Photo: QueensPost
Aug. 19, 2012 By Bill Parry
When New York State legislators decided to shut down the OTB almost two years, the betting parlor at 44-05 Queens Blvd. closed and the property was put up for sale.
However, progress has been made toward finding a new occupant. The property was bought by Javier Morales, from Corona, 3 months ago and he has been renovating it since. He has already sunk $100,000 into fixing up the commercial space and patching up the apartments upstairs.
Morales has yet to select a commercial tenant, despite the property being in demand.
“I have already received 11 applications, but that’s from restaurants and bars. What I’m looking for is something professional or some retail business,” he said.
Bars and restaurants, he said, can create a lot of headaches with odd hours and security needs. Then there is the hygiene issue. A business like that, he said, draws cockroaches and vermin. “We’re hoping for something clean and professional,” Morales said.
Morales and his family own real estate in Corona, Flushing and East Elmhurst. “The Sunnyside area has an awful lot of potential,” his son Christian said. “It’s the next area to expand, and this was the right property at the right time.”
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13 Comments
I’d love to see a nice little boutique.. Maybe a sneaker spot. There’s enough food and bars over there. That area could def use some more shops.
The owner should pay more attention to the “renovation” work being done on that building. When I walked by around noon yesterday (Sunday), two guys were chipping at the mortar at the top of the building with no scaffolding or tarps to stop bits of bricks from flying around into the street and sidewalk areas. I called 311 but don’t know if anything was done.
Professional strippers?
Books or shoes would be great!
@Anonymous…..ever hear of Win Depot on 43rd near Northern Blvd? They have everything for the kitchen.
Au contraire, Ruben. I’d like to buy some shoes. Or how about a good housewares/variety store with solid merchandise (no 99c crap).
How about a psychologist office so all you can get the help you desperately need
How about a nice kitchen supply store or a home goods store?
Just no 99-cent store, please!
Sunnyside Queens Blvs isn’t a spot for Retail. It’s a spot for Food. Nobody goes up and down sunnyside saying “I wanna buy some shoes!” no, they go for the drinks and the variety of foods. If this guy wants to survive he should put up a food joint. Maybe a Blimpies to combat the horrible Subway that’s next to it.
So, what would we like to see in that spot?
Yes please enough with the bars on every corner already. I’m happy to hear the landlord has turned them down. I like him already.
good, that block has plenty of bars already.