Deliciousness at Leli's Bakery in Astoria and more in the QNYC Evening Edition for Tuesday December 11, 2012

Leli’s Bakery – you need to check this out

We are thrilled with the addition of Leli’s Bakery to the bakery scene in Astoria – and frankly, Queens in general. Everything we’ve tried has been delicious and we only hear raves from people who’ve eaten their baked goods. We are also very happy that pastizzi – a Maltese specialty (pastry filled with either meat and veg, or ricotta) has returned to Astoria. You used to be able to get them at JMJ Bakery in LIC but they closed… opening back up in the Bronx and then returning to Astoria as Leli’s! Anyway, they sell breakfast pastries, cookies, cakes, and other pastries, as well as serving some tasty coffee. Stop by and let us know what you think.

12 Days of Giveaways on We Heart Astoria

We Heart Astoria has started up their annual “12 Days of Giveaways” on the blog. They are into their second day and are giving away two gift certificates – $50 at SITE and $50 at Loveday 31. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell them why you love boutique shopping. They have some pretty awesome giveaways planned for the 12 days, so keep an eye out!

Congrats to the 82nd Street Partnership for your $50K grant to improve 82nd Street!

Back in June, local Business Improvement Districts were encouraged to apply for a grant from the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) in a project called BID Challenge. This challenge was only applicable to those BIDs with a yearly operating budget of $1 million or less. Out of the 37 applications received, 7 BIDs won, and the 82nd Street Partnership is one of them! So congratulations, friends. They plan to use the money to refurbish the historic building that line this street, helping the owners and tenants restore facades. They’ll also help bring their signage to be in complant with the city’s rules pertaining to this aspect of conducting business in Jackson Heights.

Malu’s seasonal ice creams, oh my

Queens County Market posted this great shot of the seasonal ice creams Malu will be offering at the next Queens County Market, this Saturday, December 15, from 12-4pm at Quaint in Sunnyside (GMAP). The flavors are, left to right, Gingerbread, Candy Cane and Eggnog Chip Ice. Nom.

Image source: DNAinfo via Queens County Market

Sunnyside vs. Williamsburg? More bang for your buck here in Queens

Sunnyside has become a real destination for families looking for more value and a neighborhood feel. We know that the neighborhood has a lot to offer – tree lined streets, close to Manhattan, lots of mom and pop shops – but it’s gratifying to see its popularity grow. That also means rents are going up, which is the to delight of some and the dismay of others. For a 2 bedroom apartment in 2010 you’d pay between $1,200 and $1,600; nowadays you’ll pay $2,100. It’s still less than what you’d pay for a comparable apartment in Williamsburg, though. Local businesses are welcoming families, like the relatively new pub The Dog & the Duck. Kids shops are starting to sprout up, like Tiny You. There’s even a babysitting co-op in the neighborhood!