A decades old tradition has become a mixed bag for residents living along a popular shopping strip in Astoria Queens. Borough Reporter Ruschell tells us why some people are being called a Grinch.

Christmas is in the air on Steinway Street. Every year shoppers are serenaded with the sights and sounds of the holiday season, and while many are here to find a good deal a lot of them have bought into the atmosphere as well.

"I like it," said one shopper.

But, the music has hit a sour note with some of the residents here who say it's too early in the season for Christmas songs. The music is on from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

"I would totally lighten up and enjoy this music if it was closer to Christmas time and if it was just one week or maybe two weeks, but this is, we are in November," said one fed-up neighbor.

Myriam Erdely moved to the strip in April and was surprised to hear the music not only on the street, but from her apartment where she also works.

"It just drives me nuts and it gives me a headache," said Erdely.

On the street, some people have called those who complain about the music, Grinches, but Erdely says it's hard not to get grumpy after listening to the tunes for hours at a time.

"It's like this sound that you can't turn off," she said.

She has sent several complaint emails to the Steinway Astoria Partnership, the business improvement district for the community, to try to get them to limit the songs to about 4 hours a day. The organization says it has already made adjustments and it is one of the selling points to shopping here.

"We have cut it back dramatically from years ago where it used to be on longer, but we felt that it was doing its job properly and a timeframe that we selected for it," said Tony Barsamian, Chairman of the Steinway Astoria Partnership. "We felt that it was appropriate and honestly we get far more compliments than complaints.

However, they are compromising. They turned off the speaker near Erdley's apartment, which has dramatically cut the sound. She is still pushing to limit the hours the songs are played, but that's going to be a hard sell.