Here you can find specific points of interest on Staten Island. Including commercial centers, cultural attractions, or other places that might just would not typically find. This could also incorporate unusual places, some that are a bit off the beaden path.

 

Staten Island was once a very different place than it is today. So many of the things we take for granted about our way of life were not always this way. In this live video segment, we tackle the Top Ten events that changed Staten Island forever.

Correspondent Hannah Jay and Broker/Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello run the gamut through more than three centuries taking us into the modern day. Who were the first European settlers on Staten Island? How much did Staten Island cost to purchase from the Lenape tribe? And, how did people get to the island before the first bridge was built in 1928? What was the main event that changed the infrastructure, demographics, and culture of Staten Island in such a short time?

But many of these events are…

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In an age of disappearing staples like Toys R Us, it's wonderful to see longstanding businesses thriving. In an earlier post we touched on how to survive the Retail Apocolypse, which it appears Toys R Us has fallen victim to. If these large chains are toppled in such a fashion, what can small businesses do to avoid the same fate?

Be it ice cream parlors, sweet shops, or even records stores, certain businesses still thrive the old-school way. Having that nostalgic charm can set a business apart from most others who are keeping with modern trends. People enjoy that friendly warmth of vintage shops that remind them of simpler times.

In New York City we constantly see new businesses pop up and wonder how long they will last. It's not uncommon to…

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Over the years, a lot has changed in Staten Island. Many historical properties have fallen into disrepair, struggled to maintain landmark status, or been sold off to developers for their valuable land.

Perhaps the most high profile and most controversial of these over the past few years was Mount Manresa, the Catholic retreat and natural gem filled with some of the oldest trees in New York City. Environmentalists and Catholics alike rallied to save this property and have it landmarked by the City of New York LPC.

When the almighty dollar won out and the property was sold to The Savo Brothers, many in the community were angered to lose this natural beauty. Borough president James Oddo was so peeved that he took revenge and named the streets in the…

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Staten Island has around half a million residents. What is the island missing that would be a huge asset to those living here? Correspondent Hannah Jay and Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello discuss some ideas!

1. North Shore Railway, which once existed along the northern part of the island and could be revived from existing tracks. This would be a boon for North Shore commuters and for property values in the area.

2. Monorail to the city via Hylan Blvd that would sail above the Hudson River where the Staten Island Ferry and other boats travel. Alternatively, we could complete the ill-fated Brooklyn Subway Tunnel which began right before The Great Depression.   3. The Cheesecake Factory, a diverse and beloved restaurant across the…

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What are Staten Island's best kept secrets? We're here to let you in on them! On Staten Island's North, Mid-Island, and South Shore sections, Anthony Licciardello and Hannah Jay identify some of the most beautiful yet mysterious locations in Staten Island.

These neighborhoods are home to luxury Staten Island homes and are each charming in their own unique way. Yet, since they lie off the beaten path, these streets offer luxury homes for a great value. This is an depth discussion about the history, home styles, transportation, unique views and amenities each of these neighborhoods has to offer.

PLUS- a discussion about property taxes that may just save you lots of money! There are lots of ways to reduce the property taxes you pay each year, whether…

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Our recently published article explored Mall 2.0 in America – or how malls can adapt by embracing change, not fearing it.

On the simplest level, malls will survive by focusing on alternatives to clothing stores that involve experience and entertainment, including stores for major purchases like furniture, and utilizing smart technology with integrated social media. Malls should also emphasize quality instead of expanding for the sake of it, and offer shoppers everyday staples like drug stores instead of just impulse items.

How can this be applied to the Staten Island retail sector? We have some ideas based on malls that are succeeding today.

High Priced Necessities, Not Luxuries

Retailers such as Cache and Bebe have shut their doors…

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On Staten Island’s North Shore, you can find the neighborhood of Sunset Hill.  This is a nice area that doesn’t have too much of the hustle and bustle of the city life.  In this neighborhood, aside from the nice parks you can find, there are a few New York City Landmarks.  One of these landmarks is the Dorothy Valentine Smith House.

The Dorothy Valentine Smith House is located at 1213 Clove Road, on a nice plot of land that actually holds two landmarks—the other one being the John King Vanderbilt House.  The Dorothy Valentine Smith House wasn’t built until sometime between 1893 and 1895 by John Frederick Smith, the father of Dorothy Valentine Smith.

Prior to the home’s existence, this area had been used as farmland during the eighteenth century, much…

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February 2014 Real Estate Market Statistics

This is the year to sell your home.  Selling your home in the spring is the best time because this is when there is the largest number of buyers.  Right now, sellers have very little competition! Serious buyers are looking for a home right now, and want to settle into the existing rate before it goes up.

There were only 10 more homes available compared to the previous month of January.  More homes were available on the market during February compared to January 2014, but fewer homes were sold.  February’s current inventory stood at 1877 with only 195 homes sold. 

In terms of speed, it took 123 days to sell 195 homes, and would take 9.62 months to clear out the 1877 homes that were available.  Last year…

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In the neighborhood of Richmondtown, you can find a nice, quiet area that pulls you back in time.  This would be Historic Richmond Town, an area that has preserved Staten Island’s past for its present and future residents.  RandomToday, Historic Richmond Town is operated by both the Staten Island Historical Society and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.  It has many historically-significant homes, stores, shops, ad objects from the past.  Of these historically-significant buildings, some of them had been originally built here, while others had been moved here to preserve them.  A good amount of these homes are New York City Landmarks, as well. 

Before 1898, which is when the City of New York came about, Cocclestown—or what is today known as…

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Edgewater Hall Staten IslandBefore the City of New York was formed in 1898, Staten Island had been comprised of five townships: Northfield, Southfield, Westfield, Castleton, and Middletown.  By 1866, however, some areas of Staten Island became their own incorporated villages, one of which was Edgewater.  These new incorporated villages were no longer a part of the townships and had created their own local governments.  The village of Edgewater was comprised of today’s Tompkinsville, Stapleton, and Clifton neighborhoods.

With Edgewater being an incorporated village, it needed a village hall.  In 1867, a small plot of land was purchased to be used as a public space.  This is where the Edgewater Village Hall had been constructed.  By 1889, the Edgewater Village Hall finally opened. …

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