Join the Community Engagement team as they walk throughout the South Side of the Christmas City before the winter holidays!
Varheem Smith, Owner of Steel Barbers on Broad Street
Question: What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Varheem Smith: Opening up my presents, remote control cars and getting new boots. I was always tearing my boots up, no matter what. I was a biker, and in DMX biking you don’t have breaks on your bikes so you’re stopping with your feet, getting holes in the first two months. That was pretty much my childhood: remote-controlled cars and new boots.
Q: What does family mean to you?
VS: Family is like my backbone because without it, you kind of lose your sense of direction. I think family is the No. 1 thing that’s important to most people’s lives because if you don’t cherish your family or you don’t value your family, who are you going to turn to?
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?
VS: To go to Manhattan and watch the ball drop. I’ve got that on my bucket list, and I’m going to do it because I’ve never done it. I always see so many people go, and I’m from New York so I’m like, “How did I never go to the ball drop?”
Q: What are some changes on the South Side that you would like to see in the New Year?
VS: I would like to make sure that everybody in the community is more safe. This radius of two blocks is a college community, so to make sure that the people in the college are safe as well because there are some creeps.
Jennifer Mejias, Bartender at Seven Sirens on Broadway
Question: What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Jennifer Mejias: Christmas with my family or visiting Puerto Rico for Christmas.
Q: What does family mean to you?
JM: I don’t really know how to answer that one. I don’t really talk to my family right now.
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?
JM: Just to focus on myself more, put myself first and be happy.
Q: What are some changes on the South Side that you would like to see in the New Year?
JM: Continue to see the community come together and businesses supporting each other versus making things about competition.
Denisha Diaz, Cashier at Ideal Food Basket on Montclair Avenue
Question: What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Denisha Diaz: Definitely breaking the turkey with my family. That was so cute.
Q: What does family mean to you?
DD: Quality time. There’s nothing more than quality time.
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?
DD: Spend more time with family. Get out of work.
Q: What are some changes on the South Side that you would like to see in the New Year?
DD: A lot less drunks out on the road. I’m a girl. I’m 17. I don’t feel safe when I’m out alone.
Robert Conte, Employee at Wishbone Tattoo Company on West Fourth Street
Question: What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Robert Conte: Just hanging out with my family, getting to see them. They all mostly live in New York so it’s nice to see them on the holidays because I don’t really see them otherwise.
Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?
RC: To continue progressing my tattoo career.
Q: What are some changes on the South Side that you would like to see in the New Year?
RC: Less crackheads would be nice. I’d also like to see more people walking around. Get some more foot traffic here and in other businesses around the area.
Jeff Vaclavik, Owner/Manager of Deja Brew on West Fourth Street
Question: What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Jeff Vaclavik: I’m looking forward to this Thanksgiving because my son is coming home from college for the first time as a freshman, so that’s gonna be cool. We’re gonna go to Maryland to my sister-in-law’s place, where my brother-in-law will cook a big delicious meal. My new favorite memory is gonna be Braden coming home from school.
Q: What does family mean to you?
JV: I just lost my brother a few weeks ago so family has been on my mind. This is going to sound cynical, but just because you’re related that doesn’t make you family. Every family has a bunch of crazy people and I think it is OK to distance yourself from them. You also meet a lot of other people who you aren’t related to who become your family. When you own a business for 30 years a lot of people fall under that category.
Q: What is your New Year’s Resolution?
JV: I haven’t made any in a long time. I don’t know if I am going to make any this year. You think of things as a renewal, and you think, ‘I am going to do things better this year and be a better person.’ As long as you try to do that, you’re OK.
Q: What are some changes on the South Side that you would like to see in the New Year?
JV: The high rises that are going up right now are ruining the character of South Bethlehem, which is unfortunate. I have been here for 30 years. I have seen it before and during development, some of which is good. I don’t want to see it overdeveloped and then everyone leaves and it’s a bunch of empty high rises. I prefer an organic kind of growth.
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