By Alex Christodoulides
Last week, Austin Street lost another longtime tenant when A&J's Pizza was sold and closed amid credible rumors that a relative of developer Tommy Huang was the buyer.
The one-story building at 71-37 Austin St. housing the pizzeria, which was vacant at the time of sale, and a dry cleaning business whose lease runs through 2013, was sold for $5 million, Massey Knackal Realty Services said. A&J's had been at that location for more than a decade, local figures said.
“The buyer plans to redevelop some of the property at a future time,” said Massey Knackal broker Nick Petkoff.
The real estate firm did not disclose the buyer's name, but several Forest Hills-centric Web logs have connected the dots and contended that the property was sold to a Henry Huang, a son of notorious developer Tommy Huang.
City Finance Department records show the buyer as Broadway Enterprises Inc., with an address at 36-09 Main St., Suite 3A in Flushing — the same address used by Tommy Huang. And a city Department of Buildings spreadsheet lists Henry Huang at the same address in 2005 and 2008.
Neither man could be reached for comment to confirm whether Henry or Tommy Huang is the buyer. A woman who answered the phone at the office said she did not know.
In 1999, Tommy Huang was convicted of a felony after allowing the interior of the landmarked 1920s vintage RKO Keith's theater in Flushing to fall into neglect and disrepair. Dozens of other properties he owns have been subject to stop-work orders and audits.
City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) has sought to ban him from building again anywhere in the city.
Since late last year, several businesses along the Forest Hills shopping strip have closed, among them clothing stores and several restaurants.
In December, French eatery Rouge on 70th Road closed, along with diner UJ's Luncheonette. Clothing stores Annie Sez and Mandee's, both at 70-00 Austin St., closed last fall without new tenants immediately available.
Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
