Korean shops in Flushing, Queens, are teeming with Korean customers. In the past two months, Union Street and Northern Boulevard have undergone great change, with many stores closing up, but even more shops opening.
There are also many shop owners who are simply changing the type of businesses they run. Among these, almost 15 have changed their name. For example, the White Collection, a wedding company, Zio Collection, a Korean apparel company, and Patopia, an animal hospital, have recently set up for business on Northern Blvd. near 164th Street. Misari, a bar on 161st Street, Siggaek Buffet on 157th Street, BBQ Chicken on 158th Street, Korean Changsu (Longevity), a bed store on 136th Street, Island JED, a clothing store, Omai ("Oh my goodness") Chicken, and Kabose ("Let's go") have all recently opened new businesses around Union Street.
Monroe Shoes and Mazingga Z have new owners and the famous restaurants Modurang ("All together"), and Yu kane gukbap ("Mr. Yu's Family Food") are now bars on Union Street. Ori Ondungi ("Duck's hip") changed its name to "Misari" and is now a bar for adults. Paris Baguette and Morning Glory, two Korean bakeries, are getting ready to open new stores.
Meanwhile, many Korean restaurants and drinking bars in Flushing are in caught in the renovation boom: the drinking bar Chugaek Chonha and Restaurant Gyochon Chicken redecorated, using softer tones of brown and green and stylistic elements such as candles and wooden tables to create a more natural atmosphere.
Mr. Park, Dae-gyu, president of the Changsu Stone Bed Company, moved his business from Bayside to Flushing. He recently said, “The Korean business world in Bayside gradually flattened, but in Flushing there are still a lot of Korean pedestrians and cars on the streets. As well, there are other ethnic groups around, so we're getting a lot of customers besides Koreans. We just opened a new store on May l.”
“In Flushing, despite the economic depression, the price of real estate never dropped. There are plenty of Koreans who expect an economic upturn and are starting new businesses,” said Kenny Park, of Keystone Real Estate.
It seems that many businesses prescribe to the old adage that crisis also means opportunity for business.
