Most Jackson Heights residents are against big box retailers.
Jackson Heights is proud of its mom and pop businesses.
As a resident of Jackson Heights for over 25 years, I resent Manhattanites that move here to save money on their residence.
My family moved to Jackson Heights almost 40years ago as a step up from NYC Public Housing and had to pay $300 more in rent as compared to the $80 they paid in the past.
Jackson Heights is a place for families to flourish with fast access to Manhattan, and small and cozy stores.
The real estate agents who frequent this board will likely agree with me, because Jackson Heights has a charm about it that enables them to see coops rapidly.
Erospolitico:
I'm with you and I would like to know the true reason why people move to Jackson Heights.
Let me say that some of my buyer's from Brooklyn and Manhattan want a real deal on their gorgeous units in Jackson Heights. That is understandable. But some of my seller's will not accept these low offers.
I moved here from Park Avenue (Between 95th and 96th Street) 22 years ago and decided that I truly loved the JH architecture, the gardens, the mom and pop stores, and the community as is.
I sometimes wonder what other's have in mind for Jackson Heights. Do they appreciate what Jackson Heights is, or what they envision it to be in the future? And that is an interesting discussion to be had.
On the interior estetics of a unit in Jackson Heights, my experience is that when I show beautiful and charming units the prospective buyer's envision much change to their units. And I wonder why then they want to see a pre-war unit if they are ultimately going to remove the original crown moldings, the separate shower stall, and the built-in bookshelves, and change the arches. Ultimately, the discussion is always had on the reduction of the price to 60K or 80K less in order to get these changes done to the units.
On the changes for the community of JH, as it stands it's not so terrible living here and I do appreciate Jackson Heights and always did for what it is, hardly ever thinking that I needed these other big "dream" stores in order to be happy. But some of my buyer's or the buyer's have other plans in mind for the community.
Is having Borders, Trader Joe's, and the NYSC, etc. the answer? I'm not sure, but what I am sure about is that we or many of us have all lived here without them and many of us have been really happy or as happy as one can be.
Please note that I have had a few discussions with the owner's of some of the lovely JH quaint businesses, that are considered a little more upscale, and the owner's have indicated that although they do get many of the new Jackson Heights neighbors that have moved from Brooklyn, or Manhattan, these are not the customers that spend the money. "They will come in and browse, but then go off to the Mall, etc. and spend their money." Which is indeed a conversation in itself.
Many will recall a small book store that was located on 37th Avenue that carried a great selection of books and as well would order books for you as needed. They eventually closed as the community was not supportive of the store. Would we be more supportive of a Border's than a small mom and pop book store?
So again, the question remains: Are you moving to Jackson Heights for what it is, or for what you want it to become? And
if we do get Borders, Trader Joe's, the NYSC, etc. will these dream stores bring you happiness. I'm not sure.
Sometimes our "dream" stores are just around the corner, but we can't
see them.
Best, :smiley6600: