Empty city storefronts now filled with Latino presence

Greg Marano. The Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Nov 10, 2008. pg. A.1

Copyright 2008 - Poughkeepsie Journal NY - All Rights Reverved

Penny Lewis can run down a mental tally of the Fifth Ward businesses that have closed since 1956, when she moved to the City of Poughkeepsie.

The city councilwoman recalls supermarkets, bars and a fish market when she moved into the neighborhood, which includes parts of upper Main Street, Smith Street and her home on Harrison Street. But over the next 15 to 20 years, she watched the businesses close one by one.

"People moved away, and a blighted area came to that [part] for a long time," she said.

Now, she said, it's slowly coming back, mostly due to a wave of businesses run by Mexican immigrants who cater to a Hispanic customer base.

Francisco Campos, own-er of the Los Pacos hair salon on Main Street's 600 block, has been in the neighborhood for eight years. An immigrant from Mexico, he said he draws his customer base from a number of ethnicities.

"Not only Latinos come in," he said. "Black, white ... I don't care."

He said in recent years, business has started to pick up as he's noticed more police patrolling the street.

Down the street at J. Lav's Exotic Cuts, owner Yuliana Lavariega had a similar observation.

"The neighborhood is much better," said the Oaxaca, Mexico, native, comparing it to only four years ago. "There's more stores, more shops."

She said she used to have to go to Newburgh to buy Mexican groceries, but now the Casa Latina grocery store, as well as a number of convenience stores and taquerias, are a short walk from her salon.

Lewis said the increased Hispanic presence is something long-term city residents such as herself are coming to recognize as the new face of the neighborhood.

"People are beginning to understand they are part of the city," Lewis said. "People are starting to get more comfortable."

Fernando Cruz arrived three weeks ago from Oaxaca, drawn to Main Street by family members who have lived here for 20 years.

"It's fine for me," the construction worker said about his new home. "It's nice people."

Reach Greg Marano at gmarano@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4809.