Park Slope Loses Few Chain Stores In 2022, Says New Report

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — 2022 was a tough year for many in Park Slope, but not as bad for big national retail chain stores.

A new report released Wednesday by the Center for an Urban Future called "State of the Chains" examines the changes in the national retail sector across the city.

Over the last year, national retailers found a sliver of growth in New York City, with chain locations rising by 0.3 percent, a big drop from last year's nearly 3 percent gain.

The report shows that citywide, nearly 60 percent of retailers featured in their 2019 report said they had fewer locations now than before the pandemic, with 11 retailers saying they have no more locations in New York City at all.

In Park Slope, at least two national retailers bit the dust, bringing the number of chain stores from 115 at the start of the year to 113 at the time of the report, a less than 2 percent decrease.

But that was bucking the borough trend.

Overall, Brooklyn saw about 2 percent of growth in chain stores over 2021, going from 1,588 national shops to 1,621.

The neighborhood still ranks as a top spot for chain stores, with both ZIP Codes ranking just below Canarsie and above East New York.

Brooklyn Heights/Downtown Brooklyn have the most chains in the borough, with 155 total in 2022, a 3.3 percent gain over 2021.

The hardest hit retailer over the last year in New York City?

According to the report, the honor goes to former hometown hero, Duane Reade, which shuttered 22 shops.

Since the pandemic, the city cornucopia and pharmacy has closed 90 locations citywide.

That leaves only 227 locations remaining in the five boroughs.

According to the report, New York City's current reigning chain champion is Boston transplant Dunkin' Donuts, which added five stores this year, bringing its total to 620.

Dunkin' Donuts is also Brooklyn's top retailer, with 136 locations.