Best of Astoria 2018 - Spas, Hair Salons, Organic Markets, Boutiques and More
The hip and thriving community of Astoria, NY, is home to some of the city's most interesting specialty markets, spas, salons and boutiques.
Best Of Astoria, NY
Here's an up close and personal look at some of the places that Astoria fell in love with over the past year. They just might end up making your list of go-to spots in 2018!
Royal Kitchen and Bath - Astoria
As with their counterparts throughout the city, most Astoria apartments, co-ops and condos tend to be on the small side. Space is at a premium in New York. What else is new, right?
But even though your living quarters may be slightly cramped, that doesn't mean that your surroundings can't be beautiful and stylish.
If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, then the friendly and professional staff at Royal Kitchen and Bath can help to transform your living space into something that you'll be proud to show off to family and friends for years to come.
A family-owned business, Royal Kitchen and bath offers a complimentary consultation and free estimates. Almir is the owner and chief craftsman, with over fifteen years of experience. Almir is a man with a plan who definitely knows what he is doing.
From installing kitchen countertops and cabinets, bathroom vanities, tiles, mosaics and flooring, Almir and his team at Royal Kitchen and Bath are up for any challenge. They can even replace your old, weather-beaten doors with new entryways that will make your condo, co-op or house really pop.
It all starts with Royal Kitchen and Bath's gorgeous showroom, which is located in the heart of Astoria. Just a five-minute walk from the Broadway and 31st Street N and Q train station, the showroom is spacious and is an interior decorator's dream.
Artfully arranged cabinets and countertops, backsplashes and tiles can be found throughout the shop. You will even find accessories such as sinks and faucets that will make your bathroom or kitchen more indulgent and efficient.
A new floor can transform the entire look and feel of your living space! It may not quite be as if you are walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards, but, you will feel like a million bucks when you glide over that gleaming, polished wood floor.
The folks here are all about dedicated customer service and it all starts when you walk through the door and shake Almir's hand. He will listen carefully as you describe the vision you have for your kitchen or bathroom.
Then, Almir will walk you through the shop so that you can see and touch the products that, sooner than you think, will be gracing your home. Almir carefully trains his work crews. You will find them to be polite and highly professional. And your job will be completed within the estimated time-frame.
Although Royal Kitchen and Bath is a favorite of Aplez.com's readers in Astoria, the company serves the entire NYC area.
More likely than not, you've probably spotted one of Almir's vans, sporting the colorful Royal Kitchen and Bath logo and design, on the way to or from a job in Ditmars, on Steinway Street or in Long Island City.
Royal Kitchen and Bath... Bringing beauty and comfort to your home.
Location and Contact Info
25-06 34th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11106
(929) 522-0926
Hours
Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday Closed
Vitality and Health Market - Astoria
At one time, vowing to make better, more natural food choices and lead a healthier lifestyle was the stuff of New Year's resolutions. The intentions were sincere, but it was just so hard to stick to a diet and a plan.
With our busy schedules and eat when you can grab a spare minute mentality, it was just too easy to give in to temptation and indulge in our fast food favorites.
But times have changed and so has our resolve to be the best possible version of ourselves that we can be. And making leading a healthy, more natural life just a little bit easier is one of Astoria's true gems, Vitality and Health Market.
Tucked away on a quiet corner of Broadway and 46th Street, Vitality and Health Market has been serving the community for almost twelve years and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
Even if you don't live in the neighborhood, this friendly market is worth the walk or bus ride. One of the reasons is owner John Sierros, a personable man who truly cares about the health of the surrounding community.
A man who has been committed to the natural and organic way for most of his life, John has turned what was once a small health food market into one of the largest businesses of its kind in Astoria.
With over 5,000 square feet, Vitality and Health Markets' shelves are stocked with all manner of vitamins, supplements, aromatherapy oils and candles, organic soaps as well as probiotics, fish oils and other products from Renew Life.
John has been one of the leaders in the Astoria cold press juice movement. His juices are so popular that many local gyms stock them for their members. Fight cold and flu symptoms with their Immune Boost or cleanse the toxins right out of your body with the Super Cleanser.
Right outside the entrance, you'll find the farm stand. Here you will find box upon box of the freshest fruits and vegetables like mangoes, grapes, avocados, bananas, kale, spinach asparagus and apples.
