Businesses Raise Downtown Issues
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Downtown Pinehurst has an identity crisis, and it is hurting business.
That is the message several downtown business owners delivered to the Pinehurst Village Council Wednesday during its regular work session.
“It seems like there are more and more and more activities that are happening in the village of Pinehurst that are hurting us and not helping us,” said Deborah Myatt, of Le Faux Chateau. “What we are asking you to do is determine if the village is more of an activity center or a business district.”
The council took no action during the meeting.
Myatt and other business owners told the council that free community-oriented events hurt business because they consume valuable parking and bring nonshoppers downtown.
“They are coming for a free event,” she said. “They are not coming to shop in our shops.”
That assertion seemed to take several council members by surprise.
“We thought the activities were proactive,” Mayor Ginsey Fallon said. “Now you are finding they are a detriment.”
The business owners proposed a simple solution.
“We would like to see a lot of these things moved to the Arboretum,” she said. “You can have activities there 24/7 without hurting the businesses that are struggling to survive.”
Sherry Mortenson, who owns the Faded Rose, said the village has an identity crisis. She said the village is a historic quaint resort destination, not a community center. She said she is worried all the community-based activities are destroying that image.
“I don’t want to ruin the goose that laid the golden egg, and I think that’s what is happening,” she said.
Bruce Bishop, who co-owns Cool Sweats with his wife, Barbara, said the community events are beneficial for businesses.
“Do they shop right away? No,” he said. “But if they have a good time, they’re likely to say, ‘Let’s go back.’”
He said struggles of the village businesses are tied to the resort.
“My opinion is that when the hotel booms, the village booms, and when the hotel is dead, business (downtown) is dead.”
He said until business comes back to the resort, he thinks all the businesses are “in for a rough go.”
Other issues the business owners brought up included providing business owners regular, written notification about parking in front of the stores and improving the ambience and safety in the village by adding bench seating and lighting.
In a phone interview after the meeting, Myatt said she thinks businesses and the community events are both important to the village, but she just thinks they can’t co-exist in the same space.
Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.
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Comments
tarheelz 2 years, 1 month ago
Am I reading this correctly? Ms. Myatt and Ms. Mortenson believe that events like Live After 5, the Farmer's Market, the St. Patrick's Day parade and U.S. Kids Golf events are HURTING their business? I think not. These events can only improve the image of downtown Pinehurst. What is hurting their business is the outrageously-priced merchandise they sell and their nasty attitudes. I will make sure I steer very clear of these establishments- they need all the room they can get for their egos.
teufelhunden 2 years, 1 month ago
After the St. Patrick's Day parade the pub on the corner where the sundry used to be was packed (although some left upset because they couldn't get any service-believe me, it was bad). Lots of people were looking but some of those shops & boutiques are too expensive. I usually spend more for items when I'm on vacation but $80 for a pair of "sweatpants" is just plain goofy. The best place to go is Cameron & Co. - those ladies are friendly and helpful and you can tell they love what they do.
I'd love to see a good indian restaurant come to town-like Nawab in Winston-Salem; they'd do well.
The shops on 211 need something for kids. The place on the end that looks sort of like a castle would make a great place for games, billiards, etc.
I've also thought it would make a great place to dance-kind of a roarin' twenties type of feel to it.
Just some ideas, but don't take away the parades & Live After Five, etc. It brings the locals out plus it's fun.
WLD23 2 years, 1 month ago
Cameron and Co. is the ONLY place to go. Unlike the other shops, the prices are very reasonable and it stocks very unique items. That's all I have to say about that :)
blessherheart 2 years, 1 month ago
Cameron & Co is my favorite place to shop. Love Caroline!
pinehurstnative 2 years, 1 month ago
It could have a lot to do with the fact that neither of those ladies wants tourists, children or local riff raff in their stores. That is why they are so wildly busy at all hours......
To bring people downtown, they must have a reason to BE downtown. Bravo to the Village for at least trying to bring business downtown. I agree with teufelhunden, they may not shop DURING the event but they will shop prior to and after the event. But if you only desire certain persons in your store, you won't win no matter the circumstances. Perhaps Ms. Myatt and Ms. Mortenson need to look elsewhere for their shops. Like Rodeo Drive....
