QNS readers were active on our website this year, giving us nearly 5 million views in 2022. Here are the most-read stories from this year:
Rego Center IKEA announces it will close in December
IKEA announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, that its location in Rego Center would be shutting down on Dec. 3. The announcement comes less than two years after the location first opened its doors in January 2021.
“Since IKEA Queens opened in January 2021, we’ve loved being a part of your community,” the company said in a statement. “Thank you for choosing us as your go-to destination for affordable home furnishings and fresh design inspiration.”
According to IKEA, the store’s employees were provided with other opportunities with the company. They also emphasized that the store would still be open for customers as they prepared for the holidays. At the time of its opening, it became the third IKEA location in New York City.
‘Hard to keep up’: Queens residents say they are fearful of losing housing as a result of inflation
Inflation has caused a spike in seemingly every necessity in daily life, including gas and groceries. With the rising price of goods, Queens residents are also finding it hard to pay their housing costs.
Tenzing Tsering rents a house in Jackson Heights, but worries he will lose his house since his business is struggling and inflation has completely curtailed his budget.
“We have to think first before we buy or take a step,” Tsering said. “Inflation has affected my family budget a lot. If we don’t pay rent, we will have to leave the house, and if we pay rent we have to reduce all our daily needs. It’s very difficult.”
‘Heartbreaking and enraging’: EMS lieutenant stabbed and killed in senseless Astoria attack
A 61-year-old EMS lieutenant was fatally stabbed in Astoria on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 29, authorities reported.
The lieutenant, Alison Russo-Elling, who had served for 25 years, died as a result of the unprovoked attack, according to police. Her alleged attacker is now in custody.
According to Chief James Essig, at approximately 2:10 p.m., at the corner of 20th Avenue and 41st Street, Russo-Elling was getting food near an EMS station she was assigned to about half a block away. At 2:15 p.m., a 34-year-old man brandished a knife and viciously attacked Russo-Elling, stabbing her numerous times.
Korean fried chicken spot in Douglaston among Queens’ hottest new restaurants
This chicken rocks, y’all!
Eater editors just named Rokstar Chicken — a Korean fried chicken quick-service, takeout and delivery spot in Douglaston — among the 15 hottest new restaurants in Queens.
Owner Mark Lee — who noted that the “Rok” in Rokstar stands for Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) — bravely forged ahead and launched his new business in December 2021, amid the ongoing pandemic, because he knew that folks in Queens couldn’t get enough of that “down-home” Korean comfort food.
“It’s a New York brand with Korean roots,” Lee said. “Our goal is to globalize Korean fried chicken, and continue to introduce and share our culture with the world through the best way possible: food. And what better food than fried chicken?”
