Rye Weathers Recession as New Businesses Move In

A recession that's maintained its downward pull on small businesses isn't stopping some entrepreneurs from opening shops in Rye.

Lisa Summa-Guarino, president of the Rye Chamber of Commerce, said that during the past few months nearly 10 small businesses have opened, including Weezie D Ladies Boutique, On the Way Cafe, Al Dente Pizzeria and The European Boutique.

Gady Alcantara, owner of The European Boutique, grew up in Rye and after studying fashion in college she decided the city would be the perfect place to open a boutique.

Her shop opened on Elm Place late last month to what she described as a welcoming reception from both new customers and fellow business owners in Rye's downtown shopping district.

Alcantara acknowledged that opening her first business in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression was a risky move, but she said the risk was worth the opportunity to be her own boss and pursue her passion for fashion merchandizing, which she studied in college.

"I know it's a risky time to open a business. It made me think, 'I could be a buyer for a corporate company,' but a lot of my friends who did that don't have their jobs anymore," Alcantara said.

"I was willing to take the risk to be a small business owner. I grew up with my dad as a small business owner; he's a contractor. I took advantage of the lower rent right now. I was able to establish myself with less money than I would have three years ago."

Alcantara said that she decided to open a boutique here because of the shopping district's non-commercial vibe and its many successful mom and pop shops.

"I like the atmosphere. It was one of the towns that maintained that small-shop environment," she explained.

Alcantara said that she aims to attract a broad customer base by offering high-quality clothing and accessories that aren't "vogue typical."

"I'm trying to reach out to everybody. It's about embracing womanhood and all the things you can do to have fun and feel special," said Alcantara, whose boutique is trying to lure customers by offering 10 percent off of jewelry this month and a glamour menu, an appointment-only incentive which includes closet makeovers and professional hair styling and makeup.

Hip Hop Wraps is another newcomer to Rye's small business landscape. Owner Bob Pastore said that he chose the location primarily because of its central location on 1004 Boston Post Rd. and the foot traffic of students on their way to and from school. Pastore is trying to divert that foot traffic into his store by offering students and city employees 10 percent off to mark his restaurant's grand opening.

"I felt like I would have a little bit of a captive audience," Pastore explained. "Hopefully, if my food was good, people would come back and I'd have a successful business."

After 30 years in the restaurant business, Pastore said he wanted to diverge from the upscale scene to which he was accustomed. Because opening an expensive restaurant would be especially difficult now, he decided to go with a business plan that focused on moderately priced food and drawing in customers with music, art and open doors until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

"It's a little tough to open a restaurant right now. The average customer isn't spending like they used to. It's just different times," Pastore explained. "I wanted to go more toward affordable foods that people would eat every day."

To help attract customers, Pastore created a menu with more than 60 items, including vegetarian options, wraps and sandwiches. A local high school student helped Pastore pair the menu options with famous hip hop artists and their songs.

Though the city wouldn't allow Pastore to display graffiti in the shop's windows, there is plenty of artwork inside.

Rye High School students created some of the graffiti pieces adorning the walls of the shop. Pastore also solicited art from Jedi5, a professional graffiti artist based in Brooklyn.

Like The European Boutique, Hip Hop Wraps also opened late last month. Pastore said that since then he's been pleased just to have curious passers-by stop in to pick up a menu.

Summa-Guarino emphasized the importance of shopping local, saying, "everything that is wonderful about the City of Rye depends on the continued support of the very people who live and work here."