The Street Beat

125th Street's Halloween Scene

As the Fall leaves begin turning into shades of warm orange and reds...something else on West 125th Street is changing as well! The storefronts of a few of our businesses have changed their displays to get in the Halloween Spirit.

 

S&D Underground's orange mannequins are showcased wearing today's most popular styles for young adults/adults, while The Children's Place has bats, black cats and pumpkins on their display windows; and a huge "haunted" Blow Out Sale sign.

 

 

 

In addition to our clothing retailers, West 125th Street welcomed two major Halloween stores to the community. The Spirit of Halloween and Ricky's Halloween are both filled with costumes, decorations and Halloween treats galore. Trust us...we wouldn't trick ya!

 

While the Harlem community prepares for the festivities, the BID would like to highlight a Halloween event at Red Rooster/Ginny's Supper Club.  The Ghost Groove will take place on October 31st beginning at 10pm and ending at 2:30am. For more information, Click HERE.

 

 

NEW TO RED ROOSTER HARLEM: The Nook, a pocket of Red Rooster will sell specialty savory items and creative sweets on the go! Hours of operation: 11am-5:30pm with breakfast commencing in November 2012. More Info, Click HERE! 

 

Development in the District
For a number of years, there were three vacant lots in the BID's boundaries. Today, only one of these lots remains vacant. The status of these lots is a tribute to the general progress made in the BID in recent years.

right next to the Apollo Theater. This new building will house a Red Lobster as well as some retail space. We can't wait to see the finished product!
 
Rendering of 261-267 West 125th Street

Whole Foods just signed a lease this week for the site at the southwest corner of 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. Burlington Coat Factory was the first to sign a lease for this site this past June. Construction is expected to finish in the summer of 2015.

The only vacant lot now remaining in the BID's boundaries is 5-15 West 125th Street, between Lenox and Fifth Avenues.

We can't wait to see what's coming next!
 

NY Latinas against Domestic Violence

On September 30th, the West 125th Street community was taken by surprise when a group of women and men marched through the streets full force with police escorts. Passing by all of the retail businesses, restaurants, and vendors, they held signs and chanted sayings that fought against domestic violence. As if their words were not powerful enough, each woman was dressed in a white wedding dress or all white attire and each man in all black.

 

The NY Latinas against Domestic Violence is an organization that since 2001, has hosted this annual event in remembrance of Gladys Ricart, a woman who was murdered by her former abusive boyfriend on the day she was set to marry her fianc�, in 1999, as well as all victims of domestic violence.  

 

Although a somber occasion, this event serves as a message to all people about the dangers of domestic violence. Through their choice to make their way through West 125th Street, they have shown many people in our community the power of a voice.

 

For more information about this organization and their events, Click Here

  

NY Latinas against DOmestic Violence




 
In This Issue...
The Street Beat
Block By Block Spotlight
The Business Beat
Merchants' Spotlight
The BID'S BIG Events
Pedestrian Count
This Month In Harlem...
Harlem In The News
Stay Connected!

Like us on Facebook

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View our profile on LinkedIn

View our videos on YouTube

View our photos on flickr
 
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BID Photo Reel


"125th Street Sunset Skyline"

"Networking at the Aloft"
 

"Aloft Lobby Designs"


"Halloween at Ginny's Supper Club"


"Coca Cola Salutes Harlem" 

"S&D Halloween Storefront"

 
Block by Block Spotlight
Get to Know Your Block!

 
GUESS THAT BUSINESS!
From the clues provided, can YOU guess which businesses on 125th Street we're talking about??

 

FOOD

Morningside Avenue to St Nicholas Avenue

Q: This franchise restaurant was founded in Detroit in 1959, but made its way to 125th Street in the past couple years serving some the world's best pizza. Guess that Business

 

ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITY

St. Nicholas Avenue to Frederick Douglass Boulevard 

Q: Which business on 125th Street brings the community the chance to WIN BIG and play Bingo? Guess that Business!

 

RETAIL

Frederick Douglass Boulevard to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard 

Q: Which retail clothing/footwear business was named after the owner's favorite song from The Clash, a punk rock group from the late 70s. Guess that Business!

 

HEALTH

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard to Lenox Avenue

Q: With the slogan "Live Well", this business on 125th Street, promotes nutritional living with supplement products and improving the quality of its customers lives. Guess that Business!

 

FITNESS

Lenox Avenue to Fifth Avenue

Q: With the belief of "freeing yourselves" this business offers community classes, free meditation, discounts for students & seniors and so much more! Guess that business!

  

  

Visit the 125th Street BID's Business Directory  

for more information on these and other businesses in the District 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 


Introducing ...
The 125th Street BID:BUSINESS SEARCH 
Retail Businesses from
Frederick Douglass Boulevard to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard 
  Get to know these business while you search. Click the link and learn more!

