Filling Geneva's empty storefronts a challenge, opportunity

It became part of the "new normal" to see empty storefronts in our downtowns during the height of the Great Recession, but the stubborn realities of modern retail have left quite a few empty locations behind throughout the Tri-Cities.

When things were really bad about eight years ago, even Third Street in Geneva had a high number of empty spots.

But so did State Street - and the problem seems to persist on that important stretch of the downtown.

In the past several months, Good Cents Children, Boardsports Unlimited, and Mish Boutique closed, as did Fox Jewelers, which moved to East State Street, and Tender Footsie shoe store.

In the meantime, the State Street Jewelers site, prior to its move into the former Merra-Lee Shops site, remains empty as well. The former Erday's clothing building, both front and back, is empty at Third and State streets with Perlman Fine Jewelry's departure.

It makes for a difficult challenge, but also a significant opportunity for Geneva to shape its future downtown.

That's why the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee's work with the city council, citizen surveys and community meetings looms large.

It's not a dying downtown, but like any other with empty storefronts, it would be nice to see a boost while the economy is stable.

"The changing face of retail, including consumer preferences for e-commerce, is a concern," Geneva Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko said in an email.

"Geneva retailers and restaurants are addressing e-commerce competition by providing customers with unique experiences that cannot be replicated online."

Tymoszenko acknowledges State Street has experienced "some changes with the retirements of a few long-standing retailers."

In my view, downtown Geneva has always had an advantage over others in that the Fox River does not run smack through the middle of a retail district. St. Charles and Batavia can't say the same; however, those cities have built up their downtown riverfront properties as community, and even retail, showcases.

Batavia's Riverwalk setting takes a back seat to no one in terms of creating a town square type of feeling.

St. Charles has had a long process in place along First Street because reinventing the downtown and trying to jump-start it at the same time a major recession hit took its toll. Still, this area's contribution and potential to the downtown can't be overstated.

St. Charles also has the Arcada Theatre as an anchor of sorts, knowing it will draw people into town to dine and hopefully spend money in stores.

Geneva knows it can't sit on its laurels at this time, or any time in the future.

"To remain competitive, the city is working with owners, brokers and potential end users to spur investment and secure new opportunities to ensure that the area continues to reinforce Geneva's distinct character as a destination for retail, entertainment and dining," Tymoszenko said.

Some food advantages:

Generally, the weather should be pretty good around here in early September. Not too hot, not too cold.

In part, that's what makes Geneva's Festival of the Vine so much fun. After all, its theme centers on the outdoor wine tent and the Flavor Fare that fills the parking lot at State and Fourth streets.

There's another nice thing about the Flavor Fare, or any other event that features samples from a bunch of different restaurants.

If you haven't been able to get out to actually try these places, you can at least say you've tried their food. It's all there on display starting tonight through 5 p.m. Sunday.

Ruby shares skills:

In his role as president of Shodeen Hospitality at The Herrington Inn & Spa in downtown Geneva, Paul Ruby has learned a thing or two about customer service.

Now he's sharing that in a book titled "Creating Guests for Life." It carries a subtitle of "Lessons learned and rules to follow for improving service."

He has been at this hospitality game for a long time, going on nearly three years in his current position as president, while also having 19 years as the general manager at The Herrington under his belt.

Of course, Ruby has also become well known in the area for his research and fight against Parkinson's disease, which he has suffered from for 12 years.

His Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research raised more than $400,000 in less than six years to help find a cure for the disease.

His book is available through Amazon and at Barnes & Noble in Geneva.

Still empty:

They were two places that got a fair share of my business when I worked on the east side of St. Charles for so many years. But they stand empty today, and it's hard to pinpoint exactly what might come into those spots.

The empty Gino's East pizza location is an important anchor in the Tincup Pass retail strip on East Main Street in St. Charles. It was when the Tincup Pass restaurant, and then Molly Malone's, operated out of that spot, prior to Gino's serving deep dish pizza there for more than two decades.

And then there's the Sweet Tomatoes buffet location across the street from the retail strip that was once anchored by Butera grocery store. Sweet Tomatoes was a great spot for lunch, and I'll never know for sure why it never quite made it in St. Charles.

But all of that wondering doesn't fill empty locations. Hopefully, those two spots will someday be filled with interesting new restaurant choices.

Addressing mental illness:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Kane-South, DeKalb and Kendall Counties will host its annual 5K Run for Mental Health along the Fox River trail near downtown Batavia at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, starting at the Peg Bond Community Center.

Cost to enter the run/walk is $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the event.

Those interested can register at nami5K.com, or donate if unable to participate.

dheun@sbcglobal.net