Lynbrook businesses cannot wait for spring to arrive. Two major snowstorms, frigid temperatures and occasional dustings have dampened winter business across the village.
“When snow hits Lynbrook, it doesn’t just cover our streets, it slows our economy,” Michela Argento-Serra, Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce president, said in a text. “For small businesses along Atlantic Avenue, a snow day can mean fewer commuters and less retail foot traffic, and while revenue is paused, expenses still remain.”
After the Feb. 22-23 blizzard that dumped 24 inches in Lynbrook, snow blocked parking spots in front of Unicorn Jewels on Atlantic Avenue, owner Denise Sclafani Daniels said. It was difficult for customers get to the business and jewelry repairs had to be pushed off for a week, she added.
“I love Lynbrook. I used to shop on Atlantic Avenue and come here all the time,” said Daniels. “It wasn’t far from Lawrence, and it was a wonderful environment to be in.”
At age 13, Daniels helped her mother Betty Sclafani establish Unicorn Jewels. Originally an estate jewelry stand at a flea market on Rockaway Turnpike in Woodmere in the early 1980s, they moved to a Bay Harbor Mall kiosk for 25 years. They moved to Lynbrook in 2004.
Monique Banks, a previous customer of Daniels flea market stand, started working with the owner three years ago.
“It’s gotten quieter,” Banks said, “people actually called to see if we were open, which doesn’t usually happen.”
After personally clearing a path with her security guard for customers, Daniels said the village’s Department of Public Works plowed the street the Monday after the last storm, pushing the snow into her fresh trail. More helpful for motorists than store patrons.
“I called Mayor Alan Beach on Tuesday,” Daniels said, “and he was nice enough to come to my store within a few hours. I told him we cleared a walkway for patrons, and that I saw an old man with a walker struggling to walk on the sidewalk, only able to pass because of our path, which was now covered up.”
She said Beach ensured the snow would be taken care of, and the next day, it was cleared. Daniels also alerted her landlord about the state of the fire hydrant outside her store — covered by snow after the storm — and he handled its clearing promptly.
The same day, Daniels was visited by Chamber of Commerce member Heather Norman, and suggested to her that high school students should be given the opportunity to make community service hours by clearing snow for businesses and neighbors.
“It would help them while helping us,” Daniels said. “The students need it, and so do the businesses.”
“What makes Lynbrook stand out is this community shovels not just our sidewalks, we shovel for each other and share posts online, Argento-Serra added in her text. “As chamber, our role is to encourage preparation and communication. We need to support one another before, during, and after the storm.”
After a rough winter, Daniels noted her excitement for the new Coffee Lobby shop coming to the Langdon building in the spring, where she’ll be offering 15 percent discount cards.
“It’ll give us somewhere to go for lunch, while bringing in business,” she said. “We are waiting for its opening.”
