L-R-Shari Rosen Ascher, Director Policy & Programs for Small Business and Chambers of Commerce, Westchester County, Michael Murphy, President, Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce, Gina Proia, President, Larchmont Chamber of Commerce
By Rina Beder
There were many heads nodding among the over 40 attendees of the January 14th meeting of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit when Shari Rosen Ascher, Westchester County’s Director of Policy and Programs for Small Business and Chambers, said, “The pulse of Westchester is the main streets.” The program focused on the current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the local business economy and featured Shari Rosen Ascher; Michael Murphy, President of the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce; and Gina Proia, President of the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce.
Westchester’s Main Streets Post-COVID
Post-COVID, there has been substantial growth in entrepreneurship and a greater community-wide focus on supporting local businesses. While the pandemic had a profound impact, it also accelerated many changes already underway.
One such change is the significant growth in home-based and professional service businesses, which now comprise half of the 210 members of the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce, according to Gina Proia. In response to the pandemic and the rise of online shopping, businesses that adopted a multi-channel shopping model—integrating both in-store and online experiences—saw a strong holiday season. Proia noted that “the biggest competition isn’t each other; it’s online.”
Shari Rosen Ascher emphasized that businesses offering unique products and personalized experiences have a competitive edge. Building relationships and a sense of expertise are crucial for success in today’s market, she added. A bright spot in Larchmont’s recovery is the opening of a dozen new storefronts over the past year.
The Village of Mamaroneck has also seen new storefronts open, but it faced a “double whammy” with the impacts of Hurricane Ida and COVID-19. “It hit the business community in a big way,” said Murphy. Despite these challenges, the Village’s restaurant scene remains vibrant, and efforts are ongoing to attract diverse businesses. Murphy humorously advised against opening another pizza, ice cream, or bagel shop to increase variety.
In response to these challenges, the County has stepped in with Element 46, a tech accelerator and programs like Launch 1000 which helps entrepreneurs transition from ideas to sustainable businesses. Additionally, the Downtown Improvement Grant program has supported municipalities in revitalizing their business districts. The County also utilized Federal ARPA funds to provide grants to local chambers of commerce, businesses, and non-profits.
Challenges
Proia pointed out that, in addition to online shopping, parking is frequently mentioned as a challenge by members. Larchmont’s two distinct retail areas compound this issue. Ascher Rosen
offered a different perspective: “I don’t think parking is the problem; I think walking is the problem.” Drawing from her experience living in NYC, she suggested promoting walkability to ease congestion and enhance the downtown experience. Ascher even half-jokingly suggested to then County Executive George Latimer that the County sponsor a Fitbit competition between municipalities to encourage walking.
Another challenge Rosen Ascher identified is high rent and the lack of affordable housing for workers. “Westchester needs to be made more affordable for the workforce,” she said. “this affordability issue makes it harder for businesses to attract and retain staff.”
Both Proia and Murphy noted the presence of empty storefronts in the community. They pointed to absentee landlords and diffuse building ownership as major obstacles to filling vacancies.
Leveraging Resources and the Value of Chamber Membership
The County’s goal, said Rosen Ascher, is to partner with the business community and not be an obstacle. Resources such as the Westchester Catalyst website provide information on grants and other opportunities, addressing the critical need for access to capital. The County’s “Good Neighbor” policy has fostered stronger relationships with the 45 municipalities in Westchester.
Despite these resources, challenges persist. Murphy highlighted the difficulty businesses face in securing loans for repairs or rebuilding following multiple floods. For instance, Bilotta Kitchens, a local business, had to relocate after rebuilding multiple times due to the strong potential for future flooding.
Membership in local Chambers of Commerce has proven to be a significant asset for businesses. Rosen Ascher noted that Chamber members fared better during the pandemic due to better access to information and resources. The Chambers foster partnerships between local governments and businesses, creating a support network that helps members navigate challenges more effectively.
Both the Larchmont and Mamaroneck Chambers of Commerce hold regular meetings to provide valuable information and share ideas, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among businesses. The next Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce meeting is scheduled for February 6th at the Nautilus Diner and the Larchmont Chamber meets on February 11.
Rosen Ascher also highlighted the benefits of Chambers collaborating, especially during the pandemic. Weekly phone calls and multi-Chamber events ensured that no single organization had to solve every problem on its own. “When you’re part of an organization that can bring together the business community, it adds value,” she said.
Building a Stronger Future
The panelists encouraged residents to shop locally. Proia pointed out that for every dollar spent at an independent business, 54 cents stays within the community, compared to just 14 cents from big-box stores.
To address empty storefronts, Ascher suggested hiring dedicated business advocates at the local level, separate from elected officials. She pointed to Hastings-on-Hudson, which successfully reduced vacancy rates by hiring a consultant to engage absentee landlords and attract new tenants.
The meeting concluded with a call to action: shop locally and explore innovative solutions to sustain and grow the community’s economic vitality. Westchester’s main streets are more than just commercial hubs; they are the heart of the community. By working together, businesses, governments, and residents can ensure a thriving local economy for years to come.
The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit is an informal community council that seeks to make a better life for the community by helping keeping it informed of major issues of concern. The February 11 program will be on disaster preparedness. Visit the Local Summit online: https://www.localsummitlm.org/ LMC Media: https://lmcmedia.org/.
