Photo: QueensPost
Aug. 28, 2012 By Christian Murray
The planned opening of a performing arts studio in Sunnyside failed to go to script.
Yasko Takeno-Williams, who signed a lease to open an arts studio at 43-20 43rd Ave., said her plans were thwarted after she was told by city officials that zoning rules prohibited her center at that location.
Takeno-Williams, who operates Sunnyside Ballet, planned to offer yoga, theater, ballet and dance classes primarily for children. However, her plans started to go awry after someone filed a complaint with the Department of City Planning. Supposedly, dance, ballet and similar activities are not permitted.
A lease had been signed and renovations had begun at the 550-square-foot space, a former discount store, before her plans ended.
Takeno-Williams said she will continue to operate Sunnyside Ballet out of the Sunnyside Arts Cooperative, a small space near the 40th Street subway stop at 45-08 40th Street. In the interim, Takeno-Williams will continue to search for a new, larger space.
In a recent email to parents she wrote: “It remains my wish to open a Sunnyside studio that allows everyone to grow to their full potential.”
