This Is Queensborough - January 2022

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January 2022 . Volume 18 . Issue 1

READY TO

SHINE BID IN SUNNYSIDE GETS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ALSO

“WE ARE ALWAYS STRONGER WHEN WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER RATHER THAN GOING IT SOLO.” SUNNYSIDE SHINES BID EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRK MCCALL

• GRODENCHIK REFLECTS ON HIS TIME IN OFFICE • TECH SPOTLIGHT PUTS THE FOCUS ON ‘ONHAND’ • DIVING DEEP INTO THE SLICES OF QUEENS

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

GET TAPPED IN THIS YEAR

With the start of the new year, their hands trying to figure out I’m sure many of you have taken how to survive in March 2019, the time to consider resolutions this group amped up their work to improve on various for you. Whether it’s aspects of your life. funding to help you My hope is you’ve keep your doors open included your busior creating a webness in those resolusite for your business tions. enabling you to be Each month, I more marketable, this encourage you to team has it covered. tap into the resourcWith partnerships es made available to with community orgayou by the Queens nizations in every Chamber. There’s an TOM SANTUCCI corner of the borough incredibly talented CHAIRPERSON and established relaand diverse staff who tionships with nearly works tirelessly on every elected official, your behalf to make sure your why would you not align yourself business has everything it needs with the Queens Chamber? to thrive.

Life is all about relationships.

Since before this pandemic Get connected and develop a relaimpacted our lives, they were tionship with the Chamber in 2022. working hard to provide your with Learn more at queenschamber.org. educational seminars, networking As we are ushering in the new opportunities, and access to advo- year, I continue to be grateful for cacy to combat the challenges you your support of this 110-year-old face as a business owner. organization. Thank you for being And when most were wringing the best part of what we do.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

AND SO IT CONTINUES As you read this message, we’re The Queens Chamber in 2021 was ushering in 2022 with so many won- once again able to provide a sigderful opportunities on the horizon. nificant amount of support to our A new year always small business comgives me a feeling of munity, thanks in part anticipation and hope to strategic programs for so many different outreach led by Jacthings. queline Donado New York City’s and Small Business 110th Mayor Eric Resource Network Adams was sworn headed up by Neil in with much expecWagner. tation for all his His team is staffed administration will by six amazing indido to help transform THOMAS J. GRECH viduals known as our city, especially PRESIDENT & CEO Business Recovery Queens. I considered Specialists. Comit an honor to serve on bined, these two his transition team in dual capacities dynamic groups are making a real as part of the Economic & Workforce difference in the small business comDevelopment and Public Safety & munity here in Queens.

Justice teams.

Funding for SBRN was provided It speaks to the inclusiveness of by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, this administration and its impact whose CEO we featured last month on this diverse community we call home.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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QUEENS QUICKLY

CHAMPLAIN HUDSON DELIVERS FOR VARIETY

A newfound partnership and $1.25 million community investment will soon deliver two new STEM science labs, along with clean energy, to the Variety Boys and Girls Club (VBGC) of Queens.

The grant is the first of its kind to be awarded by the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Community Engagement Fund, which supports community capital projects in neighborhoods that will host their buried transmission line stretching from Quebec to Astoria.

Peter Rose, director of Stakeholder Relations for CHPE, says that the clean power initiative will reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to removing a half-million cars from the state’s roads.

“It’s our hope that it’s going to inspire and educate the young people in this community, not only to take bold climate action, but also to pursue careers in the green economy right here in Queens,” said Peter Rose, director of Stakeholder relations for CHPE. The STEM science labs will feature programming focused on climate and energy innovation for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. The new science labs are scheduled to open in 2026 at the redeveloped Astoria location at 21-20

Pictured from left to right are Thomas Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Richard Khuzami, president of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, Deputy Borough President Ebony Young, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congresswoman VBGC CEO Costa Constantinides, VBGC Board President Walter Sanchez, Jennifer White, vice president of External Affairs at Transmission Developers, Emanuel Kokinakis, Development Manager Mega Contracting Group, Treasure Hodge, VBGCQ Former Club Kid and Front Desk Receptionist, Peter Rose, director for Stakeholder Relations in New YorkHydro-Quebec, and VBGC board member Frank “Turtle” Raffaele.

30th Road.

“In this lab, they’ll be learning about the energy revolution that is happening here in Western Queens,” said Variety CEO Costa Constantinides of the 4,000 families and children the club serves annually.

Constantinides says the club will develop the STEM curriculum for the new science labs.

“From learning about hydropower and what it brings to the table to how it’s changing our grid and 21st century jobs, we’re looking forward to providing that education and allowing them to learn what is going on in their own community,” said Constantinides. “Instead of Asthma Alley, we’re going to transform this community into Renewable Row.” With the redevelopment of the Astoria site and the planned expansion into Jackson Heights, VBGC will soon be able to serve more than 16,000 local families and their children.

“This is generational change,” said Constantinides. “We’re going to have the opportunity to change the lives of an entire community, and do it in a clean, renewable way.”

As part of the state and city’s vision to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, CHPE buried transmission line will power over 1 million homes and businesses in New York City by 2025 using renewable energy sources.

The 339-mile project will run from the U.S.Canadian border south through Lake Champlain, along and underneath the Hudson River, before ending at a converter station in Astoria.

(EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS)

MAYOR STEPS UP FOR SMALL BUSINESS Almost immediately up taking office, Mayor Eric Adams signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to reform existing business regulations, ensuring local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties.

It builds upon Local Law 80, and calls on the Department of Buildings, Department of Envi-

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments .......................................6

Meet Queens Chamber Staff Member Shahriar Hossain ...............................15

TECH SPOTLIGHT: Robert Kaskel of Thai Rock ................................7

Stay Connected With the Queens Chamber in January ..................................17

Barry Grodenchik Reflects on His Time in the City Council ............8

Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members .................................................21

NEW MONTHLY FEATURE: The Pizza Slices of Queens ...........10 Supply Chain Issues Are Coming for Your Favorite Lunch ..............11 COVER STORY: Dirk McCall Takes Reins at Sunnyside BID ......13 It’s In Queens is Back! ..................................................................................24 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

TECHNOLOGY

NYC JOINING THE CRYPTOCURRENCY CRAZE LOCAL BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO ADOPT IT AS PAYMENT

BY JORDANA LANDRES Cryptocurrency transactions crisscross the globe. In December 2021, cryptocurrency’s total value topped $2 trillion, at one point approaching $3 trillion.

Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency, which was created by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, or possibly a group of people under the pseudonym’s umbrella. In 2010, Bitcoin’s first significant value jumped from less than a penny to $0.09.

This year, it skyrocketed 60 percent after hitting nearly $65,000 in April. After dropping by nearly half in May, it rebounded to above $66,000 this autumn before falling again.

Large companies like PayPal and Overstock. com now accept payment in cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin ATMs in locations throughout New York City allow customers to buy and sell cryptocurrency.

New York City even has its own cryptocurrency, NYCCoin. In November, mayor-elect Eric Adams shared his plans to take his first three paychecks in bitcoin in a Tweet. “In New York, we always go big, so I’m going to take my first THREE paychecks in Bitcoin when I become mayor. New York City is going to be the epicenter,” he wrote.

A tweet from AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron announced his company’s adoption of cryptocurrency as a form of payment. “We proudly now accept: drumroll, please…bitcoin, ethereum, bitcoin cash, litecoin.”

The theater chain is the largest in the U.S. with 593 domestic and 335 international theaters with locations throughout the city, including Fresh Meadows and Bay Terrace.

Northern Italian pizzeria Piccola Venezia in Astoria accepts Bitcoin. Throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, businesses from bakeries to eatery La Sirene on the Upper West Side to a nail salon in Brooklyn take digital currency as well.

Investopedia.com defines cryptocurrency as “an online or virtual form of currency secured by cryptography.” You can use it to buy goods and services, invest, and trade for profit. Supply and demand, and competition, affect cryptocurrency’s value, as do the cost of production, availability on exchanges, and governance.

The blockchain, cryptocurrency’s security architecture, is a decentralized, digitally distributed public ledger existing across a net-

work, constructed to make it close to impossible to change transactional data while preventing double spending. Users conduct transactions anonymously with public and private keys allowing them to send and receive cryptocurrency without requiring thirdparty transaction verification.

Altcoins, any type of cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin, now number over 14,000 different tokens. Some of the most wellknown altcoins are Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Cardano.

Because central banks aren’t involved, cryptocurrency value is more inflation-resistant than fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar.

A stablecoin is a less volatile digital currency pegged to a stable reserve asset like the U.S. dollar or gold. NFTs, non-fungible tokens, certify and guarantee ownership of an asset, digital art being one example. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey sold his first Tweet as an NFT for over $2.9 million.

Wide price swings characterize cryptocurrency’s volatility; risk is embedded into its speculative DNA. That said, wage stagnation and inflation and the strife they generate aren’t exactly reassuring or stable constants either.

It’s not surprising that when it comes to cryptocurrency, even the riskaverse are finding their risk tolerance expanding. Bitcoin can swing up and down sometimes 10 percent. That volatility is making some millionaires, financially exsanguinating others.

Hackers stole more than $600 million in August from Poly Network, a decentralized finance platform that allows users to transfer or swap tokens across different blockchains.

The assets have since been recovered.

On the Robinhood app, users can invest in thousands of stocks including equities and exchange-traded funds listed on U.S. exchanges.

QUEENS QUICKLY ronmental Protection, Department of Sanitation, Fire Department, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to review business regulations with the goal of reducing fine schedules and allowing for cure periods or warnings for first-time violations.

“Our small businesses have been through so much during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Adams. “The last thing they need to deal with are unnecessary fines. We’re cutting the red tape and bringing real relief to the entrepreneurs who have made their dreams a reality and keep our local economy strong.”

The Executive Order will require each agency to identify over the next three months the 25 violations that are responsible for the greatest number of summonses and fines issued to small businesses and submit.

Each agency must then submit recommenda-

tions for which violations should be reformed through elimination, having fine schedules scaled back, allowing a first-time warning instead, and/or allowing for a cure period for first-time violations.

An Inter-Agency Working Group, which includes each enforcement agency and to be chaired by a deputy mayor for Economic and Workforce Development and the SBS Commissioner, will review agency submissions and oversee the ensuing business regulatory reform process.

“On just the second business day of his administration, Mayor Eric Adams is changing the narrative and redefining what supporting small business really means,” said Queens Chamber CEO and President Thomas Grech.

“We are heartened by this Executive Order and look forward to more of the same in support of small business in the five boroughs.”

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Deputy Chief Medical Officer. She will work and Chief Executive Officer of Cord Meyer Bentley, Iavicoli get closely with Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur, the hospi- Development Company, Mr. Berger brings Chief Medical Officer, to oversee quality outstanding real estate experience to the new new roles at Elmhurst tal’s improvement, risk management, patient safety, post in such areas as financing and develop-

Elmhurst Hospital has made two new appointments focused on confronting the difficulties in responding to a pandemic.

Dr. Suzanne Bentley was appointed Chief Wellness Officer. In this newly created role, she will oversee the coordination, management, and implementation of wellness programming for hospital employees, including initiatives related to fostering emotional, physical, social, and mental health.

BENTLEY Bentley’s new role builds off of her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she coordinated and helped lead employee wellness and mental health support services.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to support the amazingly hardworking and dedicated staff,” said Bentley. “I feel incredibly passionate about making sure that our healthcare workers get the support they need so that they can thrive and continue to heal others without ignoring their own mental health needs.”

She will work closely with hospital leadership to design wellness programming tailored to fit the needs of a diverse workforce made up of close to 4,000 employees.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bentley led emotional support debriefs with staff throughout the facility. She led thousands of debriefs with staff, in groups and individually, offering her support and a safe space to allow for brave vulnerability and open sharing around the unique difficulties of providing care during the pandemic.

Dr. Bentley with psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldstein also helped lead the hospital’s Emergency Department Family Outreach Initiative throughout the first wave of the pandemic.

The team served as a lifeline to families, making more than 1,000 calls and offering updates, emotional support, and information and resources to for those hospitalized.

“Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Bentley has worked tirelessly to support our employees through their most trying and difficult moments,” said Elmhurst Hospital CEO Helen Arteaga-Landaverde.

Dr. Bentley is a graduate of Bucknell University, the New Jersey Medical School, and the Mount Sinai-Elmhurst Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Meanwhile, Dr. Laura Iavicoli was appointed

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and medical department service line operations.

