Final Act For The Continental Theatre - Another entertainment & social loss for Forest Hills

By Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

After a 51-year run, the Forest Hills community waved adieu to its quaint neighborhood twin movie theater, UA Brandon Cinemas on April 21^st. Situated at 70-20 Austin Street, it was long known as the Continental Theatre, named after its close proximity to Continental Avenue. This restful destination in the heart of the business district was on the agenda for dates, couples, singles, and families with children, who would make a day of dining out and patronizing Austin Street’s shops. The marquee boasted mainstream films ranging from Star Wars to Les Miserables to The Great Gatsby. Operated by Regal Entertainment Group and owned by local developer Heskel Elias, the marquee now reads “Coming Soon: PM Pediatrics.” 
 

Back in March, this column reported that Austin Street may soon become “medical center row,” since medical facilities on Austin Street’s west end are slated to expand eastward within a 4-block radius. Austin Street is known for its unique boutique shops and restaurants, but reality shifted throughout the last decade as a number of longtime and recently established independent small businesses shuttered. This is mostly due to rent increases and demographic changes. Small businesses are frequently displaced by large chains, inclusive of banks, pharmacies, and a recent rise in medical establishments. 

Pasta Del Giorno at 70-49 Austin Street closed in February, in addition to its neighbor, Second Time Around. Construction is now underway for an urgent care facility. In October 2013, an out-of-context glass building housing a ProHealth Urgent Care Center was proposed for 71-53 Austin Street, which has since received violations and stalled.

When the Continental Theatre opened in 1963, Forest Hills residents were welcomed by the “Continental” script neon sign, and first saw Jean Genet’s “The Balcony” at a Walter Reade Theatre. An ad praised it as “New York’s and the world’s first split-level theatre,” which was only a 5 minute commute from the 1964 World’s Fair. It read, “From the beautifully decored lounge, you can either step down to the orchestra level or easily make your way up to the mezzanine. Here is a truly refreshing entrée into the experience of movie-going.” This dramatic innovation was designed by Architect John J. McNamara, and was also noteworthy for its art gallery for local artists, carefully selected films at an intimate ambiance, and rooftop parking. 

 In a public statement, landlord Heskel Elias called the property’s redevelopment for PM Pediatrics “exciting” and “more profitable” for The Heskel Group. Rego Park resident Gloria Nash responded, “It's all about who can afford the highest rents, rather than balance or quality of life, but it's no longer a community vision when a significant percentage of the population is left out.” She backed up her claim by questioning, “What percentage has a need for pediatric services, especially in light of no shortage of pediatric services in the area? What percentage has an interest in a theater which increases our enjoyment?”  

Other locals also mourn the theater’s loss. “PM Pediatrics already has 10 New York locations, so why does Heskel need to ruin a five decade entertainment space to open another?” asked Jennifer Cohen of Forest Hills. “It’s just a matter of time when people will be asking ‘Which Austin Street urgent care center should we visit? The one on 69^th, 70^th, 71^st, or 72^nd?’” 

Forest Hills resident Anita Nelson offered a suggestion. “The Austin Street corridor needs a nice art theater like the Kew Gardens Cinema, and if it hosted live entertainment, that would fill a void and be a huge bonus to Forest Hills. Currently, live entertainment is only available at bars.”

The UA Brandon’s closure echoes the loss of the cherished Trylon Theater, the Forest Hills Theatre, and the Drake. This leaves the 9-screen Midway Theatre on Queens Boulevard as the sole theater in the immediate vicinity, and the 5-screen Cinemart Cinemas somewhat further on Metropolitan Avenue.

“Close a restaurant or a dress shop, and there are others that open up,” said Nash, who continued, “But close a theater, and what other social and community options will open to replace that?” 

