Summer construction affects business on Greene

Executed by contracting enterprise CANBEC, the impact of the project was felt to varying degrees by business owners on the strip.

Merchants were unanimous, however, in their relief that the works are now concluded.

Marisa Bonaduce, a long-time employee at Greene Avenue’s Mocassini, said that business this summer has been at a record low. According to her, construction is definitely to blame. “The dust and the noise are number one,” she said, citing the lack of available parking as a third factor. Though grateful that the project took only four weeks — less than the originally anticipated duration — Bonaduce’s frustration was no less palpable. “Honestly, it’s unbelievable. It’s been the worst summer.”

One block north of Mocassini, staff at Oink Oink were also upset. A water main break that forced a temporary shutdown of the store’s book section was among the problems they faced this summer. Hilaria Pascale said the construction “gravely affected business” because “the street was closed and the sidewalks inaccessible.”

A major problem, added bookkeeper Judy Cohen, was the fact that both sides of the street were dug up simultaneously, making pedestrian traffic impossible.

A number of merchants agree that Greene Avenue’s particular shopping demographic explains the extent of this summer’s business slowdown. Cohen said that between mothers with small children and grandparents, her clientele is heavily dependent on convenient parking.

Across the street, Rob Fargnoli of Tony’s Shoes agreed that older patrons were likely the most affected by the construction. But, he said, some people found the parking easier because of extra spaces made available on nearby Olivier Avenue.

In contrast to other merchants, Fargnoli said the experience for Tony’s wasn’t that bad. “The City was good to us,” he said, accommodating businesses during peak business hours by slowing down construction.