Iavicoli is an experienced and seasoned board-certified emergency medicine physician with an expertise in disaster preparedness and pandemic response. She played a pivotal role in guiding the hospital through the IAVICOLI first COVID-19 surge, using her background in disaster management to develop new and innovative procedures and treatment protocols.

Iavicoli has a 20-year career at Elmhurst Hospital as an emergency medicine physician.

“I’m proud to call Elmhurst my medical home for 20 years, and to transition to this new role where I’ll be helping to further enhance the already high-quality care our patients receive every day,” said Iavicoli. “If the pandemic showed us anything, it was the resilience of this community and the dedication our staff have to our patients.”

Iavicoli has devoted much of her career to emergency management issues, with publications, trainings and seminars pertaining to disaster preparedness, including pandemic response, terrorism and mass casualty incidents.

She is a graduate of Boston University. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the State University of New Jersey.

Berger joins board at Cord Meyer Martin G. Berger, managing member of Saber Real Estate Advisors and Saber Real Estate North, has been appointed to the board of directors of Queensbased Cord Meyer Development Company, one of the oldest and largest developers in the New York metropolitan area.

The appointment marks only the third time in Cord Meyer’s BERGER 117-year-history that an individual has been named to the board who was not already employed by the company or a family member.

According to Matthew Whalen, President

ment of commercial, residential, and mixeduse projects.

“Marty has conceived, negotiated, and implemented development plans representing nearly $2 billion in completed value,” said Matthew Whalen, president and CEO of Cord Meyer. “I am confident Cord Meyer will benefit from Marty’s extensive real estate and development expertise today and as we look to the future.”

Berger received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University in Boston in 1980 and his M.B.A. in 1982. He went on to become vice president of Property Management at Diversified Holding Corporation before founding McCann Development Series II (Saber’s predecessor) in 1989.

McCann developed more than a dozen shopping centers, two Ritz Carlton resort hotels, Ritz Carlton condominium tower, and a largescale health care operation.

Berger is active in his local business community, and has been a featured speaker at business and economic development forums and a guest lecturer at New York University.

He has been featured in prominent media and has been published in the Harvard Business Review.

“It is a privilege to welcome Marty to the Board of Directors,” said chairman Richard W. Meyer, Jr. “His firsthand development experience and keen knowledge of the New York real estate market will be greatly appreciated.”

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication.

Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

TECH SPOTLIGHT

This week’s featured tech entrepreneur is Robert Kaskel, the proprietor of Thai Rock restaurant, a Rockaways success story for over a decade now. Recently, he launched Onhand, a technology platform to organize, track, and control business operations, their people and their assets.

What made you want to start a tech company in addition to your work running Thai Rock?

The genesis of Onhand came out of the wake of Hurricane Sandy. As a small business owner who had to bounce back in the wake of a natural disaster that none of us could control, I gave a lot of thought to what I did to get back on my feet.

What I learned from that experience was just how key it is to stay on top of the thousand little responsibilities that come with owning a small business.

I wanted to provide opportunities for small businesses to better themselves without breaking the bank, and made Onhand’s services free to get started. Every company that uses Onhand gets a piece of my expertise, which includes over 30 years designing and devel-

oping Wall Street technologies, and a lot of valuable on-the-ground experience as a small business owner myself.

What kind of an impact has COVID had on your company and your services?

The year 2020 was obviously tough for restaurants. When COVID hit, I had to put Onhand, a project that had been in the works since 2016, on hold to focus on Thai Rock.

Business has definitely changed in the past year-and-a-half, impacting many parts of the business from operating hours, reduction in live performances and menu items, price changes, and even the relationship with our staff.

The good news is that I was able to finally launch Onhand in the fall of 2021. Since rolling out Onhand and onboarding new businesses, I’ve been learning so much more about small businesses, their struggles, and how they manage their activities.

I’m excited about the opportunity to help the business community, not only in the Rockaways, but across Queens, our city, and our country. Onhand is a technology alongside a personal helping hand. It’s about connecting with people

Photo: Drew Kerr/queenschefproject.com

who own and manage small businesses and helping them create the long-term change that will take their business to the next level.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

REFLECTIONS ON MY YEARS IN OFFICE laptops, desktops, and interactive playgrounds are either completed When I was young, I never imag- garten center.

The former site of the Mer- whiteboards. Other schools spent or will be finished within the next ined that I would be an elected official, but I have had the privilege rick Academy became a prekin- their capital dollars on upgrades to few years.

Eastern Queens is also home of serving in the Assembly and, dergarten center as well, allowing the gym or auditorium or air condito one of the top cultural destifor the last six years, in the City three- and four-year-old children to tioning for those spaces. receive a high-quality early childThe district that I represented nations in the borough: Queens Council. hood education with- includes Cunningham Park and County Farm Museum. Though it When I ran for office out traveling across part of Alley Pond Park, two of welcomes over 400,000 visitors in 2015, I met resithe borough.

Queens’s premier parks. But even a year, including school children dents who informed PS 221 used to in the most beautiful parks, play- from across the city, the farm does me of everyday have a simple piece of grounds need periodic refurbish- not have a place for students to go quality-of-life issues asphalt for a school- ment. on a rainy or snowy day. facing the residents yard, but through In conjunction with former BorI have secured $25 million for of eastern Queens, a partnership with ough President Melinda Katz and an education center so that the and during my time the Trust for Public current Borough President Don- children and families who visit the in office those same Land, I helped bring ovan Richards, Redwood Play- farm – one of the longest continuissues have constantly the school a brand- ground and Glen Oaks Oval have ally farmed sites in the state, which occupied my attennew, state-of-the-art been updated, Challenge Play- produces fresh, organic food for tion. I am proud of recreational space. ground is undergoing renovation, hungry New Yorkers – will have my record of nearly During my time in Bellerose Playground is nearly a place to learn, no matter the perfect attendance at the City Council, I complete, and the first section of weather. committee and stated BARRY visited every school the resurfaced Vanderbilt Long Over the past six years, my staff meetings, but I am GRODENCHIK in the district at least Island Motor Parkway officially and I have handled 7,000 constitueven prouder of the CITY COUNCIL MEMBER once every school opens this month. ent cases, distributed thousands improvements in the year and provided The rest of the historic walking of bicycle helmets, successfully local community that my advocacy has brought over the capital funding. The school princi- and bicycling path will be upgrad- advocated for the resurfacing of pals let me know what their needs ed as well, as the mayor fully Braddock Avenue (formerly known past six years.

