Push to support Small Business Saturday amid Lark Street violence concerns

ALBANY, N.Y. — As Small Business Saturday approaches, Albany officials and business leaders are urging residents to support local shops, bars, and restaurants, despite recent violence in the Lark Street area.

“Public safety is a necessity,” said Gabriella Romero, Albany Common Council member and assembly member-elect, emphasizing the importance of safety in the community.

The recent shooting at Cafe Hollywood led to the temporary closure of the bar by city authorities. Patrick Noonan, board chairman of the Lark Street Business Improvement District (BID), expressed the community’s stance against violence.

“We’re not going to stand for this violence. That’s where the mentality of the business owners is. We’re not going to stand for this. We’ve already been through a lot,” Noonan said.

Officials gathered at Eleven at Lark Hall, near the site of the recent incident, to promote Lark Street as a safe destination for living, dining, and shopping. Romero stressed the need to help support the area.

“This community, the sixth ward and the Lark Street corridor deserves to thrive and that means taking bold, decisive action,” she said.

David Galin, chief of staff for Mayor Kathy Sheehan, assured that the Albany Police Department has increased its presence in the area.

“The Albany Police Department is going to have, it already does have an enhanced presence. They were out on the street last night when we were here for the Lark Street BID meeting,” Galin said.

Cafe Hollywood owner Collin Rost criticized the decision to close his bar, arguing it contradicts the pro-business message and is unfair. He has been attempting to sell the building for over a year while fighting to reopen.

“We don’t want that to become a vacant building, especially long term. But we also have a paramount responsibility to keep the public safe,” Galin said regarding the future of the bar.

A local resident, who has lived near the bar for five years, believes the closure is unwarranted.

“It has nothing to do with the bar or the owner,” she said. “I never, never had any problem with violence. No problem with break-ins – it goes deeper than Cafe Hollywood. Let’s get to the root of the problem.”

Despite the challenges, the Lark Street BID has supported 14 new businesses in the past two years and remains hopeful for a successful Small Business Saturday, especially as winter months tend to be slower for local businesses.