what's new BY LIAM LA GUERRE Manhattan-based Doughnut Plant, which has been gaining popularity throughout the city and in Japan with its new versions of the classic pastry, is coming to Long Island City. The treat makers signed a 10-year lease for nearly 8,500 square feet on the concourse level of the five-story Falchi Building, which will expand production space for the doughnut makers as they celebrate their 20th year of business, according to a spokeswoman for Jamestown, which owns the building. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank represented Doughnut Plant in the transaction, while Jamestown was represented by Cushman and Wakefield, Crain’s reported. “Our goal with the Falchi Building was to create a concourse that features makers that have a front facing retail space with a manufacturing component – the addition of Doughnut Plant was a perfect fit,” said Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown. “We believe this model attracts a diverse mix of tenants from food purveyors to office and tech tenants, embodying the creativity in Long Island City and enhancing the environment of the neighborhood.” The space will be the second production home for the company, which also has a 4,000-square-foot-space in the Lower East Side, and its first location in Queens. The new facility will also include a retail component, which will be the third retail store for the company in the city. The retail portion is expected to open in December ahead of the rest of the facility, according to Jeff Magness, the company’s creative director. The production facility is scheduled to open in 2015. Established in 1994 by Mark Isreal, Doughnut Plant products are now sold at various retailers throughout the city, including at some Shake Shack and Dean and DeLuca locations. The firm also opened a location in Japan in 2004, and has since expanded to nine spots in the Land of the Rising Sun, and one in 10 OCTOBER 2014 i LIC COURIER i www.queenscourier.com Seoul, Korea. But coming to Queens was part of the plan for a long time. “Since Mark opened the Donughnut Plant, he has always wanted to be in all five boroughs,” Magness said. “We have been looking for a place to expand production and Long Island City was just the right mix. It was the right neighborhood and the space and the price was just right.” DOUGHNUT PLANT opening first LIC production facility and shop Photo courtesy of Jamestown Photo courtesy of Doughnut Plant
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