| NEWS STORIES
Downtown's Renaissance Promoted by Merchants
Two bookstores opening downtown within about a month of each other demonstrates Glens Fall's retail strength despite the ongoing infrastructure construction. Red Fox Books on Ridge Street opened in October and Dog Ate My Homework opened in September. Both demonstrate the value of rehabilitating and revitalizing an existing structure to create attractive space for enterprises that contribute to the economic development of the area. But the book vendors are not alone. Other new retailers have also popped up recently, including the Candy Bouquet on Ridge St., Sterling and Co. on Glen St., Verizon Wireless on Ridge St., and Family Dollar on Dix Ave. among others.
These new entrepreneurs are welcomed and supported by the Glens Falls Business Improvement District (BID) and the Downtown Events Committee, a group of old and new business owners, that has launched a long-term campaign to keep local residents and visitors coming to downtown. Posters asking people to Explore What's Next! hint at the family events, live music, shopping, and theater that make downtown the vibrant area it is - even when it is in the midst of an 18-month long construction project.
Susan Fox and Naftali Rottenstreich of Red Fox Books report better-than-expected sales since opening October 19. "Many people have said how pleased they are that we are here, that it saves a trip to Saratoga," commented the couple, who note that lunch times and early evenings are proving to be their busiest times. "We were excited to have one customer tell us that they plan to do all their Christmas shopping in downtown Glens Falls!"
Every Friday, participating businesses will don their Downtown Glens Falls T-shirts and offer special discounts to customers who either wear the shirt or present the special tag that came with it. Locally-based Trampoline Design created the posters and T-shirts, which are on sale at downtown businesses. For more information on BID, contact Ann Parrish of Milk & Honey on Exchange Street or Keith Guilory of Ridge Street Coffee Shop.
|
