Chosen Store: Pesso’s Italian Ices
Possible Title: Sweet Treats: A Taste of Sugar and Struggle (probably subject to change)
Picture of Owner
PULL QUOTES:
- “[Pesso’s Italian Ices] is almost like a bar kind of thing because you come here to have ice cream, to leave everything behind and just enjoy that frivolous kind of a thing. What happens in Pesso’s stays in Pesso’s.”
- “A lot of businesses, when things get more difficult financially, put less cheese on their pizza, they water down their sauce. I did the opposite. I put more cookies in my cookie dough and got a better product. Got better freezers, more efficient. Made the store brighter, made it more welcoming.”
Other pictures/graphs/materials that will be used are already in previous posts.
Notes from Two of the Storefronts:
J&J Convenience Store/Lucky Day Convenience Store LLC.
J&J Convenience Store:Lucky Day Interview Notes
Johnny’s Nail Salon
Johnny’s Nails interview with the owner
Owner’s Biography
- Immigrated from Vietnam as one of the “boat people” to escape from the tragedies of the Vietnam War
- Came to America when she was five
- Graduated from Baruch College and studied business there
- Now lives in Fresh Meadows and has lived there for more than ten years
- While studying at Baruch, she worked part-time at a nail salon in order to pay off her tuition
- After graduating, she’s always wanted to have her own business
History of Business
- She first opened up a nail salon on Union Turnpike where she lives
- But that business wasn’t really thriving, so she moved it to Bayside
- Johnny’s Nails has been there for about ten years
- There are about 10 employees
History of Neighborhood/Block
- Doesn’t really know much about the history of Bayside, but the people who come in are from all over – from Manhattan to Long Island
- The customers rarely change because a lot of them are loyal to the business
- Many good things about doing business on Francis Lewis Boulevard and in Bayside in general because it’s a commercial area
- Customers are pretty affluent
- They are also diverse in terms of race
Current Business Strategies/Difficulties
- There are three other nail salons on the same block that are also owned by Vietnamese or Chinese people
- But she loves competition. There’s no way to grow without it because it makes you think out of the box and try to be more creative to get more people to come in
- Sweet Lashes – an eyelash/body and cosmetic tattoo/facial/body massage salon right next door
- Used to have these at Johnny’s Nails, but it was too busy and hectic. And there was more space next door, so why not?
- Cares for her customers, both regulars and drop-ins
- Remembers customers’ names, even after one visit
- Focuses on the material and service experience
- Always buys the latest technology and uses newest design trends
- Became a certified tattoo artist
- Loves art and wants to continue to learn more
- About 80% of customers are regulars
- Shows her appreciation for their loyalty by giving gifts like during Christmas or anniversary gifts
- Contacts schools and uses her service as a prize in raffles
- Some people say she’s loud and annoying, but you have to get to know her. If you come here to only relax, it’s not for you. But if you want entertainment, you’ll be very happy here because she’s very noisy. Sometimes she sings to her customers and plays guitar
- Customers could be very picky and demanding with the designs, but if you gain their trust once you show your care
- Safety regulations is an obstacle. Chemicals could be bad for you
- But she uses disposable files, buffers, and plastics
- Customers are always first
Audio Clips For Two of the Storefronts:
Robert’s Bicycles
Pesso’s Italian Ices
