By Sarina Trangle
Chain stores are multiplying across Queens.
The borough’s chain business sector grew 6.4 percent — more than any other borough — over the past year, according to a report released Monday by the Center for an Urban Future. The city-based think tank found the number of chain stores grew 2.8 percent citywide.
Queens currently counts 1,770 chain stores, fewer than Manhattan, but more than any other borough. Big contributors to the proliferation include T-Mobile, which opened 17 stores; CVS, which grew by a dozen locations; 7-Eleven, which added 10 outposts; and metroPCS and L’Occitane, which both debuted nine new stores, the report said.
The zip code 11373, which includes Queens Center Mall and surrounding parts of Corona and Elmhurst, included the most national retailers — 144 — in Queens.
Other zip codes with several chain stores include 11385 in Ridgewood, with 89 such businesses; Forest Hills, 88; Jamaica, 79; Flushing, 72; Astoria, 69; and Jackson Heights, 66.
The zip code with John F. Kennedy International Airport, 11430, gained more chain stores than its counterparts across the borough, adding 19 businesses, mostly inside the airport, according to Center for an Urban Future Executive Director Jonathan Bowles.
“There’s been a lot of construction at JFK in recent years. New terminals have opened, some have refurbished and new retail has come in,” he said. “For instance, L’Occitane added nine new stores in Queens, and all nine of them were in the airport in different terminals and wings.”
Bowles said he has noticed national retailers heading to Queens over the past several years, propelled by a stronger economy, several solidly middle-class communities and new malls.
“For many years, parts of Queens were under-retailed. Residents of the borough felt like they didn’t have enough shopping choices, so I think national retailers across the city recognized that there was a market to tap,” he said. “In some neighborhoods the emergence of chain stores has pushed out some great independent businesses.”
Robert MacKay, director of public relations, marketing and tourism at Queens Economic Development Corporation, interpreted the report as a positive prognosis for shopping strips.
“Shopping is alive and well in Queens,” MacKay said. “The worst thing for a shopping center is to have an empty storefront… people will argue, depending on their own tastes, whether they think chains are good or bad, but in the end, consumers decide.”
Similarly, City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) said the stability of chain stores bolstered the local economy and kept customers in the borough.
“Especially this time of year, people don’t want to go into the city to go shopping, so they shop in our local stores,” she said. “It’s good.”
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.
