Farmingdale Businesses Gripe About Parking

Several Farmingdale businesses say they are fed up with downtown parking regulations.

"It is hurting business…we've seen it," said Vicki Blitenthal of , claiming the threat of parking tickets and limited time allowance is deterring customers from spending real time on Main Street.

"[Customers] can't even enjoy themselves…Say you want to get your hair done and the beautician is taking forever. Are you going to have to run out in curlers and move your car?"

Blitenthal and her husband Steve have owned their record store for over 30 years and because they own the building, can park behind their store. However, the morning shuffle of merchants can sometimes be a headache.

"I pull in and sometimes is getting deliveries and I have to ask them to move, or I park elsewhere and move the car later…then I have to close my store, ask customers to wait outside."

Stuff-a-Bagel has had their own parking issues and managers say employees have gotten multiple tickets in one day for parking behind the store. Those who have money for the permit park in the 12-hour spots on Washington Street, but say even with the permit, there are not enough spots there for all employees of each business.

According to the Village Clerk's office, any employee who wishes to get a 12-hour sticker must bring their driver's license and a letter from their boss confirming their employment to Village Hall. There, they will have their license photocopied and pay $25 for a sticker that allows them to park in designated 12-hour spots.

Some employees willing to walk, including Farmingdale Mayor and pharmacist, Ralph Ekstrand, choose to park in the lot on Cornelia Street.

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"I park across the street and I walk -- takes me 30 seconds -- to work," said Ekstrand.

"We've had four studies done in the past three years and all of them say our lots are underutilized," said Deputy Mayor Pat Christiansen.

According to Ekstrand, the smallest lot, Lot 1, behind Stuff-a-Bagel and Whirlin Disc is 96 percent full during the day, while others barely reach 60 percent capacity most of the day.

"The path I walk is well lit and it's safe…People are being lazy," said Ekstrand.

Employees at disagree, however, and will move their cars every three hours in front of the bar rather than park in the bigger lot at night.

"I had a girl who left her makeup case on the front seat and someone broke her window and stole it," said Jessica Fischetti, manager at Croxley's. "They missed the brand new TV she had in her trunk though!…But all that for a makeup case."

"I think it was a way for the town to make money, and I understand that, but go back to the way it was," begged Blitenthal, referring to when each employer got one sticker for their business and was able to park anywhere in the lots, not 12-hour spots.

While many businesses wholly dislike the parking situation, others have accepted it as routine.

"If you get your sticker and you park in the right spot, you won't have a problem," said manager Nancy Cattabiani. "We've been here 26 years and gotten our fair share of tickets. It's not fair to blame the Village. There are more important things to complain about than parking."

Ekstrand said the current system, which promotes the flow of parking and brings a constant influx of cars, is working and does not foresee any changes as of yet.