God Win Nails, 230 W 231st; JJ Jewelry, 206 W 231st; Medical Billing Services, 208 W 233rd; NOBI Convenience, 5565 Broadway; Sainath Pharmacy, 200C W 231st; We The People, 5661 Broadway.

Name Changes & Moves: Odd Job now Amazing Savings; Empire Video now Papo’s Video; Get Smart 99 Cent now R.S. Discount; Enterprise Car Rental (new location), 5618 Broadway..

Subway Renovations

Things are changing on 231st St in preparation for next year’s work on the subway station. The MTA has removed two bus shelters until construction is complete. The bus stop at Duane Reade has been moved up to Blockbuster Video and the one at Riverdale Liquors will be moved to Godwin Terrace. Currently, a portion of the sidewalks on W 231st St, east of Broadway, are barricaded and will remain so until mid-2005.

Windshield flyers are now illegal under Executive Order No. 40. The Police and Sanitation Departments are both designated to enforce the new law.

  The BID is running a holiday-themed television commercial on Cablevision. It will run from November 1 through December 31, 2004.
  The Holiday Lighting is in place with 8 arches across W 231st and 65 snowflakes along Broadway. Seasonal lighting is the most popular of the many programs the BID has undertaken in Kingsbridge.

   3rd Annual Window Decorating Contest. show off your talents and win prizes! The BID is again sponsoring a window-decorating contest for retailers. Winners will receive $150 for 1st place and $100 for the 2nd place. Judging will be based upon seasonal appeal and the use of merchandise. Prizes will be awarded on December 15.

Property Owners
                        

Do you have a CREDIT with the Finance Department on an overpayment? Do NOT expect the Finance Department to apply this overpayment to any assessments. The Finance Department will not move money without a written request form from you. It is called REF 583 and is downloadable from the DOF Website

Identity Theft

COMMUNITY LOSES A LEADER

   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.

   The Kingsbridge BID extends deep sympathy to the family of Josephine Williams. She passed away at her home on October 9. Mrs. Williams was the owner and co-founder of Williams Funeral Home and a supporter of many community programs. She helped lead the development of the Kingsbridge Business Improvement District. Her son, Andrew serves on the BID Board of Directors.

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.

Gate boxes…
are the long boxes that hold the rolled-up security gate when not in use. They can be behind a window, inside the store or concealed behind an awning or painted to fit with the building or sign color.

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.

Top Ten Storefront Design Tips

1) Less is more.
2) Choose good materials.
3) Using a roll-down security system? Choose open-grid grill.
4) Know the workmen you’re hiring.
5) Proper maintenance will help your bottom line.
6) Keep in mind the fabric of your building and your neighborhood.
7) Complement your area’s distinctive character.
8) Make it easy to see INTO your store.
9) Inviting lighting.
10) Keep it simple!

This is a summary of an informational booklet provided by the Dept of Small Business Services. The Kingsbridge BID has a limited number of booklets available.

Respect Your Neighborhood

Put litter in its place. Litter baskets may not be used for home or commercial use
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The Department of Consumer Affairs requires a license for stores “going out of business”. This is often a deceptive practice to attract customers. If a business closes and reopens after “going out of business”, it must do so under a new licensed name.