For this project, we go back to 1941 and take a walk down Jamaica Avenue, between 87th and 88th Streets. The depression was behind us - but the attack on Pearl Harbor was just months away, and soon after that we would be at war. Let's start out on the corner of 87th Street, on the South side of Jamaica Avenue, and see what we can find.
In recent years, this corner housed a 99 cent store - but for many years before that, this was the home of Joseph's Pharmacy. In both cases, it was a double-lot. Back in 1941, this same location housed 2 separate stores. On the corner, it appears to have been a drug store, as well. And next door to it, was a venetian blind and glass store. We'll get a better look at both of them down below.
While we're here, a warm welcome to Woodhaven's newest resident, 87th Grocery / Deli, which opened at this location in the last week or so. Their awning states that they have "the best sandwich in town." We haven't tested out that claim yet - but we look forward to it. Moving along, we get a better look at those 2 corner lots. We're guessing that the sign on the corner lot says "Prescription" -- and in the window (beneath the Coca-Cola sign) they advertise Drugs and Soda. The store next door advertises Venetian Blinds, as well as an assortment of types of glass. Just a side note - it's always fun to look for similarities in these photos. While we typically rely on the lot numbers in helping us better identify their current day locations, the buildings on Jamaica Avenue are unique in that the style of building often changes from lot to lot. The next time you're on Jamaica Avenue, take a look at the front of the buildings -- especially up near the 2nd and 3rd Floors -- you'll see that it's sort of rare for two identical buildings to be side by side. Anyway, as an example, we highlighted the same design near the roof above so you can see what we mean. In the next image, you get a better look at the sign on the venetian blind store. Keep in mind that this is still part of that initial double-lot. Just beyond the venetian blind store appears to be a meat, poultry and fish market. In the next image from 1941, you see 3 stores. At the far right you see the meat, poultry and fish market. Unfortunately, only the beginning of that shop's name is visible. Next to that was a shop that sold furs, and beyond that is a jewelry store. In recent years, the Meat store was Halulakos Real Estate, a long time resident of Jamaica Avenue (whose storefront now shows the location to be for rent). The fur shop is now Park Place Florists. And the jeweler is now Pretty Beauty Supply, which was also the long time location of the Community Tavern(below). Below, you get another look at the jewelers - and beyond that was a liquor store. Currently, the liquor store has been divided into two half-lots - the Mei Luck Corporation and J&M Computer fill the spot where the liquor store was. Next to the liquor shop was a Millinery, where they sold ladies' hats. It's a shame, but women don't wear hats much anymore. Neither do men, unless they're wearing baseball hats. In any event, the millinery is now occupied by Aina Gift Shop. The next two lots were occupied by a store named Perrin (we're not sure what kind of a store it was) and Matty's Furs. How about that? There were 2 Fur shops on that block - Woodhaven's very own Fur District! Today, Perrin is occupied by a fabric store, and Matty's Furs is occupied by Coco Nail & Spa. 
And so ends our tour of Jamaica Avenue South, between 87th and 88th Streets. If you enjoyed this tour, you may like to take a few of our previous tours --
Jamaica Avenue North - 90th to 91st Streets
Jamaica Avenue South - 80th to 85th Streets
Jamaica Avenue North - Woodhaven Boulevard to 91st Street / 85th and 86th Streets
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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