RIDGEFIELD, Conn. First Selectman Rudy Marconi has a solution for store closures on Main Street in Ridgefield: shop local.
But some Ridgefield residents have said shopping locally becomes hard to do with four empty storefronts on Main Street, a result of the recent economic downturn.
The Gap, also located on Main Street, will not renew its lease after the 2012-13 holiday season, Marconi said.
They say its for sure this time, Marconi said. In the past, the company has said it would not be returning, but this year, the landlord was given notice.
Although there is no plan in place to find a replacement for the national store chain, Marion Roth, executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, has taken an active role in encouraging new businesses. As a result, Marconi said some of the empty storefronts will start filling over the next year.
As far as the four stores on Main Street, Marion Roth has said there are applications in to occupy those, Marconi said. And Im sure there are going to be people in line to rent the Gap space.
In a letter written by Roth on the chambers website, she said, The Ridgefield chambers mission is to promote economic vitality through member engagement, hospitality, collaboration, education and advocacy. How we do this is best described in the acronym NEAT, which stands for networking, education, advocacy and tourism.
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