Te Quiero Closed Rockaway Park Location

The local restaurant shuttered its doors after seven years of business in Rockaway Park.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Dining Out

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Te Quiero has officially closed its location at 111-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Owners Lizbeth Palomino and Milley Manzur announced the closure of the establishment on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

Why it matters

The closure marks the end of a seven-year tenure for the neighborhood business, which first opened its doors in 2019. The restaurant was originally inspired by a trip to Cuba taken by the owners in the summer of 2018.

Te Quiero operated for seven years at its Rockaway Park site at 111-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd. The business officially ceased operations during the first week of October 2026.

The players

Lizbeth Palomino

Lizbeth Palomino served as a co-owner and operator of the Rockaway Park restaurant Te Quiero.

Milley Manzur

Milley Manzur served as a co-owner and operator of the Rockaway Park restaurant Te Quiero.

The details

The owners shared news of the closure via a social media post on Sept. 30, 2026. This popular spot had served the local community since its launch in 2019 following an inspirational trip to Cuba.

Summer 2018: The owners found inspiration for the business during a trip to Cuba.
2019: Te Quiero opened its doors to the public.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026: Owners announced the closure via social media.
First week of October 2026: The restaurant officially closed its doors.

Culture Shift

This closure follows a pattern of local restaurant turnover observed across the city, aligning with the 2026 New York City small business hospitality turnover rate. Shifts in local demographics and commercial lease environments often dictate the lifecycle of independent neighborhood dining institutions.

Residents of Rockaway Park will no longer have access to the dining options previously offered by this establishment at the Rockaway Beach Blvd site. Customers should adjust their local dining routines as the community loses this seven-year-old business.

The takeaway

Supporting independent neighborhood eateries remains vital for preserving the unique character of local communities. Residents are encouraged to explore other local businesses to help maintain a vibrant and diverse neighborhood landscape.