WALKING along 49th Avenue just east of Vernon recently, I noticed a building going up on the north side of the street replacing a formerly (very) non-descript free-standing one story building. ‘Lowy and Donnath’ (L&D) was the name of the former building’s occupant and presumed owner, and they were an electrical contractor in business for a century. I use the past tense, because in addition to having their building demolished, they were acquired. By whom you are probably wondering? Another LIC-based electrical contractor working out of a non-descript, but not free-standing building, whose stature is double that of the now-demolished L&D edifice. Even more impressive, they have been around for a century, and a quarter!
Of course we’re taking about none other than E&J Electric Installation Co. (E-J), The Nation’s Leading Privately-Owned Electrical Contractor, established 1899, whose international headquarters are located at 46-41 Vernon Boulevard. Wow, given the similarity of the two businesses I’m surprised the FTC didn’t scuttle this merger, but time moves on and now after 100 years they are finally united here in LIC.
//Lots of demolition of old buildings, for newer and bigger buildings, that’s the story of 2025 in Long Island City. In fact that’s the story of the last quarter century in LIC. I noticed that Key Food, located in a single story corner location on 21st Street and 44th Drive, has closed My first thought in looking at the lot is: new apartments coming soon. Jackson’s Eatery, on 50th and Jackson, formerly the home of Station LIC and a lifetime ago of the legendary Blessinger’s, has also closed. I don’t expect new apartments on this corner lot. So it goes.
E-J Electric Announces Acquisition of Lowy & Donnath – advised by Morgan Sachs
E-J – website
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