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SPECIALTY RETAIL rederick County retailers weathered the economic recession better than their counterparts, in part because of the county’s location near public service employment hubs, including Washington, D.C. “We are lucky, in the D.C. metro area, that the economy remains stronger than other areas in the country,” said Cassie Bustamante, co-owner of Sweet Clover Vintage Barn Sales, a monthly tag sale near Adamstown that features home décor items. Downtown shop owners who rented space ultimately benefited from a flailing real estate market. In 2008, building prices were barreling out of control, and Kara Norman, executive director of Downtown Frederick Partnership, wondered where and how it would all end. “The prices people were paying for buildings were going through the roof, and that had a negative impact on retail,” Norman said. “… One positive thing is that it [the recession] put a halt to buying buildings at costs the rental rates could not support.” Pat Latkovski’s Alicia L boutique of women’s fashion had a home somewhere downtown for over 30 years, but high rents drove her to the Francis Scott Key Mall for a few years.
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While there, she amassed more loyal customers, and subsequently moved back downtown because it’s where she, and her business, belong, she said. The demand for high-end, specialized stores is growing as Frederick becomes more popular, and those stores are not restricted to downtown. Relative newcomer Oil & Vinegar, a gourmet food shop, is part of a franchise, but one with only 20 shops across the country. The franchise guidelines prohibit opening in a downtown location, so co-owner Sharon Streb looked to the wealthy Loudoun County, Va., initially, but landed in Westview Promenade. “It’s such a gem of a shopping center,” Streb said. While foot traffic was much higher before the 2008 downturn, according to her Westview neighbors, business has been good at Oil & Vinegar, which opened in 2014. Streb expects traffic to increase when a high-end subdivision is built behind the shopping center. Until then, she plans events and sales to attract customers, and has joined the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, as networking with other business owners helps hers grow, she said. Sarah Hurwitz Robey, co-owner of Colonial Jewelers in downtown Frederick, said that the
competition posed by online shopping is real because people look to the web for bargains. But, especially with fine jewelry, you get what you pay for, she said. Fortunately for the brick-and-mortar businesses, a 2014 survey by TimeTrade on retail spending habits found that a majority of consumers prioritize personal service, and will continue to shop primarily in a store. Colonial Jewelers, family-owned for 68 years, counts on quality products and personalized service in a traditional setting—including hand-written receipts and an old-school cash register—to connect to customers. “That gives us an edge and personal quality, and that’s an advantage,” Hurwitz Robey said. –KATHERINE HEERBRANDT
Natural Fusion Hair Studio ou can go to any salon for a haircut, but what happens to all of the dyes, hair and chemicals that can hurt the environment? Natural Fusion Hair Studio, located in Frederick, focuses on great style and service while protecting our planet—beautifully. “What sets Natural Fusion apart from other salons is when you walk in you feel like family, but are treated like a rock star,” said co-owner and master stylist Earl Pindar. “We pride ourselves on the ‘edgy sophistication’ and highest quality
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standards we extend to each client.” Natural Fusion opened its doors in 2007 and recently became a certified partner of Green Circle Salons—the first and only in Maryland—allowing them to recycle and reduce salon waste by 95 percent. Being a member of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce has helped Natural Fusion facilitate meaningful relationships. “We love being part of the Chamber,” said Kelly Chapin, co-owner of Natural Fusion. “We feel like part of a community within a community. It’s great.”
246 E. Sixth St., Frederick 21701 301-662-1766 Naturalfusionhairstudio.com info@naturalfusionhairstudio.com
A p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e F r e d e r i c k C o u n t y C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e a n d T h e F r e d e r i c k N e w s - Po s t
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