Eastern Queens has long been were, and most requested funds funded the project at my request.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 comprised of clean, safe, beautiful for technology, including tablets, All told, a dozen parks and school neighborhoods, and my team and I have strived to make them even better. For decades, new residents have flocked to eastern Queens for our outstanding public schools, but our schools became a victim of their own success, leading to overcrowding.

Working with the School Construction Authority (SCA), I proposed locations where existing school buildings could expand, unused facilities could be repurposed, and new schools could open. At Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, which was built for about 2,500 students but at times has 4,000 students enrolled, a new wing is under construction that will add 800 seats.

An extension to PS 46 will add 440 seats, and a planned addition to PS 26 will provide 460 seats.

And SCA converted two former Roman Catholic schools into public schools. Saint Robert Bellarmine in Bayside Hills became PS Councilman Barry Grodenchik joins other city and elected officials in celebrating the first phase of the 390 and Our Lady of Lourdes in resurfacing of the Vanderbilt Long Island Motor Parkway. (Photo: Daniel Avila/NYC Parks) Queens Village is now a prekinder-

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January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS

MOTHER & SON DELIVER BIG FOR TOY DRIVE

BY JESSICA MEDITZ Despite his small stature, eightyear-old Cameron Liu has a heart bigger than the average adult. He and his mother, Cassandra Louie, spent the month of December collecting items for the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Toy Drive.

Cameron said he started spreading holiday cheer through the help of his mom, donating his gently used toys to charities every year around his birthday.

“My mom is my Santa,” said Cameron.

“We’ve discussed that Santa’s not real,” said Louie. “And then we talked about how there are kids and families who don’t have as much as we do and how we can support them.”

Louie said when she and Cameron began looking into how they could support the local community, they sought out an organization that focuses on providing genuine support to the people of Queens. Since they’re in partnership with the Child Center of New York, Louie felt the Queens Chamber of Commerce was

the perfect fit.

“They are thinking about local businesses, especially during this time in our lives when we want to think about how we can support our communities,” said Louie.

With Louie being a full-time employee at NYU and Cameron in school, it can be challenging for them to find free time to achieve their goals. But they’re extremely thankful for the support and encouragement from the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the small businesses that have served as donation sites for the toy drive.

Cameron and his mom have collected close to 300 toys via the dropoff boxes at Centre Pizza and Champions Martial Arts in Little Neck.

“We want to thank the extreme generosity of the families at Champions Martial Arts for 200-plus toys that we have been fortunate enough to collect,” said Louie. “Over 90 percent of those toys have come from that single place.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, Cameron and his mom want to share the overall message of generosity, and how sharing your good fortune can not only make you feel good,

Cameron next to his toy donation box at Centre Pizza in Little Neck. but the person you’re sharing it with too.

“I’m happy that I get to share my toys with them,” added Cameron. “I think it makes them feel good.”

Cameron Liu with Master Chris Kim at Champions Martial Arts.

GRODENCHIK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 as the worst street in Queens), accommodated new bicycle lanes, significantly increased funding for emergency food, convinced the city to cancel plans for an ill-advised co-location at IS 109, and supported the rehabilitation of Martin Van Buren High School, whose graduation rate has gone from 45 to nearly 90 percent since 2015.

My incredible mentors – Nettie Mayersohn and Claire Shulman – taught me that government is about serving the public. From them, I learned to prioritize making headway over making headlines. The improvements on which I have been privileged to work are the legacy of my three decades in and around government, and I am grateful to the residents of Queens who gave me the high honor of serving.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

DISCOVERING THE BOROUGH’S BEST PIZZA

BY ROBERT INTELISANO Pizza is my favorite food! My passion for pizza goes back to my early childhood, when my Sicilian grandmother, Anna LeonardiIntelisano, made pizza for us on Friday nights.

Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, in the early to mid-1800’s.

The classic Margherita-style pizza was named after the Queen Margherita. In celebration of the queen’s visit to Naples in 1889, a popular pizzeria made a pizza pie to match the green, white, and red of the Italian flag.

Pizza became popular in the Unites States in late 1945, when returning soldiers who were stationed in Italy fighting in WWII spread the word. The first pizzeria in the U.S. was Lombardi’s, which opened in 1905.

I led a pizza crawl in October 2019 which started at Famous Ben’s, then on to Prince Street pizza (my #1 pepperoni Sicilian slice), followed by a fabulous sitdown meal in the famous basement

dining room of Lombardi’s.

I have asked many people “who opened up the first pizzeria serving slices in Queens?” Unless you live in Woodside, the odds are good you will not know the answer.

The story goes back to 1954. My Grandma Anna loaned $3,000 to her “compare” Alfredo Leotta, to make his dream come true. Anna was the maid of honor at Alfredo’s wedding, and he opened Alfredo’s Pizzeria later that year.

Alfredo’s was the first pizzeria in Queens to serve slices of pizza. It was located across from the original Saint Sebastian’s Church, which was demolished when the parish bought the Loew’s Theatre on Roosevelt Avenue and 58th Street.

The original cost for a slice was 25 cents. Alfredo was a tremendous pizzaiola, however he did not speak English well and did not know how to properly run a small business.

Alfredo should have considered joining the Queens Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1911. After five years of limited profitability, Alfredo decided to

Robert Intelisano (center) outside of Lombardi’s in Manhattan, the first pizzeria in the U.S., with the group he recently led on a pizza crawl.

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close the business and went into landscaping.

Shortly after Alfredo’s grand opening, word traveled and there were other pizzerias in the works.

Here are the first ten pizzerias to open in the borough: • 1954: Alfredo’s Pizzeria in Woodside • 1956: New Park Pizza in Howard Beach • 1959: Dani’s House of Pizza in Kew Gardens • 1959: Rizzo’s Fine Pizza in Astoria • 1959: VIP Pizza in Bayside • 1960: Pizza Garden in Flushing • 1960: Gloria Pizza in Flushing • 1961: Freddy’s Pizzeria in Whitestone • 1962: Lucia Pizza in Flushing • 1963: Brother’s Pizza in Fresh Meadows Queens Chamber of Commerce President Tom Grech proposed that I write a monthly column on pizza for This Is Queensborough. Tom, I have chosen to accept the mission!

