Tucked away on an unassuming commercial strip in Whitestone is the neighborhood’s newest watering hole, which is bringing locals two very different kinds of brews all day long.
Queens locals and business partners Diane Honeywell, Lawrence Caruso Glynn and Helen Lee began construction on The Stonebridge in November. Lee, who previously operated the storefront along 14th Avenue as a nail salon, decided last year she wanted to bring a new eatery to the area.
Lee approached Glynn, who connected her to Honeywell, a restaurant industry veteran. After meeting for the first time last summer, the trio hit it off immediately, according to Glynn.
“It was a natural fit,” Glynn told QNS in an interview at The Stonebridge. “And the concept was there. This was Helen’s nail salon.”
Originally, the group intended to sell only coffee. However, they eventually decided on a cafe and bar concept, looking to make use of Honeywell’s valuable experience in the industry while becoming the neighborhood’s “local answer” for coffee, Glynn said.
“We said, ‘Alright, maybe we can marry the two. Maybe this can work,'” he continued.
The group got to work in the fall, ripping out salon chairs and equipment to make way for a full bar, stools and wooden tabletops. Working with limited space, Honeywell focused on making the smaller space feel large and welcoming during the design phase.
“I wanted it to be comfortable and modern,” she said. “I didn’t want it to look like the same back bar that everyone has. The fireplace behind the bar, you don’t see that in many places.”
Coming soon, customers can enjoy a cup of coffee and bagels, pastries, oatmeal and other light morning fare in store or on-the-go starting at 6:30 a.m. At noon, customers can order from a selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks at the bar. Montauk IPA, Founders, canned Pinot Noir and a rose hard cider are among unique offerings currently available.
“I want to find a lot of interesting things,” Honeywell said. “I’ve been in the business for so long I know many of the players … And they know that I’m looking for interesting things.”
In the coming weeks, Honeywell will phase in a food menu featuring bites like paninis, salads, pot pies and hot dogs. She will also look to bring in beers from Queens-based breweries.
“I always prefer to do local,” she said.
In addition to bringing the area a new cafe and bar destination, the group saw The Stonebridge as an opportunity to help revitalize an ailing business strip.
NYC Print & Design, who recently moved in just a few doors down, designed the business’s logo: an homage to the neighborhood’s most iconic structure.
“I think this block is in need of some transformation, and it has seen some new places,” Glynn said. “The block just needed a little TLC. Hopefully we can give it a jolt here.”
As for the name, the partners are well aware the Whitestone Bridge is not made of stone, Glynn joked. A friend of Honeywell’s suggested the name: a neighborhood-inspired wordplay.
“[The name] really just resonated with all of us,” Glynn said. “It’s representative of the community and it fits.”
The community response has been strong so far, Honeywell said.
“The people that have been in have been great,” she said. “They’re really surprised at how nice the place is and love it and recommend it.”
The Stonebridge is located at 145-04 14th Ave. and operates seven days a week until 1 a.m.
