A Maspeth living room is transformed into a Thanksgiving dining room that can seat visiting family. Tribune photo By Brian M. Rafferty

Queens Shopping:
Great Choices For Finding The Best Gifts

By Brian M. Rafferty

Okay, so you don't trust your holiday shopping to some faceless store without a building that you can walk into. You'd rather not give out your credit card information over the internet; after all, identity thieves are just waiting to pounce on your private data, get huge cash advances and party like rock stars in the Caymans.

No, you are the traditional shopper. You get the circular, work the sales and wait on the holiday lines that are so long you can catch up on your reading - like "War and Peace" or the entire "Harry Potter" series.

For you, you just need to know where to go, what you will find when you get there and for somebody to tell you why they don't make a low-fat version of those cool pretzels you smell as you walk through the mall, because if they did, you'd stock up with enough to get you through the entire holiday, New Year, St. Pat's and the Fourth of July.

Here's a small list of some of the big places to go in Queens, what you can find there, when they are open and how to hook up with this "Santa" guy you've heard so much about.

Sorry; no pretzels.


The Shops At Atlas Park

With 57 stores and restaurants either already open or on the drawing board and ready to open soon, the Shops At Atlas Park is a haven for all your holiday shopping needs. From specialty gift stores to clothes, books and even a place from which you can ship, it truly is a one-stop center.

Blue Tulip: More than a card and gift shop, this is quickly becoming one of the hottest stores in Atlas Park. The selection of products and the range in prices makes Blue Tulip easily one of the can't-miss places to get something for everyone on your holiday list.

Amish Market: If you're looking to host a holiday meal or to bring a present to the friend whose house you will visit, be sure to stop into Amish Market, a full-service grocery store with the best cheese counter in the borough. The store features full-service butcher, deli, bakery and cheese counters, a gourmet olive bar, hot and cold prepared foods, organic produce and some of the best sauces and delicacies once found only in the hallowed walls of Balducci's or Dean & Deluca.

Floris Day Spa and Nails: A salon and spa that occupies approximately 3,500 square feet of space and just opened next to Borders in November. From manis and pedis to massage and masks, it's a great place to treat yourself after a long day of shopping - or also a great place to pick up a gift card for a loved one.

The UPS Store: Expected to be open in time for the holiday traffic, this will be the perfect location to send those gifts to everyone on your list without having to worry about the lines at the post office.

Crazy For Animals: A family-owned and operated boutique specializing in upscale pet accessories is the first "green" pet store in New York City. With bamboo floors, hand waxed cabinets, and energy efficient lighting, the shop offers a full line of holistic food and spa products for pets.

Borders Books and Music: The modern day bookstore has evolved to have sections with DVDs, music, cards, magazines, coffee, gifts and more - but it is clearly the books that make this place swing. The children's section is great and the relaxed atmosphere is typical (though with holiday shoppers it will be fun to see how the Zen feeling holds up).

There are plenty of other stores to choose from, but there is only one Santa Claus at Atlas Park. He will be on hand this weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and then from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. After that you will be able to find the jolly old elf from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9 (til 8.p.m.), 14-16, 20-23 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Though, like Queens Center, you do have to pay to park in the garage at Atlas, shop on Tuesdays and bring a receipt for a purchase of $25 or more to the hospitality center, located next door to White House/Black Market to get your parking validated.

The Shops at Atlas Park are located at 80-00 Cooper Ave. in Glendale. To learn more about the mall and its shops go to www.theshopsatatlaspark.com.


Artistic Stitch

Perhaps you are more of the shop-the-discount-rack person, and you only have a couple of bucks to spend on a gift (or that you want to spend). Places like Marshall's and TJMaxx sell plenty of out-of-season or last-year's-line merchandise, but how can you take the cheap gift and make it look, well, not so cheap?

The answer lies at the intersection of 69th Street and Metropolitan Avenue, and it's called Artistic Stitch.

