Forest Hills’ own southern charm Generations of memories on the Metropolitan Ave. strip

by Jessica Meditz Associate Editor

While describing Forest Hills to someone not from the area, one might paint the picture of Station Square’s historic Tudor and Arts-and-Crafts architecture, the feeling of an urban oasis in Forest Hills Gardens or the hustle and bustle of the commercial Austin Street and Queens Boulevard.

But tucked away to the south is Forest Hills’ section of Metropolitan Avenue, a lively business and cultural hub that begins with the highly rated Queens Metropolitan High School, and ends with the family-friendly Italian spot Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza + Kitchen.

The neighborhood’s portion of the major street that runs through northern Brooklyn and much of Queens is home to numerous local businesses and residential properties, and gives passersby the opportunity to travel back in time.

Most of the strip’s building facades are original — from Tudor Gothic terra-cotta to brickwork with intricate motifs — and one can almost envision the old trolley line that was once situated there.

Metropolitan Avenue also houses some of Queens’ longeststanding businesses.

“The two earliest businesses on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills are Cinemart Cinemas, which originated as the Metropolis Theater and then became known as the Inwood Theater, which opened around 1926, and Eddie’s Sweet Shop, which opened around 1925 under an earlier name prior to becoming Witt’s Ice Cream & Confectionery in the mid ’40s,” said Michael Perlman, chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council and area historian.

“Today’s rendition of Metropolitan Avenue accommodates a unique mix of shops. The presence of so many mom-and-pop shops is admirable, as well as many cultural restaurants,” he continued. “It’s wonderful traveling to many countries by restaurant hopping in a single day along Metropolitan Avenue.”

Nicolaou added that another goal of his is to reopen the conjoined Theater Cafe in 2024, which shuttered four years ago.

“The theater will have a makeover, which will start next month. The cafe will reopen and be better than ever — a place to have a glass of wine, a snack, but most importantly, spend time with friends before and after a movie. It will be a place for the community to hang out,” he said.

Cinemart’s neighbor, Eddie’s Sweet Shop, has been owned and operated by the Citrano family since 1968.

Its old-fashioned countertop service with swivel stools and homemade ice cream make it a mainstay in the neighborhood.

Co-owner Angelina Citrano intricately decorates the storefront’s windows for each holiday or season, and feels honored to serve her community by bringing generations together.

Family Legacies

Cinemart Cinemas is a community pillar that presents firstrun and art house films for affordable price points. The theater is known for its interior decor featuring portraits of old Hollywood actors, as well as its comfortable reclining seats.

Owner Nick Nicolaou is proud to continue the legacy of the oldest continuously operated independent movie theater in the borough.

“There’s a certain nostalgia to this theater. If people came here as kids, it’s nice to go back to a place that has all these memories,” he said. “That’s the point of having a 100-year-old theater, that history behind it. That made it worth saving. My goal is to make the cinema a better experience for all.”

“People just have this connection, this memory to Eddie’s whether they were born and raised here or become new fans. Grandmas have brought their grandchildren here, and then those grandchildren go on to bring their children, and so on,” she said. “We are so humbled by all of this, and we love that people love the place, the memories and, of course, our ice cream.” the oldest businesses on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, historian Michael Perlman says. Both date to the Roaring ’20s. Above, the crowd at Eddie’s, many eager for a sundae, left. Top, Cinemart in August 1980. Below, Aigner Chocolates is not far behind, having been founded in 1930.

Directly across the street is Wagging Tails, a family-owned and operated pet supply store that offers grooming and doggy daycare services. Opened in 2001, Wagging Tails has brought individualized care to the furry friends of Forest Hills for over 20 years.

Nick’s Bistro offers Greek fare in a neighborhood setting, striving to make customers feel at home while also having an elegant dining experience.

Art World is a custom framing store that has served Forest Hills and its surrounding communities for over 60 years. Dedicated to its craft, Art World prides itself in offering one of the largest selections of frames on the Northeast Coast.

Countless other businesses, old and new, line the strip, including chains such as 7-Eleven and McDonald’s, as well as the Post Office’s Parkside Station. Also on Metropolitan Avenue are the Queens Public Library and the office of Community Board 6, where residents can take out a book or find resources to better understand their community.

Aigner Chocolates is another longstanding business on the strip. Founded in 1930, the chocolate and confectionery shop was owned by three generations of Aigners, and then was passed along to new owners Rachel Kellner and Mark Libertini in 2015.

Known for its gift boxes, showcase pieces and specifically, caramels and pistachio marzipan, Aigner Chocolates prides itself on making Austrian-style chocolate using the same antique equipment and techniques as ever.

Aigner Chocolates is also one of the founding businesses of Metro Village of Forest Hills, a small-business alliance formed during the pandemic.

“Eileen Arabian of Dee’s and I came together and we saw a need to unite the business owners, support one another, network and preserve the richness and uniqueness of what Metropolitan Avenue has to offer,” Kellner said, referring to the Italian restaurant at the eastern end of the commercial area. “There’s a real camaraderie among the business owners. We support each other whether it’s through school fundraising, coat and toy drives, trash cleanups and partnerships between the businesses and the schools, organizations and nonprofits. That makes this neighborhood especially unique.”

Each year, Metro Village presents a Community Day event, where residents and visitors alike can participate in a scavenger hunt, play games and meet small business owners.

Some residents enjoy the peaceful nature of Metropolitan Avenue and the sense of community it has to offer.

“Metropolitan Avenue has such a dramatically different vibe from Austin Street,” said Stuart Morrison, a resident of Forest Hills. “I often walk down Ascan Avenue from Austin to Metropolitan. When I get to Metropolitan, it’s like I’m in a different world of a small town with more of the storefront architecture from many years ago surrounded by private homes.”

He feels certain businesses, such as Eddie’s Sweet Shop, will never need a modern renovation, and the feeling of standing still in time is what makes much of the avenue a pleasant place to spend time.