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Foxy’s Diner quietly closes

Foxy’s Diner

Aug. 3, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez

Foxy’s Diner, the American eatery on 43-11 Queens Boulevard, has quietly closed.

Owners of neighboring businesses confirmed the diner has shut down, and say the place has been closed since the beginning of the week.

Calls to the restaurant’s listed number do not go through, as the line appears to be disconnected.

Foxy’s Diner, which opened in 2007 and served classic diner foods like breakfast, burgers, and sandwiches, makes the list of the ever growing number of diners shutting down in New York City.

The diner was part of a small number of diners serving the area, including Alpha Donuts, Pete’s Grill, and New York Style Eats.

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112 Comments

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Single again, and I need a man fast

I’ll miss this place, I signed my divorce papers here. Got rid of that ——–@$@$#%^&*&^”$#@=_ (fill in the blanks yourself)

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Johnny

It was a nice quiet local place to eat. I ate there at least twice a week. I will miss it. As far as I know, no one was ever forced to eat there.

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Andrew

I kept hoping that they might be closed for renovations. Foxy’s was always our go-to place. The food was good and the staff were even better. As somebody noted above, like Cheers. But they are really nice people and I will miss them, especially Nicole and Rene.I didn’t agree with Jim’s politics but he was welcoming nonetheless. Foxy’s will be missed.

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sunnnysider1975

So sad to see this place go. The service was so top notch there. Really enjoyed going there on Friday nights. Jimmy and Rene were simply the best. I wish them all the very best. Before it was Foxy’s it was Crete and it wasn’t better. Foxy’s was right on the money. Really nice and cozy place.

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EAA

We are very sorry to hear this. We went there frequently on Fridays and Jimmy was always great to us. Super nice guy! He always gave our son ice cream. Rene was also great and very attentive.

We will truly miss them and wish them all the best.

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David Garzon

Every Sunday after church i’d go there with my mom growing up, but it was not Foxy’s back then, it was different, it was better. Didn’t like this place at all.

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Joe sturm

Telly, you should move out of Sunnyside, this town has some of the worst food in Queens. I work in the industry and if you look at the closure rate of restaurants in Sunnyside you’ll see that only a few will be around in 5 years. One of the reasons Paris Baguette moved in (not much better) it says a lot when a fast food restaurant is the most popular food establishment. You can eat a bad of D for all I care.

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The Boulevardier.

How is the food at Galligers 2000? Is it better than Pete’s? Maybe that’s the place for a good Irish Breakfast now:-)

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J. Sturm (Skillman Ave)

I currently live in Sunnyside and I think it’s sad that you all hate on each other for the comments. Obviously a difference of opinion will exists between a 24 year old and a 35 year old.
Foxy’s closed down because it was not run properly, the food wasn’t great and the staff screwed up orders on multiple occasions. Petes grill is even worse. The best Diner is in Astoria – we need some fresh restauranteurs to come in to Sunnyside. We don’t need another Irish Pub, Sports Bar or Diner. Why do you think Dog & Duck and Claret do so well? They offer a change a well kept place with decent food and good staff. The menu is also unlike anything else in the Hood.

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J. sturm

Telly G. You wouldn’t know a good restaurant if it hit you in the face. You probably think a bologna sandwich and a warm glass of tap water is “top Notch” service.

DEEZ. NUTZ

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Eddie

Sad to see Foxy’s close.
Their delivery was always unusually fast, and the food was always great.

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The Boulevardier.

Does Lynch’s still sell used “False Teeth”, it was a great service to the community, new dentures are quite expensive. At Lynch’s you could “try them on before you buy”, sure it took some time to get used to them, but Polygrip usually helps keep ’em in.

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Joe at Berkley

I don’t understand all the crying. Foxy’s was always a mediocre restaurant at best even when it first open replacing the Crete Diner. At the end of it’s run Crete Diner also had dropped in food quality and service.. Crete Diner’s true hey day was when it was at it’s original location of 43rd Street and Queens Blvd., where the former Yum Yums stood. Now it’s another Thai restaurant.

