Before opening Capital Kidzwear, Suwie Waweru did her homework.
Waweru is an M.B.A., who was working in the financial services field in Manhattan. She describes herself as a "New York City girl pretty much forever," but after the events of September 11, she like so many other New Yorkers, decided to make a change.
Waweru decided to open her own business, and she approached the task with determination and energy. She began researching the Capital District, looking at census information for each city, and did surveys of the area. After learning about Albany's charter school boom, and its diversity, she decided it was the perfect location for the business she had in mind--a clothing store for children that specializes in urban wear and school uniforms. It was the kind of store that she saw all over New York and northern New Jersey, but there weren't any in the here, she said.
According to the store slogan, the store carries "clothes kids wanna wear," including stylish namebrands like Rocawear, Bank Street, and Pellepelle, as well as shoes, boots, and outerwear. They also have a range of formalwear for boys and girls, including little boys' tuxedos and christening clothing.
She and her husband, Patrick Waweru, opened the store in 2006, and business has been good since opening, she said. "It's following the economy," she said. Store sales were relatively stable until July, and then they took a sharp dive, she said. But Waweru, who regularly talks to the surrounding shopowners and other neighbors nearby, said that all small businesses are having trouble right now.
Many local businesses are not making a profit, and they haven't been since July, she said. They need some help or they're going to go out of business. "And you really don't want them to go out of business," she warned. "You really don't, because it will be harder to get that momentum going again."
Capital Kidzwear is on the block of Washington that overlooks Townsend Park, a section of the district that's been known for difficulties with vagrants and graffiti, but these days there's more security and more police support, and that's making it easier to do business here, Waweru said.
Capital Kidzwear is on the block of Washington that overlooks Townsend Park, a section of the district that's been known for difficulties with vagrants and graffiti, but these days there's more security and more police support, and that's making it easier to do business here, Waweru said.
More businesses have also come to the area, and that's helping the community reclaim this part of the city. For a long time, many of the surrounding buildings had vacancies, but with the recent addition of Townsend Park Bakery and the new Trustco Bank on the corner, the area is almost fully occupied, and the large office building just down the street at 4 Central Avenue is being renovated to attract new tenants. With just a continued guidance and support, the area can be fully revitalized, she said.
Waweru is full of ideas for revitalizing the area. She believes the Townsend Park area needs better and more consistent signage. Similar signs in an area provide a sense of continuity and security, she said. Business owners could use some help with funding those signs; even $400-$500 in grants for businesses would be a big help, she said.
Waweru also wants businesses to work together to stamp out graffiti. "If you see graffiti, get rid of it," she said. Local businesses don't know that the BID and the city will help them remove graffiti, they think they have to do it themselves, she said.
She also wants more initiatives like Larkfest, to help drum up business. This year, for the first time, Larkfest included the lower part of the Central Business District. The event was "a Godsend," she said, and only wishes there were more events like it. Perhaps businesses could organize sidewalk sales, or another street festival. She also pointed to the themed events that take place in the Empire Plaza Concourse, and said it would be nice if more businesses were invited to participate in these events.
Central Avenue's diversity is valuable, and it should be seen as something positive, she concluded. "People shouldn't be afraid of people who aren't like them coming in and opening businesses. Most people are just the same as you. They're trying to make a buck and raise a family," she said. She urged the community to communicate with these businesses and to open a dialogue with them. They have ideas for initiatives, and input for new businesses, and they can provide guidance for one another, she said.
Neighborhood associations should reach out to business owners as well as residents, she said. The meetings could be a place where local businesses are promoted, and also a forum where residents can ask for goods and services that they need from surrounding businesses, she said.
Waweru is full of ideas for revitalizing the area. She believes the Townsend Park area needs better and more consistent signage. Similar signs in an area provide a sense of continuity and security, she said. Business owners could use some help with funding those signs; even $400-$500 in grants for businesses would be a big help, she said.
Waweru also wants businesses to work together to stamp out graffiti. "If you see graffiti, get rid of it," she said. Local businesses don't know that the BID and the city will help them remove graffiti, they think they have to do it themselves, she said.
She also wants more initiatives like Larkfest, to help drum up business. This year, for the first time, Larkfest included the lower part of the Central Business District. The event was "a Godsend," she said, and only wishes there were more events like it. Perhaps businesses could organize sidewalk sales, or another street festival. She also pointed to the themed events that take place in the Empire Plaza Concourse, and said it would be nice if more businesses were invited to participate in these events.
Central Avenue's diversity is valuable, and it should be seen as something positive, she concluded. "People shouldn't be afraid of people who aren't like them coming in and opening businesses. Most people are just the same as you. They're trying to make a buck and raise a family," she said. She urged the community to communicate with these businesses and to open a dialogue with them. They have ideas for initiatives, and input for new businesses, and they can provide guidance for one another, she said.
Neighborhood associations should reach out to business owners as well as residents, she said. The meetings could be a place where local businesses are promoted, and also a forum where residents can ask for goods and services that they need from surrounding businesses, she said.
"There's a lot of good smart people on Central. They're from different places, but that doesn't mean anything," she said. "They should tap them, and ask them questions. They'd be surprised."
Capital Kidzwear is located at 204 Washington Avenue in Albany, 462-2791. www.capitalkidzwear.com The store carries clothing, shoes, and accessories for boys and girls, ages ranging from infant to teen.
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