by Steven Dolinsky
If you drive through Nyack these days, you will notice a bunch of vacant storefronts. As a Nyack resident and local realtor specializing in the commercial area, I have been fortunate to be instrumental in helping many businesses including the Art Cafe, Main Essentials, True Food Cafe, Playing Mantis, Nyack Hot Yoga and Nyack Burger Hop locate in Nyack.
My quest with this post is to find out what YOU feel Nyack is still missing. I get many calls on my retail storefronts and most of them are for businesses we already have, or just don’t seem to work for Nyack. Merchants come and go too quickly. Too much turnover. I have my own opinion on what we need here in the village, but I want to hear from YOU. I have a great retail storefront at 116A Main Street that is being totally renovated for Nyack’s next new business. I want to attract a tenant that will thrive in Nyack and succeed. One that Nyack residents want.
I am taking a poll and I will post the results to share with local entrepreneurs who might then see the opportunities available in Nyack. And maybe they will then seize these opportunities and bring to Nyack what we all want.
Add a comment below and let me know what new businesses you would like to see in Nyack.
Steven Dolinsky is a real estate broker with Wright Bros Real Estate in Nyack.
Richard Kavesh says:
Steve, do you believe that the current turnover/empty rate among Nyack’s stores is average, below average, near average, way above average, etc? Is it getting better? Worse? Are commercial rents level, going down? Up?
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Stephen Dolinsky says:
Hi Richard,
Great questions. I am seeing that turnover in town has been getting worse over the past several years. That being said, I am noticing activity picking up a little lately, especially in the food related businesses. Overall the commercial market around the country has been hit hard and not showing signs of getting better soon. We can only hope that our little village can hold it’s own.
Landlords have had to reduce their rents in order to attract tenants. Tenants are in the driver’s seat so they can sit and wait and hope the landlords will offer incentives like free rent, flexible leasing terms, and contributing to build out costs.
The reality is that we all know that the residential market has seen a significant slowdown with home prices down around 20% off of their highs in 2006, however, most people aren’t aware that the commercial market has suffered just as bad if not more. Some landlords refuse to recognize this and are in denial. They may have paid top dollar for their buildings hoping to jack up the rents and that may have worked several years ago, but not anymore.
It seems like Nyack has more vacant stores than some of the other towns and villages. I don’t think it’s a lack of interest in Nyack, however, I think it’s more a function of Nyack having higher rents and also challenging parking.
So Richard, as our new Mayor (Congratulations by the way) what would you like to see in Nyack?
Thanks for your input.
Steve Dolinsky
January 24th, 2010 at 10:15 am
JC Brotherhood says:
Great post Steve! Is this a “Real Estate Professional” finally emerging from the “single best use” dogma and offering a “reality check” as it were?
Good for you. I was very intrigued by the property you mentioned when I looked at the drawing posted in the window a week or so ago
What about asking some of these empty storeowners (Chase Bank comes immediately to mind) if they wouldn’t consider using their now empty storefronts as impromptu art galleries to display some of our local talent’s work on a rotating basis and agree to leave them lit at night? We have all read about how dark storefronts are a detriment to struggling downtowns. Interesting artwork displayed in the empty storefronts could also enhance the marketability of the space don’t you think?
1. Shoe store, men’s and women’s, utility and fashion.
2. Sporting goods, with an emphasis on fishing and water sports like kayaking and small boats (not PWC please).
3. Fish Monger
4. Decent butcher (we used to have these on Franklin St. but they closed up shop unable to keep pace with the rent structure I suspect). It seems we might all starve to death waiting for the new market on Broadway.
5. Electronics repair, someplace else besides the Geek Squad we can take ailing computers, TV’s and gadgets to be fixed or recycled properly when they have expired, and someone who knows the difference between the quicken and the dead.
6. I also thought someone might look into starting up an overall Nyack delivery service to cater to all the businesses from the Pharmacies and hardware stores to the pizza and restaurant businesses. It could help with parking and reduce the existing “every store for themselves” model we have now. AMybe one of the car service companies might like to try? Just a thought.
7. Tailor
8. Oh yeah, someone who is open for coffee and breakfast sandwiches when I leave for work. Not for the faint of heart, it’s early like 0430 or 0500. I see more and more people at he quikeemart at the gas station on rte 59 every day.
That’s all I can think of for now.
And by the way, just a hunch based upon my own observations regarding the turnover question Richard asked; but if the store you are looking to rent has a sign with a big green dot on it you are probably going to pay too much for it and will shortly be out of business as a result of being over-extended.
Just my opinion
January 24th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Richard Kavesh says:
J.C. makes a lot of good points in terms of what’s missing from the food scene in Nyack, some of which may be answered when the Chef’s Market opens (now making excellent progress) on So. Broadway. Cheese, meat, and fish are particularly needed.
