Both articles display the symbiotic relationship that businesses play within our economy and culture. Perhaps the first distinction to make is that large scale manufacturers will inevitable move out to overseas productions due to cheaper operating costs. Thus, this discussion is really centered around small-scale manufacturers and the local, small businesses. Second, a key aspect to determining the effects of gentrification on businesses relies heavily on the geographic location where the businesses are centered in. Both articles heavily focused on Williamsburg. In Curran’s article, “From the Frying Pan to the Oven,” she states “The changes wrought by gentrification-induced industrial displacement affect not just one neighborhood, but the entire economic and social structure of the city” (1439). In the case of Williamsburg, many jobs were displaced as businesses had to move out, and that directly impacts the economy of the local neighborhood and the overall U.S. economy. While a grim picture is painted on industrial gentrification, Curran’s other article demonstrates that businesses can adapt and survive, and a lot this subsequent effects rely on the geographic location. In the case of Williamsburg, “Williamsburg’s physical location within New York City is another important consideration. As the owner of a wholesale bakery explained to me: ‘We’re sitting in the middle of the best market in the world “(Curran, 878). Since Williamsburg is so close to NYC, it continues to be a growing food market that can adapt to the changing landscape. Moreover, this allows local businesses to flourish, rather than the industrial empires, and allows for local jobs and investment in the local economy.
If you look at Long Island City, it is also a community in the process of industrial gentrification. What needs to be considered is that these industrial areas were designated for mainly working purposes; very few people resided their. Thus, the influx of residences brings to life a new community, and as new residents pour in, more businesses can stay open. Long Island City has a small, but growing residential population. As a result, currently many business are unable to stay afloat simply due to the lack to residents. As more towers go in, more residents will come in and businesses tailored to their needs will be flourishing.
Clearly, a major problem manufacturers have is lack of space or having to downsize. Moreover, for the local businesses, political advocacy and ignorance is often another challenge. A resolution to both these issues was found in St. Louis, where a business incubator is trying to grow urban manufacturing. St. Louis is a particular case in which manufacturing is still present within the community. However, residents in St. Louis are fond of the manufacturers because they provide jobs and stability for the community. In this specific situation, researchers looked into ways to preserve the local businesses and allowing them to flourish with the infrastructure of those old-time industrial spaces. The solution they found was to provide financial services to help the local businesses adapt and accommodate to the old manufacturing setting, so that they could continue providing jobs for the local community.
A common theme I see for industrial gentrification is that local businesses do not have to pick up and go. They often relocate due to a lack of means for sustainability, and a big part of that is due to governmental policies. Thus, a potential solution to incorporating businesses in a positive manner within gentrifying ex-industrial neighborhoods is to provide capital for the local businesses to adapt to the neighborhood and attract more customers and residents. This way, both the businesses and the people can be satisfied.
