Council Member Brewer responds to broker panel on rent negotiation realities for mom-and-pop stores
Brewer pushes back on the brokers' characterization of a healthy retail market, citing her experience that mom-and-pop businesses struggle to reach landlords and face dramatic rent increases. She notes that the 'next entrepreneur' is often a chain store and emphasizes the need for teeth to protect small businesses.
Councilmember Brewer.
I thank everybody for your testimony, and I know that the portion that you bring up is controversial.
Don't forget commercial rent control is still something that people are talking about, and I am not in this bill.
So just be aware of that because it's hovering.
So the concept is...
to try to come up with, I do disagree with the notion that it's not hard to talk to the owner, the owner's willing to get back to you.
That's not my experience.
In Manhattan, it's challenging, but even in our tour recently in Jackson Heights, I mean, there were just numerous examples with a bid.
Or at least the Chamber of Commerce working with them, that it was really hard to get the owner and the mom and pop to talk.
And the rents were going up dramatically.
So I know you're thinking it's sort of a good retail situation, but for the mom and pop, it's really hard.
Now, if you own your building, if you have a condo, if you have a good relationship in a Michelama, for instance, where the...
Residents are quite willing to work with the commercial.
That's one thing.
But it's rough for these smaller businesses.
So I guess what I'm saying is I think some teeth to the person who is in that business is needed, and there may be some other suggestions.
I do know that this notion that we are waiting for the new entrepreneur, well, to me, that's often a chain store.
It's often somebody who's not from that neighborhood.
And what we're looking for are the diversity of a commercial strip.
Manhattan is challenging.
I mean, I fight all the time for these mom and pops, and I'm often up against the big commercials.
Or vacancy after vacancy after vacancy.
Broadway is vacant.
And so, you know, look down here at Chambers Street.
It's vacant.
So I'm just saying, if you have some other ideas, let me know.
But we need some teeth for the mom and pops.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember Brewer.
This panel is now excused.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.