Small businesses prop each other up

Signs spotted on Second Avenue and East 92nd Street

Another business owner who wrote in, Jessie Mathisen of New York Academics, tried reaching out to neighboring businesses--to sell space in a coupon booklet geared toward their students . So far, that idea hasn't panned out.

When businesses find ways to work together to increase traffic and act like real contributors to their community, they often fare better. As Maggie is willing to attest: 'I am more likely to use this Subway than I was before because it feels like they’re interested in supporting the neighborhood and its constituents.'