Category Archives: Neighborhoods

Con Artist: Connected Artists with a Connected Vision

Posted on by

Two years ago, the ambiguity of Lower East Side’s “Con Artist” left entering passersby a bit confused. Vintage clothes hung all about the room, records filled the corners, and a funky array of trinkets were scattered upon every flat surface. The place seemed to be solely defined as a store. And yet, just past this eyeful, artists filtered in and out on a daily basis as they worked, collaborated and displayed their art in the space’s back room. Brian Shevlin, owner and founder of Con Artist, was not okay with this disconnection. “The store was taking away from our vision,” Shevlin said, “A lot of people just thought we were a thrift store, but we’re more about our artists’ collective. Our concept has always been to create, build and prosper and that just wasn’t getting communicated.”

After much revamping, Con Artist has finally molded into its intended form: an artist workshop and gallery. The workshop is any young artist’s dream. With plenty of supplies, space, storage, 24/7 access, and most importantly variety, Con Artist has virtually all the tools a budding artist needs to hone their craft and explore others, or as Shevlin put it, “play around.”

While the idea of a space where artists can gather and work on their craft within a community is not exactly a new one, Con Artist definitely has its unique perks. For one, the space is not dedicated solely to one type of art medium, such as pottery, or printmaking. The range of tools and equipment available to members of the collective is expansive and virtually all-inclusive. “When you’re a creative person you’re not usually like ‘Oh I only like to paint and I hate doing anything else creative.’ It’s usually just one of the many things you do,” Shevlin explained. In addition to providing tools and space, Con Artist provides a business aspect to the operation, one that apparently is often overlooked by other similar locales. At Con Artist, members of the collective are given opportunities to gain something back from their creative process besides their pieces. Frequent gallery showings and participation in artisan fleas allow guests to purchase art as well as any other miscellaneous objects the artist wishes to sell. Essentially this is the “prosper” of the “create, build, and prosper” idea, and with Con Artist’s small commission of 20% for each sale, it seems like a generous one.

Shevlin’s vision of an affordable artist space and business model stemmed from his own frustrations as an art student. “Basically art is a constant expense until you’ve made it,” he said. Over the years, he came to realize that in order to make ends meet, he (and other young artists in general) usually had to work in a completely different field to make extra money, something he felt unfairly detracted from an artist’s creative focus. With this reality in mind, Shevlin set the price for monthly use of the workshop at a generously low price of 180 dollars per month, the collective membership price at fifty dollars, and storage price ranging from twenty to forty dollars per use. Most other art spaces charge upwards of three to four hundred dollars in total for such amenities.

Even in a struggling economy however, Con Artist’s price is hardly their only allure. Their growing group of seventy gains much more than money, they gain an incomparable atmosphere of mutual respect and non-stop inspiration. Even with the constant ebb and flow of people, it’s evident that problems between members are minimal. Managerial duties pertain more to the intricacies of event planning and smooth processing than to crowd control or scuffles between members. In fact, even those who are not active within the workshop anymore, still pay the collective membership price to stay connected to their fellow artistic peers. How does such a large group of creative people with a variety of different tastes work so harmoniously you might ask? Shevlin attributes the harmony directly to the ambience. “In a shared space such as our workshop, everyone is exposed. It’s like being naked on a stage. No one’s got anything to lose.”

Community Service Proposal-Homebound by Sarah Moi-Thuk-Shung

Posted on by

The Elmont Public Library is a central site for the Elmont community. Not only does the public library provide a place to study and read, it also houses many events each month, has a wonderful kids section, and is an enjoyable place for people of any age. I know that this library does anything that it possibly can to help out the people of Elmont, so I decided to ask about their community service programs.