Recently, a food and restaurant review website called “The Infatuation” published their top 24 New York City pizzeria slices list. It included the five boroughs and northern New Jersey.

Guess how many Queens-based pizzerias were on their list? Zero!

This lack of Queens pizza respect is one of the reasons I chose to write this column.

Since the early 1960’s, the price of a regular New York slice has almost matched the price of a subway token. This was called the “Pizza Principle” or the “PizzaSubway Connection.” This held true until roughly eight years ago when pizza prices started to ramp up and became a huge moneymaking business.

Now, mostly due to inflation and COVID-related supply chain shortages, many pizzerias charge anywhere from $4 to $5 per gourmet slice with toppings. Americans love pizza regardless of how much a slice costs!

Courtesy of FactRetriever.com, here are ten pizza factoids:

Robert Intelisano has over 25 years of experience providing insurance-based solutions for individuals, businesses and families (InsuranceDoctor.us).

A Forest Hills resident, he has a passion for pizza.

1. In America, annual pizza sales exceed $28 billion per year.

2. Over 5 billion pizzas are sold every year in the world.

3. Over 3 billion pizzas are sold every year in the United States.

4. Americans eat approximately 350 slices per second.

5. Recently, Halloween unseated Super Bowl Sunday as the biggest pizza consumption day.

6. Thanksgiving is the day Americans eat the least amount of pizza.

7. October is national pizza month.

8. The average American eats about 46 slices or 23 pounds per year.

9. The most popular pizza topping in the USA is pepperoni.

10. Lady Gaga once bought $1,000 worth of pizza for fans waiting in line for her autograph!

What is your favorite pizzeria or favorite slice? I have a list of highly ranked pizza places I am planning on reviewing and am depending on you to help me complete the list.

Does your favorite pizzeria not get the proper respect? Email me your favorite pizzeria and slice at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us. If I get enough requests, I will review your favorite spot!

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

RISING PRICES COMING FOR YOUR LUNCH

BY ANDRE BEGANSKI Fast-paced New Yorkers like food that is quick, delicious and affordable. Chopped cheese, dollarpriced slices of pizza and breakfast sandwiches are among the common staples of a city diet.

While dollar slices may never budge in price, inflation, labor shortages, and flawed supply chains are pinching small businesses by increasing costs of ingredients used in meals that feed the working class.

In some cases, shops like corner stores and bodegas are forced to pass elevated prices on to the consumer, while other businesses are managing to eat the loss.

“Everything costs a little bit more these days,” said Frank Murro, 57, who owns a small sandwich shop in Queens.

Nestled into a tiny storefront not far from the steps of the 36th Avenue Subway Station in Astoria, Murro opened L&M Italian Deli & Catering in 1988 and has been serving customers ever since.

“Putting them first is the only way I’ve been able to stay open for the last 33 years,” he said.

L&M’s clientele come from all over the city, including local residents, students, and workers in nearby offices, but a majority of them are construction or utility workers.

“Most of these people want the largest portions for as little as possible, but if they eat well, they’ll pay for the quality,” Murro said.

His breakfast sandwiches cost around $5, depending on how they’re ordered. For lunch, L&M offers larger sandwiches on semolina bread and sub rolls stuffed with deli meats and cheeses, alongside quintessential Italian dishes like lasagna or meatballs with pasta for around $10.

“They make it just the way I like it,” said T.J. Themis, 50, holding a warm container of sausage and peppers between both hands. “If people are skimping or cutting corners it will show up in their prod-

uct, and let me tell you, this store hasn’t skipped a beat.”

While Murro’s profits are suffering because of increased costs on items like fresh produce to paper goods, he’s resistant to the idea of raising prices.

“I waited as long as I could,” he said. “I know it hurts the customer at the end of the day.”

Within the past month, Murro added $1 to the price of sandwiches that contain pastrami or roast beef after seeing the two meats double in price per pound over the past year. He’s nervous items that contain bacon could be the next in line for a markup.

“Some meats disappeared from suppliers’ shelves during COVID, and when they came back, they were way too expensive,” Murros said. “A case of bacon used to run me anywhere from $65 to $80, but now I’m paying at least $100 a case. If I decide to go with Boar’s Head, it’s at least $120.”

Food prices have been rising in the United States throughout 2021, but meat is soaring compared to other foods. Within the past 12 months, the price of bacon has increased nationally by 20 percent, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Meanwhile, beef products are 20.1 percent compared to last year, with the price of pork products up 14.1 percent.

Before opening L&M, Murro worked for years as a professional butcher. He believes production in the meat industry has been underwhelming this year for various reasons, but that restrictions around social distancing and limitations to how many people can work on production lines in slaughterhouses is partially to blame.

“Everyone in the meatpacking industry was taking a cautious approach to production last year,” said Arun Sundaram, 30, a senior analyst at the Wall Street firm CFRA Research. “This year demand has improved incredibly, and you have this very imbalanced

Alberta Tendilla poses with a chopped cheese.

dynamic between supply and demand in the industry, which is causing meat prices to rice.”

Sundaram described the dynamic as a “lose-lose” situation for shops like L&M and their customers.

“Small businesses, relative to larger retailers, don’t have the purchasing power to buy things at an attractive price,” he said. “Their costs are higher, and they have to pass more of these costs through to the consumer.”

Murro believes some of his regulars, who typically don’t mind spending extra money on eating out, are starting to change their purchasing habits.

“The construction workers with less money are now coming in and buying breakfast twice a day instead of grabbing lunch,” he said.

Some workers said they are dependent on eating out at work because of their busy schedules.

“At the end of the day, when you’re working away from home, you don’t have a choice but to eat out,” said Chris Lopez, 37, who works in Astoria and frequently orders meatball subs from L&M. “I’m making more lunches at home, but I don’t have time to do it five times a week.”

TECH SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

It’s important to ask the question: who’s actually “doing tech” in New York City? An awful lot of them are folks commuting from Queens to Manhattan. We also generate tons and tons of well-trained technologists.

