“It smells like a French perfume - Chanel number 6," said Bement Shoe Hospital owner, Vladimir Kiner, as he glues a sole onto a shoe.

Since 1997 Vladimir Kiner has hammered the step back in Staten Island footwear.

“Long day, everyday 10 hours," said Kiner.

However, the pandemic almost stopped his shop in its tracks.

“Because people stay home,” said Kiner. “Somebody retire, somebody stay home. They don't need shoes. I see my customers passing through, waving at me saying ‘I'm sorry I don’t need shoes anymore."

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Citizens Committee for New York City, the future of the shop looks promising.

“Now I can afford to improve my business,” Kiner said. “I have a couple of ideas. I wanna do advertising. I wanna try digital. Go digital. It’s very popular right now and like I’m - I don’t wanna say old guy but I know nothing about it, but I hope it will bring me business.”

Vladimir’s shoe hospital is right off of Forest Avenue, one of the more bustling areas here on Staten Island. The revitalization of the shop is an example of the recovery taking place here. During the pandemic, the vacancy rate of businesses was around 25%, but now that number is down to 15%. 

“Now there’s been some businesses that expanded and other businesses that have opened up," said Priscilla Marco, a neighborhood development specialist for the Staten Island business outreach center.

“We have a new restaurant opening up,” she said. “Delucas from the South Shore is moving into the former Project Brunch. Beans ‘n Leaves expanded, Panini Grill expanded.”

Manager, Christina Saez says she hopes people see the expansion of Panini Grill as a sign of hope.

“With the support of people around you, anything can happen,” said Saez. “It shows that we are strong and we are together. There’s job opportunities. There’s room for success for everyone.”

“I hope that it will come back and people will open new businesses. Old businesses will come back and everything will be like before the pandemic," said Kiner.