People have been lining up to see shows at the Apollo Theater for more than 80 years, but it’s only recently that the lines stand in the shadows of so many national retail chains.

We quickly asked some of those waiting on line “What does it feels like up here now?”

“Downtown,” was one response, “125th street is not what I remember,” was another.  Even a woman selling shirts and sweatshirts from a table outside noticed the dramatic change in the five years she's been doing it, saying, “It’s more catered to downtown 34th street…if you look at The Gap and the Banana Republic, we had more urban stores.”

125th Street, the commercial heart of Harlem, is now a hub for national retailers like Victoria's Secret, the Gap, and Old Navy.  More than a dozen large chains have opened outposts here.

Princess Jenkins opened her small business, Brownstone Boutique dress shop, 20 years ago. She said, “Harlem is the new 34th street, but there must be a space for small business owners, because what people come to Harlem for is the culture, the people, the food and the authentic experience.”

Jenkins says the competition has increased, and she tries to capitalize on the added foot traffic, “What you have to have as a small business owner is something that will catch their eye.  So we have to keep it new, we have to keep if fresh and we have to keep it relevant.”

She also says the rents have gone up and old neighbors have gone,

“Many of those store fronts used to be owned by mom and pop shops. There was a record store, we had a jelly donut shop …We’re missing that Harlem community connection.”

The transformation largely tracks demographic changes in Harlem. It’s transformation from an African-American community to a gentrifying neighborhood of more diversity.

Business leaders say many of the new big box stores are on land that sat undeveloped for years, like the Whole Foods Complex and Banana Republic.

Longtime local businesses we spoke with say they plan to stay put, but others are being forced to move a few blocks when new development comes in.

“Who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this largess that you see on 125th street?” asked Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce CEO Lloyd Williams. He says he’s worked with some of the newcomers to make sure they carry local products.  Many employ local people.  But Williams says resentment is growing.

“My main concern is what’s going to happen to the people of color who don’t have the economic wherewithal to remain in this community.”

He says he wants to work on finding a balance and for that he says communication is key.

Jenkins said for her the key has been mobility, rising rents forced her to move East of 5th Avenue 10 years ago. “We call this survivors row,” she said.