Nov. 19, By Christian Murray (2009)
A Subway sandwich store and an “express grocery” are opening up on 44th and Queens Blvd., taking over the large retail space that Welcome Mart had occupied before it abruptly closed two weeks ago.
The Subway sandwich shop will be the third in the neighborhood, with the exisiting ones located on Greenpoint Ave. (between 45th and 46th) and at 3911 Queens Blvd. The express grocery is going to be small, as many convenience stores are struggling to pay their expensive overheads, particularly rent.
Last month, the closing of Welcome Mart, a mid-sized convenience/grocery store, led to five employees being laid off. Sources said the store was unable to cover its high rent. They said it made sense for two stores to be located in that one space.
