Cranky’s Cafe on the corner of Vernon and 49th Avenue has closed. The awnings are down, the bar removed, and the room has been cleared by a demolition crew. No reason was given, and phone calls to the telephone number on the website stated “Not a working number, ” but a recent name (and concept) change to “1682 French Louisiana” by the owner back in March probably gives a clue. Rumor is that the new asking rent for the space is $15,000, and the owner would prefer a non-restaurant.
The Wall Street Journal published a story yesterday about the shrinking apartment sizes in LIC. It’s difficult to discern from the article to what effect that’s due to fewer bedrooms in each apartment versus less living space. Apparently many developers are continuing to prefer studios and 1-bedrooms to larger apartments. What might be most revealing to select readers(those with children), is a new condo development on Crescent Street called the Factory, that will have thirteen 3-bedrooms and two 4-bedroom apartments.
Apartments in New Developments in Queens Are Getting Smaller – or as they say in Louisiana “Plus ca change…”
Senén says
August 5, 2014 at 12:48 pmI had a love hate relationship with Cranky’s, they had great ambiance, the coffee and the food was great. I really liked the place as a sit down work in your laptop kind of place. However the service was really bad, every single time I had to hunt after the waitress for things.
I’m curious to see what pop ups after it. the spot is just about perfect for any business
Anonymous says
August 5, 2014 at 2:25 pmits a great spot…corner location, a lot of light….I have to imagine another restaurant or bar/restaurant would be best…although the owner prefers a non restaurant.
I just hope another real estate place doesn’t open up.
maybe a retail location?
Logic says
August 5, 2014 at 3:27 pmThat rent is approaching those of Manhattan, which means so will the prices of the new place that comes in.
GG says
August 5, 2014 at 4:09 pmFood or no food, this has Starbucks written all over it.
Amadeo Plaza says
August 5, 2014 at 4:13 pmI’ve got to say, GG has a point. As unlikely as it is (the community board would probably never allow it), it screams Starbucks. That said, I too had a love/hate relationship with it. I’ve gone on quite a few occasions, and I can’t help but feel the service to progressively worse.
Andy Grobengieser says
August 5, 2014 at 8:14 pmI used to go all the time in the early years of Cranky’s, but as the menu got less and less cafe-like and more and more French Creole/Cajun, I began to get less and less interested. And once the name changed and the walls were painted black, I simply lost interest.
Also, this place seemed to do very little marketing and had virtually no social media presence.
Had a great location, but you can’t get by on location alone. Let’s hope for an exciting replacement for this space.
Anonymous Bosch says
August 5, 2014 at 9:52 pmCranky’s dies, Jora arrives. The only constant is change.
mike says
August 6, 2014 at 4:43 amcommunity board won’t allow starbucks?
but dunkin donuts is ok?
dunkin donuts serves terrible coffee small bland donuts
please Starbucks it’s what the neighborhood needs
Ed says
August 6, 2014 at 8:52 ambefore Crankys that was a Brazil Coffee Place (I sound so old..) I always thought it had Starbucks written all over it. Not a fan of their coffee, but love those holiday tunes.
Anonymous says
August 6, 2014 at 9:59 amStarbucks is in talks. Lets see. Starbucks does not need anything from the community board unless they want to serve alcohol at this location. The woman got divorced and her husband made sure to ruin her life and forced her to close the location, because his name was on the paperwork too. $15k is the new rent. Landlord won’t allow food unless its a national chain. They also reached out to the big M. So we might be getting big macs here soon. Lets see what develops
Pooh says
August 6, 2014 at 10:19 amNot that Cranky’s was any great shakes, but for those of you hoping for something special, the odds are slim at $15K a month. Only a national chain can afford a rent like that. Here’s a story about the disappearing Asian restaurants in NYC due to increased rents:
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/2014-07/29/content_17945553.htm
Anonymous says
August 6, 2014 at 2:12 pmStarbucks, really?? Let’s hope not. It’s a shame that the independent shop can’t compete with the big box retailers. I’m hoping for a good sushi place.
Ally says
August 6, 2014 at 2:25 pmYou don’t like Hibino?
Amadeo Plaza says
August 7, 2014 at 6:11 amHibino’s awesome.
Anonymous says
August 16, 2014 at 5:17 pmThis neighborhood needs a hardware store!! With all the new residents, they could make a killing on picture hooks.