At 15, Andrew and his family relocated to Long Island, but Andrew couldn't stay away for long and has recently moved back to the area.
What do you like about Woodside?
“It's very trendy. There's a mixed crowd of people and there's a good nightlife. Within a two-block radius, there are at least eight Irish bars, which usually have live bands. A lot of the kids will get together and play basketball at St. Sebastian's. It's just $10 to buy in. That's where you'll find all the kids. They also have an Olympic-size swimming pool there.”
What's not so great about Woodside?
“ Graffiti. It's definitely picked up since I was a kid. They're always cleaning it up. I think it's deterring a lot of people. You have these beautiful buildings from the 1930s, these beautiful three-family buildings with all this graffiti."
Do you have a favorite neighborhood gem?
“Donovan's [Pub] at least, it's the most famous place around here. They really do have the best hamburgers.”
Who would like Woodside?
“ Anybody. There are more yuppies moving in since Long Island City started to develop. Long Island City is the place to be. It used to be an older crowd.”
How else has the area changed?
“ It's pretty much stayed the same. I guess you don't have proactive people like Ed Fowley keeping the signature of the neighborhood. Ed Fowley started the St. Sebastian's Boys' Brigade. Instead of being on the street, kids did rifle drills, pottery, played basketball and they performed this stuff in front of the parents. They're still around, I think, if you believe it.”[1]