BX store owners cashing in on store renovation plans

New York City has decided to give Bronx stores an upgrade, offering owners thousands of dollars to renovate their storefronts.The upgrades are part of a program offered by the Business Improvement Districts

News 12 Staff

Oct 27, 2006, 5:57 PM

Updated 6,552 days ago

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New York City has decided to give Bronx stores an upgrade, offering owners thousands of dollars to renovate their storefronts.The upgrades are part of a program offered by the Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) and will give business up to $4,000 to redo their storefronts. The city hopes the plan will boost the local economy and also help with making the area attractive and safe. Owners, though, must agree to the city's design plans. Pharmacy owner Sebastian Manciameli says there are a lot of pharmacies customers can choose to go to, and he hopes the new sign will make someone want to come in. Steve Larous' VIP Cafe will be undergoing a $154,000 makeover. He says the plan helps eliminate some of the bureaucratic red tape he would normally have to deal with.BIDS also helps local business owners with graffiti removal and doing television and radio ads.