Give Profits a Chance

Three weeks ago, leaders from every corner of the globe descended on New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The businesses surrounding the U.N. building in Midtown East weren’t looking for world peace – they just wanted more customers.

“We are hoping business picks up,” said 19-year-old hostess, Jesena Duton, at Mediterranean restaurant Don Veitia.

For Don Veitia, located at the corner of 46th St. and 2nd Avenue, business has been a lot slower this year, like most of their neighbors.

The 192 U.N. member states meet every year at this time in New York City for the general debate in which they discuss their views on international issues. Now in its 63rd meeting, the U.N. planned to tackle the global food crisis and the need to democratize itself more.

“We anticipate it will be very busy,” said Saygi Akca, 29, an accountant for the Amish Market grocery store located on 45th St just steps away from the U.N, headquarters . She knows from last year that they will be making a lot of much-needed money from catering orders.

The owner of John’s Café Restaurant on the corner of 44th St. and 2nd Ave., Gus Argyros, was also getting ready: He is stocking up his restaurant with extra supplies.

Argyros, who has owned John’s since 1991, has seen business boom in the area during assembly weeks. In years past, he fed TV broadcaster George Stephanopoulos and the former Prime Minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland; “She had like 10 bodyguards,” he said.
Argyros was worried about barricades going up in the area because delivery people woudn’t be able to get food supplies to him.

“People won’t be able to get anywhere: there will be barricades and people checking I.D.’s,” said NYPD Police Officer Louis Claudio, 30.

Ripson Syed, an employee at a candy/ice cream/novelty shop, Heavenly Delights on 2nd Ave., was looking forward to the barricades cutting down on foot traffic: “People can’t walk around here during the week…now people will be able to get here.”

Syed has felt the pain of a poor economy in Bangladesh, where he is originally from, and here in New York. He hopes a U.N. diplomat will come into Heavenly Delights so he can ask them: “What are you going to do about the economy?”


“When America is affected the whole world is affected,” he added.

The U.N. General Assembly ran from Tuesday, September 23rd and concluded Wednesday, October 1st.