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Author Topic: Neighborhood empty storefronts  (Read 49514 times)

Offline Chuckster

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #90 on: February 03, 2010, 12:19:03 AM »
Quote from: normelrod on February 03, 2010, 12:14:37 AM
I wonder if landlords are holding out for big chain retailers. Those types of companies can afford higher rents, sign longer leases and generally stay in a location longer. They also take longer to actually decide to move into a location, which may be why landlords are willing to leave a space open for long periods of time. They're trying to land the big fish.

I'm guessing these big chains also do plenty of research before moving in. And like all of us who have been commenting, they probably see that rents don't fit the neighborhood.

Of course Starbucks moved in. So who knows?

What I'd like to see at the Flagship spot -- a bookstore.  Tired argument?   :-\
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Offline Griswold Contessa

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #91 on: February 03, 2010, 07:32:18 AM »
At this point many small bookstores are barely able to keep their heads above water that combined with rent that could reach upward to $10,000 a month IMHO a bookstore would not, could not survive there.  Also Amazon has made buying books easy and quite reasonable this along with an economy that's in the dumper has wreaked havoc on the small neighborhood bookstores.

Quote from: Chuckster on February 03, 2010, 12:19:03 AM
What I'd like to see at the Flagship spot -- a bookstore.  Tired argument?   :-\
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Offline erospolitico

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #92 on: February 03, 2010, 04:16:42 PM »
Quote from: francis on February 02, 2010, 10:11:52 PM
Doesn't  Community Board 3 have a say about what should or should not be placed at these locations? When whole blocks are being evacuated by landlards, it changes the quality of life for the entire neighborhood. Personally, I would hate to see 37Th Ave.turn into a strip for bars and late night activity. Any new businesses should know that 37Th Ave.falls within a historic district--so that people don't start destroying or altering the facades of these buildings.

Landlords can rent to whoever they want.  The business must conform to the zoning, landmarks, and other rules.

If they do not a variance must be requested, which is heard by Community Board 3, before it goes to the Borough President and the City.

If licencing is need, that usually also goes before the Community Board, depending on the license type.

Anything that is heard by the Community Board, is presented in a public hearing for community input.
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Offline v70cat

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #93 on: February 03, 2010, 04:38:36 PM »
Quote from: Chuckster on February 03, 2010, 12:19:03 AM
What I'd like to see at the Flagship spot -- a bookstore.  Tired argument?   :-\

Most book store are closing, nice thought but hard to make the economics work.

In general America has to much retail space and on line retailers like Amazon are taking a larger share of the business.


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Offline Marlene

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #94 on: February 03, 2010, 08:56:52 PM »
Hi everyone,

All the business ideas on this thread and others sound fabulous.  But who has the money?

According to the "rumors" on the avenue, the rent at Cavalier's was increased to $16K.  Could this be possible?
If you opened up a bookstore, how many books would you have to sell.   ::)

Best,   :smiley6600:
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Offline toddg

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #95 on: February 03, 2010, 10:36:42 PM »
A couple of months ago, the owner of Flagship told me he has been looking to relocate to a smaller place nearby, but has had a difficult time finding something affordable.  Hopefully he'll be able to reopen soon.

There appear to be two storefronts being prepared for new tenants on the Trade Fair block between 75th and 76th Streets -- the fabric store, and the phone card store.
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Offline Marlene

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #96 on: February 04, 2010, 04:26:47 PM »
Has everyone inundated our Council Member Daniel Dromm with the empty storefront concerns?

Best,   :smiley6600:
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Offline 77TH ST

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #97 on: February 04, 2010, 08:48:10 PM »
I have just learned about the Cavilear closing....

Yes this is sad to see, I just wonder that if major retailers move in will that jack up the apartment rentals as well as the Co-ops/ Condos, and the storefront rents even more? Forest Hills apartments are through the roof.

Storefronts as well one person was asking for $20,000 per month yes that's right folks 20G's. The owner that I spoke to was not budging at all. Perfumania was suppose to take over but could not even get a leg up now some other vitamin store will try to open. So far we have Starbucks and the rule of thumb is that once a retailer such as SB moves in and is able to maintain it self more will follow.

I do agree with the poster who said we need to write to Dromm about the sky high rents.
As some know that I have been looking to open a business here but the rents are killer....are the owners of Cavilear crazy 16K is a heavy note....Or maybe they will sell the land and build an apartment building.


77 Th
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Offline earbears

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #98 on: February 04, 2010, 09:02:56 PM »
It appears that the property is in the process of being sols. As to how (and if) the property is to be developed is still up in the air. The rumor is that an apartment building is being considered. There would have to be hearing as variances would be needed and landmarks and air-rights will come into discussion.

Get ready to take action if needed. Danny Drumm will be an important member of this action along with the JHBG and all of us.
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Offline abee

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #99 on: February 04, 2010, 09:07:30 PM »
This doesn't exactly fit here, but when did Thomas' Furniture Refinishing (80th and Northern) close? Or did he move? I pass by it nearly every day on my way home (I like looking at the interesting furniture out front) and yesterday when I passed by it was a barber. A fully functioning barber. It was like I blinked and it was totally different! I guess I've been driving home different ways lately!
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Offline v70cat

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #100 on: February 05, 2010, 08:51:11 AM »
This is not local problem.

Retailers across the Country are struggling and vacancy rates for retail space are increasing.
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Offline linette

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #101 on: February 05, 2010, 10:47:26 AM »
But in many cases these businesses weren't struggling until the landlords decided to jack up the rents--that does seem to be peculiar to our neighborhood. The concept of supply/demand breaks down when landlords don't care that there's no demand at the prices they are asking, and are willing to leave spaces open for years on end.
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Offline dotley

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #102 on: February 05, 2010, 11:34:47 AM »
This is related to the empty storefront conversation, but has anyone passed by what was Don Francisco's lately? I saw a cat in the store but did not know at the time that the store was out of business. The cat appeared well fed.   If he/she is still there then I will call the ASPCA or a rescue group and the owner.
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #103 on: February 05, 2010, 12:03:18 PM »
Quote from: dotley on February 05, 2010, 11:34:47 AM
This is related to the empty storefront conversation, but has anyone passed by what was Don Francisco's lately? I saw a cat in the store but did not know at the time that the store was out of business. The cat appeared well fed.   If he/she is still there then I will call the ASPCA or a rescue group and the owner.

I saw people in there just the other day - possibly dismantling some equipment.  Do you think the cat was abandoned?
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Offline dotley

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Re: Neighborhood empty storefronts
« Reply #104 on: February 05, 2010, 02:25:45 PM »
I will check this afternoon.  Hopefully one of the people dismantling the store took the cat home.  He/she appeared to have been very well fed (hopefully it was not pregnant!)
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