"Metropolitan Avenue and Beyond"
Doug Leblang had been taking the Metropolitan Avenue bus to Jamaica since the early fifties. He found that this street, one of Queens’ oldest thoroughfares, still has many places of beauty. Doug always had a fascination with the simple charm
of everyday neighborhood life especially local businesses. This exhibition contains studies of local subjects that we pass everyday but perhaps never really stop to appreciate.
This exhibition is on display at the Queens Library
Middle Village Branch December 1- January 31 ,2006
click here for press release
Eddie’s Sweet Shop, ink on canvas
34” x 24”, 2005
Opened as Witt's Ice Cream Parlor; the store
has been in continuous operation since 1909.
It became Eddie's Sweet Shop in the 1960's
and offers up huge, fresh homemade-ice-cream
sundaes, malteds, shakes, and egg creams.
This treasure of Metropolitan Avenue is the
nostalgia buffs paradise. You can sit at the
counter with its revolving stools or at the old
time booths. Toys for sale are everywhere to
delight the eye in all directions.
"Chalet Alpina", ink on canvas
17 1/2 ” x 25 1/2 ”, 2005, $525
C halet Alpina has been on Metropolitan Avenue
for 28 years and features authentic European
style cuisine The hosts Lenny and his partner
Zelko will welcome you into their cozy "chalet"
for a meal that's delicious and transports you
to another time another place. "Austin's Ale House", ink on canvas
26 1/2 ” x 17 1/2 ”, 2005, $525
Located on Austin Street, Austin's Steak and
Ale House is that friendly neighborhood place. Established in 1992, Austin's gives that local
home feeling where all the action is at. ."Metro Diner, ink on canvas
17" x 24", 2005
The Metro Restaurant opened in 1991 replacing
Bill's Restaurant. It expanded to two stores in
1993 and three in 1999 becoming one of the largest
facades on the street with beautiful glass doors
across the front that are opened in warm weather
for a continental touch. The spot features great
food and a warm atmosphere.
Homestead Gourmet, ink on canvas
17 ” x 25 1/2 ”, 2005, $525
Kew Gardens' first grocery store was in the
Homestead Building on Lefferts Avenue (Boulevard)
at the corner of Cuthbert Road. The business
failed under its first owner and was taken over
by one Herman Heyer who did quite well with it.
In the 1920's, it became Freudenberg & Spreckels Grocery Store and remained so until after World
War II when new owners turned it into the
Homestead Gourmet Deli.The Little Sweet Shop, ink on canvas
27 ” x 18 1/2”, 2005, $525
The Little Sweet Shop opened in 2001 and has
been a big hit ever since. It features the best
in italian ices, ice cream, malteds, shakes, gelato, expresso and cappucino plus classic candy favorites
such as dots and wax bottles.