Mama’s Empanadas at 42-18 Greenpoint Ave. (Photo: Queens Post)
May 21, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
Yet another Sunnyside staple will be closing its doors.
Mama’s Empanadas, the small yet popular eatery known for its dozens of empanada varieties, will be closing its Greenpoint Avenue location at the end of June, according to Javier Garcia, who owns the Queens-based chain.
Garcia said running the 42-18 Greenpoint Ave. site, which opened almost 15 years ago, has become difficult in recent times. Rent, employee wages, and its relatively distant location from the train are all contributing factors to its closing, he said.
“It’s getting a lot tougher to do,” Garcia said.
He noted, however, that a return to Sunnyside could be in the works down the line.
“We would like to come back on Queens Boulevard,” Garcia said, adding that he’d rather have a location near the 7 train.
In the meantime, an existing Mama’s Empanadas location at 32-41 Steinway St. will deliver to Sunnyside, Garcia said, and can be reached by using the same phone number as the Sunnyside location.
Mama’s Empanadas is the latest store to close on the same Greenpoint Avenue block as Sunnyside Taco and Green Point Farm. The grocer was unable to make rent, while the taco joint has been sold to a new owner. It is unclear if the new owner will retain the Sunnyside Taco name.
