during their first holiday seasons. Plus, each one will offer time-honored activities and refreshments.

Monthly Jazz Jam

Dec. 14 @ 7 p.m.

On the second Wednesday of the month, musicians hone skills and jam with peers and the house band. Don’t play? Don’t worry! Listen! Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.

A Christmas Carol

Dec. 15 - Dec. 31

IT’S IN QUEENS!

Ebenezer Scrooge is unkind to the people who work for him in this classic Dickens play. One cold Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, and then by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. He ends up filled with holiday spirit. Fifteen shows at 7:30 pm and 3 pm. The Secret Theatre, 38-02 61st St., Woodside.

O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi”

Dec. 17 @ 1 p.m.

Renowned actor and raconteur

Kevin R. Free, who grew up in Queens, recreates O Henry’s 1905 Christmas story “The Gift of the Magi” in a three-acre pasture. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks.

Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert

Dec. 18 @ 4 p.m.

Maestro David Close leads a chorus, orchestra, and soloists through selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and traditional Christmas and Chanukah favorites.

St. Kevin’s Church, 42-21 194th St., Flushing.

Winter Solstice Forest Bathing Walk

Dec. 18 @ 11:30 a.m.

Certified guide Linda Lombardo leads a meditative forest bathing walk as per the Japanese Shinrin-

Yoku tradition. The goal is to inspire connections to nature for a range of health benefits.

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

Kingsland Homestead is among the historic houses opening their doors to the pubic on Dec. 11.

‘Reliable Clean City Project’ Moving Right on Track

The electrical grid upgrade, aimed at delivering renewable and clean energy to NewYorkers, is expected to be complete its work in Queens in Spring 2023

If you’re feeling like there’s been more construction than usual in Queens, you’re not wrong. Con Edison has reached the halfway mark of their Reliable Clean City Project – a new infrastructure upgrade which has received support from multiple environmental justice organizations.

The project, approved by New York’s Public Service Commission in 2021, aims to phase out the fossil fuel generators in neighborhoods around New York City and instead allow for a “greater flow of electricity,” which will “deliver increasingly renewable power,” the company said in a statement last week. Con Edison also believes the upgrades will strengthen the reliability of service for customers, as well as help the state to meet its ambitious climate and clean energy goals.

According to the City Comptroller’s website, NYC has

committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 – a target in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature increases. As you can see in the graph below, most of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the “Buildings,” which are supplied energy from Con Edison.

“The Reliable Clean City projects offer an on-the-ground demonstration of our commitment to building an energy system capable of delivering 100 percent clean power by 2040,” said Richard David, Con Edison’s director of regional and community affairs in Queens.

The Queens portion of the project represents $275 million of the $800 million investment (generated from ConEd customer rates) and will feature the expansion of electric substations along with new underground transmission lines aimed at

adding 300 megawatts of transmission capacity across the borough. The added capacity hopes to serve as an off-ramp for renewable energy as New York continues to build its wind and solar resources.

But for some in the affected neighborhoods, the inconvenience of the construction has dredged up ill-feelings towards the company.

“My old place – about a year ago – had a bunch of ConEd guys doing construction on our corner that was rather infuriating,” says Dylan M., of Astoria. “I feel like I’ve seen construction down the block ever since we lost power during the summer. That’s definitely slowed traffic up.”

Others believe it’s all for the best. Henry Trueheart, an actor living in Astoria says, “I live on a very busy street, so construction and general loud activity isn’t anything new to me. If what they’re doing is for the greater goal of weaning off of fossil fuels then by all means, hammer away!”

ConEd has also been facilitating the move to clean energy in New

York City and Westchester County in other ways, by introducing customer-owned solar panels, battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle chargers.

“Electricity is the lifeblood of the modern economy and will become even more critical moving forward as more New Yorkers adopt electric vehicles, electric heating systems and other clean-energy technologies,” the company said in a statement.

In total, the trio of projects (Brooklyn and Staten Island look to receive similar upgrades by 2025) expect to result in the end of fossil fuel-based peaking power plants, which currently play a vital role in keeping the lights on during periods of high energy demand. These power plants also create some of the most harmful air pollution and climate change, globally. As we move towards a greener, more sustainable future, their eradication becomes evermore relevant. Hopefully, the traffic and the noise from the construction will soon all be worth it.

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 well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development.

Established in 1989, the Federation is a pan-Asian non-profit 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 one-on-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 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 startup 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 meetings 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.

GATEWAY JFK

Interim Executive Director: Barbara J. Cohen 516.730.3400

info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org

QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.

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

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

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

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 80th 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

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH NEW MEMBERS

At Your Side Home Care Service

CORPORATE Contact: Josh Lentin, josh@citiquiet. com

69 Broadway Hicksville, NY 11801

Contact: Nicole Kawaleski, Nicolek@atyoursideHc.com

BTX Global Logistics

145 Hook Creek Blvd, Bldg. C-3 Valley Stream, NY 11581

https://www.btxglobal.com

Contact: Anthony Bacarella, abacarella@btxglobal.com

BTX Global Logistics evolved from a single terminal in Connecticut in 1980 to a global freight-forwarding force with regional offices strategically located across North America. Specializing in the timesensitive, flexible transportation of shipments of any size or weight by air, land and sea, BTX can take care of all your domestic and international transportation and logistical needs.

