NY1 has learned that Macy’s plans to set up new department store along 125th Street, a move that could uproot a half dozen mom and pop stores.
Lloyd Williams, the president of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, has confirmed to NY1 that the iconic department store plans to be an anchor store on 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard.
“It is confirmed. Macy’s is committed to be an anchor at the new development on 125th between Malcolm X and Adam Powell Boulevard,” Williams said.
Macy’s has refused to comment.
The news comes in the wake of lawsuits against the department store giant, where two African-American customers claimed that they were detained by police after making legitimate purchases. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has launched an investigation into those incidents.
“We are equally concerned, along with Senator [Bill] Perkins, that one, there’s not been a real public hearing on that which is proposed for that site, and that we find that a number of the local merchants, too many of them of color, are also going to be kicked out of that site,” Williams said.
“Well Macy’s unfortunately right through here is caught up in a sort of ‘shop-and-frisk’ controversy, so I don’t think that resonates in a very positive way, but we will see,” said state Senator Bill Perkins.
The small business owners who are getting the boot to make way for Macy’s are crying foul. They have until March 31 to move out.
“Then, when I heard that Macy’s was a part of it, I just found that to be funny,” said Joe Benbow, a small business owner. “Nobody knew. Why is it so quiet? And then with everything that’s unfolding with Macy’s, do we really want them on 125th Street, and how many people are aware of them coming?”
A hearing is being held Thursday for the public to weigh in on the massive new development along 125th Street, which will also include a civil rights museum for the National Urban League.
http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info/?p=16900
via Great Local News: New York http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info
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