By Josh Goldstein and Ed Kiersh
The Westport Downtown Merchants Association three-day annual Main Street sidewalk sale gets under way today as some members worry about spiraling rents and the dominance of national chain stores in the town center.
Michelle Weber and Gavin Arneth, vice president and president of the Downtown Merchants Association, stroll Westport’s Main Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ed Kiersh for WestportNow.com
The 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. sale continues Saturday and Sunday.
The summer fete showcases a mix of newly received fall fashion items and a vast array of merchandise at clearance sale prices. Festival director Gavin Arneth promises it will be “a great opportunity to see what the street offers and to mingle with your neighbors in a calm, friendly atmosphere.”
Arneth, president of the merchants’ group, said he hopes Main Street and area restaurants will dazzle sidewalk strollers with their hospitality, charm and finger food treats. Oscar’s, Westport Pizzeria, and other emporiums have delighted sale visitors for the past 15 years.
But the hot dogs, balloons and champagne truffles from Cocoa Michelle won’t dispel a growing uneasiness on Main Street among some Westport merchants.
Ever since Clementine’s went out of business earlier this year, some merchants have said they are worried that they, too, will become victims of the skyrocketing rents paid by the J.Crews and Pottery Barns of the world whose leases are for $130—and higher—per square foot.
“Small businesses can’t afford the rising rents,” said Michelle Weber, Cocoa Michelle’s owner and vice president of the Downtown Merchants Association. “The worry is there. It’s very tough on Main Street.”
Weber joined the association last year when she began to showcase her handcrafted ganaches and cappuchinos from her cozy shop on Main and Avery Place in the Main Commons.
But even though association membership has risen this year from 55 to 65 under Arneth’s one-year leadership, the national chains have stubbornly refused to join the DMA.
Annual membership is $250, and when Arneth has approached the managers of these shops, he said he has been consistently told to contact “the corporate hierarchy.”
Those chain stores will still flaunt their merchandise alongside members of the DMA this weekend.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Arneth, shrugging and refusing to sound impolitic about his failed efforts. “Our area merchants (70 to 80 will hawk their specialties) are still geared up.”
Arneth insists these retailers are delighted by the recent beautification changes on the street, and added, “There’s increased cooperation between them and the association to promote downtown’s unique small town atmosphere.”
Arneth did not know how many people were expected to attend the event, but said that he really wanted it to be “causal,” and indicated there is a steady increase in “foot traffic” from year to year.
“I just hope the weather is cooperative with the festival,” said Arneth.
This sidewalk sale will be followed next week by the Downtown Merchants Association annual Fine Arts Festival, which is also directed by Arneth.
