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BY GENE DEFRANCIS
Don’t be afraid to start a small business,
especially in Allerton. Yes, it is
extremely hard and the city continually
makes it harder... but if you are interested,
we can help. Together we can
make it easier. All you need is the passion
for something. That’s the key ingredient
we cannot provide you with.
Here in Allerton our group is especially
looking for stores that provide a
historical, cultural, and educational experience.
Such as clothes, food, or items
from different parts of the world. It fi ts
our image of promoting and international
experience. Allerton is arguably
the most diverse neighborhood in the
Bronx. That is a strength that should
be celebrated and our corridor should
refl ect that as much as possible.
The past few years we experimented
with the business incubator.
We continually work out the kinks to
perfect how we can help local residents
start small businesses. So, if this is
something you are interested contact
us at AllertonMerchants@gmail.com.
We have some new and exciting businesses
lined up that will share one location
until they are ready to venture
on their own. The only stipulation we
ask if you join us is you stay in Allerton.
Now with new and exciting stores
comes the concern of overpricing.
The word gentrifi cation gets thrown
about. The term gentrifi cation means
investing in a community that had
been largely neglected. We can discuss
and debate to what extent Allerton has
been neglected but we can all agree
that this community has not received
its fair share of attention and funding.
This is why organizations like ours
are important. It insures that the community
gets proper attention and that
its members (businesses and residents)
are heard and not left behind.
That is why a few years back we introduced
what we called the’Kama’aina
Rates’. It’s a term I learned when I was
stationed in the Navy living in Pearl
Harbor. Kama’aina Rate is a discount
for local residents to make sure they
are not suffocated by the rising tourism
prices. Not all stores offered it but
many did and they received great local
support.
Soon we will reintroduce our membership
cards that will provide you
with great discounts to shop in Allerton.
We test ran this program for a few
years now and ready to launch the offi
cial card. We thank all the merchants
who participated in the past and hope
you continue to support us and join us
in this program. If this is a success as
we hope for, we will have raised enough
to fund all our annual events and help
Allerton continue to grow and thrive.
Membership cards will cost $25 and
will offer 10% discount at some of your
favorite Allerton stores. If you spend
more than $20 a month in Allerton the
card pays for itself.
Our annual Food Festival will be
held in August. Mother’s Day Clean
Up in Allerton (taking care of Mother
Earth) is Saturday, May 11.
AIMs Anniversary Event will be at
the Sanz on Saturday, May18 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $75 each and email us if
you would like to take out a page in our
journal. Prices range from $40-250 and
they help pay for the nights event and
other programs (like the ones mentioned
above).
We are also in talk to host a
St.Patrick’s Lucky Bingo night. The
event will be in Allerton date and location
TBD and announced soon.
Lots to share as the weather gets
warmer so join our Facebook page (Allerton
International Merchants Association
Inc.) and stay involved.
Next executive meeting will be held
Tuesday, March 5 at the Sanz 815 Allerton.
Doors will open at 7 p.m.
Your community is your business.
BY VONETTA DUDLEY
Tobacco is the leading cause of
preventable death and disease for
New Yorkers. In New York City,
over 12,000 lives are lost due to tobacco
dependence every year. However,
with the January 1st implementation
of legislation ending
tobacco sales in pharmacies across
NYC, we hope 2019 will usher in
higher rates of smokers quitting
and lower the amount of lives lost
due to tobacco use.
Pharmacies are where people go
to get medicine that heal or manage
ailments – not induce sickness.
Deadly and addictive products like
tobacco do not belong in a place
that is meant to help save your life.
The timing couldn’t be better. Every
year resolutions to quit smoking
are made far and wide. Ending
tobacco sales in pharmacies at the
start of the new year will help many
keep their promise to themselves.
Now, when they go to the pharmacy,
they will be able to get the items
they need to successfully quit, and
not continue the cycle of addiction.
The tobacco industry will always
fi nd new ways to encourage youth
tobacco use and increase the adult
smoking rates. NYS comprehensive
tobacco control programs like
NYC Smoke-Free at Public Health
Solutions, use evidence-based
practices, policy-driven and cost
effective approaches to decrease
youth tobacco initiation and support
current tobacco users to quit.
There have been great success
in the efforts against the tobacco
epidemic, but more work
still needs to be done to reduce
the signifi cantly higher smoking
rates among disparate populations
throughout NYC.
For more information on NYC
Smoke-Free or to lend support in
ending NYC’s devastating tobacco
epidemic please visit www.NYCSmokeFree.
org
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION
CALL (718) 260-4593
/www.NYC-SmokeFree.org
/www.NYC-SmokeFree.org
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/www.NYC-SmokeFree.org
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