Empty storefronts have become a common sight across the city since the pandemic. But now the city’s comptroller is sounding the alarm, as neighborhoods in Brooklyn continue to see some of the highest vacancy rates across the city.
A new report from the City Comptroller Mark Levine has found that since the pandemic, long-term storefront vacancy has become an issue in certain neighborhoods across the borough.
Specifically in Northern Brooklyn. Ocean Hill tops the list with a 19.5% vacancy rate, then East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Crown Heights, all with vacancy rates over 15%.
The report also found that vacancies often happen in clusters. A storefront located within one block of a vacant property is 30% more likely to be unoccupied itself than the typical storefront citywide.
Bridge Street Development Corporation has done its own analysis, trying to find out why these neighborhoods have so many empty storefronts.
“I think it is disinvestment," Gregory Anderson, president and CEO of Bridge Street Development Corporation, said, "and lack of community organization.”
Meanwhile, local storeowners and shoppers are calling it something else.
“It's because of gentrification," Nikki Namdi, owner of Nikki Jewelers, said.
“You’re moving out the Black and brown businesses that was here," Calvin Harmon, an East New York resident, said, "and going to put similar businesses here with another not melanated face.”
"As gentrification increases income levels, it contributes to some owners holding back on their properties," Anderson said, "thinking that they’ll be able to rent that at higher rates."
Bridge Street Development Corporation is doing its own work to try to keep local businesses alive.
“We think putting more economic development activities to support small businesses and to support homeowners allows our long-time residents to stay here and thrive here," Anderson said.
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