Saturday, January 10, 2009

Up to 4 Atlas Park stores may close

From Forest Hills 72:

Blue Tulip is closing (entire national chain went out) by Jan. 31st. Then we heard Pasticcio had closed. True! We went by this weekend and the place was closed with no sign on the door explaining the closure. What a shame. My wife and I had dined there a bunch of times and loved the food and the decor. Also heard rumours that J. Jill and Shiro's would be closing.

Atlas Stand?

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since when are MTA buses allowed to drive on private property/ mall? Changing the bus route on Metropolitan wasn't enough Mr. MTA-Hummadinger?
Atlas has gone through 3 parking lot vendors already--they weren't making any money.
The bike shop where Bombay used to be is not doing any business. (Note that Atlas prohibits bikes on its property; funny huh?)
What's up with that over-priced fondue place tucked way in the back and out of sight?
Amish Market is next to go...
Austin St is way busier than Atlas, especially of late.

Anonymous said...

As much as I hate the politics that created Atlas, it is a respite from the normal Queens experience. Xmas shoppin w/o crowds is almost unheard of.

Anonymous said...

Maspethian Said:
Xmas shoppin w/o crowds is almost unheard of....

and therein lies the rub.
The mall was poorly conceived and poorly executed. It is a beautiful mall which would most likely do well in San Diego or somewhere in Florida.

Anonymous said...

The mall was poorly conceived and poorly executed. It is a beautiful mall which would most likely do well in San Diego or somewhere in Florida.

Which is too bad - most folks like it's different look, it is clean and bright but it is empty!

Free parking is a must to get the folks not to think 2x about coming here. Get retailers that folks and teens want to go to. Add more resturants and other forms of entertainment that folks can afford - lost an opportunity to build a bowling alley here - generates plenty of traffic - maybe give breaks on space to attract retailers. How about adding a roller/skating rink. Stop the high end schlooky rip off stores populating the mall - fill the empty store-fronts. Get creative - the property is sound, transportation is there, parking could be free - adjust radically execute on a new retailer plan.

Anonymous said...

Stop the high end schlooky rip off stores populating the mall - fill the empty store-fronts. Get creative - the property is sound, transportation is there, parking could be free - adjust radically execute on a new retailer plan.
-----

So what do you want? Jamaica Ave? Liberty Ave? Queens Blvd? Main Street? Steinway Street?

Obscure banks that speak your language and specialize in sending remittances aboard? pharmacies? 99 cent stores? pharmacies? restaurants from obscure third world countries featuring mystery meat? pharmacies? clothing stores that can dress you like a slut going to Hillcrest? phramacies?

how about a farmaica?

You guys might knock this place, but it is such a pleasant experience to go there - and its clean!

If it closes you know damn well it will be converted a teaming barracks of housing.

Anonymous said...

I love Atlas. We go everyday for coffee @ Starbucks and on Friday night we eat @ California Pizza Kitchen and then either go to a movie or Borders or both. In the summer we walk and even in the winter it's such a short drive we hardly affect the environment at all. I think this is a trial and error period and soon enough a balance of the right stores and entertainment will be obtained.

Anonymous said...

I heard Pasticcio sold to Olive Garden. It's a shame Pasticcio couldn't get enough business, it was a terrific restaurant.

Anonymous said...

this place was a joke from the start , what do you think will happen to willets point please we dont need any more of this waste

Unknown said...

Lest we forget, Starbucks will be gone by March.

I say they need an Apple Store. That place is always crowded and it has free education all day so it would be good for the community as well.

Unknown said...

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/USStoreClosureInfo.pdf

Link to the full list of Starbucks closing. Sorry I ment to put that in my last post.

Anonymous said...

Maspeth Mom says...

J. Jill is not going out of business, I asked the store manager and Shiro's is going to get small. they are giving up one hibachi room.

To joe A. --- go back to sitting on your sofa, watching TV, and shopping at Johns Bargain store, and ordering take out pizza. Apparently, this is what you prefer, you are going to get your wish-- just take a look at Metropolitan Avenue-- laundromats,99cent stores, check cashing-A sure sign of a area in decline- happy now!!!!

Trilby said...

