By MIKE CAPUTO
Christopher Hackert, owner of East Meadow Florist on Hempstead Turnpike, admitted that he grew concerned when business remained slow through mid-December. The holiday season is a crucial profit generator for florists, along with Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
"Midway through the month, I was very worried," Hackert said. "I thought it was going to be a disaster."
Hackert's nerves were soothed when customers placed a last-minute wave of orders beginning on Dec. 19. The florist said he believes people initially concentrated their shopping on children and saved their adult friends and family members -- typical recipients of flowers and gift baskets -- for the end of the season. Corporate gift-giving also decreased, he noted.
"Considering where the economy was, it was better than expected," Hackert said.
His profits are down 15 percent dating back to the start of 2008, he said. With the economic outlook appearing bleak heading into January, usually a slow month for businesses, he is taking a realistic approach. "We'll keep the doors open, but I am not going to go out and buy the Cadillac," Hackert said.
Despite trying economic times, customers continued to buy sweets for their holiday gatherings at A Taste of Home Bakery in North Bellmore. "People aren't really going to change for the holidays," said owner Rose Fuger.
But business is still down compared with past years at the well-known bakery on North Jerusalem Road at the border of East Meadow and North Bellmore. Fuger and co-owner Monica Tarantino, have introduced theme nights to attract more families to the cafe-style shop.
John Arigo, who owns Pietro's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant on East Meadow Avenue, has tried to maintain reasonable prices for his customers, many of whom have been patronizing the family-owned business for more than 30 years. However, Arigo said, rising costs led him to make adjustments. When he printed new menus last year, the price of flour and other pizza ingredients began to soar and continued to fluctuate. Instead of spending more money on still more menus with the adjusted prices, Arigo kept the same ones and informed customers that a small surcharge would be tacked on for pizza orders.
Arigo, an accountant by trade, understands the struggle that many of his fellow business owners face, but suggests that they "stay positive" and maintain the same strategies that have worked for them in the past.
"A lot of people have been hanging on, especially retail-wise," Arigo said. "Stick to the program, don't panic, don't try to reinvent yourself."
For restaurant owners, the unpredictable weather over the holiday season also impacted business. The Friday before Christmas, usually a big night for restaurants, was slow because of a winter storm that hit Long Island and kept many potential customers at home. It also affected caterers, who could not get out because of the storm, said one restaurant owner and caterer.
"It hurt," said Mike Amitrano, owner of Potter's Pub on Hempstead Turnpike. "That's one of those things you don't make up. It's not like retail losing a day. In the end, people may shop twice as much, but they don't eat twice as much."
Business owners agree that January is a rough month for profit-generating. Arigo pointed out that college students go back to school and "snowbirds" go to Florida for the winter. "Right now is the real downturn, when it starts to get slow," he said.
Amitrano said he hopes gas and heating oil prices remain low, because the savings may encourage people to go out to eat more.
Funtazia, a shop on Hempstead Turnpike that sells gifts, novelty items and tobacco products and also offers piercings, had to stop offering tattoo services when the economy took a downturn, said owner Sam Naderi.
Naderi, who said he is not expecting to close his doors anytime soon, takes solace in the fact that his family-owned business has loyal customers. "There was nothing like this year," he said. "Anyone who stays in business [in 2009] should be thankful."
Vacant storefronts are becoming a regular sight in East Meadow, especially along Hempstead Turnpike. According to Hackert, the immediate past president of the Chamber of Commerce, shopping centers that have been filled to capacity for years are now sporting multiple vacancies.
Christopher Murray, the new president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, said he is encouraging residents to support the community by shopping in their local downtowns, and advising business owners to be assertive.
"You have got to be more aggressive than ever in regard to advertising and marketing yourself," he said. "It is not time to pull back, it's time to double the efforts."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
