SCHENECTADY Business on Jay Street improving Merchants: Big retailers, office workers needed BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Ten years ago, Marc Renson opened a coffee shop on a hope and a dream. More than half the storefronts on Jay Street were vacant. His new restaurant, Ambition, was surrounded by empty windows. It was so small that his food supplier figured he would close in six months. The supplier calculated the size of his kitchen — which is roughly as big as a walk-in closet — and decided there was no way he could make enough food to pay his bills. And even if he could make magic in that tiny space, who was there to buy? Most of the offi ce buildings around the pedestrian walkway were empty, and Proctors had only a few big shows a year. Then, shortly after Renson opened Ambition, State Street was torn up for reconstruction. As he put it, those who wanted to eat at his cafe couldn’t get there. To say things have changed now is an understatement. There’s still construction — which sometimes sends a cloud of choking dust down the street — but even the smallest business owners say they are doing well. And finally, after decades of struggle, nearly every storefront is fi lled. There are 23 active stores on the pedestrian-only block of Jay Street now. Only six storefronts are vacant. Proctors’ bigger stage and second venue keep crowds coming all year long. And the greenmarket draws thousands of shoppers to the street every Sunday. ...............>>>>...................>>>>......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01102&AppName=1
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Happy to hear that Ambition is doing well. The best choice for lunch Downtown. But even they state that we must have more retail-not more non-profits. 
