Originally opened in 1983, the Stop One Deli located at 124 Union Street is a an example of a small business able to survive through the current economic crisis.
It’s another accomplishment considering the location’s history – that half-block stretch of real estate on Union Street has seen dozens of business open and close in the past several years. Stop One has been the one constant.
Drug store, gymnastics center, carpet store, bike shop, internet cafe, hot dog vendor, electronics store and a beauty salon are a few of the business that have seen short life-spans.
“I’ve been shopping there for about 14 years,” said Minerva Andino, a long time customer of Stop One. “It’s a nice, little family-friendly store. Family run, family friendly.”
Ms. Andino said that with struggling to provide for her two children, she needs a store available with “basic things that [she] can use.” She feels that most of the businesses to close down have been luxury items and services, and that there is no sort of “curse” on the area.
“Especially in this economic recession, we don’t need a little store with carpets. That’s not what I want and that’s not what my neighbors want,” Ms. Andino explained. “You go a bigger place where you can get a better bargain.”
The only similar store in the neighborhood has undergone several renevations and at least one ownership change in recent memory.
In addition to the material goods Stop One provides, Ms. Andino described perhaps her biggest reason for shopping at the store for so many years. “I like the way that Ms. Lee knows my name when I walk into the store, it makes a big difference – and she’ll ask me about my children. If I had a choice, and I do, I’d rather shop there.”