A number of Fordham business owners say they're experiencing trouble because of parking problems in the area, and they have decided to take action.

Norman Ephron, owner of Imperial Carpet Company, says he has needed to cut employees in the downturn, which some business owners blame on the BX 12 bus. They say the lane devoted to it would otherwise serve as storefront parking.

Owners plan to take their grievances to city hall on Oct. 1, and if that doesn't work, "Fordham Road will turn into a ghost town," Ephron says. "It'll be a wonderful throughway, but there will be no stores on either side."