From the Times Ledger:
Bayside bar and restaurant First Edition closed this week after 61 years on Bell Boulevard due to a loss in business, according to a sign posted in the eatery’s window.
The restaurant, located at 41-08 Bell Blvd. near the Long Island Rail Road station, thanked its loyal customers and posted a sign in the window that read “after serving the Bayside community for the past 61 years, First Edition has been forced to close our doors due to declining business brought on by the economic conditions of the past year.”
First Edition was primarily a sports bar, but it also served food, including wraps, sandwiches, pasta and gourmet pizzas.
-- Nathan Duke
54 comments:
Their subpar food made them close. Sorry, I had gone there a number of times, esoecially when I lived close. But the service and food quality seriously deteriorated.
Sorry, bye bye.
Service and food quality usually declines after business starts to decline. You can no longer afford to pay the good help.
"Anonymous said...
Service and food quality usually declines after business starts to decline. You can no longer afford to pay the good help."
Fools and amateurs do things that way.
I go past there 2-3 times/mo the clientele was mostly low-brow whigger slugs. You'd sometimes see them peeing on the LIRR stairs. A number of that type of place blight Bell..one less isn't going to hurt.
The only people I feel sorry about are the workers. What is really telling about the greater economy is that we are now seeing people come into our locations dressed in suits and ties looking for waiter or kitchen positions.
Some managers have been hiring people they don't need and splitting shifts to employ these folks..some of whom used to be good customers. I am not totally comfortable about this, but most of our manager/owners have decades of experience and I can't interfere. Its a scary time all around.
This is good for the quality of life for the immediate area, bunch of drunks hang out there.
Bars are usually where you find drinkers...
I hadn't been there in many years, but I'm sad to see a mainstay leave.
And if you don't like what's there now, you may hate whatever replaces it.
I worked at First Edition 10 years ago. I cant say that they will be sorely missed becuase other then the fact that you could watch any sport game there any night of the week, there was nothing specila about First Edition and it was actually subpar but they did take care of their employees. They had a full magement staff and never discriminated over age or race and if you spent more then a year with them you were family, dysfunctional or not.
Truthfully, it is a sign of the times.
So, what I'm reading is that inspite of the headline that this place had been there 61 years (implying that it's passing is a great loss), the place had become a blight in the past few years. Good riddance.
A blight? I think not. Unless every neighborhood pub is a blight. It was no better or worse than any other.
The problem with a lot of those Bell Blvd. restaurants is that they think they're located in Manhattan...overated food and ultra prices.
I'll bet Donovan's will be next.
I still prefer Monahan and Fitzgerald.
I'll bet Donovan's will be next.
I sure hope so! there are plenty of crappy bars in Woodside
It's sad to see another empty store on Bell Blvd. For many years I held monthly political meetings on the second floor of First Edition. Management and staff were always great to us. During my City Council campaign I was the only one talking about the deterioration of our shopping districts: http://tinyurl.com/4108bell
We still need to focus on this issue. Empty stores lead to blight and crime. Thriving stores mean healthy local neighborhoods and jobs!
this just goes to show how the economy really is politicians tell us things are better but look at the reality here, pubs are places where the common guy guys to relax after a days work , alot of the patrons where in the construction field, there are no construction jobs left in the city the blue collar guy can no longer afford to even go to the pub and afford it. things are bad out there bars and pubs are closing all over the state just placed huge taxes and fees on small owners that they can not afford. the state just made it mandatory that every business in the sate get a new tax id card at a fee of $100 this is teh first time ever they did this , add this up with the other fees a fee ta have an awning , a fee to have a lighted sign, a special tax if u have a commercial vehice on top of higher commercial registration fees for that vehicle, permit for the dumpster teh fess go on and on and now property tax increases its impossible for the small guy to stay just look at woodhaven bl. its empty
But Timothy Geithner gave billions of our tax dollars to Wall Street banks so they can create jobs!...What a joke! Someone needs to bailout our small business owners. Small businesses create up to 80% of new jobs created in our economy.
