KDGHP--are you new to JH? Because it's been a long-standing lament re: the empty storefronts and the seeming impossibility of small businesses making a go of it here. The commercial rents are astronomical--I think someone posted that they are higher than in places like Park Slope. It's a larger problem, of course, with everyone getting everything delivered by Amazon, Fresh Direct, etc. and retail stores going under: Toys R Us, Lord and Taylor's flagship store, etc.
The list you posted of businesses you'd like to see come to 37th sounds great but totally unrealistic judging by what actually manages to open here. When the Bruson Building had to be rebuilt due to the big fire, there were community town hall meetings where residents tried to influence what kinds of businesses would wind up in the new building. I recall hearing a rumor there might be a gourmet food market, for example.
In the end yes, we did get two new restaurants there, which is great--especially Romeo's which offers the area something different-- but I don't understand why the largest storefront is devoted to a home care business. Why does a business like that pay for a storefront location? It's a large space--I've never walked by during business hours, but is it filled with employees and clients meeting about home care arrangements? It seems so odd to have that business in that space--have you ever seen a storefront home care business anywhere else in NYC?
Then there is a bank and the same convenience store that used to operate there--one of many convenience stores along the avenue. Again, it's a larger issue that just 37th Ave in JH. Businesses close and then the storefront remains empty for years, I guess serving as a tax write-off to the landlord. Maybe the only way to improve the situation is to get rid of the tax incentives that may make it more profitable to keep the spaces empty than to rent them.