Your pet deserves to eat as healthy as you do! John carries a full line of organic pet food. This truly is a one-stop shop. And the prices are so affordable. Why make the trek all the way into Manhattan to shop at Whole Foods when you can get everything you need right here and support a local business?
A hands-on owner, John can always be seen behind the counter or walking through the store, answering customer's questions, checking deliveries or doing whatever needs to be done. Vitality and Health Market is not just a business to John, it's his passion.
Let's be real. Convenience plays a huge role in keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet. Between family and work, it's not easy cooking a full dinner every night when we walk through, our apartment door, exhausted from our non-stop day.
Vitality and Health offers a delicious hot and cold buffet, priced by the pound. Take as much or as little as you like. The options are insane. Most days there are over thirty different choices. If you work late, that's not a problem. Hot and cold food is available until closing at midnight.
Be indulgent yet healthy at the same time. On any given day you will find selections like baked salmon or flounder, pesto pasta, eggplant rollatini, tofu sausage with veggies, vegan chicken salad as well as couscous salad with balsamic vinegar.
Hungry Astoria residents also love John's home-made Greek Spinach pie and Chicken pie.
Good news for famished AM commuters. Grab breakfast at Vitality and Health. John's breakfast buffet is better than ever.It now consists of a wide variety of choices like scrambled eggs, silver dollar pancakes, the BEST home fries in Astoria, mixed berries, seasonal fruit and their famous French Toast strips.
You can get everything from groceries or an antibiotic-free,grass-fed burger with sweet potato fries delivered right to your door. But make sure that you order directly from their website www.organicatyourdoor.com. All online orders receive five percent off!
Come on. You've been meaning to make more nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner choices for a while now. Vitality and Health market is the best reason in the world to get moving on living the kind of life you want, right now.
Location and Contact Info
46-03 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11103
(7180 777-8477
Hours
Monday to Sunday 6 AM to 12 AM
Carl Clarke Aesthetiques - Astoria
We all want to look our best. And we all have different reasons for doing so. For some, their chosen career demands that they " keep up" appearances and present a youthful image to potential clients and business partners.
For others, it all comes down feeling good about themselves on the inside and outside. You really can't put a price on feeling confident and having a sense that you have what it takes to go out and conquer the world.
Whatever the reason for looking your best may be, the expert staff at Carl Clarke Aesthetiques can help you to reach your goals.
Urbane, compassionate and accomplished, Carl Clarke is a cosmetic medical specialist with a strong professional background. Born in Barbados, Carl is a board-certified physician's assistant who is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the New York State Society of Physician's Assistants.
Upon graduating from St. John's University and Bayley Seton Medical School, Carl gained invaluable experience in several hospital affiliate residential training programs.
The culmination of Carl's years of experience is Carl Clarke Aesthetiques in Astoria. Carl will sit down with you and discuss, one on one, what your personal vision is and which options are the safest and most realistic.
Consultations are complimentary. The office offers only the finest in cosmetic medical procedures, massage therapy and facial skin care services.
Their services will help you to maintain a smooth, clean and healthy skin tone. The staff's game-changing procedures can also reduce the common redness and hyperpigmentation caused by aging and damage to the dermis and epidermis layers of your skin.
Want to get rid of that unsightly hair on different parts of your body, but don't want to put up with the pain that often goes with waxing? Carl Clarke offers pain-free laser hair removal treatments that achieve faster results, are more comfortable and require fewer office visits.
Other services include a variety of facials including deep pore cleansing, European Steam and microdermabrasion.
You can also schedule procedures for Botox Cosmetic which will improve the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines and crows' feet. The Restylane Silk procedure will give you the fuller, healthy and sexy lips that you've been looking for. This subtle lip enhancement procedure will help to give you a Hollywood Smile.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is available courtesy of staff member Katherine Scofield, who holds a Master's degree in Oriental medicine.
Take control of your physical appearance and define your look at Carl Clarke Aesthetiques.
Location and Contact Info
32-12 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11106
(347) 631-0922
Hours
Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM
Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM
Lavender Label - Astoria
Ready to celebrate their 12th anniversary in business, Vivian and her team at Lavender Label continues to raise the bar when it comes to offering the best in natural bath and body products.
