Stores on Eastchester Road in the Bronx are the reflection of the community’s success.
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By Earl Mays
Traffic hustles down Eastchester road past several stores that line the street between Mace Avenue and Warring Avenue in the Bronx. The small retail stretch consists of a two pizzeria’s Carbo’s that just opened a month ago, and Villa Maria Pizzeria an establishment that has proven itself as a staple in the community being in business for 45 years. Others stores are the 99 cents store, A& J stationary store, the Chinese food restaurant Yummy House, a barbershop and a Real estate agency.
The privately owned mom and pop shops give the area an old school American character showing that small business remains a possibility. Shops on Eastchester road have been keeping a steady pace for a moderately busy area. Stores that have figured out a niche that appeals to residents needs have been able to remain in the community.
Wilbert Pacheco the owner of Villa Maria pizzeria gave a brief history of the stores in the neighborhood. He says, “stores have come and gone for example at the corner where the new pizzeria is there was a pharmacist, then a flower shop, a deli, a fruit market, and finally they put the pizzeria. Also, next door the C&C deli used to be a bakery for many years and the owners divorced and decided to sell it.” Pacheco was the only store owner who agreed to give a comment on the area and based on his knowledge has shown that the area has seen many business changes over the years.
The Chinese food restaurant location has gone through many transitions from being a tanning salon then an MRI place to finally becoming what it is today. Stores such as Eastchester Barbershop and Hairstyles, the liquor store, the stationary store, 99 cents store and Allstate Insurance all have a specific purpose that keeps residents flocking to them. Regardless of this success all of them except the Barbershop and liquor store have been in business over 15 years.
The stores in the area represent the economic times and how change is affected by this. The stores that have been able to thrive such as the restaurants each of them having an A sanitation grade and the service based business have manages to stay alive. The fact that three out of the ten stores are new establishments further shows that the quite area has just enough life to sustain a business.
Wilbert Pacheco says, “I have been here 45 years I have seen the area change, but I am still here because my food speaks for itself.”
Carbo’s Pizzeria 1 month
A&J Stationary 10 years
Eastchester Barbershop and Hairstyles 30 years
Yummy House 1 year
Allstate Insurance Company 10 years
Surin Discount Wine & Liquors 25 years
99 cents and Up 12 years
C&C Deli Coffee Shop and Pastry 4 years
Villa Maria Pizzeria 45 years
Mary Santini Real Estate 15 years
