Harlem in Transit: Harlem's commercial real estate boom threatens neighborhood’s local landmarks
by Myrna Domit and Vidya Rao
When the drug and crime problems during the 1980’s drove many small businesses away from Harlem’s 125th Street, the Record Shack remained, continuing to offer residents such an extensive collection of soul music that it eventually became a cultural institution in the neighborhood.
"When everybody was running, I remained here with the very fewmerchants that were willing to stick it out and kept Harlem, Harlem," said Sikhulu Shange, 65, the store owner and a former South African Zulu dancer who opened up the store in the 1970’s.
But, the tiny shop, where the music from the soulful albums of Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Michael Jackson have echoed for the past three decades, may be shutting its doors early next year.
It is not the online music explosion, which has affected other old-fashioned music stores. Mr. Shange has been in a court battle with his landlord who refuses to renew the lease, making the Record Shack, the latest victim of a commercial real estate boom in Harlem that has resulted in several big chain stores squeezing out small businesses and local landmarks.
Another 22 small businesses in Harlem are expected to be replaced by soaring office towers and luxury commercial space as part of a recent $30 million sale of the entire block of Fredrick Douglas Boulevard, between 125th and 126th Streets, to Kimco Realty Corporation and the Sigfeld Group .
Among the 22 victims of the new complex development is Bobby’s Happy House, the oldest black-owned retail store in Harlem, The House of Seafood and Rotis Plus - two favorite eateries in Harlem.
"Sign the petition, don't let Record Shack go out of business!" a Record Shack employee shouts as people walk past the shop, which is sandwiched between a bank and a large retail store.
The music store, located across from the Apollo Theatre, has welcomed customers like Michael Jackson and Miles Davis.
Several residents interviewed about the coming changes said that they feel helpless and many refer to the phenomenon known as gentrification as a “cultural genocide.”
Shange is concerned that he is going to lose his space to the pressures of the United House of Prayer for all People Church, his current landlord, to terminate his lease.
United House of Prayer For All People, a church that owns a three-story complex occupying almost half a block on 125th St., took over Mr. Shange's lease in 1995, when Record Shack faced its first struggle against its previous landlord. In that struggle, customers and Harlem residents protested in the streets against Record Shack’s possible closure. During that time, an arson fire killed eight people, and one of the picketers who had supported the Record Shak, was connected to the attack. No one blamed Mr. Shange.
"Record Shack is not ready to leave,” said Shange as he looked across the street at a Duane Reed drugstore. “Some years back we used to have 12 to15 music outlets here, but now all of that has vanished."
Bobby Robinson, the 91 year-old- owner of Bobby’s Happy House, a record store that was established in 1946, also mirrors the Duane Reade from 126th street and shares a wall with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“When I first arrived in Harlem, the streets were flourishing with small eateries and we all new each other, this block was famous for its culture and now I am surrounded by chain stores,” said Robinson.
“The culture in Harlem is going out, you have maybe one or two mom n’pop stores left and the rest are chain stores, which have nothing to do with Harlem,” added Denise Robinson,52, who is Robinson’s daughter.
Last March, the United House of Prayer for all People gave Mr. Shange a one-month notice to evacuate the 1000 square feet record store. Mr. Shange appealed in court and was given until March 2008 to "pack up and leave."
Like Sikhulu and Bobby, their customers do not know where they will go if Radio Shack and Bobby’s Happy House closes its doors forever.
"I have no idea what I will do if these stores are not here anymore,” said Lynnete Ford, 38, while she signed the petition against the Record shack’s closure.
“They have good gospel music here and you walk down the street and the music puts you in a better spirit."
Over 7,000 Harlem residents have signed the petition, which Shange hopes will serve as evidence in court that the community needs his services.
"What they are calling gentrification is actually more like a genocide of a people and a culture, said Robin Broder, 37, and a resident of Harlem for 9 years.
"The people that helped build the economy of this community, now have to leave the neighborhood in order to make ends meet," added Broder.
Edwin Essen, lawyer for the United House of Prayer for All People, refused to provide any details as to why the church is evicting the music store, saying only, "The court will decide it all."
"Mr. Shange is a pinnacle in this community and has been a good tenant for over 35 years," said Armani Scott, the lawyer for Shange. Shange said he now pays $4,500 a month for about 1000 square feet, which is the equivalent of $54 per square foot. Commercial real estate on 125th St. in Harlem is going for $75 to $175 per square foot, according to estimates by Shimon Skhury, a managing partner at Massey Knakal Realty Services, property sales company.
Small businesses can no longer compete with the surge in real estate prices. The $30 million paid by Kimco Realty Corporation and the Sigfeld Group for the complex across the street from Shange, is equivalent to US$1,429 per square foot.
Shange is well aware of the rising prices of commercial real estate in Harlem and has offered to pay higher rent, but the church's attorney refused the offer.
Ever since Armani Scott picked up Shange’s case, other business owners experiencing the same problems in Harlem have approached him, seeking help.
"Local businesses shutting down due to development appears to be a long-standing issue and people are not being able to continue to work as they have for many years," said Mr. Scott.
Mr. Shange is concerned for himself and Harlem’s future.
"Bobby is 91 years old and established the first store owned by a black businessman on 125th St. For this to be happening at his age is a disgrace," said Shange.
"You just don't take peoples’ lives and dump it in the garbage can," he continued.
Shange, Bobby Robinson and many small business owners say they are not ready to give up this fight and count on their faithful customers and residents of Harlem to help them win this war.
"People like myself and Bobby are the foundations of the community here,” Shange said. “Should anything happen to any of these stores, I think Harlem will take it as a death in the family." |
