Mom & Pop Stores Disappear on Liberty Avenue

Sunita Lakoo, the owner of K&S Fashion, a men’s clothing store, on Liberty Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, looks around and worries about the change in the neighborhood. Once a bustling corridor of mom-and-pop shops, the avenue now hosts chain stores and service-orientated businesses owned by large corporations.

“I’ve worked on Liberty Avenue for 15 years and now have a business. It’s no wonder that so many places are closed. Rent especially is a struggle because the landlord charges so much. It’s hard because not a lot of people even come into the store now,” Lakoo said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, stores that opened decades ago found themselves forced to close their doors because of rising rents. From grocery and clothing stores to beauty and restaurant establishments, many businesses were unable to survive. On just nine blocks of the stretch, there are twelve home health care and medical centers.

Dorothy Persaud, has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and loves to sew and make clothes. She said she used to shop on Liberty Avenue and now finds it lacking. “Before, I would pass my time inside by sewing and stitching clothes. Now, the fabric store I used to go to when I first moved in here, is gone.”

The Oak Street Health clinic that has replaced Cliquers

Cliquers, a women’s boutique known for its reasonable prices, opened on the corner of Lincoln and Liberty Avenue about 15 years ago. In the last year, a rent increase forced it out.  Oak Street Health clinic, owned by CVS took its place.

Alegra Homecare, another home health care  agency, replaced Petland, the only pet supply store in the area. Anastasia Rodriguez, a frequent shopper on Liberty Avenue, said she used to buy food for her dog at the pet store. With the store closed, Anastasia had to travel out of the neighborhood.

“I have to take a train and a bus to go to Petco down by Gateway. A couple years ago, I could walk a single block and get dog food, “she said.

Blue Angel Boutique and Pretty Girl,  neighboring clothing stores on the avenue for over 20 years closed and were replaced by Foot Locker. Crystal, the only store selling Indian specialities and religious items, also closed in 2020.

Online shopping has also hurt the local stores. A  Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce survey in 2020 found that 64% of small businesses reported lost revenue, and 20% reported closing.

Lakoo also points out that even some big corporations aren’t able to sustain themselves in the area. She pointed to Walgreens, the only major pharmacy in the area.  She hopes, “…one of the random medical places doesn’t take over.”

Lakoo, like many, worries that soon she too will be forced to close down her business and that neighbors won’t  be able to get necessities from the place that has provided for so many years. With the increase in rent and service-orientated health businesses, residents believe Liberty Avenue will soon be “unshoppable,” she said sadly.