18 The QUEE NS Courier • AUGUST 27, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Target to take over Forest Hills Barnes & Noble site BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] @aaltamirano28 It’s a new chapter for the site of a beloved bookstore. The Target Corporation has signed a 15-year, 20,795-square-foot lease at 70-00 Austin St. in Forest Hills to open its first flexible-format store location in New York City by mid-2016, according to Muss Development LLC. The site is the current home of the Forest Hills Barnes & Noble, which community members have been fighting to save. The Target will occupy the bookstore’s space, after the lease expires at the end of January 2016. The bookstore chose not to exercise its option to renew the lease for five more years because of an increase in rents. Local author and preservationist Michael Perlman started a petition to save the bookstore on Change. org, which garnered 5,770 signatures, and the store even held a customer appreciation day to help gather more attention in its struggle to stay in Forest Hills. The fight began in May when word got that Barnes & Noble would shutter one of its two remaining locations in Queens if did not renew its lease. “We are excited that Target chose Forest Hills for its first New York City location as part of its national flexible format store roll-out,” said Jason Muss, Muss Development principal. “Austin Street is a natural fit for this new retail concept. It is in the center of a high-traffic, residential area and Forest Hills is the quintessential Queens neighborhood. Target will be a great anchor store and tremendous addition to Austin Street, one of the most popular shopping corridors in Queens.” The new Target is slated to take up the entire ground and second floors, and will join retailers such as Starbucks, Men’s Wearhouse and T.G.I. Friday’s. Its flexible format is expected to make the store vary in size according to the location, compared to other local Targets, and look to adhere to the surrounding community that would shop at the location. THE COURIER/FILE PHOTO Muss said the developer of the site and Target signed the long-term agreement expecting the retailer to remain at the location even after the 15-year agreement comes to an end. “Target is one of the most popular retailers in the country,” he said. “We are both in this for the long haul, and will constantly be looking toward the future to meet the needs of this evergrowing neighborhood.” Douglaston/Little Neck Library’s History & Culture Lectures Two outstanding lectures on history and culture were recently held to capacity crowds at the Douglaston/ Little Neck Community Library. The first event was “My 34-Year Career as a New York City Public School Teacher” held on August 17th. Cary Diamond (pictured seated on right) began teaching social studies in New York City in 1967, and served in six junior high schools in Queens and Brooklyn. He discussed the areas where he taught, the faculties and students of each school, and highlights of a 34- year career with young teenagers. Then on August 20th noted historian Ron Marzlock (pictured first from left), author of The New York World’s Fairs: 1939, 1964, presented an exciting PowerPoint presentation of 200 images of the fairs, many taken behind the scenes and never seen before. This program was a must-see for Queens residents who attended either fair, and a great education for those who hadn’t. Both events were sponsored by the Friends of the Douglaston/Little Neck Community Library. For more information, contact: Community Library Manager Ron Wan; Assistant Community Library Manager Tina Holinski; or Friends of the Douglaston/Little Neck Community Library President Arline Abdalian, 249-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY 11363, (718) 225-8414, www.queenslibrary.org/Douglaston ADVERTORIAL Photos: C. Stossel FREE Eye Exam WITH PURCHASE OF COMPLETE PAIR OF GLASSES OR EYE EXAM ONLY – $25 (REG. $85) COMPETITIVE PRICES with • Personalized Service & Attention • Our Professionally Trained Staff Will Give You A Careful Fit • Newest Styles • No Gimmicks 20% OFF ALL PURCHASES not to be combined with any other offer Varilux no-line bifocals progessive lenses w/plastic or metal frames Choose From Over 300 Frames $170 Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses (Frames & Lenses) $99 Choose From Over 300 Frames Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. We Honor Most Competitor’s Coupons WE ARE A LOCAL FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS, NOT A CHAIN. WE OFFER PERSONAL SERVICE WITH HIGH QUALITY & LOW PRICES HUGE SELECTION! 50% OFF non-prescription sunglasses. Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. • Lenses Duplicated • Motor Vehicle Exam • Prescription Filled • Adjustments Done At No Extra Charge • Lab on Premises • Tinting • Eye Exams Clifford Optical 38-19 BELL BOULEVARD, BAYSIDE • 718.229.8086 OFFERING THE LOWEST PRICES ON CONTACT LENSES
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