Saturday, December 21, 2013

Stoa Jewelry To Close on December 31st - Mourning The Loss of A Neighborhood Institution

Rena Monogenis, co-owner of Stoa Jewelry
We are saddened to report that Stoa Jewelry at 71-60 Austin St, one of Forest Hills' last old-time mom & pop shops is closing after 45 years on December 31st. This is the story of Rena Monogenis and Marie Sinanian, which I had the privilege of writing last March: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/22084561/article-Personalization-spans-generations-at-Stoa-Jewelry


The heart of Forest Hills can be found along Austin Street, which was once dotted with both simple and upscale mom and pop shops, reminiscent of a small town. Today, much has changed with the rise of some large corporations, often occupying a few storefronts, but the business district retains its Tudor village and Colonial charm. Nestled between that charm is a gem, where multi-generational patrons come upon a recessed flagstone entryway, sided by tastefully decorated window displays under a rustic wooden sign which reads, “Stoa Jewelry.”  


Enter Stoa at 71-60 Austin Street, and whether you are a longtime or new patron, you will be greeted with a smile and the amiable demeanor of business owners Marie Sinanian (founder) and Rena Monogenis. They have been giving their heart to the community for nearly 45 years, by offering custom-produced jewelry, as well as art from local artists.

Making our way inside, the rustic charm continues with wood and glass wall and counter displays of custom-made jewelry, high ceilings bearing accent lights on artwork, a rugged plaster wall finish, and wood plank floors. Classical music adds to the gallery ambiance.

Customization is a dominant aspect of Stoa’s mission. “We design every type of jewelry that can be worn, from looks that are classic to way out there,” said Monogenis.  Jewelry is hand-crafted in sterling silver or gold, among other materials. Jewelry was originally produced in the back of the shop, but now the owners sketch the designs by hand and it is custom-made off premise by local and international artists. She stated, “If you want cufflinks and you have the design, we can execute the design, but if you want us to design it, we can from scratch.” 


 A notable custom-made design is a sterling silver barbell pendant, where the weight actually fluctuates. A sculptor from Germany designed a universe-inspired abstract sphere comprised of sterling silver rings with a single gold bead. It collapses and expands, and can be worn as a bracelet. Monogenis added, “If you wanted to create your own family crest, you would tell us what elements are very important to your family, and then we would design it using symbols.”



Customers often refer local artists to Stoa, and the owners fulfill their mission to the community by selling their work, which ranges from classical to abstract. Currently, paintings from 3 local artists are being offered. Earnings are shared between Stoa and the artist.

Sinanian emigrated from Athens, Greece with her family in 1962, and settled in Forest Hills. Monogenis originated from Manhattan, and at age 8 in 1950, made a move to Forest Hills. Both are Forest Hills residents to this day. In 1968, Sinanian began working for her brother-in-law, who once owned Lorilil Jewelers on Continental Avenue. After learning the business first-hand, she took the initiative in 1972 to open her own jewelry shop on Austin Street, known as “A Bit Outre.” Monogenis, then an employee of Chemical Bank, decided to change her career path not long after befriending Sinanian. She took some jewelry design classes at the 92nd street Y. Sharing a mutual vision, their friendship evolved into a business partnership, and on October 2, 1976, they welcomed their community to Stoa Jewelry.

It may be hard to grasp that the jewelry business was neither owner’s childhood dream, but now it is their niche. Monogenis who first envisioned being a clothing designer at an atelier at age 11, attributes part of their success to a balance between their work styles. “I work more from the heart, whereas Marie works more from the mind,” she stated. 

Stoa was originally situated somewhat west on Austin Street, in a portion of what is now Victoria’s Secret. Sinanian coined the business name due to the large recessed storefront’s configuration, which resembled a portico or arcade in Greek culture. Monogenis explained, “A stoa was an ancient structure that was long and narrow, had columns and a roof, and was the town center where markets and meetings took place and people would sit and think.”

