after cullen's letter went unanswered, he resigned and moved with his wife nan and their children to long island, where he launched his concept. cullen leased a vacant garage at 171-09 jamaica avenue, on the corner of 171st street and jamaica avenue in jamaica (queens), near a busy shopping district. the store, named "king kullen", opened on august 4, 1930. after an over 80 year presence in new york city, king kullen left that market in 2011 with the sale of its 3 remaining new york city stores in eltingville, graniteville, and greenridge on staten island.