Driving across America, it’s all too easy to lose your passion amid the commercial thicket of the familiar big box stores and chain restaurants. But beyond the highway you may discover a town that’s anchored by a distinctive Main Street, one with grand architecture, hip streetscapes, eclectic small businesses and community-oriented features like a park or theater. Often it thrives thanks to residences and businesses who have made a conscientious effort to fight the general decline of America’s Main Street.
The Bay Street corridor has the architecture, we have the streetscapes, we have the landmarks, we have the parks & we have the people. What has been missing is the ability to execute the vision. In 2015 the vision will be realized and we will make Bay Street a Great Main Street.
This article is the first in a series called, “This Way On Main, featuring great main streets across America.”
Ettore grew up working in the restaurant & catering business from the age of 12. He graduated from the College of Staten Island with a Bachelors’s in Mathematics & Finance in 1985. In 1986 he started Chez Vous caterers from the basement of his home in Dongan Hills and caters parties at homes and businesses in the tri-state area. In Oct 1987 he rented the first floor of Edgewater Hall at 691 Bay Street. A few years later he added the party rental division to Chez Vous. In 1998 he purchased Edgewater Hall and renovated the first and second floors making them party spaces. Shortly thereafter he purchased from his tenant the cellar bar creating Dock Street Underground a live music venue. His creative projects include his CD Sweet on You, his book, It’s Your Right to be Fit, Sexed, and Happy, So Claim It, and he is developing a TV series called Business Underground. His record labels Hanz On Music and Dock Street Records has produced Method Man’s “The Meth Lab.” and produces 2nd Generation Wu projects.
