This evening, we made a quick run to Jamaica Avenue - we needed some photos of the Q56 Bus for a page we're working on, and we wanted to pick up some Italian Ices from Sal's Pizza. I had a few moments while Mrs. Project Woodhaven ran into Scaturro's, so I got out and was waiting for the bus to come by. There was a large dumpster a few spots away and I barely gave it a second glance -- and when I did, I saw something I hadn't seen in years - the Bella Vista Restaurant.
In recent years, this space was occupied by a Mexican Bar & Restaurant, El Potrillo:
In recent weeks, we'd noticed that the gates had been drawn for a while and, sure enough, it appears that they have gone under. When things like this happen, it sometimes affords us an opportunity to get a glimpse into the past as they begin to take down the awning and the storefront in preparation for renovations. And that's exactly what's happened here, so enjoy these pictures of a friend long gone -- the Bella Vista Restaurant.
This was a cozy Italian Restaurant that serves up a variety of tasty dishes. When I was growing up, you would "have" dinner at the Forest View or Pop's -- but the Bella Vista Restaurant was where you went "out" for dinner. It was also a frequent stop after a special event or gathering. When my wife's Uncle passed away in 1989, and all the relatives came in from Long Island for the wake, this is where we all ate. Besides all the standard Italian dishes, you could always count on the Bella Vista for tasty pizza. Many former residents enjoyed dinner at the Bella Vista and we're sure these picstures will bring back memories. We're guessing that the Bella Vista closed for good around 1994, give or take a year. Sometimes, when we're out taking pictures, a passerby will look at us curiously - and sometimes they'll ask what we'e taking pictures of. One time, they threatened to call the cops, but that's another story . . . Anyway, this evening whilewe were across the street taking pictures of the Bella Vista, an older woman pushing a shopping cart home looked to see what we were taking pictures of and when she saw it she said "Oh, would you look at that!" If you're in the area, make sure you pass by and get a look at a piece of Woodhaven's past, the Bella Vista Restaurant. A few odds and ends . . . The quality of the following picture is poor but we're failry certain that this is the same location in 1941. The Lot Number 8919-27 matches 84-28 Jamaica Avenue, which was the address of the Bella Vista and El Potrillo. But if we're wrong, we're sure one of our readers will send in a correction.
Update (04/30/09 11:00 AM): Sure enough, one of our readers corrects us by noting that the picture below is not where the Bella Vista sat. Instead, below is Schmeerman's Bakery, which is just next that location. Schmeerman's later became Mondello's Bakery. She also notes: "If you look closely at the picture, you will see 2 doors. One, the glass door, is the main entrance into the store. The other wider door led to an alley way or driveway beside the store. It was thru this door that supplies were delivered -- 100 lb. bags of flour, sugar, etc. That entrance remained throughout Mondello's tenure in that location." If you look at the Google Map for this location (click here), I believe you will see that alley way. Thank you, Pat!
It pays to keep your eye out when strolling down Jamaica Avenue - you never know what you're going to see. A few months back, a similar situation emerged when a 99 cent store went under and for a while, the sign for Joseph's Pharmacy was visible. Joseph's has gone back into hiding as a new Deli/Grocery has taken over that corner lot down the street from St. Thomas'.
But there are a few other "mysteries" on Jamaica Avenue - or, if not mysteries, signs of previous occupants. Click here to see a few of them.
If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com.
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