Established in 1996, Artistic Stitch has grown into one of the leading providers of custom embroidery, silk screening and custom sign development in the New York Tri State area. The company is a full service embroidery super-store located in the heart Queens. Custom designs can be created and produced on any attire including caps, jackets, polo shirts and t-shirts, as well as, tote bags and banners. They also do great monogramming.

That towel you got for your niece may have a ballerina on it and could be a great present for a 5-year-old, but spending the extra few bucks to get her named stitched onto it in hot pink is going to make it a treasure she will cherish for years to come.

Artistic Stitch is located at 66-78 69th St., Middle Village. Call (718) 416-1380 or go to artisticstitchinc.com.


Queens Center Mall

This is the biggie.

Queens Center Mall has the highest receipts per square foot of any mall in the country, and with anchors like Macy's and JC Penney, it is no surprise that it can bring in mass amounts of customers.

Stores like Urban Outfitters, Modell's, the Disney Store and Victoria's Secret capitalize on these hubs, and business has been great, despite some recent grumblings on a national level about smaller-than-expected holiday numbers.

"It's good news that so many national retailers, including a number of brands with stores at Queens Center, are expecting strong sales growth for the holiday season," said Dawn Simon, marketing manager at Queens Center. "Retailers' own forecasts are an important barometer of holiday sales trends, and what we'll likely experience here at Queens Center."

"Based on our success during the recent Back-to-School season, we believe customers will continue to respond well to calendar-related or 'appointment shopping' events. For the upcoming holidays, we believe that we are well-positioned with our merchandise and promotional events to reinforce for our customers why we should be their preferred shopping choice."

More than 21 million guests arrived at Queens Center Mall in 2006, and most of them will come back in the next six weeks to do their holiday shopping, or so it might seem when you're trying to get off the Queens Boulevard exit on the LIE anytime between now and New Year's.

That's why for the last week leading up to Christmas the mall stays open 24 hours a day - so when you get that urge to buy a set of towels or a pair of replacement headphones at 2 a.m., you've got a place to go.

As a matter of fact, the mall opens at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, and really starts getting into its holiday hours on Dec. 15, when it stays open until midnight. The week after it is open an hour early - at 9 a.m. - and stay open late - til 11 p.m. Starting Dec. 20 the mall opens at 8 a.m. and does not close again until 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

In addition to the shopping and dining at Queens Center, Santa will be on hand as well through Christmas Eve (though he will have leave early that day - he's a busy fella, you know).

Santa will be available Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sundays, from noon - 7 p.m. In addition, there will be an opportunity for kids to have breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8 a.m.

Kids Club members are invited to a special pajama party with Santa in the World's Fare Cafe, JC Penney Wing, for a jolly good time with Santa. There will be fun, games, prizes and even a few surprises. RSVP on or before Thursday, Nov. 29 to Terry.Shalewitz@macerich.com with the names of the children who will be attending.

If you're not a member of Queens Center's ultra hip Kids Club and are 10 and under, bring a grown up to Guest Services, Level 2, JC Penney Wing, to sign up.

To learn more about the mall and its services go to shopqueenscenter.com.


Astoria's Santa

It's that time of year again and children of all ages are invited to "Welcome Santa to Astoria" as he makes his first visit to Astoria this year. Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, is scheduled to arrive on Friday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Steinway Street and Broadway in Astoria.

The hub of Astoria's shopping district is the setting for the kick-off to this Western Queens tradition. Everyone is invited to this community event. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus and receive a free book. The annual event also includes the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Menorah. Parents should bring their cameras to capture this holiday moment.

Santa's arrival is sponsored by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition in conjunction with the Steinway Street Business Improvement District, Broadway-Astoria Merchants & Professionals Association, 30th Avenue Business Association and 36th Avenue Merchants with the cooperation of the Queens Library.

