Even in a good economy, small businesses face an uphill battle to be successful. In this current climate, our community’s businesses are struggling simply to keep their doors open. As more and more businesses close, neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona begin to lose vital elements that make them special places to live. To survive, local business owners need to work harder than ever to find creative ways to weather challenging periods and emerge even stronger.
This past June, I sponsored an arts and economic development initiative called June in Jackson Heights. The goal of the initiative was to highlight the diverse array of artists in the neighborhood while promoting the restaurants and shops that make Jackson Heights unique. Throughout June, a series of artistic and cultural events enabled residents and visitors to experience the very best Jackson Heights has to offer.
One of the many highlights of the month was the BABEL exhibit. Local artist Hector Canonge was able to turn an empty storefront on 37th Avenue into an art gallery with the help of my office and the generosity of a local real estate agent. Showcasing artists from the neighborhood and across the country, the exhibit explored the relationship of language and the visual arts. Over 1,000 people visited the exhibit in the three weeks it was open.
BABEL not only introduced Jackson Heights to new visitors, but, it also enabled local residents to explore their neighborhood. Simply walking a few blocks beyond their typical routes enabled residents to discover businesses of which they were not previously aware. I watched as several people spilled out of the exhibit and into the neighboring Gran Uruguya Café. Visitors sampled alfajores and empanadas and learned about Uruguyan culture while adding a new dining option for the future.
Businesses were also directly involved in bringing the arts closer to the community. With the help of local volunteers, we turned 37th Avenue in to an art gallery. Several stores along the avenue placed works by local artists in their windows for the month. Again, the attraction of something a little different along the avenue brought people’s attention to businesses they may have previously overlooked. As a result, many businesses along the Avenue have started showcasing local artists and hosting openings as a way to attract new customers.
Another example of how businesses were directly involved in this initiative was the first ever Jackson Heights Restaurant Week. Jackson Heights is home to some of the best and most authentic cuisine from around the world. More than 25 restaurants participated by offering special deals throughout the week. Many of the participating restaurants noticed an increase in customers during the week and have seen repeat business because of it.
The lesson learned from June in Jackson Heights is that creative collaboration between artists, businesses and elected officials can impact economic development in a significant way. I want to continue the success of June in Jackson Heights and have, therefore, hired Andrew Ronan as Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Coordinator in my office. He will help manage my office’s efforts to collaborate with businesses, artists and arts organizations throughout the district. I remain committed to keeping our local businesses and artists prosperous and involved in our community as they are huge part of what makes this a great place to live.
Daniel Dromm represents the 25th District in the City Council.
