VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Local business reacts to proposed Goodwill in DeWitt vacant building
Elisa Flynn: Located on the busy intersection of East Genesee and Erie Boulevard lies a space that has been unoccupied for almost a year. Tops Friendly Markets used to have a store in this location, but now no one can even drive through the parking lot. The Widewaters Group, who owns the building, proposed a Goodwill to move into the space, and local businesses such as pizza joint Mario and Salvo’s, are excited for a new group to join the community.
Maria Boemi: Hopefully, whoever comes next will, you know, build this location in a way that serves the community that’s here. And so maybe that’s doing things a little bit different than other locations. And, you know, just bringing kind of that positive energy to, to the community, whatever, whatever business comes next.
Flynn: There are many small businesses that surround the area, and they all affect one another. As long as Goodwill brings more business to the neighboring establishments, local employees such as Maria will be satisfied.
Boemi: I think you know, if those people are going to come and shop, they can come in and grab a slice after they’re done, so.
DEWITT, N.Y. (NCC News) — Tops Friendly Market closed in DeWitt last April, and the space has been unoccupied ever since. The owner of the vacant building and parking lot, the Widewaters Group, proposed a Goodwill to move into the area. While there is no confirmation, local businesses are hopeful that a new addition will bring more people to the area.
Mario and Salvo’s Pizza, a popular joint across the street from the vacant lot, is anticipating the development.
“Hopefully, whoever comes next will build this location in a way that serves the community that’s here. And so maybe that’s doing things a little bit different than other locations, and just bringing kind of that positive energy to the community,” said Maria Boemi, a Mario and Salvo’s employee. Boemi said she wants the new business, whatever it may be, to bring a cheerful spirit to her neighborhood.
Whether the Widewaters Group decides to implement a Goodwill or not, the addition will affect all surrounding establishments. To Boemi, it’s a business opportunity.
“If those people are going to come and shop, I hope they can come in and grab a slice after they’re done.”