Nov. 19, 2019 Staff Report
The Sunnyside Post is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a party next month.
The publication was launched by Christian Murray in 2009 as a side job while writing about investment banking at Thomson Reuters. The Sunnyside Post laid the ground work for the Queens Post, the parent company that incorporates eight sites across the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn- including the Sunnyside site.
The sites collectively generated more than 8 million page views in the 12-month period ending Nov. 15.
Murray established the Sunnyside Post prompted by his desire to write about community news that he missed from his days as a reporter at Newsday. In 2014, the side job, became full time.
The Sunnyside Post—excluding the other Queens Post sites– has published approximately 3,250 stories and generated 73,000 comments over the past decade. In the past 12 months, the site has generated nearly 2 million-page views.
To celebrate this milestone, the publication is holding a 10-year-anniversary party. The event, to be held at Bar 43 on Dec. 19, will recognize the many people who have helped the company grow as well as to give thanks to the advertisers who have supported the company (many listed below).
The company will also recognize several community leaders, many of whom have been good sports despite bearing the brunt of some unflattering comments. The public is invited to the event. Tickets are $50 and include a 2 hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a special Sunnyside Post souvenir. Sponsorships are also available by clicking here.
Christian Murray upon completion of the 2018 Queens Half Marathon
The Queens Post was created in 2012- with the launch of the LIC Post. That publication quickly grew and in the past 12 months generated 1.5 million page views. The Astoria Post and Jackson Heights Post sites then followed and generated similar numbers.
Later editions include Forest Hills Post, Flushing Post, Ridgewood Post and the Greenpoint Post in Brooklyn.
The publications have broken many stories over the years that quickly gained city wide attention. These include spot re-zonings, police investigations, street redesigns, to even a pink sculpture that eventually went up in Long Island City.
The company has also been involved in charity work. It launched the annual Sunnyside Post Mile in 2015 and founded the LIC Post 5K in 2017 with community partners such as the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy and the Woodside-Sunnyside Runners. These events have brought in more than $300,000 for charity. This year, the publication worked with Major World to donate 200 turkeys to residents of Woodside Houses.
The anniversary event is going to honor several people from Sunnyside/Woodside. These individuals have made their mark on the community and helped the sites grow.
Community Leadership Award
Denise Keehan Smith, the chair of Community Board 2, who has always been open and accessible
Government Excellence Award
Assemblymember Brian Barnwell, an elected official from Woodside who is popular for his down-to-earth demeanor
Community Partner Award
Judy Zangwill, the executive director of Sunnyside Community Services who has partnered with us on the Sunnyside Post Mile and provided assistance with our Long Island City events
Business Excellence Award
Nick Murphy, co-owner of Bar 43 in Sunnyside and a supporter from the get-go
Also being are honored are 3 people who have had a big impact on the company over the years.
Patricia Dorfman who helped the sites get off the ground from 2010 through 2013. She also designed the Sunnyside Post, LIC Post, Astoria Post, Jackson Heights, Ridgewood and Forest Hills logos.
Christian Amez who joined the company in 2015 and has played a significant role in the growth of the company as its head of marketing and sales.
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer who has always been accessible despite some of the tough comments. He launched his career around the same time as the Sunnyside Post began and has always been supportive.
The Sunnyside Post would most especially like to thank its readers.
Thank you for the tips, suggestions and many, many insightful, witty, and sometimes snarky comments that have been written on the site.
“We hope to continue delivering local news to this community for many more years to come.”- Christian Murray, Publisher
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunnyside-post-10-year-anniversary-holiday-party-tickets-85042659885″>For tickets Click here
The following is a list of many of our Sunnyside advertisers over the years. We hope you support their business too.
Merit Group
Bar 43
Welcome Home Real Estate
Sunnyside Pet Healthcare Center
Sunnyside Community Services
De Mole
Sunnyside Reformed Church
Sunnyside Shines
Suryaside Yoga
Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce
Skillman Animal Clinic
Master Electronics Repair
Claret
C Clearly
SoleLuna
Crossfit Sunnyside
Phyzique
Bantry Bay
Melo Yelo
UPS Store
New Grand Buffet
Major World
Court Yard/Woodbines
Maggie Maes
The Skillman
Sole Luna
Coffee Tossy
Jar Bar
Takesushi
Arriba Arriba
Pete’s Grill
Uncle Jimmy’s Pizzeria
Dazies
Jack’s Fire Dept.
Pronto Car Service
Vincent Renda (Edward Jones/AG Edwards)
Rebecca Barker (Met Life)
Modern Spaces
Jennifer Hsu (Halstead)
Senso Unico
Cardamom Indian Cuisine
Suryaside Yoga
Sunnyside Ballet School
Woodside on the Move
Young Israel of Sunnyside
Queens of Angels Church
Mosaic Covenant Church
RealTegrity
BFocus
Affordable Dental Arts
Woodside Café
PJ Horgan’s
Skillman Pets
Kamila Harris Photography
Featured Events
21 Comments
Thanks Christian Murray and the whole Sunnyside Post team for all you contribute to our community.
Congrats Christian and the great staff on Sunnyside Post. You do a great job.
I moved from NYC earlier this year but I still read the Sunnyside Post to keep up with the old neighborhood! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
Well, Congratulations then! Didn’t know about the charity work. Thanks for that good work.
Thank you for you’re service, we know it’s not easy. Way to go ??!
Congratulations! Well done, Christian and team. Thanks for local news we wouldn’t have known about & providing a forum to discuss & learn.
Thanks for the efforts. I hope the state of comments can be improved, though.
> 70K Comments (mostly by racist Trump lovers)
I look for The Queens Post everyday. Congratulations to all, thank you, and keep up the great unbiased reporting.
I should be given #1 props since I’m the one who has exposed the most about Sunnyside
El loco made this blog. His witty, funny letters have kept this blog alive. Honor him.
Congratulations for keeping us in Sunnyside updated in what is going on! Thank you for all the years and dedication!!
I should be one of the honorees!
Well before our current resident nonsense noise maker el loco, there was ‘oppressed masses’ on sunnyside post. el loco is a cheap imitation
Jealous much?
bIkE LaNeS!
Thanks for the coverage of our neighborhood. JVB, I suggest a Teflon suit for that night.
That’s it. That’s the comment.
Congratulations!
How many of the 70K comments come from the same person?
I support this website and everything that is covered in our beautiful community. But to honor JVB and give him an award is something i do not support. Thank God i didn’t throw out my bike lane costume i’ll be sure to show up at 43 and speak to JVB