8 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM Ridgewood plaza project is draining area businesses BY ANTHONY GIUDICE AGIUDICE@RIDGEWOODTIMES.COM @A_GIUDICEREPORT Local businesses in Ridgewood are feeling the pain during a monthslong project to make the 71st Avenue Plaza a permanent site. Much like their Glendale counterparts — who are facing plaza construction issues of their own — several businesses that abut the ongoing construction site along Myrtle Avenue are seeing a decrease in customers, and in turn, a decrease in profi ts. Bamboo Tropical, a health juice and salad bar located at 59-13 71st Ave., said they are losing so much money every week due to the construction work that they may need to close down for good if they don’t rebound from their losses. The main issue Bamboo Tropical is facing is a lack of visibility because of very large concrete sewer tubing right outside their store, which blocks customers from seeing their storefront. The construction also leaves no parking for employees or customers. “People sometimes think we’re closed, or they think we’re not punctual with our times because they can’t see us,” said Citali Hernandez, daughter of the owner of Bamboo Tropical. “But we are here and open, but they just can’t see.” “Some customers say they aren’t coming in anymore because there is no space for them to park their cars,” added Valeria Benitez, manager at Bamboo Tropical. “They can end up being late to work, and that’s an issue for them, so they decide not to come.” Other issues Bamboo Tropical faces include loud noises, dirt and dust being tracked into the store, and having the bathrooms for the construction workers right outside their establishment. “Winter is already our slow time, but the construction is making it worse,” Hernandez said. “We have been losing around $1,500 a month since construction started. We barely make enough to purchase our fresh produce. We’ve been thinking of closing down because my dad has been paying our rent out of pocket, and he can’t keep doing that for much longer.” Another business that has suff ered because of the plaza project is Ridgewood Opticians, located a few stores down at 59-05 71st Ave. “Business has defi nitely slowed down because of the construction,” said Kim Soto, an optician at Ridgewood Opticians. “We don’t get as many walk-ins. And we advertise a lot online, and people have trouble fi nding us. We have people coming from Forest Hills and other places, and they can’t fi nd us. And when they do fi nd us, they can’t park. Elderly patients come by Access-a-Ride, but they can’t park to get them here.” Although businesses are hurting right now, Ted Renz, executive director of the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), asks business owners to look at the bright light at the end of the tunnel. “Once the sewer project is complete, then work will be going on in the plaza itself,” Renz said. “Vincent Arcuri (chair of Community Board 5) and I met with the contractor with DDC (Department of Design and Construction) on Feb. 16 and he expects the sewer project, with the big gray sewer connections, to be completed in three weeks. Then work will be commencing in the plaza itself and the visibility will be greatly improved.” Renz also mentioned that once construction is completed — scheduled for September of this year, according to the contract — that the new permanent plaza will be a major boon to the same businesses that are suff ering right now. “As with any construction project, there is impact to businesses,” Renz added. “But other plaza projects have clearly benefi ted the businesses. Even the temporary plaza was embraced by the community, so the new plaza will bring in new amenities and actually help the businesses in the area.” Only time will tell how these businesses will do once the plaza is fully functional later this fall. Darryl Strawberry to help open Glendale Dick’s Sporting Goods BY ANTHONY GIUDICE AGIUDICE@RIDGEWOODTIMES.COM @A_GIUDICEREPORT “The Straw” is coming to Glendale’s newest sports store. Former New York Mets and Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry will be on hand for the grand opening weekend of Dick’s Sporting Goods fi rst store in Queens. The prolifi c slugger, a member of the 1986 World Champion Mets and the 1996 World Champion Yankees, will be at the Glendale store, located at 73-25 Woodhaven Blvd. — in the same building the former Sports Authority used to be — taking photos and signing autographs from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. In order to meet Strawberry, customers must receive wristbands, which will be distributed on a fi rstcome, fi rst-served basis beginning at the opening of the store on the day of event only. There are a limited quantity of wristbands, with a one wristband per person limit. To receive an autograph from Strawberry, participants must have a wristband and must be in the “Special Appearance” line prior to the start. Times and appearances are subject to change without notice, Dick’s noted. On Sunday, March 12, Dick’s will host a “Ready, Set, Roll!” Challenge for kids ages 6-15, as part of their grand opening celebration. The challenge will put kids’ strength, agility and speed to the test, with prizes awarded to those who fi nish the challenge. Dick’s will also hold giveaways to the fi rst 100 people in line each day of the grand opening celebration. On Mar. 10, early birds will receive a free Adidas Go-To Performance T-shirt (a $20 value), and on Mar. 11 and Mar. 12 the fi rst 100 people in line will receive a free Dick’s mystery gift card. Every card is a winner, with one being a $500 gift card. Dick’s offi cially opens on Friday, March 10, but the store will be holding two preview days on Wednesday and Thursday, March 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information about the entire weekend of events and giveaways, visit the www.stores. dickssportinggoods.com/ny/ glendale. File photo/QNS Meet New York Mets and Yankees outfi elder Darryl Strawberry during Dick’s Sporting Goods grand opening weekend in Glendale next month. Photos by Anthony Giudice/QNS The 71st Avenue Plaza project on Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood is hurting local businesses. Valeria Benitez (left) and Citlali Hernandez (right) of Bamboo Tropical.
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