Merchants Group Driving Message Home: Shop Garden City

Merchants in town are struggling. You see it everywhere. A once bustling Garden City downtown can sometimes look like a ghost town. Garden City's "shoe doctor" is gone. Atlantis Chemist, gone. Fianei's Paninoteca, gone. "For Rent" signs are plastered on three storefronts on Seventh Street alone.

Residents are still spending money but are they spending it in Garden City?

The Merchants Group, a sub-committee of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce made up of independent Garden City retailers who have a vested interest in the group's cause, have been aggressively campaigning to not only draw Garden Cityites to their stores but people from surrounding communities.

The group's chairman, John Wilton of Garden City Properties, said the seeds of the committee germinated more than a year ago. Several landlords in town were at first sympathetic toward their tenants' needs, making concessions with hefty rent payments. But that sympathy has now turned to frustration.

Wilton calls it "positive dynamic tension," adding that the landlords are aware merchants have collectively gotten together to devise a specific plan to get the local merchants, "vertical neighborhoods" (office buildings) and residents to shop in the village.

Ongoing brainstorming sessions seek to find ways to drive home the benefits of shopping and dining in Garden City.

"The immediate plan is to get the word out," says Wilton. "We need a concerted, consolidated effort. We need to create a future energy."

Ads are running in the local papers, the committee launched a website, www.gardencityshopping.com, and promotions are being graciously donated by the merchants themselves to entice residents to keep their dollars here.

Recent raffle prizes have included a free weekend night bed and breakfast at the Garden City Hotel, $250 worth of catering from Garden City Pizza, a dozen bagels with cream cheese every Sunday for three months courtesy of Bagelman, $350 art from Sunflower Fine Art and Framing.

A letter co-signed by Wilton and Garden City Chamber of Commerce President Roger Eltringham was recently mailed to every Garden City household urging residents to shop local.

"Since last fall the American economic downturn has impacted us all, but none more so than our 'Main Street' business community. Many of our storeowners are now in a precarious, uncertain condition," the letter, in part, read. "… Let's work together to keep Garden City and its unique assortment of quality businesses strong and healthy... it is in the best interest of us all."

But how effective has the campaign proven to be? The Merchants Group wants feedback. "What can we do to help you?" Wilton asked.

Do you shop in Garden City? Perhaps, more importantly, why don't you shop in Garden City? Send comments to gcchamber@verizon.net or post a comment about this article.

The group is also seeking resident volunteers with retail experience and expertise to help their cause. Anyone interested should email gcchamber@verizon.net.

The marketing campaign continues in 2010. A $3,000 New York State Senate grant certainly helps the cause but more financial backing is needed to keep up the momentum.

"We need funds. We need volunteerism," says Wilton.

More than two-dozen retailers have become participating merchants since the committee took shape, including local businesses like Bagelman of Garden City, Garden City Pizza, Garden City Wine & Spirits, Food For Thought and more.

Additional retail/retail service firms who wish to participate, join the Merchants Committee or become corporate sponsors can call Wilton at 746-1563 or Althea Robinson, the chamber's executive director, at 746-7724, ext. 102.

Visit www.gardencityshopping.com to learn more about upcoming events and special promotions, coupons and incentives local merchants are offering in the new year.

"It's got legs. It's growing. It's moving," Wilton said of the committee.

Mayor Robert Rothschild thanked Wilton for the energy and organization he's brought to the program.

"It's being felt in the village," he said.