No community in the country is immune to an economic downturn. The proof is undeniable in a ride down Hempstead Turnpike. Shopfronts that once held viable businesses now wear “For Rent” banners and dusty windows. It’s a difficult time to be a business owner anywhere, and Franklin Square is no different.

At least one entrepreneur has found a way to expand his customer base and grow his business in this economy, and those empty shop fronts play a key part.

Jeff Wheeler, the owner of Minuteman Press in Franklin Square, once owned a small, 1,000 sq. foot store front across the street from the local post office branch.

Recently, when the landlord at that space decided he wanted to do something new with his office space, Wheeler was forced to look around for somewhere else to move his business. The solution, as it turned out, was three blocks down Hempstead Turnpike.

Without too much trouble, he was able to find a vacant storefront with twice as much space as his old location, available for less money that he was paying to keep his doors open near the Franklin Square Post Office.

“It was a real winner to double our space, double our production area, it’s just a matter of time before we bring in more customers,” Wheeler said at his grand re-opening ceremony. “We’re going to fill it up with more employees and more equipment. It’s a growth opportunity and a silver lining.”

In fact, Wheeler said, his new location is already starting to pay dividends after just six weeks.

“We’ve had several new customers already, and we’ve heard nothing but good things about the new location,” he said. “Everyone who walks in here is just wowed. It’s a great new layout for us and is giving us a great new opportunity.”

Success stories like Wheeler’s are sometimes difficult to see in times of recession, and that much more important for people to cling to, as a way to see a light at what has sometimes seemed like an infinitely long tunnel.

Several local officials, including Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, turned out for the opening.

Murray said she thought it was important for government leaders to support business owners like Wheeler, especially in difficult times.