I approached the help desk and I was greeted by a very friendly librarian named Lee Gorray. I explained the neighborhood project and she was glad to assist me. She began to talk about her own community service program that she is the leader of at the library, called Homebound. This program allows for people that are sick and not able to come to the library a chance to have books delivered to them every two weeks. She said that although it sounds like an easy enough task, it is time consuming. The people that can participate in this program are Elmont Public Library cardholders that live in Elmont, Valley Stream and a few other surrounding towns. She says that she has to make home visits to see what the people like to read. I believe that this is a wonderful program and it is a great way for those that are homebound to have access to reading materials and new books that interest them. I am excited to interview Lee Gorray and learn more about Homebound.

As sailing season drifts away, the Manhattan Sailing School charts a course for 25 more years

Posted on by

Bidding farewell to sailing season proves difficult when sailors are still enjoying 70-degree days in Battery Park City, but that’s the schedule the Manhattan Sailing School abides by for decommissioning its fleet in the middle of each October.

The approaching winter looms heavily over the school, serving as a reminder to the staff and the school’s club members that their luxurious leisure can only be a seasonal thrill in the northeast. There’s storage space in New Jersey awaiting the arrival of the school’s 24 J-24 sailing boats, and an active winter schedule in place, designed to whet appetites for the next sailing season on the rippling Hudson River.

But the decommissioning of the fleet doesn’t happen without Sailing Club members first taking a Saturday to memorialize one of their own. The Bruce Hagan Memorial Regatta celebrates the life of a former club member and award-winning “Dateline NBC” producer who passed away in 1998. The money raised for the race is donated to charity.

“Every year we do a regatta to remember him,” said Emily Whipple, the school’s Club Director. “It’s usually the Saturday before the decommissioning. Our last race is in his honor, and then we break it all down the next day.”

Continue reading →

Can a Diverse Neighborhood Save This Struggling Business?

Posted on by

Two years ago, neighbors in Jackson Heights, Queens used to buy a stack of phone cards to call relatives in their home country. They would move around with a dozen phone cards in their wallets; phone cards were the preferred way to contact people overseas. However, the variety of internet and phone companies’ offers that make it cheap to call long distance today are lightening people’s wallets and threatening the international phone card business.

“The international phone card business has dropped 75%,” said Amarjit Singh, an owner of a clothing store that also sells phone cards in Jackson Heights. He has 50 different types of international calling cards in his store based on public demand. “It has become a side business that only is for attracting customers,” said Singh.

Singh has minimized the phone card business in his store. He understands that now people want everything in one device. Phone companies like T-Mobile and Metro PCS are offering free long distance calls under their contract plan, which affects the phone card business. Also, Skype, Yahoo and many others online companies have cheap offers to make international calls.

“People can make local and international calls from one phone which is convenient for them,” said Singh. “The money goes to big companies. They buy minutes and sell to four to five million people nationwide. They are making money, not the small businessmen.”

Another phone card businessman, Mohammed Tariqul Islam explains the 3-step process of the international phone card business: phone card companies sell phone cards to the wholesalers; the wholesalers sell to the retailers; finally, the businessmen buy phone cards from the retailers.

“It takes 50 cents to make one phone card. I have to buy a card for $1.50 and I am selling the card for $1.75; it is only 25 cents profit,” Islam said. “My monthly gross income is $3000 to $4000, which is not profitable enough to take care of the store’s rent.” After a brief silence and a big sigh, Islam shared his future plan, which is to start a wholesale business of phone cards, hoping to make a profit.

Between 74th and 75th Streets on 37th Avenue, in two blocks, there are more than 15 stores selling phone cards. Anwar Hossain works hard seven days a week from morning to midnight, because he cannot afford an employee. “The internet connection is getting faster in Asia. Now people can talk on Skype and other websites rather than buy phone card,” said Hossain. He is planning to close his five year old phone card business and looking for something else to do.

“A phone card is now like a newspaper. We do not make money but we have to keep the newspaper anyway,” said Hossain sadly.

The phone card business is challenging the small businessmen in Jackson Heights. They have to find an alternative way to make a profit, such as selling other products like clothes, jewelry, perfumes, childrens’ toys, gum, and other daily products.

