The Tryon Daily Bulletin’s article, “Business owner: Tryon a ‘ghost town,’” certainly grabbed your attention last week and caused many of you to publicly comment on the economic climate in Tryon.
Some of you agreed with business owner Mary Prioleau’s assertions that there is not enough foot traffic in Tryon and that we all should be concerned by the increasing number of empty storefronts along our main street.
Others of you were frustrated with the paper for publishing the article in the first place, saying, “It will only make things worse.” The truth of the matter is that Tryon has lost several businesses along North Trade Street this year and is set to lose two more – artist Richard Baker and Kathleen’s Gallery both are in the process of moving to Saluda.
This is not to say Tryon’s downtown is doomed. But we cannot ignore the issue staring straight at us.
Not making people conscious of this problem will make the problem worse. Not being proactive about what can be done to attract businesses to our storefronts, especially on Trade Street, will make it worse. Not getting more people involved in already ongoing efforts will make the problem worse.
Also published last week was the article, “Tryon unveils Depot Plaza proposal.”
This article goes to show that there are people working to find solutions. The project aims to better connect the Depot Plaza with Trade Street and is part of an overall streetscape plan to enhance the look of downtown.
In the latest Tryon Downtown Development Association newsletter, projects were mentioned such as hanging historical markers on downtown buildings and adding flower baskets to streetlamps. TDDA is also looking into a program to make cyclists feel more welcome in town by encouraging merchants to allow cyclists to use restrooms and to promote that the Rogers Park restrooms are also available. The hope is that these people will recognize the hospitality shown to them and return with their families and friends to eat in our restaurants and make purchases in stores that showed them such kindness.
Beautifying downtown and making sure people feel welcome will go a long way – it’s why so many people say they feel so attracted to other towns, such as Saluda, for example.
But these measures won’t be enough to get some would-be business owners to make the leap into our local economy and into our available shops. This is the part where we believe concerned citizens want Tryon town council and property owners along Trade Street to step in.
Is there a way to offer incentives for new business owners moving into these vacant storefronts? Are the rental rates in Tryon low enough for a burgeoning business to get off the ground or do they stifle opportunity here and cause businesses to launch elsewhere?
What about our tax rates and utility costs for commercial buildings – are those affecting local businesses?
All of these issues have been raised by at least one or more business owners or potential business owners in the recent past and it’s time to take notice.
— Editorial staff,
Tryon Daily Bulletin