The Q&A is a new section we will be doing every now and then, interviewing local residents and business owners of L.I.C.
This edition brings us to the latest storefront on Vernon Blvd, Nook N’ Crannie
Q: Tell us about yourselves?
We are David and Naomi Tepper. Naomi is a Brit with creative flair and David an American with a background in business. David spent most of his childhood years in Spain where his father founded Betel International, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping drug addicts, alcoholics and the homeless. We met in Madrid, Spain while working at Betel of Spain’s headquarters. After spending some time in England, where we married in 2005 we moved shortly thereafter to New York City to direct Betel of America which is based in Astoria. Nook n’ Crannie stores are owned by Betel of America, Inc., a non profit organization.
Q: How did Nook n’Crannie get its start?
The first Nook n’Crannie opened its doors in February 2007 on Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria. Betel centers around the world have always set up furniture stores to financially support the Rehabilitation centers. We wanted to create a new image for Betel of America and indeed a new style ‘Betel furniture store’. Our desire was to create the type of shopping environment to which we would naturally be drawn: a great ambiance, clean and pleasant surroundings, eclectic mix of furniture; antique, vintage and retro items all at affordable prices. We want the Nook to be a place that the whole community can enjoy – a nostalgic place where people can come and reminisce about the memories certain antiques provoke, a local establishment where people can come to outfit their apartments with vintage items without having to trek into the city and a store where weekends strollers can pick up the perfect trinket.
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Well that beautiful storefront next to my office on Vernon Blvd, is finally gonnah show some life, and a great addition to the neighborhood i think. Nook N” Crannie, a household specialty shop, selling everything from Furniture to Odds & Ends, will be having its grand opening on Saturday July 28th, i reported about this a couple of weeks ago, David Grossmann of Nest Seekers represented the tenant in obtaining the space. With all the new people moving in, im sure they will do great… Nook N’ Crannie is an established store located in Astoria on 31st and Ditmars and is now making its way to Vernon Blvd… Make sure to stop by and pick something up…
Well as if you didnt know already, Vernon Blvd is getting hotter by the minute, right off the Queens Chronicle
The gentrification of Vernon Boulevard continues as more upscale businesses move in to serve the needs of luxury apartment owners.
Joe Conley, chairman of Community Board 2, said it’s rare to see a block in Long Island City without some kind of construction. “It really has just exploded in the last two years,” he said. “The good news is it’s changing. The bad news is it’s too fast.”
Perhaps spurred by the development of luxury housing along the waterfront, new businesses are sprouting up in the area in rapid succession.
Masso’s, an Italian restaurant, opened at 47-25 Vernon Blvd. about a year and a half ago. Owner Francine Di Tomaso, who also manages Luca Lounge in New York City, said she was lured to the Long Island City location by the neighborhood’s “good vibe.”
So far business has been great. “We love the development,” she said. “Queens needed a neighorhood like this.”
You can check out the link or read more….http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18605468&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574903&rfi=
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I can finally get my Venti Iced, Tripple Latte Skim, 4 sugars….To add to the weekly retail buzz, there is word that a Starbucks will be coming to the East Coast buildings, they will be joining Duane Reade, a gourmet market and will be competing against Brasil Coffee House. This will be the first Starbucks to hit the area, ive heard of another one, but wont announce it till i can actually confirm it. Stay Tuned…
Finally something we can all use, a cool furniture, and interior design store on Vernon Blvd, Briggs & Costa, are preparing to open up shop, they finally took down the paper thats been covering the window to unveil a beautiful window display with lots of cool household goods and furniture, feels like Dumbo…Right now they are only open by appointment, but will be opening up shop shortly, they carry an array of imported furniture, household goods, candles, textiles and even really cool lighting and art… Deffinately a cool addition…
Well that nice little building on Vernon with the Blue garage door and tiny storefront that used to house Licorice is going to be a Photo Studio/Gallery…
Well That old brick wall on Vernon Blvd that used to be an apartment, next to the Pharmacy is gonnah be a Statefarm, and as exciting as insurance is, i probably would have preferred another eatery..
The wall came down today and was replaced with a storefront…
After a year of renovations, “Blend” a new latin fusion restaurant will be opening on Vernon Blvd, right next door to Communitea, the space is really beautiful, it looks like they spared no expense, the bathrooms are amazing, and there will even be a garden out back… Keep a look out for this new eatery in town, it will be opening up in a couple of weeks…
So the Manducatis family is back, this time they are about to open up a high end gourmet market right Vernon Blvd, its about 5000sqft and will have everything from cheeses, to olives, breads, wine and even gelato…They will even be serving brick oven pizza’s and be importing foods from around the world… The space is amazing and currently under construction, it will encompass the entire ground floor of this large building and will resemble that of ZeBars, should be opening up this summer…
