|
|
|
Fresh Start for Fair Haven
A bustling commercial district grows and evolves along Grand Ave.
|
Business New Haven
5/14/2001
By: Anne-Marie Brungard
|
Something old, something new,
Something borrowed, something blue.
That old adage used to be the secret ingredient list for brides. Keeping a trinket from each category was supposed to ensure that the marriage would be a successful one.
There is a marriage of sorts happening these days in Fair Haven. A marriage between the old and the new, a marriage between very different cultures and lifestyles, and the marriage between economic development balanced with residents' needs.
Anchored by two banks, two pharmacies and a C-Town supermarket, and spotted with several neighborhood grocery stores, the re-emerging central business district from Front to Ferry Streets is abuzz with activity.
Something Old
There are a handful of businesses considered to be neighborhood fixtures, in some cases serving generations of Fair Haven families. The granddaddys of the area are Green's Cleaners, Appicella's Bakery, Candido Department Store, D'Amato's Seafood and Stanton's Furniture, who range in ages from 25 years to nearly a century.
This impressive list of businesses has truly weathered the storms, surviving the highs and lows, dealing with issues from gang violence to changing demographics.
Store owners and residents speak fondly of the days when Candido's was considered a “dry goods” store, and there are now many new residents who are treated daily to the smell of freshly baked bread.
Green's Cleaners opened in 1912, and has been in the D'Avino family since 1958. A long history and tradition does not stop Michael D'Avino from trying new things to attract customers and meet the changing needs of the community.
Typically a family neighborhood and “a high traffic, high volume area” describes his stretch of the neighborhood, says D'Avino. The dry cleaners is now also a Western Union agent and can accept utility payments as well.
Adding such services on-site reduces the chance that residents will feel the need to travel into downtown New Haven, and increases the chance that shopping (and ultimately spending) will take place locally. These convenience services, plus customer service and the quality of its work, are what keeps Green's Cleaners first on its customers' laundry lists.
Rose Cimino, of Appicela's Bakery, is herself a Fair Haven native. Although the sandwiches from both Frank & Mary's on Wooster Street and B&M Deli on Ferry are touted as among the city's best, Appicella's little known secret is that it is the bread maker behind the storied sandwiches. A family-owned business for the last quarter-century and with an 80-year history, Appicela's employs about a third of its workforce directly from the neighborhood.
Cimino points out that, in her opinion “The reputation of Grand Avenue, and Fair Haven in particular, are not necessarily true or honest representations.” The retail district has had to cope with negative stereotyping, a recent reputation for high crime and drug trafficking and more. “But things are certainly better,' says Cimino. Customers generally remain familiar faces, and bakery workers get to know them individually, extending the family.
Survival has not always been an easy task. Approximately 20 years ago neighborhood business-owners stood together under the umbrella of the Fair Haven Business Association. Now defunct, the association started several initiatives that led to an improved business district, but funding dried up and the group could no longer have its desired impact.
Established businesses tried to continue to work together to improve the commercial environment, and eventually the Grand Avenue Village Association (GAVA) emerged. An extensive effort has been made to attract the newer emerging businesses to the group and reach out to the Latino and African-American store owners. “It is a group of business people interested in the success of the business area and the well-being of the community,” says Cimino, a GAVA member.
Something New
Or, at least, something newer. Although not entirely a new kid on the block, El Jibaro Hair Cut has been holding its own since 1993.
Owner Severiano Burgos came to New Haven from Puerto Rico a dozen years ago to develop his skills in the hair and beauty industry, and was lured by the promise of work from a former Fair Haven salon owner. His apprenticeship turned into an opportunity to open his own business.
“Business has been growing,” says Wanda Bernier Burgos, his wife. Much of the growth is attributed to word-of-mouth and walk-ins. Burgos notes that “The environment has changed [over the years]. There used to be gang presence; now there is police presence. Things got better.”
Hip-hop clothing styles have their place on Grand Avenue, too. Jerome Harper of Fashion with Passion has been catering to the younger crowds for almost seven years and keeps his keen eye on upcoming trends. Harper uses the outside of his store to grab the attention of passers by with colorful outfits and sale racks.
He admits that when scouting for his retail location, Fair Haven was a consideration because “the rent was reasonable, cheaper than downtown.” He attributes much of his success to date to sheer luck and timing, and is looking toward the Newhallville section of New Haven for future expansion.
Relative newcomers Dollar Heaven on Grand Avenue and the Silver Sands West Indian Restaurant on Ferry Street have different perspectives about their introduction into the neighborhood.
Fair Haven's seemingly large Latino population did not faze either African-American entrepreneurs. Peter Porter of Silver Sands considered this mix of culture to be an advantage for his business.
“There was definitely a void in the Caribbean restaurant niche,” says Porter. His is the only Caribbean restaurant in the neighborhood, and the only black-owned restaurant in Fair Haven.
