surahda is directedly to blame for this since his negativity and silence on the small businesses coming over here to our county to be a place of business are causing trouble and costing all the taxpayers millions over there
surahda is directedly to blame for this since his negativity and silence on the small businesses coming over here to our county to be a place of business are causing trouble and costing all the taxpayers millions over there
Yeah, because I'm sure a small business owner wants to see other small businesses that are not their direct competitors go out of business to raise their taxes.
SCHENECTADY Shops report brisk sales City retailers happy so far BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
At long last, there are shoppers on Jay Street. Perhaps it was the months of late hours in which the bright lights of stubbornly persistent retailers served to remind evening visitors that there is more than just restaurants and bars downtown. Or perhaps it was “Wicked,” which is drawing thousands of visitors to Proctors Theater each day. Or maybe it was just the magic of commercialized holidays. Whatever the reason, the cash registers are chiming downtown. The cheer is being spread: the Upper Union Business District is booming too. “This is a banner year,” said Tom Lawrence of Lennon’s Irish Shop, who singlehandedly persuaded downtown retailers to stay open late on Fridays this fall. They stuck it out even as week after solitary week went by without an evening customer, and finally they are reaping the benefits. “People are starting to realize we’re here,” Lawrence said. “We’re at least double [the sales] we were at last year. There’s no comparison.” He’s seen a boom in matinee theatergoers and office workers buying presents on their lunch break, although the evenings are still slow. Other retailers reported that they saw more of the “Wicked” cast and crew than the audience; Orion Boutique is a particular favorite. Even new, niche stores are doing well. Jay Street Gaming, a store specializing in electronic games, is seeing an average of 30 customers a day — and it’s only been open for three weeks. “It’s much better than I expected,” said owner Johnathan Stark, who has counted 100 customers on his busiest days. On Upper Union Street, where new paving and sidewalks were finished just before the annual fall festival, retailers said business is far better than it was last year and will likely equal the more prosperous, pre-recession years. “The store’s been very busy,” said Sondra Stephens, owner of Sondra’s Fine Jewelry. “We’ve been hearing that people are trying, in this economy, to give their money to family-owned businesses. So the [Upper Union Street] message is certainly getting through. People are realizing there are a lot of small, family-owned businesses up here.” Her business has done so well that she was able to hire her son this summer. “I wouldn’t have done that — he’s getting married — if business wasn’t going well,” she said. “This year we’ve seen a tremendous increase in traffic, phone calls, people wanting us to stay open later.” ..................>>>>.......................>>>>.........................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01301&AppName=1
On April 6, because the kids were off from school, I took a day off from work to be with my family. After much discussion about what to do, we decided to drive down to Schenectady for the afternoon. We spent a few hours at the Schenectady Museum and then went to the new downtown movie theater. We had a very nice time and really enjoyed being in the city. The downtown is looking great. As residents of Saratoga Springs, we enjoy a lively small city. We were very impressed by what we found in Schenectady and look forward to visiting again. Nice work, Schenectady.
Re April 12 article, “Mexican Radio plans to open new restaurant downtown”: The rebuilders of downtown Schenectady recently announced that a new Mexican restaurant will be coming soon. How many restaurants do we need downtown? Looks like across from Proctors we will soon have another bank. In a three-block stretch of State Street we already have at least seven banks or credit unions. How many banking places do we need? The people behind the rebuilding of downtown should take a ride to Saratoga and see what a real thriving business district looks like. How about luring in some nice clothing or shoe stores?
Although I do spend ALOT of money and some time downtown...frequenting some of the businesses,,,,I find it sorely lacking in shopping choices....not much there....just a closed club feeling when all there is is 'art',,,which is in the eye of the beholder....no one is looking for a walmart or such, but please....everything cant be a demitasse like 'jewel' thing and oh the patina......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
The only thing coming up in the City is the Property Taxes, The Mayor's Salary, and the Crime Rate!
Bravo! Sign of the times-sign for a 4 bedroom house near the hospital for $46,500! Thank you working together team! Meanwhile they keep wasting time on "plans" that never see the light of day.
Somewhere around $100 million has been poured into the reconstruction of the Proctors' block in downtown Schenectady. While the improvements keep chugging along, some adjacent business district areas remain long-term eyesores.
Several visiting dignitaries, including President John F. Kennedy, called City Hall one of the most distinguished pieces of government architecture in the nation.
Unfortunately, directly across from the majestic structure, six of 12 storefronts have been vacant for years. Each side of Proctors' State Street block is dotted with empty storefronts and deteriorated facades.
Several newer Schenectady residents I spoke with recently complained that some downtown redevelopment has just been the relocation of two banks and the addition of a third.
They also bemoaned the developers' inability to bring retail downtown. That's a large order because national retailers prefer suburban malls to downtowns.
The Utech Products building on Stratton Plaza has ideal yet, long-term vacant retail space.The storefronts are directly across the street from the municipal parking garage.
Within less than the length of a football field are buildings for the state Lottery, Department of Transportation and Quality of Care Commission. The rear entrance to Proctors is just a chip shot away. Several relatively new pubs and restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops are within a block or so.
This truth would never be printed in the Gazetto. There is no retail Downtown. Many eateries have closed and more are for sale. Miss Saigon was a total flop. Take another look below Erie Boulevard. Do it during the day. Every neighborhood business district in the City is in free fall because of Metrograft's 2 Block policy. A Downtown mainstay was complaining to me about only 3 tables booked for recent dinner service.
Then you have the cheer leaders that think the incumbents have done a "great job". They can't wait to rush to the polls like trained seals and vote the straight party line.
This truth would never be printed in the Gazetto. There is no retail Downtown. Many eateries have closed and more are for sale. Miss Saigon was a total flop. Take another look below Erie Boulevard. Do it during the day. Every neighborhood business district in the City is in free fall because of Metrograft's 2 Block policy. A Downtown mainstay was complaining to me about only 3 tables booked for recent dinner service.
Then you have the cheer leaders that think the incumbents have done a "great job". They can't wait to rush to the polls like trained seals and vote the straight party line.
The incumbents in the city .. have doen a GOOD job ... positive progress has been made .. more work needs to be done.
Specifically -- they must really start investingin Mont Pleasant and Bellevue -- I am worried that the decline of those 2 neighborhoods will creep over into Rotterdam.
The incumbents in the city .. have doen a GOOD job ... positive progress has been made .. more work needs to be done.
Specifically -- they must really start investingin Mont Pleasant and Bellevue -- I am worried that the decline of those 2 neighborhoods will creep over into Rotterdam.
too late......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
What about the decline in Vale/Hamilton Hill and Woodlawn? Even the MSM is starting to take off the blinders and report on the total failure of Stratton and Metrograft. They have dumped $100 Million in sales tax money into a 2 block area around Proctors and declared "renaissance". Every single City incumbent should be booted by the voters.
Schenectady is in total decline. The school system, the infrastructure, the business climate, the political climate. There is nothing positive about a $13 million City deficit BEFORE the coming State pension demands.
Logged
Bravo! Sign of the times-sign for a 4 bedroom house near the hospital for $46,500! Thank you working together team! Meanwhile they keep wasting time on "plans" that never see the light of day.