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Carleen

I enjoyed the place and really hate to see a locally owned business close and some big corporation move in and take it’s place.

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H.D.

Good call anon- Neptune is the best of the diners left standing. They are incredible. The seafood is so fresh. It’s displayed as you walk in. The best diner in ny, by far. I’ll even say it’s so good I would take the train there and I never take the train

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Bart Stone

Was a good place, I was also a fan of the Papa Chipotle Benedict. Times they are a changing in Sunnyside. I only got here 3 years ago, and in that time, a lot of older places have closed and a lot of newer ones have sprung up. Wish the owners best of luck. The restaurant biz is just so tough and so many people get burned, even when they put their heart, soul and all their money in.

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AnnaBNana

Foxy’s, for some of Sunnyside’s older population (and a few young people, too) was Cheers (w/o the booze, for the most part…). “You wanna go where everybody knows… your name.” That’s what I loved about that funky joint. When the Rose shut down, I wondered where I would take my mid-day muffin and diet cokes (ok, so my diet sucks). I soon found Foxy’s, and never looked back. I never bought a lot of food from there, mostly an occasional burger, and my Sunday waffle with bacon. But what probably kept me going back was the other regulars, and the staff. (And no, I do have other things to do with my time, I don’t sit in there all day…) A toast to them all: James, you Rock. My favorite moment was when I complained about not getting service, and you brought my diet coke to me wearing your Trump mask! Wow… how inspiring. I am sure you are MAGA every day somewhere. And Yes. Hillary Really Won. J, you were a hoot, sitting in the back, joining me in trolling the Donald and giving James agida. M… No one can naynay and vogue like you! B…wise elder statesman, along with R… who really IS what our country should be about – he knows who he is. Thank you, one last time. For the night staff…T, L and he who did not want to be named… you guys were sweet, and you really did try not to forget my condiments. What can be said about Nicole…or a I called her, Nicooooooooole….usually from a distance. Where else can a patron go, and be TOLD they are not having bacon or 7-layer cake or whatever, but you Are getting an English Muffin? If I didn’t love Nicooole’s warmth and hilarious personality, I would have made a fuss. As it was, I quietly ate my muffin du jour and kept my mouth shut. Well… she might debate that. I miss you, S, we were and are always great pals and I have valued the many conversations we’ve had, about the great mysteries of life, in and outside of Foxy’s. And my lovely Iltalian twinnies…with their bro. I missed you, didn’t get to say g’bye. So be well. To all of my Foxy’s buds, to Foxy’s itself…it’s been Real… AnnaBNana (Thanks for the name, Nicooole!)

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Al loco

Amazing that all the fans of Foxys come out of the woodwork now. If you loved it so much why didn’t you go when it was open? I never saw anyone in there. That’s why it closed. Duh.

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Hungry and Poor

I ordered food Sunday night & they charged my credit card. I’ve been sitting here waiting for my food since, now i find out they closed!

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George Contos

Also my friends diner closed on Roosevelt between 61street and 62street. It is now basket and robets

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George Contos

I owned a diner in the 80s. Very very hard business then and harder now. 24hrs a day, rising costs for rent, utility, food costs, you have to pay part of the building tax, its just overwhelming. Yes, It is a dying trade. I work as a line cook in Manhattan restaurant now. At least I know I’m going to get paid. I will retire next year and go die in my native country, greece.

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Anonymous

Thank you!!! Subpar both of them. Petes is acceptable but only if you’re too lazy to go to Neptune or a million other better diners. I’m shocked they remainded open for so long.

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carol

I was just there Saturday, and no sign of it closing. Wow.. I loved when it was The Crete many many yrs ago….

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Chris N

My late aunt, Bonnie McCarthy, worked at the Crete. Thanks for reminding me of the old name!

