Johnson Avenue - "For Rent"
Update 2 More Stores
This is a new restaurant that is called "Oregano"" which is opening up at 3522 Johnson Avenue in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. This store had been vacant for several years when the restaurant Josepina closed down.Closing stores or stores closed for some time with "For Rent" signs on them has gotten to become a problem for the local community around Johnson Avenue.
The problem when many are asked seems to be with the landlord (Friedland Properties) of the entire block of Johnson Avenue between West 235th and West 236th Streets, and part of West 235th Street off Johnson Avenue. High rents and the gall to raise renewals sky high, but leave a store empty for years without a tenant and not lower the rent has been the mantra. The latest casualty is the once popular Chinese Restaurant "Golden Gate" whose new owners expanded several years ago, now is the latest store to close and a "For Rent" sign go up on the security gate.
Many say that the rents are to high on Johnson Avenue, and the popular eating spot "Blue Bay" almost closed last year due to a steep raise in the lease renewal. However the owner of Blue Bay was able to get a reprieve from the landlord Friedland Properties after much protesting from the community, elected officials, and a reminder from the community board that when there was large fire that gutted many stores on the block it was the community board that helped the landlord rebuild quickly.
Continental Hair Stylist was the first to leave Johnson Ave.many years ago for a lower rent a few blocks away on Riverdale Ave. Business has been good and steady since the move over 10 years ago we were told, and Riverdale Avenue has seen some other businesses move there from Johnson Ave. The once almost half empty stretch of Riverdale Ave. between West 235th and 238th Streets now has only one or two empty stores.
 |
| The "For Rent" sign is up on recently closed Golden Gate Restaurant. |
 |
| Corner Cafe moved to a lower rent on Riverdale Ave. |
 |
| The corner on the opposite side of Johnson Ave. and West 235th Street is once again vacant since the closure ot WAMU Bank about a year ago. |
 |
| Another vacant store on Johnson Ave. |
 |
| The old fruit store on West 235th Street also owned by Friedland Properties. |
 |
| No the fruit store has not been sub divided, but another vacant store. |
 |
The one vacant store on West 235th Street not owned by Friedland Properties.
UPDATE
Here are two more vacant stores on the Johnson Avenue/West 235th Street shopping area. |
 |
| This store next to Starbucks on West 235th is another Freidland Property | | |
|
|
 |
| Another store on West 235th Street across from Starbucks and right next to the other vacant store on that side of the street. |
*************************************************************
