After months of recession and concerns about the economy filling news reports, things may finally be getting back to normal for our shopping strips.
Aa a sign that consumer confidence is starting to return, three new stores are revitalizing the retail landscape.
Dollar Dan’s Discounts, Frank & Joe’s Deli of Throggs Neck, and Express Yourself Salon have all opened or will open soon on E. Tremont Avenue near Scott Place, completing a transformation of the shopping strip as old businesses close and new ones open or expand.
Express Yourself Salon, located at 3637 E. Tremont Avenue, is no stranger to the shopping area, having moved from around the corner on Scott Place
“The move is about getting a better location, and getting off the side street and onto the main strip,” said owner Tara Peduto. “It is great because everything is brand new; we just gutted the whole store. It beautified the shopping strip and we have had a handful of walk ins, which is always a plus.”
Express Yourself’s new location replaces Schuylerville Music Center, which had been a community fixture since 1970.
Peduto said that they are surviving the recession by offering great customer service, and that she is looking forward to improvements on the street and in the economy. The full-service salon offering haircuts, waxing, highlights, hair care, pedicare and waxing has been in business for over six years, and Peduto has been servicing the community for the past 15 years.
“I think the past year was our hardest year in business,” Peduto said. “I think people are watching their money much more this year than in past years.”
Peduto thanks the people of the Throggs Neck for standing with her and her business, and thinks the Throggs Neck community is the best place to live and to work.
In the case of Frank & Joe’s Deli of Throggs Neck at 3639 E. Tremont Avenue, the second location introduces the Italian and American delicacies that have made the deli a fixture in Westchester Square for over 20 years, to a whole new clientele.
“It is a little different than what I am used to,” Rossetti said of his newest venture, which opened in the space formally rented by Menna Meats.
“We were looking to expand, and this location reminds me of the early days in Westchester Square with the deli, where I had worked for the past 21 years. The neighborhood is family oriented.”
The deli sells traditional Italian products, fresh cold cuts and sausage, and has breakfast, lunch, and catering.
In addition to the new businesses, a new commercial and retail complex called the Shops at Scott Place, located at 3602 E. Tremont Avenue, has only one vacancy remaining, another sign that confidence is beginning to return.
Reach reporter Patrick Rocchio at (718) 742-3393 or procchio@cnglocal.com