When asked how she felt being one of the last Austin Street mom and pop shops, she responded, “I feel truly wonderful, and I must say that after all these years, we have been blessed with wonderful customers who have become friends.” She then reminisced about yesteryear’s well-known mom and pop shops in close proximity. They were Buster Brown Shoes, Homestead Gourmet Shop, Beau Brummel (clothing), Koch and Nord Delicacies, Horn & Hardart, Towne Shepherd (an influential hair salon), Thorn & Thistle (florist), Ina’s (millinery shop), and Madeline Begg, which she described as an exquisite dress shop owned by her neighbor.      

Throughout the years, Stoa’s clientele included notables such as Geraldine Ferraro, former professional tennis player Renée Richards, Dennis Hevesi, and judges. Within Stoa’s walls, countless memories are harbored relating to the relationship between the owners and patrons, on the basis of the character of the owners and that of which extends into their custom-made jewelry. This contributes to stories ranging from humorous to heart-warming. For example, a long-standing American craftswoman from Maine named Peggy Johnson, worked with Stoa to produce a sterling silver necklace with copper and stone accents, and dangling kitchen pots and utensils as a focal point. Monogenis explained, “A man came into our shop and purchased it for his wife. When he returned, he said the rest of his life won’t be the same, since he will never be able to give his wife another gift that she would enjoy as much.”

A heart-warming story followed. She explained, “We designed a necklace for a woman who is the mother of the bride, and based it on the dress she planned to wear at the wedding. She was thrilled, and thanked us with a photo of her outfit during the wedding.”

As for younger generations hoping to launch a jewelry and art business, Monogenis offered some pointers. “Follow your dream. If it is a true love, that will make your entire life a lot easier. Especially since we are in poor economic times, start small.” Referring to her experience, she added, “We could have expanded way back when, but we felt good with this size, which our customers helped accomplish. I don’t believe that success is measured strictly by money.”

On a Saturday afternoon, 10 year-old local patron Ian Fried and his mother engaged in conversation with Monogenis. He was impressed when he learned about Stoa’s custom-made mission. Some items reminded him about his recent interest in collecting antiques, but only time will tell if it will unfold into his niche. “It’s my first time here, and it’s a very artistic store,” he stated. His mother first shopped at Stoa in 1990, and now the younger generation is being introduced. Fried said, “I always pictured these pieces as old-fashioned items from the early to mid-industrial revolution, but now this has given me a whole new light on antiques and how they are made.”

Monogenis attests, “Customers over the years become the mamas, the papas, and an acquired family,” and added, “They know if they need a place to sit, rest, and socialize over coffee, they can come to us.” 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

New York State Pavilion Documentary & Preservation Cause Underway


Painting of the New York State Pavilion of the 1964 World's Fair by Artist Doug LeBlang of Forest Hills, NY, December 2013: http://dougleblangartist.com


Remember when New Yorkers rallied with “Save Penn Station” signs, only to witness each strike of the wrecking ball? How about when other monumental buildings such as Grand Central Terminal and Carnegie Hall were on the brink of demolition, until the heroic acts of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Isaac Stern respectively proved otherwise? It is difficult to grasp how sites, once applauded for their architectural and cultural distinction are all too often neglected, abandoned, and demolished. 



Now a debate is unfolding, to determine whether the New York State Pavilion, a symbol of the 1964 – 1965 NY World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park should be restored for a new use at $72 million, be stabilized as a ruin for $43 million, or undergo demolition for $14 million.



As the Fair approaches its 50th anniversary in 2014, the NYS Pavilion is largely fenced off from the public and plagued with rust, algae, weeds, and occasional graffiti. Situated at the geographical center of Queens, its potential exceeds a relic earning a glance from the Grand Central Parkway.



Meet 28 year-old Matthew Silva, a technology and video production teacher of East Northport, who founded the nearly 1,700 member Facebook group, “People For The New York State Pavilion.” The group’s mission is “To share thoughts and images of and about the NYS Pavilion, and to establish a community of activism for the effort of making it a usable and thriving space for New York.” 

Documentary Producer & Founder of People For The Pavilion, Matthew Silva (on left), Photo courtesy of Mitch Silverstein 
 The NYS Pavilion, an experimental-spirited Modernist creation of reinforced concrete and steel by the famed 20th century architect Philip Johnson, consists of the Tent of Tomorrow, three Observation Towers, and Theaterama (now the Queens Theatre). “It is the Eiffel Tower of Queens, and it wouldn’t feel like Queens if you drove on the Grand Central Parkway and didn’t see those towers in Flushing Meadows Park,” said Silva. 