We can, and will, get better at holding on to them by having companies like Onhand provide opportunities right here in Queens. Let’s start using the resources we have to give people who are coming to study here, or already live here, a good reason to work here too.

This virtuous cycle is good for Queens and will have lasting benefits from better qualities of life, such as shortened commutes along with more economic support for local businesses to increased property values and better attraction for newcomers in making Queens their home.

11

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

COVER STORY

MCCALL READY TO MAKE SUNNYSIDE SHINE

BY SHANE MILLER If you’ve lived in Western Queens for any significant amount of time, there’s a chance you’ve crossed paths with Dirk McCall. He is the co-founder of Out Astoria, served as a moderator for the website astorians. com, was involved with Trinity Lutheran Church of Astoria, and co-founded AstoriaCentric, which prior to the pandemic has hosted a monthly dining series since 2014 that brings together residents and local merchants.

“I always stay engaged civically,” he told This Is Queensborough. “I’m always working to find ways to be helpful, to make introductions and to get people talking with each other.

We are always stronger when we are working together rather than going it solo.”

This month, McCall left his job as director of Civic Awareness WITH the Queens District Attorney’s Office, where he coordinated 12 Advisory Councils and planned special events from cultural celebrations to gun buybacks, for a new post. McCall will be succeeding Jamie-Faye Bean as executive director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improve-

side Shines!”

Last August, McCall married his partner of three years, Andres Paloma, in a ceremony in Colombia. To the best of his knowledge,

the Presido of San Francisco, to name a few. While the constant movement meant he didn’t have a lot of time to plant roots, McCall credits the constant flux in his upbringing for his outgoing personality. “ B e i n g from a military family, you have to learn to make friends and get to know people quickly,” he said, “so it made me an extrovert and very social.”

McCall moved to New York City in 1991 to attend graduate school, eventually settling in Astoria in 1994; he still lives in the same apartment. (“Western Queens has transformed itself a few times since I moved here, and it is always fascinating,” he said.)

“SUNNYSIDE IS AN INCREDIBLY DIVERS AND VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD. THE BUSINESSES HERE NEED SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT AND THE BID AND ASSISTANCE IN TELLING THEIR STORIES.” ment District (BID).

“Sunnyside is an incredibly diverse and vibrant neighborhood,” McCall said. “The businesses here need support from government and the BID and assistance in telling their stories.

Working together, we can find ways to help and ensure Sunny-

12

he is the first openly gay person to ever head a BID in the city.

McCall isn’t originally from New York City. His father was an engineer in the U.S. Army, so the family moved every two to three years. Growing up, he spent time at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia, Ft. Leonard Woods in Missouri, and

At Columbia University he was working toward a PhD in Political Science, focusing on a future career in teaching and researching political parties and social movement theory, but soon realized a life in academia wasn’t for him.

“After two years at Columbia, I realized that I did not enjoy grading papers,” he said. “I departed the program with my MA and moved to Astoria.”

Since then, there isn’t much McCall hasn’t tried his hand at.

He’s worked at a couple of government relations firms, served both the borough president of Manhattan and Bronx at various times, worked on the campaigns of former councilman Mark Weprin and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, held a communications post with Quality Services for the Autism Community, and was former councilman Mark Gerson’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

IT’S IN QUEENS

EXPERIENCE THE NEW YEAR IN QUEENS

Here’s a New Year’s Resolution that will hopefully last longer than most. This magazine will print a monthly column on cultural events in the borough called “It’s In Queens.” It will include music, art, film, theater, recreational activities, and even workshops.

This January features a nice mix of inside-outside, youth-senior, and free-ticketed fun. If you have any future events to add, please email them to rmackay@queensny.org.

•January 7, Free First Friday, 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month.

However, visits must be scheduled in advance due to Covid-safety protocols. The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., Long Island City.

•January 7-10, Veintitres: Our Labor Saved Lives. The premiere of Djali Brown-Cepeda’s “Veintitres” screens continuously for three days.

The film documents the 23-day hunger strike by workers across New York State in spring 2021 to secure $2.1-billion in pandemic relief funding for excluded workers, many of whom are undocumented. (BrownCepeda created the museum’s digital project Nuevayorkinos.) MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City.

•January 8, Making Scents of

MLK DAY CELEBRATION

14

Herbs, 2 pm. Herbs create fragrances and flavors for food, cosmetics, and medicines. Learn about different plant parts, identify their functions, and discover which of them humans use every day. The activity includes a visit to the Herb Garden to see edible plants and make tea bag blends to take home. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing.

• January 9-March 27, Dance for PD. The Mark Morris Dance Group presents an adaptive program for people living with Parkinson’s disease twice monthly at 2 pm on Sundays, starting on January 9 and continuing on January 23, February 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27.

In person and streaming online, the classes get participants to engage with a teaching artist and each other during a 50-minute movement session based on ballet, modern, tap, jazz, traditional cultural dance forms, and Mark Morris repertoire.

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

• January 9, ‘Year of Uncertainty’ Reception, 2 pm. A celebration of the projects that will unfold over the next 12 months. Six Artists-In-Residence, nine Community Partners, and 12 Co-Thinkers are at the center of this process of exhi-

DANCE FOR PD bition making, programming, and shared thinking. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing MeadowsCorona Park.

•January 16, MLK Day Celebration, 3 pm. Kupferberg Center for the Arts presents an annual homage to Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 speech on peaceful resistance at Queens College. This year’s event features Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar. This multimember choir from Georgia gets crowds moving and grooving with fresh, harmony-enhanced adaptations of Contemporary Gospel, Neo Soul, and Show Tunes. Queens College’s LeFrak Concert Hall, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing.

•January 20-March 28, Liz Larner: Don’t Put It Back Like

It Was. Los Angeles-based artist Liz Larner exhibits about 30 works, including early experiments with bacterial cultures and destructive machines, installations that respond to architecture, sculptures that reconsider figuration, and wallbased works in ceramic. SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City.

• January 21-23, Three Days of Dance. The monthly Take Root program presents sarAika and RanardoDomeico Grays at 8 pm on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22. The monthly Fertile Ground program presents a suite of artists, who offer works-in-progress, followed by a conversation with the audience, on Jan. 23 at 7 pm. Green Space, 37-24 24th St., Ste. 211, Long Island City.

