Everybody knows about the trouble in Detriot. But do you know about the trouble in Bensonhurst? A deli that has been in the neighborhood for ten years is closing down. Eckard has been remodeled into a thrift shop that sells clothes eighty percent off. Even gas stations are closing, leaving behind a sign reading “land for lease.” Like a domino effect, auto shops struggle and are sucked into this downfall.
Last year, two gas stations, both Exxon Mobile, closed down due to the increase in the prices of gas. Business was slow; Exxon did not earn enough profit to supply gas. Daniel Lopez, a worker at Shell International, explained that it is actually cheaper to shut down a gas station than to struggle and lose profit while attempting to keep the station open. In the early days of the stations closing, there was a large sign with bold red print reading “NO GAS.” Now, it has become a garbage dump. A ragged plush dog, a couple of beer bottles and cigarette buts is all that remains in the station.
“I thought it was going to be a one week thing”, said Sherman Ho, a local resident and truck driver. “Now I have to drive all the way down to Bay Parkway to get gas.” Residents thought it was only going to be a temporary closing until the company figured out a strategy. But Exxon Mobile on Cropsey Avenue remains shut.
Auto repair shops are down in the dumps as well. Formerly known as Peep Boys Auto Shop, it is now renowned by Good Year. Their second location, right next door, has transformed into an auto parts shop. Just a year ago, the garage was packed with five or six cars per week. Mechanics now sit in an empty garage, chatting with co-workers over a cup of coffee. “There will be one or two cars to work on. But business has definitely slowed,” said Ben a mechanic at Good Year. As a car sales man for a side job, Ben explained that customers are not buying new cars. A majority are looking for used cars that are priced less than $15,000.
If consumers are buying used cars, then shouldn’t Good Year have more business? The fact that 40.2% of the population in Besonhurst is immigrants from Asia may play a role.
Kin Pong, a resident of Bensonhurst recently was in a minor car accident. Already stressed out from dealing with the legal work, he was not in the mood to discuss repair costs. Instead of repairing his three year old Honda minivan, he got rid of it. Since insurance rates and repair costs are so high, keeping another car would be a hassle. “Good Year is too expensive” says Kin. “I took my car there two years ago to fix the breaks. It costs $300! 8th avenue is much better. I can get my car fixed for $180” Likewise, a majority of Asian immigrants rather travel to 8th avenue for a better deal. News about cheap deals spreads quickly.
As a carpenter, Kin and his co workers prefer commuting to work nowadays. While laughing, they all agree that struggling every morning to look for parking spots or getting tickets is a routine they do not miss.
8th Avenue on is looking much better on the other hand. R & S Auto Repair shop is busy even on a Wednesday morning. Mr.Wang, the manager of R & S said that business is not affected by the economy. Their customers are 80% of the time Asian immigrants. “We never used ads to advertise our business. We get our customers by the word of mouth he explained.” One customer tells one friend and news spreads like a domino effect.
The cars that Mr. Wang repairs are mainly used cars. One of his customers, who owns an outdated second hand Dodge Minivan that is too dangerous to be driven out on the road, refuses to buy a new car. He would rather bring it in for repairs once every three months. “I told him: even if you try to sell that car, no one would pay a penny for it. Just bring it to the dump yard” he said. Mr. Wang chuckles and says that its people like that customer that keeps his business going.
Young truck driver, Sherman only brings his car for repairs at R & S. He is familiar with all the workers and knows right away which mechanic he wants. Sometimes they charge him less since he is a regular customer. Whenever there is a minor or serious problem with his cars, the first person he thinks of is Mr. Wang. “I will go to Good Year if Mr. Wang and all other auto shops in 8th avenue close” said Sherman sarcastically.
Back in Bensonhurst, gas stations are crumbling along with Good Year’s business even though the problem is not entirely related. From the outside perspective, it seems that the only problem is the link between the economy and reluctance of people buying gas. The actual problem is simple: competition.
Gulf and Exxon Mobile are simply too close to one another. They are approximately ten feet away from each other. Daniel, worker of Shell explains that their prices has to be a few cents less than Gulf. It is the only way to attract or show difference in the closely built stations. It is not easy for three gas stations to survive together in such a small unit. Daniel explains that if a gas station is lucky, it can probably last for three years.
Now that the Exxon Mobile is gone and the Gulf station is under repair, there is a complaint about the inconvenience since Shell is located in Bay Parkway. “Shell is far and too expensive” said Kin Pong. Although there use to be three gas stations, Kin would quickly scan the price and decide on the one with the lowest price. He has lived in Bensonhurst for 20 years and has never got gas from Exxon Mobile since it is the most expensive of the three. Many local residents feel the same way and have been waiting for Gulf to finish repairing.
Luckily for residents, the BP gas station has just opened this Monday. The fresh, new and bright green logo brightens up the atmosphere of this neighborhood. Already, there are cars parked refueling on gas. A young couple has just stepped out the BP mart each holding a bottle of vitamin water. Perhaps this station is the spark that will brighten up the mood in Bensonhurst.
This is a really good story because as the reporter you observed what was going on in your neighborhood and brought it to light, unlike most of these stories that were already recognized by the community. The comparison to Detroit in the lede fits well and the quotes from neighborhood voices give it color.