Bell Boulevard Openings: New Restaurants, Soon-To-Open Grocery Store

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Some new businesses are coming to Bayside's main commercial corridor.

Already considered the neighborhood's unofficial restaurant row, Bell Boulevard is bustling with storefronts, and that list now includes some new eateries and a soon-to-open grocery store.

Among the new businesses is a beloved Long Island Mediterranean chain and rebranded Greek restaurant.

A new grocery store is also slated to open on the boulevard in place of a now-shuttered pharmacy, Patch reported.

Here's a rundown of the new businesses coming to Bell Boulevard that we learned about in the past couple of weeks.

Avli Kafe to reopen — with a new name — next week

Avli Kafe, which temporarily shuttered during the pandemic, is set to reopen next week, with a new name: Baraki. An employee confirmed the rebrand, and reopening, with Patch, but didn't provide detail on what kind of foods will be served at the cafe. A sign for Baraki, though, (posted on a local Facebook group) says the eatery will serve coffee, food and cocktails. Baraki is set to open at 38-29 Bell Boulevard, next to the larger Avli Greek Tavern and near 39th Avenue. Find out more about the business here.

A Long Island Mediterranean chain expands to Queens

Wild Fig Mediterranean, a build-your-own chain restaurant, recently opened shop at 41-17 Bell Boulevard, abutting the Bayside LIRR station between 41st and 42nd avenues. The outpost, which is replacing an organic market that shuttered amid the pandemic, marks the chain's first location outside of Long Island. Plans for the business have been in the works since at least October of last year, photos on Google Maps show. With an emphasis on made-from-scratch food — ranging from grilled meats to vegetarian spreads — customers can configure their own fresh sandwiches, plates or salads. The eatery is reportedly hiring and specifically looking for delivery drivers. Find out more about Wild Fig here.

Supermarket to replace pharmacy

As Patch reported last week, a supermarket is set to open at 39-20 Bell Boulevard, a storefront near 39th Avenue that previously housed Bayside's sole Walgreens. When the pharmacy chain shuttered earlier this year it didn't respond to Patch's inquiry as to what would open in its place, but alternation plans filed with the city as of last month indicate a supermarket is set to be the new tenant. Find out more here.