Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted filming the third season of “And Just Like That…” at the Anoria Boutique in Astoria. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
August 28, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan
Sarah Jessica Parker strolled quietly down 24th Avenue in Astoria last Friday afternoon while filming the third season of the “Sex and the City” reboot, “And Just Like That….”
Few saw her iconic Carrie Bradshaw character as she entered a local clothing store while employees and drones filmed. But the manager of Macoletta Brick Oven Pizza, just a few shops down, gave everyone a glimpse by sharing the moment on the restaurant’s social media page.
The Instagram video went viral, and the news that the neighborhood might make a guest appearance delighted proud Astor residents and longtime fans of the original series.
Andela Pejovic, who recently co-owns the pizzeria on the corner of 24th Avenue and 29th Street, has been a fan of the show since she was a child in Montenegro. Now living in NYC for three years, she says it’s surreal that the neighborhood where she lives and works could be featured on the popular show.
“It was super wild and crazy. We didn’t know this was going to happen,” Pejovic told the Queens Post. “It was just wild to see them right next to our restaurant.”
When she opened the store on Friday morning, she noticed that a film crew had blocked off the street in front. She remembered the signs prohibiting on-street parking that had been put up days before, but they didn’t mention the name of the show.
But soon she spotted “And Just Like That…” written on the backs of director’s chairs and hats and it was confirmed. While she kept her excitement under control, she filmed SJP with her phone as he walked past the establishment.
Andela Pejovic, co-owner of Macoletta, was at work on the day of filming and recorded her own footage to share with the community. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan
The actual filming took place at Anoria Boutique, a shop that sells women’s clothing inspired by the artistry of Mexican textiles. Vanessa Gonzalez, who sources both handmade artisan pieces and stocks branded items, opened the shop in April 2021.
Gonzalez couldn’t talk about the experience due to a nondisclosure agreement, but she’s excited to spill the beans once the show airs. The show’s producers likely contacted her in advance to coordinate filming at the boutique.
Although Pejovic said she hasn’t yet received an official filming date for the restaurant, the moment was special, and she’s already seen an uptick in business.
“I’m a huge fan and seeing her in person, in front of me, is something I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life,” she said outside the restaurant. “I was meant to be here at this exact moment.”
Her video went viral, garnering over 75,000 views, and she received numerous calls and messages from companies and influencers asking for collaboration.
SJP walked down 24th Avenue with security personnel and crew members on Friday. Photo via @macolettaastoria on Instagram
In the days that followed, several people visited the restaurant in person and said they were inspired by their SJP fandom, and mentioned that it was their first time entering Astoria.
The crew could not reveal whether the pizzeria signage or the scenes filmed in the boutique will make a guest appearance in the next season. But it was not the first time that the “And just like that” Set came to Astoria.
Just last month, Parker and his co-actors John Corbett and Cyntia Nixon were also taken while filming outdoors the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on 35th Avenue, where there was apparently a funeral scene.
But Pejovic is simply thrilled that Astoria, which she believes is undoubtedly New York City’s best neighborhood, is getting the attention it deserves.
“I’ve seen a few other shows that Astoria has been in, and that made me super proud because I know that this place, this part of Queens, deserves it,” Pejovic added. “People love living here.”
An exact release date for Season 3 has not yet been announced, but residents of Astoria can likely expect to see their neighborhood on screen sometime in 2025.
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