Yeah, I have to defend the place too. It is nice, they did a good job. The location is weird, however. But the main problem is that no one is shopping for anything at this time.

The movie theater stands in for a retail anchor. It gets plenty of business. I think Atlas will survive but it will take time to find the right mix of stores that can do well there, and for the economy to pick up.

If people don't want to buy, you can't stop them.

Anonymous said...

Parking is the biggest issue. I went to Atlas Park a lot earlier this year when they had the free parking special.

However, I stopped as soon as I had to start paying for it again.

Anonymous said...

Maspeth Mom, go back to chompin' on your Dunkin' Donuts so your ass can get even bigger and please try and contribute to this dialogue with something worthwhile for a change.

Anonymous said...

Starbucks isn't closing.

Anonymous said...

The movie theatre is not enough (especially with the type of mainstream crap and kiddie movies they are showing. You think they would have at least one screen devoted to the kind of intelligent movies that would actually entice middle age people with money to go and thus see Atlas mall instead of crap like "Transformers")
What they really need is the middle of the road high volume store like a "Gap" or anything of that genre.
I only go to Atlas for the Wine shop and Borders but I hear Borders will be declaring bankruptcy and going out of business any day now.

Anonymous said...

I don't know how this place can turn itself around. I went there the other day and it was like a mausoleum.

An Apple store, as somebody suggested, would be great, but I think it's a pipe dream. They won't open in such an out-of-the-way, low-traffic location.

If they're not well-suited for a big box or department store, what about outlet stores? The discounts might attract big crowds, while sticking to name brands would let Atlas keep its 'upscale' image.

Anonymous said...

maspeth mom says..
I really like the stores at Atlas,
and the environment-- The shops might be a little bit more expensive than mall shops but right now I can afford it - but if suddenly I couldnt afford - I would;'nt start hating it because I didnt have the money to shop there.
I agree if they had free parking or $1.00 parking people would be more inclined to go.

Anonymous said...

"Starbucks isn't closing."

Follow the link and shut up.

Anonymous said...

You are all a bunch of pussies!

Gentleman Jack said...

Atlas seems to be a love it or hate it option. It's here and if it fails what do you think will become of it?

My guess it will be an empty eyesore. Given that it was industrial prior to Atlas Park opening, I doubt it could easily be converted to residential use. Besides wouldn't a sudden oversupply of housing just bring down property values?

It's an ambitious plan but sometimes plans have to be adjusted on the fly. I hope the management is making the necessary changes to keep this wonderful place open.

Anonymous said...

We told ya so Dale!

Atlas is an over blown overpriced shit hole in the middle of nowhere!

Anonymous said...

Just listen to yourselves. You're knocking your own neighborhood, asking for cheap stores, free parking as if $3 for 6 hours is expensive. I guess it is to unemployed losers who do nothing but sit at home and take pot shots at people with money because they have none. I guess Atlas is in the middle of nowhere and a shithole because that is exactly what Glendale is. The only mistake made by the Hemmerdingers was building in Glendale to try to bring a little beauty and class to a neighborhood not worth shit.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I still have a job. It's Dale who lost his as manager of Atlas...

Thanks for insulting Glendale like Dale did when he insisted on advertising it as being "next to Forest Hills".

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute, pal. Your argument that the people of Glendale didn't support the mall leading to its downfall is bullshit. This mall was targeted at Forest Hills peeps in a certain income bracket. THEY failed to support the mall. And the people who were supposed to get on all those buses that were rerouted failed to support the mall. The people who live in Glendale were ignored and that's why it isn't doing well.

Anonymous said...

As usual you are all missing the point. Glendale is insulting itself by constantly complaining about $3 parking and asking for 99 cents stores. This has nothing to do with the fact that it was advertised as being next to forest hills. Grow up. Sure marketing was poor but the mall still was in our community and the majority of the people on this site have said nothing but negative things about it and constantly tear the hemmerdingers apart. Have any of you even met Damon or spoken to him? very kind man and you should not judge someone if you don't know all the facts. This whole site is compiled of jealous , rageful people, and that is the reflection of this community. be careful what you wish for. Jamaica avenue here she comes, with all her customers.

Anonymous said...

