The final place Mariana and Kacia went was INTI NYC a Peruvian restaurant located at 820 10th Ave. This is an independently owned Peruvian sit-down Peruvian restaurant. It is a very nice restaurant of a moderate price level. It is immigrant owned by Victor Rojas and there is much artwork, decoration, and products that demonstrate that it is Peruvian. The employees at this restaurant were young hispanic men. The types of customers at the restaurant were, young white professionals. The restaurant had a very friendly atmosphere.
We were able to have an interview with Victor Rojas the owner of INTI. The interview is as follows below:
Mariana and Kacia: How long have you been open on this street?
Victor: 4 Years
Mariana and Kacia: How did you decide to open this business?
Victor: I came to America with the intention of opening a restaurant.
Mariana and Kacia: Describe the street/neighborhood. How has it changed over time?
Victor: When I first came here there was nobody but now there are a lot of people and more business.
Mariana and Kacia: Describe who your customers are?
Victor: Locals, Americans
Mariana and Kacia: What criteria do you use to hire employees?
Victor: They are just people I know.
Mariana and Kacia: What are some of the issues you face as a small business owner?
Victor: Not many, I don’t see them as problems it’s just that I’m a small business.
Mariana and Kacia: What changes in the neighborhood have had an impact on your business? Changes in the city?
Victor: When I first came to the neighborhood only one person would walk by every half hour now people walk by all the time.
Mariana and Kacia: What can be done to make it easier for you (to grow, to survive, to function day-to-day) as a small business owner?
Victor: Change some strict rules that are around-like we can’t keep bicycles outside.
The strip that Mariana and Kacia covered had a mixture of high-end to moderately priced places. It was made up mostly of food establishments. This might be because of its proximity to John Jay or because there are many business people in the area. The establishments are generally individually owned and aren’t large chains. This strip hasn’t yet felt the worst brunt of gentrification.