Old Greenwich Village At The Crossroads

What is it about Dunkin' Donuts that’s getting everyone so worked up? For those folks who may not be aware, the paper in the windows of the old Patriot Bank on Sound Beach Avenue is concealing the prep work for a new Dunkin Donuts, scheduled to open this spring with about 12 seats, access in front and back, no drive-thru window, and with an architectural review board approved sign on the façade. Yes, some merchants are aggrieved, and the sight of another chain store in the village offends some residents, but there’s more to this than just donuts and coffee.

Over the past several months Old Greenwich village, and the state of its retail businesses, have been a major topic of conversation. The over-arching feeling goes something like this, “we love OG and its New England feel, and we don’t want to lose the mom and pop businesses that give the village its charm.” But today, the village and its businesses are at a crossroads. Far too many empty storefronts, owners who are struggling, and a schizophrenic customer base, which makes me ask the very politically incorrect and impolite question: do we really want a thriving village of small, local merchants, or do we just like the idea of living in a town that has one?

Wait, you mean we may have met the enemy and he is us? To an extent, yes. Sure, many of us buy our books through Amazon so that might account for book store closings, but here’s one story I’ve heard more than once from several different shop owners in town. Local resident, someone the owner sees in town regularly, comes into the store and “shops.” Tries on clothes, looks over the shelves of toys/accessories/gifts, and asks questions. Then, in a moment when they thought no one was watching (or worse, blatantly in front of the owner), whips out a phone and takes a picture of the item or its sales tag, in order to go shop the item on the internet.  Legal? Sure. Ethical? Questionable. Supporting your local business? Not. One. Bit.

Add to that the emails and conversations I’ve been receiving the past few months from people who want the mom and pop shops, but “their prices are too high,” “I wish the selection was better,” “who wants all that weird stuff,” and so on. The suggestions from people who would like to see a men’s clothing store…but not a Brooks Brothers. Who would like a shoe store, maybe a Harry’s (I guess small chains are okay). A gift store, but not one that sells stuff you can get in the city.  Oh, and of course whatever it is it has to be sold for the best price because “I hate being ripped off by small boutiques.”

For me, I look no further than Arcadia Café as an illustration of the uncomfortable question I threw out earlier. Nearly every written or spoken conversation I have includes the pronouncement that Arcadia is the shining example of the kind of local business we need and want. Yet this business is and has been struggling mightily for years. We obviously like to linger over coffee and newspapers, but unlike similar places in Greenwich, Armonk or Darien, the register does not ring all day with people jostling for tables, or lining up for service.

So when the question is asked, why can’t we get a good men’s store, or a bakery or a shoe store or a family restaurant or whatever to open up in OG, we have to face the possibility that the answer may be that OG and the surrounding community of shoppers 1) is not large enough to provide the critical mass of shoppers necessary to support traditional retail businesses day in and day out, and that 2) we as customers will not support businesses that do not meet our meticulous standards of style, price, options and flexibility.

Go ahead, start writing your angry comments now, I’ll wait.

Welcome back. So what do long-running empty storefronts tell us: that there is no backlog of potential shop owners lining up to fill the spaces. And with no clamor of local businessmen with sound business plans ready to open stores, the door then is opened a crack for chains and what I have heard referred to as stores that “do not serve the local community.” The first category is CVS and Dunkin. But the second is CM Almy and the two new design shops building new kitchens and flooring. Now let’s look at shops like this rationally, because I’ll take the position that those shops absolutely serve the community.

Chuck Wheelock is one of the partners in Wheelock Maidique, the new kitchen design studio in town. Chuck lives here, his kids go to school here, and Chuck knows something about the people who live here as well. And Chuck believes that OG is the right place for him and his business. He knows he won’t get all his customers from OG, but OG will benefit because his customers from beyond the train bridge will come to town, shop and eat. Now play that out into the future. That translates into more overall customers, building that necessary critical mass which in turn motivates new business owners to open other shops in OG. In addition, Wheelock’s windows will look magnificent, a much better improvement over empty windows (or a bank, or a real estate office).

For a local businessman or woman to open a store in Old Greenwich today it takes more than just a good idea, it takes a leap of faith. The faith that people will mean it when they say they will shop locally. Plus, the faith that more owners will be as visionary as Chuck, as flexible as Rich at Action Arts, as committed as Laurie at Bennett Jewelers, or as innovative as Marcos at Images. Combine those and add in unique attractions like the OG Farmers Market and increased civic commitment through the new Village Improvement Committee, and maybe we are on the right path.

Sorry It’s a Wonderful Life fans, but Mr. Gower no longer runs the general store. Having a charming New England-y downtown area in the 21st century that is also a viable, thriving business district is going to take work, commitment and flexibility from both dedicated residents as well as cutthroat and savvy shop owners.