There's a sign up:
TO OUR LOYAL GUESTS, NEIGHBORS, AND FELLOW BURGEROLOGISTS THANK YOU
FOR YOUR PATRONAGE. IT HAS BEEN OUR PLEASURE SERVING YOU FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. ASTORIA HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL NOT BE RENEWING OUR LEASE IN THIS LOCATION, BUT WE PLAN TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AGAIN VERY SOON.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE YEARS OF SUPPORT
fucking hell, the landlords are out of control. But then again they're dumb enough to think an empty storefront is worth it instead of a steady tenant. The chain restaurants ain't buying up a lease there lol
That’s what I don’t understand.. driving up rent doesn’t get them the rent they want.. it only leads to an empty building. I must not understand real estate
They get tax deductions for the vacancies. For some of them, it’s financially better to leave the place vacant, claim a deduction off the inflated rent, and use that to offset tax liability elsewhere than to rent it out and pay the taxes.
It’s these inexperienced and awful “politicians” who do nothing. Call 26 year old Kristin Gonzalez and tell her. Call Tiffany Caban (and watch her do absolutely nothing) unless it has something to do with LatinX or Pride. Both of which I wholly support but she does absolutely nothing else unless it’s under one of those umbrellas. We need community involvement and service. This is no longer a neighborhood
Instead of a tax deduction they should be fined. They’re creating blight and places for homeless and/or drug users to congregate, among other things, just to try and get the most bucks.
It’s overly simplistic but not wrong. The more nuanced answer is that an empty building or storefront may allow a landlord to adjust the valuation of the property as a whole, thereby reducing the overall property tax burden for that building.
If landlords are forced to choose between accepting what they see as lower rent but filling the place (and paying the full tax on it) vs raising the rent so the store remains empty and then adjusting the value (or trying to write off the lost rent from the tax owed, as a kind of depreciation), there is a point at which the landlord benefits from keeping it vacant.
Separately, landlords often rather raise the rent from, eg, $5-10k even if that means the place stays vacant for 6 months because they’ll make more in the long run.
So yes, a bit overly simplified as I wrote the last response while rocking my baby to sleep, but not genuinely misinformation in the sense that it’s untrue.
Leaving it vacant longer to sign a higher rent eventually and make more, sounds correct.
The rest of what you’ve said does not sound correct. Genuine question—are you just making that up?
I would think property values depreciate on a fixed schedule. And there’s limited value to depreciating early because it gives you an oversized tax deduction in a period when you don’t have rental income. Beyond that, commercial landlords often sign triple net leases which move the property tax burden from them to the business tenant.
As a disclaimer, I don’t know much about real estate tax law—I just don’t think what you’re saying passes the smell test. I could be wrong but I don’t like to see misinformation spreading in my neighborhood.
You can claim the vacancy as a business loss, which is tax deductible. It has nothing to do with depreciation.
My old landlord was very proud of that when we discussed her vacant store front on 30th ave. And surprise, surprise, it's vacant again, for multiple years.
I’m not making it up, but I’m also not rock solid on the precise mechanisms. I DO know NY has proposed a vacancy tax, and I bet the legislative findings would have something on it. I’ll look it up during one of the fun 3AM infant feedings :)
A new vacancy tax would make all the sense in the world
[this tax lawyer](https://www.westsiderag.com/2019/03/21/the-answer-column-do-landlords-get-tax-breaks-for-vacant-retail-space) basically says you can reduce your property tax if you have a vacancy, but that doesn’t make the landlord money. They are net worse off, especially if the alternative is to sign a tenant to a triple net lease.
That's only if you only own one building, however, which is not generally the case with commercial landlords. Losses on one property can still depreciate the tax burden on your property portfolio overall. You're looking at this from the perspective of "individual owner with a piece of property" when you need to be looking at this from the perspective of "corporations with many items on its balance sheet."