Shoes and sporting goods? The last local shoe store went out of business a few years ago — I think it’s pretty hard to compete against the mall in these market niches.
In terms of what else I would like in the downtown: a genuine village green (a top recommendation of the Master Plan) and an arts/film center built within the footprint of the current Riverspace building, and including residential and commercial development within the same rather large footprint (Riverspace is much bigger than Jacob Burns). This would be a great draw for Nyack and is the fastest and most doable and practical of all the plans out there.
Many villagers have convinced me that such a concept would be successful — as well as within the scope and scale of the present downtown.
January 25th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Stephen Dolinsky says:
Thanks J.C. and Richard,
Great ideas. I really like the one about allowing local artists displaying their work in the empty stores. I will mention it to some of my clients and to the agent for the Chase Bank space. I heard a sports bar might be going in there. Not sure if we need another one.
I love the idea of a village green and arts center. I am a supporter of the Riverspace concept. I hope that we can keep this dream alive and make it a reality.
The early morning coffee shop sounds great too. I agree that we can use that. The kayak/sporting goods concept is great. I know that Cold Spring and New Paltz have those stores. It would capitalize on the area’s sense of outdoor adventure. Also kayak and canoe rentals, bicycle rentals, scooter rentals maybe. Just some thoughts.
I hope that more people chime in and submit their ideas and that word spreads to entrepreneurs ready to meet the needs of the market.
Thank you for your fresh ideas.
Steven Dolinsky
Wright Bros. Real Estate
January 25th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Roger S. Cohen says:
Yet another bar. Ugh.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Reese says:
-A movie theater — indie/clearview (Or the Riverspace concept to go through)
-Definitely agree an outdoor shop is missing. With high end outdoor goods (ie patagonia/kayaks)
-gallery space
-flower shop
January 25th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Cliff Weathers says:
The two most valuable properties are on the Northeast and Southwest corners of Broadway and Clinton. The possible storefront areas of Presidential Life Insurance and Dr. Kranes Dentistry do not attract people to town.
Now these are privately held properties and we certainly can’t tell the owners what to do with these properties, but think of what it would mean to this town if you were to put in two anchor stores to attract more shoppers.
In places like Rye, Brooklyn Heights, and others, I have noticed anchor stores like Banana Republic, Nine West, or the Gap. While many people think giving into these large corporate stores can hurt the boutiques in a downtown like Nyack, I think they would add greatly to foot traffic.
Something like an EMS, but on a smaller scale and where you could rent kayaks would be nice as well.
Re: Possible sports bar. We need another bar like we need another hair stylist in this town. There are too many already.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
JC Brotherhood says:
Check out the new flower shop across from didier dumas Reese
Just say no to EMS GAP or 9 West. I don’t believe, like some others, that Nyack needs to sell her soul (just yet) but I do see a major flaw in the Chamber of Commerce of the Nyacks including the Palisades Mall as a Partner. I’d be happy to be proved wrong on this point but so far no-one has challenged this assertion. Its one thing to recognize the 600 lb gorilla in the room, its another to invite it into bed with you.
The building on the corner of Main and Broadway with the dentist office in it tried to do something positive with its facade but was shot down by the the land use boards and said “screw it” basically. Be careful what you wish for with the Presidential Building. We need these kinds of jobs too in order to maintain a balanced portfolio.
I would say Nyack needs another bar like a fish needs a bicycle. (or a hair stylist for that matter).
I go to Vlads or Locksmith
January 25th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
carlopellegrini says:
Great ideas for Getting the Business in Nyack. Thank you for starting this line of discussion.
Regarding art in the former Chase storefront: I already tried this with Royal Properties who manage the Chase property. I wanted that space for our Circus Art Exhibit for our summer production of Circus-in-the-Park-Extravaganza. My reasoning was that we would fill the storefront, maybe attract a renter, beautify the street and drive traffic into town. I got a resounding “not interested.” No reason. Just not interested. The idea is a sound one, though.
Secondly, might there be merit to calling a ‘Summit of the Nyack Landlords’ to collectively discuss with them how they can help Nyack? The Chamber of Commerce would gladly help coordinate this. With Streetscape in the wings, the Citizens’ Committee Report logged and a lagging retail economy, it may be time for a landlord intervention. What about including the retailers, merchants and restaurateurs who have been here the longest and been successful?
Thirdly, Nyack has plenty of fine bars and restaurants…we need stores that our local residents can shop in daily: yes, a shoe store, a children’s clothing store, a men’s clothing store, an outdoor store, etc. Our local residents need daily reasons (besides a cup of coffee) to visit Nyack on a regular basis. Foot-traffics lead to spending. We need to give the locals a reason on their way out of town, for lunch, on their way home and on the weekends to spend their dollars locally.
