Many successful businesses cater to under served markets.
The numbers and facts tell a far different story than the biased "Jackson Heights is poor" story of some forum members. We're in New York. Yes, there are people in the community who don't have middle class incomes. Yes there are people living in overcrowded conditions. But mainly we're a middle class neighborhood.
Personally, I'm looking forward to the Queensboro. (The space is quite big though, which does give me some pause). I love getting momos, and my Peruvian fix, and all the other great food around here. But an American bistro would be a nice addition, especially since there are no other. I do hope it's good. I prefer stay in my neighborhood for a casual dinner out.
Agree with this. And there are so many variables. People talk about seniors on fixed incomes--but some that I know are actually quite well off on their fixed incomes. Those who have very nice pensions--former teachers, city workers, etc--plus social security and savings. One of my neighbors told me that retiring actually boosted her income. She travels and eats out--yes she is a senior on a fixed income, but not poor.
Also not sure about the "it's a numbers game" claim--often offered with such smugness and certainty. I just attended a fundraising dinner that was very costly per ticket. A friend told me he had tried to persuade the organization to have a less fancy but more inclusive fundraiser: wouldn't they raise more money or at least the same amount if they had the event at a less fancy venue, and cut the ticket price so that many more people could afford to attend?
It's for a synagogue, so there are all income levels in the membership, and many members would love to contribute to a fundraiser, are very passionate about the place, but the ticket prices are beyond the reach of many--although membership dues are fairly low--which bothers a lot of us quite a bit. They do not have their own building--so the big fundraising push is to get one and stop sharing limited space with a church.
My friend said he could not persuade them to do that; evidently they raise more money with fewer attendees/higher ticket prices/more affluent people bidding higher on auction items. And for them, that's the bottom line: they need the money to get their own space.
It occurs to me that this may be analogous to the topic of having a higher-priced retail option along with many lower-priced ones, as long as there are enough people who are willing to pay and can pay the price to support the business.
I think E77 in its new, expanded form is an example of success in this regard. Business seems to be good--it's usually quite busy. Granted it is not on 37th Avenue, so the rent might be more reasonable. But if it were true that because this is such a "poor" neighborhood according to those data, a "gentrified" business like E77 cannot succeed here, then it would have closed long ago.
He seems to know what he's doing in running the place, and with all the events he hosts--music, art, readings--I think it's a real asset to the community, not just a place to get a latte and a slice of pumpkin bread. I see people of many ethnicities in there, speaking different languages. Sure, someone on a very low income would not go there for a cup of coffee--but there are plenty of people in JH who can afford and do patronize the place regularly. And plenty of lower-priced places to get coffee and food.
