Thinking about those stores of old

To the editor:

(re: “We do deserve better storefronts,” July 27)

I am totally in agreement with Marcia Yerman’s recent letter.

I have lived in this area since the early ‘70s, and back then, we had so many wonderful stores. It’s just such a shame now to see so many empty storefronts on Johnson Avenue and West 235th Street.

Back then, if you didn’t own a car, Riverdale had almost everything.

I put on my thinking cap and came up with a bunch of stores that I just loved to shop in. Just to name a few, of course, the always popular Blue Bay, the Welcome Store, Sticks n’ Stones, Mother’s Bakery, the fish store, Mark Stuart Men’s Clothing Store, Marilyn’s Shoe Store, Sneakers ‘R Us, Haagen Daz, Bo Sun, Golden Gate.

There was a women’s boutique store, an appetizing store, also two fruit stores and I’m sure lots more.

On Riverdale Avenue, I remember Paperback Plus, Greystone Pharmacy, Naomi’s clothing store, Palumbo Bakery and Heisler’s.

I’m sure there are many more that I’m leaving out, but I think you’re getting my drift. Why don’t we have a health food store or an organic store? And by the way, we also had a movie theater further up in Riverdale.   

This community definitely deserves better storefronts. Let’s hope in the not-to-distant future, we’ll see some. 

Roberta Seidner