May the sun shine again at the Tent of Tomorrow, December 2013 Photo by Michael Perlman

Flushing Meadows witnessed over 51.6 million visitors during the 1964 World's Fair & the NYS Pavilion was its symbol. Now the site has a "Do Not Enter" feel due to political inactivity. Let's reverse that! December 2013 Photo by Michael Perlman

The Fair’s theme was “Peace Through Understanding,” evident in the landmarked Unisphere and pavilions which rejoiced international culture and innovative American products of electronics, livelihood, and transportation. The master builder was Robert Moses, 58 countries were represented, and 51,607,307 visitors were recorded.


Silva would occasionally pass the NYS Pavilion as a child, and wondered about its use. Two years ago, he assigned the 1964 World’s Fair to his 8th grade students. “I gave them the challenge of re-purposing the NYS Pavilion. We studied Penn Station’s demolition and how the High Line was almost demolished, but turned into a brilliant park.” That was also when he created his Facebook group.



To tell his story, he began producing a NYS Pavilion documentary in February 2013. “When I saw the NYS Pavilion in the sunset en route to a show in Manhattan, I said this has an opportunity to be a destination, rather than a shadow in the sky which you pass at night.”  



Today, the Towers’ futuristic elevators have been stripped. In addition, the colorful fiberglass panels on the Tent of Tomorrow’s largest suspension roof in the world have been cracked and removed. The famed 130 ft x 166 ft terrazzo Texaco road map has extensively corroded, and in 2008, the University of Pennsylvania School of Design Graduate Program in Historic Preservation began removing 13 surviving terrazzo panels out of 567 for restoration. 

So much for predictions... The Tent of Tomorrow barred from public eye, December 2013, Photo by Michael Perlman
Very appropriately, “Modern Ruin” is the working title of Silva’s 70 to 90 minute documentary, which will feature interviews with Fairgoers, locals, architects, critics, authors, a woman who operated the Tent of Tomorrow as a roller skating rink, and people who attended concerts at the site. He hinted about unreleased archival material, such as photos of the Tent of Tomorrow’s terrazzo Texaco road map being produced in the factory. The documentary’s trailer will be released this week.


Over the course of his outreach, he discovered his ambition to advocate for the site’s preservation and reuse. “Philip Johnson was such an advocate for the arts and architecture, so as New Yorkers, we need to reciprocate that affection and advocate for his work.”

 

The site was listed on the State & National Register of Historic Places in 2009, which could open the door for restoration-based funding, but since it has not been designated a city landmark, the site is not barred from demolition.



The site’s potential is diverse, and can be a boon to jobs, tourism, education, recreation, and Queens and international history. “Let’s try to imagine a time when the NYS Pavilion will be lit up and host events. People can see a show, attend a wedding, meet friends, and see views of all boroughs from the Towers,” said Silva.



As a team player who is turning “People For The Pavilion” into a 501c3, Silva maintains faith in the Pavilion’s future. “It would be a real tragedy if the Pavilion stood for 50 years, only to be demolished. When it’s re-purposed, people may wonder how they ever lived without it, just how they feel about the High Line.”


“The story will be about a small group of people who rallied to turn it into one of the greatest thriving icons of Queens,” he said. First, the group plans on organizing an ideas competition in 2014, and will be extending outreach to universities, architectural firms, and preservation organizations. 

Join www.facebook.com/groups/NysPavilion and follow @NysPavilionFilm and @msilvafilm on Twitter. Bookmark www.aquarelapictures.com 

The neglected state of the NYS Pavilion's Tent of Tomorrow, December 2013, Photo by Michael Perlman

The neglected state of the NYS Pavilion's observation towers, December 2013, Photo by Michael Perlman

Decades-worth of our city officials rusty actions results in a rusty NYS Pavilion, December 2013, Photo by Michael Perlman

Nature peeks through the Tent of Tomorrow, symbolizing fruitful opportunities ahead, December 2013, Photo by Michael Perlman