Dan Treiber says ferry would boost City Island businesses

My name is Dan Treiber.

I run a vintage toy store on City Island Avenue called Dan's Parents House for the past 10 years.

Previous to running Dan's Parents House, it was Trader John's, a nautical junk shop for 50 years.

We are housed in an 1860s building that we purchased and saved from demolition.

Previous to our storefront, I did the Brooklyn flea market for 16 years.

Arguably our most successful year was in Williamsburg when they introduced the ferry.

I consistently watched people get off the money, I mean, sorry, get off the ferry, walk into the market, and spend hard-earned money.

This not only impacted the people in the community, but the small businesses that were at that market every day.

We took that money and we purchased 239 City Island Avenue.

Without the ferry, I wouldn't be at that store today.

We've consistently seen, you know, vacant storefronts come and go, but City Island is sort of, I...

Because from my perspective, I see it on the upswing.

We have a new owner of Lickety Split, which is the local ice cream shop.

We have a successful coffee bar.

And I think that if we had the ferry, there would be more people getting out and walking and spending money and exploring our wonderful town.

In addition to running the vintage store, more importantly, I have two children.

I have 15.

year old twins in the New York City high school system, one of which goes to Manhattan Center for Science and Math.

He has to get up at six to take the 705 bus, which is inconsistent at best, to take the sixth train to 116th Street.

If he could walk to the ferry and take it there, not only would he be a happier child, but he'd be more likely to be helpful in the future.

So as a parent and a local store owner, I feel like a ferry directly to City Island would be very beneficial.

Thank you very much.