This event, which also ushers in Astoria's holiday shopping season, is funded in part by Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. through a grant from the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Shop Astoria for the holidays - most stores is open late and Sunday now through Christmas for shopping convenience.

For more information, call the Central Astoria LDC office at (718) 728-7820, or visit www.centralastoria.org.

No, you are the traditional shopper. You get the circular, work the sales and wait on the holiday lines that are so long you can catch up on your reading - like "War and Peace" or the entire "Harry Potter" series.

For you, you just need to know where to go, what you will find when you get there and for somebody to tell you why they don't make a low-fat version of those cool pretzels you smell as you walk through the mall, because if they did, you'd stock up with enough to get you through the entire holiday, New Year, St. Pat's and the Fourth of July.

Here's a small list of some of the big places to go in Queens, what you can find there, when they are open and how to hook up with this "Santa" guy you've heard so much about.

Sorry; no pretzels.


The Shops At Atlas Park

With 57 stores and restaurants either already open or on the drawing board and ready to open soon, the Shops At Atlas Park is a haven for all your holiday shopping needs. From specialty gift stores to clothes, books and even a place from which you can ship, it truly is a one-stop center.

Blue Tulip: More than a card and gift shop, this is quickly becoming one of the hottest stores in Atlas Park. The selection of products and the range in prices makes Blue Tulip easily one of the can't-miss places to get something for everyone on your holiday list.

Amish Market: If you're looking to host a holiday meal or to bring a present to the friend whose house you will visit, be sure to stop into Amish Market, a full-service grocery store with the best cheese counter in the borough. The store features full-service butcher, deli, bakery and cheese counters, a gourmet olive bar, hot and cold prepared foods, organic produce and some of the best sauces and delicacies once found only in the hallowed walls of Balducci's or Dean & Deluca.

Floris Day Spa and Nails: A salon and spa that occupies approximately 3,500 square feet of space and just opened next to Borders in November. From manis and pedis to massage and masks, it's a great place to treat yourself after a long day of shopping - or also a great place to pick up a gift card for a loved one.

The UPS Store: Expected to be open in time for the holiday traffic, this will be the perfect location to send those gifts to everyone on your list without having to worry about the lines at the post office.

Crazy For Animals: A family-owned and operated boutique specializing in upscale pet accessories is the first "green" pet store in New York City. With bamboo floors, hand waxed cabinets, and energy efficient lighting, the shop offers a full line of holistic food and spa products for pets.

Borders Books and Music: The modern day bookstore has evolved to have sections with DVDs, music, cards, magazines, coffee, gifts and more - but it is clearly the books that make this place swing. The children's section is great and the relaxed atmosphere is typical (though with holiday shoppers it will be fun to see how the Zen feeling holds up).

There are plenty of other stores to choose from, but there is only one Santa Claus at Atlas Park. He will be on hand this weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and then from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. After that you will be able to find the jolly old elf from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9 (til 8.p.m.), 14-16, 20-23 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Though, like Queens Center, you do have to pay to park in the garage at Atlas, shop on Tuesdays and bring a receipt for a purchase of $25 or more to the hospitality center, located next door to White House/Black Market to get your parking validated.

The Shops at Atlas Park are located at 80-00 Cooper Ave. in Glendale. To learn more about the mall and its shops go to www.theshopsatatlaspark.com.

Artistic Stitch

Perhaps you are more of the shop-the-discount-rack person, and you only have a couple of bucks to spend on a gift (or that you want to spend). Places like Marshall's and TJMaxx sell plenty of out-of-season or last-year's-line merchandise, but how can you take the cheap gift and make it look, well, not so cheap?

The answer lies at the intersection of 69th Street and Metropolitan Avenue, and it's called Artistic Stitch.

Established in 1996, Artistic Stitch has grown into one of the leading providers of custom embroidery, silk screening and custom sign development in the New York Tri State area. The company is a full service embroidery super-store located in the heart Queens. Custom designs can be created and produced on any attire including caps, jackets, polo shirts and t-shirts, as well as, tote bags and banners. They also do great monogramming.

