Like the swallows to Capistrano, nothing heralds the return of Spring to LIC more than the reappearance of Erdem and his fruit stand. After spending the winter months shuttling between Anguilla and Gstaad, Erdem, a former managing director in the equity derivatives department at Deutsche Bank, touched down at JFK early this morning and made a beeline to the corner of 49th and Vernon. All kidding aside, Erdem, who originally hails from Ankara, provides good fresh produce at very reasonable prices. And with his great locks and omnipresent smile, I wouldn’t be surprised if he also has a local bride by Labor Day. Alas, despite his presence, it looks like another week of near frost temperatures. But with Erdem resuming his post, I know the skirts are not far behind. Until that time, there is alot of LIC news for you to mull over. Which I will summarize, analyze, deride, and occasionally praise below. And if you want the opportunity to castigate, or foist accolades on, local celebrities, here’s a chance for you to do so as well:
Hunters Point Civic Association –Dear Neighbors, Please save the date, April 9th at 7:30pm at the Irish Center. Our City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer will be coming to our meeting to take questions and hear the issues of the community. Please let others know who you think may be interested.
Long Way To Go In LIC – a very objective look at all the recent architecture, development, and planning by an outsider. Who I think has a very good read on the hurdles for LIC. (
LICtalk tip: if firewalls prevent your access to this story, just cut and paste the headline in Google)
New Avant Garde Building Coming to Court Square – yet despite the above, there is hope
Leaving Bushwick for LIC: A Great Alternative to Manhattan – a newbies first impression of living in LIC after various other stops
Meet Mrs. Met: Jon Niese’s Wife Leah – who lives w/ her husband in LIC according to the article. Which you would have known if you took LICtalk 101
Sculpture Center Announces Details of $4.5 million Expansion and Renovation – LIC will soon have its own museum row
Bear: Nouvelle European Restaurant Charms in LIC
Aereo Continues to Fend Off Legal Challenges to Its Cloud Based TV Service – a local business that could be the next Newscorp …or LICtalk
LIC Arts Nonprofit Opens Vintage Boutique in 5Pointz
Business Booming In Circus Warehouse in LIC – I had absolutely no idea this incredible business existed right off Borden Avenue at the end of Vernon!
Circus Warehouse – no really, you gotta check this place out. They train acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists etc.
Mikey from Queens says
April 3, 2013 at 7:25 amOf course Niese lives in LIC, it’s the home of swingers!
Queensie says
April 3, 2013 at 10:39 amErdem, or Adam, is a very, very nice man and his annual re-appearance definitely gives me a sigh of relief that the long LIC winter is over.
Anonymous says
April 3, 2013 at 12:27 pmPlus, Adam gives LIC an alternative source of fruits and vegetables to the overpriced Food Cellar.
Anon says
April 3, 2013 at 6:05 pmAgreed on Food Cellar’s produce prices. 90 cents for a pear?
Missy says
April 3, 2013 at 8:59 pmLooks like it is also time for the annual bashing of Food Cellar. People have freedom of choice and those that don’t like the prices or have other gripes do not have to patronize the establishment. Of course they are usually the same people griping about the lack of food options in LIC.
John says
April 5, 2013 at 9:53 amMissy, do you find the prices at Food Cellar to be fair?
Missy says
April 5, 2013 at 2:01 pmJohn – like most retail establishments, it depends on the item. There have been times when I have put something back at Food Cellar due to the price, per my prerogative. Other times I may cringe at the price of certain items, but the convenience makes it worth MY while to buy it. Just like at a Korean grocery. On most items though, they are pretty much what I expect to pay, and occasionally very reasonable.
Bob says
April 4, 2013 at 1:56 pm“Like the area’s few commercial areas, they’re greatly in need of the kind of urban connective tissue that would make Long Island City a good place to take a walk.”
From the first article, it pretty much sums up the problem with developing LIC.