Nov 25, 2008

Merchants fight economy with resolve and pluckBy Rob MerwinEastBayRI.com

Bristol, RI — While national headlines of falling employment and plummeting stocks are galloping across the land like Paul Revere, Bristol merchants are keeping cautiously optimistic despite slowing sales and tough staffing decisions.

“No question about it — we’ve had to lay people off,” said Leo’s Ristorante owner Paul Mancieri, when asked if the economy has affected his downtown business. “We’re still high traffic, but people are just spending less. People aren’t buying that extra bottle of wine when they come in.”

Dan Goldman, part-owner of the Green River Silver Co., a jewelry store on Hope Street, said he first noticed a slippage in sales during the late summer and early fall.

“We’re doing well, but it’s tough,” he said. “What’s put us in better shape than most is our loyal customer base — we’ve been around 10 years — and the affordibility of our product.”

Even so, Mr. Goldman said they are being more aggressive with marketing this holiday season by doing more targeted advertising.

“If anything, we’re spending more — you have to,” he said. “There’s competition out there and you have to remind your customers that you’re here.”

Betty Pleacher, president of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, agreed, and said that people need to know what’s available to them “right around the corner.”

“If your business is advertising now — don’t stop,” she said.

The chamber held an economic forum earlier this month that provided small businesses financial advice, branding tips and advertising options from a variety of guest speakers in an effort to combat the present economy.

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