Businesses Sit Empty on Milton’s Main Drag
By Clint Haggart
Record Herald Writer
Published in the Weekly Record Herald Friday, Feb 18, 2011
West Milton – A trip though the village’s downtown core may lead some to wonder why so many empty storefronts dot the streetscape. Long-established business owners can remember when West Milton’s core area was full of businesses. Some feel the economy and big box stores are to blame.
Georgia Wertz of Wertz Variety Store, said she can remember when all of the downtown area store fronts were occupied, however it hasn’t been like that since the 1960s. Her father, 81 year-old Kay Wertz, said West Milton had four grocery stores in the 1930s, adding they were smaller than the chain stores now. At one point, Kay said the village had six gas stations.
Georgia said the Wertz stores started with her great-grandfather H.L. Wertz Sr., continued with H.L. Jr. and then to her father. Kay noted Wertz began in 1925 and the variety store moved to it’s present location in 1932. Georgia added Kay was the one who purchased the hardware location and moved all the hardware items there.
Both Georgia and Kay agreed big box stores are a big part of the reason businesses started going under and leaving. The father added big box stores contribute less to their communities than independent businesses.
“We went through a spell (about 15 to 20 years ago) when there were a lot of empty storefronts downtown,” said Georgia, adding, in comparison, the current vacancies don’t seem that bad.
Kay explained studies show 68 percent of consumer dollars spent locally stay in the community compared to 43 per cent of consumer dollars spent at big retail chains. He was referring to a study done by the independent business organization RetailSpeaks, with information from the US Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do online shoppers contribute to the community? None, consumer dollars do not stay in the community, not even tax dollars with online retail.
“Walmart doesn’t even bank in Ohio, all that business goes to the state of Arkansas,” said Kay, exclaiming they have about 100 factories in China. “How does anybody compete.”
Independent businesses need to market more. “Once in a while you have to promote a little, more than some guys do now at least. When you promote, some guys will take advantage of it,” noting all the big box stores do it weekly. “We try to keep an old look, but carry new stuff,” said Georgia.
Municipal Contribution
Since he became town manager three-and-a-half years ago, Tony Howard said he only knows of two businesses closing in the downtown, one of which, Artistry In Wood, closed due to the owner’s death. The other, PVP Inc., shut down. The village of West Milton purchased the building at 12 S. Miami St. with plans to turn it into a pocket park. In the long-term, the building could be demolished so that green-space and parking could be created. “It tells the downtown businesses, the village will invest in downtown.”
In the current economy, the manager said the village can count itself lucky that there hasn’t been a wholesale overturn in businesses. Among the contributing factors to the empty storefronts, are the lack of parking space and reduced traffic flow. He said West Milton has become a bedroom community and rather than move slowly through town, those who work outside the village take faster routes around town.
He and council have discussed a number of options to reverse the trend of businesses leaving the downtown. He suggested the core area has a historical feel and arts, crafts and antiques shops may thrive. West Milton does have a community reinvestment area, however it only applies to building a new business establishment and not to renovations. According to the Ohio Department of Development Web site, The Ohio Community Reinvestment Area program is an economic development tool administered by municipal and county governments that provides real property tax exemptions to businesses making investments in Ohio.”
Howard said the village’s full-time professional police staff and very low crime rate should appeal to new businesses. About the village, Kay Wertz said he he’s not sure they can do much more. “The village is good at keeping roads clean (we have a great crew), and we’re getting cooperation with the village manager now.”
Open Storefronts
Bill Netzley, who owns five downtown storefront spaces, said economics has a lot to do with empty storefronts. He added the village needs to attract industry to draw more businesses to the downtown core, noting industry brings jobs and jobs provide customers to new businesses. His secretary, Sherry Dye, said three of his five storefronts are empty. Frame Mill Galleries moved from his 3 S. Miami location to another Netzley storefront at 47 N. Miami.
The old museum at 45 N. Miami Street is being renovated and there has been some interest. Dye said a taxidermist (who has since backed out), H&R Block and several antique dealers have considered the locale. The dog groomer who used to be at 31 N. Miami Street has moved to a building in Englewood, where she added they had room to board dogs. One storefront building for sale may soon host a new business. The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said he thinks he has a contract for the building at 11 S. Miami Street. He said The Dog House, a custom clothing business left in November. “Basically, they couldn’t make a go of it.”
More community events could help bring businesses and customers to the downtown. Kay Wertz said he can’t remember the last time he’d seen as many people in town than during the Fall Fling. His daughter pointed out car shows have brought a lot of people to town. Dye said, “I’d like to see an ‘old-fashioned days’,” with all the craft and antique shops working together to create an event.
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