Plan the Luxury Vacation of a Lifetime with Bayside Travel of Larchmont

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Our spotlight today is on Barbara Nichuals of Bayside Travel.

Business: Bayside Travel
Owners: Barbara Nichuals
Website: www.luxurytravelservice.com
Address: 124 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont, NY
Contact_Info: Barbara Nichuals, 914-833-8880, baysidetrvl@aol.com

How did you come up with the name?

Purchased the company in Bayside, Queens in 1987. The company was started in 1960 with the name.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

After spending 13 years in Queens, I decided to relocate the business to Westchester. I’m a Westchester resident and already had clientele in the are. I found my current location on the corner of Boston Post Road and Larchmont Ave. 14 years ago, and moved the company.

It was the best business decision I made.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Travel Advisory Services

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The travel business has gone through extensive changes in the past 25 years, especially with the advent of people planning their own travel on the internet. We have had to reinvent ourselves in order to stay relevant to the traveling public.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

The downturn in the economy in 2008.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

In 2014, we won Westchester Magazine’s Best of Westchester award. This was the highlight of my career as an owner. Also had a moment of fame two weeks ago when I was interviewed on Verizon Fios morning show with CJ Papa on the benefits of using a Travel Advisor.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

One of my employees suggested that we keep track of all the recommendations that our clients tell us about from their vacations so that we can share these favorite restaurants, tours, etc with others traveling to the same place.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

It depends on the situation but the first step is to assure the client that we are their advocates and that their concerns are our priority.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

Bayside Travel supports numerous local charities including Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, several Junior Leagues, The Bereavement Center, Pelham Public Library,the French American School and many others.

In honor of my 25th anniversary owning the business in 2012, we gave a $2500 grant through a competition. Songcatchers of New Rochelle was awarded the grant.

The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Click here to get to a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.