Lifelines in the neighborhood Op-Ed

By Bette Dewing
What’s in a name? A lot! As for “small businesses,” which we’re desperately trying to save and restore, they could use punchier, more heart-of-the-matter labels, like “City Life Lines” or “City Life Savers.” Help me out! They are definitely “Planet Savers” because they’re only a short walk, not “a drive away…” And how crucial that is, especially for the growing elder population and others with disabilities.
A related digression: maybe you too know people in car-country places whose health deteriorated when they could no longer drive. But infinitely more must be said how public transit and passenger trains are Planet Savers, Life Lines and Life Savers of the very first kind. They deserve utmost support.
But about those small neighborhood businesses City Life Lines and City Life Savers, bless this paper for going all-out to save and restore them. Of course, they need our utmost support (some specifics coming up), and although this column has mostly noted the loss of longtime neighborhood eateries, other City Life Line/City Life Saver stores surely meet indispensable needs.
Offhand, I think of neighborhood “medium scale” delis (the original East End Avenue Coleman’s is such a loss), independent pharmacies like Healthwise, book stores like Logos, newsstands and newspaper/magazine stores, hardware, paint, locksmith, shoe and other small-to-moderate cost clothing stores, shoe and clothing repair, dry cleaners, laundries, medium-scale barber shops and hairdressers, optical stores, gift and flower/plant shops like longtime Eva’s Garden. Etcetera.
And although food supermarkets are not considered small businesses, they (exclude Fairway) couldn’t be more essential to neighborhood needs, and are also endangered.
But about specifics to save these City Life Line/City Life Savers which meet everyday needs, support them, even if online is cheaper and easier. Keep demanding that elected officials pass long-overdue commercial rent regulations. Write related letters to the editor.
And while likely too late for this month’s elected officials’ Senior Resource Fairs to include social action resources for elders to rally for the small neighborhood places they depend on so much, but please, in the future….? Ditto for senior centers. And, of course, civic groups, like the highly active and effective East 79th Street Neighborhood Association, surely belong in the vanguard of saving and restoring these City Life Lines/Life Savers.
Hey, or should I say “Boo!” – let’s also involve Halloween in the cause! Maybe include this column in those trick or treat bags. Remind parents that small neighborhood businesses offer security and safe havens from early mornings and into the nights which grow ever longer now.
But a whole lot of in-and-out-of-the box ways are needed, and with the approaching Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas major holidays, doing all our shopping and entertaining in the nabe, giving local store and restaurant gift certificates. And yes, supporting the struggling kind; especially those in the chaotic Second Avenue Subway construction area, and also, the near century-old Dresner’s Restaurant, now revamped and called Flight, a neighborhood landmark which we want to look more crowded. (Reservations at 212-988-5153.)
Some heartfelt thoughts on saving and yes, loving our neighborhoods, because, as Charlie Brown and Mr. Rogers would say, “Our neighborhoods sure do love us!” And with your ideas, your help, they will be saved because - enough of us tried!
dewingbetter@aol.com