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Letter from the Executive Director
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There's only one difficult thing about Dine in Queens: I need to factor in more gym time to work off the additional calories.
When I order, I remember my mother saying "you're eyes are too big for your stomach." For that reason, I suggest that you enjoy these bargain weeks with friends and family. A bigger crowd can order a larger variety, and everyone can try a taste...or as mom used to say "a bisel."
Dine in Queens also gives you a chance to explore and maybe get out of your comfort zone - in the culinary and geographical sense. I sometimes need to remind folks that if you live in Astoria, a passport is not required to visit Flushing. And you don't need to travel upstate to go leaf peeking. After a delicious meal in any of the communities around Forest Park, the Jamaica Wildlife Refuge or Alley Pond, a brisk constitutional below the multi-colored tree tops can be very refreshing.
Dine in Queens is sponsored by the Queens Tourism Council - one of QEDC's signature programs. Since we reactivated QTC five years ago, we've seen tremendous interest and participation from our cultural venues, hotels, restaurants, and other visitor attractions. Our two major airports are being rebuilt, visitors are discovering our unique neighborhoods, and of course, the food, which is a reflection of diverse population, cannot not be surpassed.
It's clear that tourism plays a crucial role in the Queens economy. This is brought home to me a few mornings a week when I stop into the All American Coffee Shop at the easily remembered cross streets of 36th
Street and 37th
Avenue, where Manny at the grill makes some of the best breakfasts in the city. What is more New York than egg and cheese on a roll with a cup of coffee? The shop used to cater to workers from surrounding industrial and manufacturing businesses, but these days tourists staying at a nearby hotel can be seen enjoying eggs and pancakes on paper plates while locals come in for their regular orders. (Queens hospitality is on display as you are considered a regular after you go a few times.)
With prices so reasonable to begin with ($3.50 for a breakfast sandwich; for 50 cents more, they'll add some bacon), the All American Coffee Shop is not part of Dine in Queens - but it is certainly worth a detour. Owned and operated by immigrants, it is representative of more than 10,000 food establishments that employ thousands of people of many skill levels, contribute to the local economy, and give an identity to our borough as a place to grow a business, become part of the community, and of course give us sustenance. All American Coffee Shop and the many other small businesses like it are truly what Makes America Great.
Sincerely,
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News You Can Use
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We made the announcement a few weeks ago, but there's still time to get involved in QEDC's fall programs. The above photo depicts the $50,000 check presentation from Resorts World Casino New York City, which is sponsoring this year's StartUP! Seen are (from left) Bill Singh, a CFA who will teach StartUP! classes; Seth Bornstein; Assemblyman David I. Weprin; Resorts World Director of PR and Community Development Michelle Stoddart; and Deputy Queens Borough President Melva Miller
. What's StartUP!? Please read on.
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The 12th Annual StartUP! Business Plan Competition.
Would you like to receive $10,000 for your business? In this competition, you attend classes and then submit a business plan to a panel of judges. They choose the three plans they like the most and award $10,000 to the submitter of each one.
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QEDC is raising the bar for local products via the Made in Queens brand, which is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. If you manufacture in Queens, we can help you get MiQ® certification if your product meets the three pillars of this brand: unique, quality, and local. Adding the MiQ® logo to packaging will tell consumers your product is authentic and top-notch.
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Whether it's harvest, Halloween or haunted, Queens is full of festivals from now until Nov. 1. Get pumpkins, get dressed up or get scared. Click here to get the info.
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Home Improvement Contractor Training.
This three-class, 15-hour course prepares participants to take the contractor licensing exam at NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. It also provides valuable information about running a small construction company in NYC.
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The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program. This comprehensive, hands-on business course is designed to minimize the risk and maximize the success of starting or expanding a business. Think of it as a mini MBA.
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