41-21 Greenpoint Ave. (Photo: QueensPost)
Sept. 8, 2014 By Christian Murray
Vivire, a cozy bar located at 41-21 Greenpoint Avenue, opened Thursday on a stretch of Greenpoint Avenue that has long been known for its empty storefronts.
Javier Garcia, the manager of Vivire, said that the owners were originally going to open a soccer bar but instead changed their minds and decided to open an establishment targeting young professionals. He said that the bar offers a wide selection of wine and scotch to cater to this group.
Garcia expects the bar will help bring this section of Sunnyside back—and provide residents on the south side of Queens Blvd with another nice venue to go to. “People are glad that we have opened,” Garcia said. “The community has been really supportive.”
Greenpoint Avenue, between 40th and 41st Streets, has improved significantly in the past 12 months. Foodtown, which had closed in 2012, has been replaced by C-Town; Don Pollo, the Peruvian restaurant, moved in last July; Blue Z Liquor took over an empty store earlier this year, and Vivire has replaced the vacant Lowery Medical Care.
Furthermore, Thalia Theater, which is located on the block, is about to undergo a $4.5 million renovation.
Garcia said that the bar will also help bring people to the area. He said he has started offering happy hour specials between 12 pm and 7 pm–where select beers are $3, well drinks are $5 and specialty cocktails are $6.
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In other news, Signature Paint & Home Center opened on 46th Street, taking over a little more than half the space that was previously occupied by Grand 99 Cent Store at 45-24 46th Street.
The store is a Pratt & Lambert authorized paint dealer—and carries a full line of hardware, plumbing, electrical, and janitorial supplies. The store is geared to a broad range of customers—from those who want to buy just a few nuts and bolts—to those who want to buy in bulk.
