Click on the header above to view events this month, including shopping opportunties.
Marty's Museum & Camera Repair Shop
Marty's been Helping Folks take Pictures & Videos for Decades
July 19, 2016 / Forest Hills Neighborhood / Queens Shopping / Queens Buzz.
I headed down to Marty’s Camera a couple of weeks ago, with a camera that wasn’t working well. I bounded up to the second floor shop and was greeted by a saleswoman who queried me about the problem while writing up a ticket. As she took the photographic patient into the operating room, she told me to call back at the end of the day to find out when to return to pick it up.
I did as instructed and returned the following day. When I arrived at the repair shop, Marty emerged from the operating room having successfully completed surgery on the photographic patient. We started talking about the problem [I dropped the camera and it wasn’t focusing properly] and the conversation meandered onto the changing technologies in the image capturing business.
Marty told me that cameras were once mechanical miracles fullof delicate springs and levers, and today are even more miraculous, less delicate and full of a multitude of computer chip components and assemblages. The camera surgeon was tired that day, and said he’d like to give his brain a rest, so the conversation moved onto the history of cameras themselves.
I asked him about some of the more interesting cameras with which he’d comeinto contact. Marty wasn’t at a loss when it came to camera history, and soon produced a Japanese made camera that contained the inscription “Made in Occupied Japan”. He had another camera from the 1950’s that was a ‘stereo camera’, which would take two photos simultaneously. I asked him if there were many of these made and he guessed that these weren't a big hit and might not have been in the market very long.
Marty had a collection of cameras, the prizes he cherished were the cameras made in New York. Possibly the crème de la crème was a1909 camera made in Rochester, New York that came in a dark black case and opened up with a 
flashy, red-colored, old-fashioned funnel. It was likely state of the art over a century ago. I began to think of Marty’s shop as something of a camera museum and Marty as its curator.
The conversation rolled onto the photographers and videographers and film makers Marty had met over the years. A number of photographers had given Marty samples of their work which he put on display in the waiting room of his office. Marty had started out in the late 1960's / early 1970's as a photographer himself, before become a camera doctor in 1973. He spent decades working in camera repair in Manhattan before leaving Photo Tech Manhattan in 1999, when he started out on his own in Forest Hills in the basement of a building across the street. He moved into the offices he now occupies over a decade ago and he continues to serve struggling, emerging and hobbyist photographers and filmmakers.
I knew as I was departing, that Marty had many more stories to tell. And although I don’t want my cameras to break, I always look forward to visiting Marty in his camera repair shop which is located on the 2nd floor of 71-25 Austin Street in Forest Hills [just off the #7 subway].
Sunnyside History: The Story Behind The Name Of The Lou Lodati Playground At 43rd Street & Skillman AveRenovated Torsney / Lou Lodati Playground Re-opensSunnyside / Wine in Sunnyside / Sunnyside History / Queens Buzz. On June 22nd the Queens Park Commissioner, Dorothy Lewandowski and Sunnyside NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer announced the re-opening of what most of us know as the Lou Lodati Playground in Torsney Park in Sunnyside. Over the past two years, a number of renovations have been made to renovate the park facilities, and a dog run was added to accommodate a growing dog population in the Sunnyside neighborhood. This story includes a brief description of some of the changes made to the park, including a few before and after renovation photos. But this story primarily delves into the story of the man after whom the playground was named in 1999 - Sunnysider & one of the Lowerys Wine & Liquor founders: Lou Lodati. The Lodati story is about early 20th century immigration to America, about the evolution of the wine business in the borough and nation, and about an evolving Sunnyside community. The photo to your right was taken circa 1937 when Lowerys Wine & Liquor store opened to the public. In the photo from left to right are Alfred & Louis Lodati, Albert Garbarino [Maria Lodati's husband], Valentino Simone [Philomena Lodati's husband] and Anthony Lodati. |
Fresh Pasta Made Daily In Queens NYCassinelli Food Products CompanyAstoria & Queens used to be heavily populated with Italian immigrants, particularly in the first half of the 20th century. They brought with them their knowledge and skills about food and wine, the products of which became, in time, a part of the American culture. This is a report about the Cassinelli Food Products company. It's one of the last old world Italian pasta making companies in Queens. The Cassinelli pasta company makes fresh pasta in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens daily. Click here to read the full report about fresh pasta in Astoria Queens NYC. |
A SPECIAL REPORT: Where the Clauses Shop
A Behind-the-Scenes-Look into the Celebrity Sitings in Astoria
December 28, 2015 / Astoria Neighborhood / Queens Shopping / Queens ENTERTAINMENT & Comedy / Queens Buzz.
