Town Center Struggles to Attract New Businesses

Each Thursday, Riverdale Park's town center bustles with residents and others who come to buy fresh and gourmet produce from the more than 30 vendors at the Riverdale Park Farmers Market.

But the rest of the week, the center is mostly empty, other than the three businesses – S&J's Restaurant and Bar, Aunt Emily's Doll Shop and Apollo XII  Unisex hair salon - and the commuters from the MARC train line.

Many storefronts remain closed along Queensbury Road, and 'For Lease' signs are the only things in the windows.

Riverdale Park Mayor Vernon Archer said it's been difficult to move forward. With the economic downturn, it's been hard to find candidates to make the financial investment.

The buildings that remain unoccupied are owned by the D.C.-based Douglas Development Group. Norman Jemal, vice president of the development group, said the company has been in ongoing talks with prospective businesses.

There have been a few interested tenants, Jemal said, but the financing has been a challenge.

Ideally, the company is looking to fill the space with cafes or other privately owned small entities, like wine shops, salons and antique stores.

"Café seating is available, as well as parking, and it's near the train station," he said.

Jim Coleman, a Riverdale Park resident and the farmers market coordinator, also doubles as an economic development consultant for town.

Each week, he takes note of how many people come to the market - the median, he said, is 670 people - and would like to help work toward bringing businesses to town.

"We'd love to hear from [Douglas Development] whenever they have prospective businesses," Coleman said.

He said he's taken note of what other areas like Rockville are doing to help enliven their town centers.

"They have events weekly, in addition to the Saturday farmers market," he said. "They made the investment to bring in condos, and private investors bet on the viability of the area."

Archer said the town is willing to work with developers to create incentives for business owners to open in town.

"If someone shows a real interest, we'd work with developers to make something happen," he said.

Andrea Roberts, owner of Apollo XII Unisex salon, said she is surprised by the business she gets in the town center.

"It's mostly retirees from University Park, but on Thursdays we're busy," she said.

She opened her shop in the town center four months ago and has another shop in Riverdale Plaza.

"I don't know what they need to get more businesses here, but it would definitely help mine," Roberts said. "They should open a dry cleaner, a little deli and something else that residents need."

Jemal said interested business owners should contact the developers by phone at (202) 638-6300.