Hartsdale businesses plead for help
Business closures and Hartsdale Ave. construction mean less foot traffic for restaurants and stores
Don’t let them eat cake Enrico’s Pastry Shop in Hartsdale closed the day before Christmas 2024.
BY DEBORAH SKOLNIK
To be clear, Hartsdale Village’s VEGA restaurant, the long-standing Mexican eatery with its fun waterfall and a colorful portrait of artist Frida Kahlo, is doing fine. But ownerJeevan Pullan, who is also proprietor of the NH44 and MASKA Indian restaurants on East Hartsdale Avenue, recently took pen in hand to write an S.O.S. letter to Paul Feiner. The subject: Many Hartsdale businesses are in urgent need of a helping hand.
Take a stroll around the small downtown, and it’s easy to see why. Rite Aid, for the anchor store of the strip, shuttered roughly a year ago, and its steel gates are still down. A few stores to the west, locks are affixed to the door of what was Enrico’s Pastry Shop, which closed during the holiday season of 2024. A promised successor, Mikado Sushi, has not yet materialized. Across the street, Pretty L’il Sweets recently closed up shop, and the space that once held Beauty Mania has been vacant for years. (A sign taped to the window says the business was evicted.)
A prescription for trouble Rite Aid, the anchor store of downtown Hartsdale, shuttered in February 2024.
“There’s a lot of potential and history here”
“We’ve been here since 2010—there’s a lot of potential and history here,” says Pullan. For that reason, he added, he felt it made the most sense for him to be the one to reach out to Greenburgh’s government.
“We have been trying to develop Hartsdale as a food destination for a lot of these years,” he said. We are meeting with town officials, and I hope something good comes of it. I am doing okay in general, but a lot of stores that have recently opened [may not be]. A lot of the people [who own them] don’t speak English that well. They don’t know the demographics of Scarsdale.
A bitter Sweets ending Pretty L’il Sweets gave up its storefront late last year in favor of a delivery-only business model.
We are meeting with town officials soon. I hope something good comes out of it,” Pullan said. “We would hate to see the town being half-empty.”
Below is the letter Pullan sent to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
AN OPEN LETTER TO RESIDENTS OF GREENBURGH FROM THE OWNER OF VEGA Mexican, NH 44 Indian, and MASKA Indian on East Hartsdale Ave.
Dear Paul,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recent construction projects and the ongoing parking issues in Hartsdale, which have significantly impacted local businesses and the community as a whole. While I understand the need for improvements, it has become increasingly difficult for both residents and visitors to access the businesses in our town.
Over the past few months, many local establishments have seen a decline in foot traffic, as the construction has led to street closures, limited access, and a shortage of parking spaces. With the current state of affairs, it has become more challenging for customers to shop, dine, and support these local businesses. As a result, many of these businesses, which are vital to the character and economy of Hartsdale, are struggling to remain afloat.
I kindly ask that the town take further action to promote and support local businesses during this challenging time. This could include measures such as:
Increasing Public Awareness: Launching a marketing campaign to remind residents and visitors that businesses in Hartsdale are still open and welcoming customers despite the construction.
Temporary Parking Solutions: Exploring options for additional parking or temporarily reducing parking restrictions to help ease the situation.
Enhancing Communication: Providing more frequent updates regarding construction timelines and detours so that customers can plan their visits accordingly.
The businesses in Hartsdale contribute to the vibrant culture of our community, and their success is vital to maintaining the town’s unique charm and economic health. I believe that with thoughtful support, we can help these businesses thrive even through the current challenges.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and to seeing further steps being taken to support our local businesses.
We currently own VEGA Mexican, NH 44 Indian and MASKA Indian on Hartsdale Ave.
Sincerely,
Jeevan Pullan
VEGA Mexican Cuisine
Feiner urges the public to share their ideas to help our local merchants. Please e mail townboard@greenburghny.com with suggestions.