May 25, 2013

Mom and Pop Shops Key to Health of Staten Island’s West Brighton SectionBy Marjorie HackSILive.com

Staten Island, NY – Darth Vader was there. So was John Liu, the comptroller of New York City – one of several who is campaigning to be the next mayor.

What was a bit light on Saturday during an initiative dubbed Shop Local were Staten Island shoppers, according to Vincent D’Antuono, owner of Pastosa Ravioli at 764 Forest Ave. – though, in fairness, threatening weather was in the forecast.

“Only two people showed up” at his store, he said.

They were easy to identify because they were given special shopping bags at the Burrito Bar, 585 Forest Ave., event headquarters, and asked to take advantage of all the goods and services available from merchants associated with the Business Improvement District (BID) and the West Brighton Local Development Corp.

Read complete article »