Steve 2 years, 1 month ago
More then 2
teufelhunden 2 years, 1 month ago
I do love the fact that it has a quaint and old fashioned feel to it but look at DTSP-they have trendy, fun shops that cater to the young and old alike. I like the artsy feel to DTSP. I know that Pinehurst has a certain prestige that business owners want to uphold and that is understandable-keeps out a lot of unsavory types-BUT you do have to look out for your bottom line as a business owner and think about appealing to a broader range of clientele. Local "flavor" plus golf mecca could be very profitable if it was mixed together thoughtfully.
At some of these free events I've see couples on vacation pour out of the Holly Inn to observe & participate and you can see that during these charming events something clicks inside them-they love the feel of small town America. They'll keep coming back as long as there aren't tumble weeds rolling down Chinquapin. Something needs to be done that will preserve the class & tranquility of our village but also wow our visitors and keep the locals interested. Nothing tacky or honky-tonk please. We don't want to lose our original vibe.
leftfield 2 years, 1 month ago
Wow, talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
eflat7 2 years, 1 month ago
Talk about a scrooge! Wow. Like it or not, Pinehurst is full of families now. I am really liking the way Pinehurst is going with all the community activities and such. Just because you are in "The Village" doesn't mean you get to hand pick your customers.
Bflat 2 years, 1 month ago
The downtown village does have parking problems. Just witness those real estate agents playing musical cars every 2 hours when their tires are chalked..have to go out and move them. Many of them have magnetic signs on their cars, so it is not hard to see that they take away valuable parking spaces for those that need them to go shopping. Nothing like going round and round waiting for someone to pull out of a space so you can park and shop.
blessherheart 2 years, 1 month ago
They quit marking tires along time ago. But I do agree that realtors and some business owners employees do take up the parking spots. Businesses should encourage their employees to park in the parking lot.
injuredlist 2 years, 1 month ago
"Another thing! Have you seen all the golfers walking around Pinehurst?? Just take a minute to listen to them some time! It's just golf, golf, golf!! And not a one of them walks into my store! We have GOT to do something about all these golfers!!!!"
BigE 2 years, 1 month ago
No one has really nailed it. The answer is always about "value." Value does not mean inexpensive, it means the consumer believes they are receiving something that THEY value for a fair price. This is the reason most small businesses fail. An individual comes up with an idea, usually in an area of interest to them, let's say... a clothing boutique, and then opens a shop. Often, the entrepreneur miscalculates value (pricing and margins) and overestimates sales volume. They are shocked when their actual income is not a livable wage. Of course, since they were smart enough and bold enough to open their own business it must be someone else's fault for their failure. It's classic. What draws me to the village? Um... really just a few things... Ten-Ya, Kraz Bakery, and The Village Wine Shop. Other than giving my out of town guests a tour of this quaint and historic setting, we have no compelling reason to shop there. Sure maybe the occasional corporate exec pops into town with his wife or mistress, but has anyone really looked at the demographics? The locals are retired and on fixed incomes and the golf "buddy trip" guys are looking for golf, alcohol, a hearty meal, and hot women to flirt (or more) with. Anyone offering this in Pinehurst?
BigCat 2 years, 1 month ago
Thank you MsMortenson and Ms. Myatt. You just saved me $3200 for next years shopping budget. Oh, that would be the amount I spent in your two stores this past year on my wife and daughter. I guess my local money was not welcome and you prefer the resort money. No worries, I am happy to accomidated your wishes and in the process save myself some money. Yes, I know your items are over priced, but there is something magical about the village and living here. It has especially been magical to my family during all the "events" in the village these past 6 years. It was during those events that we took the extra time to explore your shops and pet your cat, and admire the French imported purses (purchased two last year).
You don't have to look to far to see the future of your attitudes regarding locals.. the ghost of Razooks, Sundry House, Candy Shop, Poppys, Cottage Chic, and your backdoor is an empty theater building.. Surely the future of "our" wonderful village will include a nice mix of resort guest and 82,000 Moore County residence finding a nice gift or meal in "our" village.