Small is beautiful, again: Walking to dinner or to your favorite watering hole gives you a feeling of belonging.
The Dolce Vita umbrellas are to block the sun, not the rain in Riviera Village. Photo by Diana Maione.“Walking to dinner or to your favorite watering hole gives you a feeling of belonging.” – Michael Franks, Chez Melange by Ellen Engelke Small shop owners face a particular challenge when economic times are tough. There is no big corporation to lean on, but that very problem contains the solution. Retailers in Riviera Village are delighting in the flexibility they have as independent retailers. A single brick and mortar store run and often staffed by the owner brings a personal touch to every working part of the retail machine, offering opportunities almost forgotten and nearly extinct in today’s Big Box world. “We have to make retail happen: more events, more buzz, more happy energy,” says Susan Gilbert, owner of Jonathan. “Better stores and restaurants are opening all over the Village and the energy is terrific.” The shops are small, so the inventory must be carefully selected to reflect a clear, coherent style. The shops are distinctive, with each one displaying a style and cachet unlike any other. Because they are independently owned, they can change quickly, evolving with…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com