FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com AUGUST 18, 2016 • The Queens Courier 3 Photo: Brianna Ellis/QNS A North Shore Farms may be coming to the old Waldbaum’s in Whitestone High-end North Shore Farms supermarket may partially fill the former Waldbaum’s space in Whitestone By Briana Ellis editorial@qns.com/@QNS As a heatwave scorched the city on Aug. 12, Whitestone residents were also fired up at the former Waldbaum’s rallying for a new supermarket. Community members rallied alongside state Senator Tony Avella in front of the vacant supermarket at 153-01 10th Ave. The public demonstration intended to stress community’s need for a supermarket in the area to the property owner as well as supermarket franchises after Waldbaum’s closed down in November. At the press conference, Avella revealed that North Shore Farms supermarket might control part of the potentially subdivided property. He told residents about the inconsistent responses he received from The Feil Organization, property owners of Whitestone Shopping Center. The company had initially supported the plan for a complete supermarket before contrary rumors arose. “They had assured me that they were gonna bring back a full-service supermarket,” Avella said. “One of the things they did was, they purchased wall utilities and fixtures from Waldbaum’s with the intention to do that.” Avella continued that Feil started dodging his calls in the last two months after rumors surfaced that a subdivision is likely. “They have refused to officially deny or confirm what we know of the rumors. The latest information is that North Shore Farms … will come into part of the space. Part of the space behind us would be subdivided into three small stores.” Avella also expressed his skepticism toward North Shore Farms. He pointed out that the supermarket may not suit the budget of residents due to its expensive pricing. “I have a number of issues here. North Shore Farms is a high-end supermarket with higher prices. That is not necessarily the type of supermarket that many of the residents can afford, especially LeHavre and Cryder Point, which is almost a naturally occurring retirement community with many seniors on fixed incomes, this is going to be a problem for them,” he said. Millie Ronza from Whitestone came to show support for a new supermarket in the empty space: “For me, it’s not that important but I feel for some of the people that I know in the area who live here. I’m near ShopRite and Stop & Shop, I’m in Whitestone … A lot of elderly, retired, they need a supermarket that’s why I’m fighting for them … It’s very sad, it’s a sad situation.” Avella added that if North Shore Farms fail, the possibility of another supermarket like ShopRite and Stop & Shop is “killed off.” Avella urged residents to sign a petition, which requests that the property owners reserve the location for a full-service supermarket. He promised to provide Feil’s contact number for residents to call them personally. The Courier contacted The Feil Organization on Aug. 11 and received no response. A spokesperson for North Shore Farms told The Courier that the Whitestone space is not guaranteed and they are still exploring different locations. October primary for GOP in NY-3 Talk about an October surprise. A federal court has ordered that the New York State Board of Elections schedule an Oct. 6 primary to decide the nominee for the Republican Party for the Third Congressional District seat currently held by outgoing Congressman Steve Israel, according to a candidate who had been disqualified from a June primary. State Senator Jack Martins had been considered the presumptive Republican nominee after a court threw out the petitions of upstart financial auditor Philip Pidot to get on the Republican primary ballot. The ruling left Martins as the only Republican candidate, and the primary was canceled. Pidot appealed, and a judge ruled in his favor only days before the scheduled June 28 primary, which meant there was no time to create a new ballot for the race. Following subsequent legal challenges between the Martins and Pidot camps, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday, Aug. 17, that a Republican primary must be held on Oct. 6. “For the next month, I will spend every waking hour asking Republicans on Long Island and in Queens to stand with me on Oct. 6 to bring reform not only to the island, but to Congress itself,” Pidot said in a statement. Martins’ spokesperson E. O’Brien Murray issued a statement to The Courier that was more focused on the Nov. 8 election against the Democratic nominee, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. “We are confident we will win in November because of the overwhelming support Jack Martins has continued received across the district and in his previous elections,” Murray said. “Jack’s record of fighting for lower taxes, a stronger economy and the families he represents is a message the voters support overwhelmingly.” The Third District covers northeast Queens, northern Nassau and northwestern Suffolk counties. Robert Pozarycki Briarwood diner losing its lease The Flagship Diner located at 138-30 Queens Blvd. has been a staple in the Briarwood company for more than half a century. But the diner’s future could be in doubt after the site was sold to White Rock Management Group LLC for $6.125 million last month, according to Department of Finance records. The diner’s owners intend to remain open at the site through the end of its current lease in 2019. Demolitions permits were filed and approved for the site on July 26, and the management group plans to construct a seven-story, 64-unit residential complex in its place. Vincent Pupplo, co-owner of the diner, said he doesn’t see the diner relocating after it lease is up three years from now. “I don’t see any disputes arising within the three years while we are here,” Pupplo said about the restaurant remaining on the land after being sold. Justin Alvarez PRICES GOING NORTH
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