There have been rumors floating around that a certain global celebrity and his wife have been spending a lot of time in Queens, most notably in the neighborhood of Astoria. We began investigating these rumors and found evidence that they are true, but you can view the video and judge for yourself.
Click the photo to go to the page containing the video.
Sales & Shopping In QueensHoliday Sales / Christmas Sales in Queens - Sales & Shopping In QueensDecember 2015 / Queens Shopping / Queens Buzz. Throughout the holiday shopping season, many local shops are making special offers, offering special holiday promotions and deals on merchandise at their local stores in the Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside, Flushing, Jamaica and Jackson Heights neighborhoods of Queens. To take advantage of these Christmas sales and holiday special offers, discounts and deals in Queens, click the link below. Be sure to mention that you saw their ad [here] to qualify for the promotional offer. Click here to view a full listing for sales, promotions & shopping in Queens -Holiday Sales Xmas Christmas Sales over the holidays. |
Sunnyside Artists Work Their CraftNovember 10, 2015 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Sunnyside Shopping / Queens Buzz. Sunnyside Artists, a local arts group, organized a crafts fair at the Queen of Angels Church on Skillman Avenue. There were just shy of 40 artists and crafts(wo)men with booths at the show. I arrived late afternoon as things were winding down and had a chance to talk to the folks about their work. There were folks there selling all kinds of orginal works and handmade crafts. For example a seamstress who made cloth dolls that would give Raggedy Ann a run for the money. Handmade purses that would make even Gianni Versace envious. florists whose artistic breadth knew no bounds. Handmade wooden trains that Gepetto [Pinocchio's father] would buy for his son. Illustrators whose work is on a par with that of Spiderman creator Stan Lee. Photographic works that make Rembrandts out of local scenes. And ceramics that would have made the Grecian potters stand in awe. And all on sale for a mere pittance of their worth. Click here to enter the entertaining world of the Sunnyside Artists Crafts Fair via a video time warp. |
Apollonia Gallery - Art Gallery & Furniture In Sunnyside
Updated June 2015 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Queens Shopping / Queens Buzz.
Nearly a year ago Sunday, July 20, 2014 was the grand opening of a new art and furniture gallery in Sunnyside. It was well attended by a number of local artists, photographers, musicians and prospective clients.
Queens musicians Smidge Mallone & Matthew Dallow were there to 'jazz' things up. And Murphy's Lobster Grill, only a couple of doors down, provided oysters to go with the wine that was being served.
As it was a near perfect day and the opening was well attended, folks also gathered outside. Photographer Greg Stowell was in attendance, as several of his works were on display. And Ged Merino of Bliss on Bliss Studio of Sunnyside also stopped in to check things out.
Ann Margaret O'Connor will be operating the gallery and store at 48-14 Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside. 917.832.6631.
New Supermarket Slated To Open Near Queens Plaza 2015
Updated June 2015 / Long Island City LIC / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. In June of 2013, Foodcellar & Co inked a deal with Rockrose Corporation on a lease for 14,500 square feet on the ground and subterranean levels near Queens Plaza. The deal appears to be a win for both parties as the Queens Plaza neighborhood is in need of an modern supermarket which will facilitate Rockrose's business and residential real estate sales and rentals into the area. And it is also a win for Foodcellar & Co because Queens Plaza is an emerging business and residential center because of its location with regard to public and private transportation.
