Friday, November 21, 2008 11:03 AM EST
Roberts promotes Main St. initiative
 Lt. Gov. Roberts tours downtown Westerly
with state Rep. Peter Lewiss. Daniel Hyland/SunPhotos |
WESTERLY — Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts hopes Rhode Islanders stay close to home when they shop this holiday season.
That message was much appreciated by Linda Keegan, co-owner of Broad Street boutique Velvet Crush.
Keegan said money spent in town circulates and boosts the local economy.
“This is amazing. This is really great, to see someone at the state level put the ... effort in,” she added of the Democratic lieutenant governor’s efforts.
Roberts visited downtown Westerly Wednesday afternoon, under a newly announced economic development initiative called Buy Local RI. The goal: to promote support for locally-owned businesses, starting this holiday season.
“In the next few months, as you shop for the holidays, think about your local merchant first,” said Roberts, who also chairs the Small Business Advocacy Council.
Westerly was her first stop in a series of planned “Main Street” visits, and she was joined by a contingent of local officials, including Rep. Peter Lewiss, D-Westerly and Town Councilor Jack Felber, who owns the Olympia Tea Room.
The Buy Local RI initiative is expected to grow with a working group and a self-sustaining Web site that lists businesses and products statewide. Roberts said she hoped that by next Christmas, shoppers seeking baby goods would check the Web site and find High Street’s Peek-a-boutique.
Lewiss said, “Her initiative is going to be tremendous to local business.”
Roberts also ducked into other shops, including In Due Time Boutique, the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Miceli’s Furniture, Nigrelli’s Jewelry, Carrie’s Shoes, Hammen Home, Toscano’s men’s shop and The Other Tiger book store, asking questions and browsing.
Outside, a chill hung in the air and workers strung holiday lights on Broad and High streets’ poles.
Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Konicki said Westerly’s downtown stands out with its unique offerings, like its maternity shop, 7-Ply skate shop and Zoe & Company lingerie store.
Carrie Baird, head of the Downtown Business Association, said area business owners have some fears given the current economy, but hopes are up for this holiday shopping season. She said events like the Dec. 3 downtown holiday stroll and Saturday hayrides draw people, as does the ambiance of the downtown scene. “It’s just a really festive area during the holidays,” she said.
Keegan said her business is beginning to swing upwards as the holidays approach, and she and co-owner Diana Zerbarini are “just keeping our fingers crossed.”
That message was much appreciated by Linda Keegan, co-owner of Broad Street boutique Velvet Crush.
Keegan said money spent in town circulates and boosts the local economy.
“This is amazing. This is really great, to see someone at the state level put the ... effort in,” she added of the Democratic lieutenant governor’s efforts.
Roberts visited downtown Westerly Wednesday afternoon, under a newly announced economic development initiative called Buy Local RI. The goal: to promote support for locally-owned businesses, starting this holiday season.
“In the next few months, as you shop for the holidays, think about your local merchant first,” said Roberts, who also chairs the Small Business Advocacy Council.
Westerly was her first stop in a series of planned “Main Street” visits, and she was joined by a contingent of local officials, including Rep. Peter Lewiss, D-Westerly and Town Councilor Jack Felber, who owns the Olympia Tea Room.
The Buy Local RI initiative is expected to grow with a working group and a self-sustaining Web site that lists businesses and products statewide. Roberts said she hoped that by next Christmas, shoppers seeking baby goods would check the Web site and find High Street’s Peek-a-boutique.
Lewiss said, “Her initiative is going to be tremendous to local business.”
Roberts also ducked into other shops, including In Due Time Boutique, the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Miceli’s Furniture, Nigrelli’s Jewelry, Carrie’s Shoes, Hammen Home, Toscano’s men’s shop and The Other Tiger book store, asking questions and browsing.
Outside, a chill hung in the air and workers strung holiday lights on Broad and High streets’ poles.
Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Konicki said Westerly’s downtown stands out with its unique offerings, like its maternity shop, 7-Ply skate shop and Zoe & Company lingerie store.
Carrie Baird, head of the Downtown Business Association, said area business owners have some fears given the current economy, but hopes are up for this holiday shopping season. She said events like the Dec. 3 downtown holiday stroll and Saturday hayrides draw people, as does the ambiance of the downtown scene. “It’s just a really festive area during the holidays,” she said.
Keegan said her business is beginning to swing upwards as the holidays approach, and she and co-owner Diana Zerbarini are “just keeping our fingers crossed.”
