6 The Queens Courier • march 6, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com LAST COURSE Patrons say goodbye to Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com @MelissaCourier Rosanne Aliperti celebrated one wedding and 23 birthdays at Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant. And 84-year-old Nathan Boland sometimes made the trip twice a day, rain or shine, for a good chicken Parmesan. Thousands of diners like them left with full stomachs and empty hearts Sunday, March 2, on the beloved Italian restaurant’s last day in business. “It was like one big family here. It’s a shame,” said Maspeth regular MaryAnn Papavero. “It’s very depressing to think this is their last day when it was such a great institution.” The neighborhood fixture at 62-96 Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park served hungry diners from across the city and Long Island for nearly 70 years. It opened in 1948 under Joe Abbracciamento and was later taken over by his sons, John and Joe Jr. But after working in the restaurant since they were teenagers, the brothers plan to retire. “It’s an overwhelming feeling, seeing the thousands of people who showed up today,” John, 60, said. “It’s a tribute to my father and my family, and it will be an everlasting memory.” Marie and John Abbracciamento The decision to close was heartbreaking until the last hour, said his wife, Marie, after embracing customers — some who had grown into close friends. “It’s very emotional for us,” said Marie, holding back tears. “We really don’t want to say goodbye to anyone. It’s going to be very hard to leave the people.” People like Aliperti, 45, who walked into the restaurant on her wedding day on April 7, 1990 and essentially never left. “I’ve spent every special day here — my wedding, every birthday, bridal showers, every anniversary,” THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan said Aliperti, while wiping away tears. “They’re a part of our lives. I’ve had every beautiful moment here.” The last day was also bittersweet for 86-year-old Mary Schmalenberger, who associates decades of happy memories with the longstanding corner eatery. The senior has trouble walking and had not left the house in months, but made the trip from Middle Village to say goodbye. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she said. “There will never be another Abbracciamento.” Cheap Shots on the rocks BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com @MelissaCourier The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) will vote next week to either cut off a problematic college bar in Queens or let the drinks keep flowing. Cheap Shots, at 149-05 Union Turnpike, has racked up numerous noise complaints and at least 10 violations since it opened in March 2010, mostly for disorderly conduct and alleged underage drinking, SLA records show. Rowdy customers constantly break out in fights outside, and some have even been spotted urinating and vomiting on the street, 107th Precinct Community Council President Carolann Foley said. The SLA’s licensing bureau will decide the bar’s fate on March 11 — either approving or rejecting Cheap Shots’ request for a license renewal — after a full board meeting, an authority spokesperson said. Its current liquor license expired February 28. “I fully expect the SLA to protect our community and revoke Cheap Shots’ liquor license,” said Councilmember Rory Lancman, who called the site near St. John’s University a “magnet for criminal activity.” In January, Community Board 8’s Liquor License Committee unanimously shut down Cheap Shots’ renewal application during a heated meeting with bar owners. The advisory vote was meant to urge the SLA to follow suit. Bar boss Louis Abreu said he has since hired another security guard to keep a handle on commotions on weekends, bumping the total detail to five. “I’m a small business owner trying to do the best I can,” he said. “We’ve been keeping the noise down. I’m still willing to work with the neighborhood.” Open House Saturday, March 15 at 1 pm Saturday Seminars & Workshops for High School and College Students & Adults “New” Classes Offered in Audio Recording, Music, Music Business, Theatre & Private Music Lessons Classes start in March, call now for a brochure! Magazine Names One of the Top 35 Music Business Programs in the United States 305 N. Service Road Dix Hills, NY 11746 www.ftc.edu 631.656.2110 • AUDIO RECORDING TECHNOLOGY • BROADCASTING • BUSINESS • E LEMENTARY TEACHER EDUCATION • FILM/VIDEO • JOURNALISM • MASS COMMUNICATION • MUSIC TEACHER EDUCATION • MUSIC BUSINESS • MUSIC PERFORMANCE • THEATRE ARTS 16th Annual 616th A 6th Sunday, March 16, 2014 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, North Campus — Indoors Returning performances by: The Tommy Mulvihill Band • The Black Velvet Band Katie’s Puppets • Hirten Family Irish Dancers MC: Tony Jackson, WRHU-88.7 FM $7 Adult; $5 Senior Citizen Children Under 12 Admitted FREE 50+ Craft Vendors Authentic Irish Food For more information, visit hofstra.edu/festivals or call 516-463-6582. New Date, New Location
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