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Jan. 17-23, 2020
‘HANDSHAKE’ DEAL
Last-minute effort keeps historic Neir’s Tavern open for business in Woodhaven
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
It took one day for Woodhaven’s Neir’s
Tavern — a nearly 200-year-old institution
— to go from the brink of closure to
total salvation.
The Queens Chamber of Commerce
announced Friday night a “handshake
agreement” between tavern owner
Loycent Gordon and the Woodhaven
property’s owners, Ken and Henry Shi,
to keep the historic, 190-year-old business
open.
“We are very happy to have Neir’s
Tavern stay open and continue our 190
years of continuous operation,” said Gordon,
who thanked Mayor Bill de Blasio
and the community for their support.
“This wouldn’t have happened if it
wasn’t for the mayor stepping in, and if it
wasn’t for the landlord working with us,
and if it wasn’t for all of you supporting,
tweeting and sharing,” Gordon said. “It’s
a community effort and all three of these
organizations — the mayor, the elected
officials, the landlord, us — this is how
we made it: together. That’s the message
— community. We’re all a community,
whether it is a landlord, owner, politician.
This is the community. We have to
find a way to find a sense of community.
To do something that we know is important,
which I believe is Neir’s Tavern.”
The Queens Chamber of Commerce,
along with de Blasio, Councilman Robert
Holden and Assemblyman Mike Miller,
helped make the deal possible, according
to the chamber’s announcement.
A huge celebration breaks out at Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven.
See additional coerage on Page 3. Photo by Dean Moses
“When I heard about what was happening
with Neir’s, I said, ‘This can not
happen. We can’t lose this bar. We can’t
lose this part of our history. We can’t
lose this part of our community.’ And
I couldn’t believe it, I did a double take
this morning — 190 years old!” de Blasio
said. “This place is magical and we have
to protect it.”
Earlier on Friday, de Blasio said the
city would work to save Neir’s Tavern,
a day after Gordon announced it would
shut down due to unaffordable rents and
insufficient sales.
On Friday morning, Gordon called
into the Brian Lehrer Show on WYNC
and asked the mayor what can be done
to help local historic businesses that are
faced with regulations and are forced to
close down.
“I know it’s a private business, but
isn’t there some cultural significance,
we can recognize it in terms of, like,
citywide, that we can kind of help protect
this?” Gordon said. “And now I’m
fighting this greedy landlord because he
wants like, you know, to charge two and
a half times more rent and we just can’t
do it. What powers can you use to help
us?”
In response to Gordon, de Blasio condemned
the landlord’s rent hike, saying,
“I’m not clear why landlords do this —
where you have a historic business that’s
beloved in the community and the landlord
is still making a decent return and
why they have to jack up the rent all the
time.”
Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO
of the Queens Chamber of Commerce,
said the chamber was thrilled to announce
the “handshake” deal Friday
night.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood
of Queens, adding to the unique character
of our neighborhoods and creating
jobs and opportunity for New Yorkers. It
would be a shame to lose an institution
with as much history as Neir’s, and we’re
thrilled the bar will continue to serve its
patrons for years to come,” Grech said.
Miller thanked all parties involved
for their commitment to reaching an
agreement.
“I am looking forward to celebrating
Neir’s 200th anniversary,” Miller said.
Holden also applauded the effort to
keep the historic tavern open.
“It was a great team effort by the owner
Loy, the landlords, and city and state
officials. We can all sleep well knowing
that this beloved 190-year institution will
not have to close its doors and can continue
serving the community,” he said.
Robert Pozarycki, Dean Moses and
Zach Gewelb contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by
e-mail at cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
Vol. 8, No. 3 48 total pages
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