That towel you got for your niece may have a ballerina on it and could be a great present for a 5-year-old, but spending the extra few bucks to get her named stitched onto it in hot pink is going to make it a treasure she will cherish for years to come.

Artistic Stitch is located at 66-78 69th St., Middle Village. Call (718) 416-1380 or go to artisticstitchinc.com.


Queens Center Mall

This is the biggie.

Queens Center Mall has the highest receipts per square foot of any mall in the country, and with anchors like Macy's and JC Penney, it is no surprise that it can bring in mass amounts of customers.

Stores like Urban Outfitters, Modell's, the Disney Store and Victoria's Secret capitalize on these hubs, and business has been great, despite some recent grumblings on a national level about smaller-than-expected holiday numbers.

"It's good news that so many national retailers, including a number of brands with stores at Queens Center, are expecting strong sales growth for the holiday season," said Dawn Simon, marketing manager at Queens Center. "Retailers' own forecasts are an important barometer of holiday sales trends, and what we'll likely experience here at Queens Center."

"Based on our success during the recent Back-to-School season, we believe customers will continue to respond well to calendar-related or 'appointment shopping' events. For the upcoming holidays, we believe that we are well-positioned with our merchandise and promotional events to reinforce for our customers why we should be their preferred shopping choice."

More than 21 million guests arrived at Queens Center Mall in 2006, and most of them will come back in the next six weeks to do their holiday shopping, or so it might seem when you're trying to get off the Queens Boulevard exit on the LIE anytime between now and New Year's. That's why for the last week leading up to Christmas the mall stays open 24 hours a day - so when you get that urge to buy a set of towels or a pair of replacement headphones at 2 a.m., you've got a place to go.

As a matter of fact, the mall opens at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, and really starts getting into its holiday hours on Dec. 15, when it stays open until midnight. The week after it is open an hour early - at 9 a.m. - and stay open late - til 11 p.m. Starting Dec. 20 the mall opens at 8 a.m. and does not close again until 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

In addition to the shopping and dining at Queens Center, Santa will be on hand as well through Christmas Eve (though he will have leave early that day - he's a busy fella, you know).

Santa will be available Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sundays, from noon - 7 p.m. In addition, there will be an opportunity for kids to have breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8 a.m.

Kids Club members are invited to a special pajama party with Santa in the World's Fare Cafe, JC Penney Wing, for a jolly good time with Santa. There will be fun, games, prizes and even a few surprises. RSVP on or before Thursday, Nov. 29 to Terry.Shalewitz@macerich.com with the names of the children who will be attending.

If you're not a member of Queens Center's ultra hip Kids Club and are 10 and under, bring a grown up to Guest Services, Level 2, JC Penney Wing, to sign up.

To learn more about the mall and its services go to shopqueenscenter.com.


Astoria's Santa

It's that time of year again and children of all ages are invited to "Welcome Santa to Astoria" as he makes his first visit to Astoria this year. Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, is scheduled to arrive on Friday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Steinway Street and Broadway in Astoria.

The hub of Astoria's shopping district is the setting for the kick-off to this Western Queens tradition. Everyone is invited to this community event. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus and receive a free book. The annual event also includes the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Menorah. Parents should bring their cameras to capture this holiday moment.

Santa's arrival is sponsored by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition in conjunction with the Steinway Street Business Improvement District, Broadway-Astoria Merchants & Professionals Association, 30th Avenue Business Association and 36th Avenue Merchants with the cooperation of the Queens Library.

This event, which also ushers in Astoria's holiday shopping season, is funded in part by Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. through a grant from the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Shop Astoria for the holidays - most stores is open late and Sunday now through Christmas for shopping convenience.

For more information, call the Central Astoria LDC office at (718) 728-7820, or visit www.centralastoria.org.