Astoria, Long Island City Businesses We Lost In 2020

ASTORIA, QUEENS — As the year ends, Patch is taking a look back at the beloved neighborhood businesses that closed amid the difficulties of the pandemic — including many in Astoria and Long Island City.

New Yorkers are mourning the loss of neighborhood eateries, shops, entertainment venues and many more small businesses, which saw their finances suffer during the city's economic crisis and restrictions on indoor dining and social gatherings.

Small business owners in Western Queens have been bracing themselves against the pandemic's impact ever since the citywide shutdown in March.

"I doubt we will even turn a profit," Robert Briskin, co-owner of the restaurants Maiella and American Brass in Long Island City, told Patch in March. "The point is just to at least try and keep our kitchen staff employed during this nightmare."

For some business owners, the fear of having to close permanently eventually became a reality.

The storied event venue Riccardo's by the Bridge closed after nearly 70 years in Astoria. Anthony Corbisiero, president of the business, cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the sole reason for the closure, saying, "there is simply no realistic path forward given the many unknowns."

Iconic brunch spot Queens Comfort closed in October, and fans lined up for one last meal. Regal Cinemas closed its movie theater on 38th Street. The Yoga Studio had only been in Astoria for a year before it shut down at the end of May. And grocery shopping became harder for some Astoria denizens after Best Market shut down and Key Food closed its 31st Street location.

Amid the loss, there have been signs of resilience.

Astoria gained two new independent retailers, Earth & Me and Side B, and the streetwear retailer Extra Butter and beloved cheesemonger Murray's both opened Long Island City outposts.

A new Mexican restaurant, Ruta Oaxaca, is set to open in Astoria just after New Year's, and a new Burger Village franchise started slinging patties on Broadway.

Still, stories like that are the exception to the rule. One study found that one in three New York City small businesses may never reopen after the pandemic.

Related: Pieces Of NYC We Lost In 2020: Coronavirus Ravages Businesses