Prominent Jackson Avenue Sites Primed to be Developed As Businesses Close, Leave

Burger Garage and former Subway, part of a block undergoing significant change (Photo: QueensPost)

May 27, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan

A prominent area wedged between 44th Drive and Thomson Avenue on Jackson Avenue continues to undergo change as development continues to progress.

In the past month, Dog Island City, located at 27-18 44th Dr., announced it was moving from its current spot to 43rd Avenue. The announcement came around the same time that Subway, located at 25-34 Jackson Ave., closed.

The two businesses—along with a parking area—are on an oddly-shaped, 11,600 square foot parcel owned by Werwaiss Realty. Werwaiss also owns the adjacent property at 25-36 Jackson Ave., a 1,500 square foot property currently occupied by Burger Garage.

Dog Island City is moving from 27-18 44th Dr. to 22-15 43rd Ave. (Photo: QueensPost)

Lidia Lozovsky, owner of Dog Island City, said she is moving to her new locale at 22-15 43rd Ave. by the end of June. While Lozovsky said her new spot is larger, she did note in an interview that her lease was ending next year. Meanwhile, the previous Subway site is currently being listed by Werwaiss for rent on a “pop up” or “short term” basis.

The sites are likely to be demolished and replaced by residential towers. Adam Pileski, owner of the Burger Garage, told AM New York in February that his lease ends next year and that the property owner has told him that the intention is to demolish the site and build a tower.

Werwaiss has not filed building plans or sought demolition permits for the sites and could not be reached for comment.

That small area around these property has undergone rapid change in the past three years.

The area in purple is a large parcel that incorporates the now-shuttered Subway, Dog Island City, Eternal Fleur and a small parking area on Thomson Avenue. The area in black is Burger Garage (Source: City Planning)

In 2016, developer Tom Wu of Great Neck bulldozed 5 Court Square, located on the corner of Jackson and Thomson Avenues, which forced the closure of ENC Market, Domino’s Pizza and a Montessori school, among other businesses. Wu, who bought the site in 2014 for $15.75 million, is in the midst of developing an 11-story, 58-unit building there.

Meanwhile, Manny’s Auto Electric, which had been located at 27-19 Thomson Ave. for decades, closed last year and the auto shop has been demolished. It closed after Tom Wu bought the site for $6.85 million last summer and announced plans to build a 10-story mixed use development on the site.