Local Business Owner wrote on Jan 3, 2009 5:41 PM:
" I suggested people who have not been downtown in awhile to check the stores out again. Most stores offer both low-moderate and high-end merchandise. Keep in mind when you buy designer items these items will be more expensive but most stores do have a mix. If the designer items are not in your budget you are sure to find things that are. We need your business to survive so voice your opinions in store if you think the price points are to high we will be glad to hear from you. "
Jennifer Dustin wrote on Nov 21, 2008 2:50 PM:
" As the owner of FRETS guitar shop in downtown I would like to say not every store in downtown is too expensive. We keep our prices very low if not lower than the "bigger" stores in our line of business. The attitude that all dowtown stores are too expensive is unfortunate because it puts a stigma on a business like mine that has been in dowtown for 17 plus years. We have seen all aspects of downtown having been here for so long and we know there are regular "middle class" people like ourselves making a living here. We are locals who love our town and want people to know downtown is a great place to be and those who chose to support it we say thank you! "
Business Owners wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:27 AM:
" I feel bad for the downtown business owner, but Ms. Roberts would be helping out a lot more if she stayed in Providence trying to convince her democrat colleagues that government spending is killing Rhode Island businesses.
I can't afford to shop downtown, but maybe they'd be able to lower prices if they weren't paying such a hefty tax load? Chanting "buy local...buy local" may make politicians feel like they are doing something positive, but Walmart is local too, and I can afford their prices (for now).
Ms. Roberts please tell the legislature no more benefits for illegals and cut about half the state employees. Maybe then you'll really be doing something to help local businesses. "
I can't afford to shop downtown, but maybe they'd be able to lower prices if they weren't paying such a hefty tax load? Chanting "buy local...buy local" may make politicians feel like they are doing something positive, but Walmart is local too, and I can afford their prices (for now).
Ms. Roberts please tell the legislature no more benefits for illegals and cut about half the state employees. Maybe then you'll really be doing something to help local businesses. "
Re: Robert Gionet wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:22 AM:
" I now see why you didn't even come close in your bid to enter Westerly Politics.... Better luck next time (although I would suggest you don't embarass yourself again!) "
Old Salt wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:55 PM:
" Did she buy anything? Personally, the only place I can afford is the library. Once again the best place in town! The new business hub is Dunn's Corner. Lt. Gov. stopped at Wal-Marts on her way back home. "
Robert Gionet wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:39 PM:
" Buy Local is a great idea I said it myself.
If she drives a foreign made car she should be deported for hypocritical bull stuff.
Our people need jobs!!
Westerly is not just a rich persons playground .
"
If she drives a foreign made car she should be deported for hypocritical bull stuff.
Our people need jobs!!
Westerly is not just a rich persons playground .
"
Caren wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:13 PM:
" Who can afford to shop downtown? Who can afford to stay in bussiness downtown? Too exspensive for the middle class people. "
paug wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:26 PM:
" Lt. Gov...what about the real issue in this area???? when are dogs going to be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights and roam free on Napatree Point? when...oh when???/ "
Hahahaha wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:31 PM:
" Why would a Democratic Rep and Democratic Town Councillor bring the Democratic Lt. Governor into shops who's owners are supporters of the Republican ticket at all levels of government??? I'm stupefied!!! I'm surprised she wasn't introduced to the owners of the Westerly Sun!!! "
I wonder wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:51 PM:
" what the Lt. Gov. thought when she saw with her own eyes the deplorable condition of Canal Street, all the vacant buildings, such as the old United Theater building, the Cox building, and other vacant store fronts. Why doesn't the Town of Westerly do something about the condition of these buildings? Aren't the owners ever going to be held responsible? Doesn't the Town of Westerly and its officials understand that to allow these buildings to remain in this condition deters shoppers and hurts existing businesses on Canal Street and High Street, and around the Downtown area? Get with it Town Officials and DO SOMETHING. Please, let's begin to understand that the BEACHES are not the only section of this Town that matter. "
T Farrell wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:29 PM:
" The Buy Local RI initiative is a very good thing. However, the Democratic Lt. Governor would never ever address the real issue of the national economic decline having a disproportionate effect on our state, namely the high taxes that drive companies out of business or at least out of state. The high taxes are, of course, due to our legislators being union pawns. "
Local Vocal wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:26 PM:
" The stores downtown offer beautiful things, but they're SO expensive -- a pair of shoes for $100? Jeans for $125? Considering the economy, I can't see this holiday season being too busy for these folks, unfortunately... "
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