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Tag Archives: Kamelia Kilawan
Long-Time Florist- South Richmond Hill
Kamelia Kilawan
A long-time Italian-American owner of a florist shop, has seen many changes along Liberty Avenue in south Richmond Hill where his creations have become essential to neighborhood weddings, birthdays, and funerals.
His business was booming a few years ago and he opened up a second brand-new florist shop on the bustling intersection of Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue right beneath the A Train.
Though a few months ago he had to close his second business.
He is a peculiar example of how in one sense, he built his own niche that remained even in the midst of a new Indo-Caribbean immigrant enclave entering the neighborhood bringing along roti shops, sari and Hindu puja stories, bakeries and a slew of small businesses—leaving the long-time shopkeeper a small space to sell his craft of floral arrangements.
I would like to ask him questions about his background: how did he become a florist, what he likes or dislikes about the job, what his best-selling floral arrangements are, what occasion does he make most of his sales, and how he has managed to stay in a community that has been through many cultural changes. In addition I would interview customers both long-time members of Richmond Hill part of the Italian-American community as well as newer Indo-Caribbean customers.
I also believe the Richmond Hill Economic Development Council, a community of small businesses in the area would be a good source for a background on how businesses have evolved and neighboring business owners would provide some insight on the community florist and his business.
Posted in Story Queries
Tagged Kamelia Kilawan, Query, South Richmond Hill
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South Richmond Hill, Queens
By: Kamelia Kilawan
On the intersection of Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue in south Queens, lies a cross-cultural mixing unlike any part of New York City.
South Richmond Hill is a crossroads to Guyanese, Trinidadian, Punjabi, and Hispanic flavors…you might chance upon any one of these ethnicities in a nearby roti shop, sari store, mandir, hair salon, or mom and pop restaurant.
The area, accessible by the A train to Lefferts Boulevard, has long been described by local residents as “Little Guyana” although it holds a variety of races who live together. According to recent Census data, nearly 20,000 residents in the area identify themselves as “Asian Indian.” Last June The New York Times profiled five emerging immigrant enclaves in the city, Guyanese in south Richmond Hill being one of them.
But the feature mused over one tiny fact.
Nearly 140,000 city residents identify themselves as Guyanese, though the difference in ancestral origin for many residents of south Richmond Hill is an important factor in the way the neighborhood has become shaped.
In New York City, those who have migrated to South Richmond Hill feel a sense of belonging to both their Indian and Caribbean heritage—casting them as double immigrants, their forefathers from India, across the sea as indentured servants to the Caribbean, and now an immigrant community in New York City.
What an intense change and adaptation for this neighborhood and its people. The neighborhood landscape is reflective of this blending of cultures, while its Indo-Caribbean community lives side by side with new ethnic groups including those of purely Indian origin and Hispanic counterparts.
I hope to reflect this wonderful kernel of truth, demonstrating that South Richmond Hill has become a crossroads for those with Indian and Caribbean roots and those who experience the impact of this rising community—through the creativity of new businesses, the culture of recreation, the foundation of temples as community centers, and the overall lifestyle of people within the area.
