Hoping the crowds come back to Main Street
Shuttered storefronts and empty streetscapes are glaring signs of the coronavirus crisis’ economic impact.
Many store owners are struggling to find new ways of remaining afloat — in city and town centers already reshaped by ecommerce and an influx of Millennials — while adhering to the distancing the current crisis demands.
How has your business adapted to the crisis?
Jared Greenman, owner, Funky Monkey Toys & Books, 86 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich: Business is definitely off. It’s very difficult to make up for the walk-in sales. There are definitely some wins to be had for us and other retailers that are making the necessary adaptations. We’re doing local deliveries, curbside pickups and phone orders.
Patrick Foti, owner, Compco USA, 59 Bedford St., Stamford: Thankfully, we have been considered an essential business by the state, so we have been open. However, we have had to shut down the retail side of our business. We are still performing computer and smartphone repairs and continuing with our ecommerce operation. Without that, we would surely be in trouble.
After stores are allowed to re-open for walk-in business, will main streets emain retail destinations?
Foti: It is the restaurants and bars people go to. Clothing stores come and go, as well as other businesses. Something will need to change with real estate. Landlords should not be the only ones making money. But I will say my landlord has always been very fair and accommodating. Others in the area are not so lucky.
Greenman: Business will be forever changed because of what’s happened. But there’s no question that people will be coming back to shop on Greenwich Avenue. People like to spend time on it and just enjoy walking up and down the Avenue.
Will living in or near city and town centers continue to appeal to buyers?
Robin Kencel, Greenwich-based broker with Compass real estate: If the experience during the pandemic is any indicator, having a yard for children to run in will be an important factor in the purchase decision of young families. Literally, every client that I have helped find a shortterm rental these past six weeks has wanted a lawn “big enough for my children to run around in” — and specifically not have houses too close to each other.