Garden City Business … An Early Fall Snapshot

The Garden City Merchants, Professionals & Retailers group is continuing to develop its "pay it forward" and "Hospitality Garden City Style" philosophies and programs. Our "cool downtown" is still vital and growing.

An Update: On Seventh Street, Garden City Chemist, a new, unique full-service pharmacy, will open shortly. The Burger Spot is set to open in early fall and promises to be an exiting venue for families and our youth to spend quality time. Hollywood Tan will open at the location of the former shoe shop. While a new venture for Seventh Street, we wish them success. OMOTO Asian Cuisine will open on the west end and Bagelman is moving to 162 Seventh.

On Franklin Avenue, Devonshire Home Design – with a unique, fun, positive environment – is up and running and offers eclectic merchandise and decorating services. O Spa's grand opening was breathtaking and offered a view of its myriad services. Dolci Café (next to Sushi Ya) boasts a new and varied menu in this updated café resembling a European café – one of Garden City's best kept secrets! The new Garden City Gourmet Deli & Caterers is more than worth the trip! Then there is the excitement of the much-anticipated development at the former Texaco property on the corner of Seventh and Franklin.

Where Merchants Want to Be: At a recent village board of trustees meeting, Mayor Rob Rothschild noted that "even in these tough times, our downtown is still where merchants want to be." But – we must realize that all these new and exciting business openings became opportunities only because others elected to leave since in most cases, their net profits were not sufficient to keep their businesses viable. This is where we as a community need to "step up to the plate."

Scenic Outdoor Dining Continues Through November: When we're enjoying our European-flavored outdoor dining on Seventh Street, Franklin Avenue and New Hyde Park Road we should take the opportunity to stroll into our adjacent shops to see what they have to offer and spend our consumer dollars here at home. We should recognize that our business community directly affects our quality of life – our home values, our tax base and pride of community!

Acts of Vandalism: Recently, several of our businesses experienced tragic and negative acts of vandalism; tragic because our merchants, professionals and retailers are known to step up to the philanthropic spirit of community, donating gift certificates, food, time, supplies and personnel to almost every soliciting organization. These current acts of vandalism were caused by the poor judgment of some of our local youths who need to be made aware that these acts have vast consequences. Vandalism is not a "cost of doing business;" it is a criminal interruption that affects profitability.

Emerging from the Traditionally Slow August: Our merchants are coming out of the tough month of August in a down economy. The school year starts and outdoor dining will cease at the end of November. Support is needed at this time more than ever! Think of catering; of family functions at our restaurants; camera instruction locally; that unique gift; that crisp new suit; that quick workout; the newly opened checking account for the kids; that booked vacation; the magic of The Garden City Hotel; the purchase of a beautiful painting; a hot slice of pizza; a bottle of champagne; your weekly groceries; even accounting or legal guidance – it's all here! It is the time for us as residents to "pay it forward" to our talented, committed and loyal business community. Let's all do our part to help our garden grow and keep blooming all through the upcoming seasons!

(Editor's Note: John Wilton is chair of the  Garden City Merchants, Professionals & Retailers group.)