Unlike the Chains, Local Businesses Stay Open in Sandy’s Wake

from the Next American City blog:


Unlike the Chains, Local Businesses Stay Open in Sandy’s Wake

New York | 11/01/2012 11:29am |
Corinne Ramey | Next American City



[font size="1"]A survey of the area of Manhattan that still doesn’t have power reveals a landscape where most chain stores are closed. Credit: Corinne Ramey[/font]


On Wednesday, the day after Hurricane Sandy tore through Manhattan, the usually bustling Whole Foods in Union Square was closed. The nearby Starbucks and McDonald’s had both locked their doors. But down the street, Coffee Shop, a diner and bar, was open for business. A server dressed as a pirate greeted customers at the door, where strains of Bach’s Air on a G String, played by a violinist and drummer, drifted onto the street.

There are many arguments for locally owned businesses: They give communities character, increase diversity of goods and tend to support other local services via something like a trickle-down effect. But the post-Sandy destruction offers a more pragmatic argument. Simply, small businesses are what manage to be open. They have the flexibility to make decisions quickly, don’t have to deal with layers of corporate bureaucracy and can build relationships with their neighborhoods. Staff is likely to live closer to work, or be part of the family.

A survey of the area of Manhattan that still doesn’t have power — generally south of 30th Street — reveals a landscape where most chain or corporate stores are closed, with no clear plans of when they might reopen. But, amid nonfunctioning traffic lights, lack of cell service and people aimlessly wandering the streets, small businesses appeared to be thriving. Their lights were off and most could only accept cash. But on street after street, these local groceries, convenience stores and even clothing stores opened to thankful customers.

Natasha Amott, owner of Whisk, a kitchenware and tabletop store, walked from her Brooklyn home to her store, on Broadway near 22nd Street. A sign out front read, “We have tea lights and votives” in green marker. The store, which had no power, was entirely dark and cold on Wednesday. But it was open. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://americancity.org/daily/entry/unlike-the-chains-local-businesses-stay-open-in-sandys-wake