---Low-brow whigger slugs.
Yep, I noticed that in the past 2 years. That place was always PACKED !!
Donovan's is already gone I was there the night people got word.
Old man Donovan himself said his own kids (like most today) didnt want to work hard and most the Irish that were working the food and service industry made there $$ and went home.
The same 2 partners that took over Louies in Port Washington bought it. (now $9 drinks $20 Hamburgers plates)
I don’t know what’s become of it and the whore house next door upstairs.
Bayside has changed I go to KC's one and a wile, cheap drinks, good jukebox.
Lots of off duty cops hang out there don’t have to deal look at Wiggers & Mextizos
they can care less about small business its a shame
Steve Behar "held monthly political meetings on the second floor for years" ?
with whom ?
The voices in his head ?
what is this nut Behar talking about ?
was halloran up there with him praying to a bowl of romaine lettuce ?
I think "Ghostowns" of commercial property are on the way.
There is no stopping it.
I just got back to Manhassset. Word is people are fighting with landlords who still want to raise rents.
Polo Lounge and Manhasset Sports recently went down due to crazy rents
The landlords are no longer bluebloods but real estate companys on Plandome road.
These greedy pricks claim if a property is not rented "good" they dont care and and can make MORE $$ on it with less headaches.
The same is going on in Baker Hill Great Neck where Iranians and Bukrahs baught all the Real Estate offices.
These folks even drill hole in the roofs and foundations so rats and animals can live inside
Does this make sense, make $$$ by letting buildings rot?
its such a shame to see this happening ant our elected officials dong give 2 craps about the common person all they care about is big business
More jobs lost to 8 years of George Bush economics
i have owned a business for over 30 years its only in the past 3 months have i ever seen business get so bad in maspeth its scary look how quiet grand ave is nowadays its like a ghost town
They had great wings and the prices weren't sky high like other places on Bell.
It might not have been the most upscale or cleanest but it was still a nice place to go grab some wings and watch a game.
Whats sad is something more 'hip' and expensive like Press 195 across the street will take its place. (not that anything is wrong with press... amazing food.. just overpriced for Bayside in my opinion)
I still prefer Monahan and Fitzgerald.
You couldn't pay me to eat there. I was served a pint there that smelled like a dirty mop. Bartender didn't care.
I sure hope so! there are plenty of crappy bars in Woodside
They're referring to Donovan's in Bayside - since this is an item about Bayside. Don't participate in a convo you can't keep up with just for the sake of saying something "witty."
Donovan's is already gone I was there the night people got word.
Really? I was there last night. Seeing how most of what you said doesn't make much sense, I don't expect much from you. (It's "once in a while" not "once and a wile".)
they can care less about small business its a shame
Who is "they?"
First Edition's food was crappy, and their clientele hanging out outside kept people from going there to eat the bad food they were serving.
Joe said:
". . . . . Donovans is already gone . . . . "
Donovans is GONE - meaning GONE!!?
oh noooooo - and the one in Woodside?
Really? I was there last night. Seeing how most of what you said doesn't make much sense, I don't expect much from you.
Must have missed this:
"The same 2 partners that took over Louies in Port Washington bought it."
Looks like the previous commenter needs some reading lessons himself. Pot calling kettle black!
I agree with Anon#1 - I went in there a couple of times, found the food overpriced and sub par
"they" are politicians stimulas money was supposed to support business the banks took that money and used it to write off bad credits not where it was supposed to go. "they" are the the state and city more and more surcharges while giving big companies incentives such as tax breaks and employee tax credits but the small business gets nothing "they" are our elected politicians who **ck the small guy every chance they get i hope that answers ur question as to who "they" are
Bar Blv'd. AKA Bell Bl'vd. is no great shakes as a commercial district.
Remember those shootings that occurred about 20 years ago?
Then there were the more recent beatings of some Korean men about 2 years ago!
And what about those horny older women looking to get lucky on Friday nights.
A real class street!
