The marine motif isn't original to Rite Aid, the tenant as of 2010; that's evident even from a distance.
Numerous passersby, including a neighbor of more than 50 years' standing, couldn't name the first tenant of the building, but a longtime New Yorker who also follows my posts on Flickr identified this as a former Childs Restaurant. (Thanks, Harvey!) The fish with seashell, and the intertwined seahorses, were common to many locations of the seafood chain, which debuted in 1889; I haven't been able to determine the opening and closing dates of this particular restaurant.
A former Childs Restaurant, now a Rite Aid Pharmacy
45-02 43rd Ave. (at 45th St.), Sunnyside, Queens
There are several other former Childs in NYC, including ones on Queens Boulevard & 60th Street, Broadway & 36th Street (Astoria), and 6th Avenue & 28th Street (Manhattan).
Posted by: Stephanie | January 27, 2010 at 11:19 AM
That building was also a supermarket for many years. I lived around the corner on 46th street from the late 50's to the mid 70's. There also used to be a basement bowling alley next door with a guy setting pins!!.
Regards,
JK
Posted by: John K. | January 28, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Does anyone know in info about Childs Restaurant Coney Island? My aunt worked there in the 1930's for a man named Anthony Vinceguerra (sp) or any info about him?
Posted by: Riggs | July 05, 2010 at 12:43 AM
I just walked by this and said to my girlfriend "oh wow this rite aid was a child's Restaurant!'
Glad I was right!
Posted by: Joe | April 29, 2012 at 06:14 PM