By SUSAN LEE

Nostalgia is common among those who grew up and lived in the ever-changing dynamics of Queens places and faces. They remember when “things were simply different,” and mom and pop stores aligned neighborhood streets, records and eight-tracks were on sale, there was a milkman, someone delivered the coal, and “newsboys” was a great first job.

But more importantly, the Tribune found that the intangible and personal memories of raising families in Queens were rated, above all, the best memories.

Long time Glendale residents Gerry Brady, Virginia Cebora, and Ellen Contenessa recall the old Myrtle Avenue haunts like Gottlieb’s, a deli that offered the best pastrami, and Coletti’s, an ice cream parlor, as well as the Royal Chinese Restaurant— three of the quintessential eateries back in the day.

Vendors used to sell everything from fish to baked goods to milk door to door in Queens, something some Queens residents miss. From the collection of Vincent Seyfried

Also high on the list was the Acme Theater with its outdoor movie screen that attracted countless people, even those who would watch from roofs where the screen could be seen.

You could go out at night on the town with all girls and come home at one or two o’clock and it was nothing, agreed the women.

A resident of Bayside was more vocal about the disappearance of independently owned drug and hardware stores.  “I really resent the monopolies that closed the stores that were bought by places like CVS,” said Irene, who has lived in Bayside all of her life.  “I remember the lady shops in the area right on 73rd Avenue like the Mid-Island shop that sold ladies’ clothing, which had very good merchandise. Now department stores are really far an inaccessible for those who don’t drive.”

In Jamaica, old department stores like Gertz and Macy’s were favorites for shoppers.

An Astoria resident remembers Steinway Street shops that had men’s stores that sold shoes, “Now I have to go to Forest Hills or into Manhattan,” he said.

One Astoria resident remembers a pizza shop where everyone used to go after school to buy square pizzas, which are now called Sicilian.

Another memory recalled by Glendale residents was of people sleeping on fire escapes as a way to keep cool during the summer.  It was especially prevalent among those sleeping in middle rooms without windows that were torturous to sleep in, according to some Queensites.

Originally from Jamaica, James Barlow of Woodside remembers streets now gone like New York Boulevard (now Guy Brewer). 

More importantly, he remembers deliverymen, who would deliver goods right to one’s doorstep.  From the faithful milkmen to young newspaper delivery boys, Barlow said that the neighborhood would anticipate the deliverers of goods.  Beer, fish, and baked goods were also other items delivered, according to Barlow.

 “The trucks would come around with fish, with a canopy over it and they would go from door to door.  You would tell them how much you wanted, he’d clean them and if he cleaned them, he would charge you a little bit more,” he said of fish vendors.

One baked goods company in particular, Doogan’s, had electric trucks, which proves how not so archaic the methods were in the past, according to Barlow.  “They ran on batteries… to deal with the pollution of automobiles a long time ago and they stopped.  Now they’re coming back,” he said of the electric cars, which he guesses were charged at night and up and running for the whole route.

Queens houses made of wood could be rented out for $35 a month, or could be purchased with a price tag of $5,000 on average, Barlow said.

“I used to love the eight-tracks!” he added.

Where the Rochdale co-op development stands, Barlow said there once was the Jamaica Racetrack, where he was too young to frequent but misses.  As a kid, he often played in an empty vacant lot, which became a makeshift ice-skating rink when the snow fell.

One Queensite fondly remembered Jamaica Race Track, or Union Course, which has been shut down and replaced by the Rochdale Village development. From the collection of Vincent Seyfried

One of the most fond memories was being a child and raising children in Queens.

“My children grew up in Douglaston, Queens, and they are now away from home. They spread their wings and flew away,” said one parent, saying that the time in rearing kids happened so fast.

Astoria resident Julia Vieira said that she has fond memories of taking her three children to Rockaway and Jones beaches.  And she remembers watching her children outside of her window because they often played in the Woodside Houses courtyard.

“There is no place I’d rather be than in Queens,” exclaimed one Queens father, “to live and work.”