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Jebel "JB" Ceesay says it's been a challenge staying in business for seven years at his Southern Boulevard Clothing Shop.

"I have to work seven days a week from eight to nine, sometimes from eight to 10 if I have to," says Ceesay.

JB's business is one of 95 located on a mile-long stretch of Southern Boulevard that’s currently the target of revitalization by the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation, or WHEDco.

The area between 174th Street and Simpson Street is close to a housing complex for 128 families that WHEDco helped develop.

"The ultimate goal for Southern Boulevard is that people who live in the neighborhood can find what they need in the neighborhood, that they can shop here, play here, dine here and be entertained here," says Kerry McLean, WHEDco’s director of community development.

McLean says they’ve been succeeding. In the past year, the percentage of commercial properties that were vacant dropped from 24 percent to 16 percent. Twelve new businesses opened and just five closed. In addition, a merchants association was formed to help businesses market themselves better.

"It makes everybody realize that they have a partner and everybody is together in the same boat," says Dan Meenan, manager of Sol’s Pharmacy.

NY1 talked to neighborhood residents about the revitalization effort, and they had some requests for new businesses they would like to see.

"A very good restaurant," said one resident.

"Maybe to watch movies, like a theater, maybe," said another.

"I think we need some more, okay, some more banks, that's for sure," said a third.

To get the word out about Southern Boulevard, WHEDco is holding a “grow your business” event Thursday evening for current and potential business owners.

For more information, visit whedco.org or southernboulevard.org.