Marine Park Hardware always sells Michael’s of Brooklyn tomato sauce but demand has been high since the
outbreak of novel coronavirus. Photo via Google Maps
����������������������������������
COURIER LIFE, MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2020 3
BY JESSICA PARKS
Marine Park Hardware
Corporation has always
stocked its shelves with Michael’s
of Brooklyn tomato
sauce, but demand is at its
highest now that the novel
coronavirus has left grocery
stores operating with long
lines and limited supplies.
“We have been selling their
sauce for years now,” said
store owner Greg Borruso,
“and now people are coming to
the store just to buy sauce.”
Not only does the unusual
partnership between the beloved
Avenue S hardware store
and the local Italian mainstay
on Avenue R allow Borrusso
to support the eatery during
a hard time, but the sauce has
also increased foot traffi c at
the hardware store.
“As long as people walk
through the door,” he told
Brooklyn Paper. “This is a
tough time for retail right
now.”
For the hardware store
owner, who is also very active
within the Marine Park community,
it is imperative for
small businesses to work together
to facilitate a thriving
local economy.
“When you are a small
business you need another
business to rely on,” Borruso
said. “It’s kind of like a twoway
street when you are a
small business. And you’ll notice
that most small business
owners patronize and have
good relationships with other
small business owners.”
The head of Brooklyn’s biggest
business booster commended
the neighborly act
between the two Marine Park
businesses and suggested others
consider following suit.
“There is a good example of
a close-knit neighborhood that
knows how to look out for each
other,” said Brooklyn Chamber
of Commerce President
and CEO Randy Peers. “Because
I like the idea so much,
we are going to push it out as
a best practice and encourage
commercial strips to adopt
something like that.”
Meanwhile, Borruso plans
to stay open as long as he can,
and encourages patrons to stop
by for a jar of tomato sauce,
tools for a home improvement
project or just some time out of
the house.
“We are here to help, and if
you want to come in and talk
we are here to do that, too,” he
said.
RIPE FOR BIZ
Hungry shoppers fl ock to
Marine Park hardware store
for tomato sauce
EYE SPECIALISTS
Reich Center for Eye Care
Raymond Reich MD., Isaac Reich, MD.
LASIK - Starting at $1,50000 per eye
THE SKILLS YOU NEED
THE WISE JUDGMENT YOU WANT
THE NAME YOU TRUST
COMPREHENSIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF ALL EYE DISORDERS
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������