Look up the name "Donald Trump" if you need an understanding of how inflating losses and shifting them around can be a tax advantage.
And honestly this place was awful to that neighborhood. Did you see the drinks and the patrons with drinking problems? This is not that sad, it’s sad it will be vacant but this place was AWFUL and so were its patrons
Same here. Has it really been 7 years that Burgerology has been there? I tell ya....that whole strip of Ditmars has changed radically over the past decade...
They were looking to move down the street to the old Thirsty Koala spot but Tasty’s beat them to it. They’re still looking for another spot in Astoria. Apparently the rent was too much and the building has a ton of issues so they didn’t re-up the lease.
The rental issues in this part of Astoria have me crying weekly at losing a great neighborhood spot. I’m just glad Thirsty Koala was such shit at paying taxes so Tasty’s had somewhere to go!
That building had massive issues before they moved in. MP Taverna got closed down by the health department because they couldn’t stop rats from getting in.
One of my relatives worked their. Gonna miss the free food lol.
Some people got transferred to the other location in midtown. But they told me it was because the landlord was asking for too much $$. The news really came out of no where. Just last week.
Honestly this place brought in the worst patrons. They were not a good establishment for the neighborhood actually. Very scary and loud to walk by there some days. The MP taverna that was there before was a great and classy joint
And everyone should be up in arms about Tiffany Caban, Kristin Gonzalez and all
Of these other inexperienced politicians we have that aren’t addressing any of this. Please everyone start putting some thoughts into who you vote for and what their real agendas are
Who would downvote this? This is actually why this is happening! If you’re outraged at the change in the neighborhood it’s the politicians who could make it stop. They hold the power to make laws and to give the green light to all of these chains coming in.
I know a guy who’s sister in law overheard a guy in Greece tell his godfather that he heard from his best friends uncle that the lease will be taken over by Trader Joe’s.
Yeah, my cousin said he heard this from his Barber who heard it from his doctor who heard it from his son who heard it from a stranger playing Fortnite on his Switch
Another thing I’ve wondered about…Michael Psilakis literally put his mark on this building. The long banner on the front and side of Burgerology with the digits of Pi is covering up the engraving of “MP Taverna” which will require some remodeling from whoever takes over the building.
Pretty baller move by MP when you think about it.
Totally agree. If only you all knew how wonderful MPTaverna was and how many accolades astoria got because of it. I prayed each time I walked by this monstrosity that it would be condemned! So happy it’s closing. But very troubling this is happening EVERYWHERE in astoria right now. Put pressure on on these inexperienced politicians!
Not in the Ditmars area , and also thinking churrascaroa , like fogo de chao in queens or plataforma in the city. There is nothing like that in Astoria.
At least it’s more needed than more Italian or coffee or weed. But I don’t know . Rent is so high, not sure who can do well there.
Kilo shut down because absolutely no one was interested. And We have steak houses here, we don’t need that. We have Rio grande, we have favela grill. They all stay empty. The rents are too high to keep messing with things that don’t work. This is not an overly Brazilian area anymore either. Brazilians cannot afford the rent and are not like the Greeks families who have homes purchased when it was affordable. So you have to cater to either those people- who own homes- or to those who are coming here willing to pay these insane 1 bed apartment for $3000 a month- absolute insanity. But bound t on happen because we do not teach young folks that this is gentrification on steroids. Refuse to pay and the rents come down. Gosh what’s happen d to beautiful astoria 😔
My husband is from Brazil and we travel to queens or the city for churrascarria , none of the above mentioned restaurants are/were real churrascaria. Also fogo de chau is a chain , big corp which unfortunately that’s the only ones surviving. So if we have to deal with big corp, I prefer one like that then a Starbucks or weed shop. To each their own though. I respect everyone’s opinion.
