The heart and soul of Morningside Heights slowly fades into the background as big business takes over

New storefronts, bubbling excitement, and chatter of anticipation paint the current atmosphere along the streets of Morningside Heights. Most Barnumbia students have observed the subtle, yet notable changes in the neighborhood in the last couple of years with installations of new fast food restaurants, and chain retail stores. As of recent, Raising Cane’s made its way to the stage, bringing in crowds to its grand opening with DJs, acapella performances, and raffle giveaways. Blinded by the taste of the french fries and chicken tenders, it seems that few have stopped to keep in mind the stores closing down in order to make room for these chain businesses.

Stores that have been around for years are starting to shut down and pack up, some for good. What used to stand in place of Raising Cane’s was Mel’s Burger Bar, a cornerstone restaurant/bar that united the neighborhood. But after thirteen years, Mel’s was given the chopping block, similar to decade-old businesses like Absolute Bagels and Silvermoon Bakery that closed after years in the neighborhood this past year. Although some of these businesses seem to be making a comeback (whether that’s reopening or opening a sister store), I began to notice the cruel pattern taking form. Local businesses seem to bear the brunt of rising rents in the neighborhood (Silvermoon had to close due to disputes with their landowner over rent) to ultimately crumble and make way for big business conglomerates. These large stores cast an even larger shadow over remaining local businesses, like University Hardware or Janoff’s Stationary, places that are family-run and have been here for years, silently working away without praise yet providing a constant spot that neighbors can rely on.

These local businesses and the people that run them are the heart and soul of the neighborhood. Without them, Morningside Heights would lose the essence that makes it uniquely itself. It speaks to a larger issue in Columbia’s community of driving out local businesses and people since its creation as a university. I don’t necessarily advocate to avoid these large chain corporations (I’ve already peeked into 2nd Street and many of us have enjoyed a Raising Cane’s meal), but I think it’s important to actively support smaller local businesses in the neighborhood so they can continue to bring their charm. Supporting family and local business needs to be brought back into the forefront, and stores that are traditionally passed from generation to generation need to be kept alive, especially when it feels as if they are dying off.

Image from Bwarchives