It's been a successful model that downtowns across the country have tried to emulate: West Hartford Center.
For years, it's been a thriving destination-- mainly because of all the quaint shops and the unique flavor.
Can those businesses survive in today's economy?
If you look around right now-- you'll see more for lease, for sale signs than ever.
Kate Feiner grew up in West Hartford. She recently returned from college to find some of her best loved haunts like Maggie-Moos, Three dog bakery and Mariel:The Shoe Bar, are all gone.
"It's a little depressing, " Kate Feiner said. "There hasn't been so many for sale spots around as long as i can remember."
But business owners remind you, don't give up on your favorite spot just yet--
Kimberly Moster owns Kimberly's Boutique. She has for five years. She reminds you, this is far from a ghost town.
It is a neighborhood business-- and it depends on neighbors.
"I know that I have clients who maybe aren't spending as much as they normally do-- and they make a point to spend what they are going to spend here, with me. because they want me to be here the next time they want to shop," Moster said.
Moster has made it a point to see unique clothing and jewelry you won't find just anywhere.
She loves what she does-- and knows what she's up against.
that's why she makes sure she shops local. When she wants a book-- she goes next door to the Bookworm.
And if she wants a toy for her two kids, she goes across the street.
Their success, she'll tell you, is her success.
"If you want those unique shops, you gotta shop in them to support them. It's hard to compete with the malls, with the Targets and Kohls," Moster said.
Some of the businesses that closed decided not to renew their leases because the owners thought they were too expensive.
Economists point out, it all goes back to supply and demand: if more businesses start to leave-- even premier spots like West Hartford Center, it is likely that rents will fall, too.
There is some good news. In some empty store fronts, there are already signs that advertise a new business on the way.
That has Moster hopeful that things will turn around.
For years, it's been a thriving destination-- mainly because of all the quaint shops and the unique flavor.
Can those businesses survive in today's economy?
If you look around right now-- you'll see more for lease, for sale signs than ever.
Kate Feiner grew up in West Hartford. She recently returned from college to find some of her best loved haunts like Maggie-Moos, Three dog bakery and Mariel:The Shoe Bar, are all gone.
"It's a little depressing, " Kate Feiner said. "There hasn't been so many for sale spots around as long as i can remember."
But business owners remind you, don't give up on your favorite spot just yet--
Kimberly Moster owns Kimberly's Boutique. She has for five years. She reminds you, this is far from a ghost town.
It is a neighborhood business-- and it depends on neighbors.
"I know that I have clients who maybe aren't spending as much as they normally do-- and they make a point to spend what they are going to spend here, with me. because they want me to be here the next time they want to shop," Moster said.
Moster has made it a point to see unique clothing and jewelry you won't find just anywhere.
She loves what she does-- and knows what she's up against.
that's why she makes sure she shops local. When she wants a book-- she goes next door to the Bookworm.
And if she wants a toy for her two kids, she goes across the street.
Their success, she'll tell you, is her success.
"If you want those unique shops, you gotta shop in them to support them. It's hard to compete with the malls, with the Targets and Kohls," Moster said.
Some of the businesses that closed decided not to renew their leases because the owners thought they were too expensive.
Economists point out, it all goes back to supply and demand: if more businesses start to leave-- even premier spots like West Hartford Center, it is likely that rents will fall, too.
There is some good news. In some empty store fronts, there are already signs that advertise a new business on the way.
That has Moster hopeful that things will turn around.
