This mom-and-pop shop is full of friendly, helpful staff. While the store is on the smaller side and specializes mainly in medications, every fall it stocks almost all of the school supplies your child needs. You even can bring fido into shop with you.
Astoria, Long Island City Back to School Checklist
Retreat from city life in family-friendly Astoria and Long Island City. Enjoy the area’s neighborhood feel while shopping at the mom-and-pop stores that line the quiet, leafy streets and marvel at the artworks that adorn the public spaces.
Supplies
Pencils, bags and everything you need.
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After School, Private Schools, Tutors & Lessons
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Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens
With acting classes, music lessons and free swimming, kids have it made at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. The largest after-school program in Western Queens serves almost 200 kids, but the large staff helps the club maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Most programs cost just $35 for weekdays from 2:30 to 7 p.m., making the club one of the city’s most affordable after-school programs.
21-12 30th Road, 11102
718.728.0946
Sports, Music & Activities
All the equipment for your extracurriculars.
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Astoria Music
Budding musicians will find a bit of everything at Astoria Music. The locally-owned shop carries a selection of musical instruments and sells to individuals and school programs. You’ll also find accessories for all instruments and can set up lessons in guitar, bass guitar, piano, bouzouki and violin. The shop performs repairs, too.
34-17 28th Ave., 11103
718.204.0400
Checkups
Doctors, dentists and specialists.
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Citiview Family Medical
Run by husband-and-wife team, Dr. Hermann Escobar and Nurse Assistant Raquel Escobar, Citiview Family Medical focuses on the health of the entire family. Escobar not only asks questions, but really listens to patients before acting. The attention to detail means you might have to wait for an appointment, but technology helps to streamline the process of appointments and prescriptions.
28-04 31st St., 11104
347.832.0192
Technology & Gadgets
Phones, tablets, computers and calculators.
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CeX
Browse a selection of games while picking out a new mobile phone and laptops for the school year. You’ll even find old-school DVDs at CeX’s Queens location. Just keep in mind that the store’s return policy is airtight: no refunds, only store credit.
30-60 Steinway St., 11103
510.859.7727
Smart Looks
Get styled.
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Mimi & Mo
Step inside this cute boutique for trendy women’s and kids’ clothing. Mimi & Mo features brands like Equipment, Bobi and Current Elliott. While the shop isn’t huge, owner Miriam Zeldovich curates a timeless collection of clothing, including casual day dresses, sophisticated blouses for women and kids’ clothes for infants to 6-year-olds.
4545 Center Blvd., 11109
718.440.8585