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Queens Small Businesses Fighting Financial Crunch

Restaurants Having Toughest Time, But Many Say Borough's Resiliency Is Reason Why It Will Persevere

QUEENS (CBS) ― The outlook is not so positive for many small businesses that are barely surviving in this economy. CBS 2 HD went to downtown Jamaica, Queens, where many are feeling the pinch.

You'd never guess Ben Harris is 79 years old. He owns a small hardware store on Archer Avenue, and gets to work at 6 o'clock every morning, even though his shop has never been so empty.

"My business is probably down at least 40 percent of what it normally would be at this time and that's a pretty good blow," Harris said.

Harris said while he's hurting, the restaurant owners are really suffering and some of his friends are thinking of closing down.

"According to him, he's considering throwing in the towel if it doesn't get better because people are not eating out," Harris said.

Around the corner, you'll find C.H. Martin, which is like a small local Wal-Mart. It's been around for more than 20 years, and lately sales have been a roller coaster ride of stress.

"The last few months have been up and down," employee David Camporeale said. "September was not good. October is good so far. Overall, we're holding our own for the year but we'll see what happens."

Yvonne Redick, district manager of Community Board 12, moved to the neighborhood in the 1960s and said watching so many small businesses fight to survive is painful.

"Frankly speaking it hurts," Redick said. "You've been here many years and you know how our community is and it's a working class community."

Adjoa Gzifa said neighborhoods like downtown Jamaica that need the most help are bracing for the biggest hit.

"Say upper Manhattan, Park Avenue … they're going to be alright. They're going to be fine. They're going to continue to get all the services they need," Gzifa said. "This neighborhood, already we're lacking in services."

But Gzifa said this community has made it through hard times before, and she's confident those who stick it out will survive.

Downtown Jamaica is in the midst of a revitalization plan that's supposed to take six years. Community leaders said with this economy, it will likely take longer. 

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