From The Peopling of New York City

Background Information:

On Thursday, April 2nd, I interviewed a South Asian couple of about 35-45 years old, with their 3 year old daughter, about their shopping experience in Jackson Heights. For the sake of anonymity I will refer to the couple only by their first initial, [D] for the husband and [L] for his wife.

Transcript:

• How long have you been shopping at Jackson Heights?

[D] I started going there when I was a teenager, it was where all of my friends went to hangout. At that time, I lived in Queens and it was very easy to get there.

[L] I did not go until my mother decided going when I was a young girl, never to just be with friends though. I went only to help my mother shop.

• Do you both still live close by?

[D] No we live in Manhattan now, near Grand Central Station.

• Then why still shop there?

[D] Part of it is out of habit I guess, but in all my years shopping here I never had any problems or reasons to stop coming.

• How often do you make the trip?

[D] We come every week, with almost no exceptions. Sometimes my wife will make a second trip in on the weekend if there is a special occasion.

• During the weekly trips, do you always come as a family?

[D] Yes, we come in every Wednesday or Thursday, have a bite to eat, and shop for the week.

• Is it just everyday groceries you shop for, or do you come here shopping and treating it like a mall?

[D] It is meant as just our necessity shopping, but we always end up browsing the other stores.

[L] It depends on the week and our schedules, but usually we are able to buy nice things for ourselves as well as necessity shopping.

• From a business aspect, what are the advantages to the consumer of having such a concentrated area of similar businesses?

[D] For us it makes shopping easier. If you cannot find a good price in one store, hopefully another store will offer something better. Competition always benefits the consumer.

• From a cultural aspect, what are the advantages to the community of having such a concentrated area of South Asian owned businesses?

[D] Well, these people share much in common with us. In many cases we speak the same language, we share similar experiences, and even have similar taste. It also adds a factor of trust, because it is easier to communicate. Even more, the length at which we have been shopping here we know many store owners personally.

[L] I definitely think trusting each other is a major issue. We rarely worry about overpaying for things, they do not do that here.

• Many American businessmen believe that high concentrations of the similar businesses are destined to fail because of competition. Why do you think this is not the case here?

[D] The competition and location is not as important as treating your customers fairly and with respect. The stores i shop in I am loyal to because the stores have been loyal and respectful to me. No matter where a business is, respect is the most important thing.

[L] I agree with my husband, little things like respect go a long way in business.

[D] As long as the customer has no problems with a store, and is treated well, he will come back.

--Rob DiRe 07:34, 6 April 2009 (UTC)