QUEENS — Strawberry, a popular teen clothing retailer, is closing its location on Austin Street in Forest Hills.
The two-story boutique, located next door to Sephora, has been around for roughly two decades, according to Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Large signs placed in the store windows read “Closing this store!" and "Everything must go.”
“I think it was a popular store,” Brown noted. “It’s a great location, I can’t imagine that it’s going to be empty for long.”
Several stores and eateries closed in recent years on Austin Street, a busy commercial corridor in Forest Hills, including restaurant Bonfire Grill and sandwich shop Sammies To Go.
Brown said that the rents on Austin Street are very high and some businesses are not able to pay that much.
A & E Stores, which operates the teen apparel chain, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The landlord did not return a call requesting comment.