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Jean

That’s when it was good..several years ago a friend and i sat down when her foot hit something under the table it was a dead rat…needless to say we ran out of there and never went back

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BernieM

Sad to see them go. Was our favorite when we did not want to cook. A part of what is/was Sunnyside is gone.

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Paul

The staff and food was great. James was always a pleasure. What a shame. Sounds like a bad landlord situation to me.

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Frank Daykin

JAMES, the owner, an experienced diner owner, was overwhelmed by several factors: 1) mainly burdensome city regulations, 2) the landlady who owns the building would not pay for basic services, for which she was responsible, so that Foxy’s could operate, and therefore James was rendered bankrupt.

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Anonymous

If you actually know anything about what you’re saying, consider that a bit more must have been going on than what you listed to result in bankruptcy.

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Jen

Why is this your business to share if it’s true? The owners chose not to issue a statement. Publishing their financial situation without permission seems a scummy thing to do – if true.

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Billy

Frank – We see you’re Fox informed…All the other establishments in the neighborhood are immune to “burdensome city regulations”?

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I Know Everything

Fox informed? There are two reasons why small businesses fail in NYC cost of rent and over regulation. Why do you think it takes a millionaire or a giant corporation to open and run a restaurant these days? Sheesh!

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Bruno

Everything- You’re worse then Fox Informed you’re totally brainwashed. I work in a local restaurant for over 20 years and could tell you, from first hand experience there are way more then 2 reasons restaurants fail and city regulations is not one of them. When an establishment first opens yes, the city regulators are slow and can do damage but Foxy’s was open for over ten years. Quality was there issue plain and simple. If you want regulation free dinning may I recommend a trip to Brazil or Mexico? You should be thankful as a New Yorker you have the right to walk into an establishment and not be sickened or worse. Keep listening to Fox propaganda and you’ll be tricked out that right as well.

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I Know Everything

Glad you are still in business. Not many other small business owners can say the same thing. If you’ve really run a business for as long as you say, the environment should be obvious to you. Unless your “local” restaurant is upstate or something or maybe you’re backed by VC money?

Johnny

Everything seems to know only everything Fox News tells him he knows. Pathetic. Look at all the restaurants that have been in business for years in this neighborhood alone and they’re not even part of chains. Kettle, Daisy’s, Pete’s Grill, NY Eats, Marios, Donatos, Aubergine Cafe, Sidetracks, Piko Riko, Alpha Donuts, Marabella, Ariba Ariba, The Turkish Grill, Bar 43 and this is just some of the long timers not to mention some new comers like Claret, Uncle Jimmy’s, Alcove,Dog and Duck, Lowery and Ida’s. This Fox News viewer will stick stick to the Fox News propaganda script and deny these places as the new fake news. As for Foxys their 10 years came and went and anyone can tell you their quality went long ago. If they treated their kitchen like their dining area I’m surprised regulators didn’t close them.

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I Know Everything

I’ve never watched Fox news so you may want to check those psychic powers you think you have.

Also, you may want to spend some time talking to the owners all those restaurants you so smartly listed. You may actually learn something about the business.

TerryO

@Johnny- You’re absolutely right about Fox News and their followers. Truth fact and history doesn’t matter to them. Canada has denied Fox News license to broadcast because of all it’s lies. News Corp, the parent company of Fox News, nd Hannity as well always fall back on “we’re entertainment not news” when they’re caught in lies. Yet people continue to use them as a legitimate source of news.

David

According to Roger Ailes and Fox News, if lies are repeated enough times they become truth. “Romney with 96% of the vote”.

Roger Ailes' Ghost

You people can twist anything into Fox News bitch fest, give it a rest. Get some help.

Oscar DeGrouch

wow – it must be a whole new level of cognitive dissonance to equate burdensome regulations with Fox News fans. What he said makes total sense and is not political; it’s a struggle all small businesses have in NYC. You’re so hypocritical of mom and pop stores being run out by chains, but you don’t see that only the chains can absorb the rents and regs & license fees. Way to turn it into the same decisive politics that made pissed-off America vote for Trump. Thanks a lot.