The new supermarket will be the second Foodcellar & Co store in Long Island City. The first Foodcellar & Co store was opened in August of 2008 on 47th Road just off Center Blvd. The store recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with an in-store all evening event where they had set up food and beverage booths so customers could sample unique food products around the store.
The new store will be configured a bit differently than the current Foodcellar to suit the tastes of a different area. I spoke to the management team who told me that they expected to be servicing both a business office clientele during the day and a rapidly growing residential population at all times.
The store was originally planned to open in Spring of 2014, but was postponed until fall 2014 and then delayed again. It should open sometime in 2015. We'll keep you posted.
In the photo to your right are the three partners of Foodcellar & Company: Metin Mangut, Burack Can and Erhan Baceci at the celebration of the Foodcellar & Company fifth anniversary in late August 2013.
Astoria Shops & Shopping
Furniture Stores In QueensFurniture In AstoriaThis is a story about shopping for furniture and other things in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens NY. The story includes interviews with the proprietors and managers of many stores including three furniture stores in Astoria Queens. Click here to read more about furniture and furniture stores in Astoria, LIC & Queens. |
Men's Clothing Stores In Astoria QueensAstoria is home to one of Queen's finest men's clothing stores. I stopped in to get the word on what's going on mens' clothing styles. For the rest of the story click Men's Clothing Styles. Clothing styles are always changing, although historically far less often for men than for women. Nonetheless, the range of colors a man can comfortably wear has changed significantly over the years. We're also seeing an increase in the use of men's hats. Part of this is a fashion statement while some of it has practical value, shading a man's head from the hot sun [we're seeing women wearing these hats too]. Click here to read our report about men's clothing in Astoria Queens. |
Wedding Dresses, Cakes & Receptions In QueensQueens Shopping /Queens Buzz . If you're planning a wedding in the New York metropolitan area, you're likely to great shopping opportunities in Queens. Queens provides a wide variety of venues for wedding receptions, wedding halls and places to exchange vows. And the shops and services for wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, cakes, flowers, jewelry and catering would be difficult to match anywhere in the city [and for that matter the country], especially when you compare based on the quality and value of goods and services received for the money paid. This report covers wedding cakes, wedding dresses and wedding halls in Queens neighborhoods. We will continue to add to this report as we continue to gather additional information from around the borough. Click here to view our report on wedding cakes, wedding dresses & wedding halls in Queens. |
used to be story about wedding flowers. |
Rosario's Italian Food StoreItalian Food Stores Near DitmarsDitmars Astoria / Queens Buzz. I recently ventured into Rosario’s Italian food store, just underneath the NW subway terminal near Ditmars Blvd in Astoria. Rosario’s has a well-kept authentic Italian gourmet grocery store and delicatessen. Click here to read the rest of the story about Rosario's Italian food store in Astoria Queens. |
All Natural Hand Made SoapsThe Little Soap Shoppe In AstoriaFebruary 7, 2011 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. I found a unique little shop just off Ditmars Street on 36th Street about six months ago. The name of the store is The Little Soap Shoppe and its owner is Vivian Dritsas. Vivian is an enthusiastic local producer of handmade soaps who I enjoyed meeting. Before I left she gave me a soap sample to take home to try out. A few weeks later I tried the raw cut of handmade soap and I instantly noticed the difference. The lemongrass soap I used is one of four of the handmade soaps reviewed in this story. Click here to read more about the Little Soap Shoppe in Astoria Queens. |
Astoria Shops & ShoppingAstoria Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. Astoria has some of the finest shopping areas in Queens, including Steinway Street, Broadway and the Ditmars Blvd and 31st Street areas. This section contains maps, a shopping center that links to many advertiser home pages and stories about what you'll find in some of Astoria's unique stores. Click here to enter the Astoria Shops and Shopping section of the site. |