  

Aerosoles 

Alleyesonus 

AmericanApparel 

AshleyStewart 

Atmos 

Ballers 

Champs 

ExclusiveFootage 

ForeverCommunication 

FortuneJewelers 

Gamestop 

HarlemNYC 

HighEnergy 

HighRollerzJewelry 

HomeBoyJewelerz 

JimmyJazz 

Joannes 

KissElectronics 

LaneBryant 

LascalaBoutique 

MAC 

Orva 

PayHalf 

PaylessShoes 

PlatinumJewelry 

Portabella 

ShoeFetish 

SnowImage 

Spot 

TheChildrensPlace 

VBKCommunications 

WirelessFortune 
 
The Business Beat

Social Media Tips for Businesses


As times are changing, technology is evolving by the second. Here at the 125th Street BID, we want to make sure that all of the businesses, both large and small, have the resources and knowledge to keep up! For businesses that may not be able to afford a Social Media Manager, the following platforms are essentially free (unless you choose to purchase additional applications):

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Depending on the type of business you have though, ALL of these forms of social media may not be necessary for your business. How do you decide what you do need? Check out the tips below:

  • KNOW THE RESULTS YOU WANT
    • Get a pen and paper, and write down what you want to come from this new venture.

Possible Questions to Ask Yourself:

    • Do you want to provide answers and assistance to your customers or readership? Do you want them to visit your website? Do you want them to buy something? Do you want to build a relationship so that the customers are now thinking more about your brand or business, and are developing a positive image that they will later share with their friends?
  • DECIDE WHAT ASPECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA YOU WANT TO ENGAGE IN
    • Every form of social media will not provide the best results for you want, because they are each used to interact with the audience in a different way.
  • FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ALREADY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
    • Are you already on Facebook? Has your business already been "mentioned" or hash tagged on Twitter? Are there photos of your business or products being Pinned on Pinterest? You can search for your business in Facebook, Twitter, and the other sites to see whether you have been mentioned. 
    • See what your presence on social media is before you begin your personal venture so that you can measure the improvements and outcomes in the future.
  • PUT 150% INTO THE FORM(S) OF SOCIAL MEDIA CHOSEN
    • Fill out ALL profile information. Make sure you state your business purpose, don't forget the "About" section, and fulfill all promises made!
  • REMEMBER THAT SOCIAL MEDIA OPENS UP THE CONVERSATION WITH CONSUMERS!
    • Keep it both positive and professional at all times. Be prepared for both positive and negative feedback and do not engage in banter that may affect the brand image.

Now, that you have these STARTING tips you can begin your path into the world of tech. Any questions, comments or suggestions, you can connect with the 125th Street BID via:

FACEBOOK  and TWITTER

 

 Bloomberg Admin Announce 5 New Measures to Help Small Businesses

 

On October 2, 2012, The Council of the City of New York Communications released a Press Release with tips to help Small businesses in addition to other information. Check out the tips below and the Press Release HERE.

* Identification of violations for which businesses should receive a warning or opportunity to cure the violation instead of an automatic penalty or fine.  
* Elimination of obsolete violations.  
* Streamlining of regulatory processes; Simplification of the Place of Assembly permitting process.  
* Standardization of customer service training for all agency inspectors 
* Designation of agency liaisons to serve as points-of-contact with chambers of commerce and industry groups
     

Upcoming Events for Businesses

 

 4 Weeks to Superstar Brand Building and Pitch Perfect ,presented by Karen Taylor Bass, The PR Expert will take place on the following dates: October 22nd, October 29th, and November 5th. These workshops are as seen on the Nate Berkus Show, NBC, CNN.com, Essence, and Black Enterprise.

Completing Successful Business Plan Course  , a variety of workshops that began in the middle of September and will continue through the middle of December. Upcoming dates include: October 24th, November 6th, November 21st, December 5th, and December 12th.

 

Merchants' Spotlight: West Side BINGO Hall
West 125th Street is proud to be the home of Manhattan's ONLY Commercial Bingo Hall!  The Hall, owned by Belle Fischand located at 309 West 125th Street, is open for games SEVEN days a week. Monday through Friday, two games are offered; an early afternoon game at 12:15pm for those willing to gamble during their lunch break and a game at 7:15pm for those with "late night luck." Saturdays they host three games and Sundays they have one game, doors open at 4:00pm but the game doesn't start until 6:00pm... so get there EARLY!

In an article posted in July 2011, the NY Daily News highlighted the gaming hall and the increasing crowds of young adults and the unemployed residents of the area. Ms. Fisch, owner of the hall, said "It's a cheap, fun date -- if someone wants to try their luck and play a game, it's a lot less expensive than a casino."

