Bayville business owners say new parking fees enacted by the Town of Oyster Bay is having a big impact on their bottom line.
Two months ago, the Town of Oyster Bay began charging people up to $60 on the weekends for parking at the Charles Ransom Beach, which is located across the street from the businesses.
Pasquale Delprete, of Ralph's Pizza, says he isn't making as dough as he'd like this summer.
“Last year at this time, this place was packed. Now everything dropped, last two months, nothing,” he says.
Emanuel Kostakis, of the Souvlaki Place, says business has dramatically dropped and the fees are hurting everyone’s business in Bayville.
News 12 saw many people pull up to the lot, look at the prices for parking and then leave.
“Who is going to spend $60 to park? It's insane. I'm so upset for the businesses here. How are they going to survive? I don't think they're going to,” says Carmela Hutton, of Queens.
In a statement, the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Commissioner told News 12, "The town has experienced an influx of nonresidents using town beaches and skirting parking fees. Accordingly, the department began charging parking fees at Ransom Beach and is exploring free, time-restricted parking for local shoppers."
Delprete and Kostakis say they are not convinced and wonder how much longer they can stay afloat.