USA: Businesses in New York's Chinatown and Little Italy desperate to reopen after Superstorm Sandy

Record ID: 860129

  • Title: USA: Businesses in New York's Chinatown and Little Italy desperate to reopen after Superstorm Sandy
  • Date: 31st October 2012
  • Summary: PEOPLE LOOKING AT DEAD FISH IN TANKS
  • Embargoed: 15th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Business,Disasters,Economy
  • Reuters ID: LVA3DYBS761SPQV3BRGMKFX08DMT
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Sandy's rains and winds may have died down, but the storm which battered the East Coast continues to do damage.
    New York's iconic Chinatown and Little Italy, like the rest of lower Manhattan, are still without power and running water.
    Businesses who serve locals and count on tourists for revenue are suffering.
    In Chinatown, Ken Zhang's inventory of fish caught the attention of locals walking by as most appeared dead with only a couple moving.
    Gift shop owner Cyndi Cheung was attempting to open the electronic door to her store.
    "We didn't open yesterday and we closed early on the day of the incident, so yeah, we totally lost at least two days business, so I'm trying to get back on," Cheung told Reuters.
    "At least we could do some business today," she added.
    A few produce stands attracted shoppers.
    "It appears as if the deliveries are coming through to Chinatown and they do not need refrigeration and they don't use refrigeration, so you do have a few places open," said Joann Eisenberg,
    who was visiting from Chicago and staying with her daughter in Little Italy.
    In neighboring Little Italy, De Gennaro's restaurant unveiled a limited menu, but one worker said the business depended on tourists.
    "Without tourists, no business. With tourists, business," said Giuseppe Cucarano.
    De Gennaro said the only items on the menu were coffee, wine and croissants.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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