Shops In AstoriaAstoria Shopping CenterAstoria Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. This is the Astoria Shopping Center on Queens Buzz. This page contains home page links, contact info, maps for stores and shops located in Astoria, Queens. This section includes information about shops and shopping in Astoria Queens. |
Long Island City / LIC Shopping
Organic Food / Supermarkets In QueensLong Island City LIC / Queens Buzz. This is a report about organic, all natural food and locally produced food in Queens. This report includes coverage of what constitutes organic and why it has important health implications. This report also includes a bit of the history of organic food and how organic and all natural foods are making their way into Queens in a big way. Click here to read our report about organic food / all natural food in Queens. |
Dentists In QueensLong Island City LIC / Queens Buzz. This is a report about dental care in Queens, including Astoria, LIC, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Corona, Flushing and Jamaica. This report talks about the dentists, dental conditions and dental hygiene and hygienists. The photo is of a tooth model created in preparation for a tooth cap. Click here to read our report about Dentists in Queens. |
Chiropractors In QueensBack Pain Doctors & Neck Pain Doctors in LIC, Astoria & QueensLong Island City LIC / Queens Buzz. This is a report about chiropractic care in Queens, including Astoria, LIC, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Corona, Flushing and Jamaica. This report talks about the chiropractic care, its origins and related bodily care and health. The photo is of a chart created by Thomas W. Myers and published by Churchill Livingstone. Click here to read our report about Chiropractic Care In Queens and for back pain doctors & neck pain doctors in LIC, Astoria & Queens. |
LIC Shops - Shopping In Long Island CityLong Island City Neighborhood LIC / Queens Buzz. LIC has emerging retail and restaurant areas along Vernon Blvd, the waterfront and Jackson Avenue. This section contains stories about shops and shopping in the area as well as maps and advertisements by local merchants. Click this link to view the LIC Long Island City Shopping section of this site. |
Long Island City Shopping CenterShops & Shopping In LICLong Island City LIC / Queens Buzz. This page contains home page links, contact info, maps for stores and shops located in Long Island City LIC Queens. Click here to browse through shops and stores in Long Island City LIC. |
Sunnyside / Woodside Shops
Sunnyside History: The Story Behind The Name Of The Lou Lodati Playground At 43rd Street & Skillman AveRenovated Torsney / Lou Lodati Playground Re-opensSunnyside / Wine in Sunnyside / Sunnyside History / Queens Buzz. On June 22nd the Queens Park Commissioner, Dorothy Lewandowski and Sunnyside NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer announced the re-opening of what most of us know as the Lou Lodati Playground in Torsney Park in Sunnyside. Over the past two years, a number of renovations have been made to renovate the park facilities, and a dog run was added to accommodate a growing dog population in the Sunnyside neighborhood. This story includes a brief description of some of the changes made to the park, including a few before and after renovation photos. But this story primarily delves into the story of the man after whom the playground was named in 1999 - Sunnysider & one of the Lowerys Wine & Liquor founders: Lou Lodati. The Lodati story is about early 20th century immigration to America, about the evolution of the wine business in the borough and nation, and about an evolving Sunnyside community. The photo to your right was taken circa 1937 when Lowerys Wine & Liquor store opened to the public. In the photo from left to right are Alfred & Louis Lodati, Albert Garbarino [Maria Lodati's husband], Valentino Simone [Philomena Lodati's husband] and Anthony Lodati. |
Ophthalmologists In QueensThe Treatment Of Eye Conditions In QueensQueens NY / Queens Buzz. This is a general overview of eye care and eyewear. This report is designed to orient you to different kinds of professionals accessible in Queens in the eye care and eyewear professions. As well as to highlight several widespread eye conditions in Queens as well as the rest of the U.S.. Click here to view our report on ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians in Queens. |
