...there, within just a few blocks of the cemetery district [in Woodhaven], Jamaica Avenue becomes Main Street, U.S.A.,
replete with taverns, barbershops, hardware stores, and a small-town feel that’s a world away from Manhattan’s see-and-be-seen restaurants and sleek flagship stores.Exclusive Menswear, near 84th Street, will sell you a respectable-looking tuxedo for $79.99; at the catering hall down the street, the Knights of Columbus meets once a week; and at nearby Schmidt’s candy shop, chocolates are made by hand and displayed on fudge-spattered wax paper in wood cases. 
The woman [Margie Schmidt] behind the counter at Schmidt’s seems to have an arrangement with the Manor Delicatessen, across the street. “Go over there right now and try their German potato salad,” she instructed a first-time visitor. “It’s the best in the city.”(Entire article...) and (photos...)
A fascinating history of Jamaica Avenue is found at the Richmond Hill Historical Society with many vintage photographs...
About the History of Jamaica Avenue
An Indian trail led from the Great Plains to the Cove, at the northern end of the Heights on the East River, which became the site of the Brooklyn Ferry. This trail was widened by the Hempstead settlers, and became known as the Ferry Road. Another Indian Trail, intersecting this one at Jamaica, ran along the line of Flushing Main Street, Kissena Boulevard, and Parsons Boulevard. The roads were made in the earliest days from these trails.
On June 19,1803, a law was passed, providing for one public and general highway to extend from the Ferry in Kings County, through that County and the Counties of Queens and Suffolk.
The Ferry Road was improved to comply with that law. Other roads, coming from the various county towns, and connecting with the Ferry Road, were also improved under the act. The main road and these feeder lines, became one system, known under the common name of Kings Highway. (continued...)
Photo of Triangle Hofbrau above from the book, "Old Queens, N.Y. in Early Photographs" by Vincent F. Seyfried) - The Triangle Hofbrau was also a hotel named Doyle's Hotel which still can be seen in the photograph. Photo of the Woodhaven sign from Forgotten NY
