by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Despite a shaky economy with consumers curtailing spending, many owners and managers of Five Points area businesses – both new and established – have seen steady traffic and business in general. But that won’t deter optimism or having an opportunistic eye toward the upcoming holiday season.
“Considering the state of the economy, I’m not doing as badly as what I expected,” said Shaan Baatan, owner of nest living at 1020 Park St. “Of course, I’d like more, but I’m surviving.”
Baatan opened his modern furniture and home accessories store in January and chose the location due to his desire to be in an urban environment.
Foot traffic has been slow to the showroom, but Baatan noted the majority of his customer base – around 60 percent – doesn’t step foot in the store.
Instead, he does much of his business via his Web site and ships his products all over the country.
“You have to be creative to make it today,” he said, adding that he does expect his overall business to pick up slightly despite the state of economy.
Around the corner from nest living, A Floral Affair at 1620 Margaret St. is different in the product it offers but similar in outlook.
“Business is what it is,” said co-owner Robert Grosharev, alluding to steady but not spectacular returns. “We don’t receive a lot of walk-ins and our main business comes from word of mouth.”
The full-service event florist gets most of its business from weddings and funerals, two ceremonies that Grosharev said “aren’t stopping anytime soon,” but like Baatan, he foresees holiday events generating more business.
One relatively new business located next door is cutting back hours and though the manager isn’t as excited for colder weather, business is still above average.
“Business is strong, especially around lunch time when people are coming and going from lunch,” said Amanda Rady, manager of Lee’s Ice Cream. “Our hours have changed some during winter, but people don’t seem to be cutting us out.”
Even newer than both A Floral Affair and Lee’s Ice Cream is new restaurant neighbor, Five Guys. The burgers-and-fries chain took the place of Qdoba Mexican Grill in the same 1620 Margaret St. center and business has been better than steady in its first six weeks in business.
“We’re doing very, very well,” said manager Shauna Bubsy. “I know we’re excited to a part of the Five Points area community and so far it’s been great.”
Bubsy believed the early success comes from a combination of Five Guys product following and service and prime location.
“Things are running smoothly and I expect we’ll be here a long time,” she said.
It’s not just the new kids on the block who are maintaining and succeeding in the historic area during economic crunch time – many of the area’s older business owners and managers are saying things aren’t as bad as they could be.
“It’s about the same as it’s always been,” said Ruben Escajeda, owner of Fans & Stoves Antique Mall at 1059 Park St.
The antique mall has been in the fabric of Five Points for 28 years, with Escajeda taking over for former owner Cindy Barfield in February. Escajeda sublets space ($3 a square foot) and collects commission from antique sellers who set prices and display their wares for sale.
There isn’t a shortage of people looking for space, either – Escajeda said a dozen people are on a waiting list to display their items.
“I’m not really afraid of the economy,” he said. “Everything in here is pretty affordable.”
Like other owners and managers, though, he’s optimistic for the coming months.
Since 1932, Owens Pharmacy at 834 Lomax St. has been busy – and nothing changed even now.
“We’re always staying busy,” said owner and pharmacist Lynn Geer. “We get a lot of walk-ins and have a pretty long-standing relationship with a lot of customers.”
The increased activity of the Five Points area – especially restaurants – has led to fewer parking spots for customers, said Lynn. To combat limited parking, the pharmacy offers full delivery service. It’s an increasingly popular service, she added.
Like weddings and funerals that A Floral Affair caters to, Geer said the pharmacy has a built-in clientele and isn’t going anywhere.
“People will always get sick,” she said. “That’s just the way it is.”
Across the street at the Derby House restaurant, business hasn’t been as strong recently, but it has followed a pattern.
“Summers always are slow,” said owner Louise Reeves, who has run the restaurant the last several years. “They always tend to pick up in the fall and winter ... I’m optimistic it’’ll pick up.”
The restaurant has been in business since 1946, said Reeves, and many of the staff of seven have been working there many years.
Despite tougher times and much like her business neighbors, though, the Five Points attraction and sentiment remains strong in Reeves.
“I absolutely love the area and doing business here. I love my job and I’ll do it as long as I’m able,” said Reeves. “The entire area – it’s a landmark.”
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