2016 Holiday Lights by Sunnyside Shines (Photo via Sunnyside Shines on Facebook)
Nov. 1, 2017 by Nathaly Pesantez
SUNNYSIDE — A retro trolley is set to go through the the streets of Sunnyside in the coming weeks, in time for the holiday season.
The vintage red and green trolley will pass through Greenpoint Avenue and Queens Boulevard on two dates, one in November and another in December, where anyone can get aboard and ride for free.
The trolley tour, organized after months of planning by Sunnyside Shines, the local Business Improvement District organization, was primarily put forth as a way to encourage residents to do their holiday shopping locally.
The trolley can seat 34 people at a time, and will be making multiple stops along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue on two Saturdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, where it will operate from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to Jaime-Faye Bean, executive director of the BID.
The stops and route for the trolley are still being finalized, but the areas covered include a stretch on Queens Boulevard from 50th Street down to 39th Street, and all of Greenpoint Avenue from 41st Street to 46th Street. A portion of 43rd Avenue will also be covered by the trolley, near The Lowery Bar & Kitchen between 43rd Street and 44th Street, Bean said.
The trolley, which is handicapped accessible, is anticipated to come every 20 minutes for a given stop.
The route is designed so that the trolley can pass through a variety of shops and businesses in the neighborhood, including over 40 businesses ranging from restaurants to clothing stores that have placed discounts in the “Shop Local Holiday Passport” booklet, which will be available onboard the trolley.
Bean said the trolleys are also meant to showcase Sunnyside as a special, close-knit neighborhood. “Shopping is fun and great, but we are also doing things to inject a celebratory and community mood into the program,” Bean said.
The two days will also include free gift wrapping, arts & crafts for kids, and face painting at participating businesses. Performances are also planned for the plazas under 40th and 46th Streets, with a short performance of “The Nutcracker” by Sunnyside Ballet set to take place at the 46th St. plaza under the train on Dec. 2.
Sunnyside Shines is also taking requests for music to be played aboard the trolley in a “Sunnyside Playlist”, Bean said. Requests can be made by emailing Sunnyside Shines or by commenting under the Facebook event page prior to Nov. 25.
The trolleys, all compliant with Department of Transportation standards, are provided by the Brooklyn-based New York Trolley Company.
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27 Comments
Roxys right.
Don’t complain. Forest Hills who supposedly has a plethora of stores and restaurants wasn’t having holiday lights this year because only 3 businesses we’re willing to contribute and the lazy ass chamber of commerce didn’t ask all the the shops. Thanks to our Councilperson Karen Koslowitz and the production company that produces concerts at the stadium there now will be lights. At least Sunnyside businesses are part of the community unlike FH.
A trolley is a streetcar. So how is it a “retro” or “vintage” trolley? Assuming it is actually a motorized vehicle tarted up.
Maybe we could just have something simple like the Sunnyside arch fixed?
Roxy you bad.
I would love to see El loco lie in front of the trolley. I’m sure many people would then volunteer to drive it. I sure would! Hee, hee.
Will it stop by and pick up from Brady’s?
It will be like the 7 train at rush hour hard to get on hard to get off.
reminds me of the good old days
Jackson Heights is the best
Only Trolley I’m jumping on is The Jackson Heights MOMO CRAWL EXPRESS this weekend!
Will it be making any stops in Blissville?
last stop
Just saw this at end of article: Sunnyside Shines is also taking requests for music to be played aboard the trolley in a “Sunnyside Playlist”, Bean said. Requests can be made by emailing Sunnyside Shines or by commenting under the Facebook event page prior to Nov. 25.
**You know I’m requesting Oran Juice Jones music!!!
Metallica
Are the various Street Bums mentioned in previous threads allowed on? Will it be making stops at Dough Boy Park, Neil’s Place and Maria’s Laundromat?
disguised as an fun trolley but they only let you out when youre in front of one of the Sunnyside BID members’ establishments, just another way to get you to open your wallet!
Guaranteed to be a nice trolley stop outside Dazies, mark my words!!
Biggest bunch of malcontents I’ve ever seen. Is there nothing that you will not bitch about?
Angry people, if you don’t like what it’s offering, don’t jump onto it. Yes, it’s a joke, but hopefully it makes some locals money. Free gift wrapping and kids stuff. Stop being so bitter. Original “Fan of dough boy park”
I never posted this comment. I don’t know why people can’t think of there own screen name? Real Fan of Doughboy Park
You sit on a throne of lies fake ” Fan of Dough Boy Park”. Shame…..Shame…….Shame
can this trolley drive to astoria where the better stores area?
I love sunnyside but its not a place to shop, would be good if Sunnyside BID would work to improve the store situation before spending boatloads of cash for a fake trolley that drops people off at places they want them to spend their money.
Why not just club people and drag them into Sidetracks? Its cheaper.
How can it make me some money?
Flood
and who is paying for this –
What da F!
Public enemy. It takes a nation of millions to hold us back. Play that.
Maybe it can replace 7 train.