Vivian's home-made soaps not only smell great, you can feel good about using them. These artisanal bars of aromatic and natural goodness have all of the qualities you want in a good bar of soap.But without the harsh chemical additives that can wreak havoc on your skin.
No stranger to the local crafts-maker scene, Vivian was the founder of one of Astoria's favorite stores, The Little Soap Shop. Tucked away on a quiet side street just off Ditmars Blvd., The Little Soap Shop revolutionized how Astoria residents bought soap. Vivian's creative scents and emphasis on using only the freshest, most natural ingredients made the Astoria community take a long, hard look at why they were using off the shelf products from their nearby big box drug store or supermarket.
A couple of years ago, Vivian decided to relocate from her beloved 200 square foot shop to more spacious quarters on 23rd Avenue. This move enabled Vivian to offer her customers a wider selection of products, as well as workshops and classes, from time to time.
Now, in addition to Vivian's fabulous soaps, you can browse and purchase items from local artists, such as handmade jewelry and accessories, gift baskets and unique, custom-made party favors that are ideal for weddings, baby showers and christenings.
Lavender label even has a small children's clothing and shoe boutique. The clothes are dressy casual and include brands like Mud Pie, Ooh La La Couture, Zara Terez and old soles shoes. You can also find some neat, creative toys from Melissa and Doug!
Of course, no one visits Lavender Label without buying a couple of bars of Vivian's aromatic soaps. Made with tender, loving care, soap selections are better than ever; pure olive oil, Apple Jack, Lemon Grass, Cedar and saffron as well as Eucalyptus and so much more!
Vivian has worked hard in her "lab" to come up with other products that you will enjoy including an organic shower gel and a sugar scrub. The Little Soap Shop may have re-branded into Lavender Label, but everything that you always loved about this quaint store remains the same; great customer service and a wide array of products that just keeps getting better and better.
Vivian feels that customer feedback is of vital importance and she genuinely listens when the community suggests different types of soaps and other products that they would like to see in her store.
Location and Contact Info
29-03 23rd Avenue
Astoria, NY 11105
(774) 255-3915
Hours
Monday to Friday 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM
Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM
The Stonework - Astoria
Owned by the charming husband and wife team of Ana Stone and James Guccione, The Stonework is a men and women's apparel shop that focuses on local and made in the USA goods.
The Stonework honors tradition and expert craftsmanship. Within these vintage walls, you'll find some very cool shirts, jeans, leather motorcycle jackets, denim jackets, candles, accessories, men's grooming products and shoes.
Their apparel is meant to last and there are history and a story behind almost every item that they sell. Brands like Red Wing Heritage boots have been in business since 1905. Schott has been going strong since 1913. United by Blue makes responsible, durable goods while Left Field has been manufacturing quality sportswear for years.
Ana and James want their valued customers to " wear something that means something to you". It's that simple.
A true craftsperson, Ana can hand-stitch custom embroidery on everything from denim jackets to jeans. If you have a favorite pair of jeans that really are distressed, Ana can definitely help.It doesn't matter whether you purchased your jeans at Stonework or someplace else.
As Ana likes to say "You bring it, we'll stitch it." She does expert hemming, as well.
Ana has a wealth of experience in the world of fashion, having attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and has worked as a buyer and visual merchandiser for many years. Prior to opening The Stonework, Ana was a buyer at Lockwood, one of Astoria's most beloved shops.
The atmosphere here is very warm. There's no hard sell. Browsing is encouraged. Ana and James want you to take your time, look through the reclaimed wood shelves and antique clothing racks and select an item that really speaks to you.
Location and Contact Info
37-06 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 606-0828
Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Saturday 12 PM to 7 PM
Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM
Astoria Locksmith - Astoria
At one time or another, we are all going to find ourselves in a situation where we need the services of a good, reliable locksmith. Maybe you forgot your keys at work and you can't get into your apartment. Or, perhaps, the door on your car just won't open and it's freezing out.
Don't panic! Help is on the way courtesy of Roz Khan, a man who hasn't met a lock he can't fix. Following in the footsteps of his father, Roz has been at the helm of Astoria Locksmith for ten years. One of the most respected professionals in the community, Roz offers a wide range of services. He can deal with all types of lockouts, deadbolts, cylinder changes, Herculite doors, electric locks, key by code and broken door knobs.
