Ines Delemos, owner of My Little Cafe on Vernon Boulevard, started her business in Hunters Point a year and a half ago. Originally Ms. Delemos welcomed the fact that the project was starting, thinking that her business would grow. ³Not only am I not seeing an increase in sales, my business has gone down, because businesses are moving out of the area.²
Since construction began on the first building, a lot of her customers left, or are leaving. With old customers moving out, there is no guarantee that new ones will replace them. ³That is a little difficult for us,² says Ms. Delemos, ³companies like Hobart have moved and Pepsi Cola has been talking about moving for a long time.²
Many local merchants are concerned about the first building¹s retail strip. Ms. Delemos asks ³What if they put in a Starbuck¹s? Everything will be centralized for the people who live there, and they aren¹t going to go out of the way to visit this area (Vernon Boulevard).²
Ms. Delemos believes that the existing traffic problems should be addressed, as her business is suffering because ³even people who live here can¹t park. Vernon Boulevard depends on those who are passing through, and they don¹t have a place to park.²
Joshua Schipper, owner of Vernon Boulevard Pharmacy for over nine years, doesn¹t know what to expect from the project. ³I don¹t know if they are coming in with a shopping district, whether they are going to open a big pharmacy, or whether they are going to offer me a store first.²
Left in the dark about what is going to happen, he tries to remain optimistic. ³I¹m hoping it brings in tons of people and increases my business, but I don¹t think it¹s going to happen.² When discussing the possible price of retail space in the new building Mr. Schipper said, ³I don¹t think they are giving a discount.²
Mr. Schipper has noticed that, ³Over the past few months as they take over property, a lot of businesses have gone out of business, and there is no question in my mind that for now we need the factories for business.²
If you or your business feels the pinch, too, contact HPCC today! The HPCC has repeatedly advocated for a comprehensive retail development plan that will accomodate the local businesses.
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Hunters Point Community Coalition