An Albany bodega was expected to have either been declared a "nuisance property" and closed by the city's zoning board at a Wednesday night meeting, or kept open. The vote did not happen as the board asks for more records and information before they can make a ruling.
Delaware Grocery sits on the corner 2nd and Judson Streets. Delaware Grovery Representative Faisal Nagi is defending his family’s 36 Judson Street business before Albany’s Board of Zoning appeals Wednesday night. Nagi and his attorneys are urging the board not to shut the store down after the city filed a nuisance complaint against their business of 25 years.
“We’re doing our best, we’re not responsible for what’s going on in the streets,” Nagi said. “It’s always hot [in] the whole neighborhood, everybody knows that. There’s nothing we can control.”
According to Nagi, they’ve complied with the city to close an hour early and create a sightline to the register from the outside. He says they always call the police when there’s trouble, trying to help curb the violence. And now he feels like he’s being punished for doing the right thing.
“Those are obviously troublesome things to see that amount of violence, that amount of shootings, three homicides within gay proximity,” said Chris Spencer, Albany commissioner of Planning and Development
Spencer says they’re not seeing these issues at every store, including those in the same area, but says this corner is a magnet for trouble and Delaware Grocery isn’t stopping it.
“What we do know is there is violence on that corner. A lot of that violence starts inside the store and then people come out of the store,” Spencer said.
During public comment, dozens of residents spoke out and many defended the store — including Latifah Love. Her brother Kenneth Love was killed on the corner in October.
“It has nothing to do with the store. Sometimes the store saves some of these boys’ lives out here. They run inside the store,” Latifah said.
Before the meeting, customers of Delaware Grocery echoed Latifah's words, siding against the closure of the bodega. Customers say closing the store would be devastating, explaining they rely on it for things like groceries and baby formula.
"The store ain't touching nobody and it's not killing nobody. If they want to, if they've got a problem with the killings going on, that's what the cops are for, to do the investigations on the people that are doing the shootings," said Raymell Ellison, who has shopped at Delaware Grocery for years.
Even if the store does get shut down — Spencer acknowledges it’s not a guarantee — but he says the city has to do something to try and curb the violence.
“At the end of the day we want, and make sure, all of these stores that exist thrive, that they’re successful, that the people who work there are safe, and the people who frequent there are safe too,” Spencer said.
Many say the store cannot be held responsible for the violence, and more should be done to prevent loitering in the area instead. Customers worry if the store closes, they won't have many other shopping options. They also say the owners aren't promoting the violence.