52 | BOROMAG.COM | JULY 2014 BLOGS We heart In recent years, blogs have become increasingly vital sources of information, especially when it comes to hyperlocal news, scoops, and events. After all, when a New Yorker wakes up, they aren’t necessarily scurrying in a housecoat to grab the morning paper from the stoop anymore. No, people are sleepily glancing at their smart phones, tablets, and laptops, and then clicking on their favorite bookmarks to get the inside scoop before they even get out of bed. For anyone living in Western Queens, one of the most comprehensive and insightful sources of information is WeHeartAstoria.com. Check out the heat map of where to eat on Eater.com, and you will likely see them quoted there. Ask most business owners how they like to spread news on their events, and you will most likely hear a mention of Mackenzi Farquer (owner of the Lockwood Shop and member of Community Board 1), Judith Klein Rich (author of the food blog Fooditka.com), or Meg Cotner (author of the Food Lovers’ Guide to Queens) somewhere in the mix. At Christmastime, their giveaways are unparalleled. Their annual “best of” vote is one of the most celebrated and coveted in the neighborhood. So of course we had to check in with these Astoriasavvy gals to find out just what makes them tick. BORO: On what date did you start? Judith: We published our first post on March 15, 2010. BORO: How do the three of you know one another? Mackenzi: Meg and Judith had been writing for a great local blog, Joey in Astoria, for awhile when I stumbled upon them. I was running SITE and getting lots of insider info just being at the shop, and reached out to see if they wanted another writer for the website. When Joey moved to Vermont we took it as a sign and launched our own blog. The whole process felt so organic—in the beginning nothing was overly planned; it all just sort of happened. BORO: How many people are now on staff? Meg: There are the three of us, and last year we added one additional staff member, Emily Rios, who is our business development/sales director. BORO: What does your blog offer that you feel you do really well? Mackenzi: We LOVE to be the first to break news; it’s what gives us our high. Being able to make deep connections in the community is what we do best. When business owners come to us to share their big news, it really makes me feel good about what we’re doing with the blog. I think our ability to bring fresh news really makes us a trusted voice in the neighborhood, and I’m always grateful for that. BORO: How many sister websites have launched in the We Heart family? Judith: We’ve recently launched We Heart LIC, We Heart Sunnyside, and have plans to expand to other burgeoning Queens neighborhoods. Our goal is to spread local, relevant and interesting information to other Queens neighborhoods in the future, servicing curious residents and visitors. BORO: If readers want to provide tips and get involved, what can they do? Meg: The best thing is to email us at [email protected]. BORO: What is one of your favorite underrated locations in Astoria? Judith: I love Koliba Slovak Restaurant—it reminds me of home, Othello Deli, and Ukus Grill—the grilled kebabs and the shopska salata are to die for. Mackenzi: I love De Mole. No one ever talks about it, and I don’t know why. Meg: A couple of things. Ralph Demarco Park, for one. It doesn’t get nearly the attention that Astoria Park does, despite that they are neighbors, and the walk along the water from Ditmars to 20th Ave is so nice. I am also a big fan of Bangkok Tasty, a Thai restaurant that makes some really delicious dishes. I love their Spicy Duck Salad, which is nice and light yet packed full of flavor. They use kaffir lime leaf in it, which I love, and don’t always find at a lot of local Thai restaurants. There is an earthiness to the dishes that are spicier, too, which is a definite plus for me. BORO: What is your favorite holiday in Astoria, and why? Judith: I love the fireworks in Astoria Park, which happen a few days before the 4th of July. It feels like a special event just for our community that lets us get in on the action ahead of time, and I think that’s pretty awesome. Meg: Well, probably the Summer Solstice because all the daylight feels luxurious, and Socrates Sculpture Park always does a great event to celebrate this change of seasons. I am also a big fan of World Cup season in Astoria—I don’t think there’s a better neighborhood in which to watch it because of the broad variety of global communities here. The enthusiasm for the matches is amazing here, and the energy is contagious. WeHeartAstoria.com WeHeartLIC.com WeHeartSunnyside.com
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