Small business owners in Canarsie are looking to revamp the neighborhood's shopping district as a way to attract more people to the area.

Emily James, the president of the new Canarsie Merchants Association, says her biggest challenge is getting more merchants on board. A lot of businesses in the area keep to themselves and James says she wants to change that.

"I've been working on breaking those barriers and letting people know it's OK to do business with each other and not just do business by yourself," says James.

Business owners met with the Canarsie Coalition Friday to discuss more ways to unite the business community. At Canarsie Day on June 14, merchants will be at Canarsie Park to promote their neighborhood businesses and organizations.