Author Archives: lm145428

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Slide Show
Ownership Table

There is an interesting (and maybe odd) mix of stores and businesses along this strip. There are a few places with the gates down and one place for lease, 215. So, here’s a little inside info about the unrecognizable store names. Atmos, which is a store that originated in Tokyo, carries an array of sneakers for people who have a passion for collecting them. Jimmy Jazz carries “urban wear” for both men and women. Portabella is a men’s store that sells an amazing variety of men’s suits and shoes. Orva is a shoe store that carries brands like Uggs and Puma.

While surveying the stores, most employees were very leery of giving out the slightest information. And in most cases, employees and even managers had no idea who owned the store or how long the store has been in business. The stores were barely occupied. Sprint and Starbucks were the only store that had more than 10 people in them. Talking to pedestrians was also difficult. Most wanted to disclose their outrage over how Harlem is changing and no one wanted to give their name. However, there were a dew helpful people along the way.

Crystal (whose last name mysteriously disappeared from my notes), an account consultant at Bank of America gave insight into BOA’s initiatives and marketing strategy. “We are part of the Community Reinvestment Act. We have products tailored specifically to the needs of people in this community based on demographics. Our products ranges from accounts offering to loans.” A manager in Duane Reade (who would not state her name: shocking right!), revealed “Duane Reade leases the space from a church. (She cannot remember the pastor’s name but referred to him as “big daddy”).” A city records search revealed that once upon a time Bishop SC Madison had the deed to the space. He died in 2008. And even if her information is somewhat inaccurate, the laugh received from her facial expressions and the story she told was priceless.

What was learned through independent searching for more information about the beaten up/seemingly on the road to revitalization strip is that the bakery, Crumbs will be filling in the vacant space at 215, the former site of McDonalds. The construction site at 261 will house a Red Lobster and one block east on Lenox Avenue, Whole Foods will be up by 2015. Also, 243 is on the market for $24.5 million and the listing states it will be delivered vacant. This is the same building that houses Orva, GameStop and Portabella.

So, even with Mayor Bloomberg’s rezoning of the area in 2008 to allow for higher buildings and high priced condos going up all around, West 125th is still struggling to find its place.

Hurricane Sandy ripped through NYC on October 29th, 2012. Most believed she was just like Irene, a lot of fuss and no real action. The super storm system took away homes, property and claimed the lives of over 100 people. What was left behind in Sandy’s aftermath was massive flooding, power outages, inaccessible roads, out-of-service public transportation and overall fear, panic and devastation. Many schools and businesses were shut down for days, or in some cases weeks. So what happens to the businesses, such as street vendors, whose income depends on

Outside of Baruch College on Lexington Avenue, between East 24th and East 25th Street, the Korean Food Cart (the name they wish to be referred to) sits awaiting its lunch time rush. The steel cart has a cooking area, additional storage for food on the sides, condiments, napkins and utensils up top and a cooler to house cold beverages that sits on the side of the cart. The cart is adorned in pictures and prices of its dish offerings. Alex Yi, one of the two owner/workers, was able to prepare ahead of time. However, no amount of preparation could change the effect of Sandy’s impact. “We lost about a week and a half of business”, say Yu in reference to how long it took to get the truck back out. “We had our food supply prepared ahead of time but there’s only so much you can do.” The truck pulls in about $1000-1500 on weekdays. They get foot traffic from Baruch students and faculty, Credit Suisse and other office-based businesses in the area.

Phil’s Steak Truck Jawn is another food truck that loss business due to Sandy. The brown and red truck is about the size of a mail carrier truck with the Phil’s Steaks logo in a red and white patterned repeated across the cab portion. The Jawn (as it’s famously referred to) sits at East 23rd Street and Park Avenue South. “We’re open here from about 11-2, then we head down to West 4th Street in the Village for hour next shift. And on Thursdays, we’re in the Financial District,” says Mohamed Ahmed, one of the truck’s employees. All of these areas were ravished by the super storm. So how did the Jawn survive the storm? “Our commissary is out in Maspeth, Queens, an area that wasn’t very affected by Sandy”, says Ahmed. Typically, makes about $1500 a day. In reference to how long the truck was out of commission, Ahmed recalls, “We lost two weeks worth of business.” On the upside, the truck was part of the volunteer efforts and outreach work. “We were able to help out communities like Far Rockaway and other parts of Queens and Long Island that were hit really bad.” The City of New York( through the mayor’s fund) sponsored the truck so that they were able to provide food to those we truly needed it, rather than just wanting a cheese steak. They also received funding for their efforts.

What happens next for these food entrepreneurs? The holiday season brings a natural slowdown to their businesses. Sandy put a major and damper on things. But both vendors still seemed upbeat and optimistic. If they can survive the daily hustle and bustle of New York City and its impatient (and sometimes rude) occupants and Sandy the super storm, they can most definitely survive through the slow holiday season.