From: rmkny@nyrealbox.com 
  
 On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 19:52:00 GMT, mikE  wrote: 
  
 > 
 > 
 >Rita wrote: 
 > 
 >> The presence of Yuppies has enhanced the goods and services 
 >> available in my Queens neighborhood.  Without taking away anything 
 >> that existed before. 
 > 
 >I find that hard to believe. 
 > 
 >Once the Yupsters move in, rents skyrocket and the REAL "goods 
 >and services" folks, like butchers, cleaners, shoe repair, mom-and-pop 
 >stores are driven out and replaced with STARBUCKS, WALGREENS 
 >and faceless megamarts. 
 > 
 >I am sorry, but I would rather buy my meat from a REAL butcher, 
 >have my shoes repaired in my neighborhood, and have interaction 
 >with the owners of a store rather than stand in a long "customer 
 >service" line at the Mega-Mart. 
  
 So would I, and I do.  There are Yuppies moving into Astoria, 
 but the old businesses remain and just do more business.  After 
 all, Yuppies know a good thing when they see it -- real butchers, 
 fish markets, etc.  We do have a Starbucks, but we have several 
 Greek cafes/coffee houses that do a booming business.  There 
 are three Thai restaurants now, largely due to the Yuppie influx, 
 and several very nice "health" type fast food places, locally owned. 
 The Key Food supermarket now carries organic foods and chicken 
 and so has expanded what is available -- no longer need to to to 
 Manhattan to spend those dollars.  We have Italian and Greek 
 specialty stores and generally low prices for food compared to 
 Manhattan.  A great locally owned health club/gym.  The changes 
 I've seen in 7 years here all have been positive.  Rents still are 
 far, far lower than in Manhattan.  Now if a good Thai place would 
 just open in the Ditmars area of Astoria, I'd be blissfully happy. 
 And also, some decent Chinese -- it's all pretty bad in this part of 
 Queens. 
  
 I certainly don't see gentrication of the type you are talking about 
 taking place in Flushing or Jackson Heights, etc.  The excellent 
 Chinese restaurants in Flushing are patronized by Chinese, with 
 some non-Chinese such as myself enjoying them and they are 
 very gracious to us.  I always ask a Chinese person what he or she 
 is eating if it looks good, and they are very happy to assist.  I 
 suppose they should tell me to go home -- as you would tell those 
 who invade your turf. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)