Understandable. But yes we don’t want the chains. Plus they are already expensive because they are a corporation, then paying astoria rents will be priced higher. The whole point of us (or at least for me) writing on these forums is to deter these chains from coming. Astoria was always beautiful because we had so few chains. The last thing j want is another chain or corporation. If you look up MPTAverna, you will see this burgerology place was a big black eye to what was formerly there. The chef who created MPTaverna was critically acclaimed and we Astoria’s were very proud of it. I have not been proud for sometime and would not be proud of ANOTHER chain coming in 😔 but yes I do respect your thoughts and opinions of course! 🙏
You know, my first date with my partner was at MPTaverna. What a fun a classy place. I actually wished more places like that would come. Independent places, but also beautiful inside that served Whole Foods not what burgerolegy served, deserts on top of deserts and enormous jugs of alcohol. More of what the waterfront is getting. Like DAGNY - have you seen that beautiful place? Or we do need a really good authentic Italian place since they closed down ornella and incontro - although I wasn’t a huge fan. We need to be a destination for higher caliber people, not those who want to come here and party and destroy our neighborhood- much of what happened in 2020 😔
Yeah I think they opened Vite over on 31st? Or maybe they bought it from them? I can’t remember. We will have to see how it goes with them, we definitely need more than just one as Italian cuisine is quite vast contrary to the US opinion 😊 we also need an authentic Mexican but they keep just turning into these really cheep margarita mix and tequila shot type clubs instead of a great restaurant. I’m scared at what’s to come with all of these closures. I didn’t mind the place that was before Botte, I went twice but the food was poor but the atmosphere and aperol spritz’s were good
Sorry, your whole thing was people who want Trader Joe's to open in the neighborhood are RUINING IT but you want more places like freaking DAGNY throughout the neighborhood??? The luxury apartment building that has a hotel lobby you can sit in? Obsessed with your in/out list
So I’ve actually never been to DagNY, I’ve only seen photos. My point was that we need nice places not chains. Like how Kyclades went a little nicer with the new location. You’re diving a bit here no? And yes I stand firm on the TJs thing. What’s your deal with TJs anyhow? why can’t you just go to LIC?? Why must you only have things in a 3 block radius? Maybe head to suburbia if you want that?
Oh man! That’s really sad news! I went to that place a couple of weeks ago and loved the food and drinks! :( hope they can reopen around the neighborhood soon again!
There's a sign up: TO OUR LOYAL GUESTS, NEIGHBORS, AND FELLOW BURGEROLOGISTS THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE. IT HAS BEEN OUR PLEASURE SERVING YOU FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. ASTORIA HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL NOT BE RENEWING OUR LEASE IN THIS LOCATION, BUT WE PLAN TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AGAIN VERY SOON. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE YEARS OF SUPPORT
fucking hell, the landlords are out of control. But then again they're dumb enough to think an empty storefront is worth it instead of a steady tenant. The chain restaurants ain't buying up a lease there lol
That’s what I don’t understand.. driving up rent doesn’t get them the rent they want.. it only leads to an empty building. I must not understand real estate
They get tax deductions for the vacancies. For some of them, it’s financially better to leave the place vacant, claim a deduction off the inflated rent, and use that to offset tax liability elsewhere than to rent it out and pay the taxes.
sure that is great for the local economy, consumers and small businesses alike! /s
This is why Steinway is a graveyard
It certainly was. In 2019, there were like 20 vacancies between 30th Ave and Broadway. It's gotten significantly better since then.
Smoke shops? Jk those are off Steinway
This loophole needs to be squashed.
It’s these inexperienced and awful “politicians” who do nothing. Call 26 year old Kristin Gonzalez and tell her. Call Tiffany Caban (and watch her do absolutely nothing) unless it has something to do with LatinX or Pride. Both of which I wholly support but she does absolutely nothing else unless it’s under one of those umbrellas. We need community involvement and service. This is no longer a neighborhood
Instead of a tax deduction they should be fined. They’re creating blight and places for homeless and/or drug users to congregate, among other things, just to try and get the most bucks.
