4 Questions: Abedin Building Home Supplies

Kahn, owner of Abedin Building Home Supplies, 1112-1114 Bedford Avenue, at the corner of Lexington

Open 12 years.

Four Questions:

#1. What do you sell?

A: Hardware tools and kitchen supplies. Ladders, batteries, air conditioners and gutters are also available. Customers can also purchase gardening supplies, including irrigation tools, lawn-care items and hoses

#2. What sparked your interest in this particular field?

A: When I first opened the store, there was a big need for building tools in the community because the area had a lot of development.

#3. From a business owner’s perspective, what is your impression of Bedford-Stuyvesant?

A: Business isn’t good. The economy is down and nobody’s buying hardware tools. There are no construction jobs. When there are no construction jobs, nobody buys these materials. A restaurant business may not suffer like me because everybody has to buy food every day. But everybody doesn’t need to buy materials every day. I have lots of materials, sand, cement. But this government’s not giving loans; the banks are not giving nobody loans. That’s why now, there’s no construction jobs.

#4. Can you share something interesting about yourself or the store?

A: Usually around June/July through October/November, things begin to pick up because it’s warm enough for people to work outdoors. But that’s just 3-4 months. Right now, I have no business. But maybe that will change soon.