With an entry fee of just $3 and  cash prizes that span up to $3,000, pressing your luck just may be worth it!

 

 

 For more information on what the West Side BINGO Hall offers, call (212)-662-4646  

OR

visit them at 309 West 125th Street, New York, New York 10027  

The BID's BIG Events!
Promotional Alliance of Harlem Networking Reception

On Wednesday, October 3rd, The Promotional Alliance of Harlem (PAH) held our First Business Networking Event at the Aloft Hotel! PAH, which announced its inception in May of this year, is a supergroup formed by the 125th Street BID, Aloft Hotel, Harlem Business Alliance, and Harlem Park to Park to promote Harlem businesses. The event was extremely successful, featuring a delicious wine tasting and chocolate pairing by Sugarleaf Vineyards, an unveiling of Aloft's newest art exhibit, and excellent company! (See photos below.) Several businesses from our District attended the event, including representatives from New York Sports Club, All Eyes On Us, Harlem Independent Living Center, Goodrich Insurance, Economic Development Corp., and Red Rooster Harlem. We were also honored to host Vy Higginsen, who recently won her second Emmy, and who is the narrator of the "Harlem: Believe In Dreams" Documentary that screened on October 11th. If you missed this reception, be sure to attend the next Networking Reception! It was truly a wonderful event!

 

 Sugarleaf Vineyards is an award-winning boutique vineyard in the heart of the Monticello region, and is the only African American owned vineyard and winery on the East Coast.  

 

 

 

"Harlem: Believe In Dreams" Premier

View a Virtual Photo Album of the event!    

 

     

HARLEM: BELIEVE IN DREAMS is a documentary tracing the progression of 125th Street from the 1600's to the present and beyond. The film captures the importance of 125th Street to the Village of Harlem and New York City and highlights the work of the 125th Street BID as it celebrates 20 years.  

On October 11, 2012, two years of hard work culminated with the Premier VIP Screening of "Harlem: Believe In Dreams" at the Faison Firehouse Theatre. Supporters of the BID were invited. Many of the participants featured in the documentary were present, as well as several property owners, representatives from community organizations, local businesses, supporters of the 125th Street BID, and others. About 100 people attended the event in total, including NYC Comptroller John Liu, Emmy Award Winner Vy Higginsen, Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Video Music Box creator Ralph McDaniels, and many more. We would especially like to thank all of the Board Members who attended the event. We have received many extremely positive comments on the success of the event and the movie itself. 

  

 

 

Those in attendance received gift bags that contained a BID Annual Report; a Map & Guide; a "Harlem Holiday Lights" 2012 Sponsorship Package; a complimentary "Harlem Holiday Lights" Holiday Card; and promotional items from Jacob Restaurant and Essence Magazine.   

 

The night began with a pre-reception upstairs where guests enjoyed beverages provided by Coca-Cola (the event's sponsor), light foods, and wine. At 6pm, we moved downstairs to the theatre for the screening, which was followed by a Q&A with the movie's directors. To top off the night's events, an afterparty followed, where dinner and cocktails were served. Coca-Cola provided the beverages, and the food was catered by Jacob Restaurant. Guests enjoyed socializing, networking, dinner, music provided by a DJ Mike Doelo, and dancing. The event coordinator was Darlene Gillard of Gillard Jones Agency.

 

 

 For more photos and information,  

View our Virtual Photo Album! 

Pedestrian Count
125th Street BID Customer Counting
Corner of 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard



Total Visitors This Month:

804,782
Total Visitors This Year:
5,927,563








The highest weekday customer count for the Month beginning 01-SEPT-2012 were achieved on
Friday at 137,427.





[Photos Enlarged in Full Report]
 



On Saturday and Sunday the peak pedestrian and customer shopping time is between 1pm-2pm. 
This Month In Harlem...
 
Click here for events during the month of October.
Events in Harlem every day!

This week, be sure to check out...


...and more!

 

Harlem in the News

September 28th, 2012 - Red Rooster, Sylvia's in Lineup for Harlem Restaurant and Retail Week

September 27th, 2012 - Harlem Arts Summit 2012: Protecting Harlem's Treasures

September 21st, 2012 - Teachers College school, promise of Manhattanville benefits, opens in permanent site

September 19th, 2012 - 'Savor the Season' event puts spotlight on Harlem dining

September 7th, 2012 - Apollo Theater Seeks to Become Political Hub With Voter Education Event

September 4th, 2012 -
Retailer places bet on next 34th Street
125th Street Business Improvement District | 360 West 125th Street, Suite #11 | New York, NY 10027
(212) 662-8999