Author Archives: lbowlah

By: LaToya Bowlah

Positioned between John F. Kennedy Airport and Manhattan, the Jamaica District stop on the E-train is overlooked by tourists traveling from the airport to the Big Apple. With a growing business district saturated with both large chain stores and niche stores, Jamaica is increasingly worth the detour.

“Many tourists from the Caribbean, shop on the Ave (Ave is common slang for Jamaica Avenue,)” said a Jamaica local, Tiffany Williams. She explained that the stores, most being small businesses, offer bargain deals and unique items that you could not find anywhere else. Although Jamaica is saturated with tourists from the Caribbean, “it’s worth a stop off the E-train for all tourists,” she said.

Williams explained that by stopping on Jamaica Avenue tourists would get a taste of one of the many subcultures within New York. “The Ave also has the regular franchises too,” she said

Since 2000, the presence of franchises in Jamaica has been steadily increasing, making the local shopping district, more appealing to visitors. Particularly dense with commercial enterprises is 160th street on Archer Avenue to Parsons Boulevard, where commuters exit off the E-train.

Adjacent to each other with little loitering room in between is, Carver Bank, Golden Krust, Subway, Dunkin Donuts and Popeye’s Fried Chicken.

Carver Bank is a non-profit banking corporation and Rose Charles manages the branch located on 160th street. While the bank has been in business for 60 years, Charles explained that the Jamaica branch, has been open for five to six years, and is performing well.

Alex Rojani, has owned the Zagat rated, Dunkin Donuts Franchise, on the same block since it first opened in 2010. It shares a compound with the Subway franchise, which has been opened, an owned by Louis Keen for seven years. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, on July 12, the franchises received a shared grade “A” on their inspection and incurred one sanitary violation of, “food contact not being properly maintained.”

Moving in the direction of Parsons Boulevard, next to the Dunkin Donut and Subway compound is Popeye’s Fried Chicken. Noted for Louisiana-style fired chicken, this Popeye’s Fried Chicken is managed my Phillip Ye who has been the manager for one year now. According to the inspections conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, this franchise received a grade of “A” and also incurred one sanitary violation. A hand washer was not provided near the food preparation area and toilet room. Under the sanitation stature, hot and cold water as well as soap and a hand-dryer are necessary to enable, “cleanliness of employees.”

The last store between 160th street and Parsons Boulevard is Golden Krust, a Caribbean Bakery and Grill. The same owner has owned this franchise, since its origin in the Jamaica district. Currently owned by Seabright Ventures, LLC, this Golden Krust has been serving their signature patties to customers since 2001.

These chain stores in Jamaica are a recent development but compliment the shopping district as a whole. Based on the data collected from the businesses located between 160th street to Parsons Boulevard, the current storeowners are also the original storeowners of the stores since its origin in the neighborhood. This shows an overall positive outlook for such businesses in Jamaica. The stability of these businesses is a predictor of longevity and continued growth in the community for years to come.