When the 5 train pulls into the Dyre Avenue station, it has completed a 90-minute journey from Flatbush, Brooklyn through Manhattan and up into the northeast Bronx neighborhood of Eastchester.

Outside in the Dyre Avenue Business District, visitors can find Mario’s Pizza.

What You Need To Know

  • When the 5 train pulls into the Dyre Avenue station, it has completed a 90-minute journey from Flatbush, Brooklyn through Manhattan and up into the northeast Bronx neighborhood of Eastchester

  • Mario Reda, who runs a pizzeria with his father, says he feels the country is currently upside down

  • Voters in the neighborhood say they don’t want to hear lip service, but they want a solid plan from the candidates on improving life for Americans across the board

  • Residents says the candidates need to bring the proof of planned positive change and growth to the community

The pizzeria has been serving up slices and pies for more than 50 years, with Mario and Sandro Reda running the place started by their dad. Mario Reda says the business has its good days and bad days. He feels the country is currently, as he put it, upside down.

“I don’t care who goes in office, things gotta change. Democratic, Republican, whoever it is — they gotta change,” he said.  

Down the block is Freckle’s Juice, founded by Felicia Forbes around a decade ago. The store offers healthy foods and beverages and a community gathering place. It’s the place where manager Andre Ferguson speaks to a steady stream of regulars, like professional DJ and father Adetoye Adigun, who is known as Bless the Child. 

“Step foot in the community, see what we need, see what we want, hear us, you know what I’m saying, because the change is not just for you guys, the change is for the community,” Adigun said. 

Voters in the neighborhood say they don’t want to hear lip service, but they want a solid plan from the candidates on improving life for Americans across the board.

“I don’t want us to say what you want us to hear. I want you to say what you need to say, what you are going to do to make our country the way it should be,” Nadine Shaw, a resident from the Bronx, said. 

Another regular Freckle’s customer is fashion designer and community builder Mugzy McFly. 

“Listen, don’t go on social media and follow the hype. Whoever touches your soul, that’s who you should vote for,” he said. 

Entrepreneur and mother of four Danielle White confessed she doesn’t plan on voting.

“It doesn’t change, so it’s either way — it will be the same old, same old,” she said. On the other side, customer DJ Madout said it’s more important than ever to cast that ballot.

“This year we are voting because it’s all about for the community, and the minority, and for our kids, and our kid’s kids,” he said.

As Andre Ferguson put it, it’s hard to know who to trust. The candidates need to bring the proof of planned positive change and growth to the community.