Following up on Michael Glickman’s article “New leadership needed to fix G.N.’s biz district.
I agree with what he wrote. But there’s more.
Yes, we all know that the internet including Amazon has changed the shopping habits not only in Great Neck but all across America.
Many retailers have gone out of business and many more will nationwide. The ethnic makeup of the population of Great Neck and those shopping here has changed. In the past when people went to the movie theaters in town they would window shop and eat before or after.
Now fewer people go to the movies, even less walk the streets and we are down to one theater. Great Neck has become a town of mostly banks, restaurants, and beauty and nail salons. The retailers that survive and grow have and must make changes as should the village of Great Neck Plaza.
There are two major problems:
The rents are high and have increased a lot; which causes businesses to close and discourages new ones from renting. There are storefronts that have empty for years. The Plaza could offer incentives to landlords so they may be more likely to rent than to stay empty
The bigger problem is limited street parking which has existed for decades. A great many shoppers do not want to walk to and from the parking lots or garages.
If they can’t get a spot they double park or leave and shop elsewhere.
Fewer shoppers make it even more difficult to justify staying or start a new business or keeping a store here. Very few stores have owners and employees who live within walking distance so they must drive.
Owners are allowed to get one parking permit per business. Everyone else has to find parking elsewhere and frequently park on the street which takes up the valuable spots. One solution is to require all employees to register their vehicles; get a permit for a nominal fee and park at Gussack Plaza Garage on the fourth floor and not allow them to park on the street during the day. This would free up many spots on the street.
If this was done, then The Plaza should advertise that new parking has been created.
I have lived in Great Neck for over 30 years and shopped here for many more. Please write with your comments and suggestions.
Bradford Marcus
Village of Great Neck Plaza
