Upper West Side Mom and Pop Shops Push to Keep Out Big Businesses

The community board met to discuss a proposed rezoning that would keep out big businesses and help retain smaller ones

Owners of mom-and-pop shops on the Upper West Side are hoping a new proposal will keep them in the neighborhood for the long run.

The small business owners gathered Wednesday night at a local community board meeting to talk about the city's new rezoning proposals.

The move would set aside many blocks along Broadway, Amsterdam and Columbus avenues for smaller storefronts, and keep the big box retailers out.

If approved, about 150 blocks will be categorized as a special commercial district, and the number of big retail businesses taking up store "frontage" in the area will be limited.

Local leaders said the plan would also help preserve the neighborhood's character, saying the relationship between the businesses and the community "is soulful, is personal, it's what the neighborhood is all about."

The proposal would need to be adopted by Community Board 7, then be passed by the City Council to take effect.

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