•January 22, Winter With Pearls, 1 pm. Create an ensemble with jewelry designer Phyllis Ger, who teaches tips and techniques for fashioning several pieces. A selection of faux and freshwater beads and accents will be available. Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing.

• January 27, Hip Hop Theater, March 3. Geared for teenagers, this weekly winter camp program includes performance genres such as spoken word, acting, theater, poetry, storytelling, public speaking, and crowd persuasion with teaching artist Malik Work. Students conceptualize, write, and perform their own pieces from 4 pm to 6 pm on the following Thursdays: January 27; February 3, 10, 17 & 24; and March 3. Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave.

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

STAFF PROFILES SHAHRIAR HOSSAIN What do you look forward to in your role at Queens Chamber? I am looking forward to learning how local governments, non-profits, and business leaders can come together to solve various local issues. I am excited to understand the complexities involved in helping small business flourish and overcome whatever odds they may face.

What was your previous job? I was working at TD Bank for the last three years as a personal banker. I really learned a lot about the business world and how you can come together to provide solutions to clients, while also meeting people from all different walks of life. I think my experience working in TD with businesses and working sales definitely has given me the experience to excel in this role.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The mantra that I live by is “You can’t take it with you.” Don’t get me wrong I like to prepare for the future as much as others, however I always prioritize the present. These last two years and coronavirus has really cemented this idea in my head and helped me put into perspective what is important to me. I think we have all been kind of hardwired to put in 40 years, retiring and then pursuing our passions, but you can have your cake and eat it too.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join a new team? My best advice would be to be flexible and self-determined.

You have to be willing to go out on your on and take the initiative to learn a job. In terms of being flexible, it really is the only way to overcome anything that’s thrown at you. Often times it may feel like you’re just being thrown into the deep end, but having a good team around you and the ability to adjust to whatever situation can be make or break.

What is your favorite music or movie genre? Like most people I can’t really choose a favorite genre of music, but if I had to choose, I would go with Hip-Hop. Being from Queens and listening to the music that has come out of the borough really adds another layer to the music for me. Especially walking through the streets and the neighborhoods that have inspired the music, it really feels like there is a deeper connection beyond the lyrics. My favorite genre of movies would definitely be period pieces. Leonardo DiCaprio’s body of work is really astounding, and being a fan and student of history I am just blown away by the sets and the wardrobes. It really feels like you are being taken back in time.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2022? I hope to add more skills and certifications to my repertoire. It is so easy to take an online course these days, often at no cost, and learn a new skill that is going to open so many more doors for me. I put special emphasis on technological skills, because at this point it isn’t even about gaining an edge but keeping up with the status quo.

What is your biggest takeaway from surviving the coronavirus pandemic? I can connect this to my previous answers because the most important things that I learned were to enjoy the here and now and be flexible. I was just making myself anxious thinking about the job markets and my career goals 5, 10, 20 years into the future without taking a moment to understand what it is I wanted right now. Of course, these two things aren’t mutually exclusive and that is where being flexible comes in to play. I have to roll with the punches and always evaluate where I am and where I want to be, both careerwise and mentally if I want to succeed.

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January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 1/14, 10 AM TO 1 PM

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE LEGAL CLINIC

At this event, you will meet with the attorneys for free 1:1 consultation to discuss any issues related with your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

This workshop is provided in partnership with Queens Chamber of Commerce. Your appointment will be for 30 minutes.

Register at queenschamber.org Accompany Capital 78-27 37th Avenue Jackson Heights 1/18, 1 PM

will result in a sound financial foundation for your business.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

get and measure the results. The guest speakers will be Grow With Google speaker Petia Abdur-Razzaaq.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

1/26, 11 AM

2/9, 2 TO 5 PM

QCIC STUDENT SERIES: WENDT PARTNERS

Are you a Queens college student interested in exploring potential careers? The Queens Chamber of Commerce Internship Connection (QCIC) has partnered with Wendt Partners, a B2B business growth consulting firm, to showcase the work they’re doing in Queens and opportunities within their company.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

SELL ONLINE WITH E-COMMERCE TOOLS

1/27, 2 PM

Business, introduce Google Merchant Center and the basics of creating a free account and a product feed, and show you how to set up an E-Commerce website using Shopify.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

Please join our industry experts as they provide analysis from a broker’s, landlord’s, and data expert’s perspective. They’ll break down what happened in the market in 2021 and discuss trends going forward into 2022. If you are interested in commercial real estate in Queens, you surely don’t want to miss this!

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

STATE OF THE MARKET: QUEENS Discuss the Products tab in Google My REAL ESTATE 2022

1/19, 10 AM

COFFEE, DOUGHNUTS, AND ORIENTATION

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is committed to maximizing your membership. If you’re a new member and have yet to participate in an orientation, please register to join us virtually.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights 1/19, 2 PM

VACCINE MANDATES: WHAT YOU & YOUR STAFF NEED TO KNOW

As the pandemic continues to impact our lives in numerous ways, COVID vaccine mandates have become a hot topic. This presentation will provide an overview of the rules associated with vaccination mandates and solutions designed to assist small businesses.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 1/19, 2 PM

FEBRUARY 2/1, 2 TO 5 PM

QUICK BOOKS LEVEL 1 - PART 1

You’ll learn how to set up your company accounts, set up vendor and customer accounts, manage accounts receivable& accounts payable, pay bills, and make credit and debit card entries.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 2/2, 2 TO 5 PM

QUICK BOOKS LEVEL 1 - PART 2

You’ll learn how to set up your company accounts, set up vendor and customer accounts, manage accounts receivable& accounts payable, pay bills, and make credit and debit card entries.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

MANAGING YOUR BOOKS WEBINAR

2/3, 2 PM

owners who need to take a more active role in their financial success. It will include an overview of the tools you need to implement the budgeting and bookkeeping methodology that

In this complimentary workshop we’ll discuss best practices for understanding different video formats, how to set up a YouTube channel, and making good creative and how to tar-

GET BEST PRACTICES FOR This webinar is for small business and startup CREATING A YOUTUBE CHANNEL

QUICK BOOKS LEVEL 2

You’ll learn about job casting and how to track reimbursements of expenses incurred by the company, running - and customizing - reports, memorizing transactions and reports, online banking, and budgets for P&L. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 2/10, 10 AM TO 1 PM

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE LEGAL CLINIC

At this event, you will meet with the attorneys for free 1:1 consultation to discuss any issues related with your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

This workshop is provided in partnership with Queens Chamber of Commerce. Your appointment will be for 30 minutes.