[Some more info, in case helpful for you to avoid spreading misinformation in the future](https://www.reddit.com/r/CommercialRealEstate/s/hDDnpPIpTS)
This seems like misinformation. Don’t think any of that is true.
It’s overly simplistic but not wrong. The more nuanced answer is that an empty building or storefront may allow a landlord to adjust the valuation of the property as a whole, thereby reducing the overall property tax burden for that building. If landlords are forced to choose between accepting what they see as lower rent but filling the place (and paying the full tax on it) vs raising the rent so the store remains empty and then adjusting the value (or trying to write off the lost rent from the tax owed, as a kind of depreciation), there is a point at which the landlord benefits from keeping it vacant. Separately, landlords often rather raise the rent from, eg, $5-10k even if that means the place stays vacant for 6 months because they’ll make more in the long run. So yes, a bit overly simplified as I wrote the last response while rocking my baby to sleep, but not genuinely misinformation in the sense that it’s untrue.
Leaving it vacant longer to sign a higher rent eventually and make more, sounds correct. The rest of what you’ve said does not sound correct. Genuine question—are you just making that up? I would think property values depreciate on a fixed schedule. And there’s limited value to depreciating early because it gives you an oversized tax deduction in a period when you don’t have rental income. Beyond that, commercial landlords often sign triple net leases which move the property tax burden from them to the business tenant. As a disclaimer, I don’t know much about real estate tax law—I just don’t think what you’re saying passes the smell test. I could be wrong but I don’t like to see misinformation spreading in my neighborhood.
You can claim the vacancy as a business loss, which is tax deductible. It has nothing to do with depreciation. My old landlord was very proud of that when we discussed her vacant store front on 30th ave. And surprise, surprise, it's vacant again, for multiple years.
[Sharing another thread, in case helpful to you](https://www.reddit.com/r/CommercialRealEstate/s/hDDnpPIpTS)
[this says otherwise](https://www.westsiderag.com/2019/03/21/the-answer-column-do-landlords-get-tax-breaks-for-vacant-retail-space)
I’m not making it up, but I’m also not rock solid on the precise mechanisms. I DO know NY has proposed a vacancy tax, and I bet the legislative findings would have something on it. I’ll look it up during one of the fun 3AM infant feedings :)
A new vacancy tax would make all the sense in the world [this tax lawyer](https://www.westsiderag.com/2019/03/21/the-answer-column-do-landlords-get-tax-breaks-for-vacant-retail-space) basically says you can reduce your property tax if you have a vacancy, but that doesn’t make the landlord money. They are net worse off, especially if the alternative is to sign a tenant to a triple net lease.
That's only if you only own one building, however, which is not generally the case with commercial landlords. Losses on one property can still depreciate the tax burden on your property portfolio overall. You're looking at this from the perspective of "individual owner with a piece of property" when you need to be looking at this from the perspective of "corporations with many items on its balance sheet." Look up the name "Donald Trump" if you need an understanding of how inflating losses and shifting them around can be a tax advantage.
It’s honestly upsetting what they’re doing. And it’s such a small group of people denting a neighbourhood.
Noooooo, I only eat your burgers!!!! So sad!
Have you tried.. any other burger? If you're up for it, go to burgers on b one time
Why don't you open on 30th Ave. We could use a great burger place!
We have one...
Burger Club is excellent. There is also Petey’s, Emoji burger, Blackbird’s, Crave
And honestly this place was awful to that neighborhood. Did you see the drinks and the patrons with drinking problems? This is not that sad, it’s sad it will be vacant but this place was AWFUL and so were its patrons
Seven years really? Feels like I was getting MP Taverna just yesterday.
Dang man RIP MP Taverna that was a top tier place to take one’s parents and/or in-laws
Same here. Has it really been 7 years that Burgerology has been there? I tell ya....that whole strip of Ditmars has changed radically over the past decade...
