Western Queens Gazette December 16, 1987
How's Business? A Gazette Survey

Joe Scheinfeld

Over in the Ditmars shopping area, Joe Scheinfeld, owner of Scheinfeld's Kiddie Shop (22-28 31st St.) finds business this holiday period "erratic". "Business is good, but not steady like it was in the past," he explained. Part of the reason might be that seven…that's seven…stores have recently gone out of business on his street, and that accounts for fewer shoppers coming into the block (31st St. between Ditmars Blvd. and 23rd Ave.) "but this is still a good street and we've been here for 60 years and have a reputation that keeps our customers coming back year after year." said Scheinfeld.

Up the street at Weber Stores (22-36 31st St.), veteran merchant Harold Epstein told us "at this point, we're a little ahead of last year's figures." An energetic looking man, Epstein, who owns the men's, women's, and boy's goods store in partnership with his wife, Sandy, explained: "The neighborhood store usually gets a last minute rush as you get closer to Christmas. Our customers know from past experience that we maintain a large inventory and can service their needs."

THE CHANGING FACE OF BUSINESS: The owners surveyed in 1997 for this article are no longer in business. The new establishments that now occupy the spaces are shown. Photos Vinny DuPre Scheinfeld's Kiddie Shop is now GNC.

To be ready for the expected crunch, Epstein, since Monday, is open every evening until 9 p.m. through Dec. 23rd, and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Business is slow right now, but Lou Kouvaris, owner of Action Appliances (36-17 Broadway, Astoria) is optimistic it will pick up. "Business in general has been slow, even before the holiday shopping season started, but I'm sure it's going to get better because all the economic signs say we're in good shape and this will start to show as we get closer to Christmas," the tall, athletic looking Kouvaris explained. Kouvaris also feels "smart shoppers" will ultimately find "good bargains that are around, including my store" and that will start loosening up holiday dollars. Lou's partner is Jim Demetriou of Archway Realty, also in Astoria.

Mel Laube, owner of Astoria Bicycle Center (32-23 Steinway St.) reports that layaways (putting a deposit on an item) are a good barometer of the health of business, and this holiday season "layaways are about half of what they were last year." He says he checked other bicycle store owners and they confirm his observation that business is below previous holiday shopping seasons. Laube says prices are up because of the Japanese economy (most bikes are made there), but local bike stores are absorbing some loss to keep the prices down and competitive.

Harold Epstein Webber Stores is now All Star Burger. Lou Kouvaris Of Action Appliances Action Appliances is now D II. Mel Laube of Astoria Bicycle Center Astoria Bicycle Center is now occupied by Ritmos.