Matted LIC

46-36 Vernon Blvd • mattedlic.com

We spoke with Matted LIC's Owner, Donna Drimer:

Can you share a bit about your background, your career, and your path to becoming a small business owner?

Donna: I joined my mother in 1986. We owned a small gallery in Jamaica estates on Union Turnpike. I moved here 15 years ago. And because the neighborhood was kind of desolate at that point, there really was no retail businesses. There was a little clothing store, myself, and a children's store. That's about it. So, we were really a gallery and custom framing business. But the neighborhood really had nothing. So, we became very eclectic, we did clothing, cards, t-shirts, framing art, local artists, and just evolved into a little bit of a different business, because that's what the neighborhood needed. We also have, in the last seven years, started an online auction business and estates, our business, which has grown tremendously. And it's kind of intertwined with the gallery because people are always looking for something, and there's just not enough in the neighborhood. So people get the opportunity to buy furniture and art at seriously discounted prices, because it's online, and people are clearing out their homes. Growing demand.

Why did you choose to open in Long Island City?

Donna: I knew Long Island City was a growing neighborhood. We knew that there was where we felt there was a lot of potential. When we came here, not even half of center Boulevard was built yet. And nothing down in Hunters Point. None of those buildings were up. So it was really pretty much from like Avalon, down to where I guess Blend is now and that you know what that wasn't even up. It was just lots of empty lots and smaller industrial buildings. We definitely saw a potential, we had been in business for a long time. And there was nothing here like us, so we thought it would be a good opportunity.

What do you want the community to know about your business?

Donna: We're always looking to find things that the community is looking for. So, we love their input. But we also think it's super important that the community supports local businesses, which unfortunately I don't think they do enough. I think there's a little bit too much isolation between Center Boulevard and Court Square, and I'm kind of lost in the middle. I'm not Court Square. I'm not Hunters Point. So it's very difficult. There's not enough traffic. There's a bus that goes up and down Center and so it takes them off of Vernon. I'd like people to be a little bit more involved in the neighborhood, on Vernon, Support the businesses that are embedded who have really pretty much been here the longest. It's separation, and too much saturation. Jackson is a whole northern area with high rises, it's very hard to attract people from there. It's very segregated. There are a lot of different segregated areas. There are other people who do similar things, but not necessarily what we do. There are other framers, but most of them do corporate framing, so we try to be very supportive of different artists in the neighborhood. It's important.

What is your favorite thing about Long Island City? 

Donna: In the past, I think the community has been very tight knit and helpful to each other. I love the proximity to Manhattan and the ease of getting to the airports. I like the way it's growing. I just think it's very, very difficult for retail. And that's been since we're here. It's a neighborhood that's crying out for retail. But the rents are too high for retail. That's a problem. It's definitely a disadvantage for retailers, very difficult. Had I not been in business for so many years before I came here. I don't think I'd still be in business. My corporate accounts that followed us and the few that we've picked up from recommendations. Being here has definitely helped us. The proximity here. The people in the neighborhood are great. Definitely the community care about each other and look out for each other, which I think is really important. Just needs a bit more marketing to get people to shop on Vernon Blvd.

If there's one thing you can say to the community, what would it be?

Donna: Support your neighborhood so that it can support you. If I can't make it, or the restaurant down the block can't make it. It doesn't help you in your apartment nearby. Everybody has to work together in order to make it a viable, productive community.

Visit Matted LIC at 46-36 Vernon Blvd.