Queens businesses come and go in 2018
Douglaston’s family-owned movie theater closes, popular fast-food chain arrives in Flushing
BY JENNA BAGCAL
This year was marked by
businesses opening and closing
throughout Queens, with
smaller businesses often shutting
down to make room for
new big-box businesses.
There were several changes
throughout the borough in
2018. Here are some of the most
noticeable business stories of
the year:
MovieWorld
closes its doors
The owners of the familyowned
theater MovieWorld
announced that they would be
showing their last film on July
3, much to the disappointment
of loyal patrons. According to
the theater’s general manager
Russell Levinson, whose father
has owned the business
since 2008, they were forced
to close due to the terms of the
lease.
The theater hosted a Customer
Appreciation Party
July 2 to “celebrate the history
and memories of the theater”
and the “diversity of its customers.”
MovieWorld reached
out to Mayor Bill de Blasio on
Twitter to invite him to the
celebration.
MovieWorld opened in
1983 and Irwin Levinson purchased
the theater in 2008.
The purchase was a reflection
of his own father’s career path
as a film distributor. Russell
Levinson shared that although
they were being forced out of
the business, he and his father
were looking to buy another
movie theater if the opportunity
presented itself.
“This is a major loss for
the borough and we are sad to
leave it behind,” said Russell
Levinson.
Lowe’s announces move
to Douglaston Plaza
Also in July, news broke
that Lowe’s Home Improvement
would be moving into
Douglaston Plaza after MovieWorld
and Macy’s shut their
doors at the shopping center.
An attorney representing
the landlord, Ashkenazy Acquisition
Corporation, said
that condominium owners in
the immediate area supported
the plan for Lowe’s to come in
due to the fear that the ailing
shopping center would have
State Assemblyman Ron Kim (l.) with the Sonic Cherry Limeade Mascot and City Councilman Peter Koo
at the grand opening of the first Sonic Drive-in in Flushing. Courtesy of Sonic
MovieWorld, in operation since 1983, closed its doors for good July 3.
Courtesy of MovieWorld
a “ghost town” effect on their
property values.
Residents who were part
of the Douglaston Townhouse
Condominiums Association
were in full support of Lowe’s
coming into the old Macy’s
space, but others in northeast
Queens expressed concerns
over losing the cheap, locallyowned
MovieWorld.
MovieWorld was forced to
accept a buyout per its contract
with Ashkenazy. The
theater had five years left in
its contract.
“There was a lot of support
in favor of maintaining the
movie theater. It’s unfortunate
the local, community people
wanted the movie theater to
stay, but if Lowe’s didn’t come
in,” said Jon Popin, the lawyer
from Duane Morris representing
Ashkenazy. “My client had
been trying almost a year to
find a new tenant to fill the
space and there was no one.”
Back in February, members
of Community Board 11 “narrowly”
approved a recommendation
to pass a variance to expand
the sub-cellar level where
Lowe’s would be. The Board
of Standards and Appeals approved
a 15,000 square foot expansion
of the Macy’s property.
The variance brought the
proposed Lowe’s closer to the
square footage it needed to operate.
Macy’s reportedly operated
within 157,000 square feet
of space while Lowe’s needed
250,000 square feet to operate.
Sonic Drive-In opens
in Flushing
In the western part of
northeast Queens, Flushing
residents welcomed a new
Sonic Drive-In on Sept. 29.
Elected officials, including
state Assemblyman Ron
Kim and City Councilman
Peter Koo, joined residents
at the new location at 136-51
Roosevelt Ave. for the ribbon
cutting and celebration.
Owners of the newly opened
drive-in hosted the ceremony,
complete with face painting,
half-priced drinks, slushes
and prizes.
Fast-food industry veteran
Raymond Eng was named as
owner of the new Sonic franchise
and brought over 20
years of experience to the restaurant.
Eng’s newest venture
is one of 10 other eateries he
owns in Manhattan, Queens
and Brooklyn.
“Sonic’s growing presence
is a testament to the brand’s
delicious menu items, and we
look forward to bringing the
Sonic experience to future
guests in the Flushing area,”
said Alexander Bowen, general
manager of the Flushing location.
“We welcome the community
to stop by and enjoy all
that Sonic has to offer.”
Sonic was named as America’s
largest drive-in restaurant
chain and serves approximately
three million customers
daily. The chain specializes in
made-to-order fast food and is
known for its carhop service.
Lowe’s is moving into Douglaston Plaza after the city Board of
Standards and Appeals gave the home improvement store the goahead
to redesign the building. Photo by Mark Lennihan
TIMESLEDGER,12 DEC. 28-JAN. 3, 2019 TIMESLEDGER.COM
/TIMESLEDGER.COM
