By The TimesLedger
For decades, when it came to economic development, southeast Queens was a classic underachiever. The lifelessness of the area’s commercial strips stood in stark contrast to the prosperity and vitality of the thousands of middle-class homeowners living in the area.
While nearby Nassau County and even other parts of Queens flourished, time appeared to stand still in South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, Laurelton and St. Albans. There was little activity of any note on most of the commercial strips and little interest from outside developers and national chains.
It has been a given that when families want to shop for groceries, back-to-school clothes and other needs, they load up the car and head east to Merrick Boulevard, Green Acres and other busy commercial areas in Nassau County.
On occasion, southeast Queens politicians would rise up to denounce the national chains for avoiding their districts only to criticize them as outsiders when they did seek to do business here. This was particularly evident when Pathmark sought to open its first store in southeast Queens.
Now comes a new test of this area’s ability to embrace change and growth. Home Depot will soon open a new superstore at 132-20 Merrick Blvd. in Springfield Gardens. The international hardware chain joins five other locations in Queens in South Ozone Park, Flushing, Glendale, Long Island City and College Point.
State Sen. Malcom Smith (D-St. Albans) and others see the store as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the store will employ 250 full-time workers. This is a shot in the arm in a part of the city where employment remains disproportionately high. Many of these are entry-level jobs that do not require a college degree or experience.
But, notes the senator, this store may drive two locally owned stores, Metropolitan Lumber and Hardware on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica and Preferred Lumber Materials Corporation on Springfield Boulevard in Springfield Gardens, out of business.
Maybe not. It’s true that small stores can’t compete for price with the large national change. But the small store can offer a level of service and convenience that the behemoth box stores cannot match. With creativity and a little chutzpah, the mom-and-pop stores can hold their own.
Hopefully, the Home Depot will spark increased economic activity on Merrick. It should become an anchor drawing in smaller chain stores and fast-food restaurants. The increased economic activity means greater shopping convenience for local residents and more jobs. As the boulevard becomes more active, even late at night, crime will decrease and property values will soar.
The Home Depot should draw customers from other parts of the borough. They, in turn, will become potential customers for locally owned enterprises as well. Yes, we understand that locally owned businesses have their appeal. But Merrick Boulevard is not Mayberry.
Rather than sending mixed signals, southeast Queens political leaders should join the Rev. Floyd Flake in welcoming any company that is willing to make a substantial investment in the area.
