This borough is officially open for business! While it’s been a tough year in the pandemic, the Queens Economic Development Corporation hopes to help mom-and-pop businesses bounce back with a free event at the Kaufman Astoria Studios Backlot. The Queens Comes Back event will take place this Saturday, October 9, from 12 – 4 pm to celebrate culture, food, and local small businesses.  

The outdoor event will feature over 41 different vendors from the local queen’s area selling food, drinks, and one-of-a-kind artisanal items for sale. Attendees are encouraged to hop from table to table, sampling different eateries which sell everything from main dishes to desserts. Plus, a few local beverage purveyors, like Alewife Brewing and QSNY, will serve wine, beer, sparkling cocktails, and more. You’ll definitely be able to recognize a few of your local favorite vendors, like Dough doughnuts, but we recommend you save room for newcomers like The Soup Lady and Sala Astoria who are opening a new venue in the local queen’s area soon. 

Once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth, members of Made in Queens, a QEDC program that promotes local manufacturers and crafters, will sell local goods, from shirts to jewelry to handmade cards and candles. You’ll also see an appearance from Queensboro FC, a professional Queens-based soccer team set to start competing in 2022. A representative will join the festivities with uniforms, soccer balls, and other sports paraphernalia. All while live performances from the Queensboro Dance Festival troupes—Gotham Dance Theater, Chieh Hsiung, Manhatitlan Mexican Folkloric Dance Group, and Greek American Folklore Society—perform on a mini outdoor stage throughout the day.

“Like anything we do here in Queens, the diversity is tremendous. From the owners of the companies to the products they’re selling, we’re excited to be featuring an event celebrating our resilient, melting pot of a community,” explains Robert MacKay, local resident and Director of Public Relations at the ​​Queens Economic Development Corporation. Thanks to the generosity of the Kaufman Astoria Studios, there’s no admission charge, RSVP here, so guests are free to check out the local vendors at their leisure. Just be sure to bring your vaccination card and a few extra dollars for the small tasting plates and cocktails as you enjoy a little taste of Queens. 

With a wide variety of food, beer, and wine offerings, you can check out the complete list of participating businesses below:

Althea’s Tropical Delights (Caribbean-inspired cakes), Booze Scoops (Liquor-infused frozen treats), Culiraw (Raw, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free desserts), Dough (NYC’s best doughnuts), Julia’s Kountry Kitchen (Jamaican food), La Adelita de Woodside (Mexican cuisine), La’Maoli, MumsKitchen NYC (West Indian treats), NYC Cooking Club, Paulista Avenue Bakery & Café (Brazilian savory and sweet treats), Pudding Pan Desserts (Plant-based desserts), Quiaufa’s Kitchen (Vegan soul food), Sala Astoria (Spanish cuisine, tapas), Superfine Confections (Small-batch, handmade, artisan chocolates, and confections), Sweet and Salty Queens (Small-batch online bakery), The Soup Lady (Vegan, vegetarian, and chicken soups made from scratch), The Nourish Spot (Smoothie & Salad bar, Tre Lune Dolci (Italian Gelato), Twister Cake Bakery (Romanian sweets), Salut (drink infusions), Made Fresh Organic (green juices), Alewife (brewery), QNSY Sparkling Cocktails, Wine Room of Forest Hills, Cards N Crafts NYC, Connection Jewelry and Harmony Connections, Juliette Isabel Design, Helium Image Inc. (Balloon decorations), LavendarWorks, My Works of Art LLC, Paige’s Candle Co, Queens Thread (apparel), R + D (3D-printed jewelry), Rebecca Hervas Paintings, Sathe (apparel), Scent By Heaven (candles and air-fresheners), Terrart NYC (terrariums). 

Location: Kaufman Astoria Studios Backlot, 34-12 36th St, Astoria, NY, 11106