Lastly, in Pennsylvania and California I have had the pleasure of shopping in ‘village-styled’ mini malls anchored by boutique versions of regionally and nationally-based clothing, food and entertainment stores that are mixed in with the privately run entrepreneur store owners. It is a formula that works across the country. This is going to be controversial, but we need to discuss it.
Nyack lacks an Economic Development plan. It is quite possible we have relied for too long on ‘being’ Nyack. Understanding the demographic of Nyack is the first step in attracting new businesses to our village. We have to make a compelling argument for why an entrepreneur wants to set up shop here.
I bought lunch at a store today in a shop I have never been in before in Nyack. The store has been here three years. I asked the proprietress if she was happy doing business in Nyack. She said her lease was up in June and she was considering leaving Nyack. Why, I asked? She said she can’t keep making excuses to her customers for Nyack anymore, from the parking, to the taxes, to the rents, to the crazy parking meters (her phrase)…she’s just about had it.
What is the message we deliver to visitors with six or seven storefronts empty? Is it natural attrition or something we can help fix? Maybe landlords have a story to tell us that we could learn from? Nyack has a different demographic from Tarrytown, from Piermont, from Ridgewood, et al. But until we determine what we want in Nyack, it’s going to be hard to attract the right mix of stores. Til then, we will be beholden to whomever shows up and takes their best shot at staying in business here.
How can we help businesses in the village stay in business, and how can we help the right new businesses open up here?
January 25th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
curabrad says:
In James Howard Kunstler’s view, public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, he argues, what we have in America is a nation of places not worth caring about.
check out the rest here…
http://blog.ted.com/2007/04/james_howard_ku_1.php
Another sports bar in Nyack, by the way, would pretty much finish the village off…in my opinion..
January 25th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Marianne Olive says:
I have been both a merchant and a landlord for 35 years and have personally witnessed the resurection, ascention and then the decline of Nyack again. I’ve had “Hair’s Marianne” and “Olive’s, formerly known by a series of other names and I am about to embark on another restaurant that will be called “Sour Kraut”. It will be all authentic German food and drinks. I chose German because there is no German restaurant in all of Rockland County.
I sat with the store empty for 9 months; having turned down many unqualified potential tenants and chose to take a chance on myself. In this economy, it is a veryhigh risk even if you are your own landlord.
Walk up and down Main St or Broadway at any given time of day and all you will see is empty stores. How can these merchants pay their rent and overhead. Many don’t break even for the entire winter and fall way behind in their rent. At this moment we are in serious jeopardy of loosing more businesses.
Many people can’t tolerate the bars, but without them, we certainly would not have a village at all. Young people are the only ones with disposible incomes. Many live week by week spending their entire paycheck.Older and married people are paying their mortgage and supporting a family. Seniors spend money but often look for bargains. Those married with children will go out once a week for dinner, sometimes more often. When they go out with their kids, they look for a cheap fast deal; kid friendly. Parents spend money on their children, grandparents spend money on their grandkids. We should cater to the needs of those people whose needs are not being met here in Nyack.
I’ve been to many places across the country with newly restored downtowns and many do have upscale ancor clothing stores,shoe stores, furniture and kitchen stores. J. Crew, Anthropology, Frye Boot store, Victoria Secret, Crate and Barrel, high end accessories and jewelry like David Yerman or Michelle, or Marc Jacobs etc would fly off the shelves. Young people with disposable incomes like nothing but the best.
Little Mom and Pop operations have been failing unless it’s family run and they devote all their time to the business.
Landlords have it difficult. Commercial landlords pay 1 1/2 times more in taxes and often end up in court to try to collect on failed business ventures.
I say God bless those that are taking a chance on going into business now. I’m one of them and I’m scared but I can’t stand to see the storefront empty. Luckily for me, I have my future son in law who is from Germany to run this new venture. I hope you all come and give it a try!
Nyack needs a partnership with merchants and the village community. We need each other, we need help, we all need consumers to survive. Encourage people to shop in Nyack. Be business friendly and welcoming to all visitors so that they return happily.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Stephen Dolinsky says:
Thank you all for your well thought out ideas and suggestions. There are some really good concepts there and I only hope that we can attract these stores and businesses.
… And good luck to Marianne with Sour Kraut. I think you will do very well. Being that it’s different and authentic and not what you would find in the mall it should do well and be good for Nyack.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
A P Bowie says:
I know this is a huge undertaking but the Nyack waterfront needs to be developed and then businesses will be created to support the waterfront. You can’t find that in a mall. Look at Tarrytown and other waterfront towns.
What bothers me in addition to the empty store fronts is how awful Main Street looks from Midland up to the Mobile station. Steve would know this, the value of your home is partly influenced by how Main Street looks and how much it is thriving.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 pm