Losing Businesses and Regaining Neighbors: A Letter to Uptown

Dear SU Reader,

Last night, a blaze took out a commercial building on 207th street and Broadway. It was home to many small businesses of varying industries. A dentist, a florist, yoga studio, just to name a few. While details are still trickling in as to what caused it, the amount of support and people raising their hands to pledge help and comfort for those who lost their means of income in the darkest hours of a bitterly cold night, is truly overwhelming.

Prayers were sent up, people have taken ill, tears are being shed. And even some well-meaning individuals may want to help (even go so far as to promise to help) but will be unable to. The harsh truth is, that without help, even with insurance claims, small businesses sometimes don’t reopen after a disaster. That’s reality.

There is another reality. That one person can make a difference. One kind act. One volunteer. One broom. One decision. One. Can help.

Right now, a facebook page was setup for those who wish to know how they can help these businesses rebuild. If you can’t help monetarily, you can help by spreading the word, sharing a link, tweeting @BreadAndYoga to show support, praying for those who been affected.

When one business hurts, we all do. When several do, that can change the very vibe of a community. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, put aside any petty differences, stand shoulder to shoulder and show the world why we Stay Uptown!

Sincerely,

The SU Editorial Team

P.S. Special thanks to DNAinfo for the picture.