Commercial Rents Squeeze Jackson Heights Tenants
Photo: Mike Reicher
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Longtime Neighbors Close
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Just Barely Surviving
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Sounds of 74th Street
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Vasantrai Gandhi has sold jewelry for over 30 years from his second-story business on Jackson Height’s 74th Street. From this perch he’s watched climbing commercial rents force long-time merchants to adapt, move or close shop.
Asli Sona Appliances, a store across the street, had been selling watches and toasters for 29 years when its rent became unbearable, said Gandhi. First, the owner, Inder-Mohan Kathuria, subleased counter space to a jeweler. Then, Gandhi said he couldn’t cover the next rent increase, so as of October 1 Kathuria is moving to a smaller, subterranean space down the street.
Gandhi has seen employees, inventory and debt left in the wake of shuttered neighboring stores. He blames a shortage of commercial space and landlords’ raising rent for changing his strip of Jackson Heights.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
This is a very well written blog entry with a clear focus. I like how you ended it with scene setting audio of 74th street.