Uniqueness of Kew Gardens Hills

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While Kew Gardens Hills is a very small geographic area, it is filled with many unique and creative landmarks.

The Places

1. Max and Mina's Ice Cream Shop: Opened in 1997 by Mark and Bruce Becker, Orthodox Jewish brothers from Long Island, on a shopping strip on Main Street, Max and Mina's has revolutionized the ice cream industry and made itself known way beyond the borders of Kew Gardens Hills. What differentiates Max and Mina's from any other ice cream parlor are its unique flavors: beer, babka, lox, wasabi,corn on the cob, and gefilte fish - just to name a few. Most of their success is due to their unusual flavors; yet it is also a Kosher gourmet ice cream store located in the heart of a predominantly Jewish area. [1]

2.Freedom Square: A park located in the heart of Kew Gardens Hills, at the intersection of Vleigh and Main Street. It was given its current name in 1960 when Kew Gardens Hills residents gathered together to dedicate a flagpole in commemoration of the centennial of the birth of Theodore Herzl. Herzl, a Hungarian Jew is known for being the father of modern Zionism. Over the years since then, the park has gotten a few makeovers.It now boasts a large sitting area, new play equipment, steel fences, and a water fountain. At the entrances to the park are medallions of dove and olive branches - two universal symbols for peace. [2]


Fun Facts

1. Famous Kew Gardens Hills-ers: Fran Drescher of "The Nanny" fame, Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon -the Simon and Garfunkel duo, Michael Landon of "Bonanza" fame and Ashrita Furman who has set more than 160 Guinness World Records.

2.The Queens County Savings Bank: Located in Kew Gardens Hills and was modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Inside there is a life size replica of the Liberty Bell.

3. Scenes from the movie: "Boiler Room" were shot in Kew Gardens Hills.




Click to go to the next page: Testimonies of the Locals

Notes

  1. "Max and Mina's Homemade Ice Cream and Ices." http://www.maxandminasicecream.com/media.html
  2. "Freedom Square." http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/Q370/
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