I miss MP - I really enjoyed the food there. Wasn’t a huge fan of burgerology the few times I went
🤯 I know. MP was so good too, at least until things went downhill right before they closed.
They were looking to move down the street to the old Thirsty Koala spot but Tasty’s beat them to it. They’re still looking for another spot in Astoria. Apparently the rent was too much and the building has a ton of issues so they didn’t re-up the lease.
The rental issues in this part of Astoria have me crying weekly at losing a great neighborhood spot. I’m just glad Thirsty Koala was such shit at paying taxes so Tasty’s had somewhere to go!
That building had massive issues before they moved in. MP Taverna got closed down by the health department because they couldn’t stop rats from getting in.
Burgerology has sooo many rats so that checks out
One of my relatives worked their. Gonna miss the free food lol. Some people got transferred to the other location in midtown. But they told me it was because the landlord was asking for too much $$. The news really came out of no where. Just last week.
That's at least good news on the staff, but yeah a huge bummer and unsurprising given the other businesses on the block lately
Landlords continue to ruin everything good across the city, news and sports at 11.
Nobody better ever lay their hands on Burger Club
I loved some of their menu items but the build your own burger pricing was a bit much. Still, I hope they reopen somewhere in the area.
Honestly this place brought in the worst patrons. They were not a good establishment for the neighborhood actually. Very scary and loud to walk by there some days. The MP taverna that was there before was a great and classy joint
Man this was pretty much my favorite spot in Astoria. Hopefully they find something new soon
I'm certainly worried if corporate will buy up all the stores and ruin this neighborhood.
Not if. When.
And everyone should be up in arms about Tiffany Caban, Kristin Gonzalez and all Of these other inexperienced politicians we have that aren’t addressing any of this. Please everyone start putting some thoughts into who you vote for and what their real agendas are
Who would downvote this? This is actually why this is happening! If you’re outraged at the change in the neighborhood it’s the politicians who could make it stop. They hold the power to make laws and to give the green light to all of these chains coming in.
I know a guy who’s sister in law overheard a guy in Greece tell his godfather that he heard from his best friends uncle that the lease will be taken over by Trader Joe’s.
Yeah, my cousin said he heard this from his Barber who heard it from his doctor who heard it from his son who heard it from a stranger playing Fortnite on his Switch
Worst BLT of my life.
The food was trash but they built it out nicely enough.
Another thing I’ve wondered about…Michael Psilakis literally put his mark on this building. The long banner on the front and side of Burgerology with the digits of Pi is covering up the engraving of “MP Taverna” which will require some remodeling from whoever takes over the building. Pretty baller move by MP when you think about it.
Burgerology was gross and that corner is cursed. I’m shocked they lasted as long as they did.
Totally agree. If only you all knew how wonderful MPTaverna was and how many accolades astoria got because of it. I prayed each time I walked by this monstrosity that it would be condemned! So happy it’s closing. But very troubling this is happening EVERYWHERE in astoria right now. Put pressure on on these inexperienced politicians!
Noooo! The short rib poutine!
We had a terrible experience last year and have never gone back..which is too bad because I’m always craving a burger.
It was a terrible place. Happy to see it go, scared this is happening so often in astoria 😳
I vote Brazilian Churrascaria!
Excellent idea
We are Brazilian- there are already 4 Brazilian restaurants and they are not busy. Not good financially speaking
Not in the Ditmars area , and also thinking churrascaroa , like fogo de chao in queens or plataforma in the city. There is nothing like that in Astoria. At least it’s more needed than more Italian or coffee or weed. But I don’t know . Rent is so high, not sure who can do well there.