New & Used Car Dealerships In QueensSunnyside, Woodside & LIC / Queens Buzz. This report is about new and used car dealerships in Queens NY. There are about twenty new and used car dealerships just minutes away from Manhattan NYC and most parts of Queens via subway or bus. The car dealerships are located along Northern Blvd starting in LIC [Long Island City] on the Astoria border at the intersection of Steinway Street. The car dealerships include new and used cars as well as pre-owned vehicles. The dealerships are also near Sunnyside, Woodside and Jackson Heights, but are easily accessible by car throoughout the Tri-state area via the BQE and LIE. This report is about buying new and used cars at dealerships in Queens, including information about car prices and dealership locations in Queens. |
Sunnyside Real Estate / Woodside Real EstateQueens Real Estate Markets Less Soft Than NationSunnyside & Woodside / Queens / January 26, 2010. We spent the last half of 2009 collecting information with the intent of providing a guide to provide readers with a sort of feel for the current state of affairs in the western Queens real estate market. This report focuses on the Sunnyside real estate and Woodside real estate price trends, available inventory as well as to provide some information about the neighborhoods themselves. At the end of the report are links to other Queens real estate related reports. Click here to read our report about Sunnyside real estate and Woodside real estate. |
Beauty Spas In Sunnyside & AstoriaThis is a report about Angel Spa in Astoria and Pure Spa in Sunnyside. These spas provide manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more. Click here to read our report about a couple of Beauty spas in LIC, Astoria & Sunnyside. |
Shopping Center & Map - Sunnyside & WoodsideShops and Shopping in Sunnyside & WoodsideSunnyside & Woodside / Queens Buzz. This is the Sunnyside & Woodside Shopping Center on Queens Buzz. This page contains home page links, contact info, maps for stores and shops located in Sunnyside & Woodside, Queens. This section includes information about shops and shopping in Sunnyside & Woodside Queens. |
Sunnyside Shops & Woodside ShoppingShopping Along Queens Blvd and Greenpoint, Skillman & Roosevelt AvenuesSunnyside & Woodside / Queens Buzz. Sunnyside and Woodside are home to a number of shopping venues, some easily found and others worth the hunt. The main shopping areas include Queens Blvd and Greenpoint, Skillman and Roosevelt Avenues. This section contains maps, links to advertiser home pages and stories about some of the interesting shops and commercial creations going on in Sunnyside and Woodside. Click here to enter the Sunnyside Shopping and Woodside Shopping section of this site. |
Jackson Heights / Elmhurst Shopping
Shopping Jackson Heights ShopsThis is the 37th Avenue Shopping District in Jackson Heights as well as the Queens Center Mall on Queens Blvd. The former is easily traveled to via the E, F, G, R, V and #7 subway lines from Manhattan and eastern Queens, while the latter can be reached by taking the G, V or R and getting off at the Woodhaven stop. Insert the street names in our site search engine to obtain a partial listing of the stores along these streets or in the surrounding area in Jackson Heights Queens NYC. Click here for shops & shopping in Jackson Heights. |
Jackson Heights Shops & Elmhurst ShoppingJackson Heights & Elmhurst / Queens Buzz. Jackson Heights and Elmhurst provide local residents with a number of shopping venues, from shopping centers along 37th and Roosevelt Avenues, to 74th Street the hub of all things Indian, to Northern Blvd which includes a number of auto dealerships, to the Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst. Click here to go into the Jackson Heights & Elmhurst Shopping section of this site. |
Wine Stores In Jackson HeightsTable Wine - Jackson HeightsJackson Heights Neighborhood / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. A fairly new wine store opened in Jackson Heights this past year called Table Wine. It appears to be a nice addition to the neighborhood as it’s a boutique wine store run by a husband and wife team from Queens. Ernesto, one of the owners, invited me to join them for a wine tasting one Sunday evening in March to meet a French vintner of some of the wines Table Wine sells. Click here to read the rest of the story about wine stores and wine tastings in Jackson Heights & Elmhurst. |
Flushing Shops & Shopping
