How does a Historic District help preserve a locally-based economy?
The narrow 20-25 foot-wide storefronts in Park Slope’s historic commercial buildings are uninviting to national chain stores, which prefer wider, big-box interiors like the new building on 7th Avenue and 6th Street, which houses a Rite Aid and a Barnes and Noble. Preserving our older, historic commercial structures directly supports a locally-based, diversified, “mom-and-pop” economy. That economy, in turn, supports the neighborhood because a much greater percentage of the dollars spent in such stores remains local rather than being shipped off to corporate headquarters. Further, local entrepreneurs are much more likely to support local causes. Historic designation, in protecting and preserving the character of buildings, also protects the special character of our community.