Face it....Bay Terrace has eclipsed Bell.
And they ain't doing so great compared to years ago.
No expendable cash for consumers to throw around like they used to in better times.
It'll soon become Main Street Flushing.
Ya mean it's going to get "blighted" like Flushing Mr. Behar?
Shopping centers and big box stores are killing Main streets all over the country. Little old stores are doomed.
The rents are ridiculously high on Bell so how can anybody expect to make a living unless they own the building.
Heh, heh, heh....why not build "Luxury" condos on Bell? (GAG)!
Hold on guys do you really think thats Donovans because the letters or some newspaper says it is ?
I dont care what the 2 yuppies who baught (and gutted) the place now call it. Like some of the stuff on th emenue "latte" "Sole Francais" "Orecchiette Pasta" Give me a break !!!
Its now another expensive upscale yuppie transplant joint using the Donovan name.
Just like Louie's (I call it Divorce Court) in Port Washington, same owners BTW
-Joe
BTW:
I know old man Donovan for years from Woodside.
I used to play rock music at Finnigans Rainbow Room (R.I.P)and run across the street to eat & drink at his place during breaks in the 70's.
Finnigan was to cheap to give us anything.
-Joe
"Chesters" closed. Why?
Good food but sky high Manhattan prices.
I wanted to drop in there for a bite but after I looked at the menu I opted to take the LIRR into the city and go to one of my favorite spots instead..."Cafe Colonial" on Houston Street.
Had a great meal and with the train fare included it actually ran less than eating on Bell Bl'vd.
How many bars can the area support?
Even the habitual drunks are spending less these days.
Donavans was gone over 2 years ago
http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2007/05/bayside-donovans-not-closing.html
Read some of the comments:
"Even the habitual drunks are spending less these days."
Have you been to Bell recently on a Thur through Sat night? Some bars are packed. Business aint hurting.. I'll tell you that..
i am a 4to7 pm patron of Monahan & Fitzgerald's & Maggie Mays. they both have excellent service.we seniors get treated with respect,from the young employees.
M & F has the best satellite music & sound system in the area.
M.M's serves good food at sensible cost,and if you are late can get a good burger platter for $3.00. at 10pm.
M & F has sports monitors located, so that you can watch two N.C.A.A. tournament games easily.
i drank at the First Edition many years ago and was satisfied with the service.
the unmarked n.y.p.d.(in cabs ,black window SUV's etc.) D.U.I. squads, must be stopping bar patrons from visiting Bell Blvd. they had a field day on the World Series final game. great move by the 111pct.????
both pubs give us seniors an outlet for some B/S.
BTW M&M's ladies softball team won their division championship,two years in a row. they really are a classy team.
Get the hint people. Neighborhood businesses are going by the waste side. More room for big box stores and chains. Has anyone noticed that prices in chains like Dunkin Donuts, etc.. are more expensive than your neighborhood mom and pops?
I've been a regular patron at First Edition for the past few years. The service was great depending on the waitress. Some were better than others, just like at any place. The bbq wings and the bison burgers were the best around. EVeryone I know enjoyed meeting up here. Plus First Edition was the only place that had the NHL package. No other bar on bell shows hockey at all.
When Donovon's of Bayside was sold and rennovated 2 years ago, we stopped going there. The prices skyrockted and the atmosphere went to hell.
"the unmarked n.y.p.d.(in cabs ,black window SUV's etc.) D.U.I. squads, must be stopping bar patrons from visiting Bell Blvd."
This is a major issue that is keeping a lot of people away. If the 111 wants to patrol Bell with uniformed people and cars, fine. But stop with all the undercover garbage. The worst thing that happens on Bell is the occasional drunk argument/fight.
"The same 2 partners that took over Louies in Port Washington bought it."
Looks like the previous commenter needs some reading lessons himself. Pot calling kettle black!
