The Bronx is leading the way for all to enjoy this holiday season.
Many merchant groups have partnered with Hunts Point-based New York Christmas Lights Corp.’s JS Cappelli Erectors Corp. to brighten up the holiday season.
Spanning East Tremont Avenue from LaSalle Avenue to Miles Avenue, Throggs Necks’ 50 strands of holiday lights and six pole decorations were funded by local merchants and installed by Cappelli.
Three are double strands and one is a “Seasons Greetings” sign located at Lafayette and East Tremont avenues, according to John Cerini, Throggs Neck Merchants Association treasurer.
“These lights symbolize a corridor that wants to bring happiness in the community and show people we are a community where people can come down to celebrate the holidays together,” said Stephen Kaufman, TNMA president.
Irene Guanill, Pelham Bay Merchants Association president, said Pelham Bay’s holiday lights brighten up Middletown Road, Westchester, Buhre and Crosby avenues were made possible through generous donations contributed by Meet the Sellers Realty, Cafe Azzuri, Ace Cleaners, Santino Hair Salon, Giordano Funeral Home, Lehigh Wines and Liquors, Crosby Pizza, Tri-State Interiors, Pruzzo’s, Chirping Chicken, Buhre Mini Mart and Deli, Buhre Laundromat, Two Brothers Pizza, Top Tortilla, Vito Suits, Pilgrim Pharmacy, Jimmy Ryans, Men at Work, Eye Care Unlimited, Vivienne’s Bar and Honey Thai Pavilion.
She added Kids Kuts, Fancy Feet, Shamrock, Azby Insurance, Excel Martial Arts, Capital One Bank, Ridgewood Savings Bank and Teddy Bear Day Car are expected to donate to this annual tradition also.
Tony Signorile, Morris Park Community Association president, said he is looking for a “miracle on Morris Park Avenue” to keep the holiday lights burning bright.
“This a tradition that has been going for many years and not only does the community enjoy them, but so do the merchants,” said Signorile. “However, times are getting tough and the merchants and community must realize it costs a lot to keep this tradition going. As a non-profit, we don’t have money to pay for this and we rely on merchants donating to this cause to keep it going.”
He added merchants can still donate checks or money orders made out to Morris Park Community Association for the holiday lights.
Signorile said signs expressing “Seasons Greetings” in red, white and green lights can be found decorating Pelham Parkway and Williamsbridge Road, Williamsbridge Road and Morris Park Avenue, White Plains Road and Morris Park Avenue and Bronxdale and Morris Park avenues. They were all installed by Cappelli.
Westchester Square’s streets are decked out with new festive lights and signs welcoming all into the borough’s ever-growing business district.
This year’s lights adorning the Square are brand new LED white light sprands complete with glowing red bells and ribbons to ring in the holiday season.
In addition to these lights, lit red and white ‘Welcome to the Square’ signs are stationed at East Tremont Avenue and Westchester Avenue, Westchester Avenue and Lane Avenue and East Tremont Avenue and Montgomery Place entrances. A Seasons Greetings sign is located in the center of the business district.
“The message behind these lights and signs is we want everyone to know that Westchester Square wants to wish everyone a happy holiday season and our neighborhood wants to celebrate it with them, too,” said Lisa Sorin, Westchester Square Business Improvement District executive director. “These lights are our ‘holiday cards’ to the community and visitors to Westchester Square.”
For the third year in a row, WSBID has collaborated with Capelli to install these lights as well as their 21-foot tall Christmas Tree in the Square’s center.
Sorin thanked the WSBID’s board of directors especially WSBID chairman John Bonizio and the executive board, the Westchester Square Merchants Association, the BID’s partnership with Westchester Square-Zerega Avenue Improvement Organization and NYC Parks Owen Dolen Park and all local merchants and property owners for their help keeping this holiday tradition shining bright.
