Merchants are finding it hard to do business

By JIM AUSTIN, Cooperstown Crier The board of trustees listened to pleas from many Main Street merchants for help in getting through tough economic times last Thursday night. The comments came during a town hall-style listening event at the county courthouse. Ted Hargrove owns TJ's Restaurant said he plans to close during January and February for the first time in the 21 years he has been a Main Street businessman. "I've always said, so goes Main Street; so goes your community," he said. Hargrove spoke of the need to raise the amount of sales tax collected and to allow people to improve their business. "We have to realize Main Street is a vital part of our community. You can't always be beating up on us," he said. "I think the board and community has to embrace the business community. We don't want to be the bad guys." Perry Ferrara, who operates the wax museum on Main Street, said that unless business gets better, properties will fall into disrepair. He said he knew of three businesses that plan to close at the end of the year. Former Cooperstown mayor Wendell Tripp commented that he had seen Main Street change since he came to Cooperstown in 1964 and that he believes the board's concern had always been to create a level playing field. He said he watched the proliferation of sandwich board signs downtown. "In time, there were sandwich boards in front of nearly every store," Tripp said, adding that it lead to the village's present sign law. "I have detected no hostility toward Main Street merchants," he said. Tier French commented that four years ago she said she didn't want to see tables in front of the stores. "I didn't want it to look cheesy," she said. "I really don't want to see the tables out front, but we do need to help our business community. B&B operator Patty Esposito said she believes Main Street could stand to be cleaned up and made more presentable. She suggested doing something with the trees in front of the stores. She also commented that she is not in favor of merchandise displayed outside the stores. Her husband Steve said that when they came to Cooperstown nine years ago there was definitely a clash between residents and merchants. Some of the troubles on Main Street can be attributed to the general economic condition in the country. "The biggest problem I see is See merchants, page 6 class warfare between residents and the business community," he said. "We have to learn to work together. The board has to listen to our constructive criticism." John Rudy, another B&B owner said things have changed. More and more baseball stores have opened over the years. He said this year's Hall of Fame Induction drew the smallest crowd he has seen. Normally they park 40 to 45 cars, but this year they had 20 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. Rudy said he believes the crowd has changed in recent years. "A lot of people are coming for autographs _ they're collectors," he said. "We get the collectors on Induction weekend and the merchants have oriented toward the collectors. The Hall of Fame Induction weekend has ceased to be attractive to families. What can a family of four do for three days?" Rudy said the Hall of Fame has to recognize that things have to change. With the line up of potential inductees in the next few years, the Hall of Fame is not going to have the attraction of popular players to bring people to Cooperstown, he said. The Hall will have to create a weekend that will attract visitors. "It's incumbent on the Hall of Fame to get its act together," Rudy said. NYSHA President Steve Elliott said Cooperstown has a lot going for it. It is an internationally respected destination "We have a lot going for us in addition to baseball," he said. "A lot of what is affecting us is the economy. Everybody everywhere is suffering." Elliott offered three things he believes the village should consider; working get more people here, defining a long-term vision for Main Street, and considering what to do in the sort-term in relation to the long-term vision. Planning Board member Richard Bleby said he believes there is lost opportunity in the upper floors of many downtown buildings. "I feel short-term rentals is an appropriate use of the upper floors," he said. "The problem is parking." One potential solution to the parking problem, he said, was for the village to lease parking spots in the Doubleday Field lot to landlords for the season. "I think the trustees should look at it," he said. Main Street merchant Andrew Vilacky said he believes the village's requirement for a survey to determine there is private property in front of a store in order to obtain a display permit is onerous. Instead of spending $2,500 for a survey, Vilacky suggested the village simply charge $500 to $1,000 for a permit. He said displays would be no more than three feet wide, neat and orderly, and manned at all times. "I like to think I don't just sell baseball memorabilia, I sell an experience," he said. "I love this town. Every vendor loves this town. They're not asking for sympathy. Everyone who owns a business is having trouble this year," said Matthew Foster, who has been working summers in Cooperstown for 13 years. Vin Russo, who owns Mickey's Place, said he thinks there should be more business people on the various village boards. "We need to get more businesspeople involved in government," he said. Jeff Foster from Legends are Forever, said the business community provides jobs and it needs help. "We need some help and understanding to get through the hard times," he said. Karen Johannesen, of the Book Nook, said the short season is hard on merchants. "We don't get busy until the fourth of July," she said, adding that parking is still a problem and faulted the Hall of Fame for not providing parking for its visitors. "A $35 ticket is an insult." She said she didn't like the idea of outside vending because it would have a Coney Island appearance. Trustee Neil Weiller, who is also a Main Street merchant, said he has responded to the market and is not having the kind of down year described by many. Businesses don't have to depend purely on baseball products. Businesspeople should look at how they can service the needs of residents and the local community. "It can be done, you just don't have to do it all with baseball," he said. Hargrove returned to the podium for one last comment, "we have a lot of mom and pops that need to be supported. If you sell them short, you'll be making a mistake." $x
Daily Star
Jan 13, 2011
Jan 13, 2011

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