Albany local businesses feel chill of recession

Cafe Raj, a popular Indian food restaurant on Solano Avenue of Albany, suffered a 30 per cent drop in sales revenue in recent months due to ongoing recession. Photo by Linda (Linjun) Fan.

The chill of a nationwide recession has struck businesses in Albany. Restaurants, retail shops, and hair salons in the city are losing profits significantly.

“People are really hurting, ” said Rosemarie Eichner-Raja, owner of Cafe Raj restaurant.

Centennial banners appear on Albany streets

 

Allen Cain, Executive Director of Solano Avenue Association, put up a banner on Solano Avenue Sunday to celebrate Albany’s 100^th birthday. Several dozen banners, with various historical photos of Albany printed on them, are being posted on major streets of the city. Photo by Linda (Linjun) Fan.

Controversy arises as Albany steps up smoking ban

By Linda (Linjun) Fan

Controversy rises among residents as the City Council of Albany puts forward an ordinance Monday to ban smoking on Albany’s major commercial street and other outdoor places.

The ordinance, called Smoking Pollution Control, bans smoking on sidewalks of Solano Avenue, Albany’s primary business area. It also  bans smoking on sidewalks adjacent to schools, parks, ball fields, and other public recreational areas in the city.

Several speakers at the Council meeting denounced the ban as unnecessary.

“It’s a divisive and expensive solution to a problem that has not demonstrated to exist, ” said Albany resident Joseph Foscone.