Antique Lover's Dream On Continental Avenue In Queens
When most New Yorkers think about antiquing, many associate it with a trip to the suburbs. But that’s because they probably don't know about a well-kept secret in Queens
“We have a variety of antique shops and they are all in close proximity,” said Rosemarie Lacovone, the president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “So when you are shopping and antiquing on the weekend, which is the usual thing, you can go from store to store to store. They are all within a three to four block area, and there are a lot of them.”
It may be part of New York City, but Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills has all the elements of a small town – charm, character and lots of antique shops.
“We have everything from furniture to china to bric-a-brac to giftware,” said Lacovone. “You can’t imagine how much stuff is inside this four-block area.”
Along the stretch between Continental Avenue and 72nd Road lies an antique lover’s dream – at least half a dozen stores filled with everything vintage. In the quaint setting, shoppers can spend the day shopping for old gems. And if they can't find what they want in one store, chances are it’s waiting in another.
Aside from variety, another great thing about Metro Avenue is that store owners are not paying Manhattan rents, and that savings is reflected in the prices
“We get a lot of dealers from Manhattan. A lot of Manhattan store owners who come here and buy from us,” said Mel Laube, a store owner. “A lot of people come here with their friends in the area and say ‘Oh my God, I saw this in the city and it was three times as much.”
In addition to the price tags, the accessibility also makes the neighborhood a treasure.
“I’ve done some traveling to different places that have antique shops,” said Elizabeth Cole, a recent customer. “What I like about this area is that it is so easily accessible. I can do it on a regular basis.”
All the shopkeepers in the area said they work together, promoting the street, not just the individual stores. They advertise together and often hold sidewalk sales.
So even if you're there to hunt for antiques, the one thing you're sure to find on Metropolitan Avenue is a taste of small town New York City.
“We have a variety of antique shops and they are all in close proximity,” said Rosemarie Lacovone, the president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “So when you are shopping and antiquing on the weekend, which is the usual thing, you can go from store to store to store. They are all within a three to four block area, and there are a lot of them.”
It may be part of New York City, but Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills has all the elements of a small town – charm, character and lots of antique shops.
“We have everything from furniture to china to bric-a-brac to giftware,” said Lacovone. “You can’t imagine how much stuff is inside this four-block area.”
Along the stretch between Continental Avenue and 72nd Road lies an antique lover’s dream – at least half a dozen stores filled with everything vintage. In the quaint setting, shoppers can spend the day shopping for old gems. And if they can't find what they want in one store, chances are it’s waiting in another.
Aside from variety, another great thing about Metro Avenue is that store owners are not paying Manhattan rents, and that savings is reflected in the prices
“We get a lot of dealers from Manhattan. A lot of Manhattan store owners who come here and buy from us,” said Mel Laube, a store owner. “A lot of people come here with their friends in the area and say ‘Oh my God, I saw this in the city and it was three times as much.”
In addition to the price tags, the accessibility also makes the neighborhood a treasure.
“I’ve done some traveling to different places that have antique shops,” said Elizabeth Cole, a recent customer. “What I like about this area is that it is so easily accessible. I can do it on a regular basis.”
All the shopkeepers in the area said they work together, promoting the street, not just the individual stores. They advertise together and often hold sidewalk sales.
So even if you're there to hunt for antiques, the one thing you're sure to find on Metropolitan Avenue is a taste of small town New York City.
