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PELHAM, N.Y. The Pelham Chamber of Commerce will hold another street fair on Oct. 15 but not all Pelham business owners approve. Some are unhappy with the day of the event while others are completely against having the fair.
William Ragone, owner of Billy Shears on Fifth Avenue, said that the street closure for the fair puts a severe crimp on local businesses.
"No one should have the right to shut the streets down," Ragone said. "I don't care who it is."
Ragone said he conducted a survey of about 20 local business a few years ago and the majority of owners said they did not want the fair. He said the people of Pelham will suffer because of the event.
"It doesn't help revenue at all," Ragone said. "It's going to cost the taxpayers more money."
Other business owners are only displeased with the actual date of the event. Joe Caruso of Caruso Paint & Hardware said the chamber of commerce should consider moving the fair to Sunday.
"It would be better to explore it on a different day," Caruso said. "Try it on a Sunday. I'm all for it. It's good for the community."
David Katz, vice president of the chamber of commerce, said that he knows the fair affects some shops on Fifth Avenue. He said the chamber tried the fair on Sunday, but that two popular sports in Pelham, soccer and football, keep people occupied.
"How many men are going to come out to a street fair compared to watching their Jets or Giants on TV?" Katz said.
Katz said that John DeCicco of DeCicco Food Market still participates in the fair even though Saturday is the busiest shopping day of the week. Katz suggested that shops on Fifth Avenue run specials and promotions to entice customers on the day of the fair.
He said that the chamber tries to accommodate everyone, but knows that some will still be unhappy.
"You're going to have complaints either way," Katz said. "No matter what you do, you're going to have them. But we do try to please everybody."
Are you in favor of or opposed to the street fair? Have you attended any in the past? Comment below, on our Facebook page or on Twitter @DailyPelham.
Contact Pelham reporter Andrew Meola at ameola@thedailypelham.com.
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