By Betsy Scheinbart
The hustle and bustle of Jamaica Center may be even more intense this spring shopping season after a $40,000 grant from the state Assembly in March helped launch a tourism program for the southeast Queens commercial hub.
Clothing and variety stores line Jamaica Avenue in the busy Jamaica Center shopping district, which has experienced a resurgence in new business lately. The anticipation of a 15-screen movie theater, scheduled to open next year, has further increased the area’s appeal, potentially drawing more shoppers to the area.
State Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-South Ozone Park) petitioned the Assembly and the Empire State Development Corporation for grant, which was appropriated from the assembly budget last month to help the Cultural Collaborative Jamaica reach out to tourist organizers.
“Jamaica and southeast Queens already attracts some tour groups because of our thriving and different types of stores, rich history and unique heritages,” Cook said.
The collaborative, a group of 14 arts, educational and economic development organizations, aims to link the area’s cultural activities with economic advancement.
Some of the projects on their plate include compiling a list of cultural events in the area and publishing brochures and maps on the area’s cultural and historic attractions.
“Jamaica Center has a great deal to offer and we want more people to know about it and come and visit,” Cook said.
The group is also considering discounts and promotions from merchants for tourists and a video-tour of Jamaica Center that could encourage tour operators to bring groups to the community.
“More people coming into this community will mean a more robust local economy and increased employment,” Cook said.
Many of the group’s tourism programs are already underway and could encourage additional tourists to visit Jamaica Center this spring.
Tyra Emerson, the executive director of the collaborative, said bus groups from several upstate cities, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia have visited Jamaica Center so tourists could go shopping.
A Rochester group led by Rosa Lloyd and consisting of 53 members and friends of Christ Temple came last month “to shop and get good bargains,” Lloyd said.
“We do not have the range of stores and prices in Rochester that you have here,” Lloyd said. “There is also a certain type of excitement walking along Jamaica Avenue that you do not get in the malls back home.”
Emerson said the tourism efforts will be directed toward churches and other organizations as well as commercial tour operators.
“We think Jamaica’s wonderful secret should get out,” she said.
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 138.
