Business Owner: Main Street Closure on 4th of July Not In Best Interests of Merchants

At least one Westhampton Beach business owner is not happy with an idea to close Main Street on the 4th of July so the to celebrate it's 15th anniversary.

"As much as I can appreciate that PAC would like to put on a free concert, I do not see it being in the best interests of the merchants to have Main Street closed on easily one of our biggest days of the summer, said Erin Finley, owner of Sydney's "Taylor" Made Cuisine after learning that respresentatives from PAC were before the village board on Wednesday night to request the street be closed to moterists between 2 p.m and 9 p.m. on the 4th of July.

Finley said that if the street is closed vitually all day, she would stand to lose "thousands and thousands of dollars" as on the 4th most of her customers are stopping in to pick up food for their 4th of July events.

Delivery and catering would also be impossible with the street closed, said Finely, who said that a closure just in the evening would be much more conducive.

"The grand total total loss to business would be over $20,000 for what?"

Other business owners, however, sees the closure to Main Street as a possible boon to business.

Elyse Richman, owner of three businesses on Main Street, Shock, Babyshock, and Shock Ice Cream, said, "It might bring in more people but July 4th. I guess we will have to see if is a good idea after the fact."

Richman also suggested that perhaps the village could look to shut down Main Street once a month during the summer.

"We could bring tables into the middle of the street, bring in some music and make it festive and inviting," she said.

Related Reading:

• Performing Arts Center Planning Outdoor Concert for the 4th of July

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