Better Times for Local Businesses May be Coming Soon

For the first time in more than two years, there are more "coming soon" signs in Hastings, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington store windows than "going out of business."

The Rivertowns business districts certainly suffered during the recent economic recession and numerous local shops were forced to close their doors forever, however many village leaders and business owners now finally feel things are beginning to improve.

"Prior to the economy heading south, we had a significant number of vacant store fronts, and then the market crash didn't help," said Irvington Village Administrator Lawrence Schopfer. "But it seems as though things have turned around—there aren't nearly as many vacancies."

Although national officials and economic analysts are hesitant to declare an end to the recent hard times, a sense of optimism seems to be budding among local storeowners and entrepreneurs.

"It doesn't feel like a ghost town, nor does it feel like it's really bustling," said Alicia Leibowitz, the Vice President of Dobbs Ferry's Chamber of Commerce. "It's slowed down, but the town is still thriving."

One of the greatest roadblocks to encouraging more commerce in all three towns is lack of parking, yet at a recent Board of Trustees meeting Dobbs Ferry officials voted to increase parking meter fines from $15 to $20. 

"Parking needs to be part of the solution, not the problem," said Karen Leone, owner of Expressions in Hastings.

Of the three villages, Irvington is the only one to offer free street parking, and although this would seem to draw more customers, Irvington recognizes its parking situation is far from perfect.

"Parking is a hard issue," said Irvington Chamber of Commerce President Eric Spino. "We have free parking because there's limited space. There's no real silver bullet solution for it."

Although the surrounding towns still have meter parking, the benefits of low-cost parking have been recognized by town officials as a way to draw in potential foot traffic for each town.

"We have purposefully kept parking very reasonable at a very low amount, for that reason," said Hastings Village Manager Francis Frobel on drawing more customers. "The fear with free parking is always that the residents downtown and shop keepers will park there all day."

Most local store owners, however, tend to agree that the solution to attracting more customers isn't through parking, but rather through coordinated events sponsored by each town.  Each town participates in a Farmers Market, but there are other events specific to each town such as the Earth Day 40 celebration in Irvington, Friday Night Live in Hastings and the Ferry Festa in Dobbs Ferry that really promote downtown business.

Friday Night Live, an event that closely resembles Tarrytown's Third Friday, showcases Hastings' local artists and musicians and gives residents a chance to catch up on their local businesses.

"I really wanted to focus on making the downtown a destination," said Meg Walker, a member of the Board of Trustees in Hastings and an advocate for the Friday event. "There were at least 19 vacant store fronts and it was looking pretty bleak." 

Local business owners also see the benefits of such an event and restaurants, like Juniper in Hastings, were able to draw in more nightly customers.

"I think Friday Night Live is a great event," said Leone of Expressions. "The particular day isn't really helpful and we don't essentially get more business, but it lets people know we're here."

For some shop owners, however, such events can actually detrimental to business. 

"Having streets closed for events is a problem for stores like the Hastings Wine and Liquors," said Walker. "People want to park in the street to make a quick purchase, which they can't do."

But regardless of whether there are special events planned, villages unanimously agree that restaurants do very well and are a heavy source of revenue for each town.

"I think our restaurants are very strong," said Melanie Dobbs, President of Dobbs Ferry's Chamber of Commerce. "If you go out on a Friday or Saturday night, you can't get in to most."

Recent legislative changes in Irvington also make it easier for local restaurants and cafes to attract customers now that they can apply for permits for street vending. With the summer approaching, restaurants can offer outdoor seating, a major plus for attracting potential patrons.

"There is also a chamber of commerce tent at every farmer's market that any local business owner can sign-up and use to sell products or services or just to promote business," said Ken Berstein, former chair if Irvington's Business Improvement Committee and recently appointed village trustee.  

Still, with the full heat of the digital age and major outlets such Walmart, some people have been turned off to shopping locally.

"More people want to shop online and over the phone than ever before," said Irvington Commerce President Spino. "People find it easier to go to a CVS than a local pharmacy."

Though the economy is still in flux and the way in which people shop may have changed forever, the key to a downtown's success, according to Dobbs, is having the "right mix of businesses to get people to come."