Diminishing Downtown Business Community

<The following letter was sent to Mayor Joe Sack and forwarded to the paper for publication.>

My name is Caroline Schneider and I own a store in downtown Rye called Lola. We have been on Purchase Street for over 12 years.

We have watched our business diminish considerably due to both external factors (the Internet), as well as more local issues (disappearing shoppers, parking spaces). This is clearly not unique as we watch neighbors shutter their stores.

If we are to curtail this trend, I think it is critical that Rye take an active role in creating a more user-friendly retail environment, and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about this.

I am also forwarding a recent article posted by LoHud, as Rye is not unique in this situation, and I think it important that the community gets involved.

— Caroline Schneider