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Anonymous

Don’t blame the landlady. I know for a fact being a previous owner in the past, the lease quotes who’s responsible for basic services. That’s not a reason he was rendered to go bankrupt.
There’s so much competition in this area, James just gave up.

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The other side

The most friendliness dinner in sunnyside, James the owner always made you feel welcome, what a gentleman

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rikki

sounds like the landlord jackedup the new lease and rather then fight, just pick up and leave..

we will see if they reopen at a more reasonable rent.

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Anonymous

You just say things but there is very little logic in it. Are you a goldfish who learned to type?

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Esrever e tu Mmoc

All the ex-employees should reverse commute! It’s the answer to everything. Right rikki? Just reverse commute.

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rikki

Then dont it will take 25 years before a new tunnel is built to handle the traffic…

or they need a free transfer and escalator from queensboro plaza to the new LIRR sunnyside train stop and make it a shuttle every 15 minutes that might work too, Otherwise you are stuck with this for a long long time

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Greg from over in Woodside

Oh, man! This is a catastrophe. Even after I moved over to Woodside a few years ago, I would walk over to Foxy’s most weekends. Definitely one of my favorite places in the city and some of my favorite people. I hope all the staff lands on their feet. I’ll miss them and I’ll miss the Papa Chipotle Benedict and the chorizo mac & cheese.

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Anonymous

Every time a business closes in this neighborhood the SP trolls come crying about how often they frequented those businesses. It’s such BS. Put your money where your keyboard is and maybe your “institutions” would stick around. They can’t be institutions if people don’t go there.

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Matt

I’ve lived in the neighborhood 6 years and had never been there. There was never any word of mouth or advertising that made me want to go. Did they deliver?

Been to Ida’s a bunch of time though.

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Anonymous

They did deliver. I guess they never advertised much. But I noticed them when I first moved to the neighborhood while walking around, seeing them from the train and starting going regularly. Fingers crossed for Pete’s staying put

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S. Jenkins

Anybody have any info on why they closed? Priced out of their lease? I went to Foxy’s once or twice a week and they always seemed to do really good business. Sad to see one of my favorite Sunnyside institutions close.

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Eric

Of course it’s the rent and the hipster coffee shops opening right next to it for $3 a cup.

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Anonymous

Yep. That must be it. I’m also simple minded and don’t understand how businesses operate. “Supply and demand” might as well be Martian. I somehow have figured out how to access the internet but can’t seem to do anything on it other than read the Sunnyside Post.

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PSA

While I understand the temptation to make this comment, it’s also completely illogical.

Foxy’s was never a grab and go coffee shop, they’re a diner. An excellent diner I’ve eaten at many, many times (as recent as last week!) and will be genuinely disappointed to see go. While Foxy’s got a liquor license a few years back, they close around 10pm and never really pushed a “bar scene.” Ida’s next door is a proper bar with a small but good menu, Foxy’s is a solidly good diner with a large but good menu. Brookside, the sister coffee shop, is the first place in the neighborhood with actually decent coffee, and we all know that’s true. Yes, you could walk into Foxy’s and get a cup of coffee to go, but did you?

These three establishments have some overlap, of course, and as is such they have some overlapping clientele (like myself and the many other people I’ve seen go in and out of all three doors), but there is no doubt in my mind that if Foxy’s is, sadly, shutting down, it could hardly be attributed to the bar or coffee shop next door.

The owners of the latter are also Sunnyside residents and have already made a solid, positive dent in the Queens Blvd upheaval that, if many large real estate companies had their way, would be (even more) Starbucks and Boost Mobile stores. The hipster complaint is tired. I’m sorry that some of us are under 45 and own canvas tote bags, since that’s basically as specific as that qualifier gets these days. Whatever the reason for the sudden shuttering, between the mostly different services Foxy’s provided versus that of it’s new neighbors and the natural pacing of our neighborhood as it currently stands, it simply doesn’t make sense that a just barely three months old coffee shop would effectively put a beloved ten year old diner out of business.