Gowardhanvi Patel opened his small stall one year ago, where he sells phone cards along gums, snacks bars and newspapers. “No one is making a profit on the phone card business not only because of its decline, but also because of the competition,” said Patel. “Some businessmen who are only doing their phone card businesses in a tiny place or sharing a corner of a store, and paying less rent, they make some profit and are able to sell cards cheaply.”

Despite the fact, small businessmen are still investing their money and effort to establish International phone card business in Jackson Heights because of the diverse population of the neighborhood. Now the primary customers of phone cards are students and single immigrants, who buy $2.00 phone cards to save money.

If the phone card business continuous to shrink rapidly, many people in Jackson Heights will be cut off from their family. “My family does not live here,” said Sahida Begum. “I call Bangladesh every day. I buy phone cards because I do not have internet in my house.”

Charlotte Patisserie by Pamela Ng

Posted on by

Charlotte Patisserie is more than just any ordinary café – it is the saying “hard work pays off” brought to life. Described as “a really huge investment,” sibling duo Michael and Magdalena Lechowicz built the small French bakery and café from the ground up.

Michael Lechowicz studied at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and interned in France soon afterwards. Coming back to America after he completed his studies meant one of two things.

“He either had to go work for someone else or work for himself,” said co-owner and sister, Magdalena.  “That’s why we did it.”

Inspired by his culinary experience, Michael partnered with his sister to make their bakery and café, which is currently located along Manhattan Avenue – on the borderline of Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn.

Knowing they wanted to specialize in French pastries, the two came up with the name Charlotte Patisserie, which also translates to Charlotte Bake Shop in English.

“Charlotte is a French girl’s name,” said Magdalena. “Charlotte Royale is also the name of a cake. It sounds nice.”

Previously All State Insurance Company, the Lechowiczs’ spent an extensive time planning every detail of their new business. In a year, the two owners made decisions on issues ranging from the menu to finances. Over time, they were able to transform the former insurance office into a quaint and cozy space to grab a pastry and a cup of coffee.

The café has a brick wall interior and is adorned with modern artwork. It is also furnished with wooden counters and fixtures. Workers standing behind the counter greet everybody that walks in as soon as they enter and the smell of baked goods and fresh brewing coffee fill the space. Charlotte Patisserie provides a comforting spot for customers to just sit down and enjoy a book, as many of them do. It is no wonder why so many of them, especially residents of the neighborhood, come back.

“We have a lot of regulars,” said Magdalena. “A lot of them come all the time and whoever is coming for the first time usually comes back, too”

Living in the area is also an advantage for the two owners. Not only is it convenient for them, it also gives them a chance to serve the community better. Charlotte Patisserie has a corkboard by the window with listings from local businesses, as well as information for art shows and performances. In fact, the café hosts performances by local musicians from time to time in their backyard. Such promotion and support for locals contributes to the café’s home-away-from-home character.

The taste of their products is also up to par with the kind of environment Charlotte Patisserie provides for its patrons. They serve tarts, croissants, brioches, and macaroons, among other classic French treats. Made fresh daily from original recipes, Michael starts baking as early as five in the morning to get ready for the day.

In spite of the variety of pastries Charlotte Patisserie offers, croissants are a particularly popular item in the café.

“The croissants are the best in the city,” said Magdalena.

Even with such a well-liked product, many of their other pastries are also gone by the end of each business day.

“I absolutely love the mini tarts they have,” said Natalia Rusinek, a loyal customer to the café. “They are delicious and are always topped with my favorite fruit – blueberries.”

Despite having many competitors in the surrounding area, including Awakening, a café that also offers spa services across the street and Uro Café, which is located around the corner, the Lechowiczs’ continue to trek forward with bigger plans for their small business.

“We’re planning to open new locations,” said Magdalena. “In five years, I would hope for three or more locations in the city.”

For a business that is turning only one-year-old on October 26th, Charlotte Patisserie has surpassed the expectations of Michael and Magdalena.

Barbara Kazimierczuk, who met the owners through a local Polish Folk Dance group, has witnessed the café’s transformation from just a new business to a gem on Manhattan Avenue.

