Net Cost Supermarket, 18th Ave between 86th St and Benson Ave.
Net Cost Supermarket, 18th Ave between 86th St and Benson Ave.
Contrary to what the numbers may indicate, Bensonhurst was not always welcoming to its Russian immigrants. Many Bensonhurst-born residents complained, “When my parents came over, they worked, and these immigrants don’t work, they expect and receive handouts.”
Russian sign on Bath Ave.
Bensonhurst residents also felt like they were being discriminated against by the new Russian immigrants. During the earlier years of Russian immigrant arrival in Bensonhurst, many store signs were only in Russian, thus excluding those who spoke English. Store owners with Russian-only signs said it was pointless to have extra signs up, as their services are not needed by Americans anyway.
Store sign selling Uzbek dish.
Yet, this still caused a rift between Bensonhurst natives and the Russian population. However, in order to help the immigrant population assimilate, people would help store owners put up translated signs.
Home decorations store, 86th St and 19th Ave.
Bensonhurst businesses continued to adapt to the changing ethnic climate in the area. Neighborhood businesses have adapted to the influx of Russian immigrants.
Inside the Jewish Community House, 78th St, Bay Parkway.
The Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst has started a Russian program, putting more emphasis on weight lifting and swimming, which are popular activities for the
Russian population. The House provides “social events, language lessons, and ‘acculturation’ classes, where people learn how to open bank account or read leases.” Many businesses are doing the same, expanding their diversity to attract more business. Sal Calabrese, an Italian American real estate agency owner employed, “five Chinese-speaking and six Russian-speaking brokers among his staff of 40 in 2002.”
Georgian Restaurant, 86th St and 18th Ave.
Businesses hired individuals to communicate with the increasing immigrant populations in order to increase their profits margins, or simply to stay afloat. The businesses are changing with the neighborhood. Owners Carlo Muraco and Louis Santanelli of T&L Luncheonette, a
Russian restaurant menu.
66-year-old business in Bensonhurst, were among those who took steps to attract customers of other nationalities. In addition to their Italian cuisine, they added Russian and Middle Eastern dishes to their menu. As Bensonhurst expands and diversifies, its businesses do the same.
