A Great Way to Spend Money is Locally

I have always enjoyed walking the sidewalks of my town to shop, eat or just sit on a bench and people watch. It stems from my upbringing in my hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Almost anything you want, you can find in the downtown area. Nestled next to city hall and the Catholic Church, staples of a traditional town plaza in most Puerto Rican cities are clothing stores, cafés, pharmacies and other shops.

My grandma, Abuela, would always send me "to town" to shop for items from milk to shoes. Things have changed with the increase of large retailers in the last few decades, but I am always enthused on my journeys home to see that downtown life continues to thrive.  

Glen Cove is similar, but I know it can be so much better. The Glen Cove Business Improvement District (BID) is instrumental in keeping the downtown beautiful in spring with the flowers in bloom, festive with lights during the holidays and active with traffic— that means you and me. According to Francine Koehler, the latter is the most difficult task.

I told her about a recent trek I made through downtown, walking up School and Glen streets. I was surprised to find a new-to-me restaurant, Café Aioli, and vowed to visit with my family and friends soon. Frankly, I would have never noticed it just driving through. Koehler offered even more unknowns to me like the fact that Alper's Appliance Center also has pots, pans and other basic kitchen needs or that Charles of Glen Cove Hardware sells the staples, hammers and nails, but also camping equipment and even honey from upstate. (Note: if you are an allergy sufferer, a teaspoon of local honey is said to be the best cure).

I realized it is time to do more exploring! I have to admit, I had been apprehensive in the past, telling myself, 'Well maybe that place is not for me.' Don't be afraid or intimidated by the unknown. Try that sushi spot on the corner, Fatty Fish, add shrimp to your greek salad at Andros Grill, or get a plate to go from Quisqueya Grocery (Note: if you are a meat eater, the pork is amazing). 

You might find a nice gift for someone or yourself at Accent on the Home or the bat for your next softball game at Valley Sport & Trophy. They will even order something specific for your needs. Keep your staples like Henry's, which has been around for eight decades and has delicious omelets and french toast, but also venture out. My family and I have our "pizza picks" and often go pizza parlor hopping. For example, for our favorite regular slice we go to one place, our favorite grandma slice another place and so on.   

Don't limit yourself to downtown either. Last week, my husband and I had to purchase my daughter new T-shirts and socks. We could have driven 15 to 20 minutes to a large retailer but instead stopped at Benny's of Glen Cove clothing store and found what we needed plus some extra items. (Note: the shirts and bottoms are all one price). We stocked up on T-shirts for the summer, met a new neighbor, and supported a local business.  

Koehler said there are no tax breaks or other incentives for downtown businesses. The group is working on changing this status at the local and state levels and she said rezoning is a possible option. Ultimately, what this means to me is that business owners put all their efforts, energy, money and heart to make their businesses successful, period. If you are not convinced and are thinking, 'well prices aren't as reasonable,' consider the one or two dollars more you might spend is actually savings for the gas you did not use and the time you gained by staying close to home.   

Many Options in Glen Cove

Take a stroll, have lunch and find out what Glen Cove has to offer. Start this summer with the following: Downtown Sounds is back this year. Beginning in July, it will feature various music acts at the Village Square on Fridays and some Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Various restaurants will remain open and most will offer Music Box Dinners. For $15 per person (tax and tip included), you can get a full meal including dessert. I am big on dessert! Eat your delicious meal while listening to some nice music. Try a new meal/place each week. Make it a night out with friends or a date night with your significant other, or bring the family and treat yourselves to an affordable dinner out. This year, the Glen Cove BID is working in partnership with the city to invite all Glen Cove eateries to participate in the event. There are many options, so take time to eat, shop and support local! 

For more information on the businesses located downtown (and there are so many), check out the BID's Web site.

Lolita Lopez is a Glen Cove resident and Patch columnist. She is also a WPIX-TV sports anchor.