“Eventually they stopped coming to dance because they began focusing their efforts completely on their café,” said Kazimierczuk.

“It’s amazing how far they have come with their café because they moved here from Poland like many others who live in and around the neighborhood,” said Kazimierczuk.

“It’s hard enough to transition as immigrants, but to begin your own business and have it flourish within the course of a year is quite an accomplishment.”

Magdalena attributes Charlotte Patisserie’s success to hard work and dedication, but also believes the French-style café stands out from its competitors for several reasons.

“We bake everything here on site and our products are delicious,” said Magdalena. “And we have a gorgeous backyard.”

Allerton-Pelham Gardens’ little bit of Italy by Chanelle Perrin

Posted on by

At 10 o’clock every morning Tony Gaudio raises the metal shutters to his 42-year-old business. Tony along with two of his employees turn on the lights and machines and prepare for another day inside of Three Boys from Italy Pizzeria. A landmark to the Allerton-Pelham Gardens neighborhood, Three Boys pizza shop has been located on the same block since 1970.

At the age of 17, Tony Gaudio decided to go into business with his two brothers. With a smile, the owner reflected on how his pizza shop earned its name from the lawyer who helped him and his brothers sign the lease. Tony said, “ I remember that day very well. I was 17. It was me, my two brothers and my father. The lawyer asked us ‘what’s the name?’ we didn’t pick a name. So, the lawyer looked at us and said ‘Three Boys’, and from there it was Three Boys.” He went on to add, “We used to call it Three Brothers from Italia, but we changed it.”
Although, his father was present at the signing of the lease, Tony and his brothers were the owners of the business, Tony said, “My father was there because we were so young.” While Tony and his brothers did open the Burke Avenue location together, it was only a matter of time before they decided to open another pizzeria. One of Tony’s brothers, Vinny, opened his own Three Boys from Italy pizzeria in White Plains, NY.

Three Boys pizzeria provides an extensive menu of Italian cuisine that caters to a broad demographic. Located right next to the Burke Avenue #2 train station, adults and children heading home from work and school frequently stop by the shop to get a bite to eat. Three Boys’ doors are open from 10 am until 4 am seven days week; the lengthy hours are necessary for the numerous patrons that walk in and out of the lively pizzeria.
In today’s small businesses usually use the Internet and media exposure as a means tp create a buzz. However, Three Boys’ conception in 1970 predates most of the social networks and media outlets around today. The longevity of this business is a testament to the quality of the food it serves. In a heavy Italian accent Tony Gaudio said, ‘ No, I don’t use the facebook, no Twitter. Just old fashioned words. People they come by, they eat, they like it, they come back that’s it!’

Pizza has always been apart of The New York City culture; furthermore, the newest trends of dollar slices have become competition for pizza shops such as Three Boys. With slices at $2.75 a pop, one may wonder how Three Boys competes with the trendy dollar pizza shops that are popping up throughout NYC. The answer: quality over quantity, providing the Three Boys pizza they know and love.

Besides the neighborhood competition, this small business faces an even bigger problem. According to Tony, the toughest thing on him has been the rise in the rent over the years. Mr. Gaudio said, “The rent, there’s a big difference now. It started at $80 a month and now, it’s up about 5 grand ($5,000).” Despite the owner having to adjust to increases in the rent and other expenses, he tries to refrain from raising prices on his customers.

Customers show their appreciation for the steady priced slices by travelling from all over the city for a taste of Three Boys. Brandi Hamilton, a regular customer said “ I have grown up eating Three Boys’ pizza. I don’t live in the area anymore, but I still find a way to get a slice with bacon every so often.” Although customers love the pizza, most had the same complaint, Lesly Benavides said, “I love their pizza, but I am sad that they don’t deliver; I live by 161st, which is pretty far from here. The only time I get to stop by is when I visit my cousin.”
Tony, is all smiles when discussing his business. When looking towards the future Tony said, “In 5 years I will retire. I don’t know who will takeover, probably family.”