I want the old Nostrand Ave. back!

"'Nostrand Ave. was a showplace. To a country girl like me, it was a mecca. You knew you were in a class place. And, oh, the hat shops. I loved them because I'm a hat fanatic,' said [Margaret Vinson.]

She moved to Crown Heights from Suffolk, Va., 39 years ago.
Since then, Vinson said, the shopping area has declined dramatically..."

Lifted this quote from a Daily News article from 8 years ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/ny_local/2001/01/09/2001-01-09_turning_back_the_clock_crown.html

I've spoken with longtimers who echo Ms. Vinson's sentiments. Apparently NA used to by the envy of the Borough. Even now, scattered amongst the myriad nail salons, discount stores, and abandoned store fronts, there are actually a decent variety of shops on the Ave., including a flower shop and a couple of juice stands. But overall the storefronts, in terms of variety and aesthetics, need some work.

I work with small businesses and am an entrepreneur myself so I greatly appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit, but damn! Nostrand needs to do better. I've seen the signs about the "Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association". Anyone know anything about that?

Getting it cleaned up would a start...