By Anna Gustafson
The borough’s first Hooters opened in Fresh Meadows Monday, and area residents are giving it a mixed reaction.
“I just don’t feel it’s the appropriate type of restaurant for our community,” said James Gallagher, president of the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association. “However, I do wish them success and I hope the owner continues to be community−oriented.”
According to the Hooters Long Island Web site, the chain restaurant has contributed money to more than 100 community groups on Long Island. There is a Hooters in Islandia and East Meadow, L.I.
The Fresh Meadows business is at 61−09 190th St.
“I think they’ll do a lot of good for Queens,” Flushing resident James Brenner said outside the Fresh Meadows Hooters Monday. “The place isn’t all about good−looking women. I think there’s a real sense that people need jobs, and Hooters opening here is good for the economy.”
Hooters is known for its scantily clad female waitresses, who typically wear orange shorts and tight T−shirts. The chain offers standard sports bar fare, including hamburgers, chicken wings and beer. There are more than 400 Hooters restaurants across the country.
“I’ve been to a lot of Hooters, and they’re not the sleazy places people think they are,” Bayside resident Bryan German said outside the restaurant. “I don’t know if I’d bring my parents here, but it’s a nice place to hang out with friends. I don’t think anyone in Fresh Meadows needs to be worried about the crowds here. We’re tame. We’re here to watch sports with friends.”
Still, Gallagher said he was concerned that the first Hooters in Queens should have gone elsewhere in the borough instead of so close to a number of schools, including St. Francis Preparatory, St. John’s University and Queens College.
Hooters officials did not return phone calls for comment.
“Fresh Meadows Park is across the street, and we’ve had problems with rats there over the years,” Gallagher said. “We’re concerned about [Hooters] being clean and not having food being thrown around.”
“But I passed by this morning, and I didn’t see any beer bottles in the parking lot,” Gallagher added. “The nice part is it’s not a strip bar or something like that.”
Gallagher said he has received numerous phone calls from residents skeptical the business will be a good addition to the neighborhood, but Community Board 8 District Manager Marie Adam−Ovide said she has received fewer than five phone calls from residents concerned about the Hooters.
Prior to Hooters, the building was vacant for several years after a diner at that location shut down in 2005. Gallagher said no other chains had expressed serious interest in moving into the space.
Two Marriott hotels are slated to go up near the Hooters at the north side between 183rd and 185th streets. A developer has also proposed building a 10−story commercial office building near the Hooters at the entrance of 186th Street, but that project has been put on hold.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e−mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 174.