The similarities between the Latino and Caribbean cultures and food choices would seem to be a surefire hit for the restaurant, but not so. Business has been slow, and Porter has expanded the menu to include traditional American fare like hot dogs and french fries to attract new customers, with a plan to introduce them slowly to his full menu.
Although Porter is interested in participating in a city-sponsored façade-improvement project, his business is just outside of the Empowerment Zone designated area for financial assistance.
Dollar Heaven's owner Patrina Reddick notes that “business has gone in waves,” since the discount opened 18 months ago.
She remains optimistic looking forward to another strong summer season. “The kids kept us alive [in the beginning] and they went and told their parents about us,” she says. Reddick counts on the same regular customers who are loyal and check the store frequently for new deals.
The store carries everything from faux jewelry to balloons, from gifts to household products. The sounds of gospel music permeate the store and customers are greeted with warmth. Although there is no public restroom, when an elderly woman entered the store, she was given access to the staff facilities. Other shoppers appeared to be buying cases of household items planning to “ship to family in Puerto Rico,” Reddick points out.
A new athletic footwear store, Expressions, opened about two months ago on Grand Avenue. The location is an expansion from the original Chapel Street store. Several shopowners observe that there is a real need for a shoe store, clothing and sit-down restaurants in the neighborhood.
There are also new initiatives to improve the general look of the area. GAVA members are working with Kenneth Boroson Architects of Peck Street. The firm's namesake is completing two pro bono façade improvement projects. The designs will ultimately “create a better scale to the street, [giving] a higher sense of style,” explains Boroson, “We are taking worn-down, tired store fronts and putting a fresh look on them.” The preliminary design work is now complete and pricing is being determined.
Based in Fair Haven, Boroson's firm looks for ways to contribute to the community. If all goes as expected, the El Charro Mexican restaurant will be one of the first improvement projects. In keeping with culture and style of the business, the design calls for improved lighting, tangerine stucco with white lettering and decorative grille work. “The impression that the business community gives needs to be inviting - cheerful, clean and bright,” observes Rose Cimino.
In addition to the façade improvement project, other GAVA initiatives on the table include tree trimming and planting, improved lighting, additional parking, rehabilitation of blighted buildings and a neighborhood cleanup project.
Something Borrowed
Both New Haven Savings Bank and Sovereign Bank (a Pennsylvania-based institution which entered the Connecticut market by buying a number of former BankBoston branches) face off for customers directly across the street from each other. Denyse Miller, branch manager of Sovereign's Fair Haven branch, has lived in Fair Haven for the ten years. Miller facilitates the lending process for business customers and the bank is developing some targeted lending packages for the neighborhood business community.
Empowerment Zone funding administered through Empower New Haven seems to be the hot topic on many business owners' lips, each jockeying for position to make sure they have a seat at the table and ultimately access to the funding. But the general consensus seems to be that the plan for development is in place and that whatever funding becomes available will be used to upgrade the district's overall appearance. Badly needed attention is also being given to improving traffic flow and parking.
James Welter II, executive director of the Fair Haven Development Corp., highlights the relationship that has evolved involving Empower New Haven, the Fair Haven Neighborhood Management Team, the city and the Grand Avenue Village Association.
The corporation has focused on housing rehabilitation and home-ownership opportunities in the area, supporting projects that assist in “street and sidewalk repairs while beautifying the streetscape in the commercial strip,” says Welter. City representatives, including aldermen and advocates, have invested their time and the city's tax dollars to jump-start the overall process.
Something Blue
Certainly increased police presence has had a positive effect on the neighborhood in general and the business district in particular. Merchants say the New Haven Department of Police Services' community policing strategy seems to be paying off. The “cornerstone of the strategy is the development of problem-solving partnerships,” explains police spokeswoman Judith Mongillo. These partnerships involve residents, business owners and police, with a goal of “improving the overall quality of life.”
But the issues addressed aren't just the standard gang-banging and break-ins, but also the underlying issues like abandoned buildings, clean streets and safe speed limits.
Notable improvements include:
- Reduction in organized gangs and the associated violence. In collaboration with the New Haven Gang Task Force, that symbol of the early '90s, along with the rampant drug use, is now largely under wraps.
- Project One Voice is a partnership that works on juvenile probation issues. Representatives from the state's Department of Corrections, police officers, probation officials and others share information to improve community-release strategies.
- Weed & Seed has impacted the residential neighborhood, which in turn positively impacts the business community. Some residents have received computer training courses at the Fair Haven police sub-station, resulting in improved skills and better prospects for employment.
The police are valued team members within the community helping to build relationships and move towards economic development for the Fair Haven community at large.
And so the marriage in the Fair Haven business district continues to grow and change. A bevy of international-style restaurants, beeper, music and high end sneaker stores have been added to the mix and they survive next to the older well established entities.
Like any long-lasting marriage there have been spats and financial hardships, good times and bad. These partners are now focused on improved wellness for the business community and financial growth.
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