Register at queenschamber.org Accompany Capital 78-27 37th Avenue Jackson Heights 2/11, 9:30 AM

TIME, STRESS & ANGER MANAGEMENT AT THE WORKPLACE

When you manage your time, you manage your stress; when you manage your stress, you manage your anger; and when you manage all three you have a more effective and productive workplace. Mismanagement of time, stress and anger not only hurts productivity but also put the health and safety of employees and customers at risk.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 2/15, 10 AM TO 1 PM

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE LEGAL CLINIC

At this event, you will meet with the attorneys for free 1:1 consultation to discuss any issues related with your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

This workshop is provided in partnership with Queens Chamber of Commerce. Your appointment will be for 30 minutes.

Register at queenschamber.org Accompany Capital 78-27 37th Avenue Jackson Heights

17

this is...

The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

the Latest on the most infLuentiaL peopLe in queens Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.

To place an ad, call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

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 panAsian 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 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.

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-onone advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

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.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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 start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11,

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

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon 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 repre-

senting 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

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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 CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with

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.

more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JAMAICA CENTER BID

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

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 jf kairportchamberofcommerce.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

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300

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P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have

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 busi-

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

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35

businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique

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

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with

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

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million

and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and

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

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the

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

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1

COVER STORY

MCCALL TO LEAD SUNNYSIDE BID CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

chief of staff.

He said all of those positions have provided him with experiences that will help him advocate for businesses in Sunnyside.

“My nearly three decades of engaging with government have created a strong working rolodex to access in obtaining results for the BID,” McCall said. “I planned a number of big events with the Bronx borough president that could be replicated in ways in Western Queens, from our Tech Summits to our Business Convenings, where we connected small business leaders to representatives of city and state agencies.”

From 2007 to 2009, McCall served as executive director of the Greenwich VillageChelsea Chamber of Commerce. During that time, membership grew from 200 to over 450 businesses, and he was able to secure several new corporate and community sponsorships.

“My work as an executive director, at both the Bronx Community Pride Center and the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, showed me how to provide services and support to members and how to advocate for an organization and build alliances,” he said.

After a five-year process to organize property owners, the Sunnyside Shines BID was

signed into law in October of 2007 and hit the ground running the following April. It includes nearly 300 businesses on Queens Boulevard from 38th to 50th streets, as well as businesses along Greenpoint Avenue from Queens Boulevard to 43rd Street.

In 2005, the BID began hosting cultural events in busy Bliss and Lowery Plazas underneath the elevated 7 train. The annual Taste of Sunnyside draws hundreds of people eager to sample the neighborhood’s diverse restaurants.

“Engage, engage, engage,” McCall said when asked how he planned to spend his first few days on the job making himself known to business owners in the BID. “I’m going to be on call 24/7. I’m going to be ubiquitous.”

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

Russo’s on the Bay

162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard Howard Beach, NY 11414 russosonthebay.com Russo’s on the Bay offers a spectacularly beautiful setting and a variety of private rooms and environments to suit your gathering. Russo’s strives to be the finest event and catering venue in Queens by creating an experience with unparalleled service, fivestar cuisine, and an awe- inspiring ambiance.

INTRODUCTORY Tonio Burgos & Associates, Inc. 115 Broadway, Suite 1504 New York, NY 10001 tonioburgos.com

CEO’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

on our cover. This outstanding program will continue impacting small businesses well into the new year.

We’re looking forward to programming scheduled for this month, such as the Student Series brought to you by Queens Chamber Internship Connection. Whether you’re in college or know a student interested in exploring career opportunities, this month’s program with

Wendt Partners, a B2B business growth consulting firm, is designed with you in mind.

I’m excited about all the Chamber has to offer as we launch into a new year. There’s something for everyone. It continues to be my honor and pleasure to serve this diverse community we call home.

Happy New Year to you and yours. Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you in person at one of our upcoming events.

Queens STRONG!

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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 Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of

$55,000, 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 Avenue and 94th Avenue in Jamaica.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

queenschamber.org

Thomas Santucci

Nash Roe

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Patricia Mezeul

Richard Dzwlewicz

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Treasurer

Associate Secretary

Patrick Yu Secretary

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephanie Baldwin Fran Biderman-Gross Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan Ali Chaudhry

Sal Crifasi Steven DeClara Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora

Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Dr. Cameron Hernandez Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Neil Levin

Bert Lurch Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseus Stephen Preuss

Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Sher Sparano

Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan Mark Weprin Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AARP Above All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC Aeroterm Amna Construction Corp Antun’s of Queens Village Aora Development Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Bank of America BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices

Laffey International Realty BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CitizensRx CLEAR Secure, Inc. Combs & Company Complete Supply

Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell Tech Cort CPower Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Savings Bank Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dedline AV Direct Clean Service Solutions East Coast Energy Group Eastern American Technologies EDGE AUTO INC Emigrant Mortgage Company Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Leonard Jacobs Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning leonard@jcal.org Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com

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

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ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford bill@staniford.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 Vincent Gentile Vassilaros & Sons Coffee vincent@vassilaroscoffee.com

MANUFACTURING Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra azra@azra.com

NOT FOR PROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com Wendy Phaff Gennaro Queens Center for Progress wphaff@queenscp.com

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 Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Marlon Taylor NY & Atlantic Railway mtaylor@anacostia.com Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me

FLUID MECHANIC’S CORP Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC goPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties HNY Ferry, LLC Hydro Quebec IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group Instacart J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Knights Collision Experts Inc. Krispy Kreme Laffey Real Estate Levine Builders Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow Financial Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Molloy College Mondial Automotive Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

My Benefit Advisor, LLC NBCUniversal New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Northwell Health Nuvo Solutions Onegroup Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Popular Bank Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc. Red Eye Group LLC REDI Group, LLC Reef Technology REIL Capital Related Retail Corporation Ripco Investment Sales RXR Realty Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp.

Solo Energy & Electrical, Inc. Solve Together LLC Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island TLC Virtual Resiliency Total Fire Protection Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Construction & Development Group Corp United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection W & M Fire Protection Services W. SCULLY, CPA, P.C. Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. York College - CUNY

January 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 1 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.

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