Fashion Week In QueensMiss Queens, Giorgio’s Hair Salon & Carina Boutique Showcase Queens StyleSeptember 15, 2014 / Whitestone Neighborhood / Queens Fashion / Queens Buzz. In early September, as New York Fashion Week was walking down the runway, I spent a fun evening at Giorgio’s hair salon in Whitestone. The Whitestone neighborhood is easily accessible by car via the Whitestone and Cross Island expressways and by public transit via buses. Jessenia Vargas, Miss Queens, headlined the Whitestone Queens fashion show. Jessenia is a Queens native who is scheduled be featured on a Women’s Entertainment [WE] TV show called America’s It Girl. The show is a 12 episode series that features enterprising young women competing to become the first America’s It Girl. Click to view a photo slide show of the Whitestone Fashion Show and to learn more about Miss Queens Jessenia Vargas, WE TV’s show America’s It Girl, and the fashion show at Giorgio’s hair salon featuring Carina Boutique dresses & Trattoria Neo's Italian food in Whitestone Queens. |
Flushing & Corona Shopping Center & MapShops & Shopping in Flushing & CoronaFlushing & Corona / Queens Buzz. This page contains home page links, contact info, maps for stores and shops located in Flushing & Corona, Queens. Click here for information about shops and shopping in Flushing and surrounding Queens. |
Jamaica Shops & Shopping
Jamaica Shopping Center & MapShops & Shopping In Jamaica NYJamaica NY / Queens Buzz. This page contains home page links, contact info, maps for stores and shops located in Jamaica, Queens. This page contains information about shops in and around Jamaica Queens.
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Street Fairs 2016 - In Queens NYQueens Street Fairs 2016 - Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Forest Hills, Jamaica St FairsSeptember 17, 2016 / Queens Buzz. THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE QUEENS STREET FAIR GUIDE INCLUDING the dates, times, photos and maps of most of the Queens Street Fairs and Festivals in the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, Flushing, Forest Hills, Jamaica NY and more. Click here to view our report, including links to maps, of Queens Street Fairs & Festivals 2016. |
Sales & Shopping In QueensHoliday Sales / Christmas Sales in Queens - Sales & Shopping In QueensDecember 2015 / Queens Shopping / Queens Buzz. Throughout the holiday shopping season, many local shops are making special offers, offering special holiday promotions and deals on merchandise at their local stores in the Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside, Flushing, Jamaica and Jackson Heights neighborhoods of Queens. To take advantage of these Christmas sales and holiday special offers, discounts and deals in Queens, click the link below. Be sure to mention that you saw their ad [here] to qualify for the promotional offer. Click here to view a full listing for sales, promotions & shopping in Queens -Holiday Sales Xmas Christmas Sales over the holidays. |
Small Business Saturday In QueensSmall Business Saturday in Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Jamaica & Queens - Sales & PromotionsNovember 26 2015 / Queens Shopping / Queens Buzz. This page is dedicated to the sales and promtions by Queens small businesses on Small Business Saturday in Queens. Click here to view a full listing for sales, promotions & shopping on Small Business Saturday in Queens. |
Fashion Week In QueensMiss Queens, Giorgio’s Hair Salon & Carina Boutique Showcase Queens StyleSeptember 15, 2014 / Whitestone Neighborhood / Queens Fashion / Queens Buzz. In early September, as New York Fashion Week was walking down the runway, I spent a fun evening at Giorgio’s hair salon in Whitestone. The Whitestone neighborhood is easily accessible by car via the Whitestone and Cross Island expressways and by public transit via buses. Jessenia Vargas, Miss Queens, headlined the Whitestone Queens fashion show. Jessenia is a Queens native who is scheduled be featured on a Women’s Entertainment [WE] TV show called America’s It Girl. The show is a 12 episode series that features enterprising young women competing to become the first America’s It Girl. Click to view a photo slide show of the Whitestone Fashion Show and to learn more about Miss Queens Jessenia Vargas, WE TV’s show America’s It Girl, and the fashion show at Giorgio’s hair salon featuring Carina Boutique dresses & Trattoria Neo's Italian food in Whitestone Queens. |
Queens Neighborhoods - Neighborhood Links
Click any of the following links to go to that neighborhood in Queens. Links are also located along the left side bar.