That has nothing to do with it being "gone." The previous owner chose to sell. BIG difference.
the unmarked n.y.p.d.(in cabs ,black window SUV's etc.) D.U.I. squads, must be stopping bar patrons from visiting Bell Blvd. they had a field day on the World Series final game. great move by the 111pct.????
So the NYPD should have let all the drunks just run rampant instead? You are a world class jerkoff, pal. I hope it's your useless ass that gets run over by a DUI.
"That has nothing to do with it being "gone." The previous owner chose to sell. BIG difference."
No, there is no difference. If it's no longer the same experience, if the place has changed so much but changed the name, it is in fact GONE.
The idiot who blames this on 8 years of Bush economics is an idiot. The WORST thing that happened to our economy, that caused this mess, was Clinton's repeal of the Glass Speagel Act. When this was done, the Wall Street Journal and NY Times, and many other outlets reported that this one single act would cause a collapse in our Housing Market and a credit crisis. Guess what, they were right.
Sad to see it go only because it was there forever. BUT in the last 10 years, their food has become disgusting and their drinks were a fortune! Sorry but at $6 or $7 a beer and no buybacks I'm going elesewhere. The ladies room was way too small to turn around in.
Most of all, the place had sky high prices and was always packed so the only way it could go out of business must be mismanagement.
No, there is no difference. If it's no longer the same experience, if the place has changed so much but changed the name, it is in fact GONE.
Again, yes there IS a difference. When an owner chooses to sell their business, they have no control over what happens after the sale. The issue at hand here (the demise of First Edition due to the economy) IS DIFFERENT than a business changing after a new owner takes over. The majority of Donovan's patrons don't know or care that it's owned by someone other than it was a few years ago.
Aside from that, the new owner of Donovan's must be doing something right since they're still there and First Edition isn't. Seems to me First Edition is the one that's GONE.
Only a matter of time before Donovan's closes too.
Betcha it doesn't last a year.
First Edition had an outrageous rent the people who own Donovan's bought the building.
I think it was 3 or 4 million.
It could be the landlord wants to rent to Applebees or some chain for more $$$.
Bayside changed drastically, to many foreigners no longer the same social circle.
To add you can no longer eat out, you don’t know who is handling your food.
1/2 the foreign nationals working back kitchens in these places have no health cards and carry bad 3rd world respiratory diseases like TB and Pig Flu.
--No thanks
I do White Castle thats about it, you can see how your murder burgers are being handled.
All the Pizza in Bell sucks now, you get re-heated dried up slices almost all the time
-Joe said...
First Edition had an outrageous rent the people who own Donovan's bought the building.
I think it was 3 or 4 million.
It could be the landlord wants to rent to Applebees or some chain for more $$$.
Joe is incorrect. The family that owned First Edition for 61 years (the father who passed away decades ago left it to his two sons Ricky & Bobby) also owned the property and still does, although they are obviously going to be selling soon.
No, there is no difference. If it's no longer the same experience, if the place has changed so much but changed the name, it is in fact GONE.
-----------------------------------
Agreed. I don't care if they kept the old name, it just isn't Donovan's anymore.
I used to play rock music at Finnigans Rainbow Room (R.I.P)and run across the street to eat & drink at his place during breaks in the 70's.
Finnigan was to cheap to give us anything.
-----------------------------------
You would think that with the money they made with their "bathroom buiseness", that they would be able to afford pouring the band a few drinks on the house.
They mismanaged and let it go down. cockroaches on the table....good riddance ....disgusting place with horrible food First Edition went bad when the two sons Rick and Robert took over the business. They were never there and ran the business into the ground. They were given the business when the father retired and inherited the building from him. They never paid any rent.
Still no place on bell with better/cheaper food.
Anonymous said...
who bought the property and for how much did it sell for?
I just want to say that this is not a single restaurant which closed down after incurring losses. I have seen many old business doing the same. The main reason behind this could be the management and their policies which could not withstand the recession.
The place wasn't the nicest or classiest by the time it closed but it had the BEST wings and it had character. The problem was the owner... never implemented drink specials or bought a new tv since the 90's he let it die.
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