RTL leases 1,500 s/f to The Greats of Craft at TF Cornerstone’s 47-20 Center Blvd. in LIC

Queens, NY TF Cornerstone (TFC) inked a 1,500 s/f retail lease with The Greats of Craft, a local all-day café and curated bar concept, at 47-20 Center Blvd. in Long Island City.

To celebrate its grand opening, The Greats of Craft hosted a community fundraiser on August 30, with proceeds from select draft beers benefiting the Long Island City Public Library, located across the street from the new location.

This marks the brand’s third store in New York City and its second in Queens, expanding its presence on the thriving LIC waterfront. Located on the ground floor of TFC’s luxury residential building, The Greats of Craft offers a curated gathering space for morning coffee meetups, afternoon work sessions and evening cocktails.

The deal was brokered by RTL’s Steven Baker, Thomas Galo and Daniyel Cohen, representing both the landlord and the tenant.

“Supporting small, independent businesses like The Greats of Craft is central to our mission of building vibrant, livable communities,” said Steve Gonzalez, vice president of retail leasing at TF Cornerstone. “Their emphasis on quality, community, and craft aligns perfectly with our vision for the LIC waterfront — a neighborhood where residents and visitors alike can enjoy best-in-class experiences.”

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Joe Schinco and Stella Shepherd, The Greats of Craft is known for its coffee, small-batch brews, craft cocktails, and wines from independent producers. The LIC Waterfront location will feature 12 rotating drafts, including local favorites from Brooklyn and Queens, as well as offerings from upstate New York and across the country.

“LIC has an incredible community spirit, and we’re excited to bring our day-to-night café experience to a neighborhood that values both quality and connection,” said Schinco, “This space allows us to scale our presence within the community while staying true to our independent roots.”

47-20 Center Blvd. is a 498-unit luxury residential building in one of Long Island City’s neighborhoods, Hunter’s Point South. The project features a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments and is surrounded by 12 acres of parkland, an esplanade, outdoor sports facilities, and the Hunter’s Point Library. The building’s retail space is situated for businesses seeking foot traffic and visibility in a community. Other notable retailers include SHI, a Pan-Asian restaurant, Somedays Bakery, Maiella Italian Restaurant, Sweetleaf Coffee & Cocktail Bar and Blue Streak Wines & Spirits.