By George H. Tsai
Four weeks ago, I wrote a column about the growth of Flushing that featured the Flushing Mall that opened June 14. Since then, I have revisited the mall a half-dozen times. I am impressed with its layout, cleanness and friendly salespeople.
But I am quite puzzled that this new mall fails to attract customers. I saw few souls shopping at the mall during the weekdays as well as the weekends.
To my surprise, several stores in the southeastern wing of the mall have closed due to a lack of business. The older wing opened a couple of months ago. Some owners of the closed stores were planning to move to the Flushing Expo to be housed in the former Caldor store on Roosevelt Road. The Expo is just another indoor mini-mall
It was reported that a Chinese enterprise group in Flushing would convert the closed department store to dozens of small shops on its three floors. Why Expo? Good location and heavy traffic.
I just hope the entrepreneurs will think twice before rushing to open a new store or branch, especially a store selling apparel, at the planned Expo. There are too many mini-malls in town. The compelling reality indicates tough days are ahead for the merchants at those malls. I venture to predict that some stores will go under as a result of the cutthroat competition for the limited number of shoppers.
Although the population in Flushing grows with each passing day because of the influx of new immigrants, the new arrivals are not necessarily prospective patrons. Some come to the “promised land” to make money and send it back home. Therefore, they have little money left for luxuries. The new arrivals, mostly singles of both sexes, work eight to 10 hours a day and mostly six days a week.
The Chinese immigrants own about 98 percent of the stores at the Flushing Mall. Naturally, they target Chinese consumers. The merchants think the population growth would lead to a growing demand for their products. Their assumption is wrong. Bear in mind that those just arriving here are mostly poor and possess next to nothing. They have to start from scratch and struggle to make ends meet, then try to save as much as they can.
Most of the new arrivals, some of them intellectuals, start their career, if any, at restaurants as kitchen helpers and at construction sites as laborers. Most unskilled women work as waitresses, housemaids and manicurists. Korean immigrants own a majority of the nail salons in the tri-state area. The nail salon business is thriving.
Local residents who can afford luxuries go shopping at bigger malls in Connecticut and New Jersey. Some even drive 60 miles to buy tax-free clothing and shoes at Tanger I and Tanger II on Long Island.
I wonder if local merchants planning to set up shop at the Flushing Expo have ever discussed the factors causing the demise of the Caldor department store.
Flushing Mall merchants should get together and discuss why their promotion fanfare fails to draw shoppers.
There are exceptions, however. Chinese and Korean supermarkets and restaurants are doing brisk business.
During the weekend, almost every eatery in town is jam-packed with customers. As I said earlier, many of the new arrivals are single. They are exhausted at the end of the day’s work, so the next thing on their mind is eating at a restaurant. A Chinese buffet costing $3.99 can fill up a big stomach. Besides, people of other ethnic groups also love Chinese food. More Chinese eateries are expected to emerge in Flushing to meet the growing demand.
Prosperity also has a negative side. In addition to traffic and trash, crime seems to be a serious problem in Flushing. A couple of years ago, Flushing ranked first in car thefts in the city. The problem persists; about a month ago, thieves towed away five vehicles parked in College Point. Earlier, four Asian women were stalked, robbed and assaulted after 10 p.m. while walking home from the subway station.
About 6:30 p.m. two weeks ago, three teenage girls with dark complexions tried to snatch a handbag from an Asian woman on the steps of the subway station in Flushing. Fortunately, a man came to her rescue and foiled the robbery attempt. The woman happened to be an acquaintance of this writer.
Transit security officers should beef up subway patrol; their presence definitely will deter the never-do-wells from committing petty crimes.
