Retailers to Sonoma: We’re still here!

Slowed by the fires, quality Plaza businesses endure.|

I’m writing this piece in response to the article on the closing of Kane, the men’s retail store on the Plaza (“Anatomy of a Closure,” Dec. 14), as we fellow retailers on the Plaza are always unhappy to lose one of our neighbors.

The challenges of owning a small retail business are great, becoming increasingly difficult with the changing times.

The North Bay fires have taken their toll on so many. Too many of our customers have lost everything. As a retailer, the impact of being closed for two weeks during our busiest season caused hardship and uncertainty. The aftermath has been a substantial reduction in visitors, and as the Kane owners stated, the most recent fires in Butte County only continue to keep the tourists away.

What we the Sonoma retailers do want our residents to know is that we are still here! And there are many reasons to visit the Plaza. Contrary to what the Eremians, who owned Kane, have heard – that there are “not enough reasons for people to walk around the town” – we have devoted local followers who happily visit us because we are close to home and have so much to offer. They frequently stop in to ask how we are doing, saying they don’t want us to ever close. And many of our customers come from throughout the Bay Area, saying that we have unique items and great customer service, and that they specifically plan trips to Sonoma to see us.

As a side note, relative to the Eremians’ unfortunate experiences with shoplifting, I have found this to be an extremely rare occurrence over my 20 years in Sonoma as a retail business owner. And with regard to their difficulties with staffing, I am blessed to have a team who receive compliments every day from both locals and tourists who say they have never before received such expert assistance and genuine caring. The bonus is that many warm and lasting bonds have developed with our clientele.

We encourage our locals to visit us. As Donna Eremian notes, on a busy Saturday parking spaces are not as readily available, but as a rule, we DO have parking, (the Mercato does have its own back parking lot for our customers). With reference to the observation that most Saturdays have events in the Plaza, I find them to be infrequent, especially rare throughout the winter months.

In response to Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Bodenhammer, who says retail in Sonoma is tough, I add that it is a challenge irrespective of geographical location. It is simply not true that our retail prices are higher in Sonoma because of the high cost of living. I shop locally and find the prices to be more than competitive – and who doesn’t love senior Tuesdays at Sonoma Market? I am told that much of the draw to my store is because our clothing is not available online, that it is well priced and that our shoppers love the personal attention they are given. I know this to be true also for the other women’s boutiques on the Plaza.

In closing, supporting our local businesses helps to keep our entire community vibrant and healthy. We wish all the best for the Eremians and are truly sorry about the closing of their store. It is my hope that we will all see continued healing for those impacted by the fires, and that the New Year will bring health and happiness for all.

Claire Samaras is the owner of Angelique Boutique, located at 452 First St. E.

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