In a global climate of economic downturns, Jackson Heights, the commercial hub for Bangladeshis in New York, is beating the odds by thriving and expanding its economic market.
Bangladeshi businesses not only continue to stay alive but commerce is thriving with the opening of new businesses. According to Zakaria Masud, the general secretary of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association, no Bangladeshi business has been forced to close in the past year. Instead, new businesses are vigorously entering the competitive market – seven new businesses opened in the last six months.
"The present situation is more stable than previous times. The fashion and jewelry industries are struggling; nonetheless, many new establishments are migrating to Jackson Heights. That is a matter of happiness for us," Masud said, adding that they have survived an immense challenge.
"Seriousness and patience are the main driving forces for a businessman under these circumstances. Expenditures have to be reduced. This way it will not be difficult to face the present situation," Masud explained.
Mohammed Syed Rahman Mannan, owner of the Mannan Halal Meat and Grocery, started his business on 73rd Street in 1996, following the Meghna Grocery on 37th Avenue, which was the first Bangladeshi-owned grocery in the area. Back then, no one imagined that Jackson Heights would eventually become the beating heart of Bangladeshis in New York. In the past 10 years, a whopping 200 businesses have opened, turning two multi-storied buildings on the corner of 73rd Street – home for 99 percent of Bangladeshi businesses – into a Bangladeshi commercial Mecca.
Syed Rahman Mannan claims the economic stability is due to the close-knit, devoted Bangladeshi community, in and outside New York, whose loyalty to the unique goods offered in Jackson Heights is proving to be beneficial.
Jackson Heights was previously dominated by Indian and Pakistani businesses that eventually spread out to other areas, like New Jersey. Mannan suggests a similar fate may await Bangladeshi businesses due to increasing rent prices; however, the strength of Bangladeshi businesses in Jackson Heights relies heavily on the tight community, implying that movement away from Jackson Heights could expose them to the effects of the economic recession.
Despite the flourishing Bangladeshi economy, the recession has managed to leave its traces in Jackson Heights. Swarani, owner of the renowned fashion store East West Sari, emphasizes the difference between clothes and groceries, stating that Saris, as luxury items, have clearly been affected by the economic downturn.
"We have learnt how to survive through struggle in this situation, so we have not been destroyed. Recession affects the fashion business, but we have held on with the hope that in the future we will do better. We hope that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel."
In order to survive, Swarani works 14 hours a day as both manager and salesman. "We have survived the last seven months by using credit cards. The store has merchandise worth close to $200,000. It is not easy to dump these goods and close down the business, so we are carry on our business. In order to reduce expenditures, we have rented out a portion of the store. We are surviving this way."
Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association President Mohammed Piar confirms the growth of Bangladeshi businesses, stating that "reducing expenditures, even if not by laying off the employees, can result in a market expansion."
Jackson Heights is home to Bangladeshi groceries, restaurants, jewelry stores, fashion boutiques, beauty salons, cell phone stores, real estate agencies, travel agencies, medical centers, dentists, accounting and insurance firms, libraries, video stores, driving schools, graphic designing stores, taxi companies, construction companies and law offices, all miraculously surviving amidst an economic climate of utter letdowns.
