Is it time for panic buttons at bodegas?

From PIX11:

Several bodega owners rallied in the Bronx on Tuesday, calling for panic buttons to help them reach police during emergencies.

The rally was held outside Wascar Guerrero’s deli on Shakespeare Avenue. Two weeks ago he chased away a group of teenagers with a metal pipe. Guerrero believes they were trying to rob his store.

“I have to protect me and my customers too," he said.

Guerrero says it took police more than half an hour to respond.

Bike lane stupidity claims 73-year old business

From Forest Hills Post:

Ben’s Best, the Kosher deli that has been located in Rego Park for nearly 75 years, is closing.

The owner of the 96-40 Queens Blvd. establishment made the announcement on the restaurant’s website yesterday.

“Regretfully, after seventy-three wonderful years, Ben’s Best will be closing its doors on Saturday June 30,” the deli announced. “We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us and we hope to see you one last time.”

The deli is owned by Jay Parker, whose father Benjamin opened the famed deli in 1945. The deli is known for its old-fashioned pastrami, matzo ball soup and fresh rye bread.

The deli has struggled in recent times, with Parker attributing much of the decline to the Department of Transportation’s installation of protected bicycle lanes on Queens Boulevard, which required the reduction of parking spaces.

Carnegie Deli has illegal gas hookup

From the Daily News:

On Friday, officials discovered an illegal hookup in the basement at Carnegie Deli, officials said. The owners, 854 Carnegie Real Estate Corp., were cited for “work without a permit — illegal gas connection to Carnegie Deli,” documents show.

The department discovered “new gas piping fittings, hangers to commercial cooking,” the records state. Sources familiar with the matter said it appeared the device tampered with the meter and allowed owners to lower their bills.

Inside the shuttered restaurant, a man who identified himself as a manager declined to comment.

The First Ever Jamaica Cleanup Protest, part 2

Continuing the tour of the 1st Jamaica Clean-Up Protest on Saturday, June 29th, not only reveals a very dark side, South Jamaica, but how totally ineffective our elected leaders have been in dealing with the horrendous quality of life garbage problem.

As we begin to make our way toward South Jamaica and then eventually to the downtown area, we encounter some sights that look as if we are in some third world shit hole, not one of the richest cities in the world and as Mikey Bloomberg likes to state, “New York City, the greatest city in the world.” Hey Mike, come out to Jamaica, specifically South Jamaica and see what is going on.

Fine mess for Forest Hills shops

From the Daily News:

A couple of missing muffin labels could end up costing bagel shop owner Matt Davidov a whole lot of dough.

Davidov said he is facing hundreds of dollars in fines because city inspectors cited him for failing to place manufacturing information on several wrapped cakes and for not posting a refund policy inside his Forest Hills shop.

“Who posts a refund policy in a deli?” he asked. “If someone complains, I will replace it for them.”

The fines totalled $2,300 but the city offered to settle for $675.

Shopowners in Queens, already squeezed by high rents and a shaky economy, say the city is treating them like cash cows, slapping them with frivolous fines.
But city officials noted that New Yorkers depend on inspectors to protect them.

Some Forest Hills mom-and-pop shops said they feel especially targeted in recent months by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Jim Hartofilis, owner of Dana’s Flower Shop on Queens Blvd., said an inspector walked into his store last month as he was setting out a new bucket of bouquets.
Before he had a chance to put the pricetags on, he was delayed by a phone order. The next thing he knew he was handed a violation that comes with a $500 fine.

The inspector also cited him for missing price signs on an outdoor plant display.

“The wind must have blown it away,” Hartofilis said. “This was ridiculous.”

The ticket came with a cruel twist. If he wants to challenge it, his court date would on Valentine’s Day — the busiest day on the floral shop calendar.
If he pleads guilty by mail, he gets a reduced fine of $250.

Fresh Direct deal's collateral damage

From the Daily News:

Fresh Direct’s government-subsidized move to the Bronx could spell the end to one Queens businessman’s American dream.

Gus Kaloudis, 36, poured his life savings into the New York Deli in Long Island City when he bought it three years ago. The busy eatery seemed like it would be a dependable cash cow since it was the only nearby lunch joint for Fresh Direct and other workers in the industrial area.

But when news hit that the online grocer would pack up and move to the Bronx in 2015, Kaloudis, a father of three, knew his livelihood was in jeopardy.

“How would you feel if 50% of your customer base disappeared,” he said in between ringing up customers at his Borden Ave. deli.

“I haven’t been able to catch my breath.”

He doesn’t know how he will stay afloat without Fresh Direct drivers, corporate staffers and vendors stopping by his store every day for their morning newspaper or a pack of cigarettes.

When Blockbuster goes bust

"How do I get someone to write a story about a new store at 253-06 Hillside Avenue in Queens. This store recently opened on our block. The store is a 24 hour grocery store. The owners of the store took over a closed Blockbuster video and tried to construct a large grocery store in the size of a mom and pop deli. They illegally constructed this store without any city permits or licenses. Now the store is operating and the quality of life on the block has been destroyed. While illegally increasing the size of the building, they have also decreased the size of their parking lot. They have created a very dangerous condition for both vehicles and pedestrians. Cars and trucks can enter the lot but the only way out is to back into traffic on Hillside Ave or drive on the sidewalk and use the crosswalk cutout to exit. My neighbors and myself have made many complaints to the city. Most of these complaints have been returned resolved with the explanation no violation warranted at time of inspection. If the city had actually inspected this store when complaints were made during construction, we would not have the problem we have today. I haven’t listed all the issues with this store but would love to explain them all, to anyone who can either help or listen.

I have been a New Yorker for many years and have lived on this block over 20. I am not anti-change, I see what’s happening on this block and it’s frustrating and wrong.

If you have any advise or can help it would be appreciated, thank you."

- John

Records show that they just applied to change the C of O yesterday!

Murder at Laurelton deli

From NBC:

A deli owner is dead after he was shot in the head during a robbery in New York City.The armed holdup happened shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday at a deli on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. Police responded to a 911 call and found 54-year-old Juan Torres unconscious with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are seeking the gunman.

Visiting Ben's Best

Sparks Deli makes the grade

From the NY Post:

A deli in Queens gets New York City’s first A for food safety.

The city rolled out its new system of awarding letter grades to restaurants Wednesday. Health Commissioner Thomas Farley presented an A to Spark’s Deli in Long Island City.

Deli owner Jose Araujo says he’s proud to see the A in his window.

The city awards grades based on cleanliness and whether food is kept at the right temperature. Restaurants that don’t earn an A the first time will be given a chance to bring their grade up before they must display a B or a C.

Farley says most restaurants maintain good conditions, but lapses in food safety can cause preventable illnesses.

Surprised that Borden Ave bridge project hasn't killed them completely.

Meanwhile, ethnic restaurateurs are concerned that they will fail inspection.

Have you seen this thug?

From NY1:

Police released surveillance pictures Friday of a man they say robbed a Queens deli.

Authorities say the suspect struck the Francisco Deli on 157th Street in Whitestone on Monday night.

The suspect is described as approximately 18 years old, 5-feet-10-inches tall and 160 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.