Photo: QueensPost
Sept. 23, 2012 By Bill Parry
Sunnyside Gardens Farm, a grocery store located at 46-01 Skillman Ave., was recently sold and the new owner took over last week.
Mario Cabrera bought the business for an undisclosed amount, ending the five year ownership of Talat Hayat (Sonny). Hayat sold the business in order to join the rest of his family in Cleveland.
Cabrera’s said his first order of business last week was slashing prices. He said the prices were too high and that many residents were not getting a fair deal—particularly with wine & beer. He promises a wider selection at lower prices.
Sunnyside Gardens Farm–which sells items such as fresh produce, gourmet food and wine & beer–is Cabrera’s first business. He has spent twenty-five years working in the restaurant and hospitality businesses.
The Bronx native discovered the grocery after conducting an Internet search for potential business opportunities.
“I looked at liquor stores, [grocery] markets and even gas stations,” Cabrera said. However, “I saw this neighborhood and the store—and its potential.”
Cabrera plans to move to Sunnyside with his wife, Glenda. “We’re ecstatic to be here,” he said.
In other news, a grocery store located on 47th Ave is up for sale.
Norberto Ramis, who owns 47 Deli & Grocery, has decided to sell his store after running it for 25-years. He said he wants to leave the business and join his family.
“My family is all in Reading [Penn.] and I want to be with them,” he said.
His business, located at 47-04 47th Ave, has been on the market for about three weeks, and he said that he has already received some interest from potential buyers. He said his business is doing well, helped by being next door to Lavanderis Laundry, a popular Laundromat.
“I have the best customers… and I will miss them a lot,” Ramis said. “Everybody cries when they hear I’m leaving.”