Consigli Construction Co. Inc

1441 Broadway, Suite 2001 New York, NY 10018 https://www.consigli.com

Contact: kkrause@consigli.com

In 1905 Peter Consigli, a skilled mason, established Peter Consigli & Sons in Milford, Massachusetts on the cornerstones of hard work, integrity and pride in craftsmanship. Over a century later, Consigli has grown from a local business into one of the largest employee-owned construction managers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

CitiQuiet

11-11 43 rd Road Long Island City, NY 11101 http://www.citiquiet.com

Michael Lentin, the owner and creator of CitiQuiet Windows saw an opportunity to eliminate a problem that was in people’s homes, living environments and offices where noise was coming in and, and really interfering with their life. His first CitiQuiet window installation was on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York in a small townhouse where a friend of his actually recently had a child and their newborn didn’t sleep through the night because of the noise. His friends were happy as could be and that was the birth of CitiQuiet.

EJ Stevens Group

35-37 36 th Street, Suite 513 Astoria, NY 11106

http://www.ej-steven.com

Contact: Stephen Lysohir, slysohir@ ej-stevens.com

Firstlight Cloud Xchange

120 West 20 th Street, Suite 604 New York, NY 10011

http://www.fcxnyc.com

Contact: Taslim Khan, taslim.knah@ fcxnyc.com

Firstlight Cloud Xchange is a Manhattan based consulting firm specializing in cloud-based communication solutions, cloud consulting, cyber security, network services & mobility solutions.

HOK

5 Bryant Park New York, NY 10018

http://www.hok.com

Contact: Christopher Laul, chris.

laul@hok.com

HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. Our designers are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination and focused on a solitary goal: the deliver solutions that inspire clients and communities.

Legacy Contractors NYC LLC

2552 Crescent Street

Astoria, NY 11102

Contact: Barry Caldwell, barry@ legacycontractorsnyc.com

The Astoria World Manor

25-22 Astoria Blvd

Astoria, NY 11102

http://www.awm.nyc

Contact: Young Jun Ahn, yj@awm. nyc

Astoria World Manor is the finest banquet hall and event space in all of Queens since 1994. We provide you with professional event planning for wedding, party or event with luxurious elegance at affordable prices.

Tristate Plumbing Services Corp.

1431 Cromwell Avenue

Bronx, NY 10452

http://www.triplumbing.com

Contact: Zach Breslaw, zach. breslaw@triplumbing.com

Since our establishment, Tristate Plumbing’s construction and service teams have been delivering expert plumbing and sprinkler services to distinguished clients at some of the most prestigious addresses across the five boroughs. We guarantee we have

the skills, expertise, and experience to help you.

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

Bolton StJohns

11 Park Place

New York, NY 10007

http://www.boltonstjohn.com

Contact: Annemarie Anzalone, anzalone@boltonstjohns.com

Elysium Vacations

11 Cambridge Drive Merrimack, NY 03054

http://www.elysiumvacations. agentstudio.com

Contact: Fabio Pari Di Monriva, pari.fabio@gmail.com

Kaleidopath

1612 Coastal Highway Lewes, DE 19958

Contact: William Darby, bill.darby@ kaleidopath.com

Personal Touch Homecare 25-25 33 rd Street Long Island City, NY 11106 http://www.pthomecare.com

Contact: Ruddy Lubin, rlubin@ pthomecare.com

New York CMI

4728 37 th Street

Long Island City, NY 11101

http://www.newyorkcmi.com

Contact: Andres Aviles, info@ newyorkcmi.com

SHYFT LLC

10 Halletts Point, #903 Astoria, NY 11102 http://www.shyftllc.com

Contact: Fabio Pari Di Monriva, pari.fabio@gmail.com

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

are side by side with local familyowned 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, the 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

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 moderateincome neighborhoods annually

G. Taylor

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

Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com

Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.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 Committee Development

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

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

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

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

MANUFACTURING

Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com

Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra azra@azra.com

Patricia Mezeul

Melinda Murray-Nyack

Maria Odysseos

Stephen Preuss

Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock

CORPORATE MEMBERS

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

Heritage Kulfi expands market to NYC

Continued from Page 7

“I find one ingredient that I want to focus on, find the best one and give it that space to breathe and shine,” he said. “Between all our flavors, you’ll find high butter fat content, which means that they’re very creamy. And we slow-cook all of our ingredients directly into the ice cream mix. What that does is it allows for a very bold, infused flavor profile.”

Heritage Kulfi is on the shelf in various markets in the five boroughs, such as Lincoln Market across Brooklyn, Tariq Halal Meats in Flushing, as well as Key Food Supermarkets and Vitelio’s Marketplace locations throughout Queens, but the company expands its reach daily.

“I’m really excited to make the product available to more and more

people…I’m working to add several hundred accounts in the next few months,” Ahmed said. “It’s really about continuously exploring these ingredients and trying to bring something new and exciting to the world of ice cream.”

In addition to several new flavors, Heritage Kulfi will see a line of vegan ice cream early next year. Based in Princeton, N.J., Ahmed delivers his ice cream to markets around the tri-state area in an ice cream truck of sorts.

“It’s not your traditional ice cream truck, but because of my background in frozen distribution, one of the most exciting parts was being connected to store owners and also getting feedback from actual customers,” he said. “You can find my truck going around and visiting stores, but also keeping in touch.”

Ahmed is thrilled to share his kulfi creations with one of the most diverse cities in the world. “Kulfi is obviously Queens. Everyone knows about kulfi in a certain way,” he said.

“It’s a twist on kulfi…so I hope that people will try it. Even though certain flavors are kind of mainstream,

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

like coconut or vanilla bean, you'll find that ours has a different style to it. People will often say, ‘This is the best vanilla we’ve ever tasted.’”

To learn more about Heritage Kulfi and where to purchase a 16oz pint, visit their website, https://heritagekulfi.com.

Heritage Kulfi founder and CEO Mansoor Ahmed

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.