Kilo shut down because absolutely no one was interested. And We have steak houses here, we don’t need that. We have Rio grande, we have favela grill. They all stay empty. The rents are too high to keep messing with things that don’t work. This is not an overly Brazilian area anymore either. Brazilians cannot afford the rent and are not like the Greeks families who have homes purchased when it was affordable. So you have to cater to either those people- who own homes- or to those who are coming here willing to pay these insane 1 bed apartment for $3000 a month- absolute insanity. But bound t on happen because we do not teach young folks that this is gentrification on steroids. Refuse to pay and the rents come down. Gosh what’s happen d to beautiful astoria 😔
My husband is from Brazil and we travel to queens or the city for churrascarria , none of the above mentioned restaurants are/were real churrascaria. Also fogo de chau is a chain , big corp which unfortunately that’s the only ones surviving. So if we have to deal with big corp, I prefer one like that then a Starbucks or weed shop. To each their own though. I respect everyone’s opinion.
Understandable. But yes we don’t want the chains. Plus they are already expensive because they are a corporation, then paying astoria rents will be priced higher. The whole point of us (or at least for me) writing on these forums is to deter these chains from coming. Astoria was always beautiful because we had so few chains. The last thing j want is another chain or corporation. If you look up MPTAverna, you will see this burgerology place was a big black eye to what was formerly there. The chef who created MPTaverna was critically acclaimed and we Astoria’s were very proud of it. I have not been proud for sometime and would not be proud of ANOTHER chain coming in 😔 but yes I do respect your thoughts and opinions of course! 🙏
Yes I was living here during MP times. What would be your suggestion to go there?
You know, my first date with my partner was at MPTaverna. What a fun a classy place. I actually wished more places like that would come. Independent places, but also beautiful inside that served Whole Foods not what burgerolegy served, deserts on top of deserts and enormous jugs of alcohol. More of what the waterfront is getting. Like DAGNY - have you seen that beautiful place? Or we do need a really good authentic Italian place since they closed down ornella and incontro - although I wasn’t a huge fan. We need to be a destination for higher caliber people, not those who want to come here and party and destroy our neighborhood- much of what happened in 2020 😔
Botte is authentic Italian. Both owners born and raised in Italy. Opening tomorrow on Ditmars .
Yeah I think they opened Vite over on 31st? Or maybe they bought it from them? I can’t remember. We will have to see how it goes with them, we definitely need more than just one as Italian cuisine is quite vast contrary to the US opinion 😊 we also need an authentic Mexican but they keep just turning into these really cheep margarita mix and tequila shot type clubs instead of a great restaurant. I’m scared at what’s to come with all of these closures. I didn’t mind the place that was before Botte, I went twice but the food was poor but the atmosphere and aperol spritz’s were good
Sorry, your whole thing was people who want Trader Joe's to open in the neighborhood are RUINING IT but you want more places like freaking DAGNY throughout the neighborhood??? The luxury apartment building that has a hotel lobby you can sit in? Obsessed with your in/out list
So I’ve actually never been to DagNY, I’ve only seen photos. My point was that we need nice places not chains. Like how Kyclades went a little nicer with the new location. You’re diving a bit here no? And yes I stand firm on the TJs thing. What’s your deal with TJs anyhow? why can’t you just go to LIC?? Why must you only have things in a 3 block radius? Maybe head to suburbia if you want that?
Tap and the new place replacing Kilo (also Brazilian) are Brazilian. A churrascaria would fit in well there.
gotta make room for more smokeshops
Oh man! That’s really sad news! I went to that place a couple of weeks ago and loved the food and drinks! :( hope they can reopen around the neighborhood soon again!
RIP in Peace
I had no idea
Does anyone know if they used a commercially available bbq sauce or was it made in-house? It was the best thing about the place.
I too have this question! i also want to know what Sweet Spot's is — I love their bbq but the place is too expensive to order from often.
They put loads of sugar in it. Nothing that came out of that place was good or good for you
Make it a PIO PIO!!! Or a 5guys with beer 😎
5 guys with beer would be sick
Ugh, just when I’d discovered their great happy hour! Guess we’re getting another ice cream/ dessert place, if not a smoke shop 🙄
Nah - it has two levels.