By Andrew Hackmack
Gibson Custom Framing occupies two storefronts in one of the two small shopping centers that will be razed to make way for a new condo or apartment complex. In 2005, the Valley Stream Board of Zoning Appeals approved construction of a 35-unit condo complex on the site, owned by Dr. Leonard Bleicher of Hewlett Harbor.
Recently, Bleicher came back to the zoning board, seeking instead to build a 42-unit apartment building. The zoning board postponed its decision that was scheduled for Tuesday night's meeting. The size of the building would not change, Bleicher's attorney Dominick Minerva said, but rather the configuration inside would different.
Perrella said whenever the planned condo building is in the news, it affects her business. After last week's Herald story about the proposed change to the complex, many people called to see if her store was still there. "It hurts business when the talk in the town is about the stores being demolished when I'm still here," she said. "We have to convince the customers we're not leaving yet. We're looking for a brand-new location where we can be more prosperous and continue our family tradition."
The store's lease is up in December, but Perrella said she is hoping to find a new store before then. So far, she has been unsuccessful. "Everything is very expensive, parking is unavailable, the space is half the size," she said of the locations she has explored so far. Or, "someone beats me to it."
Gibson Custom Framing has been at its current location for more than 20 years and is owned by Perrella's father, Dominick Iannitelli. On one side is the custom frame shop, with hundreds of designs to choose from. Perrella said they do conservation framing, meaning they can preserve anything in a frame or mat such as pictures, diplomas, certificates and needlepoint. The other side of the store serves as an art gallery with poster and prints for sale.
Perrella said she is optimistic she will be able to find a new location but is preparing to close if she has to. She is liquidating her merchandise with up to 60 percent discounts on the artwork and 25 percent off on framing.
In the adjacent shopping center, the only business remaining is the Gibson Laundromat. Owner Chyong Pohyon said he has been at that location for about 11 years and has two years remaining on his lease. "All our customers are very good," Pohyon said. "We have a very good area."
Antoinette Santopadre, a 44-year resident of the area, said she remembers when all the stores were full and the shopping centers were thriving. She and other neighbors remember stores such as an A&P Supermarket, a fruit store, butcher, tailor, bakery, bar and grill and a podiatrist's office. "It was wonderful," Santopadre said. "We were very happy the way this was."
Minerva noted that Bleicher previously offered the store owners buyouts of their leases, but not all accepted. "He was vigorously trying to get rid of them some time back," Minerva said.
Perrella said she harbors no resentment toward Bleicher, her landlord. "He's been very fair and understanding," she said. "He said we could stay until the lease is up."
However, Perrella admits, starting over will be tough. "I have a very affordable rent here," she said. "I hate to move. We have timeless friendships here and I have good neighbors."
