Nyack's Small Businesses Deliver Big Thank You To Customers

NYACK, NY — Nyack’s many small businesses — some pandemic survivors and some intrepid newcomers — are expressing their thanks to their loyal customers with a special thank you note.

Forty-four local business leaders have created a poster of themselves holding cards spelling out the message: “Shop & Eat Local. Nyack Thanks You All For Your Support."

“Of course we treasure our customers,” said Maria Luisa Whittingham, co-founder of Nyack Merchants United and owner of Maria Luisa boutique at 77 South Broadway “But the pandemic has inspired a sharp new appreciation for the support and loyalty of our patrons during a time that was just as difficult for them as it was for us.”

The idea for a more formal ‘thank you’ came from a small business community ‘across the pond.’

“Instagram became a new skill for me, part of the workday routine during shutdown,” said Gena Lisanti, owner of the Gena Lisa lingerie boutique at 17 North Broadway. “We had time to make connections near and far. A post from a shop similar to mine, located outside of London, struck a chord. Their business community had the same vibe as ours, and they had come together with a great thank you idea – a photo poster of shop owners holding up cards with the letters spelling ‘Being local never felt so good.’

“It touched my heart, and I thought we could do it too," she said.

Nyack’s version of the thank-you poster is now on the street in shop windows and online.

With customers top of mind for local business owners, Morgana, owner of Modern Druid boutique at 60 South Broadway, pitched in by volunteering to work with her graphic designer, Scott Hodgson, to create a new map of the Nyack business district — now published on Visit Nyack.org.

“The map shows a clear footprint of the village, including key landmarks,” said Morgana. “It shows how easy it is to navigate our village, and how much we have to offer in a compact space.”

The current business outlook in Nyack is positive – but hard-won.

Like so many towns across the nation, the village took a big hit from the pandemic, Nyack Chamber of Commerce officials said. By November 2020, eight months into the shutdown, Nyack had lost upwards of two dozen small businesses. Since then, the casualties have tapered off, but keeping the community going was, and still is, a huge challenge.

The number of lost businesses is now substantially offset by the brave — and diverse — group of more than 40 newcomers.

"New challenges bring new solutions," said Chamber President Roger Cohen. "The pandemic experience has prompted us to create a platform to help existing businesses weather the storm, and help new businesses get a foothold in our village. Support includes special events, such as our Nyack Feasts celebration in March, a tourism campaign under the banner Enjoy Life. Enjoy Nyack, and new forums allowing businesses to work together and brainstorm new solutions.”

Enjoy Nyack is an invitation to visitors and residents to sample the village's special blend of memorable experiences: Shopping, dining, spas and salons, music, art, theater, hiking, biking and river recreation in an intimate, safe, walkable riverside community.

The program is supported by local businesses, non-profits and by Rockland County's Office of Economic Development and Tourism. Tourism sales and taxes generate significant revenue for Rockland, reducing property taxes for residents, while supporting approximately 8,700 local jobs.

Meanwhile, Nyack events are returning, customers are returning, visitors are returning. Upcoming events include street fairs in the spring, summer and fall, car shows, Halloween festivities and more.

Bottom line: Never underestimate the power of community, Cohen said.

“Nyack’s history is a book with many chapters in which different issues and businesses have taken lead roles at different times," said Jack Dunnigan, owner of Pickwick Books and pillar of the business community for nearly 50 years. “We've seen the development of Nyack as a hub for antique stores in the '70s, '80s and '90s transition to a diverse business community today with a vast array of shops, restaurants and personal service businesses."

"Whatever those businesses were and are today, they have always been supported by loyal customers and a strong community," said Dunnigan. "The power of that community has allowed us to weather the most adverse business conditions over many decades.”

“Our customers are aware of the losses we’ve suffered and our hopes for a new age,” said Lisanti. “They ask how I am with sincere interest, some with tears in their eyes. We’re so very lucky to be open, safe and supported by our locals and our loyals, both near and far.”

“We're going low and slow, adjusting for the moment,” added Nyack veteran Christine Cordey, owner of Christine Cordey Salon at 66 South Broadway. “We've learned not to take anything for granted. There’s no way to tell what's coming. We're riding the wave. We all have to slow down, stop, think and listen to our clients.”