Rising Rents Leave Retail Spaces Empty On Forest Hills' Austin Street, Business Owners Say

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Rising rents are leaving store fronts on Forest Hills' Austin Street empty.

Business owners claim the increasing expense of the retail strip make it difficult to operate there. Recently, 11 spaces were found to be empty in the seven block stretch between Ascan Avenue and 69th Road, with for rent signs cluttering their windows seeking new tenants.

"You know, the landlords increase rents when they renew the lease," a clerk at 107 B&K Deli & Grocery said. "So [shop owners] choose to leave when they realize they won't be able to afford it."

Many of the occupied storefronts are filled with big chains including GAP, ShakeShack and Chipotle.

Frank Gulluscio, district manager for Community Board 6, said the current number of closed shops was not a significant cause for concern for Forest Hills.

"It's the ongoing evolution of Austin Street," he said.

"The problem is not a lack of demand but a lack of reasonable pricing," said a spokesman for realtor Forest Hills Property Group. He also pointed out that 75 of their properties on Austin Street are currently occupied.

Austin Street is not listed as a business improvement district by the New York Small Business Services.

Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lead image via Google Maps