This isn’t the West Village in the 90’s (yet). A new coffee shop is neither destined to be Sunnyside’s Magnolia Bakery nor a viable horseman of the apocalypse (if you’re looking for a battle worth fighting, though, do some research on the block that used to house PJ Horgan’s, the movie theater, and the forever vacant Dime’s bank). The fact of the matter is that healthy cities ebb and flow. The “good old days” defense is meaningless without recognizing that the context there is as unique as each person spouting off about it.

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The Boulevardier.

Foxy’s wasn’t a great Diner, the food wasn’t very good, just fair. I don’t understand how it lasted this long. I hope something good opens there, like a new version of P.J. Horigans, which was way better. Just don’t put the damn telivisions in it. Ida’s has the right idea, no TV, I like that place, but miss P.J.s menus:-)

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Kieran the Irish leprechaun, lucky charms

Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla- on and on and on and on. Ssp , Please put a character LIMIT soon. This is a book, not a post. Annoying!

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Old Salt

Excellent Diner? Please, the place was smelly, the booths were sticky and the vegetables were always canned except for the broccoli. The only thing I’d order there more than once was the “Beef Barley Soup”. The meat in the burgers were full of gristle (like Pete’s Diner), you can’t get a halfway decent hamburger in Sunnyside any longer, you have to go to Donovan’s in Woodside for something decent. Donovan’s also has a good “Pot Roast”, way better than anything “Foxy’s” ever had.
I hope they replace it with a nice “Jerk Chicken & Pork” Jamaican BBQ place, we don’t have one in Sunnyside.

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Pam

Sorry to see this. On Friday nights after work my husband and I would often go there for dinner. It wasn’t fancy but the food was good, reasonable and the waiter we always saw on Friday nights was friendly.

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Laura Potts

Sad to see it go. My husband and I both grew up and Sunnyside but when we married we rented a small 1 bedroom with a bad kitchen and we wound up at Foxy’s more often than not. I welcome those who move into Sunnyside, including younger wealthy folks with some money to spare, but I hope they start spending locally to keep our institutions open and ALIVE.

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SunnysideBaby

Young people DO go places and spend money. It’s the older people who give up on them and keep their money to save for their kids’ college, retirement, etc.

Look at your own statement – when you first got married. That means you haven’t been there in years.

Foxy’s is a bit too far away from me but you can bet that Cafe 52 gets plenty of business from me. Sure, it’s not nearly an institution but everyone has to start somewhere.

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A.Bundy

thats the whole idea behind savings. those that dont are renters for life. they tend to eat out every day for every meal and live paycheck to paycheck. those that save, sacrifice many luxuries, but have a future to look forward to, to greener pastures.

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Anonymous

Renting is not an indicator of someone living paycheck to paycheck. Renting is actually smarter in large cities than owning when you consider the gains your down payment and maintenance fees (in a coop) could make in the stock market vs the rise of your home value. Especially in Sunnyside where the rental apartments are much larger than the garden houses, which are so over priced for what you get.

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Real estate v stock

Really! $150,000 purchase of a house 25 years ago in the gardens will now have grown to a $1,000.000+ investment….wait for it…$150,000 purchase of stock 25 years ago will have grown to $390,000 or there about. But then anonymous, unless one was a financial genius like you and had the foresight to purchase apple/amazon et.al in their infancy then your investment might be 7 figures

some guy

Renting can make a lot of sense for a lot of reasons, and doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—but I’m still pretty happy with my gardens house. I’ll check back in with you if the market crashes.

Why (Real estate v stock) doesn't make sense

The real estate v. stock argument assumes that someone 25 years ago would have known the expected growth in investment in stock and real estate and last I checked, knowing the future is impossible.

Anonymous

These “younger wealthy folks” are spending money locally all the time. Why would you think otherwise? They take a train 45 minutes to Soho to have breakfast every day????

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