 A similar rendition of this feature story appeared in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/25014381/article-Final-Act-For-the-Continental-Theatre-

Austin Street Retail District At Risk

The Forest Hills community is at risk. Learn more by visiting Michael Perlman's column in the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger:

http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24686039/article-Austin-Street-retail-district-at-risk

71-53 Austin St received a Stop Work Order by the NYC Dept of Buildings: One of the signs of how select property owners are undermining the integrity of the historic retail district

Austin Street, long known for its independently owned boutiques, novelty shops and culturally inspired restaurants, may soon be on the verge of becoming “medical center row,” as several businesses are slated to expand from the thoroughfare’s west section eastward.

Over the past decade, the retail district has been marked by the closure of many small businesses, including Daniella Boutique, Santa Fe Steakhouse, Stoa Jewelry, Buster Brown Shoes, Homestead Gourmet Shop, and Art World. Pasta Del Giorno at 70-49 Austin Street, which opened in 1989 and offered fine Italian dining, closed in mid-February.

The closed shops made way for large corporations, including banks, chain pharmacies, clothing shops, and cell phone stores, to move in after landlords imposed hefty rent increases upon some longtime tenants.

“I am very upset so many boutiques have closed, such as Lulu’s, Austin Jeans, and Piccolo Mondo,” said Elias Kalogiros, who co-owns Austin Street's Exo Café. “There used to be a nice combination of middle to high-end shops, but the neighborhood is changing based on what landlords are asking. Some rents on Austin Street are even higher than Manhattan, so we can expect more medical facilities, banks, and office buildings.”

Rumor has it that UA Brandon Cinemas at 70-20 Austin Street will close shortly for a medical business. A February job filing with the Department of Buildings states an existing legal use for a theater and a proposed use for an “ambulatory diagnostic” establishment.

Likewise, nearby shop Second Time Around also closed recently, and a permit issued last month calls for “construction of a new urgent care office including limited demolition.”

“This is supposed to be a shopping area and should stay like this,” said Sal Wahd, manager of Leather Boutique.

In summer 2013, the community learned that a new glass building was proposed for 71-53 Austin Street, and would be home to an H&M clothing store. But banners posted last October instead read “Coming Soon – ProHealth Urgent Care.”

“It is sad enough that so many stores are closing due to harsh economic times, but having more medical facilities won’t do anything for Forest Hills,” said Lisa Jaume of Lady Love Boutique at 71-63 Austin Street. “A glass building will take away from the charm of Austin Street, and a vacant lot attracting vandalism is unwelcome in such a prestigious neighborhood.”

Her concerns have become a reality, as the property is now covered in graffiti and trash collects behind the construction fence.

“This is not a medical street,” said Natasha Nirmal, owner of Urban Creations Fashion Boutique at 71-54 Austin Street. “More shops and restaurants would be beneficial for the entire street, and may help businesses that are suffering. I hope the medical facilities won’t affect our retail parking.”

Commenters on Edge of The City: A Forest Hills Blog have suggested a make-your-own salad take-out place, an independent coffee house, an upscale diner, and a good, reasonably priced Chinese restaurant.

“Before a medical center opens on our main shopping strip, how about we first get some of the restaurant options that so many other thriving neighborhoods in New York City already have for years?” asked Drake Michell, webmaster for the site.

“It concerns me that we will have an abundance of urgent care facilities in a four-block radius,” added Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. “I will be delving into some concerns of small businesses and possibly scheduling a meeting.”

Forest Hills co-op owner Ron Daniel, who is also a licensed real estate salesperson with Sotheby's International Realty NYC, offered his take on the situation.

“Unfortunately, there is no Austin Street BID to work with business owners, landlords, the community, and Community Board 6 to incentivize and spur growth of new retail and restaurant operators,” he said. “These groups must devise a comprehensive plan to create a cohesive atmosphere for this high foot traffic street. Business operators need to begin by banding together because the landlords certainly are not.”

If you are a concerned Forest Hills resident or business owner and care about the future of your community, please email Rego-Forest Preservation Council at unlockthevault@hotmail.com