High rise likely to replace thrift shop

From the Times Ledger:

A popular thrift shop in Astoria, which raises money for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and alcoholics, is closing next month and currently selling its inventory of restored furniture, antiques and clothing for 50 percent off.

Nook n’ Crannie, at 29-18 Ditmars Blvd., has operated as the principal ministry of Betel America Church of Astoria. Many of the residents of the church’s rehab center have worked at the store in the last seven years, doing furniture restoration and deliveries.

Betel of America opted to sell its property on 4th Street and move the entire operation to the Southeast, most likely to North Carolina or Virginia.

“The board of directors couldn’t say no to the money that land developers have offered for the property,” Executive Director David Tepper said. “Large parts of the riverfront are being sold off to developers. We love the neighborhood — they’ve been good to us — but it gets to the point where it’s a no-brainer with all the cash involved, especially considering what we do.”

Dirty goods, sold dirt cheap

I've been reading your blog for some time and I wanted to reach out to you about some 'Queens Crap' in my neighborhood.

The Attic Hour Children Thrift shop at 35-53 Crescent Street (between 35&36 ave) is just plain VILE. Constant filth and trash on the sidewalk, clear fire hazard inside the shop, chronic double parking by patrons and their work truck, then to top it off, nasty attitudes when you'd like them to move their vehicles. Sometimes, they even place their trash on the street to 'reserve' parking, cones/chairs etc. People drop their trash off after hours, then the homeless dig through it spewing the left overs all over the sidewalk. I've lived on this street for years, and love it until this nasty place came in. The turning point for me to complain to the city was the FILTHY mattress that looked like it was laced with bedbugs. After I called 311 to complain it seemed to get better. So I let it go. Now they hired a crew to come and CRUSH left over furniture, console TV's and garbage between 3-5am!!!!! EVERY weeknight.

To try and keep this email brief, I have started a blog detailing the shop's misbehavings. (35block.com) You clearly have a very well defined and read blog and I was wondering if you could cover this place.

Also, any pointers on where to turn for help with this I would appreciate.

Cheers

- Sandra Soroka