Client satisfaction is Mr. Khan's number one priority and he always has a warm smile. This is a man who truly enjoys what he is doing in life. Astoria residents and Aplez.com readers just love dealing with business owners like Roz.
In addition to fixing locks for Astoria's apartment and condo dwellers, Roz Khan's elite services are in demand by the local business community. Many restaurants, bar and cafe owners on 30th avenue depend on Roz to make their businesses safe and secure.
There's been many a time when the intrepid Roz had to jump on his motorcycle, early in the morning and help a cafe owner and his waiting staff gain entry into their establishment. One time, the lock to the security gate had frozen. Another time, the manager had just forgotten her keys.
Roz' fees are highly affordable and if you need an extra set of keys, he will make them on the premises for you, within minutes. You're in and out, just like that!
Location and Contact Info
30-10 37th Street
Astoria NY 11103
(917) 977-1507
email:
Hours
24 hour on call service
Guardian Group Realty - Astoria
With the real estate market the way it is in Astoria, it's always good to know an honest, hard-working broker who has an extensive network of contacts.
If you've just moved here from out of town or your apartment lease is coming to an unfortunate end, then it's time to turn to the professionals at Guardian Group Realty. The Guardian team of experts, led by the multi-talented Roz Khan, will do their very best to find you a place that you can truly call home.
Having enjoyed tremendous success as a locksmith, during which time he formed strong relationships with both landlords and tenants, Roz Khan decided to get his broker's license and form a real estate business. It seemed like a natural, organic progression in his professional life.
Roz and his partners, Danny Doumanis and Theo Panagopoulos have a very personal approach to dealing with their clients. At Guardian Group Realty, every client is valued. You don't have to be a big shot developer to receive first-rate treatment here.
Because of their close bonds with landlords, Guardian Group has a competitive edge in terms of offering you more options when it comes to rental prices, quality of available apartments and duration of leases.
Now, finding you an apartment is what Guardian does best. But, they also offer a host of other services such as property management, condo sales and commercial leasing. These brokers know Astoria, especially the blazing hot neighborhood around 30th avenue, like the back of their hand.
Their mission statement says it all..." At Guardian Group, we grew up here, we love Astoria and want to share this wonderful neighborhood with you."
Location and Contact Info
30-10 37th Street
Astoria, NY 11103
(917) 977-1507
www.guardiangrouprealty.com
Hours
Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 8 PM
Sunday Closed
Yoga Agora - Astoria
This charming, serene yoga studio is just what busy Aplez.com readers need to relieve the stress that is part and parcel of living in NYC.
When you enter this loft-like, stylish space and your class starts, you will feel as though you are in another world. One of the studio's highly trained instructors will gently guide you through the movements while you do yoga at your own, comfortable pace.
Exposed brick, wall lanterns that cast a soft glow on the proceedings and floor to ceiling windows create a cozy and inviting ambiance. Located on the second floor of a small building in the heart of Astoria, Yoga Agora is an oasis from the hustle and bustle that accompanies you on your daily travels.
At Yoga Agora, the owner and lead instructor, Nick, is trying to foster a sense of togetherness and community. The studio takes its name from the central meeting place of the ancient Greeks, the Agora.
Yoga Agora operates on a drop-in basis. There's no pressure, memberships or pre-registration. When you feel like practicing yoga, all you have to do is simply show up.
A certified Jivamukti yogi, Nick's philosophy is that no one is either good or bad at yoga. Yoga is a practice that celebrates the individual and benefits your mental, physical and spiritual health. The one thing that it is NOT is some sort of sports or reality show competition.
Classes are between $8 and $10 and include Vinyasa levels 1,2 and 3, Inversions Flow, Flow and Restore as well as Yin and Alignment Basics. Every Sunday evening, Yoga Agora hosts a meditation class, which will quiet your busy mind and enrich your soul.
Nick, by the way, practices Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's transcendental meditation technique.
Happy yoga practitioners could give you a multitude of reasons why they have been going to Yoga Agora for years. But the best reason of all is that, when you leave the studio's safe, tranquil environs, you will carry peace and happiness in your heart.
Location and Contact Info
33-02 Broadway
second floor
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 626-0680
www.yogaagora.com
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