It is difficult to recognize Sixth Street in the East Village from some years ago. Where its South Asian restaurants bustled with activity Sixth Street now appears ghostly. Literally, the lights have gone out.

Due to the budget crisis of New York City Mayor Bloomberg started implementing restrictions in the signboard law of the city. The law has never been enforced so harshly. Every restaurant of Sixth Street has been affected.

Each of the shops has been fined $2500, on different cases. Most would have to seek new permission from the city for erecting neon signs. A new sign can cost $5000.

Business owners complained that they are even penalized for hanging food menus outside the door.

It’s like pouring salt on a wound, says a business owner. Many restaurants have been closed down, some are facing closure. Abu Sufiyan, owner of the restaurants Haveli, Mitali and Banzara, and a pioneer of business on Sixth Street said that the impact of September 11 has still not been overcome by business. Business is down by 35 percent. Many Bangladeshis have left the country due to the registration law, creating a labor crisis.

Abu Sufiyan also said that many persons come into the restaurant business without experience and cannot withstand the initial difficulties.

This article was written as part of the Ethnic Press Fellowship of the Independent Press Association-New York.