In an effort to gauge the impact of the recession on small businesses throughout his district, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) conducted an informal, door-to-door survey of close to 100 stores in Flatbush and 142 businesses in Boro Park over a two-month period.
A sampling of store owners answered the following four questions:
1. How has your business been performing this year relative to previous years?
2. What obstacles do you feel are in the way of your business’ expansion?
3. Are there any particular local laws or policies you feel negatively affect your business?
4. What solutions do you feel could be implemented to help your business thrive?
The findings revealed that virtually every small business surveyed, from restaurants to clothing stores, and even funeral homes have experienced a decline in business since the recession began in late 2008. Some business owners even indicated that business was worse this year compared to last year. Interestingly, supermarkets, as well as specialty shops such as card shops or maternity clothing stores seemed to be less affected by the recession.
Stores which sell luxury items like jewelry or silver were the most severely impacted by the economic downturn. The degree to which businesses suffered did vary slightly depending on where the store was situated. Overall, owners were pessimistic about the future of their business, and named a decrease in consumer spending as an obstacle to the growth of their business. Other obstacles which were identified by store owners included inadequate parking, overzealous enforcement by parking and sanitation agents, and insufficient funding for advertising.
“I plan on doing everything I can to assist the struggling business in my district,” said Hikind. “We are currently working on a number of initiatives to aid small businesses and revitalize those which have been hit particularly hard by the recession.”
Hikind is currently looking into the possibility of a merchant’s association, as well as implementing Project Sweep, a program which cleans the sidewalks outside of businesses twice a day for a small fee. If a merchant receives a sanitation ticket while enrolled in the program, the ticket is paid for by Project Sweep.
“It is essential that we, as a community, commit to helping one another during these difficult times,” Hikind remarked. “Through our joint efforts, I am confident we can stimulate economic growth throughout the district.”
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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6 Responses
and he is just noticing it now????
and of course supermarkets and maternity stores wouldn’t suffer – people still eat and in the frum community they still have babies – there’s a surprise there????????
sweeping street will bring prosperity – perhaps lower taxes, especially on businesses, might help
it seems Mr. Hikind spends too much time with his fellow Democrats
And he’s doing WHAT exactly to help us support Jewish-owned businesses? How about getting our taxes reduced so we can spend more? I don’t have the extras I used to have to upgrade consumer items & I’m far from alone. If a family has to choose between putting food on the table or Mom having a decent sheitel, guess what? She washes the ratty old sheitel yet again & prays it can hold up a while longer.
Well you can bet your money if you are a business not in his district youi are screwed (sorry for language.) As a frum yid who went to him for help/advise I was tild since I am not in his district he showed me the door. We need to vote him out he has done his time and we need change maybe a republician who will help all and not only those who can line pockets like Hikind maybe gets.
With tuition bills and basic cost of neccessities skyrocketing,, who has money to spend on extras. Unfortunately, businesses will suffer.
I think long and hard if I have to buy anything, is it neccessary? Can I do without it, most times, the answer is yes. No more impulse buys.
maybe all these local clothing stores on 13th Ave. should open Profesional websites so they can sell not just to boro park customers but to all over! GREAT IDEA! NO?
Ressponder88, don’t feel left out. His constituents don’t get any more. He simply aims to release a release every week or so, usually on a controversial topic, and his job is well done. There’s essentially nothing he can show us after three decades in office. His signature – TAP (which had more statements issued than letters sent to politicians) went up in smoke despite having his (and perhaps only) buddy in the governors mansion. And that was at time he tried, after suffering a major defeat in the council race. Where was he when they restored sales tax on clothing? Maybe an intervention then could’ve saved some businesses. If he really has his constituents in mind, how about get your fellow speaker to get us some vouchers etc. We pay [school] tax just like everyone else, we deserve it. If parents will have the money spent on tuition for clothing or other basics (put aside luxuries) the economy would do better in this district. Well, those options are harder, easier to have the secretary type up a press release.
On a side note: I don’t understand why Dov is whining, it got me happy. Quote: and even funeral homes have experienced a decline in business. Great! I mean, let them go OUT OF BUSINESS. Who wants them to get more costumers. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen my local chapel experiencing a decline. Recent stories on YWN don’t suggest that either. Maybe it just fit well into the statement, a Purim joke Erev Rosh Hashana…