No Christmas Break For Many Local Businesses

Francine Pinheiro absolutely loves Forest Hills. The 18-year-old Woodside resident and her friends go to Austin Street, Queens Boulevard and Metropolitan Avenue every chance they get.

Pinheiro thinks is "the best." She also spends countless hours at the , the movie theaters and the pet stores. And then there are the clothing shops.

However, there is one day that Pinheiro, a practicing Catholic, doesn't even consider a trip to Forest Hills: December 25. "I'm going to be with my family," she said. "Who hangs out on Christmas?"

And so it is with Christmas, when the banks, post offices and courts are closed, and other public functions, such as MTA buses and subways, are running on a reduced schedule.

But Forest Hills is particularly dynamic place, and if Pinheiro wanted some Christmas entertainment, food or consumer goods, she would have many, many options. Although her beloved Barnes & Noble is closed, Christmas is a big day for her other favorite spots, Martha's and the movie theaters.

rises to the holiday occasion with a special $12.99 per person menu featuring roasted butternut squash soup, herb roasted turkey with sausage stuffing, a complimentary glass of red or white wine and apple, pecan or pumpkin pie. (Dinner served between noon and 6:30 p.m.)

With very few exceptions, the area's Asian restaurants — from (Malaysian) to  (Thai) to , Umi and Fuji (Japanese) to , and (Chinese) — are open on a regular schedule. Ditto (Italian), (Indian), (Southwestern), (Greek diner) and (Argentinean).

Some eateries will operate on a reduced schedule. doesn't open until 2 p.m., and thestarts business at 7 p.m., while  serves from noon to 10 p.m.

Metropolitan Avenue establishments, such as the, and , are open as normal, but andare closed.