1st Class Professional Alterations, 239 W 231; Branded Warehouse, 5657 Broadway; Cuts on Broadway, 5582 Broadway; Dunkin Donuts, 209 W 231; Fantafina, 200B W 231; Good Artwork Graphic Design, 217 W 231; Healthy Life Nutritional Center, 271A W 231; Joseph’s Shoes & Accessories, 5625-3 Broadway; Kiosko Corp-99 Cent Store, 243B W 231; La Reyna Meat & Produce, 234 W 231; La Tia Restaurant, 200 W 231; Moving Forward Magazine, 217 W 231; Pioneer Chinese Take-out, 221 W 231.

BUS LANE CHANGES

   The construction at the #9 stop on Broadway & 231 is for riders to safely wait & board the buses.  The MTA planned these pedestrian refuge islands as part of the overall subway renovations.

CONGRATULATIONS!

   To Malecon Restaurant, 5592 Broadway for again being listed in Zagat’s Annual Guide of New York restaurants.  Keep up the good work!

GREEN IS GOOD

   The Kingsbridge BID is going green with new trees.  Mayor Bloomberg’s program to plant one million new trees in the city is already underway here in the BID.  With the expert help of the Dept. of Forestry, we have planted 40 new trees in the business district.  We hope to plant that many more until all streets have shade in the summer and provide pollution control to our community.

   The holiday season is now over and from comments heard it was a good one for Kingsbridge merchants. The BID helps by promoting shopping locally to residents. Colorful bus shelter ads within the local area; lighted arches run along W 231 and white snowflakes line Broadway from the Post Office to Loehmann’s; advertising in the local papers listed many merchants and the wide selection of gifts available to shoppers.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Kudos to North Fork Bank on the opening of a branch bank at Fordham Leadership Academy High School.  After training in basic finance, the students now are professional bank tellers and operate the branch bank themselves.

TRAVEL WOES COMING

The southbound Henry Hudson Bridge will be replaced and construction begins in June. One southbound lane at a time will be closed until completion, which is expected in 2010.

CHECK OUR WEBSITE!

   The BID’s website is expanding to provide more information.  Each business is profiled with available data and photos.  If you would like to make changes to your store profile, please email us at kbroihier@kingsbridgebid.org.

FACADE PROGRAM

   The BID has a program for retailers and property owners to upgrade their storefronts and signage by providing funds of up to $500 per storefront.  This money is also available for removing second story graffiti by property owners. The application is easy. Funds have been provided to: SY Beauty II, Cindy’s Cleaners & Tailors, Bronx Eye Care and others.

HOLIDAY LUNCH

   About 35 merchants and property owners attended our Holiday Lunch on Dec. 12.  While having a delicious meal at Land & Sea Restaurant, members were updated on BID projects and business happenings.  Everyone received a winter scarf with the BID logo as a holiday gift and the new 2008 calendars for their customers. All had a good time.

Lighting…
Warm lighting invites customers, it is a crime deterrent and the selective use of neon can be eye-catching. A licensed electrician should do all exterior lighting.

Color…
can differentiate your business from others on the street and is the most cost effective.
Single color: unified appearance makes you stand out. Two color or a distinctive color is unifying and eye-catching also. Three colors are the maximum to use.

Security…
Solid security gates close off the streetscape and is a magnet for graffiti. Open-grid gates create a 24-hour business; merchandise is always on display and allows visibility for both pedestrians and police.

Graffiti…
sends the message that the area is not safe or you do not care and encourages more vandalism. The BID graffiti crew cleans Kingsbridge monthly; call us at 718-432-6935 to report graffiti.

This is a summary of an informational booklet provided by the Dept of Small Business Services.

GOOD EXAMPLE OF ALL THE ELEMENTS

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

   The BID is working with DOT on a project to provide additional sidewalk lighting in the BID.  A study is currently underway and once cost estimates are provided, the BID Board of Directors will approve the next steps of implementing and paying for the project. We are looking to add extra lighting arms to the current light poles but at a lower level and over the sidewalks. 

Identity Theft

   Keep a watch out for people with cell phones standing near you in checkout lines. With the new camera phones, they can take a picture of your credit card, which gives them your name, number and expiration date.  Identity theft is one of the fastest growing scams today, and this is just one example of the many that are being used.  So…be aware of your surroundings.