Though the country”s economic climate may have had a negative effect on some downtown Columbus businesses, the Friendly City”s center during the last year seems to have bucked a national trend of economic uncertainty.
“We”ve seen over the past year a huge increase in businesses downtown,” said Columbus Main Street Director Amber Murphree. “In the past year and a half, Huck”s Place and Fuhgetaboutit have opened up, Paper Daisy and Gifts Etc. have relocated downtown from other parts of the city and Broussard”s has moved more into the center of downtown.”
Because the national economy during the past year has been gripped by one of the worst recessions in decades, downtown Columbus business successes have come during an unlikely time, Murphree explained.
“Right now really is a booming time for downtown businesses. We have had a lot of success during a time when the economy is not what it used to be,” Murphree said. “And I think a lot of it can be tied to the amount of people who are looking to stay close to home to save money, and who are trying to keep their dollars here in Columbus.”
Bubba Huckaby, co-owner of Huck”s Place restaurant on Fifth Street South, said he has seen a “tremendous” amount of customer traffic since the restaurant opened in December 2008.
“Business has been really great for us so far. It”s been so steady that it”s hard to believe we are experiencing a slow time right now,” Huckaby said. “If this is supposed to be slow, I can”t wait until we get back into a busy time.
“We have been more than pleased with the support we”ve had from the community. It”s just been tremendous,” Huckaby added. “We”ve had people from Columbus and places around the city, Starkville, Aberdeen and even some from Alabama come to our restaurant on a regular basis.”
However, the city is not entirely immune from the recession”s effects. Within the past month, owners of downtown newcomer 509 Tapas abruptly closed the restaurant”s doors and brought an end to the establishment”s nearly seven-month run.
“I think Tapas closing was definitely economy related, and we hate to see them go,” Murphree said. “But the renovations done to that building were immaculate.
“It”s one of the few places in Columbus where someone could just walk in and open up a restaurant without having to do much,” Murphree added. “Hopefully we can get it filled pretty quickly.”
Although some have expressed concern about the possible closing of the Mississippi Coffee House on Main Street, business owner David Griffin last week sought to dispel the rumor.
“We are not going to close the store. We are just trying to find a manager to run the store for the two months of the year I have to go to Florida to serve with the Marines or find someone to buy it from us,” Griffin said. “But we only want to sell it to someone who will keep the business open.
“If we can”t find a manager or someone to buy it, we will just stay here,” Griffin added. “We have had a lot of people coming in here saying they were upset we were closing. But we”re not closing the store.”
Elsewhere in the city, Susan Mackay, outgoing Ward 2 Columbus city councilwoman and owner of Party and Paper on Fifth Street South, said she has seen a steady decrease in the number of customers shopping at her specialty store.
“Summertime is when things usually slow down. But I”ve been talking to other business owners, and it seems like this year is not as good as it has been in the past,” Mackay said. “I think it”s a combination of the slow season and the economy that”s pushing our business down.
“But our figures are not as far down from last year as they were between ”07 and ”08,” Mackay added. “We are hoping to see a turnaround by the end of the year, but a lot of business owners are kind of in limbo right now.”
Because of the uncertain economic climate, some potential entrepreneurs may be hesitant about starting a business downtown, Murphree said. However, several newly renovated downtown buildings soon will be available to anyone interested in owning business in the city”s heart.
“There are a few buildings that are being renovated right now, like the old Alford Drug building next to the Mississippi Coffee House,” Murphree said. “We don”t have anything new coming to downtown at the moment, but I think that will change pretty quickly once the economy starts picking up a little bit.”
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