by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
As 2006 came to a close, Downtown business owners reflected on the year and gave some insight into what they would like to see in 2007.
Sundrez at the Landing came out about 3-4 percent over its projected numbers for the year, said owner Doug Ganson.
“Overall it [2006] was good,” he said. “We hit a few bumps ... Florida/Georgia and ACC were soft for us, but the rest of the year was strong and that made up for it.”
Ganson, who has been at the Landing for 14 years, said he’s seen positive and significant Downtown growth since he opened his store.
“To tell you the truth, the whole place improved dramatically since Toney [Sleiman] bought the Landing,” he said. “I hope we can continue to build on this momentum.”
Ganson has also been thinking of expanding his current store at the Landing for the third time in three years.
“We are very confident in 2007 and we have a large space right now, but I’d like to expand again,” he said. “Going from 220 to 4,000 square feet in three years is significant.”
He added that he is looking forward to Fuddruckers opening and hopes the Landing can become more of a destination.
“I hope more and more retailers see the Landing and the space it offers,” he said. “Anything we can draw to the Landing that makes it a destination is what we need.”
For Maria Jones, owner of Tiara on Laura Street, her second year of business went better than the first.
“This year was definitely better than the first year, but the holidays were about the same as last year,” she said. “I am looking forward to having the same amount of growth if not more next year.”
Tiara, a shop that specializes in shoes and accessories, is near City Hall, the new Main Library and several office towers, making it one of Downtown’s better business locations. Chamblin Bookmine is also under construction a few stores away and a cafe is opening to the left of Tiara.
“I am hoping for something to be complete in 2007,” she said. “Since the library opened, that has been a big help on Saturdays.”
Jones said her biggest challenge is trying to get her customers to come back.
“I have a great group of customers, and most work or live Downtown,” she said. “Art Walk has been a plus, but most don’t come Downtown often ... They say they will come back, and usually I don’t see most of them again.”
Vicki Moody, owner of jBunae at the Landing, has only been in business Downtown for six months, but so far she said it has been a positive experience.
“I did better than I thought I would, but December wasn’t as good as I thought,” she said. “If I make as many sales as I did the last six months (in the next six) I will be very happy.”
Moody said the biggest problem she faces is letting customers know that her merchandise is listed at sale price everyday.
“It is a boutique with high-end merchandise that is sold mostly under wholesale price,” she said.
This year, Moody added, she is going to work on getting her name out to help add to her clientele.
“People don’t know that it is so cheap,” she said. “I want it [the store] to be what everyone wants it to be.”