The Throggs Neck Merchants Association has been spearheading an effort to make East Tremont Avenue an even better place for business.

Business has been good enough for Frank Bee Stores to be open since 1957, but there's always room for improvement. That's why the merchants association is looking to form a business improvement district, or BID.

"BID will do nothing but help us," says Wayne Baker, the owner of Frank Bee. "It gives us an identity, it fixes everything up, it makes everything clean."

A BID is a partnership between property and business owners who agree to maintain, develop and promote the area in which they do business. Members set up a fund to which all participating business owners contribute.

The Throggs Neck Merchants Association will hold a public meeting to explain more about what a BID can accomplish at the Fort Schuyler House May 26.