Just heard that the ownership, maintenance and security were all put out of Atlas Park by the banks. Seems the banks are in control now.

Anonymous said...

Never heard or saw anyone asking for 99 cent stores at Atlas Park. Just a better mix of stores.

"Glendale" did not insult itself by asking for free parking. Glendale can walk to the stores. It's people who drive from outside the neighborhood that don't want to pay for parking. You know, the shoppers targeted in the ad campaigns.

Doesn't matter if Damon is a nice man or not, he failed.

Jamaica's customers wouldn't be able to go shopping at Atlas if Damon didn't have daddy reroute the Q54.

Anonymous said...

This entire site insults Glendale. It's petty and mean and comments like daddy's little boy are signs of true jealousy and sound ridiculous. You have no idea how many people he truly helped and how much personl assests were lost. Yes he failed, but he tried and intentions were always for the good of the community. Do you shop on Austin, or in Long Island. What a shame you work so hard to ensure we have nothing in Glendale. Have any of you truly worked as hard at anything in you life as you do at trashing other people?

Anonymous said...

He may have failed, but at least he tried to do something. Of course he hoped to gain, what businessman or builder do you know that would invest that amount of money for no return. This is business, clearly something most of you know nothing about. You make it sound like trying to make a profit is a crime. it is what society is based on. building business, forming jobs and sometimes failing. failure or not on this project, he is definitely not a failure as a person. All truly successful people have failed, sometimes many times in life, but they keep going. and as far as him being unemployed, you've got to be kidding. how stupid are you.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone be jealous of a guy who failed big time? If he had listened to the community, he would have been a success, but he was too hardheaded. He tried, but his best wasn't good enough. I don't know what there is to debate any longer. The past is prologue. Hopefully, the best is yet to come for Atlas Park.

Anonymous said...

Truely successful people are never failures. They just get up and keep trying. The only failures I see are the ones on this site who probably never took a risk or tried to achieve a dream in their life. Damon is not a failure. Success is taking risks and using your drive to achieve great things and Damon will continue to do so. You on the other hand will probably be doing nothing more with your life than complain and make negative comments about people that actually have heart.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe the stores are overpriced (except for Stella Giala (sp?) it carries merchandise that belongs in Bloomingdale's and your average shopper will not pay for it and when something goes on sale, only a small discount is given). I just feel they are the wrong mix of clothing stores. Atlas needs a GAP or Banana Republic; entertainment like a real ice skating rink. The new owners should ask for comments from the people who frequent the park.

Anonymous said...

I tried shopping at atlas Park when it first opened. The stores were WAY overpriced and the merchandise was low end to average. I went again Sunday March 8th (looking for two bikes and shoes). The prices on the bikes were almost DOUBLE the average I have searches for the last week. My wife visited two shoe stores and both had dusty low end merchandise that was "On sale" and still about 25% to 50% higher then she normally pays, The selection can best be summed up by saying that she has more shoes in her closet then was on the walls in BOTH stores. The merchandise was dirty and dusty and looked like they were worn home at the end of the day. We had lunch at the Oktoberfest were we spent $32.00 on Two hot pastrami sandwiches and two iced teas. Way overpriced for the serving size and food quality. It was basically Deli fare at a high end restaurant price. The Amish market is about the only place we enjoy and my wife shops there often. The movie theater is great but don't waste your time seeing The Watchmen, we walked out after about an hour. Worst, confused movie I ever saw. We decided to salvage the day and visit Dicks sporting goods on L.I.

Anonymous said...

Flushing will have a new shopping mall with Target, Marshall's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy and a local supermarket, Sky Foods, will join BJ's Wholesale Club and Best Buy, which opened this year. This mall is located at Roosevelt Ave & College Point Blvd inside the new building called Sky View Parc

Anonymous said...

I believe its because of expensive store rent..
Will any businessman do a business in a desert??
Comeon whoever runs the business...
I would suggest you to do smarter way:
1. Reduce the rent
2. Reduce the expense of employees and especially cleaner every saturday. Call them once a week.
3. Have more advertisement
4. Stop running elevator whole night and turn off the AC at the place where it is not needed.

To be honest, we need to place like Atlas park to hang out because i feels like out of state.

Elhmurst guy