We ran this article a few days ago,
… after a two day survey of 3rd avenue and 5th avenue in Bay Ridge, our reporting team found over 25 vacated or vacating storefronts.
Perhaps the most unfortunate block of all is 3rd avenue, between Bay Ridge Avenue and 70th street. Here we found four empty store fronts. The remaining stores are niche food services, a used goods store, a deli and the famous fresh-bread Cangiano’s.
and City Cuncilman Vincent J Gentile and Republican Challenger Robert Capano were kind enough to respond with some comments, suggestions and possible courses of action.
Here is the statement from Vincent J. Gentile’s office
““The recession has hit a lot of people in our area, and that affects local business owners. Those business owners are an important part of our neighborhood’s economic backbone, and to help them I released a brochure to help navigate the federal stimulus package in March,” Councilman Gentile said. “Another way of helping is to continue fighting the ticketing blitzes on major commercial avenues – I’ve spoken personally to store owners who feel that agents are driving shoppers away from their stores, and this is the worst economic climate possible for them to be doing that. I’d also encourage residents to do their shopping locally – let’s spend our money in our neighborhood, show support for local store owners and make sure our neighborhood emerges from this downturn strong and resilient.”
And here is a response to the store front vacancies from Republican Challenger Robert (Bob) Capano
“First, I live right by the area you emphasize. I’m at 73rd and Ridge.
We have to create a positive environment for small businesses and mom and pop shops to open, grow, and succeed. Government has to be a partner to them- not an obstacle that makes it more difficult for them.
For example, traffic agents who use no common sense when they ticket drivers waiting to pull into a parking space is a disincentive for people to shop at avenue stores. This decreases the customer base of local stores. Merchants along 3rd and 5th Avenues, as well as 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst, have complained about this issue.
It was small businesses that provided me my first jobs. While a student at Xaverian High School, I worked at Once Upon a Sundae, which was on 77th and 3rd Avenue, and Logue’s Restaurant, which was also on 3rd Avenue. Prior to this, I worked at a candy store and deli on 4th Avenue between 85th and 86th streets. I will be a strong advocate for local store owners so they can not only stay open, but flourish to provide the same opportunities to young people today that they gave to me.
I will work closely with the City Department of Small Business Services, our Business Improvement Districts, and Merchant organizations to give local merchants access to loans, resource information, and ideas for business growth and expansion.”
Mr. Capano then added this PS. “From me directly- not any staff or aides!!”
Firstly, we would like to say a very gracious thank you to these two gentleman who are putting very much of their personal time and energy into the community. Reaching out to our small blog indicates a transparency of local governance that other nabes surely envy.
Strikingly, the one thing they both emphasized is the ticket blitzing on the main commercial strips. Most car-owners in the neighborhood will tell you about the “nightmare” parking situations. Shopping on 3rd or 5th or 8th avenue or 86th street while trying to look for parking is one of the most dreaded weekend treks for many a Bayridgistani. According to a few deli owners on 3rd Avenue, it’s usually the same 2 or 3 traffic enforcement officers doing the ticketing. (If anyone can get their badge numbers, email us editor@bayridgistan.com… Bayridgistan’s first mini-documentary perhaps? following the ticket-blitzers?)
If you’d like to respond back to Mr. Capano or Mr. Gentile themselves, you can reach Robert Capano at bob@bobcapano.com . If you’re trying to get a message to Councilman Gentile, reach out to Dena Libner, his Director of Communications, at dlibner@council.nyc.gov.
