Volume 1, Issue 4
Table of Contents

Cover Story:
Only Time Will Tell
A look ahead at what 2007 will mean for Rockland

Feature Story:
How Will He Do That?
Hector May has big plans for the RBA

DEPARTMENTS:

Economics Roundup
• The Smart Investor
Try a financial diet in 2007
• Economic Viewpoint
Coming to America or conundrum continued

Business Roundup
• Office Efficiency
Streamlining office operations through lean processes
• Marketing By Design
Branding your image - it's not just for the "big" guys

Ask The Experts
• Business Start-ups
Getting your basics together
• Is It Tax Season Yet?
Your tax questions answered

Retail Round-Up
• Feast or Famine
Taking the pulse of the local restaurant biz
• In The News

Invest in Your Community
• Heart of a Lyon
Former Jet delivers an inspirational message
• Family Shelter Honors
First-ever program recognizes community contributions

Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter

Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:

The President’s Desk
All in all, it was a very good year

Handing Over The Torch
Annual membership luncheon introduces new RBA board

RBA Happenings
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members

Retail Roundup:
Feast or Famine?
Taking the pulse of the local
restaurant biz
By Adrian Burke

 

You would think with the economy feeling a slight rebound—just look at those figures forecasting that shoppers spent on average $800 apiece over the holidays—that people would be flocking into their local restaurants for lunch, dinner, and special occasions. But the holiday picture—and beyond—ain’t quite that rosy in Anthony Mingone’s estimation.

Mingone, a longtime Rockland businessman, is the owner of Romolo’s in Congers, and is also the out-going president of the Westchester/Rockland chapter of the New York Restaurant Association, the first Rockland restaurant owner to hold the position. He was recently honored as Restaurateur of the Year.

While the county has its share of award-winning restaurants and chefs like Peter Kelly, local favorites such as the Old 76 House in Tappan, and a handful of new and up-and comers—Vertigo, Relish, and Wicky Lounge—it’s still far from being the kind of dining destination as Westchester or Bergen Counties, says Mingone.

But is the restaurant business improving or on the decline? “Most of us are not growing; we’re maintaining the status quo,” says Mingone, who has run Romolo’s, a family eatery for nearly thirty years. “It takes time to establish a new restaurant; today people don’t want to go out and blow money on something new. It used to be that everyone ran to the new restaurant, but today it takes longer for them to become entrenched. I don’t think it’s a local thing; the world has changed and we’re all a little more cautious on how we spend our money. Now, in New York City, it’s a totally different environment. The Wall Street guys are out there spending $3,000 on lunch. We don’t have that business in Rockland.”

Nationally, restaurant-industry sales are forecast to advance 5% in 2007 and equal 4% of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to the National Restaurant Association, which notes that every dollar spent by consumers in restaurants in New York State generates an additional $1.06 spent in other industries allied with the restaurant industry. In New York State, 2006 restaurant sales were $25.5 billion.

Mingone agrees there have been some new restaurant openings that have added jobs, but many of those are in the nearby Palisades Mall, which he feels has drained business from local establishments.

“Smaller restaurants can’t compete with the advertising budget of the large chains. In Rockland, as much as the census say we have the second highest per capita income in the area, there’s not lot of disposal income,” Mingone says. “A common thread we hear a lot from owners is, if it wasn’t for the parties, we wouldn’t exist.”

Another issue, at least in Mingone’s estimation, is that Rockland doesn’t have a broad enough base of mid-sized businesses and large corporations to sustain a healthy dining climate, one that would have many restaurants happy to book what has become of late a non-existent weekday lunch business. “We don’t have enough big industries here to generate weekday business,” he says. “We have folks here, however, who work late and come over; they don’t live in the area and they’re looking for a nice meal.”

Mingone says the solution is for the business community to make a concentrated effort to attract real business to the county—not small business. “The climate of the community has changed. We need to take a look a we do and attract real business, not small business,” says Mingone. But modern times are also to blame, he says, noting that the “immediacy” of the business climate has also led to changes in dining habits. “What changed the lunch business? The ever-present ticker. Bankers have to be at their desk to make trades because we are in an instant society, so they can’t afford the time to take people out to lunch. We actually deliver lunch to many businesses. It’s a whole different atmosphere.” RBD

Dining for Dollars in New York State
• Number of eating-and-drinking places: 35,947
• Restaurant and foodservice employment: 7.5% of total employment
• Total sales in 2005 for all restaurants: $25.5 billion
• 2006 estimated restaurant and food-service related employment: 647,000
• 2016 projected restaurant and food-service related employment: 698,300
• Total new jobs added 2006-20016: 50,900

Source: National Restaurant Association

In the News
Neisner's Men's and Boy's Clothing Center closed for good on Christmas Eve. The store has been in the community for the past 117 years. It originally started back in 1889 in Nyack and a second store opened in New City in 1970. The Nyack store closed in 1976.

Tower Records filed for bankruptcy back in August 2006 and will close all 89 stores that it operates nationwide. The Nanuet store is currently liquidating all its inventory.

Store Openings
FasTracKids has recently opened in Bardonia, at 75 Bardonia Road. FasTracKids is an international franchise, and the only one of its kind that works to assist children ages 2 1/2 - 8 in reaching their potential in a fun, fully interactive, 2-hour a week program. The program is designed to increase children's general knowledge, improve concentration, and encourage brain development in an enjoyable and interesting way.

A new CVS pharmacy will be opening soon at 280 South Main Street in New City.

New in The Palisades
Lucky Strike Lanes - Bowling is coming to the Palisades. Lucky Strike will feature contemporary decor with a 1930's and 40's retro feel, custom lounge seating and nightclub quality audio system hosted by a live DJ/VJ on selected nights. There will be a restaurant, full-service dining at all lanes, a bar area and a private lounge for groups. Learn more at www.bowlluckystrike.com.

Krazycity - Play miniature golf, throw a few frames of Thunder Bowl or ride the haunted roller coaster. Take a break and have some delicious food in the Celebrations restaurant, featuring classic American fare in a casual family dining atmosphere. Birthday parties and special events are welcome; (845) 353-5700 or visit us at www.krazycity.com.

Café Tu Tu Tango - A new tapas restaurant, opened in November.

Chevys - Great new spot for fresh Mexican food is now open.

Delias - Women’s fashions

Armani Exchange - Reasonably priced outpost of the designer clothing store

In the News welcomes all retail news of note, include announcements of new businesses, expansions, and relocations. Please send your news to editorial@rbdigest.com.